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"We should be arriving in Byzantium today."
Caterina looked up from the breakfast she had been served by William. Her gaze fell over Baybars. He was addressing all of them. Well, all but Abel and the founders of the empire. They sat a little way from the fire deep in conversation.
Three days had passed since Athina had told them why she was so loyal to Abel. Caterina could just hear their hushed voices. They were speaking an extremely old variant of the imperial language. It was the same one Caterina had often heard Abel go into when she had been younger whenever he was frustrated or thinking to himself. As he had later explained to her, it was his native language.
Esther sat beside Caterina, looking in Abel's direction. "What language is that? It sounds like the imperial one, but different somehow." She frowned.
William looked from his food and frowned, his head tilted in Abel's direction.
"Stop trying to figure it out, Red, you'll only get a headache," Leon stated before he took a big bit of his food. "Four-eyes just got weirder is all."
Baybars cleared his throat.
It earned him an amused look from Mirka.
"We should finish eating and head out directly," he continued as if none of them had ever interrupted him. "We'll arrive in the middle of the imperial day if nothing delays us."
Caterina finished eating her breakfast and waited for the others to do the same. She had to admit she was looking forward to not having to walk further when they reached Byzantium.
Soon they were heading out. As it had been since the group had reconnected with one another after the arrival of the founders of the empire, their party seemed to split into three groups. Caterina's agents stayed close to her with Esther walking a little ahead closer to Ion and the group from the empire. The founders of the empire walked behind Caterina, staying close to Abel without joining the other AX agents.
As the day passed, William dropped back a little from Caterina's side. He fell in with Solomon. From what Caterina could hear of the two men's conversation, they were talking about one of William's inventions as well as problems Solomon had solved during the early years of the empire. It seemed Solomon had been one of the foremost scientists of his time.
The old head of military affairs within the empire, aided in the design and construction of the protective shielding around the empire. This was far from his greatest achievement. The man was also a genetic scientist, specializing in the design and construction of the legendary genetic weapons used within the empire.
From William's voice alone, Caterina could tell her old teach had grown more and more excited the more he learned about Solomon's achievements. Solomon had attempted to say he had aid in creating each of the weapons; yet, William countered.
"There hasn't been a working prototype in genetic weaponry since your generation," William informed Solomon. "Even what news has come from the empire shows only failed attempts to even replicate those weapons you created."
"Odd. The original foremost scientist in genetic science is still alive. Though, the creation of such weapons is overkill especially when there is no war occurring."
There was a pause in their conversation as if William was contemplating what Solomon had just told him.
Caterina turned her attention from the two men.
"It's good to see William so happy," Abel commented from her side.
Caterina gave her old friend a small smile. "I've not heard William this excited since he described his last invention to me."
A small laugh came from Abel. "True enough, but he was always easily excited about his inventions. Even the ones which didn't work."
Caterina couldn't help but to agree. William had always been this way, for as long as she could remember. This didn't mean the man didn't have more to him than this, but it was refreshing to know no matter the years which passed there would always one matter about William which never changed.
In many ways, the same went for Abel. He would always have a kindness and warmth to him even without the act. The act had made the warmer parts of his personality more apparent, but it was still there even without it. Abel would always be Abel: dependable, strong, and always placing the lives of others before himself.
"Are you still upset about being used as a test subject?" Caterina's tone lightened a little.
Abel chuckled. "No. I've grown rather used to William doing such and he knows my limits on the matters."
"No needles." Caterina felt the corner of her lip twitch with a knowing smile.
Abel shuddered. "Yes, no needles."
Silence lapsed between. Caterina was content to just walk beside Abel and listen to the excited conversation between William and Solomon. Though, the excited part of the conversation was all from William. Solomon's tone boarded on emotionless. There was something about the man which reminded her of Tres. In the same moment, he was also like William in his love of technology. Perhaps, she should just say he was himself.
Caterina bit back her curiosity over the founders. She had long since learned prying into Abel's past earned a far too depressing silence from the man. Or, as had been seen with Ion, more than a little of a temper. All she needed to know, she had gathered from watching him with the founders of the empire. Their connection was deeper than even the friendship Caterina had with Abel. Granted, even thirteen years was nothing when compared with a century of friendship and loyalty.
