58
Cole and Keyda stared at Jaqah in disbelief.
"Me? I had nothing to do with the man's death…if he is even dead!"
Jaqah held up her hands.
"I'm aware…we're aware…"
"Then how did the rumor even get spread?" Cole cut in, coming to stand beside Keyda.
Jaqah sighed.
"The person we talked to was an escaped prisoner from the Northern Fortress…came across one of the people in our networking system, who then reported to me. The report that we got is that someone with power broke into the dungeon. The door of the prisoner's cell was blasted in, knocking him out…all he knows is that when he came to Oilen and his personal guards were dead.
"Someone with power?" Keyda asked, glancing at Cole. He blanched a little and sat down.
"Did the prisoner…were they sure that this person was a woman?"
Jaqah shook her head.
"No…but as Keyda is the only one that has power, that is what is assumed…" she trailed off, as if she wanted to ask more.
"What?" Keyda finally prompted and the guard swallowed.
"We know it wasn't you who went there Keyda…if you were going to kill Oilen you would have just done so here. But if it wasn't you, who…"
"I don't know." Keyda said, folding her arms. She was silent for a few moments before looking back up at the head guard. "You told us the facts…but surely there are other rumors that have cropped up…have you heard anything else?"
Jaqah frowned.
"The prisoner speculated a little…apparently he learned from slaves that Oilen had some new weapon…one that he was planning on using against you. The prisoner's assumption was that you broke into the fortress, killed Oilen for rebellion, and killed the weapon for good measure so they couldn't be used…"
"Killed?" Cole cut in. He shook his head, not understanding. "Was the weapon a person?"
"A boy, apparently…" Jaqah confirmed. The news sunk in and Cole looked over at Keyda as realization hit them both.
"Keyds…"
"Thank you Jaqah." Keyda said, her expression contorting. "Please let us know if you discover any further information.
Jaqah's eyes flicked between Cole and Keyda and she finally nodded and turned to go, understanding that she had been dismissed. As the door closed behind her, Cole stood.
"You don't think it could be…"
Keyda exhaled slowly.
"Only one way to know for sure."
"I can't."
Hershel stared solemnly at the clear crystal in his palm from his seat in the armchair.
"You can…you just need to…"
"Master Healer..." Hershel looked up at Phos, and the Healer trailed off when he saw the pleading look. The boy continued softly. "Please don't make me…"
Phos sighed, irritated, but he grudgingly removed the crystal from the teen's outstretched hand.
"You can't blame the powers, Hershel…" the Healer chastised quietly, standing to put the crystal back in a small box. Hershel didn't reply, staring at the fire. Nip was sleeping on the rug at his feet. The sniffer whined and rolled over, waking up. After shaking herself she turned and ran to the doorway, hissing and spitting.
Hershel and Syn tensed, but Phos just sighed.
"Should've known…"
The flap opened and Keyda stormed in, closely followed by a concerned Cole.
"Did you…" she started, but she stopped when she caught sight of Hershel and his bandaged legs. Phos folded his arms.
"Do either of you realize it's rude to just barge into people's homes?"
Keyda didn't answer, her eyes flicking from Hershel to Phos. Nip came up for an attack, but Keyda fixed the creature with a flashing glare and the sniffer hesitated. Syn ran up and wrapped her arms around Nip's neck, shushing her as she tried to get her out of the room. Instead, the sniffer went and planted herself next to Hershel's chair. Syn sat next to her, hugging her so that Nip couldn't attack the visitors again.
"You killed Oilen, didn't you?" Keyda finally said, turning to the Healer. His stony expression didn't change, and he didn't answer. She took a threatening step closer to him.
"Did you kill the Northern Leader?"
"Do not take that tone with me." Phos said quietly, and Cole came up beside Keyda, putting a comforting hand on her arm as he addressed the ancient Oni.
"It's not that hard to figure out, Phos…it was either you or Evynn…"
Phos's eyes narrowed at the mention of his daughter's name and he glared at Cole. The ninja sighed.
"I thought you weren't allowed to get involved in politics…"
"I thought you weren't ever coming back here," Phos replied patronizingly, his comment aimed towards both of them.
"You cannot go around killing leaders of the realm!" Keyda snapped. "Do you have any idea…"
"Then he should not have stolen from me." The Healer's voice was calm and even, but his eyes flashed.
"It…it was my fault…"
Everyone turned to look at Hershel, who swallowed uncomfortably in the tense atmosphere. Cole left Keyda's side to kneel down near the teen.
"What do you mean?"
Hershel didn't look at him.
"I got caught…um…with my powers, and the northern leader took me to his fortress…"
He trailed off and Cole looked down at the boy's legs, still wrapped in splints and tight binding.
"What happened to your legs?" he asked softly, and Hershel sort of shrugged.
"He…he broke them. So I couldn't run."
Cole's fists tightened and he turned to Keyda.
