Tiva Boon: Heir of Abennelp (Tiva Boon Series Book 2) (47 page)

“Tiva…” he sighed. “You’re the leader remember? Did your king ever go charging into battle from the start? No, of course he didn’t,” he answered without stopping. “You must lead them, place them where they belong, give them orders…”

“To their deaths?”

“If that is their fate…” he said solemnly. “This is only the beginning.”

He was more right than she wished to admit. The two groups engaged the Rebels; the hopters crossed the river without use of the bridge and destroyed the last weapons lingering in the distance.

The salvageable hovers fell in line behind the two groups, gunfire scorching the sky from all directions as Tiva, Adam and a few others in her charge watched Razzil, Lo’mu, Tinbo, and Wirto fight from the safety of the trees. Two of Harai’s men gathered the wounded and retreated back to the base with Tiva’s permission, leaving the dead behind for now.

The hopters were proving more useful than she imagined both scaring and pushing back the forces on the aft part of the bridge. When the groups were close enough, swords and lances began to fly through the smoke and fire. Tiva gripped her hilt and felt her markings go dark.

“You will get your chance, Tiva,” Neola said from behind in gentle voice. “Now is not the time.”

An eternity seemed to pass, but the hovers, hopters, and Loyalists forced the Rebels into full retreat and secured the bridge. This was a victory on many levels, now they could call for their own reinforcements from nearby sects and offer them safe passage to the capital.

When the smoke rose from the grass, a hundred Rebels lay still though thankfully—in her eyes—not all were dead. In all, the Loyalists had lost at least twenty, forty others injured severely and unable to carry on.

Tiva regrouped with her captains, Wixx, Gessin, Wirto, Neola and Razzil were all unharmed. Healer Kiya was tending to minor wounds as Adam took inventory of the hovers and hopters that had survived.

“These Bujeni you spoke of,” Wixx said suddenly. “They use this orb technology right?”

“They do, from what I have encountered.”

“So it’s likely they’ll have more waiting for us?”

“I believe they will,” Tiva replied.

“Gessin has found a weakness…” he offered and glanced back.

“We have one, undamaged, seems the back of the weapon holds the power source, one hit and it’s destroyed.” The Oninusian man grinned. “I’ve already alerted my men, you’d be wise to do the same…Lady Boon.”

“I will see to it,” she answered and turned to Wirto giving him a nod. “Can we use this weapon to our advantage?”

“Sure, it’s mobile, we can mount it on one of your hovercars,” Wixx interjected.

“See that a few people can operate them, test it if you must.”

“I’d be happy to,” he answered and called several of his group to follow.

Adam approached, hand on hilt and grinned. “We’re in good shape, m’lady. We only lost ten hovers and one hop-thing. Another is damaged, but Vanbel, one of Gessin’s guys, says he can have it fixed in an hour.”

“We need to press forward; he can stay on the bridge with half of group three.”

Adam bowed and walked away.

“Wirto’s already called the sections to alert them we have the bridge, we should have reinforcements in two hours,” Neola commented.

“Very well,” Tiva replied firmly and turned to Harai. “How are your men?”

“They’re fine, honestly. Moliis and Anntro will be back as soon as the wounded are in good hands.”

“And you, my friend?”

“I’m all right, got cut on the leg, but that’s about it. I’m ready to fight Tiva, you don’t have to hold me back, I can take care of myself.”

“I need you by my side, Harai. When we get closer to the palace, I will become a target. Adam, you and Neola are my most trusted friends, I will not place my life in anyone else’s hands.”

“Well,” she chortled with a blush of dark yellow on her cheeks. “Since you put it that way…” She smiled and placed her hand on Tiva’s arm.

With the bridge secure, and the groups ready once more, the hopters and hovers led the way toward Degort Proper and the marketplace. They passed several small groups of houses with little opposition; in fact, several people emerged recognizing friends and loved ones among the Loyalists. Many offered to join in support. Though Tiva was leery, Adam and Neola both agreed that every person who wanted to help was an asset.

