Chapter One-Hundred: More Trouble For Caline...And Tayla

Back at the hotel in Magan…

Kekron and Caline had arrived in front of the hotel in Magan, and they were both surprised to find that Julien, who had escaped with the CRP officers and Astorians back to the city, greet them, along with Naykiar, Caline's other brother. Naykiar resembled a younger Ridikar, with the same dark skin, dark brown hair, and dark brown eyes that were almost black. Julien was frowning darkly, and Naykiar just stood there, watching somberly as Prince Kekron Chloe landed gracefully onto the city sidewalk with Caline in his arms.

"Where in the hell has my sister been?" Julien demanded to know of Kekron.

"Don't you remember, Julien?" Naykiar snapped. "That strange horse-girl with the purple hair told us that General Norbrook abducted Caline and took her away!"

"Well, now Caline will likely have to marry him. He's probably screwed her a few times, not that what she has between her legs is worth so much. Alberm could testify to that," Julien said insensitively. Kekron scowled darkly at Julien for speaking so crudely of his own sister, but Caline shook her head at him, silently begging him not to say anything just yet.

"Not necessarily, Jules," Naykiar pointed out. "And Caline doesn't necessarily have to marry him, if he did. She's already had her garden gate opened by that traitorous brother-in-law of ours, Alberm, so if another man did mate with her, it wouldn't ruin her."

"Garden gate opened?" Kekron asked, puzzled, still holding Caline.

"It's a Calmagian expression for a girl losing her virginity," Caline explained in an embarrassed tone.

Julien walked right up to Kekron and Caline and said edgily to Kekron, "How long did you have my sister? And how did she wind up with Norbrook?"

"General Norbrook abducted me," Caline told him as steadily as possible. "But Kekron saved me from him; he talked Norbrook into letting me go. And he didn't even have to throw a punch."

"How come?" Naykiar asked curiously.

"He just talked him out of it," Caline explained.

"Oh, so Prince Kekron here talked old General Norbrook out of spreading your legs any more than necessary. Well, tell me, Caline, did Norbrook screw you? Did he feel you up?" Julien asked salaciously.

"He molested me," Caline replied simply as possible without getting tearful. "But he did not rape me."

"Are you okay, Caline?" Naykiar asked softly, and Caline's eyes widened in amazement. She looked at him, shocked beyond words. Never in their lives had Naykiar shown her any concern for her welfare. He had usually gone along with Julien's cruelty against Caline whenever Ridikar hadn't been around to restrain both brothers, and he had talked down to Caline the same as Julien and their father did. But after Caline had helped him and the other hostages escape, he had started to slowly develop a new respect for a sister that he had once agreed with his father and his brother was a nuisance and a burden to be rid as soon as possible. Naykiar embraced some of Amitar's beliefs yet, but not the one that considered Caline to be no use or good to anyone. He was a little smarter than Julien in realizing that if it had not been for Caline, their people would not have known what Frieza's forces were up to until it had been too late.

Still stunned by Naykiar's inquiry, Caline nodded a quick yes, and Julien decided to continue with his questioning. He still despised Caline yet, and he still enjoyed tormenting her. She was fun in his eyes to tease to the point of tears. He was not happy about her being back, and he had secretly hoped that Norbrook would have taken Caline to a place where they could not be found. He had never forgiven Caline for taking his place as their mother's favorite.

He asked her, grinning, "So where did Norbrook touch you at, Caline? Did you enjoy the things he did with you? Did he make you feel good? Did he feel your breasts? Did he kiss or suck on them? Did he finger you? Did he put his mouth between your legs? Did he-"

An incensed Kekron was about to respond to Julien's questions for Caline, and none of his replies would have been pleasant, but Caline was about to save him the trouble.

Caline was almost always mild-mannered, and it was hard to anger her. Ridikar used to say that he loved her the best out of all of their siblings because she was the sunniest and the kindest of them all. But even the gentlest, most loving people have their limits, and Julien's crude questions had just broken all of them for her. He had now pushed Caline past her breaking point, and so, in an extremely rare display of anger, she screamed at her brother, "That's none of your business!"

Caline jumped down from a startled Kekron's arms and stepped up to Julien. Julien was just slightly taken aback, for it had been a long time since Caline had dared to show anger towards him. The last time that Caline had shown one of her rare shows of fury was when she had slapped Julien's face for taunting her about Carie's suicidal drowning. Caline rarely ever got angry with anyone, but Julien knew how to anger her the best out of anyone. But the few times in her life that she had shown her anger, she had been cruelly punished for them; she had long ago learned that anger and independence were punishable-always.

But Caline felt braver now, especially with Kekron nearby, and she was about to let Julien see her rage. "How dare you ask me those things, you pervert?" she screamed, her fury in full swing. "Do you realize what I have been through this past year? I had to learn from you that my best friend drowned herself to get away from Filcor, the same bastard that you want me married off to! And I was forced to marry that monster, Alberm, who raped me repeatedly and tried to kill me! I cried for help, but no one answered those pleas until Tayla and her family came along! And then Father died! And now when Kekron saves me from Norbrook and brings me back here, all you can do is ask me disgusting questions about what Norbrook did to me? At least Naykiar asked me if I was okay! You didn't even show me that much courtesy! How dare you treat me this way? Ridikar was right when he told me long time ago that you have no scruples! You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Julien, you really should! What did I ever do to you for you to treat me the way that you do? Why do you hate me so much? What do you have against me? Tell me! I have a right to know, and you know it!"