"I dunno Keyds…sounds like the guy deserved it…"
She sighed, putting a hand to her head as she looked over to continue glaring at the Healer.
"I'm hardly mourning the loss of Oilen…he was a terrible man and a poor leader. But the fact that people think I did it-and the reasons they thought I did it for-that is what I have a problem with!"
Phos rolled his eyes, scoffing, and her fists tightened.
"I am not taking the blame for this!" she hissed. "I will not be labeled as the kind of…"
"I can hardly see how it could be a knock to your reputation," the Healer muttered. "If they didn't fear you before, the other leaders…"
"This is not about fear!" she shouted. "This is about me…I am not like the Baron…I don't kill people because they disagree with me, or because I feel threatened by their power! People are saying I murdered Hershel simply because…"
"So they think he's dead." Phos interrupted. "All the better, then."
"NO!"
Silence fell after Keyda's shout. She closed her eyes a moment, trying to compose herself.
"There will be others who will unlock their powers eventually. Isn't that why you wanted me to make changes?! To bring back the Oni powers of the past?! So people are going to start feeling hope…living better lives…it's bound to happen to more Oni in the realm. And then what?! They're going to live in secret….either in fear that I'll find them and kill them for being a threat or in conspiracy to kill me…"
Phos shrugged.
"This was a matter between me and Oilen," he finally said. "And it was resolved."
Cole, Hershel, and Syn watched warily as Keyda and Phos continued to glare at each other.
"You can't…just kill people and use me to cover it up…"
"Oh, no use pretending you're a saint!" Phos snapped back, and her eyes blazed angrily. He gestured to Cole. "If it was him….and you found him locked up in a dungeon, broken and beaten…." he shook his head. "You really want me to believe you wouldn't kill the tyrant who did it?!"
"I haven't yet!" she snapped instantly, but she fell quieter as memories flashed through her mind. She shook her head. "But even if I would…I thought you were supposed to have more control than me anyways…"
He met her angry gaze calmly.
"I killed him. That doesn't mean I wasn't in control when I did it."
Keyda didn't know what to say to that, and Phos finally started walking towards her.
"So what are you going to do about it? Spread the word that there's a Healer with power attacking leaders? Tell everyone about Hershel and how you didn't kill him? You'll make targets of us all…"
"You made yourselves into targets." Keyda spat. Hershel blanched and let out a little moan, and Cole looked over at him. He shook his head, standing.
"We aren't going to oust you, Phos. For Hershel's sake. But you have to help us fix this; it's bad enough people think I have powers that I don't. They don't need to think Keyda's some…"
"…Monster?" Phos finished. Both Cole and Keyda stiffened and Phos chuckled darkly. He shook his head. "You're both overreacting; there were many people in that dungeon…whether or not they knew who I was they know it wasn't you down there. Word will spread…"
"Yeah, as more rumors…how's anyone to know which ones are true? What's stopping people from still believing it was me, just because it's…."
"The rumors are out, and there's nothing that can stop them now; not even a realm-wide announcement would be able to get rid of them completely."
Keyda glowered.
"And it's all your fault that the rumors even exist," she reminded coldly.
"What would you have had me do? Leave him there!?"
"You could have come to me!" Keyda yelled. "I'm not afraid of Oilen, I could have taken him on in a way that…"
"And left the boy to be beaten and starved in the meantime?!" The Healer's voice was rising as well. "I don't distribute my problems, girl…I take care of them myself…"
She sneered. "Really? Because it feels like I now have a lot more problems…thanks to you!"
"I was defending my own….and I won't apologize for it, so if you've come for that, you're wasting your time. In fact…"
"We left Hershel and Syn here with you because we thought it would be safer for them!" Keyda yelled, eyes flashing. "But apparently not! Maybe we should just take them back with us to the fortress, where we can make sure this doesn't happen again!"
Hershel and Syn both froze, staring wide-eyed at the fuming Leader. Cole looked over and noticed their terrified expressions as Phos spoke, his tone soft and deadly.
"If you think I would let you take them…"
"Keyds." Cole was behind her suddenly, and he put his hands on her shoulders. "We aren't going to do that…"
She turned to glower at him.
"Why are you taking his side…"
"I'm not!" Cole corrected quickly. He glanced up at Phos, expression hardening. "I'm not. What happened was wrong…but it happened. The truth is there really isn't anything we can do now except keep riding the waves that come at us, one day at a time." He paused, continuing to stare at the leader. "But you owe us."
Phos scoffed, incredulous.
"You are sorely…"
"No." Cole cut in firmly. "You did this. You broke your oath…you owe us."
The Healer glowered at them, but he didn't say anything else. Cole turned to where Syn and Hershel were continuing to stare at them warily. He cleared his throat.
"We got our answers, Keyds…let's go."
He still had ahold of her shoulders, and he tried to guide her to the exit. She resisted, staying rooted to the spot as she fumed. Cole sighed.
"Keyda…"
She gave Phos one last glare before turning, pulling away from Cole's touch.
