A/N: Another chapter is here, my friends! I'm happy to finally be able to produce a decent amount of content for you all! I know that the last chapter was dark and that Part IV in general is dark, but it is dark with a purpose. I would love to hear your thoughts and feedback. As always, I hope you enjoy this chapter. I have fun writing for you all. :)
Part IV: Unraveled: Chapter Fifty
Previously…
Roy and Damiana had made the long journey across the entire expanse of Planet Dabnod and are now at a town on the border of Province Three and Province Two called Avarin. Their time left on Dabnod is little more than a month, and the two Titans are starting to feel the pressure. For the longest time, they were beginning to think that repairing Black Shadow's device and escaping Dabnod was hopeless. It was cracked and without a fuel source. During their journey, they have managed to make all the necessary repairs. They also have two components that they will need for the device's fuel source - a ser stone and vengat clay. The only ingredient that they still need is a zirgnant tool - a device used to combine the ser stone and the vengat clay on a molecular level to create a potent fuel supply.
Sadly, zirgnant tools are rare and can only be found in the Capital City. They were concerned about being able to navigate the Capital City and locate a zirgnant tool. Their concerns ended when they met a fifteen-year-old Adriel in the Province Four city of Sclarthon. Adriel was in disbelief of their situation at first. An older time-traveling Damiana that needs to return to her own time period appeared, and told him that Dabnod would be destroyed, to boot! It took a lot of convincing, but thankfully, Adriel did eventually believe them.
Adriel agreed to help them locate a zirgnant tool and to help guide them to the Capital City, but with the caution that they separate from Prophet Veng and the Fire Lily Tribe. Queen Guayusa and the Royal Council do not take kindly to prophets, and the closer they get to the Capital City, the more danger traveling with a prophet would put them in. After a period of deliberation, Roy and Damiana agreed to follow Adriel to Avarin and separate from the Fire Lily Tribe. Tenna and her eight-year-old son, Caen, accompanied them.
Their split from Prophet Veng and the tribe of nomads couldn't have occurred in a more timely, yet devastating, manner. When they arrived in Avarin, their first observation was the vast number of Royal Knights, all of them coming from very strong Noble clans. Damiana and Roy found this very unsettling. So did Tenna and Caen. They wanted to stay hidden away in their room at the inn, but this wasn't meant to be. Adriel knocked on their door. Every person in Avarin was being ordered by the Royal Council to go to the city center. Without any choice in the matter, they obeyed.
What followed was a display of horror never before witnessed by Damiana. Prophet Veng and the Fire Lily Tribe were put on display and were punished by none other than Queen Guayusa herself. "Blasphemers!" she called them. Queen Guayusa stated that they blasphemed her as the Queen and blasphemed the Fates by calling Prophet Veng a prophet. Using a move that Damina never learned herself, the black fire known as Eternal Night, Queen Guayusa burned the prophet and his tribe to death. Eternal Night is the only fire capable of burning a fire user, and Queen Guayusa used it well. Afterward, the informant who revealed the old prophet's whereabouts was rewarded with a medal. This faithful Knight was none other than Saeran.
Won't the Fates give her a break? First Queen Guayusa is rumored to have had a child in an attempt to reinstate a bloodline monarchy, then she destroys Province Five, and now she slays an innocent old man and his tribe of followers. Damiana is not sure how much more her frazzled nerves can take…
It is quiet at last. Caen snores softly beside her. Her little son has finally drifted into unconsciousness. The mountaineer glances at the bed on the other side of the room. Roy and Damiana are passed out. Though Caen and Roy appear at peace, it is clear that Lady Fire Phoenix is horribly disturbed. She tosses fitfully and her ringlets are plum. The girl's husband is not sleeping as soundly as was initially assumed. The human wraps his arms around her waist and snuggles his chin into the crook of her neck. He makes quiet, shushing, sounds until, at last, the thrashing stops. A few minutes later they are both snoring.
At long last, Tenna rises from the bed. When she opens the curtains, it is discovered that the sun is beginning to rise. That's okay. She knows that she won't be able to sleep anyway. The woman eventually meanders into an attached bathroom. A bath would be nice. Yesterday was absolutely, inconceivably, horrific. The hot water may help soothe her troubles at least for a few minutes. Today she is still alive to look out the window and take a bath. Had she continued moving forward with Prophet Veng's group and not gone with Damiana, she and Caen would be ashes floating in the wind.
"Guayusa the Death Queen, indeed," the mountaineer whispers.
Before Tenna can put so much as a drop of water in the tub, it comes to her attention that the towel rack is empty. Not a towel in sight. She sighs. It seems yesterday's events frazzled the maids as much as they did everyone else. Tenna exits the bathroom and saunters toward the door leading to the hallway. One final look around confirms that Caen and the couple remain asleep for the time being. Convinced that her presence won't be missed, she steps into the corridor and shuts the door behind her.
To her joy, a young woman is rifling through a nearby closet. She wears a plain gray dress, a white apron, and a kerchief tying her hair back. A mop is in one hand and a bucket in another. The maid appears in a hurry, but Tenna stops her anyway.
"Excuse me, miss? Can you spare a few towels? My room doesn't have any."
Tenna immediately regrets speaking to her. The maid dissolves into tears. "I'm so sorry, but I don't have time! Most of the other maids didn't show up! I'm the only person working on this floor! Plus I'm out of towels. Try the top floor."
Irked though she may be, Tenna doesn't condemn the frantic maid. Instead, she locates the stairwell. Once she emerges onto the top floor, there isn't another maid in sight much to her frustration. Tenna explores the corridor hoping to see an Inn employee without luck. All she sees are double doors at the end of the hallway, marking what must be a grand suite. Two Royal Knights are guarding those double doors, so someone important must be staying there. Probably a member of the Royal Council or a high-ranking Knight. No matter. Tenna continues her search.
Thankfully, she stumbles upon what appears to be a closet. Based on the image of a mop and bucket carved into the dark wood, this is most certainly a closet. Not caring much if a staff member catches her, Tenna throws open the door to search for towels. A second later, Tenna wishes that she would not have left her room. A voice comes from the room at the end of the corridor. The mountaineer's spine stiffens. It certainly isn't a Knight or a member of the Royal Council staying there…
"Attendant, why hasn't my maid arrived yet? I would like my sheets changed."
"I'm sorry, your Majesty. It seems they're short on staff today."
Exasperation is so palpable that Tenna can almost feel it oozing through the cracks of the double doors. "Hunt somebody down, then. Anyone! If I'm going to stay here another night, then I want my sheets changed. You know that I need my sheets changed daily."
"Yes. Of course, your Majesty."
Tenna gathers a stack of towels from a nearby shelf and tries to rush for the stairs. This is when the person called 'Attendant' exits the room and spots her
"Ma'am?!" A man in his early thirties dressed in a green and silver tunic shouts after her. "Excuse me, ma'am? Can you help?"
The mountaineer freezes, and then she chortles sheepishly. "I'm not a maid. I couldn't find any staff, either, and there were no towels on my floor. I'm just here to steal your towels. My humblest apologies."
The gentleman's face pales and his hair turns a deep, wine-colored, purple with discomfort. "If you're not a maid, that's fine. Do you know how to change sheets?"
Actually, yes. She does. Tenna figured out how to do it at a boarding house they stayed at for a few days back in Province Seven. "No. No, I don't."
"Please? The Queen is getting impatient, and she is not a compassionate woman."
Of course, she's not! The Death Queen burned an old man and a tribe of nomads to death in front of an entire city yesterday! Why would she want to be in a room with this person?! This is what Tenna would like to say. In fact, she very nearly speaks this sentiment aloud. The only thing stopping her is the fear displayed in the Attendant's slate gray irises. It must be difficult being the target of the Queens' rage.
Tenna sighs. "I'm not an expert. I won't be able to make it look fancy."
"You know how to put sheets on a bed, whereas I do not. You know more than me."
They exchange a silent battle of wills, gazes locking. Both sport dark purple hair and gray eyes. At long last, Tenna relents. "If you get me killed, I pray that the Fates punish you."
This man from the Capital City, a gentleman who looks like he belongs in an elegant portrait hanging on a wall, leaps for joy. "Thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I will give you a sack of gems for this!"
