Crusade Across Worlds (46 page)

“And if the damage has already been done?”
Chancellor Keller poses.

“I fear the damage will be done,
is
being done, as we speak.”

“It could mean the end of the world, Fychu,”
Ehan says. “The world we know.”

“Then we are doomed,” Ghion whispers.

“We are not doomed,” Blovid shakes his head.
“It is not over. We are still here, still willing to fight. We
simply need to decide what to do next.”

“What is simple about it?” Norhra snaps.
“King Thias refuses to participate with the Fychu or any of the
Arizal Dofinikes going forward, and that includes you. My brother,
Commander Ghion, Commander Leoh and I are not even supposed to be
here. We had to come in secret. If we are found out, we would be
treated as traitors.”

“Then why you come?” Warze growls low in his
throat.

Ehan sits forward. “To bring news. And
hopefully to assist in the trials ahead. King Thias is not thinking
clearly. He has lost a significant portion of his army and will do
whatever he can at this point to reclaim the Floating Ruby.” Ehan
takes a breath. “And that includes invading Dellapalania.”

“Of course,” Chancellor Keller agrees. “I
did not think there was a question that would occur.”

“But the king does not want any sort of
involvement from the Fychu or Arizal Dofinikes. He wants to do this
without their aid. And if,” Ehan focuses on Sampson, “any of the
Nerwos come across them…he has ordered their immediate
termination.”

“So we are forbidden from aiding in the
invasion of our own home?” Blovid hikes a brow.

“That is why we have come. To inform you of
the king’s intentions,” Ehan glances at his sister, then back to
Sampson, “and to offer our own. We are, and will always remain,
loyal to the Nerwo throne, but our allegiance also lies with you,
Fychu. We support the Arizals.”

“Who is we?” I ask. “Specifically.”

Ehan lifts his chin. “All under my
command.”

I look at Ghion and the Northern Commander
nods. “That includes me, my brother Leoh and Cohlin and Rhester,
who are in command of the Southern, Western and Eastern
forces.”

I shift my focus to Ehan again. “Are you
saying you will prevent the entire army from hurting us?”

He nods.

“My brother is not publically acting out
against the king,” Norhra explains with a huff. “But he will be
betraying him. The orders will be sent out three days from now,
when the invasion is set to occur. The king may never know what is
being done, especially if your presence is barely felt. But it is a
high risk we take.”

“Then why are you doing it?” Jace asks.

Norhra raises her head higher. “We are
Arizal.”

“The Gifts are not an ancient legend any
longer,” Ghion says. He sits forward, jabbing his finger into the
table. “They are real. We have seen they exist. It is not a
question of pride. It is a question of safety. Honor.”

“And you are willing to betray your king?”
Chancellor Keller frowns.

“We are willing to do what we can to ensure
our kingdom’s survival and the safety of our allies,” Ehan glances
at Sampson. “You have our support.”

“Fychu,” the chancellor shifts towards
Sampson, “you are aware we support you…but so far…” he inhales
sharply. “I was hoping I was not the one to address the fact that
you promised the Gifts would not be stolen, and if they were, that
you would—”

“Go after them,” Sampson nods. “Of course.
And I intend to.”

“How?”

“When?” Ghion asks.

“You say King Thias will invade in three
days? It will be the distraction I need to kill Reuzkimpart and
reclaim the Gifts.”

Chancellor Keller frowns again. “You seem
awfully nonchalant about this invasion when you were wholeheartedly
against it before.”

“Perhaps it has always been inevitable,”
Sampson sighs. “I am still against an invasion on Dellapalania. I
still fear for the survival of our race and believe too much
innocent blood will be shed… but hasn’t it already?” He looks to
Warze, regret and pain in his eyes. “I cannot begin to ask
forgiveness for what has occurred at Zinnollo. I was only made
aware of a few facts...” he pales. “And I am so, so very sorry for
your losses.”

Warze nods only once.

“Have you decided upon a new leader?” Queen
Ariana asks. Her voice, though still gentle, demands attention and
respect, much how her mother commanded a room.

Warze shifts in his seat. “New leader
elected after invasion.”

“Well I am certain that whoever is selected
will perform the responsibilities with great honor and respect. You
have several suitable options.”

Warze nods again.