"Fine." She said, heading towards the door. "But I'm walking…"
"We can walk…"
"Alone." Keyda turned to look at him, expression hard. "I need to clear my head."
Cole paused as Keyda pushed her way out of the door. The Master of Earth turned to give one last withering glance in Phos's direction before sighing and following her out of the tent.
59
It didn't take Cole long to get back to the fortress; travel by Guardian was much faster than travel by foot. He had thought about saying something else to Keyda before taking off but he thought better of it in the end.
He thanked the Earth Guardian for the ride and headed inside.
"Where have you been?"
Cole looked up to see a slightly frazzled Jaqah. She looked around him and her frown deepened.
"Where's Keyda?"
He sighed.
"Um…she's just out, you know, cooling off…" He trailed off and finally shrugged. "The whole rumor thing…it's been a lot."
Jaqah nodded her understanding.
"It did kinda come out of the blue. We're ready to organize a realm-wide announcement…we just need her to say the word."
Cole had been walking away but here he turned.
"What kind of announcement?"
"One explaining that she didn't kill Oilen…she needs to denounce her part in this." Jaqah paused when she saw Cole's expression. "It…wasn't Keyda, right?"
"No. It wasn't," Cole assured, but he still wouldn't meet Jaqah's eye. "It's…it's kind of complicated, but I don't think we're going to be able to make that announcement…."
Jaqah stared at him for a few moments, and finally she cleared her throat.
"Oh. Um…then it will be difficult to dispel the rumors…"
"I know," Cole said, finally looking up at her. "But that's where we're at right now. I'm sorry."
The Head Guard looked like she wanted to argue, but she finally shook her head.
"Of course. I'm sorry for ambushing you about it…it's not really your call anyways. I'll find Keyda when she gets back."
She turned and disappeared down a different hallway, and Cole watched her go with mixed feelings. Not really knowing what else to do he headed back to his quarters. He entered the small room and sat heavily on his bed. After a few moments he flopped backwards, groaning as he dry-washed his face. Just when things were finally going back to normal…
He laughed bitterly at himself. Normal? Supporting his Oni girlfriend while she tries to run a country despite insurgents, secretive healers, psycho alchemist witches… is that normal now? He shook his head. Then again, life in Ninjago was hardly the stereotypical normal either, what with the serpentine, ghosts, four-armed villains…
He finally sat up, feeling exhausted once again. His eyes scanned his room lazily as he thought. They'd get through this next hurdle…right? He wasn't sure how, but in all the ups and downs during the past months he had learned that things had a way of working out somehow.
His gaze fell on something stuffed in a corner, and he frowned a little as he stood up and walked over to the shelf under his window. He tugged the corner of the scarf, pulling it out of a pile of other things that had heaped up over the last little while. The scarf was still pretty new; he had only really worn it once or twice. It was the one Keyda had given him when he had first come here…the one he had worn to his father's show. He fingered the orange cloth and sighed, remembering what had happened when he had tried wearing it around the fortress.
"What are you thinking?!"
Heavy Metal had stopped them in the hall, shaking his head as he glared at Cole.
"What will people think if they see him dressed like that?"
"That he's my guest!" Keyda had snapped, eyes flashing.
The Captain had scoffed, leaning in to talk to Keyda.
"Do you realize what people will do if…"
Cole had been watching uncomfortably, and the scarred Oni had trailed off as Cole cleared his throat and gently pulled the scarf off.
"It's fine…it seems like something better for special occasions anyways…"
He remembered Keyda's expression; at the time he had thought she was just angry…but looking back he realized she had been hurt.
He carried the scarf back over to his bed, but he didn't sit down again. All those days when he had wandered around the fortress with nothing to do; it honestly felt like a lifetime ago. He had wanted something worthwhile to do then, he had wanted to help. He still did.
He glanced at his dresser and then glanced away. He had thought about it so many times since his trip to Ninjago…but…
He finally sighed, throwing the scarf on the bed before walking over. He bit his lip and pulled open the top drawer, reaching in to fish out a folded-up red pocket square. He slowly unfolded it, and two golden bands winked up at him. There was no way he could ask her now…right? Not with everything going on…she'd hardly be in the mood for it, anyways. He sighed. Of course Phos had messed it all up...nothing could ever work out smoothly it seemed.
He slowly sank into his seat, biting his cheek as he continued to stare at the bands. They had had such a good talk a few weeks back…he had liked where they had left it. But then they had gone to Ninjago and now he couldn't stop thinking about marriage. There were so many times he almost brought it up with her, but it wouldn't be fair to talk about it if he wasn't sure…if he wasn't all in. He kept telling himself that it would take longer for him to be sure, really sure…and yet he kept finding himself looking for the perfect place to ask her, or wondering how those back home would react when they heard they were engaged. If they got engaged. But the more he thought about it the more right it felt. Still terrifying…but right. Things would change, sure…but was that really that bad? He couldn't help but think about how much Keyda had changed; seeing her with the leaders the other day…even seeing her talk to Phos today. For someone who had never wanted the role, she had become quite the leader.