Julien was taken aback by Caline's unexpected anger. She had truly startled him, but he quickly regained his wits. "Shut your mouth, you little wench, or I'll shut it for you!"

"Now see here-" Kekron began indignantly, deciding that he had heard enough.

"You stay out of this! This is between the whiny wench and me! No Astorie weakling's going to get in my business, so you can keep your mouth shut as well!"

Julien's comments to Kekron only set Caline off further. She hissed at her older brother, "Don't you ever call him a weakling! He may not be a warrior, but he's ten times braver than you will ever be! He risked his life to come rescue me, knowing that Norbrook had a gun! Where were you when Norbrook abducted me, Julien? Did you even care that Norbrook could have raped me or taken me away? And where were you when Balair was molesting me? Kekron saved me from both men and kept both of them from raping me or hurting me any further! He talked Norbrook into freeing me, and he stood up to Balair and challenged him even though Balair was much stronger than him! Kekron's strong and brave and loyal and kind, and he has more courage and goodness in the tip of his nose than you do in your entire body! He's ten times the man that you ever will be!"

Julien raised his hand to slap her face, but Kekron quickly stepped in between him and Caline, and he seized Julien's wrist before he could strike. He looked down at Julien and said in a quiet tone saturated with deadly warning, "If I were you, I would not hit her-ever, not if you wish to remain unharmed."

"Don't tell me what to do!" Julien said angrily, but his voice was shaking. He would have started a fight with Kekron, but Naykiar took his brother's arm.

"He's right, Jules. You had no reason to hit at Caline just now. You provoked her, and we should be thankful to Prince Kekron for saving her. Jules, I'm starting to think that we were wrong about Caline; she didn't deserve the bad things we did or said to her. I know that Ridi and I used to treat her badly, but you hurt her just as badly as Father did. Maybe you should tell her the real reasons that you hated her so much. She does have a right to know."

Huffing, Julien finally said arrogantly, with as much dignity as he could muster, "I don't have to answer any of her silly questions. Norbrook didn't screw her, and apparently, unfortunately, she'll live, so the subject is closed. I don't understand why he would want her anyway; why would any man would want her for his bride? She'd probably scream and cry every time he came near her, just like she did with Alberm. No one wants a whiny baby bride. C'mon, Naykiar, let's go; she's not worth our bother." Julien turned on his proud heel to leave, but before he knew it, Kekron blocked his path.

"I think you better answer her questions," Kekron told him in a calm voice, but his tone still held a threat as fatal as any weapon. Julien tried to intimidate Kekron by staring, but the Astorian prince would not budge. He stood there with his arms crossed, scowling heavily at Julien, staring down at him. Julien was broader and heavier than Kekron, but Kekron was taller and more confident, even though Julien's strength surpassed his. Julien would normally have not feared anyone who was physically weaker than he was, but Kekron's menacing stare and stance soon wore him down.

Naykiar and Caline both noticed Kekron's fierce expression, and Naykiar was awestruck. Caline had not seen Kekron looking so forceful since his fight with Balair. She was amazed by how gentle he could be one minute, and then so tough the next. She had never forgotten his warmth and kindness towards her earlier, and because of those things, she did not fear him now when he was clearly angry enough to send a punch to Julien's face. But what impressed her about him the most was that he could fight most of the time just with words and body language alone.

"You-you stay out of this-this doesn't concern you," Julien snapped, but with uncertainty.

"Anything concerning Caline now concerns me," Kekron told him sternly. "So I think that not only you should answer her questions, but you should apologize to her as well."

"No-no way."

Kekron smiled then, but his smile sent an unexpected chill down Julien's spine. The Technician then reached over and very lightly laid his hand on Julien's broad shoulder. Julien then cried out, as a quick bolt of electricity shot throughout his right arm. He fell to his knees, trembling.

"Now, do you still say 'no way'?" Kekron asked softly.

Julien grumbled, not wanting to endure another electric shock, "Fine, fine. I've been jealous of her, okay? I was Mother's favorite before she was born, but once the brat was born, it was always Caline, Caline, Caline. Father didn't want her in the first place, and he wanted Mother to abort her, but Mother wouldn't. He thought that five children were more than enough, but no, she just had to let Caline be born! Anyway, also, Ridikar and I used to be really close and happy before that pest came along, but once Caline was born, Ridikar turned all of his attention to her! So I lost both Mother and Ridikar to her; she stole their attention away from me just 'cause she was little and cute! And then when Mother died, Ridikar began spending more and more time with Caline, and less time with me! I hated Caline, always hated her, just for taking my brother and mother from me alone!"