After calling the group to a halt, the captains, Adam and Harai gathered to plan a strategy. The other members from the nearby sects were still an hour away at best, but to wait longer would only give the Rebels more time to plan.

Adam was ready to take to the sky, considering Gessin and Harai were unable to separate the townspeople from Rebels within the village. Tiva let him go without argument and continued to plot their next course of action.

By the time Adam returned with some information on hot spots near the marketplace, the three groups split into six and each had separate orders to approach the town from different angles covering the majority of the homes and buildings. There were more places to hide here, the hopters would be useful for the taller and wider buildings, but Tiva also remembered how she used the rooftops of the marketplace to attack the approaching Rebels during the Great War so she was prepared for that as well.

As the groups began to separate, Tiva sighed and Adam glanced over. “What’s wrong?”

“There is no way for us to warn the innocent people of the town…” she trailed off quietly.

“I could fly in there and hit the first house and see if they can start a chain reaction. Most of those houses have dishes, so I’m assuming they have communications.”

“They do, but that is too risky, Adam. What would happen if you walked into a group of Rebels, alone…”

“Eh…I’d win?”

“Not if you were overpowered with plasma fire or those other weapons.”

He frowned and glanced around. “Why don’t you fire a warning shot with that canon. Gessin said the detonation is time sensitive, so if we shoot it high enough, it’ll only hit the rooftops and maybe some of the high levels of those taller buildings. At least that would let the locals know something was happening.”

Nodding, Tiva thought it over and made the call to Wyud and Rufal who were operating the hover. Adam quickly informed the rest of the plan and told them to hold fire until they received the order.

Once they were in position, Adam, Tiva, Harai and Neola gathered behind Wirto’s group, which was heading directly into the town via the main road. Though reluctant, Tiva gave the order to launch the warning and watched as the maroon streak rose through the air then exploded over the middle of the town, spitting its inferno across the sky. Several of the rooftops caught fire, a few buildings took damage, and immediately people came flooding out of their homes. Several young children pointed to the Loyalists, some smiles crossed their lips, and their parents began pushing them down the road and toward the Medical Ward in the east. Panic among the townspeople continued, and a sudden explosion in the upper west section of the town caused Tiva to stand upright once more.

“What was that?” she demanded aloud and on her device to anyone who could answer her.

“One of their cannon’s I think,” Wixx responded on the PCD.

“Take your hopters up, see what you can find, do not attack until more people can flee.”

The crafts moved closer to the town, people screamed and continued scattering off the road, through the alleys and away from the buildings.

It was chaos.

Plasma fire rose up through the air as the Rebels began attacking. Tiva bit back her anger and gripped the shield of the hover tight to keep from making any orders to move.

“We can send in a small team, m’lady,” Adam offered softly.

“It will just anger them more and innocent lives will be lost, we can wait a few more moments until Wixx calls or returns.” Saying nothing more, she watched the hopters near the town; they were beginning to draw the Rebel fire, though some of the civilians began to fall. Unable to watch, Tiva lowered her eyes and fought the emotions rising through her. This would be the most difficult part…seeing the innocent die. Adam’s hand was on her shoulder, but she didn’t look up until her PCD beeped.

“What have you found?”

“The forces are in the north of the town, we’re going down to draw their fire, and some people are stuck in the east.”

Tiva immediately ordered the two groups to head in to help the civilians. Several long minutes passed before Razzil called back to say most of the townspeople had fled, so Tiva ordered three more groups to head in through the west and one down the middle as she and Wirto’s group remained behind.

Again, it did not take long to win the battle; the hopters destroyed four more weapons and captured two. Some of the townspeople in the woods nearby came out, kneeling in respect as Tiva’s escort entered the town.

