Chapter Five
"You what?!" Azur's voice was like ice. Agon had just filled the family in on why they were all still in this room. Azur was not best pleased that her niece was in such a risky situation. The other adults were worried- and confused about why Banth would target Medusa. Karnak, Gorgon and Triton exchanged looks. No-one had noticed Black Bolt's absence yet...
"Medusalith is able to handle herself," Agon replied calmly.
Azur couldn't believe what she was hearing. "She's a child!"
Korath cut his sister-in-law (by remove) off before his brother got angry. "Agon, this does seem too dangerous..."
Rynda spoke up. "I might point out that this was her suggestion."
"It was also your suggestion that we jump off the buildings to fly when we were children!" Mander shot back at his sister. "That doesn't mean I would have let you!"
"She'll be fine. As soon as the rebels are in the building, we'll be notified," Rynda replied confidently.
"By who?" Milena, Korath's wife, seemed to be the calmest one in the room. Her voice was fairly level. She was concerned for the young girl, but she'd noticed another absence from the hall- Agon had said earlier that Maximus was unwell and in the infirmary, but nothing had been said about where his elder son was... maybe he would be informing Agon when the palace was breached?
"We have our security systems, what else do we need?" Rynda asked, tossing her head arrogantly.
Milena tensed. "And what if the rebels have gained some means of overriding it? Do you mean to say you have no idea what might be happening without the aid of the palace's security?"
Gorgon shifted uncomfortably at his mother's words, though no-one noticed. She's right, anything could be happening right now, to Medusa or Black Bolt, and no-one even knows Black Bolt's at risk...
"And where is your son?" Milena continued.
"Maximus-"
"Not Maximus. Blackagar."
Agon and Rynda exchanged looks, startled, before quickly glancing around the large hall. Blackagar had a habit of moving quietly and staying unnoticed in large groups, so they had both assumed he was here, but he wasn't in sight! Gorgon caught the eyes of his cousins, and all three of them started edging subtly away from Agon and Rynda.
"Blackagar! Where did he go?"
Gorgon swallowed heavily, sweat beading his brow. Karnak held his gaze, warning him silently. D'ast it, Gorgon, you gave your word! Triton placed a firm hand on his cousin's shoulder, plainly thinking the same thing Karnak was. They continued trying to creep away without being spotted.
"Gorgon! Triton! Karnak! Where are you three going?" Agon was staring straight at them, eyes narrowed. Every set of eyes in the hall turned to them.
"We..." Karnak faltered. "We were just going to..."
"Where is Blackagar?" Rynda demanded, advancing on them. They exchanged panicked looks.
Gorgon broke first, much to his cousins' dismay. "He... he insisted on staying near Medusa, to make sure she was safe." "WHAT?!" "He thought that if he was there he could protect her!"
"And you just let him?" Agon's voice was icy.
Korath intervened for his son's sake. "And just how was he supposed to stop him, brother? You've said yourself enough times that Blackagar is the most powerful of all of us, and we all know that. How could anyone restrain him, exactly? Besides, it's good that Medusalith is not dealing with Banth alone, isn't it?"
It was the wrong thing to say. Rynda lurched forward and ran for the door - She had already lost Maximus to insanity, she wasn't going to lose her eldest! Agon wanted to follow her, but was torn between doing so, and remaining with the rest of his family. If Rynda gets herself killed- He couldn't finish the thought as he hurried out. He heard several voices begin talking as he left, but ignored them. He headed towards the royal quarters, assuming that's where Medusalith, Banth and Blackagar would be, hoping he caught up to Rynda in time...
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Banth laughed in delight as Black Bolt held his fist fast, anger burning in his eyes. "How poetic, the prince come to defend his betrothed..." Banth leered at Medusa before turning to meet Black Bolt's eyes. "I should tell you though, she's not worth it, really."
Medusa flushed with humiliation, but Black Bolt answered with a fist to Banth's face. The older man staggered, but didn't fall- Black Bolt hadn't wanted to use his full strength, knowing that could kill Banth. He took Banth's response- a blow to the side- without flinching, raising an eyebrow at him as though bored. Banth was beginning to realise he'd underestimated the young prince. Black Bolt stepped forward again.