"I was happy when Ridikar started being mean to Caline along with the rest of us, and I was happy when she was married off to Alberm Dunlop! Ridikar and I were able to spend more time together, and just when we getting close again, your bratty aunt, Tayla Chloe, had to come along! Once again, I was shoved aside for some stupid girl! All my brother could talk about was Tayla this and Tayla that! And then I hated Tayla too; in fact, I still hate her! I hate both her and Caline for being more important to Ridikar than me!"

Caline, in her dwindling fury, felt a spark of pity for her insecure brother. She came up to Julien, her deep blue eyes pleading, sympathizing with him. "Julien," she spoke softly. "Ridikar belongs to both of us; he is our brother and he loves both of us. We don't have to fight over him; we can share him. Please, Julien, Ridikar and I made amends, so why can't you and I do the same? I am not trying to take Ridikar away from you, nor was I trying to take Mother away from you when she was alive. If I took Mother's attention away from you, I am sorry; I didn't mean to do it. And as for Ridikar, there's enough love to go around for both of us. Why can't we get along and share him? We have no parents now, Julien, and Ridikar will have enough to do now without us not getting along. Can't we make amends and be nice to each other? And Naykiar too?"

Naykiar turned towards Caline and Julien. "Yes, Julien, can't we? I think that Ridi's right in that the way that we have been treating Caline was wrong. She helped save our lives, Julien; can't you see that? I know that I've been awful to her, but I don't want to be mean to her anymore. I think that I'm starting to like her, and I think that you could too. Ridikar needs all of us, Julien, and he needs all of us to get along. Caline's part of our family too, and she's more than shown herself worthy of us. It doesn't matter now that she's only a female; she's a good one. We need her, and she needs us. I'm proud of her myself personally."

Julien paused for a few moments, allowing the words of his siblings to sink in. He held the possibility of them united behind Ridikar in his mind for just a moment, pondering it. But then he looked at Naykiar, and then back at Caline, and then his jealousy and hatred of her quickly returned. His heart and face hardened, as he spat out harshly:

"Since when do you side with our whiny baby sister, Nayke? Whose side are you on anyway? Caline's just a burden, and that's all there it is to it! Once Ridikar starts his royal duties in Father's place, you and I will be shunted to the side in favor of Caline! And if Ridikar dies, then we'll be stuck with Caline to take care of! Do you want that, Nayke, do you? I'm going to speak to Ridikar again as soon as possible; no I think that I will find him now. Where is he-he didn't make it out with the others."

Caline looked at Kekron then. Julien's cruel remarks hurt her, but Ridikar was her main concern now. She asked softly, "Do you know where he is, Kekron?"

"Yes, Prince Kekron," Naykiar added. "Do you?"

Kekron looked at all three siblings, and he knew that what he was about to say would change their lives forever and shatter their hearts, but it was finally time to tell them the truth. He stepped closer to Caline, standing behind her. Caline turned her head around and looked up at him worriedly.

He sighed sadly, looking more at Caline than her brothers, "Ridikar has…"

Two excited little girls running towards him and Caline interrupted him. Tila and Tayka pushed their way past Julien and Naykiar to reach Caline. Both little girls leapt onto Caline, hugging her and squealing happily. A startled Caline slowly relaxed and happily hugged the children back.

"We missed you, Caline!" Tila cried. "Where have you been?"

"Where'd you go, Caline?" Tayka exclaimed.

"I was abducted," Caline told them both truthfully. "But Kekron saved me and brought me back here. He saved me from getting hurt."

"Kekron saved you?" Tayka asked.

"That means Kekron's a hero!" Tila squealed joyously. "Yay for Kekron! Yay!" She hugged Caline tighter and whispered loud enough for Kekron to hear, "I'm going to marry him someday when I grow up, you know!" Kekron blushed, extremely embarrassed; he hoped that little Tila hadn't suspected his growing crush on Caline, a crush that he couldn't act on for years yet.

Caline hugged her back tighter. "Well, if you do, he would make you a nice husband," she told Tila sincerely.

"Did Kekron have to fight and kill someone to save you?" Tayka asked excitedly. She was hoping to hear a brave tale of Kekron beating someone to a bloody pulp or running a sword through them and then whisking Caline off into the sunset.

"No fighting was needed," Caline told her. "He just talked my abductor out of taking me away."

"No fighting for real?"

"No fighting. Just talking."

"Oh." Tayka was clearly disappointed. She loved to hear about heroic fights, as much as her older brother, Riccan, did. Kekron "just talking" Caline's kidnapper out of taking her away for good did not sound as thrilling to the adventurous Tayka.

Tila was a little smarter than her older twin was, and she added, "Well, Kekron's still a hero 'cause he brought Caline back to us!" She then squeezed Caline tighter.

"Wonderful," Julien muttered sarcastically, and Tila looked to Caline after he spoke.

"Who's he, Caline?" Tila asked.

"My brother, Julien," Caline replied. "And the other boy with him is my other brother, Naykiar."

Tila asked Julien brightly, "Aren't you happy that Caline's back?"

"Delighted," Julien mumbled insincerely.

"You sure are lucky to have Caline for a sister," Tila rambled on, oblivious at her age to Julien's sarcasm. "I wish that she was my sister."

