Chapter 19:Visions of the Past

Kalas, Xelha, and Gibari made the short trek to the castle throne room, Lyude still unconscious in Gibari's arms. King Ladekahn was waiting for them in the throne room. Refusing to rest. When he saw Lyude lying limply in Gibari's arms he called immediately for a doctor. "What happened?" asked King Ladekahn looking at Lyude in concern. "Were you able to obtain the magnus?"

"It's a long story, your highness." said Gibari.

"What's a long story? Lyude threw the magnus to the Empire! One sentence, story over!" seethed Kalas.

"You keep leaving a few details out, Kalas." said Gibari frowning at him. "In any case, he needs checked out. We'll explain while someone's seeing to Lyude."

"Of course...of course." said King Ladekahn, "Come with me. I think it best that he be taken somewhere familiar so that he'll be less alarmed when he wakes." he escorted them to the room that Lyude had once occupied in his first year as ambassador. Gibari laid Lyude gently on the bed. The boy moaned softly, his head rolled to the side on the soft pillow and his brow furrowed.

In his mind, the recurring dream he'd had for the past two years had returned with startling clarity. His brother and sister stood on either side of him, escorting him down to the lower sections of the Imperial fortress, he could remember now... Vallye and Skeed with their vise grips half dragging him none too gently to their destination. He could remember clearly his anxiety, the grim expressions of his siblings. His uncertainty of what the Emperor could possibly be planning for him.

He could remember the exact words that were exchanged. This was no dream...it was indeed a memory.

"Where are we going? What does the emperor want me to do to prevent my court-martial?" he asked his siblings nervously.

"Don't ask questions, just do as your told!" was Skeed's curt reply, his grip tightening still.

"This will ensure that you follow your assignment. Once we are inside I want you to do exactly as you're told, Lyude." said Vallye.

"What do you mean? What assignment?"asked Lyude in his bewilderment.

They came to a large metal door and Skeed knocked twice. When the door opened a man that Lyude had never seen before sat waiting for them. Lyude realized to his horror that this was an interrogation chamber. What was he suppose to do here!

"This is the subject?" said the man circling Lyude pensively. Lyude swallowed. He did not like the way the old man was looking at him.

"Yes, this is the one." said Vallye. "You should have no trouble getting him under." she sneered.

"Under? What do you..." Lyude's inquiry was cut short by his brother and sister shoving him into a chair. Metal clasps seized his wrists and held him fast. "What is this?" Lyude asked in alarm. "Calm yourself, boy. You are not to be harmed." said the old man. Just do everything I ask. Do all that I ask."

Lyude stiffened, something in the man's voice was enveloping his mind like a blanket. Coherent thought was being suffocated and his mouth moved to the words he vaguely heard the hypnotist speak. He felt himself slipping and attempted to fight it...but it was no use. His memory blanked as his head slumped. His next memory was waking in his barracks waiting to see if he would be court martialed. The previous memory of his encounter with his emperor had been erased.

Kalas was sulking in a corner as Gibari and Xelha explained the strange occurrence in Lyude's behavior to King Ladekahn. They explained Lyude's odd behavior to the doctor as well. The doctor examined Lyude in a scrutinizing way. Suddenly, Lyude opened his eyes and sat up with a startled gasp, his eyes wide and full of a great sense of betrayal.

"Lyude!" said King Ladekahn grasping the young man's shoulder steadying him. "It's all right, you're back in the castle."

"Your majesty..." said Lyude as he became more aware of where he was. "How did I get here? What happened to me? Did we succeed in obtaining the magnus?"

"Until you tossed it up to Ayme." sneered Kalas.

"I what!"exclaimed Lyude nearly jumping from the bed, but King Ladekahn still held him by the shoulder.

"Take it easy, Lyude." said Gibari. "We'll fill you in."

Kalas muttered something under his breath and went to stare out the window.

As the doctor examined Lyude Gibari and Xelha explained all that had occurred. Lyude listened with complete disbelief. What had he done! He rested his elbows on his knees and bowed his head as the doctor completed his examination. His head was swimming with a thousand thoughts.

"It appears he was under some powerful form of hypnosis. Looks as if no other spell, curse or the like was cast on him. He should be fine now."

Lyude closed his eyes. He remembered. His own brother and sister had been party to it. The dream he had been experiencing for so long had indeed been a memory. "Vallye...Skeed...Why?" he thought bleakly. Lyude closed his eyes resignedly, "The moment I saw the magnus, everything just went black...I'd lost all awareness of my surroundings." he said. "My sincere apologies. This is all my fault..."

"Don't be so hard on yourself, Lyude." said King Ladekahn kindly. "This was none of your doing. What's done is done."

Lyude could only wish he could accept that.

He listened as King Ladekahn continued on to inform them of the Empire's sudden retreat. King Ladekahn then turned to Xelha and they all listened to her relate how she had uncovered the Emperor's plan and stolen a pendant from his possessions. That was a risk even greater than he had taken when he had defied the Emperor. Though both had dire consequences. Xelha could have been put to death for her offense. He had been expecting a court martial.

King Ladekahn looked to his guests. "You must all be exhausted. Take a well deserved rest."

"Finally, a good idea." Kalas muttered.

Xelha looked over to Lyude. He hadn't moved since he had last spoken and seemed to be lost in sad contemplation. "Lyude...?" Xelha ventured kindly.

Lyude jumped at being addressed. He didn't feel worth their time. He had ruined everything. "I'm sorry...Please let me be alone for a while..." he said sadly.

Xelha smiled sadly at him. "All right. You should get some rest too, Lyude. Take care." Lyude nodded numbly and Xelha and her friends walked out of the room. King Ladekahn placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and Lyude met his gaze. "I'm so sorry, your majesty." he breathed. "I had no idea...I've caused you so much grief..."

"Lyude. You are not responsible for the actions of the Empire. It is a foul thing that they have done to you. I hold you in no way accountable for any of this."

"I wish I had acted earlier...I should have known once that first shot was fired that nothing I could say would sway them..."

"And what could you have done? Please, Lyude, try to get some rest. I know things are looking grim, but I want you to know...I truly appreciate what you have done for Diadem this day. You stood up for justice and that is what sets you apart from your countrymen."

Lyude looked up into King Ladekahn's kind eyes. "For one to stand against their homeland...to stand up for their beliefs regardless of the cost, takes a very special sort of bravery indeed. Think about that." with a final smile King Ladekahn turned and walked from the room. The doctor followed him. Lyude was left alone.

He collapsed into the pillows burying his head in their sweet scent and soft fibers. Thoughts of the day's events made him feel ill. In one day, he had betrayed both his country and Diadem. He could not imagine what he could do now. He could never go home...yet...could he really stay here? If Rolf was bad before, he would be tenfold now and a lot of the villagers may just agree. His continued presence could prove to be a danger to himself, and a disruption to the already devastated kingdom.

What injured him most, however, was what the Empire had done to him...made him a puppet...a tool for their evil plans. He was absolutely disgusted with it. And the Empire called these gentle, peaceful people barbarians? Who among the countries was more barbaric than the Empire? Did the Empire not declare war on it's own citizens? Azha had proved that. What of the means in which Emperor Geldoblame had employed to secure the magnus? Plotting to murder a king and raiding a country for a ploy! It was unthinkable. He sighed and his eyes grew heavy. He drifted immediately into a deep sleep.