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Chapter 14: A Plan Develops

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Abby woke up in a strange room. She was laying on a soft bed and the room was actually as warm and inviting as one could expect in a cave. The woman who had cared for her earlier was in the room, sitting quietly in a chair. She looked up when she saw Abby move.

"Oh, you're finally awake," she said happily. She was an old woman and looked, considering the circumstances, very pleasant. Her presence comforted Abby some.

"Where am I?" she asked, sitting up. Remnants from the pain before still lingered and she grimaced.

"Oh, here, honey," the woman said, walking over and handing Abby a cup. She looked at the lady for reassurment and then drank. The cool liquid quickly spread throughout her body and dulled the pain.

"Thank you," she said, handing the woman the cup.

"It's not a problem, dear," she said, sitting on the bed next to Abby. "Cirdan ordered that every possible measure be taken to assure your comfort." Abby gagged hearing that name but the woman took no notice. "That's why you're here of course. He thought that damp, dark cell wasn't good enough for you and wanted you to be comfortable and happy. This is the nicest room he could provide that could still be properly guarded. He really is a wonderful man, you know. I'm sure you don't think so, but soon you'll see it." Abby looked at this woman in shock and amazement. How could someone who seemed so nice defend such an evil man?

"I don't think I'll ever see anything like that," Abby said, shaking her head. The woman patted her hand.

"Oh, sure you will deary," she assured her. "Cirdan may come off as a little harsh at first, but that's just his father's influence. I raised him to be a sweet boy, and he still is at heart."

"You raised him?" Abby asked. The woman looked at her as if she had just come out of a daze.

"Yes, didn't I mention that?" she asked. "Well, anyway, I was his nanny. Lanna is my name, if you'd like to know. He was such a sweet boy. It was just he and I here, and those creatures, for most of his life. Kivar didn't want anyone to know the boy existed. I think that hurt Cirdan quite a bit, you know, thinking his father was ashamed of him. Of course, when he was older, Kivar started coming around more to train Cirdan. They grew close... or at least Cirdan developed some sort of a bond to Kivar. I'm not really sure. Anyway he changed Cirdan quite a bit. He warped the sweet boy I had raised, made him colder, more serious, and distant. I don't like it in the least, but I still see my little boy every once in a while." Abby just stared at the woman, attempting to digest everything Lanna said. She kept on babeling and Abby just nodded not really knowing what to think. For the first time since the evening she had been kidnapped, she laughed. Then the door opened.

Cirdan walked in and Lanna looked up at him and smiled, finally relenting the incessant jabbering.

"Dear boy," she smiled, walking to him. "I was just telling the darling here about when you were still a wee one." Connor smiled and nodded, looking at Abby over Lanna's shoulder.

"I'm sure she enjoyed that, Nan," he said, patting her on the shoulder. "Why don't you go see about getting her something to eat? I'll keep her company." Abby gulped apprehensively as Lanna nodded and left, leaving her alone with Cirdan.

He walked over to the bed and sat down. Her body tensed and she inched closer to the wall, trying to get away from him. He reached over and took her hand, looking into her eyes.

"Do you like it better here?" Abby relaxed a bit but remained defensive. She wanted to tell him just what she thought, but the look in his eyes, a pathetic lonely one, made her stop.

"Yeah," she replied, nodding. "It's much nicer. Thank you." After she had said it she cursed herself for encouraging him, but the look on his face was worth it. She imagined it must have been horrible to have a father like Kivar and it kind of began to explain his personality. Still, nothing could forgive his behavior.

"I'm sorry about Nan," he said, attempting to break the silence. "She's just a lonely old woman. She doesn't like the Flad-adan, so I'm all she has to talk to." Abby nodded.

"It's ok," she said. "I like having her here." He scooted closer to her, bringing his legs up onto the bed.

"You know," he said, "I'm lonely too." His hand traveled down the side of her face, gently stroking the outline. She tensed and visibly grimaced.

"Don't worry," he said in a soothing voice. "I won't force you anymore. I don't want to hurt you ever again." Abby relaxed but she wasn't sure if she could trust him. His face, eyes, and voice showed her Connor, but her memories of the previous day kept coming back.

"I... I... I don't feel comfortable with this in the least," she finally said, getting bold and pushing his hand away. Anger flashed across his eyes and then, after a moment, passed. He took her hand and kissed it.

"I understand," he said. "I need to win you, and I promise I will."

"No, I'm married," she insisted. "You won't win me." The anger came again and this time Abby could see him struggling to repress it.

"Remember, you're here with me now," he whispered, attempting to keep the anger out of his voice. "You may as well stop thinking of your husband. I'm him now." Abby shuddered and wanted to scream out that Cirdan could never be Connor, but she was stopped by Lanna reentering with food. Her stomach growled and Abby smiled happily.

"Here you go, dear," Lanna said. "I'm glad to see you two are getting along." She sat the tray down on her bedside table and smiled. Connor smiled back.

