Chapter Eight
Medusa tried to squirm away from Banth but despite his manacles he held her fast. She tried to stay calm. "Why do you keep treating me like this? You made it clear you don't really like me..."
"You make an entertaining distraction. It's nothing personal against you, I just needed a way to cause problems for the royal family."
"What do you mean? Why do you hate them so much?"
"You'll have to give me something if you want me to tell you that, pretty one..." Banth's grip tightened.
"Why? You don't really want me!"
"I enjoy some things about you... your skills at certain tasks were adequate enough..." Banth slid a hand around Medusa's waist.
Medusa shuddered. "Please don't-"
"Why? Because you love the prince and you're afraid of losing his love?"
She tried to force Banth away from her, with no success. "It's none of your business! I just don't want you!"
Banth squeezed her: she gasped as the pain from her injury flared.
"What's wrong, slut?" Banth sneered in her ear. "I just want to have some fun..."
"Let go of me!" She gasped.
"You enjoyed it enough when you conceived." Banth smirked.
"NO!" Medusa blurted. I can't do this, question him, not if he's going to... Tears pricked her eyes and she began to shake as he moved, shifting so he was half on top of her. "No!" It came out a plea this time. He pinned her to the floor, leering at her. "HELP!" she screamed. "SOMEBODY HELP ME!"
Banth clapped his hand over her mouth, scowling, but the door had already been flung open. Rynda and Agon both marched in, and the queen punched the prisoner soundly between the eyes and dragged him off Medusa. The girl scrambled up, backing away from him, a hand pressed over her injury which was throbbing painfully.
Black Bolt was right behind them, his anxious gaze on Medusa. What did he do?!
She went right to his arms while Agon hauled Banth back up. The king shook the smug-faced man. Hard.
"How dare you treat a member of the royal family in such a way?" Agon was seething.
"I'll treat my slut any way I please."
Black Bolt's expression was furious. He stepped forward, but Rynda stopped him.
Banth laughed at him. "I will tell you everything you want to know about the rebels. Where they're hiding, what their plans are. But I want something in exchange." He eyes locked on Medusa, who shivered.
"Out of the question!" Rynda snapped. Medusa's eyes widened- it sounded almost as if Rynda was defending her! But she doesn't even like me...
Agon nodded severely in agreement with his wife. "I will not let you abuse Medusalith that way. Rest assured, I will find out the secrets of the rebels, with or without your co-operation. You are not having your way."
"I think I am," Banth chuckled. "Because there is a missile drone headed here as we speak. It's cloaked, you won't be able to find it. But I get what I want from Medusa and I'll tell you where it is and the deactivation code."
Black Bolt's arms tightened as Medusa cried out.
"No!" Rynda stated firmly. "You're just making that up."
"Am I? Wait a few minutes and see, then..." Without warning, all the lighting in the room vanished, and they were all blinded. Agon cried out as something heavy struck him, and Banth escaped his grasp. There was some movement. Black Bolt tensed as he felt someone pull Medusa away from him. She cried out. The lights came back on a second later. Banth had a weapon pressed to Medusa's head.
Not again, she thought miserably. The royal family froze immediately.
"Let her go." Agon spoke steadily, his voice calm.
"I will. Once I've been permitted to walk out of here safely."
"And if we don't allow that?"
"I've already shot her once today."
Agon didn't hesitate, stepping aside to let Banth pass, pulling Rynda with him, knowing Blackagar would follow. I will not trade her life. He tensed up when Banth made Medusalith walk with him.
"You said you'd let her go!" Rynda voiced Agon's thought.
"And as I said, I will. Once I'm free. If I let her go now, you'll have the guards on me before I leave the palace. Don't worry, I'll send her back in one piece, with no permanent damage..."
Medusa's eyes were wide with fear. "Please-"
"Shut up." Banth used the barrel of the weapon to make her keep moving, already knowing that Agon and Rynda wouldn't test him on this. Medusa was shaking as she was dragged out of the room.
Black Bolt's face was tight with frustration. This can't happen! He looked at his parents helplessly, before following Banth, moving in utter silence. I have to try and do something!
Banth kept the gun firmly against Medusa's temple as they walked. She tried not to whimper in fright. Her heart pounded when she noticed her parents standing some distance away. Maybe they can help... but that might put Crystal in danger... Her eyes burned. Ambur was still holding the now-sleeping baby. Medusa thought the best she could hope for was that Banth wouldn't see the child.
At that moment, Quelin saw them, and shouted. Banth cursed, tightening his grip on Medusa and readying himself to fire if he had to.
"Stay back!" Medusa shouted as both her parents took a step forward. "Stay back! Mother, get Crystal out of here, please!"
"So that's my spawn?" Banth muttered in interest. They stopped walking for a moment. "Impossible... she's perfect!" He squinted down at Medusa. "How did you manage that?"
