Tiva Boon: Heir of Abennelp (Tiva Boon Series Book 2) (39 page)

Adam nodded and adjusted his descent; he hovered about ten feet from the tree and softly landed in the knee-high grass. “Someone needs to mow this place.”

“Mow?”

“Yeah, cut the grass…”

“Oh, yes, it seems to have been neglected.” She grabbed the bottom of her braid and took a few steps toward the tree. The trunk was still strong and the bark silvery-gray. Te’s branches drooped more than she remembered, but the long golden leaves still swayed lightly in the wind. She ducked underneath and smiled. “Hello, Te. How are you my old friend?” The leaves lifted, tickling her back. “I have missed you as well.” Tiva touched the tree with her hand then wrapped her arms around the trunk hugging her nature friend for a moment. “I am going to climb up now, do not let me fall.”

She heard Adam chuckle as she climbed and positioned herself in her normal hiding spot. He smiled at her then rose up in the air to meet her eye to eye. “I’ve always liked trees, too, they tend to relax me.”

“He was my best friend as a child…I have missed him a great deal.”

“I bet.” Adam moved a bit closer and hovered. “Did you get a lot of work done?”

“I was able to read through all their information; we have a challenge here, Adam. I pray we have enough time to ready everyone before the Rebels decide to strike.”

“We’ll get them ready. Harai and her boys are damn good if you ask me. Not as good as us, but, you know.”

She smiled and jumped down from the trunk landing in the half circle of roots that was her bed many times before. “Yes, I know.” Glancing toward her home, she parted Te’s branches for a better view. “What do you think of Abennelp so far?”

“It’s pretty, I’ll say that much.”

“I will show you more when the time is right…there is much to see here though the planet is nowhere near as big as Earth.”

He was behind her again, his arms wrapping around her stomach as his wings shielding her body from the cold. “And how are you, m’lady?”

“I am adjusting.”

Adam turned her shoulders and lifted her chin. “How are you, Tiva?”

“Tired, confused, worried, scared, happy…I do not know all that I am, Adam. I am home and yet I cannot roam my land freely. Almost everyone I have ever known is gone. These people look to me as their queen and I fear I will let them down.”

“Hey, hey,” he whispered and brushed his thumb across her cheek. “I’ve seen the determination in their eyes. They believe in themselves as much as they believe in you.”

Tiva held him and buried her face in his wing. “This will be a fight unlike anything they have seen, Adam. I do not want more to die, I know it is inevitable, but my heart cannot take much more. We know not what weapons the Rebels have. We have no idea who manned the Bujeni ships. What if you or Harai get hurt or die…what if I die?”

His eyes flashed red as he lifted her chin again. “We’re not going to die, damn it. I’m not losing you. I’ve lived hundreds of lifetimes since the last time I loved anyone as much as I love you and there isn’t a weapon, mystic, or deity that is going to take you away from me. You understand? Nothing…”

Tears formed in her eyes as she looked at him. “I wish I could live with you, forever, Adam.”

“I know,” he said softly wiping her cheek. “I will love you forever, Tiva.”

“You will not forget me?”

“No.” He kissed her tenderly. “I’ll never forget you.”

~*~

Tiva woke a few hours later with Adam fast asleep beside her. The small chamber Neola set aside for them was still dark; no sign of daylight penetrated the room. Silently, she stole from the bed and stripped off her sleep clothing. At first, she reached for her Union uniform, but instead of wearing that she opted for a deep-gray tunic and black pants. After attaching all her weapons, she ventured out of the chamber and down the walkway through the general barracks. The majority of the group was still sleeping. Outside, the people on patrol were alert and caught her presence quickly. Saluting them, she headed toward her family’s land, but stopped just at the edge of the Finto property.

Wirto appeared in her peripheral vision, but she kept her gaze forward as he approached. “You sleep about as much as I do, it seems, Tiva,” he said casually.

“Ever since I was a child my sleeping habits have been erratic.”

“Have you Calmed since returning home?”

“No, not yet,” she replied and glanced over at him. “It is still cold and I usually Calm in the water…”

“Ah, yes it should warm up in a week or so,” he offered with a smile. “I’m expecting the reconnoiter teams back shortly, do you wish me to find you when they arrive?”

Tiva nodded. “Has there been any activity in the forests nearby recently? I would like to take a run before morning meal.”

“No, this area is secure. The Rebels don’t know about this base. We only finished construction of it before the Cooling began, feel free to run the grounds. I’ll alert the patrols on PCD if you wish.”

“Thank you, Wirto. I shall see you later.” She smiled and took off toward Te, picking up speed, and ran right past him and only slowed when the line of trees came into view. Expertly she weaved through the forest, ducking low branches and hopping over fallen trunks. Before she realized it, she was standing in the clearing looking at the pond. Slowing down, Tiva jogged to the edge of the water and caught her breath. She dropped to her knees and dipped her hand into the cold water. Images of Litru filled her mind. While the pain was still there, it didn’t torture her to remember him anymore. When she decided to fight the Rebels, for him…for all those who died, it helped her to realize that closure was possible.

Slowly, she rose to her feet and smiled, seeing the first streaks of sunlight. Running through the forest, Tiva made her way back to Te, then cut to the left, and returned to the base. More people were awake, and as she neared, she heard some commotion by the Finto home.

“Yes, it’s confirmed, the off-worlders who landed have given the Rebels more weapons. They look the same as these,” the young man said to Wirto.