He looked over at the scarf sitting near him on the bed. They had both come so far, really. He had been upset in Ninjago that things felt so different…but he had realized that he had changed as much as the others and their situations had. He was not the same Cole he had been before he and his friends had gotten sent to the first realm half a year ago. And the future would only hold more changes, no matter what he decided. He had finally realized that.
His stomach rumbled and he sighed. He was starving….apparently skipping lunch and having an argument with an obstinate old Healer had really worked up his appetite. He walked back over to the dresser to return the pocket square, but he hesitated, staring down at the small golden bands.
"You'll know what to do, son…you just need to have the courage to do it."
He smiled a bit, shaking his head at the thought of his and his father's conversation.
"You're right Pop…I made my decision. But now is not a good time for this…"
He trailed off as an unexpected memory suddenly came into mind.
"You have a good heart Cole…promise me…promise me you will always listen to it."
His eyes suddenly misted and he couldn't help but laugh a little. He glanced towards the window, coming to a decision. He placed the pocket square back into the dresser, but as he walked back to the door he slipped a single ring into his pocket.
By the time Keyda reached the fortress, she had calmed down. She was still angry…but she no longer felt like blasting anybody off the earth. She rubbed her arms, pausing as she looked at the tall walls and spires.
She had tried so hard…she wasn't like the Baron. For the first time, she was actually making the changes that felt true to who she was. But now….
She sighed heavily, cursing Oilen and Phos and all those who continued to make her life so difficult. That idiotic leader…he was always the one who was the most patronizing, the most threatening. But she also knew that he didn't have a whole lot of power to back him up. No doubt he had felt backed into a corner at her new orders and had gone searching for a solution. How on earth the tyrant had found out about Hershel…
She shook her head, feeling ill. She knew what it was like to be trapped and used…it made her sick what Oilen had done to the boy. If only Phos had come to her…she could have had Oilen arrested…executed. He would have had the same punishment in the end, but in a way that didn't frame her as some lawless monster…a way that was justified. Instead the old Healer had just gone in blasting…
She shivered; it was getting late. She finally started moving towards the fortress again. She wasn't sure whether Cole would be waiting for her there or not; he definitely beat her home on his Guardian unless he made pit stops on the way. As she entered the courtyard she shook her head; turns out he was waiting for her after all.
Cole waved sheepishly from his place by the front door, but he didn't approach. He was probably waiting to see if she was still angry. She sighed and headed over to him, and he seemed relieved.
"Hey," he said, giving her a little half-smile.
"Hey." She folded her arms, glancing at what he was holding. "What's the basket for?"
He ran a hand through his hair. "Um…I just figured you would be hungry…and I don't know about you, but I don't really feel like facing everyone in there right now." He gestured to the fortress behind him with his head. "Do you wanna join me for a picnic?"
"A what?"
He grinned, and she glowered. She hated that he was always so amused when she didn't understand the terms he used.
"Wipe that smug look off your face…you are the weird one…" she started to chastise, but he shook his head.
"Sorry. It's just dinner, but you eat outside."
She rolled her eyes.
"You could have just said 'hey…wanna eat dinner outside…'"
"Hey…." he cut in, taking her hand. "Wanna eat dinner outside tonight?"
She couldn't help but laugh, though she was irritated at herself for encouraging him.
"You Idiot…" she rubbed her face, trying to hide her smile. "Fine. I'll eat dinner outside with you. Why not?"
"Oh good." He rubbed her hand, becoming a little more serious. "How are you feeling?"
Her smile faded as well, and she didn't know what to say. She finally just shrugged and he gave her a little half-smile as he started walking back towards the exit. She frowned as she followed, still holding his hand.
"Where are we going? I thought we were eating outside…"
"We are, but not here."
"But this is outside!" she argued, and he laughed.
"Well, you usually try to find a special place to have a picnic…" he replied and she sighed.
"Your traditions have so many rules," she complained. Cole just smirked. Keyda looked around.
"Aren't you going to call your guardian?"
"Nah. I thought we could just walk."
She raised an eyebrow and he just winked. They fell into a comfortable silence as they walked for a while. Eventually he cleared his throat and she looked back over to him.
"Keyds…I'm sorry about what happened at Phos's…"
She sighed.
"Stubborn old jerk," she muttered, and he raised an eyebrow. "Phos, not you," she assured and he smiled a little.
"No, I figured. And you're right."
There was silence for a few more minutes, and she was the next to break it.
"It's just…it feels impossible…"
His grip tightened on her hand as she continued.
"I hate this situation….but I'm stuck. There's nothing I can do really unless I want to tell the realm about Phos and Hershel…" her expression darkened. "I'm half tempted to tell them about Phos-ruin his beloved privacy-but I can't do that to Hershel. He's…he's suffered enough."