"I don't know!"
Banth hummed. "Maybe I should take you with me after all... it would be interesting to see if you could replicate this!"
Quelin edged closer. "Let go of my daughter!"
"Stay back or I'll blow her brains out."
Quelin held his eyes. "No, you won't."
"Try me!"
Medusa whimpered. Quelin moved without warning, grabbing the gun and immoblising Banth's hand. Medusa, using Banth's distraction, sent a tendril of her hair lashing at his eyes, making him yell in pain and inadvertantly release her. She darted away from him, almost walking straight into Black Bolt- she hadn't even noticed him following them! His arms closed round her protectively as Quelin wrenched the gun from Banth's grasp.
Banth snarled and lunged for Medusa again. Black Bolt grabbed him by the collar and threw him against the wall. Banth reeled, but stayed on his feet. He glanced around- weaponless, surrounded, without a hostage and no doubt soon to be surrounded by guards... Discretion is the better part of valour! he reasoned, turning and fleeing down another corridor, intent on escape.
Black Bolt glared after him before returning to Medusa's side, just as Agon and Rynda caught up with them. Medusa was clutching her side; blood was seeping through her bandages. She slumped against Black Bolt, feeling dizzy. He supported her, trying to make her meet his eyes.
Medusa?
"I think I need medical-" she collapsed. Black Bolt managed to stop her falling to the floor, then immediately glanced at his father for help. He was the best qualified to treat her. The king moved over to them, pushing Quelin out of the way so he could check Medusalith's injuries. Black Bolt watched the whole time, praying she would be alright. The thought of losing her made his heart stop.
Quelin and Ambur hovered some distance away. Rynda pressed one of the alarm buttons to summon the guards, alerting them that Banth was trying to escape. He would be apprehended in minutes.
"Quelin, help me get her to the medical bay," Agon ordered. Quelin lifted his unconscious daughter into his arms, following Agon, trying not to let his fear show on his face. If she dies...
Black Bolt glanced at Rynda for a second before following his father and uncle. He had to be sure Medusa was alright...
Rynda and Ambur exchanged glances once they were left alone. Crystal stirred in Ambur's arms, making a faint whimpering noise.
"Let me see her." Rynda held out her arms. Ambur handed Crystal to her carefully. Rynda looked at the child for the first time, as bright blue eyes opened sleepily. Rynda stifled a gasp. Never mind just looking 'normal', she's beautiful! A wave of remorse hit her without warning. I couldn't have given this little one up... But then she wasn't a sixteen year old girl being threatened from every side. She shook herself- why was she feeling sorry for the girl? No-one had helped her when her son had been born, deemed too dangerous for freedom, and placed in isolation before he was a year old! Rynda closed her eyes against the memories...
#
"There is no proof that entering the mists a second time will cause you harm, Rynda!" Agon insisted.
She wrapped her arms around herself, one hand covering her slightly swollen belly. "It's not only myself I'm concerned for, husband..."
"The child will be fine. He or she will be the most powerful of our people." Agon looked at her earnestly. "Do you think I'd ask this of you if there was any danger?"
Rynda took a deep breath, and stepped into the Terrigen chamber.
#
Rynda lay exhausted in the hospital bed, having laboured for almost a day. Her son had been taken for testing as soon as he was born, and she had yet to hold him. Deciding she'd had enough, she sat up, and slowly climbed out of bed, determined to find her child. Suddenly, without warning, a piercing, undescribable sound reverbrated through the room, and the whole building shook. Glass shattered, Rynda's ears bled, and she was barely able to stand due to the vertigo. What in blazes...
The sound cut off abruptly. She stood shakily and made her way into the hall. She could hear Agon's voice nearby, and headed towards it- surely he would be with their son? She paused outside to listen for a second.
"...sedated the infant when you did was a mercy. His powers only seem to be increasing." Agon sounded stressed, worried. He didn't se Rynda standing in the doorway. He shook his head. "I knew I was taking a chance, but I never could have anticipated this... my son may never be able to use his voice." Rynda noticed what seemed to be an enclosed crib made of soundproof glass in the room. She gasped involuntarily, her hand covering her mouth. Agon looked up and saw her. "Rynda-"
"What have you done?"
#
The baby's whimpers were like pellets biting into Rynda's face. The muzzle pressed over his mouth and she felt like weeping. "I changed my mind."
"But you wanted to hold him!" Agon exclaimed in frustration.
"It's hurting him."
"It's the only way it's safe!" Agon took a deep breath, knowing he had to break the news to Rynda, and equally knowing she would hate him for it. "Rynda... the council asked for the results of my tests on Blackagar a few days ago. They have now made a decision." He paused, wondering if he should embrace her, comfort her, to soften the blow. "It's been decided that Blackagar's powers are too grave a threat to our society. He is to be placed into a soundproof cell until he has gained control."