"Well, you can have her," Julien grumbled. "I have enough sisters, and I don't need her." Caline sighed sadly, realizing that a friendship between them was very unlikely. Julien would never be like the brother that Ridikar had once again become to her. She held back her tears the best that she could.

"Really?" Tila asked happily.

"Yay!" Tayka shrieked. "That means she can come back to Astoria with us!" Both girls jumped off of Caline and began to sing in sweet, childish voices:

"Caline gets to come home with us! Caline gets to come home with us! Yay, yay, yay!"

Kekron put a hand on Caline's shoulder to comfort her the best that he could, and Caline gave him a sad, grateful smile. The air around them was silent except for the singing of Tila and Tayka. Both girls stopped singing suddenly when they saw Bendros landing in front of them. He was holding a sleepy, weary Tayla in his arms.

"Tayla's back!" Tayka squealed.

"Yay! Now, we can tell her that Caline gets to go home with us!" Tila exclaimed.

"I bet that she's killed lots of bad people!" Tayka cried hopefully.

"Girls…" Kekron began, about to tell them that no one knew yet, if Caline would get to go back to Astoria with them. But before he could continue, the twins ran over to Tayla and Bendros. Both little girls jumped up and down like excited puppies, wanting to throw themselves on Tayla and hug her the same way that they had done with Caline. Bendros shushed them gently, telling them that Tayla was tired, and that she'd hug them later.

"Well, can we tell her something at least?" Tila begged.

"Caline gets to go home with us, Tayla!" Tayka cried. "Isn't that great?"

Tayla opened her eyes and smiled, as Caline ran over to join the hyper girls. The little Calmagian princess was holding the folds of her lavender dress, and she dashed up to Tayla, put her arms around her and gave her a careful hug, seeing how badly injured Tayla was.

"Greetiens, Caline," Tayla whispered. "Are you okay? Did Kekron save you?" She was too tired to hug Caline, so she just patted her shoulder.

"Yes, he did, Tayla," Caline said hoarsely, hugging her tighter than before. "He talked Norbrook out of taking me away."

"And her brother says that we can keep Caline and take her home with us!" Tila shrieked so loudly that her shrill voice hurt Tayla's ears. "He doesn't need her anymore, so we can have her!"

"He said that he didn't want her anymore, that he had enough sisters, so now we can have her as our sister! Mamma and Pappa are sure going to be happy about that, aren't they, Tayla?" Tayka cried happily.

"Now we can have someone to be like another Mamma to us and tell us bedtime stories and keep Nikon and Riccan from bossing us around," Tila told Tayla hopefully.

"Aren't you happy about that, Tayla?" Tayka asked, as she shook Tayla's ribs. Tayla emitted a painful shriek before she could prevent it, and Tayka fell back.

"Tayla, are you okay?" Bendros asked, worried more than ever.

"Are you okay, Tayla?" Tila cried worriedly, realizing for the first time that Tayla was badly injured.

"Did I hurt you, Tayla? I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to!" Tayka cried in heart-wrenching guilt. "Please don't be mad at me, Tayla!"

"Who beat you up, Tayla?" Tila cried hysterically.

"Want me to go get Riccan, and we can beat whoever did that to you?" Tayka asked her worriedly, eager to make up for hurting her aunt. "I'm so sorry, Tayla, I'll make it up to you, I promise, just by beating whoever hurt you up!"

"Tila, Tayka…I'm okay, really," Tayla assured them as bravely as possible. "Tayka, it's okay…you didn't do any permanent damage. And you don't need to beat anyone up for me."

Caline looked at Tayla, horrified. "Are you okay?" she asked fearfully.

Tayla weakly nodded, the effort to nod taking what strength that she had.

At that moment, Toria returned; she had seen no reason why she should remain further near the royal castle, so she had come back. Hurriedly, she landed, and then she ran over to Tayla and Bendros. She touched Tayla's forehead. "Are you all right, my dear?"

"Yes…Aunt Toria," Tayla whispered.

"Bendros," Toria said urgently. "We need to get her to a bed as soon as possible. I have a healing spell that will restore her life force and ki completely; I intend to use it on some of the other severely injured warriors as well."

"How long will it take for her to heal?" Bendros asked.

"I can get some more roses, and they would heal her faster," Caline insisted.

"The Bright Healers, as you call them, little one, can heal physical injuries, but they cannot restore ki or life force. She needs this spell, but it will take some time for it to fully heal her. We must get her upstairs at once."

"I want to come," Caline told her.

"I'll come too," Kekron insisted, who had just joined them. He asked Tayla if she was okay, and Tayla gave him a weak nod.

"And so will I," Bendros added.

"We want to come!" Tila and Tayka both wailed. "We won't get in the way, we promise!"