Banth grabbed Medusa, pulling out her concealed weapon and pressing the barrel to her head. Black Bolt froze immediately, raising his hands in a surrendering gesture- he wasn't risking Medusa's life! Banth nodded in satisfaction.
"Much better. Now, Medusalith and I are going to walk out of here, and you are not going to stop us. Agreed?" Medusa fought her panic. She resisted when Banth started moving her towards the door.
"No! No, he'll kill Crystal!"
Banth laughed. "What makes you think I haven't already?"
Her heart stood still. "You.. you can't have!"
"Are you certain about that, my sweet?"
"But... but she's your daughter too!"
Banth snorted. "She's an unwanted result of something that I had to do to erode Agon's rule. Neither she nor you ever meant anything to me, are you really too stupid to have worked that out?"
"She's not dead! She can't be dead!" Medusa was fighting terror now. Banth was smirking. Black Bolt's fists were clenched. He glanced furiously at Banth, wishing there was some way he could make him admit he was lying- if he was. But the gun remained firmly pressed to Medusa's head, and Black Bolt didn't dare chance it. Banth began moving again, dragging a near-tears Medusa with him. Black Bolt had never wanted to use his voice so badly in his life... He felt his pockets for his pencil and paper, writing fast and shoving the note at Banth.
Why?
Banth stopped. "Why? Why what?"
Why break in here if all you're going to do is take Medusa away? I'm right here, why not shoot me?
"No!" Medusa almost shrieked. He can't be serious...
Banth looked almost disappointed. "I'd like to, but only your parents were meant to die tonight. You may still be useful."
Just my parents? Not me, my brother, my cousins?
"No. Just your parents tonight."
Why just them? What do you have against them? Black Bolt kept Banth talking, hoping the man didn't realise he was being stalled- Black Bolt thought he could hear approaching footsteps, so hopefully this situation would come back into their favour soon...
"Maybe you should ask them that, boy!"
Rynda rounded the corner. The significance of the scene dawned on her in seconds, and she stared at Banth, her gaze calculating. Medusa's heart sank. She doesn't care what happens to me, or Crystal!
Black Bolt had many of the same thoughts, but refused to acknowledge them. Rynda would help, she had to! Banth's eyes widened when he saw her. He kept a grip on Medusa, but swung the gun around to point at Rynda, grining triumphantly. "At least I can get rid of one of you..."
Medusa lashed out, wrapping her hair around Banth's arm and yanking it down as the gun fired. He snarled in frustration when he realised he'd missed, and fought to rip her hair from his arm. He hadn't been able to let go of the weapon's trigger, so another shot was fired accidentally. Rynda darted to Black Bolt's side as Medusa and Banth struggled for the weapon, neither willing to let go. Black Bolt pushed his mother behind him protectively, without taking his eyes off Medusa and Banth. He desperately wanted to intervene, but they were moving too fast for it to be safe. More footsteps raced towards the room. Medusa heard, and was distracted for one second. Banth seized the opportunity to free himself, and, realising he had no chance of accomplishing his goal, fired one more shot before turning and running.
Medusa looked down at her side in a daze. That hurt, her mind dimly registered as she fell to her knees. The scene around her went blurry- was someone saying something? Agon?... Her eyes locked on Black Bolt's for a second. Is he holding me? Everything darkened.
Medusa's head lolled back. No. Black Bolt felt rage like he had never felt before. Agon took Medusa from him, but Black Bolt was gone before he could be stopped.
"Blackagar!"
He took no notice, racing after Banth, his eyes murderous. He'll pay for this. She did nothing! And if she- He didn't let the thought conclude. She could not die! He caught up with Banth just as the man was diving through the exit. He didn't hesitate for a second as he slammed this insect against the wall with all his strength. The corridor shuddered. Black Bolt stared into Banth's eyes for a second. Seeing no remorse, he scowled.
Banth actually laughed. "Disappointed that I killed your love?"
Black Bolt literally saw red. His fists flew at Banth, again and again and again. He had no idea how long he beat him. The next thing he recalled was Korath gripping his shoulder, tugging him backwards. His uncle's face was pale.
"That's enough! You could kill him!"
