Chapter Fifty-One

Astonishingly, all was calm in Ascalon. King Adelbern had arrived with arms wide open, welcoming back his son, and assisting as best as he could with settling the refugees of the now overwhelmed Atal Ra.

Even now, Devona had been granted a room within the "palace" in Ascalon City, part of a suite, with Coran's room on the other side with just a flimsy sliding door between them. The king himself had explicitly pointed out that fact with a gentle nudge to her side and a wink. Not that the old king knew that Devona and Coran had already been doing exactly that for some time; nor would he have likely figured it out from the deep, embarrassed blush that colored the warrior near scarlet.

Hadn't it just been less than a week when her guildmates reported that Adelbern was furious with Coran and herself? That he was certain of an impending Charr attack? What had happened to the real Adelbern? Grenth take it… which one was the real Adelbern to begin with?

Maybe Coran was right… perhaps the old king's mind really was going.

At that point, she heard talking from Coran's room… which surprised her, as the second voice sounded familiar, but she couldn't remember from where. Curiosity getting the better of her, she slid open the partition as they were apparently finishing their conversation.

"Thank you, Japphe." Coran said, taking something she couldn't clearly see, and sliding it into a pouch at his belt. "I'm amazed any of the cultures survived."

"Yes, well, I do good work… you should know that, after all, I taught you." The Medical Krewe Chief answered smugly. "It's been weakened enough that it should do the trick without having the potential to… oh!"

Japphe had finally caught onto Devona's presence, and he suddenly clammed up in a very suspicious and guilty fashion. "Well, I suspect your… betrothed wishes to speak to you, so I suppose I shall make my leave. Good day, headmaster."

The Medical Krewe Chief couldn't get out of the room fast enough, and it prompted Devona to ask, "What was that all about?"

Coran regarded her cautiously. "The less you know; the better."

Devona's eyes narrowed accusingly. "What… is in that thing Japphe gave you?"

"Again, the less you know; the better."

"That's not an answer."

"It's the best you are going to receive."

Devona wanted to press the issue when another interruption imposed itself. This time it was a royal attendant, a girl barely out of her teenage years, from Devona's reckoning.

"Your highness? Your father is ready to see you."

"Thank you. Inform him I shall be on my way shortly." Coran replied then said to Devona, "We'll talk later."

"Oh, we will, because I am coming with you." Devona snarled, looping her arm in his quite forcefully. "And don't think for one moment I won't break your legs in the hall so you can't run after this meeting with your father is done."

She glared at him in challenge the entire way down the hall to the King's Chambers, and even into the chambers itself, giving King Adelbern disrespectfully little acknowledgement when they were announced.

Yet the old king didn't seem taken aback, even cheerfully noted, "She has eyes for nothing but you, my son… Mordekai would be so glad to see how well you two have bonded."

Devona finally broke eye contact from Coran to give Adelbern a fake grin. "I'm sure he would. My relationship with Coran is wonderful. He trusts me with everything, don't you, love?"

She jabbed him in the side discretely with an elbow, and continued with saccharine sweetness, "There is nothing hidden in our relationship. No secrets… he doesn't try to hide anything from me, do you, my darling?"

Another jab to his side prompted Coran to smile and with gritted teeth reply, "Absolutely, Devona. How could I possibly hide anything from you?"

Adelbern laughed, interrupting the pair's thinly veiled argument. "Oh, please stop… the sweetness will rot my teeth! Besides, I suspect there is business that is in urgent need of discussing."

The king gestured towards the plush velvet chairs forming a circle in the center of his chambers. Devona reluctantly broke her hold on Coran in order to sit down, giving him yet another scathing glare that promised pain if he so much as thought of eluding her after the meeting was done.

"So, my son… while I gathered some details as to your sudden abandonment of the Atal Ra city and academy, I have to admit what I gathered was rather jumbled and I am not entire certain of the sequence of events or the threat whatever it is poses."

Coran's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "I'm not sure how. Devona's guild directly reported the nature and imminence of this threat to you several weeks ago."

Adelbern's eyes crossed in confusion. "They did? Are you sure about this? Perhaps they didn't report to me? I'm certain I would remember such a report."

Devona knew that couldn't have been true; and almost spoke up in defense of her guildmates, but couldn't quite work up the courage to try and correct the king. Besides, it was far more important that he was listening now.

The old monarch shrugged, "They very well might have, I suppose. My memory isn't what it used to be, and I've been so concerned with the threat of the Charr… but, I suppose that will have to stand in reserve for the time being, won't it?"

"Indeed. The forces of Bhu'kahhuh cannot be contained for very long… and our window to defeat this foe is very short. If the demonic army breaks out of the cavern, I'm not sure any force on Tyria could stop it." Coran explained.

"How long do we have?"

The younger royal shook his head. "That, I am not sure, which makes it all the more imperative that we complete preparations and make our move as quickly as possible."

"Do you have a plan?"

"Of course I do, father… obviously, the best case would not have involved launching a counter-offensive from Ascalon, but I prepared for this scenario."

The king leaned back, his features stern. "Your presumption of Ascalonian aid is quite brash, considering the strained relations you and I have."

Coran was undaunted by the sudden shift in demeanor. "Any issues between the two of us I assumed could be put aside in a time where not just Ascalon, but the whole of the world, is in great peril. Despite our disagreements, you have been a good and wise ruler, decisive in action when necessary. Such necessity is now."

"Perhaps if your Asuran friends hadn't dug so deep into the earth…"

"Had it not been the Asurans, it would have been the Charr Shamans and the Seers." Devona finally interjected, surprising herself by her nerve. "This beast is coming, and was determined to do so regardless of any mortal action."

Adelbern's eyebrows lifted as he neutrally regarded Devona. "The captain speaks out of turn."

"She is right nonetheless." Coran said in mild rebuke. But his tone subtly softened, and he slowly stood. "However, bickering about who is responsible for what won't solve anything. Perhaps a drink to calm our senses is in order."

The king clapped once, and said, "Oh, indeed! My attendant had just brought some tea in nary a few minutes ago. It should still be warm."

"Brilliant, I shall acquire it immediately." The prince declared, and took five steps to the table in which the kettle and cups currently resided. Once there, Devona watched him reaching into the pouch on his belt, and remove the small vial of what she now could tell was white powder.

"The Asura have developed a new kind of sweetener, it supposedly enhances the strength of normal sugar." Coran explained. "Devona and I aren't terribly fond of it, but perhaps it might suit your palate, father."

"Oh? Well, I am more than willing to try something new at least once." Adelbern accepted. With that permission, Coran popped the cork from the vial, and started to pour the contents into the king's cup.

"Actually, Coran… I would love to try it again." Devona said, leaning into the back of her chair, "I don't think I was prepared for the flavor the last time."

Coran and Devona locked eyes, challenging one another silently. The warrior knew damned well whatever in that vial wasn't any sweetener, and wasn't going to let it be fed to the king until she knew exactly what it was.

Then, to her shock, Coran looked away and did indeed pour the remaining half into Devona's cup, added the sugar, then the tea, and stirred them all together dutifully. "Well, the difference probably won't be quite as profound this way… but perhaps that's a good thing."

He returned to the center of the chambers, handed the king his cup, then held out the other "seasoned" tea to Devona, who for a moment, remained aghast that her betrothed had called her bluff.

"Well, my dear? Are you going to take it?" Coran asked.

"Yes, do, child! It is quite wonderful!" Adelbern chirped, droplets of tea already dribbling down his beard.

Finally, Devona took the cup, and started slowly sipping the beverage… confusion warring with her mind. Had she been wrong? Coran wouldn't willingly hurt her…

…

Would he?