One hour later…

Tayla's physical injuries had been completely healed, thanks to Caline's Bright Healer roses, but she was still very weak and tired. Toria and Caline had bathed her gently with Tila's insisting on helping ("I like washing backs and hair!"), and then they put her to bed in Toria's large, comfortable, soft bed. Tayla was now dressed in a warm, pale rose-hued nightgown that had a scoop neckline and was trimmed with pink lace; it was two sizes too large (the gown was Toria's), and she smelled of bath oil of a scent exactly like the scent of a gardenia. Tayla was now in a heavy, peaceful sleep, thanks to a minor sleeping spell of Toria's. Toria then waved her hands over Tayla, as if she were conducting a symphony, as she recited:

"Heali, heali, budi aud struth uv Tayla, restori yursu tu fule healthi
Aud bu healthi aud strungth liki yoi bufor fro tus yuth une,
Fro Fati iz fa finis wit har,
Aud Destini hus muri tu with har bufor har lif iz dunz."

Standard Translation was:

"Heal, heal, body and strength of Tayla, restore yourself to full health
And be healthy and strong, like you were before for this young one,
For Fate is far from finished with her,
And Destiny has more to do with her before her life is done."

A glowing electric-blue dome suddenly formed over the length of Tayla's entire body, encasing her in a healing blue light. Small, white electric currents would leap to and fro from the dome now and then. Tayla continued to sleep serenely under the blue dome of magical ki that was slowly reenergizing her.

Toria then left to heal Gracina, who was now lying in a nearby hotel room, and Tila and Tayka left with her, eager to see their mother again, who was in the company of their father, Lektron. After they left Tayla's room, another hour passed, and Kekron was resting back in a plush, apricot colored-chair that stood on four, polished dark wooden legs. Caline had fallen asleep in his lap, her pale white-gold hair resting trustingly on his chest, and her small, soft white body nestled peacefully against his body. Her arms were wrapped loosely around him, the hug of a little sister trusting an older, protective brother or friend. She was in a deep, contented sleep. A woven, emerald blanket was draped over both of them.

Bendros was sitting up in a red, shiny leatherette chair that sat upon white, polished wooden legs, as he watched Tayla from time to time. His attention then slowly turned to Kekron and the sleeping Caline, and he asked quietly, "Does she know yet?"

"About what?" Kekron asked nervously.

"Ridikar."

Kekron held his head down and mumbled uncomfortably, "I-I haven't told her yet…meant to…but Tila and Tayka and you and Tayla came along and…"

Bendros interrupted softly, "When do you plan to tell her? You cannot keep what happened to Ridikar from her forever, Kekron. And Julien and Naykiar have the right to know as well."

Kekron stammered, "I-I can't seem to find an appropriate time to tell her. She seemed so peaceful and so happy after she was saved from Norbrook, Bendros; why, you don't know what Norbrook did to her. It took me a while to get her to trust me again, to trust us males again. How do I break the news to her? I haven't figured it out yet. I've never had to tell anyone that someone close to him or her died before. You've worked in Intergalacticpol, Bendros, and you've seen people die-how do you tell the families about the deaths of their relatives?"

"I tell them as soon as possible," Bendros told him. "I try to break it to them as gently as possible, as quickly as possible. Kekron, if you are waiting for the right time to tell Caline the truth, you will never find it-there is never a good time to tell someone that someone they loved has died. She has to know soon, Kekron, and better you or Tayla should tell her than have her hear it from gossip."

"Should I tell her when she awakens?" Kekron asked worriedly, reluctantly realizing that Bendros was right.

"I think that would be a good enough time," Bendros agreed. "Poor girl; I witnessed Ridikar's death myself, and it wasn't pretty. If you wish, I'll talk to her as well, but I won't tell her any of the unpleasant details; his death's going to be tough enough for her as it is. Ridikar did have a few dying words for her, loving ones, and those I will pass on, but I will leave out the grisly details as much as possible. Ridikar died trying to protect Tayla, and it is because of him that her life was saved from Diamonique."

"Th-thank you, Bendros," Kekron murmured. "I just don't want her to have to be sad or hurt again; she's been through more than enough."

"You care a lot for her, don't you?" Bendros asked softly.

"I-I do," Kekron admitted. "I-I know that she's young still, still just a kid, but-oh, Kami Orchida, if she were older! Then I could consider courting her, but no! Right now, I almost feel like I'm no better than Alberm, or that Filcor Sedemeyer, or Norbrook, or Balair-"

"You're nothing like them," Bendros assured him. "You haven't molested Caline or taken advantage of her; you are wise enough to realize that she's still a child, too young to give herself to any male. If you were anything like Alberm and his cohorts, Caline would instinctively know it and not trust you near her. She's a shy, frightened girl, but she's a smart one; she's slowly learning whom she can trust and whom she can't. Look how calmly she is sleeping in your lap; she wouldn't be there with you, if she didn't trust you."

"No matter what happens, Bendros, I'm not going to let anyone hurt her again," Kekron suddenly said loudly and fiercely. "I'll smuggle her off of Calmag to get her away, if I have to! I won't let them force her into another bad marriage, I won't-"

"Easy, Kekron," Bendros told him. "We'll have time later, if we survive this war, to discuss Caline's fate. It's still too soon to make plans." He silently hoped that the normally rational and mature Kekron wouldn't do anything rash, like kidnap Caline himself to rescue her from her family.

