Chapter 31
Saf I need your eyes open and you out of sight. It's time to enter the fray; we can't wait for Van or Cobra any longer.
With a nod Kaleb watched the fairy disappear in a twist of light. I really need to learn how to do that, he thought.
Safra giggled lightly in his mind. They'd had this conversation before. Since they both technically had the same light magic in their veins he reasoned he should be able to everything she could but any time he tried condensing light into metal or bending it things tended to explode. Safra's reasoned it was her primary light magic that let her manipulate light like she did and not the "true" light they both shared.
Once at the door Kaleb finally let his full presence be known.
"What is going on here? Who's been kidnapped? Have any of you seen my brother and his mate? They should have been here 20 minutes ago." The busily working knights paused with partially confused expressions before General Tennison in all his glory swept into the room.
"Master Kaleb, I have bad news. Come with me and I'll tell you what we know so far." The older gentleman led him to a somewhat secluded corner with a hand lightly on his shoulder. Tennison was a very capable leader even compared to the other generals among the King's personal military and often acted as a personal advisor to the King himself. There was very little the man missed and the two individual teams performing the same work independently now made sense; it seemed the General felt something was off too.
Trying to recall the information his father had mentally passed him earlier when Cobra had heard Lucy's last ditch call for help Kaleb easily let himself be led away.
It's happening again brother. I can barely control my magic. Safra warned as she braced against the wall so she didn't fall while the general started his explanations.
"I was leaving for a meeting but on my way out I felt a strange magical signature so I followed it instead. Right when I entered this room I caught a glimpse of Cristoff and a little blonde woman before they were gone. Now, I shouldn't have to say this but I will just so we're clear, what you've heard is classified until we have orders otherwise. The knowledge of kidnapping such a high profile couple right from the Holy Knight Headquarters first thing on New Year's day…? I trust you understand how delicate a position we're all in."
Kaleb, for the first time in years, was having trouble following two conversations simultaneously while still working his magic. He was trying to free Safra again but every time he tried his mind lost focus making it take that much longer.
Finally, after far too long given what happened earlier today, Kaleb realized he'd been somehow hit again, even with his guard up, and this time much harder to break free. Who the hell are we dealing with?
-DTRE-
Cobra's body shivered as Vander pulled him through the most disturbing place he'd ever had the displeasure of experiencing. He wasn't sure if it was from the bone numbing cold or the depraved and grotesque things his sensitive ears picked up. What he did know was that he would avoid going on these little excursions with the shadowquip as much as possible in the future.
The Voids, definitely off his list of vacation spots.
"We're almost there Man." Vander's smooth voice spread a physical warmth through his chilled limbs. "Just have to get through all the wards."
And Cobra thanked every fucking thing he could think of when he felt the warm air waft over his skin, though he could have forgone the way his stomach clenched and trembled when they stopped moving.
We're here but in the surface shadows now. You doin' ok? Vander asked his brother quickly then watching the slayer next to him out of the corner of his eyes. If you fucking puke on me I'm getting your ass back ten times worse once we get them back.
Cobra sneered and growled lowly so he wasn't over-heard trying to focus on what he was seeing and hearing even though everything was dark and distorted.
Why the hell is the elven prince so buddy buddy with the asshole who helped kidnap Tink? His fists were so tightly gripped holding himself back the knuckles on both hands were white.
Something's wrong…Kaleb? You hear us? When Vander didn't get an answer both men shot out of the shadows acting in unison knowing something terrible was wrong. The man Lucy described, none other than General Tennison, had his hand on Kaleb's bare arm and his usually keen lilac eyes were unfocused.
Vander pulled his brother away while Cobra immediately grappled with the general while also trying to dodge wild magic attacks coming from everywhere all at once.
"Fucking sphincters!" Safra shouted. As soon as her world steadied she immediately joined the fray throwing her senbon at the erratically attacking men temporarily paralyzing as many as possible.
"So deadly, so beautiful, so in need of more lessons on vulgar language and insults," Vander practically sighed before using his shadows to subdue the rest.
By the time Kaleb fully cleared his mind Cobra had Tennison in a headlock with his knee pushing into his lower back, the several knights in the room were hog tied wiggling on the floor or frozen like status and suddenly things clicked into place.
The one man in the room outside his family he thought he could trust was the one who'd messed with his head and sent his family into Pergrande right into Karadin's clutches.
Right before his eyes Cobra's lost all sense of reality and even with his current link in the man's mind he was having a hell of a time fighting the general off on multiple fronts; he was trying to get at Vander, Safra and him again.
"I don't care what you're trying to do to me shit face. I can hear you!" Cobra grit out. His world was spinning; he couldn't smell, see or even feel the man he knew he had pinned because the soul never lied, couldn't be manipulated like that, and it was still where it had been 5 minutes ago.
