Chapter 20: Race Against Time.
Vallye ran as quickly as her legs would carry her down the darkened halls. The vision of her brother lying panting on the table burning a brand in her mind. "Hang on, little brother." she prayed silently. She hadn't felt this much rage since she had learned that Lyude had turned his back on the Empire the first time. That anger had been misplaced, this time it was righteous.
She climbed the ladder two steps at a time until she emerged, spider webs in her hair and anger in her eyes. "We found him!" she cried breathlessly as she reached the shocked assemblage.
"Are you sure!"said Skeed barely able to believe he was finally hearing those words.
"Of course I'm sure! I saw him!"
"Thank heavens." said Alyssa. "How is he? He's not hurt, is he?"
"He's not looking well, we have to get him out of there. Now. According to what I overheard, they have his magnus back to normal. Don't ask me what they meant by that, but they also said that Braddock isn't going to wait long for him to recover. Whatever we do, it can't wait.
Matthias is down there keeping an eye on him, he's being held in some sort of experiment room. They were doing something to him. It was..." Vallye choked back tears. It was the first time in years Skeed had ever truly seen Vallye cry.
"I'm going down there." said Alyssa decisively. "I'm a nurse and his wife. He needs me."
"Oh no. Not in your condition." said Gibari. "You've only got a few months left and we're not risking anything happening to that kid."
Alyssa opened her mouth to protest, but Skeed raised a hand to silence her. "I personally don't want to be on the receiving end of my brother's Sforzando. If anything were to happen to you or that child, he'd have every right to it. Lyude left me in charge of his affairs, and you factor into those affairs. I am obligated to him to see to your welfare. Now, try to be patient and we'll get down there to get him."
"Right. We take no chances. I'll get a few squads ready for the effort. Vallye...did you find Folon too?" asked Ayme. "He's and idiot, but he's all I have."
"I'm sorry, Ayme. We didn't see him. After we found Lyude, I rushed to inform all of you."
Ayme nodded. "We'll find him there too. I'm sure of it." The look in her eye told everyone that it would be unwise to challenge that theory.
Alyssa felt excitement and anger at the same time. Her husband was near, yet she could not go to him. She placed a hand on her swollen stomach and felt the baby kick.
Much as she wanted to be by Lyude's side. Gibari and Skeed were right. The precious life growing inside her was more important. She couldn't fight and would only be a distraction and liability if she was there. She would wait for him. She would always wait for him. No matter how long they were parted.
Ayme rushed down the steps, frightening many of the Fortress's staff as she made her way down to the Military Barracks. "Azdar! Ricco! Get your units ready now!" she shouted to the two captains. In Folon's absence, Ricco had leant a hand with the military forces.
"What's going on?" asked Ricco in surprise.
"We found him." Ayme whispered harshly.
"You found the minister?" said a young soldier. "He's truly alive! They've found the minister!"
A hail of cheers filled the room and Ayme gave the young soldier a piercing and dark glare. "Idiot! There could be spies here who would warn our enemies!" she growled. The soldier paled and ran to rejoin his unit. Hoping to Pyri that Ayme had not seen his face for fear of later retribution.
The rest of the preparations went smoothly. All were eager to reclaim their minister. Many in the Imperial army now were Azhani and were quite proud to have a half Azhani as the Minister of their country. Yes, many had their reasons to want Lyude at their lead.
Ayme ordered the units to approach from the lava caves and informed Skeed that she would be joining the military effort.
"Vallye, you are to stay and hold the fort." said Skeed. "I'm going down there."
"If something happens to Lyude you're all we have left to uphold his policies! I'll go!" argued Vallye.
"I'm his brother and most responsible for his plight! I owe him! I killed his mother for god's sake!"
"You do owe him, you owe it to him to ensure that what he's worked for doesn't go to waste! It will if neither of you comes up from there!"
"Vallye is right, Skeed." said Xelha tentatively. " Try not to worry. We'll get Lyude back."
Skeed nodded reluctantly and strode from the room. Vallye nodded and she lead the way down the passage.
"It's so dark in here." said Xelha. "I'll get us some light." she held her palms together and opened them like a book. A shivering white light enveloped the hall."
"Nice one, Xelha." said Kalas smiling.
"It is an improvement." said Savyna. "Let's get moving. We should check in with Matthias as soon as possible."
Mizuti and Gibari nodded and the group continued down the hallway.
"This be a long way. The Great Mizuti be wondering what sort of base this be that not even the ruler of Alfard would Know. This path be spooky. The Great Mizuti hopes there be no ghosts. Ghosts be bad."
"I'm sure there's no ghosts in here, Mizuti." chuckled Gibari.
"Lyude be much farther Vallye?" asked Mizuti, looking rather unconvinced.
"It took us an hour just to reach the base." said Vallye curtly. "It's underneath the Lava caves, you know."
"Vallye be a bit rude, the Great Mizuti thinks."
"Give her a break, Great Mizuti." said Gibari. "Lyude is her brother after all. She's tense."
"The Great Mizuti still thinks Vallye need not be so rude. But the Great Mizuti acknowledges that Vallye be worried."
"Thank you." said Vallye in what was almost a growl. It was clear that further conversation with her was unwise.
"All right guys, let's get serious. Lyude needs our help now. We don't need to be playing around."
"Right Gibari. Let's get going." said Kalas.
Matthias felt a chill run down his spine as he looked into the face of the one confronting him.
"I don't know how you got in here, but you won't be leaving here alive." snarled the raven haired, burly man before them. His face was shrouded in a thick beard, but his eyes, feral and dark, were all Matthias needed to see. "You or the good Minister."
Matthias strengthened his grip on Lyude's arm that he still held slung around his shoulder, trying not to allow him to fall. Lyude was deathly pale. His head dangled limply to the side, his breathing was somewhat shallow.
Matthias felt paralyzed in the coldness of his opponent's stare. His eyes followed his movements as the man pointed a gun directly at Lyude's chest.
"You're going to kill him! But why keep him alive so long just to murder him now?"
"That's Braddock's plan, keeping that whelp alive. I've been waiting months for this chance. Ever since I learned Braddocks's true intentions. We can't have Malpercio revived."
"Then why not help him to escape!"
"Because we have a score to settle, he and I. One of us is going to be dead before we leave this room."
Lyude stirred slightly. Fighting for consciousness. His eyes were dull as he opened them and saw his prospective assassin. "Gravar..."
"I was hoping you'd be awake when I killed you." Grinned Gravar. "You don't get it so easy."
"Your quarrel...is...with me. Please, just let Matthias go. He isn't causing you any harm." Lyude said, his brow creased as if he were desperately trying to keep his senses.
"You really are the idealistic fool they say you are, aren't you?" said Gravar with a laugh. "How did you ever think you could run our great country?"
"All policies ... are based on someone's... ideals." Lyude said softly. "Geldoblame's was that of force and personal gain. My dream is for the people. Those who worked to make this country great in the first place."
"You really are a fool." chuckled Gravar. "Now you die!"
Matthias gasped as Gravar began to squeeze the trigger. Lyude's bowed his head wearily. Resigned. Matthias closed his eyes to stay the tears. "Lyude...I'm sorry..." The shot rang in Matthias's ears and he felt Lyude flinch and go limp at his side. A moment later he felt a flash of pain and he fell limply to the floor, Lyude's prone form sliding from the table over him.