It suddenly occurs to Tenna that this could be her lucky day as long as she doesn't die. Even with Adriel's funds, the gems that they have will run out in a few days. When they approach the double doors, the mountaineer has to take a second glance at the Royal Knights standing guard. They have the same slender jawlines and pointed noses that Adriel has, not to mention the same red eyes. Then she sees the Ground Badger clan belts. Until seeing such a vast number of Royal Knights, Tenna had forgotten that Adriel, as well as Damiana, come from massive clans. The number of Ground Badger and Fire Phoenix clan symbols that she has been seeing is incomprehensible.
The Attendant raps lightly on the door. "Your Majesty, I've brought someone to do your sheets."
"You may enter."
Tenna is as frozen as a larcack trapped between a cliff edge and a huntsman's air blade. It takes a sharp nudge from the Attendant to get her to go into the enclosure. When the mountaineer finally stumbles inside, the Queen is lounging on a cushioned seat in front of a wide window overlooking the city. Today's gown is burnt orange with one thick strap trailing diagonally over one shoulder. It has a long train running the entire length of the picture window. A beaded necklace graces her collarbone, the beads being crafted from bright orange fire opals. Matching beaded earrings dangle from her earlobes.
Years ago, Ult told Tenna stories about the grass snakes found in the valleys of Province Ten. They were the most beautiful creatures that one would ever see. They came in patterns of brilliant crimsons, yellows, oranges, and magentas. People would stop to stare at them, awestruck by their beauty. During the time spent staring, the snakes would strike. Those grass snakes in the valleys of Province Ten were poisonous. This is how Tenna feels like she is staring at one of those poisonous snakes.
When the Queen finally speaks, the mountaineer realizes that Guayusa the Death Queen is scrutinizing her form skeptically. "This woman is not a maid."
"No, she's not, but she does know how to change sheets. In my defense, your Majesty, this woman can't find a maid, either. She was digging through closets searching for towels."
Queen Guayusa chortles humorlessly. "Councilman Nine is assigned to Avarin for the rest of the morning before being transferred to the Raxtin House this afternoon. Before his departure, tell him to provide the Grass Phoenix Inn with more funding. They need more staff and proper training."
"Yes, your Majesty."
The Queen's gaze never leaves Tenna. Uncertain of how she should act, her mind flashes back to how she saw everyone kneel in the city center yesterday. On impulse, the mountaineer does her best to mimic the perfect kneel that Lady Fire Phoenix did. This seems to satisfy her.
"Please rise. You may begin changing my sheets. If you could fluff my pillows as well, that would be much appreciated."
"Of course, your Majesty."
It takes all of her self-control to try to stop shaking, and still, she fails. For a split second, Tenna allows herself to feel like a failure. Even with the amount of distress that Damiana has experienced, not once did she shake while in the city center yesterday. That emotional teenager would probably do a much better job than she is doing right now - both with the sheets and with keeping calm.
Her Majesty Queen Guayusa continues looking down on the City of Avarin from her perch while Tenna busily tidies the room. She uses this opportunity to observe her surroundings while stripping the bed. It truly is a grand room. The bed is so large that it could have fit Tenna's entire family before the war. Across from the bed is a massive desk with quills, inkwells, and papers arranged neatly. There is also a small dining table with two chairs, a cushioned loveseat by the window, and the matching armchair in which the Queen sits.
Once the bed is stripped, Tenna goes to the closet where she finds a set of sheets, embroidered pillowcases, and a new duvet. When she pulls them out, a book tumbles from the high shelf. She picks it up and quickly puts it back, but not before reading the title. "Ancient Origins: The Era of Four Continents". There was a time before Dabnod was a single landmass? This work of literature actually appears rather interesting. As she replaces it, Queen Guayusa makes a remark. Tenna is chilled by how casual the remark sounds. She almost sounds like a normal person.
"Does it pique your interest?"
"It looks quite fascinating," she admits hesitantly. All the while, the fitted sheet is being fastened to the mattress.
"I am happy to hear that. It's a present for my Damana. Everyone else seems to think it looks interesting, so she should, too."
Tenna's ears perk at the peculiar phrasing - my Damiana. She chooses her response with precision."You seem quite fond of your apprentice, your Majesty. Lady Damiana of the Fire Phoenix Clan is very fortunate."
"Of course, I'm fond of her," Queen Guayusa laughs scoffingly. "My successor is very powerful."
"Lady Damiana must be. I've heard rumors of her greatness."
Tenna is careful to avoid looking at her while tucking in the top sheet. The Death Queen's surveying gaze is felt burning into her. When the mountaineer risks a glimpse, Queen Guayusa's irises are an odd shade of dark yellow, as is her hair. It is startling.
"I'm sure you have. The child is only eleven years of age, and she is already a Master's Level fire user. Three more years, and she will be my equal. Five years and she will surpass me. Those are the days that I am most excited for. When I have to travel to other provinces to put blasphemers in their place, having Damiana of the Fire Phoenix Clan by my side will make me unstoppable. Together, we will be an undefeatable force." Tenna risks another glance in the Queen's direction. The smirk she wears makes her skin feel icy. "When you return to wherever you came from, be sure to tell everyone of Damiana of the Fire Phoenix Clan's great power. Perhaps this will make Prophet Veng the last of the prophets."
She is fully aware that she is visibly shuddering. Queen Guayusa turns to face the picture window still wearing her smirk. Only when she is certain that her voice won't quiver, the mountain lady speaks.
"I will share that information, your Majesty."
"As you should, kind woman. Damiana is the most powerful weapon that Dabnod has had in centuries."Her adept fingers drop the duvet as she spreads it across the bed. Weapon. That strikes just as oddly as my Damiana. When Queen Guayusa speaks again, her hair has shifted back to rose red and her eyes back to pale pink. The smirk is gone. Her tone is perfectly casual. "Do you know of any other good bookstores in the area? I only managed to find one."
"Unfortunately, I don't, but there is a mercantile just up the street from here. They don't sell books, but they do sell children's toys, your Majesty. Perhaps a ball for her to play with or a doll?"
Queen Guayusa chuckles lightheartedly as if Tenna just told a hilarious joke. Now that the bed is fully made, the mountain lady hurriedly shoves pillows into pillowcases and fluffs them haphazardly. All the while, the Death Queen lectures her.
"I can tell that you aren't from Province One or Province Two. Our children have far too much to learn. I can't say that my Damiana has done anything as silly as throw away her time playing with a doll."
Tenna forces a chuckle of her own, though her muddy brown hair reveals her true opinion on the matter. "No. Of course not, your Majesty. That suggestion was a bit silly. Perhaps the trading post, then? Trading posts always have a lot of rare gems that bookstores don't have."
She gives the first genuine smile that, frankly, doesn't scare the urine out of her. "That is a good idea. I hadn't thought of that."
"I'm glad to be of service."
The Queen stands, moves to Tenna's side, and observes the bed. It seems as though she is inspecting something of great importance - a space shuttle or a piece of art - certainly not a bed! Tenna finds herself frozen in terror. Will this strange, cold, woman burn her alive because of a bed that isn't made correctly? Fates save her!
"Marvelous job. You aren't a maid, but the bed is made very well. You also provided good company to add some variety to my day. Dismissed."
Tenna dashes from the room. The Attendant shoves a bag of gems at her, but Tenna doesn't take it. She is too busy running. Using a large puff of air to break her fall, she leaps down the stairwell. Once she is on the correct floor, Tenna glides down the hallway by shooting torrents of air out of her feet. A minute later she is back in the room that is shared with Caen, Roy, and Damiana. The door slams behind her with an echoing thud. Caen is still asleep. The bathroom door is closed and Roy is missing, so he must be in there. As for Damiana, she stands in front of a full-length mirror.
The girl is dressed in a lovely royal blue dress. It is sleeveless with a high collar and is ankle-length. The material is thin and it clings to her form. Damiana isn't twiggy like she was when they first met, though she isn't overweight. Slim yet figurely is a good way to describe her appearance. Elegant is another accurate descriptor. Slim, elegant, with pretty features, exactly like the woman staying in the room a few floors above them. Tenna almost feels a panic attack coming on when she sees Damiana. Never could Tenna have fathomed how similar Death Queen Guayusa would be in appearance to Lady Damiana of the Fire Phoenix Clan. If she hadn't met the Death Queen herself, the mountaineer probably wouldn't believe it. Aside from the age difference, they are identical.