“And the agents we have in the palace have reported more recruits being trained,” a middle-aged woman added. “Codica told me that Queen Mirta’s family has also vanished.”

“Vanished?” Wirto question and glanced at Tiva when she neared. “Information is coming in from all provinces, Lady Boon. I’ll have a detailed report shortly.”

She nodded and turned to the woman, “Where was the queen’s family located?”

“The Quintor province; they were well protected, or so we thought. We moved them there from Obadan about six moons ago due to the fighting. Two nights past, a group went to check in with them—as we do every week—no one was there. No clothing taken, no items missing, they were just gone.”

“Who else is alive from Mirta’s family?” Tiva asked.

“Her mother is still living, as are some cousins,” Wirto answered then gently grabbed her arm. “I can bring you all the information as it comes in, Tiva.”

Bobbing her head, she turned back to the lady. “What happened to Mirta’s brothers and their wives?”

“They were killed in a ministry house explosion a cycle ago. The Rebels struck many of the large congregations knowing them as Loyalist meeting areas. The children were taken in by Mirta’s parents and we were keeping watch over them…”

“We’ve tried to keep safe all the nobles, but it is a large task. Many have gone into hiding or have joined our ranks and fight alongside us,” Wirto added.

Tiva nodded. “Yes, I have read as much.” She turned to the lady. “Speak your name.”

“Kemra Wyud, Lady Boon.” She saluted and bowing her head.

“Thank you for the information, please continue to gather as much as you can. Wirto come with me…” Tiva dipped her head and walked toward the base, Wirto following closely behind. “You obviously know more than I; if the Tenspars went into hiding would they contact anyone as to their whereabouts?”

“Usually, yes, we cannot help protect them if we know not where they are,” he replied, keeping step as they entered the base. The majority of the Loyalists were eating morning meal in the meeting room. Tiva continued through, smiling at a few of Harai’s men and picking up a piece of fruit as she made her way to the barracks and her private chamber. Knocking softly on the door, she waited a moment then cracked open the door to look inside. Adam was absent. She frowned slightly and turned back to Wirto.

“Were the Tenspars working on anything for the Loyalists?”

“No, they just wanted to take care of the children. They stopped participating, but sent us supplies and food when they could. Most of the noble families have supported us in some way since we grouped together.”

“Something does not feel right,” she said mostly for herself. “Go gather the rest of your information, Wirto. If you see Neola please ask her to come and see me.”

He nodded, saluted, and walked off back to the barracks. Tiva entered her chamber and fell back on the bed to think. If the Rebels had left the noble families alone all this time, why change now? She closed her eyes and called out to Adam asking him to come see her when he was free. He was nearby, probably eating, but she lay in the bed thinking of all the possibilities as she waited for him.

Only a few minutes passed and the door to the chamber sung open. “You rang, m’lady?”

Sitting up, she nodded and reached out her hand. He helped her to her feet, wrapping his arms snug around her waist. “Wirto is gathering information; the Bujeni are supplying the traitors with more weapons and the former queen’s family has gone missing.”

He frowned. “That’s not good, any idea what happened?”

“No, not yet. Have you seen Neola?”

“She was meeting with Harai to schedule training for the rest of the group here. I think she wants to start sending some people out into the field to supply and train the rest.”

“That is a good course of action. I have a feeling the Rebels are preparing another strike.”

“What else happened?”

“Nothing, but what other reason would there be for the Bujeni to supply the Rebels with weapons?”

“True.” He glanced down at her. “Something else is bothering you…”

“Not exactly,” she sighed. “I feel helpless. I know very little of the current situation and trying to catch up with all the information is difficult.”

“Well, until Wirto gets back with your report there’s not much to do, right?”

“I suppose…”

“Why don’t we spar?” He smiled. “You haven’t used your sword in a while, might want to get a feel for it again before we head into battle.”

“I doubt I will need my skills with the blade, everyone seems to be turning to the guns and blasters.”

“I’ve always found it’s good to have a backup plan,” he said tapping his sheath. “Come on, let’s go play.”

Tiva and Adam had drawn a big crowd by the time the suns fully rose in the sky. Both were tired, yet neither was yielding. Falling into rhythm with her sword was easy, keeping herself under control was not. The more strikes she’d taken, the more pain she felt, the harder she pushed herself.

Kicking off the ground—one of her favorite moves—Tiva raised her sword in a quick upward motion clipping the left side of Adam’s arm. He spun around thrusting his blade against hers then pushed back with all his strength. She stumbled back, but once she caught her footing, lifted the weapon above her head, and stood her ground. He smirked and approached, Cala singing happily in the air as the two weapons collided. They danced back and forth striking each other with all their power. Both were covered in cuts, still neither wanted to stop. Adam rushed toward her and lifted into the air slightly. Tiva saw his wings move and her markings grew dark.

“Cheater!” she snapped and ran toward him. Finding a nice round rock nearby, she leapt onto it and jumped into the air, swinging her blade fiercely at him, striking his right side. She tucked her landing into a roll and bounced to her feet before he could turn around.

“Aww, come on, you’re kicking my ass here, I needed to do something to throw you off…” He grinned.

She stared at him, her markings still dark, and sneered. “You cheated,” she repeated and quickly slashed at him. He blocked every move and even hit her a few times on the side of her leg and arm, but when her blade sliced into him, again he gasped and jumped back. The smell of burnt flesh lingered nearby, the fabric of Adam’s jacket was smoldering. She raised her sword and felt the heat coming from it. Everyone’s eyes were on her, but she wasn’t about to open her senses.