Rynda's face went ashen. "But that could take years! You're not telling me you've agreed to this?!"
"I don't want this to happen! But Attilan itself is at stake here!"
"He's a baby!" Rynda stood, clutching Blackagar, backing away. "And if I refuse?"
"You have no choice. You can join him in there if you must but his voice will kill you if it's not suppressed."
Tears burned Rynda's eyes. "So he's to have no contact with anyone?"
"I will be working with him when he is old enough to understand, via a vid link at first. After that... we'll see. We'll still be able to see him, Rynda, it's just best this way." Agon's voice cracked. "I don't want this any more than you do."
Rynda stared down at her innocent little boy, who smiled back at her, before returning her gaze to Agon. "I will visit him. An infant still needs care. And answer this: if you had known what the end result would be, would you have still carried out your experiment?"
"Of course not!" Agon protested.
"I wish I could believe you." She stood up, moving away from him, holding her baby close for the first- and possibly the last- time.
#
"Rynda? Are you alright?" Ambur's concerned voice brought the queen back to the present.
"Yes, I'm fine... I just lost myself in my thoughts for a minute." She glanced down at Crystal again. "A beautiful child."
"Yes, she is. And unique. Too special to be trusted to a sixteen-year-old's care."
Rynda nodded- Ambur was right, no matter how hard it was for Medusalith... And was it right when your son was locked away from you? Rynda ignored her inner voice. She'd learned since then- some things had to be done.
"She is an intelligent girl, for the most part," Rynda said, handing the baby back to her mother. "She is somewhat naive, but she is still young..."
"I suppose... I had hoped for more, though, especially as she is to be queen." Ambur sounded resigned.
"She's still young, she'll have time to learn." Rynda said stiffly.
Ambur remained silent.
"Perhaps you should watch after your younger daughter. I am going to see how Medusalith fares." Rynda walked away; Ambur didn't follow her.
Blackagar was waiting outside of the surgery room; Rynda sat beside him, knowing that it would only cause difficulties if she tried to talk to her husband while he was operating.
"Have you been told anything yet?"
Black Bolt shook his head, his eyes worried.
"You care about Medusalith, don't you?"
He nodded, eyes narrowed. He probably thought this was some sort of trick question, Rynda mused. "The two of you are going to have to figure out a lot of difficulties."
He raised an eyebrow. Rynda spoke carefully.
"You've both been brought up in sheltered lives, and a marriage is hard enough for people who haven't. Medusalith's been through a lot, as you know, and... add to that the pressures of ruling, or even learning to rule... it won't be easy, you know that, don't you?"
Blackagar nodded, but he smiled. Raising his hands, he bent his index fingers inward and pressed them together, then put his thumbs together, making a heart. It was Rynda's turn to raise an eyebrow.
"Really? You've known her less than a month!"
He shrugged.
"She's the only female besides myself and your aunts that you've met, how could you possibly know if you love her?"
Another shrug. He didn't really know how he knew, but he was sure of what he felt.
Rynda sighed and pulled her son in close. "You're going to have to be careful. Lovemaking can be very noisy."
Black Bolt went red.
"Don't look at me like that. You're betrothed, after you're married you'll consumate it. You'll have to do so without using your voice accidentally."
He went redder, turning his face away, not wanting to have this discussion. Rynda considered pressing the issue, but she sighed and let it drop. Plenty of time for that later. They sat in silence for a while, both waiting for news of Medusa. Black Bolt couldn't help worrying- they'd been treating her for hours! Or at least, that's how it feels!
Eventually Agon came out, looking grim. He ignored Black Bolt when the prince stood up, waiting for information, and instead pulled Rynda aside.
"She's going to live."
Rynda sighed in relief, but felt vaguely puzzled. "But then why did you only tell me, and not Blackagar?"
"There was more damage to her from Banth's first attack than I realised. It will take some time for her to heal fully. She'll be hospitalised for weeks."
Rynda sighed. "She will recover, though?"
"Yes. Eventually." Agon wiped the tension from his face as he turned to Blackagar, who was watching them intently. "She's going to be alright."
Black Bolt closed his eyes in relief. He retrieved his notebook suddenly, frowning. Has anyone seen Maximus lately? I haven't seen him for a while...
Agon and Rynda exchanged looks. They hadn't had a chance yet to explain what had happened to their younger son- was now really the best time?
Agon sighed. "Your brother is... staying elsewhere for a while. Go be with Medusalith. All will be explained to you and your cousins later. For now, we need to go and ensure that Banth doesn't escape again."
Black Bolt nodded, though his brow creased with worry. He headed into Medusa's room as his parents walked away. I hope Maximus is alright...