Chapter Six: Iolene's plan

The nightmares haunt him… His memories of everything. The night of tears, exile, capture, and enslavement. Last night it was seeing himself kill other priests to get weapons of mass destruction. The jewel of Helena was the first he helped claim for the Shadow Emperor. A gold draconium pendant with a ruby that can absorb and dispose of mass amounts of draconium energy. Kept safe under priest protection so it shall never be used for it could not be destroyed. Its guardian Eloise protected it for decades. A lovely lady who was obsessed with toast. He had known her since he first arrived in Loan at a youthful age, she was loud and sassy. Many priests and royalty enjoyed her company. She was not present on the night of tears, as her station is in a secret underground temple. She lived and remained there for years keeping to her duties.

Stein's memory cleared as Eloise was excited to see him. Her smile was so hopeful, alone in the world like many others of their kind. But it was short-lived as she noticed the mind control gear on his head. The two began to fight as Black Empire soldiers stormed into the secret hideaway. Draconium abilities such as fury, whips, barriers, energy bolts, pushes and pulls were on full display. Master against master as the stakes were high. Stein shuffles in his bed as he hears her scream out his name his mind's eye sees him impaling her with his staff. They were high in the air when he did it. Stein pushed the shaft through her body in an extra measure of agony. Eloise screams as her body went limp, Stein pushing her off his weapon as she falls fifty feet to the ground.

The noise of her slamming onto the ground awakens him as he looks around his grand room. "I am so sorry Eloise..." He whispers hoping that she can hear.

Stumbling to Look at himself in the mirror. His head is freshly shaven, as he can easily upkeep his appearance better this way. Rubbing his eyes as he washes his face from the water basin on the vanity desk. After all this time he is still not feeling like his old self, now accepting he will never feel the same ever again. But how could he? Struggling to get up every morning. He moves slowly and exhausted to his closet, taking out clothes the royal family has generously given him. A nice seashell-detailed blue tunic with a heavy coat to keep him warm and dry.

Sighing as he now only sees himself as a broken man. Poking himself relieved his muscles have returned to normal. Sunken eyes and hollow cheeks now have structure again. His body is healthy, but his mind is still in pain. Fifteen years of mind control has taken its toll. Spasms in his brain still occur at random times. Hiding this weakness as best he can, no one knows of his ailment.

He looks at his notes and schedules. No meetings today, to his relief. He is done talking to politicians and royalty for the moment. He is trying to get the armies and everything in order. All the counting and it is not enough… the Black Empire has the largest land mass and population. Having seen many cities of the Black Empire himself he cannot go forward with what they have now. Even thinking of gear and weapons they have in preparation; they can attack now if they want to... But the Shadow Emperor knows taking over a country with brute force is fruitless. Rebellions are hard to end as he learned from Loan. The Turquoise Empire was a stroke of genius. He catered to their needs for money and luxury. Turning their own citizens against each other. They owe him a massive debt and now they have no leader. Turquoise is a lost cause...

Shaking his head, he decides to find Iolene. Walking past windows, the storms have ceased as the blue sky can be seen.

"Iolene!" Stein shouts as he tries to get her attention. Finding her in the library as he sighs with relief, he should have known. But in his heart, he could not fully trust her. She snuck away many times, putting herself in danger. She is up to something... Again.

"Yes?" Iolene says playfully as she has built a wall of books. Stein going on his tiptoes to glance at her hiding behind it.

"What are you doing? This is ridiculous." He smiles trying not to laugh. Even though he did feel a tint of pride. Reminding himself he used to do the same thing when he was an apprentice.

"I am researching. Both for me and for the group," she says excitedly, changing her tune. Relieved she is not getting scolded. Stein walks around the wall of books and sees Iolene collecting a pile of pages.

"Eleya can you please deliver these pages to the bookshop? I would like them to be bound together as a book. A leather cover will suffice, here." Iolene orders as she places a few pieces of gold in the small lady's hand. Asking Murray for the money even though he did not know why, her saying it is a surprise. Eleya nods and leaves with the stacks of pages.

"What are they for?" Stein asks.

"It is to help Aa- the group when they leave for the Orange Empire. It will be useful!" Iolene says enthusiastically. Stein has a quick glance at jars and pots full of goo and liquids. Realising why she was lurking around the kitchens, so much. Impressed he commends her work.

"Thank you!" She says exhausted. "I also made some for us."

"For us?" The old man says startled.