Cole took a moment before he answered.
"I'm on your side, Keyds. Always. I'm sorry that it didn't seem that way back there. It's just…"
"I know." she said softly. "I just got so frustrated. I needed some time to cool down, think things through."
He looked at her with an unreadable expression and she frowned.
"What?"
"I've been doing a lot of thinking too."
She waited for him to say more, but he didn't.
"…And?" she prompted, and he turned to smile at her.
"And I think we're here!" he said, gesturing to the landscape around them. She frowned, looking around before giving him an unimpressed look.
"You made us walk a few miles…to get to a place that looks the exact same?"
"Pshhh…" he waved her off, releasing her hand so he could go over to an empty spot of ground. He set the basket down and pulled a blanket out of it, laying it on the ground.
"You sleeping out here too?" she asked dryly, and he rolled his eyes.
"It's to sit on. It's a requirement written in the Laws of the Picnic…"
She never did know if he was serious or not. She came and took a seat next to him on the blanket and he pulled out the food he had brought. They ate and talked, and though she never would admit it to him, she did feel like there was something special about eating dinner outside. After a while the food was gone and they laid on the blanket to watch the stars start to come out.
"Keyds…"
She looked over but his eyes were still looking up at the sky as he spoke.
"I think…I think it's going to be fine. I mean Phos messed up…and things might be tricky for a bit…but the longer you rule the more people are going to know you. The real you."
She didn't answer as he trailed off. After a few minutes he finally turned to meet her eye and she gave him a little smile.
"Cole…why did you really drag me all the way out here?"
He smiled back, but his eyes darted away. He finally sat up and she frowned as he watched him stand. He sort of looked around and then back down at her, giving her a sheepish smile.
"You really don't recognize it?"
Her frown deepened as she sat up as well, looking around.
"Recognize what?" she finally asked, and he offered a hand to help her stand. She accepted, and once she was on her feet she tried to figure out what he was talking about. He guided her away from the blanket.
"It's…uh…it's where we first met…"
She looked at him, confused, and looked around one more time. Suddenly she noticed the giant pile of rubble and glanced back at him.
"This is where…" she started, and he just smiled sheepishly as she released his hand and went over to investigate. About a third of the formation was still standing, but the rest was resting in pieces at the base. She spotted something and reached down to fish a dry, weathered rope out of the heap. She turned back to him.
"How did you even find this place?"
He ran a hand through his hair.
"Took me awhile…"
She shook her head, dropping the rope back into the dust as she went to stand next to him.
"Why were you even looking for it?"
He glanced up at her, giving her his usual half-smile.
"I…um…" he cleared his throat. "I guess I just wanted to look back on everything we've been through, think about all the things that have happened and all the ways we've changed since that day."
She laughed at him.
"And you had to find a broken formation to do that?"
He joined in her laughter, but then he cleared his throat again.
"Keyds…"
She glanced down and noticed his hands were shaking and her smile faded.
"Cole?" she asked, concerned. He didn't meet her gaze and finally scoffed.
"Phos could not have had worse timing…"
She reached out to take his hands.
"What are you talking about? Are you ok?"
He looked up and smiled, reaching out to push some hair out of her face.
"I'm fine, Keyds….it's just…" he chuckled a little. "It'll just be hard, you know…announcing a binding in the current political climate."
She just stared at him. After a full minute he started chuckling awkwardly again.
"I'm sorry…that really wasn't the best way to…"
"Wait," she cut in, holding up a hand. "You're saying…you're saying…" she trailed off, shaking her head in disbelief. "But I thought…"
"Well, if I'm being honest….there's still a lot of things that terrify me about it," he said, retaking her hand. "But….I love you, and I guess remembering that helped me simplify all the complicated situations we keep finding ourselves in."
Tears filled her eyes, and she let out a shaky laugh. He leaned in, but she put a hand on his chest.
"Wait…"
He froze and she bit her lip.
"Don't say it unless... unless you're sure…"
"Keyds."
She looked back at him and he smiled.
"I'm sure."
She laughed a little and he became self-conscious as he continued.
"I mean…if you still want to…" He trailed off, and shook his head as if he was mad at himself. "I am totally doing this all wrong." Keyda watched as he let go of one of her hands to pull a small object out of his pocket. "Keyds…will you…"
"Is that a vengestone ring?"
He blinked, frozen, and then he started laughing, his face reddening as he doubled over. She looked on, confused.
"NO. It's a wedding ring…"
She stared at the small golden band for a moment. She remembered suddenly that at the marriage they had talked about…
"You're purposing!" she blurted, and he laughed again.
"Proposing…yes. But I mean, I don't really blame you for not realizing sooner…I'm doing a pretty terrible job at it…"
She leaned in suddenly to kiss him, cutting him off. After a few minutes he pulled back, looking down sheepishly.
"Um…is that a yes, then?"
She rolled her eyes.