One glimpse at the girl's shuddering wrist as she drags a brush through her curled locks is all it takes to force Tenna out of comparing the two of them. Damiana's hair is blacker than ash. Her eyes are gray like a stormy sky. Tear stains are clearly visible in the circles beneath her eyes. The girl drops the brush in defeat a moment later and hugs herself tightly.
"I can't stop shaking. Sweet Fates, why won't I stop shaking?!"
Tenna isn't sure what comes over her, but she meanders to the other side of the room and picks up the discarded hairbrush. "You witnessed something horrific yesterday. Don't sell yourself short, Damiana. You don't need to be strong all the time."
Damiana laughs bitterly. "A lot of innocent people have died at the hands of my Queen. I need to accept it. When I return to Earth, I need to be able to resume my duties as a Teen Titan. I can't do that if I'm an emotional wreck."
Grasping her firmly by one shoulder, the older woman holds her still so that she can fight through the tangles. Once the shaking finally stops, Tenna works at her hair with both hands. Fates, her hair is thick! How could anyone possibly get this untangled?!
Meanwhile, she replies, "You're going to need to take time to process everything. You're a person, not a weapon." They don't speak for a long time. Damiana's posture relaxes, and her hair shifts to rose red. Tenna finds herself asking this question out of nowhere. "Damiana, did you have any favorite toys when you were a child?"
"No. Actually, I never owned any toys." The Noble Lady furrows a baffled brow. "Why?"
"I heard that children in Provinces One and Two don't get to have toys. I just thought I would ask you to see if it was true." Pausing, she adds, "You and Roy talk a lot about Earth."
"We do…"
"Caen has told me that Roy wants to take you to fun places, like the water park."
Damiana frowns. "Yes. It's called Steel City Fun Land. It has roller coasters on one side and a water park on the other. He has mentioned it multiple times."
"The instant you get back to Earth, go with him there. If there is one thing I've heard that Earth does well, it is recreation. " Tenna smooths Damiana's hair down her back and sets the hairbrush on a nearby dresser. "Promise me that you will go have fun with Roy when you return to Earth. For all you've been through, you're still only a girl. All young people need some fun in their lives."
Never has anyone stared at her with more confusion than the Lady of the Fire Phoenix Clan. "Uh… Okay."
Damiana's brain has been foggy all morning, from getting dressed and brushing her hair, to eating a breakfast of bintlits roasted over the fireplace in their room. She has barely felt herself completing any of these tasks. When the girl isn't numb, she is shaking in horror. When Tenna took over the work of brushing her hair, it was a relief in a way that she would never admit. Never has the girl been too distressed to do something so simple.
Roy doesn't seem to be faring much better. He has been very quiet this morning. It is a state of vulnerability that she wouldn't have believed a few short months ago, but when the shakes come, she allows him to hold her. When she notices him staring into space wide-eyed, Damiana hugs him around his waist from behind. At one point Caen started crying, which became collective sobbing for everyone in the room. Watching someone she knew, an innocent old man with whom she had no quarrel, die so brutally is almost too much for her to bear. Watching the people of the Fire Lily Tribe die alongside him is too much to bear.
After a long, silent, morning without much conversing, a knock is heard at their door. Roy answers, and it is Adriel. Somehow, the sight of the Ground Badger's sunset orange ponytail and cherry red eyes is enough to snap her out of her stupor. The bintlint in her hand is no longer so tasteless, but now tastes perfectly roasted. Time is no longer frozen. Peeking out the window, Damiana realizes that it is early morning. The sun has just finished rising. They need to leave Avarin so they can journey to Province Two. They must keep moving toward the Capital City to find a zirgnant tool to create the fuel source for Black Shadow's rift machine. Earth awaits them. Damiana and Roy are Teen Titans. They need to go home.
Damiana finishes her breakfast quickly and stands. "I know that we need to leave for Province Two today. What town are we meeting in?"
"The town isn't far. It's only a six-hour walk from Avarin. It's technically in Province Two, but barely. It's a small town called Torhael."
Roy already has the map spread out across their bed. When Damiana bends to look at it, certainly enough, the settlement is very close. They're not even a full finger-space apart on the parchment. The only thing separating the two towns is a rigid line splitting Province Three and Province Two. Oddly enough, a very large city is on the map not too far from Torhael. It is named Dagny. The Noble Lady raises a confused brow.
"Why are the Royal Knights going to Torhael when Dagny is so close? Wouldn't a city be more accommodating to all of you?"
Damiana doesn't miss how Adriel's long tresses and wide eyes suddenly become fuchsia. "The Royal Knights, the Royal Council, and Her Majesty have…business…in Torhael. Especially the Royal Knights. It's nothing violent like what happened yesterday in the city center! It's a different sort of business."
The archer and the girl exchanged baffled glances. Tenna speaks from across the room where she stands packing hers and Caen's bags.
"What 'business' could Guayusa the Death Queen possibly have that doesn't involve fire or blood?"
Fuchsia fades back to its usual colors, Adriel coughs, and then he answers. "In Queen Guayusa's words, this business involves 'building a stronger Dabnod.'"
The Noble Lady raises a perplexed brow, but she doesn't push for more information. After all that has happened, she isn't sure if she wants to know.
"Anyway," the Ground Badger continues, "you all can meet me in Torhael in a few hours. There is only one inn, and it's in the middle of town, so you shouldn't have trouble finding it. I'm the only Squire that's staying there, so we'll be seeing a lot of each other for the next few days. We can make a plan for finding a zirgnant tool while everyone else is busy."
"Busy?!" Damiana exclaims. "How is it possible that everyone else is busy besides you?!"
Fuchsia features return as quickly as they left. Adriel avoids eye contact. "Queen Guayusa has a different task in mind for me. Because she's…saving me…for someone - I mean something - else, I don't have to…uh…participate in what the other Squires are doing..."
Roy, Damiana, Caen, and Tenna stare shamelessly. It is the redhead who finally says something. Adriel looks joyful enough to give Roy a hug for ending the awkward silence.
"Okay. The fact that you'll be alone at the inn is good for us. We can come up with a plan this way. I'm sure you must have at least a hunch on where a zirgnant tool can be found."
His lengthy ponytail shines bright gold. "Yes! I do! I bet I will have the two of you back on Earth long before the explosion comes! I'm excited to tell you! But not now. I need to meet with the rest of Squadron Thirteen in ten minutes."
"Alright, then. We'll see you in Torhael."
Adriel appears ready to leave, then he turns away from the exit abruptly. "Oh! There are a couple of things you should know before I go. First, don't walk to Avarin. The path there is very heavily patrolled, and I don't want anyone to recognize you, Damiana. There is a phoenix barn right outside the checkpoint. Renting a phoenix is expensive, so here." A sack of gems is tossed casually at the Noble Lady, which she catches with ease. "Second, I recommend not leaving the inn, and I absolutely recommend keeping your Fire Phoenix armband in your bag where it belongs. If, for some reason, you do decide to leave the inn, don't go across the street to the Raxtin House. Stay as far away from the Raxtin House as possible."
When the archer slaps himself in the forehead, the sound echoes. "I have heard way too much about this 'Raxtin' thing! 'Raxtin House'. 'Raxtin Program'. What is this whole thing about?"
"Uh… I'd rather not say…" Adriel rubs the back of his neck uncomfortably and backs toward the exit. "Anyway, I'll see you later!" The door rattles as it slams behind the Ground Badger. Retreating footsteps are heard through the walls. He certainly seems in a hurry!
Staring at the empty space where the Ground Badger just stood, Roy retorts, "I'm definitely going to that Raxtin House. I need to see what this is about."
Damiana shakes her head. "Please don't. Adriel isn't mixed up in it and it doesn't affect us, so what does it matter?"
"It doesn't. I'm just nosey."
Damiana picks up her scant few belongings and shoves them into her bag. Relief washes over her at the thought of Province Two being so close. It takes the rough crunching of numbers inside of her head, but based on today's date, they have exactly four weeks and two days left until detonation. They should be in the Capital City in less than a week. They have nearly a month to locate a zirgnant tool! That will be plenty of time! Damiana finds herself feeling hopeful.
As she's packing her bag, Roy remarks, "We had the bintlits for breakfast, so they aren't hiding your armband or the rift machine anymore. We're going to need to find some other way to smuggle those out of the city."