Still, she wouldn't take back the time she had spent with Abel. No matter if it was only a small amount in the long life he would live. A part of her wished she could have longer. It was selfish of her, but a wish she still held nonetheless.
The ground started to slope upward at a gradual pace. The passage ended at a metal door. Mirka strode straight up to it and placed her hand on a glowing pad right next to the door. A sharp grinding filled the air and was followed. Dust tumbled from the ceiling as the door sild open.
Mirka was the first to step through the door. The yeniçeri followed after her. Abel entered before Caterina. She knew he was making certain it was safe. Tres was only a step behind him.
"Clear," Tres reported.
"Thank you, Tres." Caterina moved into the hall. The stone turned to marble. The halls were decorated with lush colors of green, white, and red. The colors of Augusta's line. Still, there were bare patches on the walls and she could see servants working on taking down some of the tapestries.
Even with this and in the dark of the imperial day, the hall radiated the wealth and power held by the empress. Her gaze moved over the marble, taking the unfamiliar hall. It was enchanting, just as Esther had described in her report over the brief time she had been within the Star Palace. Though, every different from what Caterina was used to in the same moment.
Footsteps echoed down the hall.
Caterina turned to see a young teenager walking towards them. Her black hair was worn short and green eyes bright. Her movement pointed to someone far more regal and older than her small, thirteen-year-old body let on. She was the girl Caterina had seen only in a picture Abel had. It was very clear this was Seth, Abel's younger sister.
"You returned safely," Seth started, her eyes locked on Mirka. "Were there any problems?"
"None, majesty." Mirka bowed at her waist. "We found his majesty and the envoys you sent to the Vatican."
Seth smiled. She turned her gaze on Astharoshe and Ion. "I'm happy to see the two of you back home. Thank you for your hard work in the outer."
The door slid shut with a soft grind.
Caterina glanced towards it to see Solomon had been the last one out of the tunnels.
"You must be Cardinal Sforza."
Caterina turned her attention back on the empress. "I am, Empress Vladika." Caterina bowed in a show of respect to the imperial empress.
"You've had a long journey. I will have some servants show you to your rooms so you and your colleagues can rest and freshen up. We can talk tomorrow."
"Thank you, your majesty." Caterina felt herself relax a little. She could have spoken with the empress tonight – well, imperial day, but she admitted taking time to get clean and relax sounded several times better.
After a warm bath, Caterina joined her agents in one of the many dining halls within the Star Palace. Leon, William, and Esther were all there before her. Tres had stayed close to Caterina while she had freshened up. Seth's servants had given them each a change of clothing and taken their other clothes to be washed.
Esther, Leon, Tres, and William all wore the citizen clothing for humans in the empire. Caterina had been given a set of finer clothes the servants had told her were given to nobles.
"Is it always this dark here, Red?" Leon was asking as Caterina moved to the table.
"Well, um, mainly during their day it is. It's a little lighter during the day. But the particles block out the sun," Esther explained. "His excellency said it so none of the methuselah are harmed if they go out during our day."
"Solomon explained a little one how it works," William started. "Apparently, the particles absorb the harmful rays of the sun while leaving just enough of what humans need of it. He wouldn't go into too great of detail. Something about not wanting the technology to be countered." William chuckled. "I admit, I don't blame the man, but it would still be interesting to learn how he and the empress made the particles."
Leon snorted. "Only to you." He shoved some of the food into mouth. He swallowed as Caterina took her place beside William. "I thought four-eyes would be with you, senorita."
"I believe the empress wanted to speak with Abel." Caterina placed some of the food on her plate.
Leon made a noise which sounded like a scoff, but was lost in the fact he had just shoveled more food into his mouth.
"Even without Abel, now we're in the empire, we should think on how best to proceed," Caterina started.
William nodded. "I agree. With his Holiness being imprisoned we should focus on rescuing him."
"It would aid both the AX and the empire in the long run," Caterina added. An ache pulled at her heart. Alec. She hoped Francesco had enough sense to not harm their brother. "We will also need an understanding on where the other Cardinals stand on this matter. If Francesco only managed to get the war with the empire through the fact he framed Alec's death on the AX and the empire or if there is something more behind this."
Mirka had mentioned another being behind the war as well. A figure who had caused rage in Abel. She suspected it had to do with the Orden. However, speculations were far from what she needed to regain support within the Vatican.