"Of course it's a yes, Idiot." She kissed him again and then pulled back. "Are you going to do this every time I'm mad at you?"
He laughed, shaking his head.
"Well…it's kind of just a one time thing…" he admitted. He lifted her hand with his own, and she watched as he slid the small golden band on her finger. After he finished she pulled it up close to look at it, admiring the small etched patterns in the yellow metal.
"Where did you get it?"
"It was my Mom's. My Dad gave it to me when we were in Ninjago…"
She smiled softly and looked back at him. She felt ridiculously happy…the problems of the day seemingly evaporated in the moment. But after a few more minutes her smile faded.
"How on earth are we going to do this? Pull off the binding, I mean…"
He reached out to touch her face.
"Same way we've done everything else; together."
She laughed a little and he shook his head.
"I'm serious Keyds."
"I know…" she looked up at him and sighed. "Aren't you…aren't you scared about having to change?"
He smiled gently, rubbing her cheek.
"I already did change, Keyds. We've both been changing…for months. I think I just finally realized that it isn't a bad thing. Ever since the rebellion…um…" he tilted his head. "You've become a strong leader, Keyda. Not that you weren't before…but you're confident, and in control…you're yourself…."
She reached up to grab the hand on her face, her smile trembling as tears began slipping out.
"It'll take some time for me to get used to a new role…but I'm not so scared anymore," he murmured. "And…I'll have you to help me out, yeah?"
She wrapped her arms around his neck, fingering his braid with one hand.
"Always."
They kissed again, the stars gleaming in the new darkness above them.
60
The Healer probably would have made it out of the tent unheard if Nip hadn't whined. Despite Syn trying to train her to sleep at night, the creature was born nocturnal.
"Master Healer?"
Phos paused at the door, trying to decide whether he would just leave anyways. Hershel's voice piped up again, loud enough for Phos to hear but hushed enough to not wake Syn.
"Master Healer?"
The Healer sighed and he clenched his jaw as he walked back over to the doorway into the back of the tent. He pushed away the flap and fixed Hershel with a stern look.
"Are you alright?"
The teen had pushed himself up on the mat, looking at Phos with a strange expression.
"I'm fine…"
"Then you should be sleeping," he said, turning to go.
"Where are you going?"
"You need rest."
"Please don't do this!"
The older Oni froze again, refusing to turn back to look at the teen again. Hershel's voice was low.
"I can't stop you...for obvious reasons…but…"
"Go to sleep, Hershel."
"You killed the Northern Leader already. If you kill her too, it's just going to cause more problems."
Phos looked at the front door flap, debating. He finally turned back and walked over to Hershel's side, squatting down to look sternly at the crippled youth.
"How did you know?" he finally asked quietly. Hershel glanced away and shrugged.
"I don't know…the thought just came, and it wouldn't go away. But you can't…I don't want you to kill her."
He looked back up at his master as Phos shook his head.
"She recognized the signs, knew how to find you, reported you to a leader, and was convincing enough that he acted on it. That makes her very dangerous, Hershel."
"I know….but…"
"The Northern Leader is dead. There's only one thing…"
"You heard Keyda!" Hershel blurted. "Everyone thinks I'm dead….or whoever they think the leader had. I know her; she'll think I'm dead too, and even if she does report me to another leader there's no way they'll act on it, not after what happened to the first guy…"
"Desperate people do desperate things," Phos explained quietly. "And there are more seeking power than just the leaders, Hershel."
The teen looked away, sighing. Phos clenched his jaw.
"Why protect her? She abused you, sold you, and is the reason that…"
"I know." Hershel said a bit more emphatically before turning back to Phos. "But if you go kill her you could get caught or Keyda will be blamed again or…" he trailed off. Phos's stare was piercing and the boy finally dropped his gaze. "I just don't want anything else to be my fault."
Phos regarded him for a few minutes longer before reaching out to gently but firmly push Hershel back down onto his mat.
"You need rest," the Healer repeated. "Your lessons and exercises start up again tomorrow."
Hershel looked at his master, jaw clenching as he recognized the unspoken deal. He finally nodded and Phos stood up to go put his satchel away.
"Goodnight," Hershel murmured as he left to the front of the tent.
"…Goodnight."
There was silence as the five guards stared at them, and Cole shifted uncomfortably. Tolan was the first to speak, leaning over to Jaqah.
"Can I say it? I know we're all thinking it…"
The guard's only reply was to elbow him. Keyda sighed.
"I know it's not really the announcement you were planning on…"
"It's just..." Jaqah started as Omar said "I'm not sure…"
They paused and Tolan spoke up.
"Decisions like this are why it's so hard for us to protect you."
"Tolan!"
"I'm sorry…" Keyda glanced over at Cole and sighed. "I didn't kill Oilen...I didn't have anything to do with it. But circumstances being what they are I can't really announce that…"
"And vat exactly are za circumstances?" Ves asked softly. Keyda hesitated, looking over at Cole again. He nodded and she looked back at the five guards.