"Cobra you can't touch his skin. Physical contact makes his magic more powerful," Kaleb surmised.
"I'm not lettin' him go. Get the cuffs on him first of somethin'."
"I'll do it," Safra said seeing the wariness in both men's tense stances. There was a lot this man could get either of them to do if they touched this mage's skin including freeing him fully by harming Cobra and neither man wanted to risk their sister's mate. She, on the other hand, whether it was her magic or physiology only became dizzy but that wouldn't stop her from getting his magic cancelled.
"I'll keep them both down while you do." Vander handed he the magic cancelling cuffs he kept in his little pocket of the voids he used for storage. Kaleb you have to keep our minds clear.
Don't I know it. Since he's not touching me anymore I'm clear and have everyone but Erik.
Once Vander had black metal bands in place Safra shifted into light needing the speed and flashed there and back in an instant leaving their prisoner shackled behind.
Cobra slumped off the man, his head pounding like he'd spent all last night at a rager - as if he could get high or drunk or intoxicated in any sense of the word to have experienced that before - trusting the shadow made metal to keep the man subdued.
It really was neat work if he'd of been able to open his eyes without the light attempting to burn out his retinas. There was a tightly fit band around each forearm, thigh and calf, one around his midsection and neck, all of them holding him snuggly to the pink marble floor.
Just as quickly the knights who had been struggling against their own bonds stilled, eyes blinking rapidly.
"Where did they go?" a woman asked, her voice raw from her prior screaming.
"Who?" Safra managed to ask first.
"Berserkers," Kaleb answered for her. Each incapacitated man and woman were convinced Vander and Cobra had been berserkers that had shown up out of nowhere then acted accordingly. "They're clear now you can let them free." Instantly Vander's shadows melted away in wisps of smoke and several bright flashes proved the light fairy had gotten rid of the needle like weapons too.
"You will be able to move in a couples hours…Fully recovered in 2-3 days I think. I usually kill my opponents if I use my senbon…" Safra's calm voice was in total contrast to the panicked expressions of the 8 living semi statues now decorating the open hall.
"The King is on his way. Everyone in this room is to not speak of any of the events that have transpired and wait in the arboretum to await orders from King Altiene or Crown Prince Liam," Kaleb announced trying to divert attention from the fairy. This was the second time she'd made a group of their best warriors helpless and he really didn't want anyone focusing on that. She may not wield the magical levels each and every one of them did but she used hers with deadly efficiently. With one of four leading Generals turning on them like this he didn't want any of them to associate that negativity and fear with her, an "outsider". Scared and hurt, people could become irrational and alarmingly superstitious – a very dangerous combination.
-DTRE-
"Arman, this is a surprise," Altiene said standing from his desk. Ever since what had happened between his eldest and Arman's youngest their relationship had been tense. Neither man could quite put the events behind yet but this was a new year, a time of renewal and rebirth, so if they were ever going to close this breach today was the best day for that.
"I'm afraid not a happy one Sire." Arman's grave mien had the King tensed but he waved his old friend to a seat near his son. His family still wore all black, Kurino's execution still fresh in their hearts, and Altiene was not emotionally ready to deal with more chaos but his role as King didn't afford him long to grieve and become ready it seems.
"You've met Liam my son. We've just been going through his new duties and if what you're about to tell me has to do with the Crown I would like for him to be present."
"I think that is wise," Arman said sitting after bowing respectfully to both men.
"So, to the point please. I'm not sure I can handle the standard pleasantries."
"My son Cristoff and his mate Lucy were abducted in the Holy Order's Citadel while on their way for his reinduction." Arman paused to let his audience digest that morsel of information before ploughing on. "The rest of my family was enjoying the holiday festivities when Erik my soon to be son-in-law who happens to be a soul listening mage heard Lucy cry out to him for help. She gave a description of someone I'm hoping was either forced or impersonated as the insider to make it all possible."
"Who? And who all knows about this already?" Liam interjected gravely. This was probably the worst thing to happen today of all days and he was already making plans to contain the news of this tragedy until things were settled.
"My family and a handful of Holy Knights," he answered intentionally leaving out the Fairy Tail mages still in Fiore. No matter what was decided now the Pradesh patriarch had his own plans and they were not going to change. "Lucy described an older man with curly silver hair and almost black eyes. She called him a General."
"Tennison," Altiene breathed out. "No it couldn't be! He's not like Kurino." It cost him so much to even say so but it was true. "He's never had any complaints about his conduct, never twisted any orders I've given. Hell Arman he's never even so much as screamed while being bathed in Immaculate Light when we both know Kurino was dead for minutes before my healers could save her! There is no way he is a traitor." His last statement was quiet, more like a prayer than anything else. Of the four leaders of the Holy Order of Knights Tennison was the only one who had never made excuses for his eldest's behavior. The man had actually argued after Kurino's close call with her own induction she wasn't fit to be Queen. That she needed to be treated for the trauma she'd experienced during their wars in driving out the Succubi from Joya before given any chance at power or authority let alone keep her status as next in line.