“But I am curious…will the Zingfinolds
participate in the invasion? You are still recovering from the
impact.”

“And what of yourselves?” Norhra asks,
quickly adding, “your majesty. Are you not faced with your own
domestic threat?”

“We are, yes.”

“Will that keep you in your own waters?”

“I have agreed to assist the Arizals
throughout the course of this war, not until the odds turn against
us.”

“Do you mind,” Blovid turns to her, “if I
ask how many you lost on Larupip?”

“Just shy of one thousand,” Ariana looks to
the chancellor beside her. “Is that right?”

He nods.

“And you are fine with sending in more aid?”
Norhra looks skeptical.

“This war is not concluded. It is, I fear,
in its most crucial stage. The Vermix have both Gifts. We cannot
afford to sit by idly any longer...it is for this reason that we
will be sending in five thousand Mybyncians.”

“My Queen,” Chancellor Keller turns.

“I have given it much thought. Now is not
the time to be cautious. We have lost much and will continue to
lose more if we do not stop this war. With the Gifts in the hands
of the Vermix, everything we love is at stake.”

“I agree,” Blovid says.

All three Nerwos nod.

“No one,” Sampson shifts towards Warze,
“expects the Zingfinolds to participate. You have already—”

“Zingfinolds fight,” he growls. “Fight for
King Hozfin, fight for all who lost lives. Vermix deserve
death.”

“How many casualties?” Chancellor Keller
asks. “If you do not mind me asking?”

It’s silent for a long minute. This is
something I’ve wanted to know, but have been too afraid to ask
since fleeing Zinnollo and watching as it went up in flames. The
Vermix hit the city hard and I know that it wasn’t just a battle
like it’d been three months ago. Reuzkimpart brought war.

“More than half.”

“More than half?” Walker gasps. “You got to
be shitting me.”

Warze frowns with bewilderment, confused by
the expression. Before the tribesman can explain, Sampson lets out
another breath, focusing on Warze.

“And you are certain you want to bring the
Zingfinolds to Dellapalania? In three days?”

“Zingfinolds angry. Want to fight…” he
shakes his head, lowering it with a grumble, “not able to grieve
until war is over. Zingfinolds want end to war,” he looks up,
focusing on Sampson. “Want end to death.”

The Fychu rests his chin on his fists. His
elbows are propped up on the table as he lets out a deep breath.
Silence fills the Dining Hall. We all wait, glancing curiously at
each other. What happens next?

“In three days, we will invade
Dellapalania,” Sampson says. “King Thias will lead the majority of
the assault with…” he glances at Ehan, “five thousand as well? Is
that correct?”

“Yes, Fychu. He plans to spread them out,
but he will strike Ellington the heaviest.”

“Where’s that?” Pratt asks.

“Ellington is our capital,” Blovid explains.
“It is where the seven Leaders typically live. It is where
Reuzkimpart lives and where he will most likely be keeping the
Gifts.”

“But he will scour the other cities as
well?” Sampson asks and Ehan simply nods. “All right. And alongside
Thias, Queen Ariana will dispense five thousand Mybyncians.”

“I have, and will continue, to educate them
on the importance of identifying their enemy. I cannot promise
mistakes will not occur, but we will do our best to keep casualties
to a minimum.”

“Thank you,” Sampson says.

“Zingfinolds promise same.”

With a weak smile, Sampson nods at the giant
tribesman. “And in the midst of the invasion, I will—as I
promised—find Reuzkimpart, kill him, and reclaim both Gifts.”

They will not trust you to do this
,
Sampson’s voice rings in my head,
so I must say it will be me.
But when the time comes, I will step aside and you must be the one
to do it.

I look up to find his eyes focused on mine.
I’ll need to get the Gifts first.

You will. And I’ll give you time to use them
to make sure you are able to deal with Reuzkimpart as you are meant
to.

Thank you.

Best not to tell anyone. Not even Reid. He
will think it too dangerous and convince you not to go.

I know.

This will remain our secret. Only you and I
will know that you shall be the one to kill Reuzkimpart.

“Is there anything more to discuss, Fychu?”
Chancellor Keller asks.