Black Bolt shook his head minutely, as though waking up, and actually looked at Banth. He backed away. The man before him had been reduced to a bloody pulp. He shook his head in denial. I didn't mean to do this! The wall surrounding Banth was littered with cracks and dents too. Korath was loooking at him as if he was a stranger. He hated the fear in his uncle's eyes... He turned and fled. Korath stared after him for a second, before looking back at Banth. Traitor or not, he still lived, and so deserved medical attention. Wincing as he made contact with the injured man, he pried him out of the person-shaped indentation on the wall, and half-carried him to the medical facility.
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Gorgon, Triton and Karnak waited in anxious silence. Agon had sent word that Medusa had been injured over an hour ago. They had all rushed to the waiting facility of the medical wing. Agon was tending to Medusa himself, but no-one knew how bad it was.
"What's taking so long?!" Gorgon half-yelled in frustration.
"How am I supposed to know?" Karnak snapped back.
Triton moved between them. "Look, we're all worried, but yelling at each other won't help. Calm down. Why don't we go and see what's happening with Korath?" Gorgon's father had come in some time ago, requesting healers and security, right before forbidding the boys to come near. They hadn't even gotten a clear glimpse of his patient!
Karnak looked thoughtful. "I won't deny I'm curious... but we were told to stay here for a reason. I don't- Black Bolt! Where have you been?" Their oldest cousin was standing in the dorway, looking morose and defeated. Gorgon tried to approach- Black Bolt backed away, his eyes haunted. He shook his head. They shouldn't come near me..., not after what I did earlier...
"Are you alright?" Gorgon asked in concern.
Black Bolt shook his head, taking out his notepad to write quickly, fearing the answer but asking anyway. Medusa?
"We don't know yet. No-one's told us anything..." Gorgon looked up suddenly. "I don't suppose you know who it was my father brought here? We're not allowed to go and see..."
Black Bolt tuned his back on Gorgon abruptly.
"What did I say?" Gorgon blinked.
"Obviously he knows," Karnak said, frowning. "Who is it, Black Bolt?"
He didn't turn back to face them, however, and at that moment, Agon stepped back into the waiting room, his face grim.
"Is Medusa alright?" Gorgon asked instantly. He and Black Bolt both stepped forward, waiting with bated breath. Triton and Karnak both looked anxious as well. The other adults, grouped around the room, stopped their conversations to listen.
Agon's eyes were sad. "She might not make it. The next hour is going to be critical." Gorgon cried out; Black Bolt stuffed his fist into his mouth. Karnak paled and Triton put his hands on Gorgon and Black Bolt's shoulders.
Mander stepped forward. "What happened?"
"That is what I would like to know." Agon looked at his son. "The plan was that Medusalith face Banth alone."
Black Bolt looked at his father without remorse, handing him a hastily-written note. And if she had, Banth would have killed her as soon as the deceit was discovered!
"That's why we have security systems."
What good were they? He glared at his father. Banth already had his hand round Medusa's throat before I intervened! I did not see any 'security systems' then.
"There is still no excuse to risk your life!"
Black Bolt's face contorted. Just because you wouldn't risk your life for someone you care about, doesn't mean I wouldn't!
"ENOUGH!" Gorgon shouted, louder than anybody had heard him shout before. "What about Medusa?"
Agon sighed heavily. "There was a lot of damage. She's lapsed into a coma. I don't know when, or if, she'll wake up."
Mander moved to Azur's side- his wife had gone very pale. "I'll have word sent to Quelin and Ambur."
Agon nodded. No-one else spoke as they left. All four of the young royals were numb with shock. Suddenly Gorgon whirled on Black Bolt. "This is all your fault!" Black Bolt hung his head. He knew his cousin was right...
Agon tried to step between them. "Wait just a minute!"
"No!" Gorgon shouted. "She trusted you and now she's going to die!"
Black Bolt pushed Agon away from him and turned and walked into Medusa's room, wanting to see her, and no-one else. He could hear the argument continuing out there, but didn't care. He sank into a chair, and rested his head in his hands, hating himself. After a few minutes, he looked at Medusa's unmoving form in the bed. She looked so fragile! This is all my fault. Placing his hand on her forehead, he sent out a gentle thought. Medusa? I'm sorry. There was no movement, but he thought the heart monitor picked up speed a little. He looked away. It's wishful thinking.
"Blackagar!" He turned to see Rynda had entered the room. He didn't want any more scolding, and so he ran. He took off directly to his sound-proof cell, slamming the door shut. He stood shaking for a moment - and then threw back his head and screamed.