But unknown to Bendros and Kekron, who were too absorbed in conversation to pay much attention to nearby ki signatures, someone was listening…








…Filcor Sedemeyer had been outside of Tayla's room ever since he had seen Caline climb into Prince Kekron's lap and fall asleep quickly and easily. The CRP private and nobleman had become fiercely jealous of the Astorian prince-why the boy wasn't even a real warrior or soldier! Why couldn't Caline ever come to him, Filcor, like she had come so easily to Prince Kekron Chloe? Filcor gnashed his teeth furiously; how dare Caline prefer that Astorian weakling to him? Of course the Astorian boy was a genuine prince, while Filcor was no more than a rich businessman and CRP officer who had been given a rank of nobility from the now deceased Prince Amitar, but still! Who did Prince Kekron think he was? Caline had been promised to him, Filcor Sedemeyer, in marriage, not Prince Kekron!

Then Filcor's fury faded for a few minutes, and he allowed himself to smile. Of course, it would be a sad thing to all of Calmag that Prince Ridikar was now dead as well as Prince Amitar, but he could work it to his advantage! Filcor was at heart a shameless opportunist, and Kami Ankor, Calmag's absentee deity, must have dropped this opportunity right into Filcor's lap, like a sweet, juicy piece of fruit!

His smile turned into a grin; now that Prince Ridikar was dead, Prince Julien would become the next king of Calmag! And Prince Julien had always liked him and looked up to him like an uncle! Prince Julien had wanted to honor Prince Amitar's promise to Filcor concerning Caline, and he had privately apologized to Filcor when Ridikar had not been around.

Filcor grinned wider; all he had to do was get Julien, whom he knew did not like his baby sister, on his side on the issue concerning Caline's future. Filcor would have Caline for his bride yet! And with Julien giving the consent, which could only be overridden by King Kitchator, sweet little Princess Caline would soon become Princess Caline Sedemeyer! Filcor chuckled at his own brilliance; Caline would belong to him once more, legally, and not even Prince Kekron, Princess Tayla, or any of the Clan of Chloe family would be able to prevent it. Not if they didn't want to risk the wrath and alienation of King Kitchator!

Filcor quietly crept away, for he must now break the sad news to Prince Julien about Ridikar's untimely demise…






An hour later…

"My brother is dead!" Julien screamed. "Why didn't that bastard, Prince Kekron, tell us sooner? How dare he keep that from us?" Julien pounded the walls in his and Naykiar's hotel room, as Filcor stood there watching with a carefully placed sympathetic expression on his face.

"We had a right to know!" Naykiar cried, his whole body shaking. "Why weren't we informed? Ridikar is our brother, the heir to Calmag's throne after Father! What are we going to do without him? We've lost Father, and now Ridikar too? This isn't fair! Why us? Why? What have we done to deserve Frieza's forces trying to kill us all? RIDIKAR! Why did you leave us? WHY?" He threw an amber glass vase across the room at a fireplace mantle, and upon impact, the vase shattered into thousands of glittering fragments. The golden drops of glass resembled drops of Calmagian blood.

Filcor was sympathetic to the royal boys' immense grief, but his greedy nature soon overcame his compassion. He decided to add a few "harmless" lies to his story. "Why Prince Kekron deliberately delayed telling you two boys. I heard a conversation between him and Bendros Sahara, with Prince Kekron planning to ask for Princess Caline's hand-in-marriage when this war is over. He thinks that because he retrieved her from General Norbrook that he can convince your grandfather to give him your little sister as a reward. From what I have heard, he has lusted after her ever since they were taken hostage by Frieza's forces. In fact, Prince Julien, he even planned to go to you personally and ask your blessing for him and your sister to be together."

"What?" Julien yelled. "How dare he?'

"Prince Kekron would be a fine match for your sister," Filcor said smoothly. "He is royalty, but your father did promise Caline in marriage to me. I realize that I don't have a chance for her at this point, but I don't think that Prince Kekron would be any better a match for her than I would. He didn't tell you boys, or even Caline of your brother's death, and he should have done so right away. But I wouldn't blame you, Prince Julien, if you would prefer to marry Caline to Prince Kekron, even though your father originally promised her to me. You are in charge of her now, since you have reached your fourteenth birthday; only your grandfather may override your wishes. I could easily find another bride, although I would much rather have Caline; she would be in good hands with me, I can assure you. I care deeply for all of you, and you know that I have never let you boys down."

"No," Julien whispered. "You haven't; you've always been good to us, Filcor. I'm sorry that Ridikar was too blind to see that. You at least are honorable and true, no traitor like Alberm Dunlop. Since I am to be the next king now, I will see that you and Caline are wed as soon as possible. I am reinstating your betrothal to her; I will have enough to do learning all of Ridikar's duties without having to worry about Caline."

"Wait, Jules!" Naykiar cried. "Ridikar broke their engagement, and Caline doesn't want to marry Filcor-"

"Quiet, Naykiar!" Julien hissed. "I am the next king now, and what I say goes unless Grandfather says otherwise. We don't need to be saddled with Caline anymore; can't you see that this is our chance to be unburdened from her?"