Sampson nonchalantly redirects his focus. “I
do not believe so, no. I would prefer we have some time for
recuperation—especially the Zingfinolds—but every moment that
Reuzkimpart is in possession of the Gifts we are at risk. As you
know, I am not in favor of invading Dellapalania. I have a great
fear that this could be the end of our race. But…” he lets out a
breath, “…the Mother has set these events in motion—it must be for
a reason. I cannot begin to understand the reason for this war, or
why it has unfolded the way it has. It is not for my understanding;
nor is it for yours. But we must follow blindly the signs we are
given. Everything that has happened has led us here.”

Blovid nods in agreement. He looks to the
Nerwos. “When do you anticipate arrival in Ellington?”

“Dawn,” Ehan says.

“And will the king accompany?”

“He will stay behind with Rhester until
midday on Dellapalania.”

“Will…” Sampson clears his voice. “Will
Ehmma and Tyhm remain on Nerwolix?”

“Yes, and they will be heavily protected. Do
not worry about their safety.”

“I will coordinate with King Thias,” Ariana
states. “I want this invasion to last no longer than a day. With
the king distracted and the Nerwos under redirection from Ehan, the
Fychu will have his opportunity to kill Reuzkimpart and reclaim the
Gifts. And end this war,” she says with finality.

“Zingfinolds join at dawn as well. Protect
Fychu in mission.”

“No,” Sampson shakes his head quickly. “I
allowed the Gifts to be taken…I should be the one to take them
back. I must go at this alone. If you want to help, you can protect
the Arizals,” his eyes dart over the table as he contemplates. “I
can get word to my father about what will occur. Perhaps he can
send notice to get them out the night before…keep them somewhere
safe,” he looks up to Warze. “You are not obligated, as I know you
seek revenge on the Vermix, but you would be doing us a great honor
in protecting our innocent.”

The tribesman considers it for a second and
finally nods.

Sampson looks around the room. “I want to
thank you all for your continued support. I am ready, as I assume
are the rest of you, for this war to be concluded. I have thought
it would come to an end several times before…but …I think this is
truly
it. We are here, now, at the pinnacle...” his voice
softens as his eyes fill with familiar pain and grief. “We have all
lost someone dear to us, someone irreplaceable. But I believe we
were meant to suffer their losses...and in their departure, reach
deep for inner strength. We are here, today, to bring peace and
liberation to the Three Worlds and hopefully, bring about an era
where Arizals rule, not fear.”

One by one, each person stands in a stoic
silence. The rest of us do the same until we are all standing
alongside Sampson. A small smile graces the corners of his mouth.
“Thank you, dear friends…” he quietly says, gratitude crossing his
face. “Thank you.”

***

“I feel like every few weeks we’re talking
about some invasion,” Reid plops on the bed with a sigh. “Harrizel,
Nerwolix, Nerwolix again…and
again
,” he runs his hands up
his face. “I promise one day we’ll have a quiet, peaceful
life.”

I run my hand over my stomach.

“I’m aiming for after the wedding, which we
still need to figure out.”

Images of the Rinzal tree resurface, of the
pain I have now associated with it. Does Reid still want to get
married there? Under the flowing red, pink and peach blossoms where
we said goodbye to Clarence and Jothkore? Reminded of what I no
longer have, I glance down at my bare wrist.

“I lost my Callix—your Callix.”

“I know.”

I look up to find him watching me. There’s
no anger in his expression, no hurt or surprise. Just comfort,
reassurance. So he knew. If he only knew about the baby.

After
.

I’ll tell him after.

Once we figure everything out, once we get
to the end of this war, I’ll tell him. It would only distract him
if he knew beforehand, and besides, he’d lock me away somewhere to
keep me safe. He definitely wouldn’t let me go off with Sampson.
Not that he’ll know about that until after I’m gone. But still.
Worrying Reid about my safety…and the safety of his child…I can’t
do that to him. This will be happy news to share once we’ve won.
Once this is all behind us.

“What is it?” he asks softly.

“I’m scared.”

And it’s the truth. I’m scared of everything
to come, everything I’ve come to love so much and the possibility
of losing it all. I’m scared of not doing what Sampson is depending
on me to do, of not fulfilling my fate and allowing someone else to
die in my place. I’m scared of everything that could go wrong, and
most importantly, I’m scared of letting down the tiny heartbeat
inside me.