"Can I trust that this information will not leave this room? Not even to Heavy Metal…"
The guards looked surprised, and everyone looked at Tolan. He folded his arms, annoyed.
"I can keep a secret...can't I, Jaqah?"
Jaqah turned a little pink and glared at him, and Ret's hand came down on the youngest guard's shoulder. Tolan glanced up at the large guard and blew out his lips.
"Fine. I'll wait outside."
Keyda blinked in surprise as the guard left the room. The door closed hard and Jaqah sighed as she looked back over at Keyda.
"His heart is in the right place…but Tolan does have a habit of saying whatever comes to his mind…"
"Which doesn't make him the most subtle." Omar added. "A keen fighter though…"
"Oh." It was all Keyda could say before she shook herself back to the task at hand. "Um, anyways…."
The guards leaned forward a bit, waiting, and she cleared her throat.
"A few months ago…there was an assassination attempt on my life. A slave got caught in the crossfire, and her brother…he…." she trailed off, not sure if she should reveal this information after all. Cole took her hand and offered her a comforting smile, which she returned before turning back to the four guards. "The boy reconnected with the Oni power."
Surprise flickered across the guard's faces.
"That's who the weapon was at the fortress," Jaqah guessed, and Keyda nodded.
"Back when he first got them…we wanted to protect him. We didn't want him to become a pawn or worse, so we took him to a healer and that's where he's been living." She took a breath. "The Healer…he's the one who went to the Northern Fortress to rescue him. He is the one who killed Oilen."
"Then…this healer has powers as well?" Retrevan interpreted carefully.
"Yes."
The guards glanced at each other, clearly surprised by the information, but Ves looked even more intrigued.
"Zis Healer…Vat is his name?" he asked, eyes glittering. Keyda and Cole looked at each other and Cole spoke.
"He…um…he doesn't actually have one…"
"What do you mean?" Omar asked, but Ves's eyebrows had shot up.
"You know za Master Healer?" he asked, voice almost reverent. Cole laughed a little.
"Um…I guess we know a Master Healer…"
It was Ves's time to laugh, shaking his head.
"Zere is only vun…" he explained. He shook his head again, this time in awe. "He has been missing for over a century…"
"How do you know him?" Cole asked, and Ves shrugged, amused.
"I don't…I vish I did…"
Keyda cleared her throat and everyone looked over at her.
"All of this information…it's top secret. Oilen already abused the boy…I don't want anyone else to get the same idea."
"The information is safe with us," Retrevan assured.
"Thank you for telling us…" Jaqah said softly. "I must admit, though, that I have a lot more questions now. Is this Healer dangerous? He just waltzed into a fortress and murdered a leader…"
"He's…he's an ally…" Cole assured, though Keyda's expression darkened.
"We will be keeping a very close eye on him," she finally said. "That's all I can really say about it."
"Vill he be performing za binding?" Ves asked. Cole and Keyda both frowned.
"Um…we…actually haven't thought much about it." Cole admitted. "I was thinking of asking Wu…"
He trailed off when he caught Ves shaking his head. Retrevan chimed in.
"It's been a while since a royal binding…but they are generally conducted by a Healer."
"Well, it's not going to be Phos." Keyda muttered, and Ves raised both eyebrows.
"He allows you to call him Phos?" he asked, eyes wide with awe.
"Would you like the announcement to go out now…or would you like a little more time to think through everything?" Jaqah asked, and Cole and Keyda looked over at her uneasy expression.
"We are getting bound…" Keyda started and Jaqah held up a hand.
"Oh, ancients…I didn't mean…" she cleared her throat. "I just meant do you want more time to plan it out before you announce it?"
Cole put an arm around Keyda and gave the guard a little half smile.
"It…might be better to announce it sooner, give the realm some time to get used to the idea…"
"We will have to increase the number of guard on patrol…" Omar mumbled to himself. He turned a little red when he saw the others looking at him and he cleared his throat. "I just mean…um…well…" he finally sighed and shrugged in defeat. "People aren't going to like this, Keyda. We still have revolts about the slave trading announcement."
"I know, Omar. It's not the best timing. But at the same time…I almost would like to ride out the waves all at once rather than stretching them out."
"We'll get the word out for an announcement," Jaqah assured dutifully, though her unease was still clear on her face. "Is there anything else?"
Keyda looked at the four faces of those most loyal to her and finally shook her head.
"That's all for now. Thank you for your time."
The guards nodded their understanding and moved to leave. As the door swung shut she looked over at Cole, giving him a tired smile.
"Last chance to change your mind…" she warned jokingly, and he shook his head.
"Mind's made up, Keyds," he assured, taking her hand. She gave it a little squeeze.
"Mine too."
Hershel bit his lip as he tried to reach the itch within all the bandages.
"Are you ready?"