"But I've heard that the Astorians really like Caline and want to take her home with them-" Naykiar pressed, but Filcor only shook his head.

"Prince Naykiar, Prince Julien, the Astorians have no say in your sister's fate. And do you realize that they are indirectly responsible for the destruction of almost half of Calmag? Who did Frieza's forces come for? Princess Tayla Chloe of the Clan of Chloe, of course! Listen, Prince Julien, Prince Naykiar, if the Astorians had not come to Calmag, Frieza's forces would have never bothered us, even with Alberm Dunlop spying for Frieza! And it is because that Frieza wants the Astorians destroyed that we Calmagians must suffer! It is the Clan of Chloe of Astoria's fault that we are at war now! If the Astorians had not come, Frieza would have had no cause to clear our planet! The Astorians brought this fate down upon us!"

"That's right!" Julien cried, now fully agreeing with Filcor. "It is the Astorians' fault!"

"And your brother, Ridikar, died to protect Princess Tayla," Filcor said silkily. "He died to protect a girl who had rejected him at one time. So she indirectly caused his demise, not intentionally, but he died protecting her."

"I knew that royal whore would lead him to no good!" Julien screamed. "Princess Tayla Chloe may as well have murdered my brother himself!"

"Wait a minute, Jules-" Naykiar interrupted.

"C'mon, Nayke, you know it's true! Ridikar died to protect a worthless slut like Princess Tayla Chloe! She's a murderer, as all of her people are!"

"They did bring Frieza's wrath down upon your people," Filcor told Julien. Filcor was delighted with himself. He knew that causing a rift between Calmag and Astoria would create tremendous problems, but with the Astorians' strange ideas that included the equality of women, Calmag would be better off in the long run without Astorian allies.

He added, "And you, Prince Julien, will now be expected to sign the alliance agreements in Prince Ridikar's place."

"I won't, and the alliance will end after my grandfather's death! I will not sign anything concerning the Astorians!"

"Jules, we need the Astorians!" Naykiar protested.

"No, we don't, not after this war. We'll let them fight with us, but once this war ends, they are all leaving Calmag immediately. Filcor's right; we're better off without them. We will rebuild a new Calmag, better than ever, Nayke! I will go inform Grandfather of our brother's death, and Filcor can make funeral arrangements. Naykiar, you go tell Caline the news of Ridikar's death, try not to break it too hard, or she'll go into a crying fit. And make sure you tell her that as a consolation gift, I've reinstated her engagement to Filcor! I wish I could see the look on her sweet little face when she hears that she has to get married after all! And then we'll let the Calmagians know that we don't want the Astorians here any longer than necessary."

"Jules, have you lost your mind?" Naykiar roared. "I will inform her of Ridikar's death, but you will give her that other piece of news. You're just reinstating her engagement to Sedemeyer as part of your immature grudge against her, and I won't be part of it! You yourself will tell her that she has to marry Sedemeyer, even though Ridikar rightfully broke the engagement! I'll tell her of our brother's death, but other than that count me out! I'm not going to do anything else to hurt Caline, ever again! Nor am I going to do anything to turn our people against the Astorians; we wouldn't be alive, if it wasn't for them!"

"What if I threaten to strip you of your title, Naykiar?" Julien said in a cool, deadly tone of voice. "Do you really want to be know as ordinary Naykiar instead of Prince Naykiar de Tamilieu of the House of Kitchator?"

"You're not king yet, Jules," Naykiar snarled. "I'm going to Grandfather about your plans! We need the Astorians, and Caline does not need to be married to someone that she doesn't want to be with!"

"You sound like Ridikar!"

"Good, I'm glad one of us does!" Naykiar hissed, as he stormed out of the hotel room.

"I'll strip you of your title, Naykiar, if you do anything to foul up my plans!" Julien roared, as Naykiar angrily left.










Bendros was now asleep, and Tayla was still in her deep slumber under her protective blue dome that was healing her entire body. Kekron himself was asleep, with Caline still in his lap. Naykiar then entered the room, tiptoeing. Seeing Caline sleeping so contentedly on Kekron's lap, he felt ashamed of himself for awakening her. He wondered if what Filcor said was true about Prince Kekron desiring Caline for himself; Naykiar, reflecting on this, grew thoughtful. Maybe Caline would be better off with Prince Kekron and the Astorians than Filcor Sedemeyer and Julien. Caline so badly wanted to go home with the Astorians, but Naykiar wasn't sure if that could be made possible.

He decided to wake Caline up only, and he gently shook her awake. "Cali, wake up," he whispered urgently.

Caline yawned, surprised to see her brother. "Naykiar? What do you want?"

"Come outside in the hall, Cali, I have some news, and it's not good," Naykiar told her solemnly. He helped Caline climb off of Kekron's lap slowly, so that they would not awaken him. Just as Caline's delicate feet brushed against the teal carpet, she nearly shrieked when she heard the window creaking, as if it was struggling to open itself.