Damiana purses her lips. This is true. She hadn't thought of that. The only reason they got inside the city in the first place was because the Knight who searched her bag was amused that she was carrying vegetables on her person instead of more important items. He didn't bother completing his search because he was too busy laughing. But now, all that is hiding her Fire Phoenix armband, the vengat clay, the ser stone, and the rift machine are normal items such as clothing. Whatever Royal Knight searches her bag at the checkpoint is certain to be thorough this time.
"You're right," the girl confesses. "I could probably hide the vengat clay and the ser stone in the bodice of my dress. My armband and the rift machine, I'm not so sure about. I know that I can't hide them on my person, but they can't be left in the bag to be discovered, either. If anything suspicious is discovered, we'll probably be questioned."
The redhead taps his chin, deep in thought. A few seconds later, he grins widely. "Actually, we probably can keep it in your bag! We still have some of Adriel's money leftover from a couple days ago, right? Give it to me! You keep the money for the phoenixes."
Although Damiana doubts him, she tugs the small pouch of money out of the bag from beneath one of her dresses. She arches a questioning brow while clutching their funds tightly. "What exactly are you planning on doing?"
"I'm going to the trading post to buy a few last minute necessities. When that Knight searches your bag, he won't want to dig any farther. Trust me."
She rakes fingers through rose red tresses while giving him the small pouch of gems feeling baffled. "Why? What are you doing?"
"Don't ask. Just trust me."
Roy dashes from the room before any additional inquiries can be made. Tenna, Caen and Damiana all exchange glances.
"Is he doing some sort of Earth thing?" asks Caen.
The girl laughs. "No. He's doing some sort of Roy thing."
The expression on the Knight's face is priceless. This is better than that time he ate an entire sushi platter in front of Aqualad. Even better is Damiana's face. She looks petrified in a way that makes Roy want to call her 'Leila' instead of 'Damiana'. For the longest time, he thought that the irked expression she wears disappeared with the contact lenses and hair dye. It seems this assumption was incorrect. When Damiana scowls at him, his response is a smug, Speedy-like, smirk.
"Um… Sir…weapons are forbidden in Avarin for everyone b-besides Royal Knights…"
The flail that the Knight is holding has a red ribbon tied around the handle. The spiked ball glistens in the early morning light, clearly covered in a shiny substance.
"I wouldn't call that a weapon, my good man. I would call it a tool."
The Knight holds it by the chain, afraid to touch the ball or the handle. "Sir, this is a spiked ball attached to a chain. By definition, this is a weapon."
"Not the way we use it. For us, it is a tool of marital bliss."
The Royal Knight's hair turns magenta. As for Damiana, she looks like she would sink through the floor if she could. Meanwhile, Tenna decides to show Caen a very interesting wall on the other side of the room. Apparently, those bricks are pinker than the rose stone bricks back in Whisper Valley.
The Knight scratches his head, clearly contemplating a question. At last, he asks, "I'm not sure if I want to know, but what is the substance covering this?"
"I'd rather not say…"
The Knight discards the flail on the table disgusted. It's just cooking oil, but Roy keeps that information to himself. As if trying to end this unpleasant task as quickly as possible, he pulls two items from Damiana's bag instead of one. A rope tied into a noose and a clear container of flower petals.
"If Queen Guayusa is still in town, tell her that Avarin needs shops that sell better quality rope. We've bought two lengths of rope in the past twelve hours."
"I'm a fire user," states a red-faced Damiana awkwardly. Her gaze meets the floor, but still, she continues. "We need something higher quality that can withstand me."
The archer's jaw practically hits the ground. So does the Knight's. It takes every ounce of self-discipline not to burst into guffaws.
Barely restraining chuckles, Roy adds, "I know we're leaving the city, but are there any shops here that sell chains? We might drop by one of them the next time we're here."
"Shackles, too."
The Royal Knight hurriedly shoves every item back into Damiana's bag and heaves it at the Noble Lady with revulsion. "Alright, you're both good to go! Thank you for visiting Avarin!"
They are practically shoved out the door with Tenna and Caen following close behind. Once they are far from the barbed fence and the men standing guard, the two members of the Flying Arrow Clan burst into uncontrollable laughter.
"I wish you would have given me a heads up. Sweet Fates, Roy, I thought I would pass out!"
"I thought so, too! You should have seen your face!"
Once the guffawing subsides, they finally notice the mountaineer. Neither of them has ever encountered a pinker, more flustered Tenna. "For crying out loud, both of you! Do you have no class?!"
"I guess four months of knowing Roy has demolished my Noble breeding," scoffs the girl.
"I was just trying to get us out of Avarin without being questioned by Royal Knights," counters Roy. "It worked, didn't it?"
The mountaineer appears as though she wants to say something cynical, but she doesn't. Instead she shakes her head defeatedly. "I suppose you're right. Still. You could have come up with an idea that is less crass."
It is Caen that brings their attention back to the journey that they need to take. "Zaesa, look! Phoenixes! I want to ride one! Can we please go pick one? I want a lightning phoenix!"
Tenna doesn't have the chance to say anything else before her son drags her away. Roy sees the phoenix pen from here. The gigantic beasts are bound by chains and collars, and their thundering caws rattle his bones. He'd been so focused on getting out of the city that the idea that he will have to ride on the back of phoenix is only now setting in. He hasn't ridden on a phoenix since the phoenix, Ula, that was once owned by Tenna. That was a miserable experience.
As he and Damiana draw ever nearer to the phoenix pen, dread sets in. This is going to be a long morning.
"Dami, I don't understand you! You hate motorcycles, but you like being on the back of this beast?"
"Sprout isn't a beast! He's a good grass phoenix! Aren't you, Sprout?"
They have been in flight for nearly two hours. It should be time to land in Torhael very shortly. Frankly, it's disappointing. Damiana loves being in the air. Sprout is a happy grass phoenix, chirping and cawing gleefully. When Damiana scratches his head, he flies in an upside down loop of joy. "Speedy's" motorcycle, the Speed Cycle, isn't living. It doesn't have a personality and can't be interacted with. Motorcycles also don't have their own consciousness and can't be depended upon to sense danger. Motorcycles are reckless, pure and simple. Phoenixes are more of a companion than a means of transportation.
At the mention of his motorcycle, the girl's mind flashes back to that day that feels like eons ago - the day she'd joined Titans East. They fought a strange villain, Scurvy Dog, and afterward Damiana rode back to the Tower with Speedy on the back of his motorcycle. He isn't wrong. She does hate motorcycles. Of course, this isn't the thought that plagues her. What plagues her are thoughts of how strange her former life feels. Thoughts of her life before that fateful trip to Metropolis feels like a bygone era. That day she joined the Titans East was only a few months ago, yet it feels like years. She'd felt so anxious around Speedy and so nervous around the Titans. She'd been lonely, longing for a home, and joined on impulse.
Everything feels so different now. A lot has happened on Dabnod, but at least Dabnod will all be in the past once they return to Earth. Back in Steel City they will have the Titans East, Titans West and Saeran to face, and they will probably have to defend Adriel. If everyone made it out of that mine alive, then Adriel is probably in a whole mess of trouble. They also snuck into Metropolis to track Black Shadow illegally, as Metropolis is Justice League territory. They might have to deal with an angry visit from one of the Justice League heroes. Not to mention, the news is out that she is a Dabnodian. Will she even be allowed to stay on the team with Starfire around? Will she be forced to leave Titans East with Saeran and Adriel never to return? Being on Dabnod has been traumatizing, but this is the past. The past is set in stone. Their present is still so uncertain.
Roy clutches the grass phoenix's saddle for dear life, clearly horrified as the phoenix twirls giddily through the rose-colored clouds. When Damiana continues soberly, his terror seems to subside.
"You said that everything will go back to normal when we're back on Earth, but that isn't a guarantee. Starfire is still a Tamaranean, and I'm still a Dabnodian. The Titans also have the consequences of the trip to Metropolis that we haven't faced yet." Hair shifting to plum-colored purple, she admits fretfully, "If they all got out of that mine alive, then we will have to explain everything that happened so no charges are pressed against Adriel. We will have to deal with the Justice League, too. But again, all of that is a big 'if'. They were deep underground, so I hope that the mine didn't crush them."
Roy frowns thoughtfully. "I don't think so, Dami. Cyborg, Robin, Starfire, your brother and Adriel were down there. They're all smart. I'm sure they were able to find a way out. Although, I can't say with any level of confidence that Black Shadow has been beaten. They're probably too worried about us to focus on Black Shadow right now."
