A/N: So I finally have time to write – isn't that nice? Thanks for all the reviews – you're all wonderful!
Disclaimer: Wish Away…
~**~
Chapter 3: Rightful Heir~**~
Rhiannon Rene wore a grimace on her face. Traveling to the mortal world was difficult – though most gods would hardly admit it. Gods too – had magic. It was this magic that allowed them to travel between the divine realm and the mortal world. Rhiannon Rene – being the Goddess of Peace – had more than enough power to cross between the barriers. Unfortunately – that wasn't the problem. Her lips tightened as she looked at the crystal globe in front of her. 'Damned preparation - why in divine's name did they make this so – so – tedious?'
She knew why of course. They had made it so mortal mages couldn't pass through the barrier – even if they held the power to. The preparation took time and skill – not to mention divine elements. Only the gods had access to the elements – and it would stay that way.
Rene wanted to yell out her frustration – but didn't. Looking across the room, Rene saw two soul guards, standing stiffly against the wall. With them was Roger of Conte, bland as ever. ' To think Aunt said he had charisma and charm – ha.' Rene smiled to herself and got to work.
Closing her eyes – she concentrated. Rene grabbed her amber stone necklace from under her blouse – it was a gift from her mother when she inherited her duty. Rene searched her mind, looking for what would key everything together. Through her closed eyes she searched. A white shimmering ball danced in front of her. 'Got it.' Her mind grasped her goddess magic tightly. Slowly, she unraveled it, sending jolts of white though her veins.
The two soul guards looked on – Roger shifted uncomfortably. He had seen every mortal magic – but this – this was beyond him.
Once Rhiannon Rene had control of her magic, her eyes opened – gleaming a mystical gold, as did her necklace. She placed her hands out in front of her. The crystal globe from the table rose in front of her. She reached out, touching it – and as quickly as it had come – Rene blinked, and her eyes were once again their normal shade.
Roger looked on with curiosity, but allowed none it to be shown on his features. Rene looked at the crystal globe with relief – the hard part was over. 'Thank you, divine.'
"You are dismissed – thank you for staying through the preparation." Rene looked at the guards. They bowed in respect and left their charge with the goddess.
Once they had left, Roger stood up straight. "You would think it would be easier for gods to travel from realm to realm." He remarked dryly.
Rene ignored him. 'Someone should tell him that humans were modeled after the gods.' "Come. It's almost time."
Roger smiled weakly – mocking her as he walked.
Rene's jaw jerked. 'Damn him.' She blocked his image from her head and concentrated once more. Touching the clear globe, it suddenly filled with a map of the mortal world. Vast oceans and landmasses surged everywhere. The globe began to rotate. Roger took a step forward – interested.
"Is that globe correct?" He asked quietly.
She nodded. "Yes – almost three-fourths of the mortal world is covered in ocean and seas -- The other fourth by land. Most of that hasn't even been discovered yet." She left it at that. He too – accepted the answer.
It continued to rotate in front of them – Rene looking at it keenly. Roger lifted an eyebrow. "What are you searching for?"
Rene didn't answer the question immediately. Instead – she followed the patterns of land until one of them struck her attention. She looked at Roger and pointed at the landmass. "That."
Looking at it, Roger found it familiar. "Well – it looks like home." He said dispassionately. It was a statement, not a question.
Rene simply nodded. She waved her hand over the globe. It stopped rotating, leaving Roger's homeland in view. Rene looked at Roger. "This will hurt." Slowly her hand reached out and touched the Tortallan landmass –
-- Everything went dark. He – they – were falling. His head screamed with pain – pain he hadn't felt since he had brought himself back to life --
It stopped. The darkness had fled and his thoughts slowly came back. The searing pain had vanished. Roger realized his feet were on solid ground.
"Don't say I didn't warn you." The voice belonged to Rhiannon Rene – Goddess of Peace. He looked to his right, to see her standing there, eyes glinting in amusement.
He didn't answer. Looking at his surroundings – he immediately recognized them. "We are in the Royal Wing of the palace. These used to be Jonathan's quarters."
Rene nodded. "Yes – they were."
The set of rooms were painted a deep tan, with draperies set in rich royal blues encased with gold. They were in the dormitory. Before them sat a great bed, covered in scarlet silk sheets and lavish silver trim.
The room was silent.
Suddenly, footsteps could be heard from down the hall. Roger heard voices. He turned to Rhiannon Rene – who sat in a chair near the fireplace. She smiled. "He wont be able to see us. We're invisible to him."
"He?" Roger asked timidly.
There wasn't time for an answer. The footsteps became louder. Suddenly, the door was thrust open and a young man walked in. Two men stood outside his door in guard uniforms. They were laughing. Shutting the door, the young man turned and walked to his bureau grinning. On the other side of the door, one of the guards yelled out. " Lets not keep her waiting, Roald!"
Opening his bureau, the man yelled back. "Gods help me if I did!" Quickly, the man took of his tunic in exchange for a new one. Roger noted that he was muscular – with penetrating blue eyes and midnight black hair.
"Well." Roger stated quietly. He stood in the far corner of the room – away from the young man. Roald took no notice of Roger or of Goddess Rene. "He's—."
Rhiannon Rene cut him off, standing up as she did so. "That is Prince Roald of Conte – heir to the Tortallan throne. Your cousin."