"Hmm." William mused as he cut his food. "We will need a solid plan if we hope to rescue the pope. With only Dandelion, Gunslinger, Crusnik, and myself here, we are lacking in the subtly needed to rescue his Holiness. We do have the brute force of the AX, however."
This was true. Leon would never act with subtly. Tres, well, he could go undercover with ease he was still well known with the Vatican as an AX agent and would find the shortest path was to just shoot his way through. The only one of the three who could, now the act had been lifted, get through to Alec was Abel. His position was uncertain right then given the fact he was also the first emperor of the empire. She doubted the founders would let Abel out of their sight, let alone go on a mission to rescue Alec. This left William. It would take him far longer to get to the Vatican and would be harder on him to get through to Alec.
"Without knowing where Abel stands in the now, we will have to speak with the empress on this matter," Caterina concluded. "She may have a means to aid us." Her grip tightened on her fork. She would rather not rely too heavily on the support of the empire. This might involve them, but it was still a Vatican matter. Yet, her hands were tied as long as she didn't know the standing of Crusnik.
William bowed his head. "It would be for the best. I doubt the empire will be willing to let Abel return to Rome given his revealed status."
Leon had been munching on his food and listening the two of them talk. "And why can't I go?" He slammed his fist on the table. "I'd get his Holiness out in no time." He grinned.
William and Caterina both looked at the so called "wild beast" of the AX. "I would rather not antagonize more within the Vatican," Caterina almost purred the words. "You understand, correct, Dandelion?"
Leon scowled. "So, let me get this straight, my rescuing his Holiness is likely to cause problems, but not four-eyes? This is four-eyes we're talking about!"
"Abel with the order Pope Gregorio gave him lifted, Abel would be able to infiltrate and retrieve Alec with little problem," Caterina explained. "If the order was still on him, yes, I would never send Abel."
"There would be another issue in sending Abel," William pointed out, "if he needed to escape using his full power, without a source of blood it could turn to bloodbath."
"True." Caterina lowered her silverware. "It is for the best we discuss this matter with the empress. I will bring the matter before the next imperial day." Augusta had wanted to speak with her then as it was. The matter of Alessandro's rescue could be handled then.
x – Abel – x
The servants moved to show Caterina and the other members of the AX to their chambers. Mirka had taken Ion back to their home and Asthe had told Seth she would return to give a full report once she was more presentable.
Abel moved to go after Caterina.
"Abel."
He stopped at the sound of his sister's voice. A small breath escaped him. He supposed it was foolish to think he would be staying with the other members of the AX while within the Star Palace let alone the empire with the truth having been revealed about him.
"Yes, dear sister?" he turned to Seth. He gave her a soft smile though her green eyes were filled with the same pain and sorrow they had been the last time he had seen her.
"We should talk after you get changed," she told him. "You can use your old chambers. Servants have been in to clean them. Everything should be in order."
"Seth," Abel started to protest.
"Oh, no you don't." Barack took Abel's arm. "Your chambers. Let's go." The taller man set off down the hall, pulling Abel with him.
"I can walk, Barack." Abel heard more than saw three others behind him. He glanced over his shoulder to see Azul, Athy, and Alexander were following him. Solomon looked as if he had made to follow as well, but Seth had pulled him aside. Abel could just make out what she was saying.
"Now you're back, can we start over? The Nightlords are no longer hidden from the world."
Solomon bowed his head. Abel didn't need to see his face to know the pain his former brother-in-law must have been feeling. He still loved Seth, but centuries had passed for her.
Seth reached up and pulled Solomon down. Abel only just glimpsed her kiss Solomon before Barack forced him around the corner. A small breath escaped Abel. In the end, he admitted Solomon had been the only man he could ever approve his sister being with. Yet, centuries of difference between them might end up being too great a gape for even Seth and Solomon to overcome.
"You sound worried," Athy stated. "Is it about Seth and Solomon?" The girl had fallen in beside Abel who was still being half pulled down the hall by Barack.
"I will always be worried about my sister," Abel told Athy with a small smile.
Athy smiled. "I hope they do end up back together. Solomon and Jaya weren't really good together." She winced as if the memory was painful.