"How long has passed on Earth, do you think?"
"It probably depends on Black Shadow's rift machine. Once we get it working, we need to try to open a rift as close to the date that we came through as possible," states the archer after a moment of contemplation. "As for our location, we should set it for the East Tower. No matter where the others are at, we can communicate with them through the main console when we get back. We can worry about everything else after we're safe."
Damiana breathes in deep in an attempt to calm herself. "Yes. You're right. We should just focus on getting off of Dabnod. We're so close that we'll probably be back on Earth within the week."
"I can't wait to talk to Adriel and figure out where we can find a zirgnant tool. Getting to see your planet has been cool, but I'm ready to get out of here."
"You and I both. Dabnod is dangerous."
Tenna and Caen are around here somewhere. They'd landed their phoenix, given it to the phoenix barn and entered the town the same as Roy and Damiana. Perhaps Tenna and Caen went food shopping, or perhaps Tenna is shopping for fabric. The mountaineer does seem to enjoy sewing. Regardless of where they're at, they aren't right here with them. Damiana and Roy walk down the streets of Torhael alone. This town is very different from Sclarthon in Province Four and is extremely different from Avarin in Province Three. There aren't large crowds, and while Royal Knights are around, the streets aren't flooded with them. People seem to converse freely for the most part, and children run through the streets playing. Roy is relieved by how normal this settlement feels.
"I guess Adriel wasn't wrong. The inn is easy to find."
Up the street is a quaint, three story, building with a sign out front that simply reads "Inn". Being the only such establishment in Torhael, it makes some sense to the redhead that nobody went out of their way to get more creative.
Roy replies with a smirk, "This town seems pretty safe. Maybe Caen and Tenna will feel comfortable getting their own room tonight."
Although her hair remains rose red and her eyes pale pink, the archer doesn't miss the blush that lightly dusts her cheeks. "Yeah. Maybe."
He is about to jump fully into teasing the girl by mentioning that she doesn't seem to be complaining. That, however, is when the building directly across the street from the inn catches both of their attention. It is a wonder that they didn't notice it earlier. It is a five-story structure and is, honestly, quite magnificent. The rose stone walls are bright pink and look as though they have been thoroughly scrubbed recently. The shutters on the windows are painted gold, and there are window boxes filled to the brim with flowers. In addition, there are well-landscaped flower beds beautifully arranged in the front yard. They all seem to contain the same flower - dark blue lilies with golden polka dots.
Two Royal Knights stand out front guarding the entrance, but they aren't young and strapping. They appear in their late forties - possibly their early fifties. A group of older women dressed in plain, gray, dresses and sporting black kerchiefs tend the gardens. A tall, stockade, fence surrounds the backyard. It is clear that there are people outside - children, specifically. Childlike giggles are heard, as is playful screaming and sprinting footsteps. They must be playing a game.
Without realizing it, Damiana and Roy have stopped beside the path of honey-colored bricks leading to the building to stare. When they lock eyes, it is clear that they are having the same thought. This must be the Raxtin House. They spend an eternity at the edge of the property, observing.
The Noble Lady is the first to turn away. She tugs Roy's arm and attempts to pull him in the direction of the inn. "Adriel said not to get near this place. We need to go pay for our room and hide inside."
Roy considers what she's saying. Adriel did say that they needed to stay at the back of the crowd in Avarin yesterday, and he was right about that. Had they moved closer to the front and had Damiana been spotted by Queen Guayusa, their time in that city would have not ended well.
Adriel hasn't steered them wrong so far. "Yes. We should go."
Sadly, they don't get to take as much as a single step toward the inn. The women in the kerchiefs who had been tending the garden spot them the way a vulture spots an animal carcass. The next instant the two Titans find themselves surrounded.
"Wow! She is such a beauty!"
"So is he! He is a very attractive, strong-looking young man!"
"They must be from one of the outer provinces."
"I'm glad the outer provinces are coming around to the idea of the Raxtin Program. It's a controversial stance, but I think the outer provinces have some of the strongest elemental users."
They jabber amongst themselves as if Damiana and Roy are deaf. The pair exchange glances once more, truly baffled. At last, one of the women speaks to them directly.
"Greetings! What a fascinating Clan symbol… What Province and Clan do you both hail from?"
The redhead glances at his teammate and sees that she is staring at them like a deer in headlights. Thus, it is Roy who answers. "Province Nine. Flying Arrow Clan."
A new wave of excitement washes over the ladies. "Oh, I've never heard of your clan! How exciting!"
"We love it when we get rare gems! It's usually the Ground Badger, Fire Phoenix, Water Flower, Sky Serpent, Shooting Star and Mountain Uikin Clans that get sent here."
"Don't forget the Larkack and White Flame Clans."
"Yes, them too, but still. It gets boring without new clans joining the program."
At last, Damiana seems to have found her voice. Ringlets are lime green. "I'm sorry. I'm confused. What is this program?"
The women gawk openly. They whisper so quietly that Roy is unable to make out what they're saying. The archer is tempted to grab Damiana's arm and dash across the street to the inn. Once one of them continues, however, he finds himself just as speechless as the girl.
"This is the Raxtin Program."
"Yes, I'm aware of that," she snaps. "What is the Raxtin Program?!"
More whispering. Damiana takes a step backwards. Roy follows her lead and does the same. When the women notice them retreating, they holler loudly.
"No! Please don't leave! The Raxtin Program, it's…hard to explain. But we would be happy to show you inside. If you don't like it, then you can return home to Province Nine."
The girl purses her lips. "Umm…I don't know…"
"Please stay! Whatever Royal Council Member went through the trouble of recruiting you would be horribly distraught if you didn't at least step foot in the building."
Roy's only response is looking to Damiana for an answer. These past three months she has learned that she was supposed to be Dabnod's next Queen, has learned that Queen Guayusa tried reinstating a bloodline monarchy by having a child, and then she witnessed the aforementioned Queen murder Prophet Veng and the Fire Lily Tribe. Whether Damiana decides to go inside or to walk away is up to her. She is the only person who knows how much more she can handle.
When the would-be Queen saunters forward, the archer is flabbergasted to say the least.
"I suppose I should see what this 'Raxtin Program' is all about..."
Earth: April 7, 7:30 AM
Tick. Tick. Tick. This is the only sound in the Titans East Tower's common room that Saeran is capable of paying attention to. The ticking of the clock. Time needs to pass. Tomorrow, April 8th, needs to come. The Titans need to pull his baby sister back through that rift. He needs his sister to be safe. Nothing matters more than her safety. Not defeating Black Shadow. Not the timeline. Not the people who Speedy and Damiana supposedly warn to get off of Dabnod. Nothing.
All the while, Adriel's parting statement from a mere hour ago echoes through Saeran's mind: "Good luck convincing Damiana to go with you! She is nothing like how you envision her!" Even after all the time that Adriel supposedly spent with Damiana and Titan Speedy on Dabnod all those years ago, he can't possibly know who she would choose. His sister would never choose the Titans and…ugh… Speedy over him. Her brother. The very idea is laughable. Adriel is full of nonsense.
As nonsensical as the Ground Badger sounds, his commentary manages to burrow its way into the water user's innermost thoughts. Saeran thinks back to the last month they spent on Dabnod, carefully considering all that Adriel has said. The cook in the City of Sclarthon in Province Four. The idea that the beautiful cook they ran into who looked just like his sister, average weight, healthy and glowing, actually was his sister is…unthinkable! But is it truly so crazy? Come to think of it, Adriel did experience a drastic personality shift during that time.
Adriel, his faithful companion, started disappearing for frequent periods. Admittedly, the disappearances started in Sclarthon. Not to mention, the personality shift. His normally chipper friend turned very downcast and seemed constantly distracted that last month. Adriel hadn't been himself in Sclarthon, in Avarin and certainly not during the few days their Squadron had spent in the town of Torhael.
Saeran, who'd been absentmindedly gaping at a face clock in the kitchen, leaps to his feet. Torhael? Sweet Fates! There is absolutely no way that Damiana could go to Torhael! That could ruin everything! Before Saeran knows it, he is dashing out the exit leading out of the common room and through the maze of hallways leading to the Ground Badger's prison. Upon entering the room, Saeran doesn't bother entering his chamber. He throws open the door.