Oh if he had only listened to his trusted advisor. Instead he turned a blind eye to any fault she had blaming it on the loss of her mother at such a young age followed by a difficult war. Damn his pride! His daughter might still be alive if he'd been as good a father to her like Arman was to his children.
"That's why I think there is more going on here than-" Arman stopped. "Sire, Kaleb just told me he has everyone who knows anything about today contained and Tennison restrained. He is awaiting your order but…it doesn't look good."
"Lead the way," King Altiene stood abruptly. "Liam go get Jensa personally and meet us at…"
"The Holy Order's Citadel in the arboretum. Kaleb is having everyone moved there as we speak."
"Good, we'll have privacy and Jensa prefers a natural setting." With that all three men left the King's office in different states. Arman was preparing for the worst, Altiene was steadfastly in denial until he was given irrefutable proof, and Liam was grave. His father's behavior toward this man was like it was to his now deceased sister and he was more than happy to retrieve Jensa; he would listen to her since she had the ability to lay one's heart and soul open to those she chose. He was also concerned about what this meant for the Boscan people. Could this mean war? Another high profile execution setting an ominous tone for the rest of the year?
Whatever was to come to pass Liam was determined to see his countries' faith restored in their leadership and if it took a reorganization of the Crown's personal military, how the Steel Council members were appointed, or even the early retirement of his father…so be it. There was too much darkness and selfish actions corrupting this great nation; his people deserved better.
-DTRE-
"Kaleb," King Altiene greeted as he stepped outside into the secluded garden. I need you to alter the memories of the knights present and send them off to their duties, he continued in his thoughts knowing the mindbender would hear.
Some of them are need of healing or just time for some side-effects to wear off Your Highness, Kaleb answered back careful to show proper deference to his King while simultaneously notifying him to reconsider his orders. The Guild Master already had an altered memory sequence he'd wanted to use but he couldn't willfully ignore or change direct orders from the King he'd pledged to serve.
Altiene's lips pressed into a thin line as he glanced around. No one had any obvious injuries but there were a few men sitting against some trees awkwardly. Pinching his brow Altiene sighed. If it wasn't one thing it was another…
A training accident from a new fighting technique, Kaleb suggested.
"Yes yes whatever you think is best just get it done before my son arrives."
Kaleb nodded and in less time than expected soon the area was cleared. This is what the mindbender exceled at, replacing memories, altering histories and series of events. These changes were permanent unlike when he forced people to change the way they thought or act; that was only possible if he literally unmade and rebuilt the person, something he was loath to ever have to do.
-DTRE-
Safra stood off to the side letting the light curve around her keeping as quiet as possible. The last time she'd been anywhere near Bosco's king she'd been forced to agree to terms of punishment if she ever wanted to be able to move freely around her sýzygos' country. The general terms weren't horrible it just meant she was unable to go home and see her family for an entire year. That part was the real trial.
She firmly believed she had done nothing wrong but humans were proving to be more emotionally driven and irrational than she was accustomed. It was a weakness the fairy often dealt with herself but she fought off her inclinations until she could think rationally like her Papa had taught her to do. It seems full humans often just accepted their emotions and left it at that.
It made her very difference in nature threatening to them even though she had been very careful not to permanently harm any of them, only acting when they because dangerous aggressors, but that did not seem to matter. So, she let herself become forgotten and watched everyone closely.
There were two new faces that arrived after some time. The first was a well-dressed man with dark hair and dark eyes that were similar to the king's except there was something in them that differed…it was a clarity of the situation and a resolute determination to act in the best way for all his people that she'd only ever seen once before – from her father.
Many people had personal priorities that made them unsuitable to become the greatest of leaders to their people no matter their skills, intelligence or ability to effectively take charge in a situation. It was the ability to put all of those who depended on them above any selfish desires, to act with full clarity of mind on facts and truths that distinguished these men. The one who had just joined the small gathering had that.
The woman on his arm was small, ancient for a human judging by the arch in her back and though her eyes were clouded over in white had real sight. A sight that looked directly at Safra with an intensity that stalled her breath. It was only a moment before the woman looked away turning her knowing gaze to the others but to Safra it felt much longer.
"Creepy isn't she," the comforting tenor of her life partner stated pulling her into his arms.
"She sees too much."
"You don't know half of it. Brace yourself. This is gonna be a hell of a ride." Vander smirked right before the world shifted.
-DTRE-
"You shall all see," Jensa said tone smooth and rich belying her age. Down into the depths of the man's soul the ancient seer brought the group along shattering false memories, unravelling twisted tales. This man was much different from those she'd been called to expose before.