"I am tired Stein! All you tell me being locked up is for my protection! But where does it lead me? Sitting, locked in my bedroom for more than a month!? I need to be stronger! If I need to fight for my home, I need to learn!" Iolene in frustration turns around to face Stein. Her golden eyes glow with frustration and determination. "If I was a boy, I would be out training with Aaron and Lexi. I snuck away from the palace of Lan-Se, surviving and helping the crew. Iymp would have died if wasn't for me…"

Stein is taken aback by her sudden ferocity. But he admitted she is right. Iolene received the short end of the stick when it came to being a royal. She was never trained as a priest, only as a lady. A matter he discussed seriously with King Marlowe. Such a waste of her life, she should have been raised under the eye of the family… King Marlowe, and his younger brother Prince Mortimer (Iolenes grandfather). Had a heated discussion between the three old men. They only wanted to protect her, and they trusted the priesthood. But Akvor changed all that as he was a corrupted priest. Stein is glad to know he was sent into exile. But it doesn't fix what happened... Iolene has never been so lost as to who she is or what she is capable of.

Stein, like them only wanted to protect her and he would be lying if he didn't do the same things as her grandparents did… But now he realises was doing none of her favours. She has been only lucky since she left that temple.

Stein sighs as he stands behind and leans on Iolenes chair. He was furious with Iolene for fleeing Lan-Se in a time of war. Stein admitted he was preoccupied in helping as a general in their war effort. Spending his days with Zhen and her masters of war. Having the most experience of actual battles and political conflicts. He was brilliant at the job, much to his dismay. He did not have much time with her. But hearing Zhen personally gave Iolene her blessing for her bravery (and recklessness). Signing the treaty of alliance and shall prepare to go to war. Stein softened his demeanor as Iolene noticed to her relief.

Mille Voix however, was a game he despised playing. Hating every moment, he was there. But he hid it well enough. Mali and Constant knew how to communicate to such snobs. So, he took a step back and watched the others work their manipulations.

"I am sorry…" Stein says solemnly to her. At first meeting her he was disappointed that she was not a warrior queen. Iolene is much more like her mother, diplomatic and kind. With the right teacher, she can learn how to be a master with a wave of her quill.

Iolene shifts the chair back and stands. Looking up to Stein. The tall dark man looks intimidating to a short girl such as her.

"We are leaving with Mali and the rest," Iolene says with no tremble in her voice.

"We are n-" Stein says as Iolene interrupts sharply.

"Not to the Orange Empire…" Iolene takes out an old map. "I have been reading the history of this country's land. To see anything useful and I found this!" Iolene's face beamed, bringing out a map. Pointing to a part south of the country.

"The waterfall of life?" He wondered. A beautiful part of the country. A massive waterfall that is shaped into a circle with a large island in the middle. With romantic and peaceful scenery, filled with grass and diverse types of flowers, it is known to be one of the best natural places in the world. The area is protected by decree by the royal family of Rivers. But was curious as to why Iolene wanted to go there.

"A shard of the meteor…" Iolene whispers. "Part of the remains of the meteor rests underneath in the caverns of the waterfall, possibly under the island. I read it from explorer Eleanor Hart, who discovered the caverns. But the meteor fragment was buried so deep in the ground. It wasn't discovered thousands of years later." Iolene takes out Eleanor's old journal. "This is hope, Stein… The meteor chunk is so large no one could move it! It should still be there!"

Stein gives out a large smile. A reminder of home for him. The meteor is pure gold draconium. An incredible source of power. The parts of it were used and harvested. Batteries that power technology such as trains, holograms, illumination, and machines that create gear. Stein remembers seeing them in all splendors. Loan was built inside its massive crater after all… The temple of memories had many parts of the meteor in its main chamber. He remembers when young Erastus used them to help control and enhance his abilities. Much to Stein's sadness and regret, he did not have a chance to learn about Erastus's Memory power. The priests in the temple of memories are a special sect. Their uniforms and protocols are different, as their only directive was to aid and protect Erastus. They were almost strangers to him… Stein wished now he spoke to them normally. They would have known what to do with Iolene.

"You want to go there?" Stein asking for full confirmation.

"Yes," Iolene says seriously. "After saying farewell to the others, at Watersgate. I want to give them a proper goodbye."

Stein nods as he accepts her decision. "As you wish my Empress. I will go with you and protect you." He wraps his arms around her with a sweet hug.