"At least history listed who his second wife was," Abel countered. "Who was the father of your son?"
Athy flushed. "N-no one."
"That isn't possible," Abel stated.
Azul laughed. "She's never told any of us, father. I doubt she's going to cave now."
"Really?" Abel frowned. "You don't need to be emmbressed about it, Athy. Lilith and I weren't married when," he cut off. The memory of the months before his daughters would have been born filling his mind. He shoved them back. He had one of his sons back, this was all that mattered in the now. He placed his free hand on Athy's shoulder. "You needn't tell me. I'm just happy you found someone even if it wasn't for long."
Athy smiled. "Thank you, Uncle Abel." Her smile broadened. "I wish you could have met my son. He adored the stories I told him about you and my parents."
Warmth spread through Abel. "I would have loved to meet him." He looked towards Barack. "What about your daughter? I take she had a child at least otherwise Baybars wouldn't be here."
"Yeah, she did. But the lousy sun of a bitch left her." Barack growled his grip tightened on Abel's wrist.
"Barack, you might be mad at the man for doing, but I like my hand attached to my wrist."
"Sorry!" Barack's ears reddened. His grip loosened.
Abel couldn't blame Barack's reaction to what happened to his daughter. If Abel girls had lived, he would have killed the guy who did such a thing to them.
"Why is it Athy and Barack's daughter had such terrible luck with men?" Alexander grumbled. "I would never leave my lovely wife."
"Not even for an even lovelier ship?" Abel countered in dull tones.
Alexander coughed. "Well, no, after that one time I think I would've rather test my luck."
"You finally got your priorities straight I see," Azul muttered with a shake of his head.
"What happened?" Abel asked. This must have been something which occurred after he had left the empire.
"Let's just say, I got a new ship and my wife got upset I spent more time with the ship than her and my son." Alexander sighed. "Though, now I suppose I can spend whatever time I like with ships given so much time has passed." There was forced joy to his voice. No matter how much he pretended, Celia had been the love Alexander's life. They had stuck together through both wars and the eighty years on Mars.
Abel looked away from the pilot. They had given up so much just to help the empire in the future. What could he ever say or do to make it up to them?
Abel's old chambers were different from what he remembered them being. Granted, most of the memories had of the chambers were faded and dim. He had done his best to forget about the life he had led before the Vatican. Well, all but the people within his life before the Vatican. Also, most of the items which had been in the room would have to have been replaced after almost eight centuries.
"I can take it from here," Abel told Barack.
Barack didn't release Abel's arm. His eyes narrowed a little.
"I'm not going to run off, Barack." Abel looked the man in the eye. Not without Caterina or the rest of the AX or those from his past all here. He had considered it at one point; yet, he knew his heart lay with his companions, his family.
Barack nodded. "I'm not leaving this room." He released Abel's arm.
"I'll see if there are any servants Aunt Seth assigned to you, father." Azul turned towards the door. "I doubt the clothes she picked out for you will be simple to put on." He left the room with a wave over his shoulder.
Abel scowled. "I don't need finery," he muttered under his breath. He moved off towards the bathroom before Barack, Athy, or Alexander could retort to his comment.
(Author's Note: And I still don't have a clue where I am going with this story. I had a vague plan before the last chapter Past of Lies and now don't have a clue.
So, the wiki has Gregorio down as Gregory in some places, but it is Gregorio who is the father of Francesco, Caterina, and Alessandro and was the pope before Alessandro. Gregory in the history was the pope during the Terran-Methuselah War. So, confusing.
Yes, yes Barack had a daughter. She is a little older than Aran and will be appearing in the next chapter of Past of Lies.
I also stumbled across an odd chapter jot down I did back when I first started writing this story. It was over a matter with cryo-stasis from the time of the UN (much like with what General Hall was in from Vehemens). It got me thinking again about that thread and if I wanted to go with it. It would place issues with Solomon.
There are other characters I am pulling in from Dreams of Generation as well who come from Armageddon and survived it from Thomas's old group. I've been debating about one character and know another is going to make an appearance for certain. I wasn't sure about Barack's mother. For those of your who had read what I have posted so far from Dreams of a Generation should remember Thomas instructed Reva to bring Barack's mother with her.
There is a poll up over this matter.
Random: Why is DP my most viewed story this month?)