Naykiar noticed as well, and he seized Caline, covering her mouth to conceal any potential screams. He swiftly flung open the door of a closet that just happened to be behind them, and he dragged her into the closet with him, shutting the door.

"Don't make a sound," Naykiar ordered his sister. "It sounds like someone's breaking in."

Caline whimpered, but that was the only sound she would make. The closet door was made up of vertical wooden blinds, and she and Naykiar anxiously peeked through the cracks.

They watched as the bedroom window near Tayla's bed opened suddenly with a loud squeak, but Bendros and Kekron were too deeply asleep to hear it. A tall, masculine figure climbed into the hotel room, and he pulled his long cape behind him. He brushed the jewel on his circlet back off his mint-tinged skin, as he looked down upon Tayla Chloe's sleeping form, smiling wickedly. He pushed aside his emerald braid off of his shoulder, as he approached the healing dome where Tayla lay.

"Hello, Princess Tayla," Zarbon whispered. "It's time for you to come with me. The Ginyu Force is currently trying to find the rest of your family to destroy them, but you, young one, will remain unharmed, if you don't resist. I promise you that if you don't resist Lord Frieza, he won't hurt you either, except in training you. You will be a valuable asset to our army, and I will get full credit for your capture."

Being smart enough not to touch the blue dome himself, he fired a small ki blast at it. The laser bounced harmlessly off of the surface, and Zarbon cursed in his native language, a language that he would never have dared to speak around Frieza, who demanded that his subordinates speak Standard language only. He fired another small ki blast, only to receive the same result.

Caline in the closet was now struggling against Naykiar's strong grip. "Tayla needs me," she whispered fervently, as Naykiar's hold tightened. "Let me go!"

"You can't fight Zarbon, Caline, and you know it, and neither can I," Naykiar pointed out to her.

"Then we have to warn Kekron and Bendros," Caline whispered frantically, trying not to scream.

"If we come out now, Zarbon will kill us on the spot," Naykiar told his sister in a fierce whisper. "Kekron and Bendros are Astorian and therefore stronger than us. If anyone can defeat this Zarbon, it's them and their people. Let them handle things, sister; you'd just be throwing your life away, if you went to confront Zarbon. Your Tayla and your Kekron wouldn't want that to happen."

Caline tried to calm down, even though she felt awful about not being able to help. Unfortunately, it wouldn't be her who would give her and her brother away to Zarbon; it would be Naykiar himself.

For, at that moment, Naykiar's nose blasted out a powerful sneeze (he was allergic to dust), and his sneeze was loud enough to reverberate throughout the entire room. No Calmagian, male or female, could ever sneeze quietly; a Calmagian sneeze always sounded like a small dynamite explosion.

Naykiar's sneeze woke Kekron and Bendros up with a start, and Kekron tripped over his own two feet, as he tumbled out of his chair (yes, Kekron was still clumsy at times). Bendros leapt out of his chair, and he fell back several inches when he saw Zarbon standing near Tayla's sleeping body. However, being the experienced Intergalacticpol officer and Astorian warrior he was, he quickly regained his wits.

"Get away from her now!" Bendros ordered Zarbon.

"Oh, I don't think so," Zarbon told him smoothly. "She and I are going on a journey together. I suggest that you and your friend there tell me how to get her out of that dome."

"And I suggest that you leave now," Bendros told him icily. "Or you'll be sorry."

Kekron tried to straighten himself up to follow Bendros's brave example, but then he finally realized that someone was missing. "Caline, Caline? Where are you? Caline! Caline!"

"Looking for someone?" Zarbon asked pleasantly.

Kekron clenched his fists. "What have you done with Caline?" he hissed at Zarbon.

Bendros sensed Caline nearby, and he told Kekron, "Don't worry about her for right now; Zarbon did nothing to her yet."

"I'm not here to harm his little girlfriend," Zarbon said serenely. "I merely want Princess Tayla. Now tell me how to break that dome she's under. My sire is getting impatient for the girl."

"I'm afraid that your 'sire' will have a long wait," Bendros told him sternly. "Because Tayla's not going anywhere with you, if I can prevent it." He drew his sword out.

Zarbon looked at Bendros's small, swishing Saiyan tail and chuckled. "A monkey ordering me about, eh? A half-breed monkey, but a monkey nevertheless. And just like you monkeys, you can't resist a fight, not even a useless one. Are all of you Saiyans that hardheaded?"

Bendros gnashed his teeth, but he wasn't giving Zarbon the satisfaction of knowing that he hit a nerve. "Behind this building, in the empty parking lot," he told Zarbon. "We'll settle our dispute there. I don't want any innocent bystanders getting in the way."

Zarbon snorted. "Fine with me. Not even Prince Vegeta can stand up to me, and he's stronger than you; what makes you think that you can do what he can't, monkey?

"Bendros…" Kekron began uncertainly.

"This is my fight," Bendros told him. "You stay here, and look after Tayla and the others. I've got to go." He saw Zarbon climb out of the window that he had climbed in and flew away. Before a stunned Kekron could respond, Bendros climbed out the window after him.

Kekron prayed to whatever deities or ancestors that he could that Bendros knew what he was getting himself into.