"Adriel, get out here! We need to talk."
Adriel raises a sunset orange brow at him. "Didn't we already do that? What more is there to talk about?"
The water user's hair turns an unappetizing shade of sickly green and his eyes muddy brown. "Torhael."
That single word is all it takes for the rock user to exit the cell. Someone must hear the commotion, because other people enter the room. Saeran can tell by his peripheral vision that two of those people are Raven and Bumblebee. There is one other person, and when he speaks, Saeran becomes aware that this person is Robin.
"What's going on? Why is he out of his cell?"
"Because I have another question for him!" retorts Saeran. To Adriel, he pleads, "If what you're saying is true and you met Damiana in Sclarthon, then she took the same route to the Capital City that our Squadron took. Please, please, tell me that Damiana didn't pass through Torhael with us!"
The frown on the Ground Badger's face is the only answer he needs. His tone all but confirms it. "Saeran…"
"No! Don't 'Saeran' me! If she went to Torhael, then, by the mercy of the all powerful Fates, please tell me that she stayed away from the Raxtin House! You know that Jaegana and I were there…participating…"
Cherry red eyes and orange tresses immediately shift to midnight blue. "Ick. Don't remind me. That is the only good thing about Dabnod being gone - not having to think about you and my sister anymore."
"That's not the point!" The water user shouts. "If Damiana saw us there, then she probably learned other things, too!"
Adriel shrugs. "I guess you'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out exactly what she learned during her time on Dabnod. Being Damiana's big brother isn't so easy now that she might know everything, huh?" Then, out of nowhere, the Ground Badger jumps from foot to foot frantically. "Anyway, now that it has been established that I'm not a homicidal maniac, can I please use the bathroom? I will pee right here if you don't let me! Twenty-four hours in a cell is cruel!"
It is Bumblebee who answers. "The bathroom is down the hall to the left."
"Thank you!"
Adriel is gone before Saeran can say anything else. Of course, he doesn't need to. He already has a feeling that his baby sister won't come back from her trip to the past as the same person.
Meanwhile on Dabnod…
Never has Damiana been more thankful for the hooded cloaks that Adriel gave them yesterday. One of the women who'd been tending the garden guides them to a large drawing room. The room is filled to the brim with young, strapping Squires and a few young Knights. Many of the Squires are people she recognizes from Saeran and Adriel's Squadron. The instant she spots them, she throws up her hood. Roy was ten steps ahead of her. The hood of his cloak has been up from the moment they entered the town.
As she observes their surroundings more closely, Damiana sees that it isn't only men occupying the room. Far from it. There are just as many women as men, most of whom she recognizes. Two young women from the Water Flower Clan named Saela and Raela are who stick out to her immediately. They were twins and were the most prominent of Queen Guayusa's courtiers. They lounge on a sofa beside a pair of brothers from the White Flame Clan. Damiana doesn't recall much about this clan, as they weren't in the same tier as her own, but she does remember that a few prodigies from this clan worked their way up the ranks as Royal Knights.
There are also many of her own clanswomen gathered together around a table playing what appears to be a game of Phoenix Flight. Men from the Larkack and Ground Badger clans accompany them. It is quite a strange sight. Each person in the room, those who she is familiar with and those who are strangers, are in pairs. The pairs appear quite comfortable, to boot. They hold hands, snuggle against each other, kiss one another, and some of the women even sit on the laps of their partner. Not knowing quite what to do, but being fully aware that she doesn't want to stick out, the would-be Queen links arms with Roy. The archer tugs her close.
They scan the room searching for a place to sit; definitely not near those twins from the Water Flower Clan or anywhere near her clanswomen. If only she could locate a nice group of strangers! The girl sinks more deeply into her hooded cloak with each familiar face she spots. After dallying near the entrance for far too long, they must appear like lost sheep. A kind, female, voice calls out to them.
"There's room over here!"
When Damiana turns to face the speaker, she jolts as if struck by a lightning phoenix. The girl who just spoke is young. Damiana knows for a fact that the girl is sixteen years old the same as her - at least here in the past. If she were still alive today, she would be the same age as Saeran at twenty-one years old. How does the would-be Queen know this person's age with such certainty? Because she knows her. The girl has long, sunset orange, tresses and striking, cherry red, eyes. This person is none other than Jaegana - Adriel's older sister. Jaegana's Ground Badger armband glints at Damiana derisively.
If Adriel's sister calling them wasn't bad enough, somebody else speaks up. Damiana hadn't noticed a moment prior, but Jaegana is sitting on somebody's lap the same as many of the other women present. When the Squire admonishes her, his voice almost makes the Fire Phoenix Noblewoman feel sick to her stomach. Glimpsing at Roy, it is clear that the archer is a shade greener as well.
"Jaegana, my sweet flower, there is no need to invite every stranger that walks in to our table."
Watching her teenage brother, the same person who shot icicles at Titan Speedy the first time they met, coat his girlfriend's neck in kisses, makes Damiana physically ill. Jaegana giggles but makes no effort to ward off his kisses.
"Sweet Fates, Saeran! I see no reason not to be friendly! You're such a sourpuss." Grinning, she waves them over. "Please come sit down. If everything goes as planned, then we will all be spending a lot of time together!"
Although she doesn't want to go over, Damiana figures that walking the other way would raise more suspicion than if they were to merely sit down. Thus, she gives Roy's arm a tug in their direction. He shoots her a curious look, though he doesn't verbally question her. A second later, they meander over and seat themselves. Thankfully, Jaegana is the only Ground Badger and Saeran is the only Fire Phoenix. Everyone else appears to be from lesser known clans, as none of their clan symbols ring any bells with Damiana.
"Where are you from?" The Lady of the Ground Badger Clan inquires cheerfully. The entire time, Saeran's face remains buried in her neck.
"We are from Province Nine, the Flying Arrow Clan," Damiana answers. She tugs her hood more fully over her face. Jaegana is exactly as she remembers her - giddy and carefree. Sitting before her, especially here and in disguise, is multiple levels of strange.
"Oh, that's exciting! Province Two must really be a treat for you, being from Province Nine! Are you married? If you're married and if you conceive, then you'll both get to stay here for a year or longer! It's a luxury here. There are so many games and the bedrooms are so nice! Don't even get me started on the food. It's scrumptious! The chefs change the menu weekly, and you can have servants bring it to your room. The servants will bring you anything you ask for!"
Roy, appearing ghostly pale, coughs uncomfortably beneath the hood. "Excuse me. Conceive?"
Jaegana's and Saeran's hair shifts to lime green. The others at their table are distracted by a board game. An endless minute later, it is Jaegana who answers.
"Oh, yes! That's why we're all here. Her Majesty and the Royal Council have singled our clans out as the most powerful clans on Dabnod. We're here to make babies!"
Saeran smiles. "I can tell that you've never been here before. It's okay to be nervous, but don't worry too much. Our children are going to be the strongest in the galaxy."
"What are you talking about?" Damiana's stomach churns. More than anything, she wants to leave. She doesn't like the feeling that this place gives her in general. Not to mention, watching her older brother get handsy with his girlfriend feels strange - strange on multiple levels.
Before she can suggest fleeing to Roy, however, someone new enters the drawing room. Remarkably, it is the same member of the Royal Council that was seen yesterday in Avarin. If memory serves, he is Councilman Nine of the Sky Serpent Clan.
"Mighty clans of Dabnod, welcome. Thank you so much for joining us here in Province Two. The Fates thank you, and the Royal Monarchy thanks you. Dabnod needs to be the strongest that it can be, and without all of you coming together, it wouldn't be possible. In eras past, our mightiest clans joining together built the most powerful Dabnodian race that our galaxy has ever seen. If we keep doing this good work, then we may one day see a Dabnodian race that is an unmatched strength in the galaxy once again. Are there any questions?"
A person at their table raises a hand - a woman who's armband has a blossoming tree carved into it. "Yes. I have a lot of questions, actually, but I'll just ask this one: How do you decide which people to pair together?"
The councilman grins. "Excellent question! Personally, I don't think this is asked often enough. Most of you youth are more concerned with the act itself than with the rigorously researched genetics." This leads to chuckles from all over the room, including from Saeran and Jaegana. The water user snuggles Jaegana closer and peppers her neck with more kisses. Councilman Nine stares them down humorlessly. "Anyway, the Royal Council and Her Majesty Queen Guayusa spent decades studying genetics. In the ancient past, there were fifteen very strong clans that bred only with each other. This selective breeding led to a mutation that created elemental users with abilities of astronomical proportions!