"Come on, Nan," he said. "Let's leave Abby alone for a while and let her eat." Lanna left and Connor rose to follow her. He looked back at Abby.

"Press the buzzer if you need anything," he said, gesturing to the intercom at the door. "Everything that's in this room is yours, so feel free to use anything. There are clothes, books, paper, and other stuff. Please, let me know if you need anything else." Abby smiled and nodded. He opened the door wide and faced her again. "And, as you see, this door is always guarded so don't even think about trying to escape." Abby's smile disappeared as she saw the two guards waiting outside. Connor shut the door and left her to herself.

~*~

Kivar was led into a room filled with people. Though he recognized only Orophan, Max, Michael, Isabel, and Ava, Liz, Maria, Connor, Kyle, Nate, Lane, and Sean were also there. He smirked when he saw Isabel and was led to a chair. Max walked to him.

"Well, isn't this an interesting turn of events," he said, smiling down at Kivar. He sneered upwards but didn't dignify Max with a reply.

"Well," Max continued, "If the pleasantries are done, let's get down to business." Kivar smiled at Max, hatred in his eyes.

"What can I do to help you?" he asked, a mocking tone in his voice. Michael, who had contained himself until this point, rushed forward.

"You can tell us what the hell you've done with my daughter!" he exclaimed menacingly, bearing down over Kivar.

"Michael," Max said softly. He relented and stepped back. Kivar laughed.

"It's good to see some things haven't changed..." Kivar said. Michael glared at him but his expression didn't change. Seeing this was getting nowhere, Connor stepped forward.

"Maybe you should let me take care of this," he said, walking towards Kivar. "You can all wait in the next room; I'll call you when you're needed." Michael started to say something but was stopped by Maria, who led him with the others out of the room. Connor sat on the table in front of Kivar.

"Good," he said. "Now that we are alone, we can talk a bit."

"What do I have to say to you?" Kivar asked, not impressed in the least. Connor looked very regal in the High King's robes and, to most, was a formidable figure. Kivar was undeterred, having raised a son to be exactly like Connor in every way.

"Well, we can just talk," Connor said. "How are you liking your accommodations?" Kivar laughed.

"What, going to be the kind king? Why don't I believe that?" Connor smiled and shrugged.

"Just trying to make sure you're comfortable," he said.

"Well," Kivar replied, "I'd be alot more comfortable if, say, you and your family were dead and I was in charge. But, considering the situation, I'm doing fine, thank you." Connor smiled and laughed.

"I'm glad to see you're retaining your humor, Kivar," he said, pretending not to notice the blatant threat.

"Well," Kivar said, "Just trying to lighten the mood a bit." There was a pause before he continued. "But I'm sure you didn't ask me here to discuss my sense of humor. Why don't you just ask it?"

"Ask what?" Connor said innocently.

"As the brute put it ever so poetically," Kivar began, "Where the hell your wife is." Connor shrugged.

"I'm sure you'll tell me in your own good time," he said. "I wouldn't want to pressure you." Kivar was a little put off by this. He had expected a demand for answers, not a casual disregard for them.

"Well," he said, "If you must know, she's still alive." Connor nodded.

"I suspected as much."

"Do you want to know how to get her back?"

"If you'd like to tell me." Kivar stammered for a minute.

"Wait, I know what you're trying to do," he said. "You're trying to get me to reveal where she is. It's not going to happen like that."

"I'm not sure what you're talking about," Connor said, shrugging. "But if you don't feel comfortable continuing, then don't." Kivar sat back a moment.

"Fine, I won't. But I feel I should tell you that you can get her back."

"Very well."

"She's being held for ransom, you know."

"I imagined as much."

"Her captors want my release. And they want you to give your power over to me." Connor thought for a moment.

"And if we just kill you?"

"She dies as well." He nodded thoughtfully.

"Of course I'll have to discuss your proposal. I'll get back to you on it." He remained calm and carefree, calling for the guards to remove Kivar, who was beyond bewildered at this point. After he had left the room, Connor called everyone else back in.

"Well," Michael said, walking over, "Did he buy it?" Connor smiled as largely as he had in a long while.

"Perfectly. He didn't have a clue what was going on. After seeing your display, very well done, I might add, he thought we had no clue what we were doing. Then he expected me to demand her return and was very thrown off by the fact that I didn't seem to care. It was so easy." Maria stepped forward, pushing Michael aside.

"So you got the info, right?" she asked. Connor nodded. "It's a system of caves in the mountains outside the city. She's being held by his son, Cirdan. Kivar doesn't seem to know much else. He doesn't have contact with them, I think. He did tell me their demands for her release, though."

"What are they?" Max asked. Connor smiled.

"Well first he mentioned he wanted all of us dead," he said, laughing. "As if he had the chance. But their actual demands are Kivar's release and me giving up my power." Max snickered.

"He really had no idea what you were doing, did he?" Connor laughed.