There was no darkness in him, no betrayal of ideas he'd sacredly pledged, only truth in action. He enjoyed war, the slaying of powerful enemies, but his lust did not rule his actions. He was loyal to Bosco because Bosco was "home" and "home" must be protected from threats. This repeating idea he'd learned at the hand of an often violent taskmaster until it was engrained into the very depths of who he was.
Pergrande had always been a threat to "home" but their recent actions showed they were preparing for something potentially cataclysmic while he watched King Altiene sit back and ignore it because of the potential lives that might be lost in a war with such a powerful enemy. The reasoning made no sense to the man. Everything Bosco is and means would be destroyed if this enemy was allowed more time to strengthen its armies until it was ready to take direct action while they did nothing. "Home" would be lost. That was unacceptable.
Potential versus fact? Stupid to even ask.
This man had been born with no inherent notion of right and wrong but his guardian had taken him in hand. Gave him a set of guiding values, honor and morals to live by so he could appear "normal" to the world, live a "normal" life. They had been beaten into him as the "correct" way to act until it was a matter of survival for the young child to adopt them. That violence fed his need for power and influence but his own circumspect nature channeled any destructive tendencies constructively to work within socially accepted norms. Thus he became a Holy Knight, the front line in every war or battle, the protectors of home and hearth, the violent hand of justice.
Yes this man was different.
Jensa called back in her magic touched by the strange purity as a single tear fell from her blind eyes.
"Why Tennison," the king's voice cracked. He had been completely right and wrong about this man all at the same time. He really hadn't seen what he'd done as traitorous. "If you see the need to cut Pergrande down why aid them in giving what they wanted?"
"You say aid but that is not true. The facts are Karadin would have gotten both of them eventually. I only ensured it was in a way that was safer for the both of them, we would be sure to tie the abduction to Karadin and in a way that would prevent you from burying your head in the sand; I even played the part of a traitor to their faces to provide what protection I could to them in the future. Plus, out of anyone in Bosco can you think of two better individuals to handle this? The woman is carrying the children of a dragon slayer; she will be kept well fed and comfortable at least until the children can be safely weened. Cristoff, while he would be abused, it would not anything worse than what he had felt at your daughter's hand," Tennison sneered. She had been a symbol of everything that was "wrong" and her continued freedom to act in such a way was "evil".
"Likely less since Karadin covets him enough to keep him for himself for a time and that man does not have a taste for inflicting pain just topping powerful men. In addition, they are Pradesh's children. He would do anything to save his children before it was too late." The jab was well placed and Altiene felt it keenly. Whatever abuse Tennison had been dealt as a child, his guardian had done what Altiene had failed at; ensuring his child could have an honorable life.
What was worse, everything General Tennison said was true. Arman and his family would storm Pergrande raining down all amounts of devastation in order to rescue Cristoff and Lucy with or without his support. Kaleb had all of White Sea behind him that even without the normal military or the Holy Knights by their sides they had the fire power available for a short invasion. Only one thing didn't make sense.
"Why now?" he questioned. It was obvious by the General's actions he'd wanted to keep the general population ignorant of the situation so picking New Years' day where the city was full of revelers and more personnel under foot didn't make sense.
"I was running out of time." Only now did the prone man look anything less than proud. "You all know that I am not normal. There were other Holy Knights like me that the freed Immaculate Light killed when they were inducted. I couldn't let myself be killed, not yet. Not with Pergrande preparing to strike. I'd rather die fighting for home."
Safra finally stepped out of the shadows pulling away from the comfort of Vander's arms and knelt before this complicated yet simple man. What wouldn't she do to protect her home for the evil that lay in the heart of Pergrande? Cristoff and Lucy were friends, family, but could she say for a fact that she wouldn't have done the same if the tables were turned? Maybe asked for their help first but that was probably the only difference.
Placing her hand on the general's brow Safra looked up to the pale blue of Arman's in question - for permission. These were his children and grandchildren in danger. She watched as his features softened for the first time since their abduction. Her hand lit with the true blessed light of Apollo, the same magic the lacrima collected and condensed for the induction ceremonies of the Hold Order.
It was all in Arman's eyes. He loved his children more than anything in the world but he was not blind to the follies of man. The urgency of little time could make even the most honorable and intelligent of men fools. If the light spared this man's life Arman would forgive him too…well after Tennison helped get his family back safe and sound even if it meant sacrificing his own life to do so. What King Altiene decided was another story.
-End of Chapter-
Whew! Yeah that happened…What do you guys think? Does the end ever justify the means? Do imperfect people have the right to judge the imperfect? I think I'm getting a little too deep in my head now…
On a lighter note the next chapter we'll get to see Lucy and Cristoff again! Love, Blas