The teen looked up as the Master Healer came back into the room. He stopped scratching his shin and nodded and Phos came down to sit in the chair across from Hershel's seat. The younger Oni glanced at the clear stone and swallowed as Phos placed it into his hand. Hershel looked up at the Ancient Oni, and Phos gave him a nod. Letting out the breath he was holding, the teen closed his eyes and after a few moments his hand began to be bathed in aura. Phos shifted, about to reach over and fix the placement of Hershel's fingers, but then the boy's expression contorted and his hand formed the correct shape on its own, the small crystal rising and spinning slowly above Hershel's palm. The Healer leaned back, watching his student closely. Hershel's eyes remained closed as he clenched his jaw, obviously trying very hard to influence the crystal. After a few minutes the stone came back down to rest in his hand, and Hershel relaxed and opened his eyes, fixing the stone with an irritated look. He finally looked up at the man seated across from him.
"Why doesn't it work for affection?" he asked, and Phos shifted in his chair. The Healer exhaled out his nose before answering.
"Affection is not a negative emotion…"
"Strong emotion is supposed to influence our powers…why does it have to be negative?"
"You didn't let me finish." Phos reprimanded, and Hershel's eyes dropped. After a moment the Healer continued. "You see…negative emotions are often stronger and last longer than positive ones. Fear, grief, hatred, anger…they tend to overwhelm us and linger for long periods of time. Affection is something that exists calmly, in the background. There are times it surges, but for brief instances, fleeting moments. It's difficult to stir up enough affection to influence these crystals…where as emotions like Pure Hatred can become so overhelming so quickly that the crystal will shatter in its inability to contain it."
Hershel processed the information, looking at the crystal as he slowly brought it back to a levitating state.
"Try with fear again, Hershel…or anger…"
"I'm tired of feeling fear," Hershel cut in, looking up at his master with an irritated expression. "Easier or not, I don't want to dwell in the negative emotions anymore!"
Phos was silent for a moment, and he finally gave a wry chuckle.
"Wise words…" he mused, leaning forward. "The nature of our power is such that we have to revisit wounds that are best left alone. The trick is to learn how to make these visits quick…and after a while they aren't so painful anymore."
Hershel shook his head, looking confused, and Phos finally gave him a ghost of a smile.
"You'll understand what I mean someday."
The crystal was once again spinning in lazy circles and the boy turned his attention back to it. With one last glance at Phos he squeezed his eyes shut. After a moment a deep emerald green emerged at the center of the crystal. Rather than spread slowly, as it usually did, the color bled out rapidly, filling the stone until it pulsated deep green light. Phos raised his eyebrow.
"Good," he finally said, and Hershel opened his eyes and looked at the stone. Despite the achievement of something he had been working towards, the teen seemed unenthusiastic.
"Should I try another one?" he asked softly, and after a moment Phos nodded. Hershel kept his eyes open this time as he stared intently at the crystal. The color went murky and slowly the green gave way to a crimson color. It was not as quick to spread, and never did achieve a pure red tone before Hershel finally sagged and the crystal dropped back down into his hand, colorless once more. The teen didn't say anything and after a few minutes the Healer cleared his throat.
"You have never been one quick to Anger…" he commented, and Hershel scoffed softly.
"Is that good or bad?"
Phos's answer was cut off as Syn came charging in.
"There was an announcement!" she called in her shrill voice. Phos and Hershel turned to her, expressions suddenly guarded.
"What kind of announcement, Syn?" Hershel asked, voice low. The curly-headed child took a few deep breaths and finally spoke.
"Keyda…she's getting bound to the Outsider! A dragon master just announced the news in the village center…"
Both Phos and Hershel visibly relaxed.
"Better late than never…" Phos mused to himself and Hershel leaned his head on hand.
"What did they announce exactly, Syn?"
She plopped down on the floor as Nip came over to greet her, scratching her sniffer under the chin.
"Just that it's happening. They didn't say when, or where, or anything." She paused, wiping her nose. "People seemed pretty upset about it, actually."
"To be expected," Phos said, unworried. He scratched his chin, seeming lost in thought. Hershel was wearing a similar expression nearby.
"People were mad enough at the slave-trade announcement…isn't this just going to make everything worse?"
"What does getting bound even mean?" Syn asked from her place on the ground. "And why is it making everyone so angry? He already lives at the fortress…"
Hershel and Phos made quick eye contact and the Healer shook his head as he stood.
"Not my job." he muttered, walking to the front of the tent. Syn looked at Hershel expectantly and the teen finally just shook his head.
"It…it just means that he's gonna be a leader with her now…."
"Wasn't he kinda already?"
Hershel put a hand to his face and sighed.
"You know…I think I'll tell you more about it when you're older, Syn."
She pouted at that, but Hershel ignored it as he realized that Phos was leaving.
"Where are you going?" he asked, and the Healer turned around with glittering eyes.
"To congratulate the happy couple, of course." he said gruffly, and then he was gone.