"Dabnod controlled two-thirds of the Andromeda Galaxy at one point - most people don't know that. The reason for our absolute domination in that era was because of our selective breeding. We had rock users that could tear apart mountains! We had water users that could shift the tides of oceans. Our air users could suck the air from the lungs of armies. As for our fire users, the history books say that our fire users could torch entire cities with a single flame. We will make sure that we can do these things once again the same way we did the first time - by creating powerful matches. We of course match individuals from the original fifteen clans, but we also keep an eye out for clans who have a pattern of prodigies in their bloodlines. Any clan with a higher than average number of skilled elemental users are encouraged to send participants."
Excited chatter overwhelms the room. Astonishingly, nobody sounds uncertain of the councilman's claim whatsoever. Most everybody seems ecstatic at the idea that their children could grow up to move mountains and control the seas. While everyone else talks, Damiana shivers. This can't be real. The Kings and Queens of the past ruled over Dabnodians with iron fists. The Monarchs of the ancient era made Queen Guayusa appear kind-hearted. These people can't truly want to help reinvent that era?
"It seems there are no other questions. For those of you who are uncertain, you may join me in a brief tour. Everyone else, if it has been confirmed by our house physician that you are at peak fertility, you may go to your bedchambers. If not, please wait here until the physician calls you and your breeding partner."
Damiana would like to stay here and then sneak out while Councilman Nine begins the tour. When Jaegana leaps off of Saeran, rushes over to the other side of the table, and grabs her by the arm, however, it doesn't seem like this course of action is likely.
"I love the tour! Come on! You need to see the rest of the house. The gardens were my favorite part at first, but now it's the infant wing. That's where Skaei is!"
The girl feels her eyes enlarging to the size of globes. Sweet Fates! There is no way she's hearing this…
Jaegana continues jabbering rapidly before she can ask a single question. "Saeran, come on! We get to see Skaei!"
"We saw him this morning, my sweet flower. Why don't we go to our room?" It is the immediate shift of her hair from bright orange to dark purple that gets Saeran to change his mind. "On second thought, why don't we go see the little guy? I miss him already."
Thankfully, Jaegana and Saeran disappear toward the front of the group. This gives Roy just enough time to whisper into her ear. "Hey, do you want to get out of here? I know I do! Being stuck in a baby-making factory with past Saeran feels…well…weird."
About thirty seconds ago, Damiana would have jumped on the suggestion. Now, her tresses shift to sapphire blue beneath her hooded cloak. "I do…but after the tour. I always knew that Saeran and Adriel's sister were an item, but this… This is crazy! I didn't know they were 'assigned' to each other!"
"Adriel has a sister? That's who that lady is?"
"Yep."
"Wow. Poor Adriel. This must be disturbing for him."
Actually, it was, and probably still is, disturbing for him. Damiana recalls the Ground Badger openly complaining about their overly affectionate relationship all the time as a little girl. It turns out there was more to it than she knew. Of course, Damiana doesn't take the time to explain this. She grabs Roy by the hand and they sprint to catch up with the rest of the group.
Jaegana hadn't been exaggerating. The Raxtin House is quite spectacular. There is an extensive garden carpeted by flowers and plants usually only found on the Palace grounds. Lilac-colored trees with orange blossoms, and vibrant flowers with petals the colors of crimson, sapphire, and brilliant yellow. Many of the flowers are spotted or striped by splotches of gold, silver, black or white. There are benches for lounging, a courtyard with nets that appear to be used in sports games, and areas with blankets spread out on the grass for sunbathing. There is also a sizable fountain carved into the shape of a phoenix.
The garden is littered by pairs, some playing a game with a ball, rackets, and a net that looks similar to tennis on Earth. Damiana isn't sure what the Dabnodian name for the game is. Others are napping on the blankets and some are chatting on benches. Many pairs have children accompanying them. There are children crawling on people who are assumed to be their parents, and some nap beside their parents on the blankets. There are also many, many, women nursing infants. Some little ones aren't directly beside adults. There is a group of children engaged in what seems to be a race from one side of the garden to the other.
All the while, Councilman Nine of the Sky Serpent Clan drones on. "Our parents love to use the garden during their designated visitation time. It is a good environment for them to play with their children and bond. Most of you being Royal Knights or active members of society in the Capital City, it is understood that you will often be absent. This is why we try to create a positive environment to nurture your children both during your absence and during your visits."
The subsequent portion of their tour brings the group to a library with an impressive collection of books. There are picture books for the little ones as well as books of a higher academic level for adults. Families are in this area as well, many mothers and fathers reading with their offspring. There is also a servant wearing a gray dress in the library's far corner reading a book aloud to a group of children. Damiana doesn't hear what Councilman Nine says, nor does she hear a single word while they are in the kitchen, the dining room or the school room. The only thought occupying the would-be Queen's mind is pure awe at the vast number of children that the Raxtin House contains.
As for the bedchambers, she averts her gaze. Roy's stunt to get her bag out of Avarin unchecked is nothing compared to this. Large beds, jacuzzi-sized bathtubs, closets filled with…um…pretty garments and..um…useful products… It is a bit much. As shameless as Roy is known to be, his emerald eyes are pointed toward the ground. Damiana actually does hear a few of the sentences spoken by the councilman. The archer blushes visibly while her hair shifts to magenta.
"...although all of the items in this closet are at your disposal, the lubricants and the supplements are absolutely required. While we are certain that most of you will likely not need assistance, these items are meant to further improve your chances of conception. If we discover that these aids have been unused, then you will be kept here until you or your breeding partner's next fertility cycle. We will do everything in our power to ensure that you utilize all required resources."
Suddenly, Damiana understands the blue flowers with the golden polka dots that are planted in the front yard. They are called dreililies. According to one of the books that Saeran brought home from a mission to Province Five before its destruction, dreililies act as a fertility aid when consumed by both partners. She can't remember exactly how they work, but at the same time, she doesn't particularly care. Roy is a human. He cannot impregnate her regardless. Human reproductive systems and Dabnodian reproductive systems don't mix.
Before she can linger any further on these inner musings, they are ushered to the Raxtin House's next wing. The group becomes aware that this is the infant wing long before they reach it. Babies are heard crying loudly. Once they are upon the infant wing, it is a sight to behold. Damiana cannot explain, but there is a sort of beautiful chaos to it. Women are in a plush lounge area nursing infants, changing diapers, playing with rattles with little babies and are napping beside cradles. Those babies that cry are behind closed doors in what is assumed to be a nursery.
There is one other sound that echoes above the crying - screaming. This screaming immediately brings her back to Whisper Valley during the frost when Aika went into labor. Voices can be heard from behind one particular door.
"Push! Don't fight the contraction, use the contraction!"
"Contractions are only a minute long. Use them! Push as hard as you can!"
A whimpering lady responds to the frantic urgings of her physicians. "I'm trying. I've been doing this for hours. I'm going to die. I can't do it!"
"Yes you can! I see a head! We just need a few more BIG pushes, and you should have the shoulders out!"
Most everyone else walks past this door, though several of the women remain. Damiana is one of them. She is suddenly very thankful that Roy is a human being. Having children one day is something that has teased the edges of conscious thought, but she isn't sure she wants to go through what the woman behind that door is going through. Jaegana looks at the small flock of ladies and giggles.
"This is going to sound crazy, but you forget about the pain the instant the baby is out. Your only focus after the birth is on the baby. Once you're holding your child, you suddenly understand the beautiful thing that your body did." Hair shifting from orange to bright gold, the Lady of the Ground Badger Clan grins. "Childbirth is awful and excruciating and exhausting and beautiful. I plan on doing it again, and I'm sure most of you will, too."
For a split second, Damiana considers this. Perhaps she isn't relieved at the fact that she likely won't be a mother after all… That thought, of course, lasts for only a fraction of a second. The very next instant, the reality of what Jaegana is saying sinks in.
"Hold on. You've already had a baby?!"
She smiles pleasantly. "Of course, silly! I've been saying all afternoon that I've participated in the Raxtin Program before."
At this very moment, tiny footsteps are heard thundering up the hallway. "Zaesa!"
