Of course, it was a trap but Jason was yet surprised, for they seemed to appear out of nowhere.
The jungle was thick and he just had followed Neri and Mera on the nearly invisible path through ferns and shrubs, the soil covered with wet grass and moss.
Ilf led the way. Until they had really reached the borders of Helal, he wouldn't believe them. He didn't deny anymore that his arresting had been a coincidence. The looks he gave the princesses were of unintended respect. To be treated kindly although his hostile intentions surely astonished him. The glances Ilf shot at Jason were undefined but Jason figured it was a slight progress at least, compared to the flouting gazes he had given him before.
The soldiers wore the tight military uniforms they had already had back in the days on their invasion on ORCA but still melted with their environment.
"I didn't think you would really come," their captain said. "And no guards? You're braver than I imagined."
Mera looked at him but he just nodded shortly. He didn't understand yet every word but he got the main part and figured the rest. He felt a hint of proud realising he started to understand the native tongue way faster than expected. But Iszra had told him that their spoken language was an easy to learn compared to the languages on Earth. Communicating on the Ocean Planet did go a lot by gesturing and the telepathy made in sometimes even redundant.
"I'm glad to see you're alright," the captain told Ilf who greeted him with a clap on the shoulder. "Take the human into custody!"
Neri and Mera opened their mouths in protest when two guards grabbed him but Jason gestured them to stop. They tied up his hands in the back but he stayed calm. There was no way he could fight them and also he had already guessed they would come for him first. He was Neri's weakest spot and the rebels knew.
"Don't worry," the captain smiled mockingly but turned serious then. "Your heart won't be harmed."
Obviously, they didn't think much of him as a human but being Neri's partner still seemed to matter to them.
The captain turned around and they went deeper into the forest. The warm air was damp and heavy, making his hair frizzy. Soon his clothes clenched on him. He had started sweating and thick drops of water fell off the leaves above them now and them. They felt comfortably cool on his skin.
He had lost any sense of time, for the sweet scent in the air made him feel a little dizzy. It felt like hours had gone by when they abruptly halted.
"Welcome to Helal," the captain said and lead them onto a wide glade.
It didn't matter though they were in hostile territory. Jason would never lose his fascination for this planet and he was certainly fascinated by this rebel base.
The village was in the trees.
Above their heads, the tree houses were built over several levels, formed by platforms, stairs and bridges. The sight put him back into his childhood, for this was definitely the kind of adventurous playground he always had dreamed of back then.
"Fantastic," he murmured startled and enthusiastic.
He couldn't tell if the captain spoke English or just got his astonishment by the look on his face but he wiggled his eyebrows and his lips curled up in a self-satisfied smirk.
The people of the village stopped in their businesses to stare at them, most with curiosity, some with insecurity, few openly hostile. The majority of them were no soldiers but common people in the typical floating, bright coloured clothes. There were whole families and children were running around. Those of them who dared to come closer examined them with defiant looks as if proving them their bravery.
Jason winked and grinned at them and a boy unintentionally smiled back, then caught himself by doing so and fled with a startled face. Some of the children laughed at the boy but some of the parents immediately seemed to have the urge to protect their offspring. They called out to the children or stepped forward to pull them away from the newcomers.
His attention was drawn away when three figures in elegant robes approached them. The two middle-aged men and the elderly woman in their midst showed no sign of fear or hostility but didn't look very friendly either.
"Princess Neri," the grey-haired woman started and surprised them with her flawless English, "the official heir to the throne of our beloved planet. Princess Mera, child regent. And Jason Bates," she said, looking at him now, "protector and advisor of the royal family."
There was no mock in her voice and Jason figured she certainly demonstrated respect by using his language.
"I am High Councillor Zheri, and these are Councillor Pietre, – " she nodded to her right to the dark-skinned man with long black hair in braids, – "and Councillor Shekat," nodding to the man with short brown hair standing left to her.
"High Councillor Zheri, Councillor Pietre. Councillor Shekat," Neri repeated and bent her head in respect in each direction. Jason and Mera mirrored her gesture.
"We came here to talk," Mera said. "We don't want any more conflict between our people."
"Unfortunately," Councillor Pietre replied, "it doesn't matter to us what you want and what you don't. This is about what the people want."
"You are right," Jason said and using the native tongue he certainly got their attention. He hesitated shortly while searching for the right words. He had no intention of embarrassing himself in front of all those people and if he succeeded they might be able to win some ground. He decided to do the easiest version. Hopefully, his simple choice of words wouldn't be interpreted as a sign of disrespect. "No talking, but listening. We will listen to what the people want."
Neri gave him an affectionate smile. Shekat's eyes narrowed. The faces of Zheri and Pietre gave no sign of emotion but simply nodded.
Abruptly, the guards who held him in their grip took a step away from him and someone cut the robes at his wrinkles.
"We'll see to that," Pietre said. "Follow us."