Roger kept silent – watching the young man.
"Remind you of anyone?" Rhiannon Rene asked idly.
"Somewhat." This was a lie and they both knew it. Roald was Jonathan's son. Behind Roger's bland face lied a deep rage. His hands were clenched, bringing white knuckles. Roald – was Jonathan's son.
~**~
It took only a moment for Roald to finish dressing. Soon he rejoined his friends, Rhiannon Rene and Roger following close behind.
Roger asked little as they walked through the halls. He had lived in the palace once. He had been a trusted member of the royal family. He had been everything – until Alan of Trebond began his training. In truth, it was Alanna of Trebond – the woman who took everything away. Because of her - he had died there – twice.
They followed the Prince and his friends down the corridors at a quick pace. They passed very few people – none of which interested Roger. The palace had grown in size, with additional buildings. It seemed that the Prince was headed towards a newer wing – one that was built after Roger's death.
Soon after, The Prince and his comrades came to their destination. Straightening his tunic, Roald took in a deep breath.
"We'll follow him." Rene said to Roger. He nodded.
"We'll meet you at lunch." Spoke one of the guards. The Prince nodded as they bowed. The two guards left his side and walked back in the direction they had come.
"He is respected." Roger stated.
"He holds the respect of many." Rene answered.
Walking towards the door, Roald knocked. Immediately, the door was opened. A foreign servant bowed to the prince. "One moment, your highness."
Roger studied the foreign women. She wore a green kimono decorated with blooming flowers. She wore a gray sash around her waist. Gray - the color that signified Yamani service.
"A servant of a Yamani?" Roger asked – intrigued.
"A friend of a Yamani Princess." Rene smiled.
"Ah."
The women left the prince and came back within moments. "My lady awaits you, your highness."
The women moved clear of the doorway and bowed. Roald nodded and walked passed the women – into the room.
Roger and Rene followed.
Before Roger had a chance to look, he heard the voice of a young woman. "Roald!"
The woman – assumed to be the Yamani princess – was dressed less formally than her maidservant. She wore eastern style tan breeches and a black thigh length tunic, held by a gold sash - the color that signified royalty. Her long black hair was down, with only a gold flower pin holding it back in the Yamani fashion. She was a beauty.
She immediately ran to the Prince. They embraced each other as he spun her around. Lifting her chin, he kissed her gently. She smiled up at him. "When did you get back?"
"Just now – I came to you first." Roald said with a smile.
"You didn't have to --." She started.
Roald cut her off. "Yes – I did."
She smiled. "Well – I'm glad your home."
"Me too."
Roger and Rhiannon Rene watched on a few yards away.
"That's Princess Shinkokami – Roald's betrothed. Their wedding was postponed due to the war. Roald has just come back." Rhiannon Rene told Roger.
"War?" He asked.
"With Scanra – it's dying down for they have Scanra's King on the run. Enough of that – you'll learn more over time."
Roger growled under his breath. Rhiannon Rene looked at him – amusement in her eyes.
"How long are you back for?" Shinkokami asked.
Roald sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm not sure. It will be over soon, thanks to Keladry."
Shinko smiled up at him with pride. "Yes – thanks to Keladry."
Roald grinned. "I'll be home for at least a month. If all turn out well – I might not have to leave."
"Then let all turn out well." She leaned forward to kiss him. "I talked with your mother."
He looked at her anxiously. "Yes?"
"Your father will be home next week. If you want to – a smaller ceremony can be done now. She said it would lift the spirits of the people, but if you want to wait --."
He grinned. "I love small ceremonies."
She let out a squeal of joy. "Me too. Are you free for the day?"
Roald frowned. "No – I have to meet with the council – and mother will want to see me."
Shinkokami smiled. "You should see her – she has missed you."
Roald nodded. "We can have the night together." He smiled.
She laughed. "Good. I like that."
Roald told Shinko of the current events and the news of the war. They held each other and laughed.
Rene smiled. "Time to go, Roger."
Roger grimaced. Looking at the future king and queen, he heard Rhiannon Rene speak something. Roger's sight blurred and his senses went astray.
~**~
He blinked.
They were back in Goddess Rhiannon Rene's chambers. Rene stood in front of him, glowing a pale white. He frowned. The goddess was lovely – he had just never taken the time to look at her.
"Well – I hope you understand now." Rhiannon Rene said, locking her eyes on his.
He smiled weakly. "I will not accept." He said, just a firmly as she had.
Rhiannon Rene shrugged. "Your choice. Tomorrow then. You are dismissed." Rene closed her eyes – concentrating. When she opened her eyes, two spirit guards came in to direct Roger back to The Cages of Zared.
Roger turned towards the guards. There, they placed the Black Gods magic on him. Heading towards the door, Roger stopped at Goddess Rene's voice.
"He's very much his father's son, isn't he?"
Roger turned. He sighed. Face grim, he answered. "He is Jonathan. Good day, Goddess."
~**~
A/N: Yes – well – it's been a VERY long time. I haven't had much time on my hands. I had written this chapter once – and it got deleted – So I haven't really wanted to write anymore. Funny how such things anger me – am I alone or does this happen to everyone? I recently revised a chapter as well – and it got deleted – enough said. God – you can NEVER save too many times. Word to the wise.
A/N: Patriots are 9-2! Hell yea! (I live in Mass)
~Karr