"Not a clue." Nate, who looked pleased but was definitely not laughing, walked over.

"We've still got problems, guys," he said. Connor and Max stopped laughing and looked at him. "Those are big mountains; we don't know where the caves are. And, even if we find them, how do we find Abby in them? And I imagine she's being very well guarded." The humor disappeared from the group.

"Abby's still alive," Connor said. "That's what's important. I'll try and contact her and see what she knows. Maybe, with her help, we can find the caves." The group nodded, all having recently become aware of Abby and Connor's telepathic connection, and Connor left them. He went to his room and lay down, trying with all his mental ability to contact his wife.

~*~

Abby lay in bed, eyes closed. She was still somewhat tired from her ordeal the day before, and sleep seemed the best diversion. The door opened and she felt him enter the room. His presence was becoming easier and easier for her to sense, especially when his emotions were strong. She lay there quietly, hoping he would think she was sleeping and leave. Instead he crept across the room and slid into the bed next to her, wrapping his arms around her.

Abby had to keep herself from wretching but remained still with slow breathing. Cirdan nuzzled into her neck and closed his eyes, quickly finding sleep. Abby lay there for a while, contemplating her situation, and then fell asleep, both comfortable and uncomfortable in his arms.

As she was walking through the world of dreams Abby felt a presence similar to Cirdan's yet different, and a voice whispering for her to wake up. Opening her eyes and realizing there was no one in the room besides Cirdan, she listened again. After a second the voice came again in her mind.

"Are you there?" It was a familiar voice, but one she wasn't quite sure she could remember.

"Yes, who is this?"

"You've only been gone two days and you've already forgotten me." Finally she realized who she was talking to, memories of her husband coming back to her.

"Connor. Connor," she said to him in her mind. "I was starting to think I might never see you again. The idea of hearing you seemed far too unreal."

"I haven't been able to contact you since you disappeared, but you contacted me last night. Since then I've been trying to reestablish the connection, but this was the first time it worked." Abby thought for a moment to herself, trying to remember when she had contacted Connor. Then she remembered the pain, and realized he must have felt it as well. Reminded of the horror the man who held her could bring, she was very scared again.

"Get me out of here, Connor, please," she begged him.

"We're working on it," he promised. "Are they hurting you there?" Abby was about to answer in the affirmative but stopped. Connor was worried enough. He didn't need the guilt of her suffering on him.

"Not so much," she lied. "They're actually taking good care of me, but I'm scared." Connor wondered about the pain he had felt the day before, but pushed it out of his mind.

"Do you have any idea where you are?"

"No," Abby replied. "They don't tell me much."

"Tell me what you know. We might be able to work with it."

"I'm in a cave," she replied. "This guy named Cirdan is the leader. He claims to be Kivar's son, but he's adopted. There are alot of strange creatures around here. Cirdan calls them Flad-adan. I don't know anything else."

"We might be able to work with that," Connor said. "I'll speak with Orophan and see if he can figure it out. We've interrogated Kivar, so we know some things. Don't worry, Abby, we'll get you out of there. I promise." Abby breathed a sigh of relief and felt Cirdan stir next to her.

"I've got to go," she said to Connor in a bit of a panic. "They're coming and they'll know if I'm talking to you."

"Ok," he replied. "I'll contact you again when we know the plan. And Abby, stay safe. Do whatever you have to to stay safe."

"I will," Abby replied. "I love you. Tell my family I'm ok."

"I will, and I love you too." With that he was gone and her senses became attuned to the room once again. She could sense Cirdan's emotions, and he was very angry.

"You're trying to leave me, aren't you?" he whispered, grasping her shoulder tightly and turning her towards him.

~*~

After contacting Abby, Connor had immediately gone to his family.

"I spoke with her," he announced, walking into the room with a grin. Maria looked up, joy on her face.

"Is she ok?" Michael asked.

"Yeah," Connor replied, feeling very happy. "She says they're taking good care of her."

"Good," Michael said. "Did anything she have to say help us at all?"

"Kind of," Connor replied. "She said she was in a cave, which we already knew, and was being held by a man called Cirdan, who claimed to be Kivar's son."

"Did she say which cave she was in?" Orophan asked impatiently. He had been advising them through the whole process and had been the one who suggested Kivar's involvement all along.

"No, but she said there were a bunch of strange creatures there... called Flad-adan or something." Orophan looked very excited.

"I know where she is!" he exclaimed. Everyone looked at him confused. "The Flad-adan is a radical group of Antarians who, unhappy with the government, broke away from society long. They live in caves outside of the city. Over time they adapted to fit their habitat and became different... they're not like us anymore. They're strongly against the monarchial government and allied themselves with Kivar when he was in power. They even traveled to Earth in an attempt to kill you. I believe you called them 'The Skins.'"

"So you know where their caves are?" Michael asked. Orophan nodded. "Then lets go get my daughter.