A small child no older than a year, possibly a year and a half, is suddenly clutching the hem of Jaegana's dress. Damiana finds herself frozen solid. The small boy wears nothing more than a shirt and a cloth diaper. His hair is bright gold and his eyes are amber. Completely and utterly gobsmacked, the would-be Queen's eyes shift abruptly to Saeran. Her hood is about to fall down. Thankfully, Roy tugs her hood back over the majority of her face.
"Saeran, come say hi to Skaei!"
Her older brother, who'd previously been laughing at some unimportant quip made by a member of his Squadron, shoves past people. Much to Damiana's surprise, her brother appears lethargic at best. At worst, he appears annoyed. He kneels down to the child's eye level. Despite his perceptible irritation, the water user's features remain their usual colors of gold and amber.
"Hi, little guy!"
Their son hides behind Jaegana's skirt. One of the servants who is wandering through the corridors chortles.
"I'm so sorry. Little Skaei doesn't take kindly to strangers."
Jaegana's tresses, previously gold with joy, are now dark purple. "But Saeran isn't a stranger. He's Skaei's zataka."
"It doesn't make much difference," says the servant. "Father or not, if Skaei doesn't see someone frequently, he won't care to go near them. I should know. I'm his assigned caretaker."
Damiana is unable to miss the silver tears that form in the corners of Jaegana's eyes. "Oh." The Lady of the Ground Badger Clan picks up little Skaei, smiling sweetly. "It's okay, darling. Don't be afraid. This man is someone very important to you. He's your zaetaka!"
The little boy screams loudly and flails his arms when his mother tries extending him in Saeran's direction. If Damiana ever saw something that looked like the very definition of heartbreak, then the expression on Jaegana's face is it. All the while, Saeran's slouched posture and bored frown makes Damiana want to practice a move that she hasn't attempted using in ages. It is called the flaming coffin. Saeran's response to his "breeding partner" doesn't make his sister want to kill him any less than she did a second ago.
"Jaegana, you've grown far too attached to him."
The girl giggles, though her hair remains purple. "What do you mean? I'm his zaesa. A mother can't grow too attached to her own child. That's impossible."
"Yes, you are his zaesa, my sweet flower, but I don't think you understand. Mother or not, that child is property of the Dabnodan Monarchy."
This time it isn't Jaegana that responds, but Damiana. It is fortunate that her face remains hidden. If it wasn't, her midnight blue tresses would frighten everyone there. "Property of the monarchy? You can't possibly mean that!"
"I do mean that. Many of these children don't get to stay with their parents. I should know. I was born in this Raxtin House."
Silence. Penetrating silence.
"You were born in this Raxtin House? I didn't know that!" Jaegana exclaims.
Saeran turns away from Damiana as though she doesn't exist and faces his breeding partner. The would-be Queen's curls are now lime green. Roy puts an arm around her shoulder while Saeran explains.
"Yes. I was born here back when the Raxtin Program was still in its experimental phase. My biological parents are from the Water Flower and Sky Serpent Clans. They didn't think that I would be a strong elemental user, so neither of them wanted me once I aged out of the Raxtin house. Domreiken of the Fire Phoenix Clan took me in. His wife was barren, and he wanted to have a child."
They exited the Raxtin House, marched past Caen and Tenna as they were entering the inn, got their room key and shut the door behind them. There are so many emotions that Damiana should be feeling and so many reactions that she should be having. Yet, she doesn't feel much. After a close examination of her emotions, Damiana realizes that she feels nothing. Mild surprise, perhaps, but not much else.
Appearing startled, the archer speaks to her from across the room. "Damiana, are you alright?"
"Yes. I'm fine. This Raxtin House doesn't exist anymore where we're from, so why should I let it bother me?"
Roy closes the gap that separates them and rests a hand on her shoulder. "Dami…"
"Sweet Fates, Roy, I mean it! I'm fine!" She shrugs off his hand and turns to face him. What comes out of her mouth next is a mystery. The would-be Queen hasn't a clue where it comes from. The bitter words simply pour out of her. "Do you know that it's actually a relief that I'm not related to Saeran? He's a TERRIBLE person! Hiding how crazy and demented Queen Guayusa was from me? Reporting Prophet Veng and the Fire Lily Tribe's whereabouts to the Royal Council? Not caring AT ALL about the son he had with Jaegana? I know he doesn't care! Do you know how many times he mentioned Skaei back on Earth or when I was a kid? None! None whatsoever! Jaegana at least hinted at it. She always talked about her love for babies! But Saeran? Nope! You saw my brother back at the Raxtin House. He just wants to get laid and nothing else! It's…it's…despicable!"
"Dami…"
"Oh, I'm not done! I'm not even close to being done! I bet he took part in the destruction of Province Five, too, and I bet he didn't care about any of the people that died! And caring about me? I bet that was all pretend! You know, I think Adriel cares about me more than Saeran EVER did! Maybe Saeran planned on pimping me off to the Raxtin House at the whim of Queen Guayusa! I bet they had a breeding partner already planned out for me! Because that's all we are, I guess. Weapons and breeding stock. Not that Saeran cares about being breeding stock. He didn't seem to mind at all!"
"For what it's worth, I'm sorry."
This time when the redhead puts a hand on her shoulder, she doesn't shrug it off. She sighs. "I just want to be back at home with the rest of the Titans."
His smile is impossible to miss. A blind person wouldn't miss it. "Good. At home with the Titans is where you belong." As inappropriate as it seems, Roy starts to chuckle.
"What's so funny? We just came out of a Dabnodian baby factory, and I figured out that Saeran is a horny jerk who isn't my brother and only cares about getting laid and serving the monarchy!"
"No, it's not the Raxtin House that's funny. Remember when Saeran first met me?"
As a matter of fact, she does. Saeran thought that she and Roy had fornicated, and he showed up in an attempt to kill him. When she went downstairs in the dance studio where Adriel lived at the time, the mirrors were shattered, there were ice shards everywhere, and Roy was frozen in a block of ice.
"Yes, I remember. How could I forget? I don't know what that has to do with right now, though."
He is practically doubling over with guffaws. "You might not find this as funny as I find it, but he was so mad when he thought we fu-uh…'did it'. The guy tried to kill me! He called me a perverted little playboy. It's just funny because…th-the hypocrisy!"
Yes. The hypocrisy! It's actually pretty enraging. Damiana is about to respond, but Roy continues.
"His hands were all over that woman, and that woman was his best friend's sister! He didn't even want to go see his kid! He wanted to take her straight to the bedroom. Wh-what a jerk! Why does he think he gets to tell us not to have sex? I'm more of a gentleman than he is! We stuck it out for three months! For two of those months, we were married, and for all three we've been sharing sleeping space, and I still have more self control!" Wiping a laughter tear from his eye, Roy adds, "When we get back, we should shove what a hypocrite he is in his face!"
Damiana smirks. "If the rest of our team wouldn't use the information to make fun of us, it would be so great to tell Saeran that we're married. The look on his face would be amazing."
Now they're both laughing. As they guffaw, they are leaning against the same wall. Roy is hovering over her. Once the chortles finally subside, they are left in that position with their gazes locked. She swears that the intensity in her teammate's emerald eyes makes the room at least a degree hotter. Irises shift from pale pink to glimmering copper. The archer twists a strand of hair, now orange, around an index finger. He hovers a centimeter above her lips.
Then, there is a knock at the door. "Hey, I heard that you finally checked in. Are you here? I have a plan for how we can get a zirgnant tool."
Normally, they would be happy at Adriel's promptness. Instead, they collectively groan.
"Yeah, we're here. Come in."
A/N: I have had the Raxtin House idea in mind for a long while now. I've also had Saeran's secret adoption planned out for a while. I know these past two chapters have had a lot of dramatic events crammed into them. Is it a bit much? Is the Raxtin House too graphic? I'm considering editing it out and would love a second opinion. I think the Raxtin House helps reinforce Queen Guayusa's thirst for power, and it is also a good foundation for future events that I'm planning out, but if it is too graphic, I would be happy to take it down a notch. All opinions are welcome so long as they are respectful.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. The way I'm planning it out at this point, I believe Part IV will be wrapped up in two more chapters. Then we will be on to Part V, the final part of Firelight. To those of you who have continued reading, thank you! Although my updates are infrequent, I'm very passionate about my work. I'm glad that I have others to share it with.
Until next time! :)
Forever and Always,
~OCQ