Half the buildings were heavily damaged, Civilians, Rebels and Loyalists cluttered the road. Her heart felt heavy with despair. As the group helped the wounded civilians make way toward the hovers, and Rebels were taken into custody, her PCD beeped. Vanbel’s voice came through alerting her to the arrival of another thousand Loyalists.

There was no time to think, they had to move forward; the majority of the fight had yet to begin. In the distance, Tiva spotted the huge metal barricade that was once the arch to the marketplace. She sensed the powerful minds once more despite her tight guard. They were goading her to approach, trying to break through her shield, and weaken her mind and spirit. They were using every bit of strength they had to rip into her head. Gripping Adam’s arm, she silently asked Cala to help shield her more.

“They are waiting for me, my time to fight has come,” she said softly to Adam, for the power she felt, the anger, the hatred directed toward her was overwhelming, and for the first time since returning, she wasn’t sure she’d made the right choice in coming home.

M
ore of the same continued as the Loyalist blasted their way through the marketplace. This time, however, they faced a couple thousand Rebels. Everyone fought. Having over a thousand aliens with them caused many Rebels to flee out of fear, making it easier to infiltrate the market. Adding the reinforcements from the surrounding sections, the hopters and three canon mounted hovers, the Loyalists were showing the Rebels they were going nowhere this time.

Just as before, the Rebels combated with blind rage, attempting to kill anyone in their path, but the Loyalists heeded their training well, incapacitating whenever they could. Tiva knew the strength of enemy was still within the walls of Kinchar.

The numbers began to blur, hundreds dead on both sides, hovers were down to about fifty, a dozen hopters remained.

Night fell soon after the majority of marketplace returned to Loyalist protection. Locals from the nearby town began to help with wounded and the dead, others kept guard on the captured Rebels.

Adam and Wirto attempted to interrogate some to find out who their leaders were; surprisingly no one knew. Even a former Legionnaire admitted to never having seen the man who led the Rebels.

“I just don’t get it,” Adam huffed as he entered one of the former trinket shops. “They’re fighting for someone they don’t even know. It doesn’t make sense.”

Wirto frowned, thanked a young local woman for the offered beverage, and rested his weapons on the table. “Many guardsmen who kept the provinces protected never met King Delos,” he offered.

“But they knew who your king was,” Harai interjected with an agitated sigh. Healer Kiya was in the corner, tending to more wounded and seemed as if she were about to speak, but upon seeing Tiva’s gaze, turned back and stayed in the dimly lit corner.

“I just don’t get it,” Adam repeated.

“I have often felt that many of the Legionnaires who first switched sides were seduced and manipulated to the Rebel’s cause. Many of the children I met in Hentor long ago felt Harer was a corrupt king. Someone fed them lies and they blindly followed without justification or proof. My thought is that someone high ranking must be in charge, only a Legionnaire, Guardian, or noble would have enough sway to be considered trustworthy.”

“But who?” Razzil asked, holding his broken hand close to his chest. “Most of the Legionnaire captains remained on the king’s side. The Royal Guardians were all killed, we saw that with our own eyes…”

Kiya glanced over again and Tiva looked her way, but the healer rushed away before saying anything. “I do not know, my friend. Perhaps once we blast through the gate of Kinchar we will find the answers we are looking for.”

“What about Hentor?” Adam added. “You wanted to go there. The Rebels haven’t attacked for two hours. I’d say it’s a safe bet they’re going to wait for morning.”

“You wish us to let them gather more forces?” Razzil said.

“How are they to get here?” Neola smirked. “We have the bridges, marketplace, and the town, aside from the forest there is no means to get to the palace.”

“Do we have guards in the forest?” Adam questioned.

“We do as far north as possible without them being noticed from the palace perimeter. Besides, if they are calling more forces, we should do the same, we’re still out numbered but I would rather have more people here than in the provinces. Once we take down the leaders…” Tiva answered.

“You assume the Rebels will just give up without a fight?” Gessin said suddenly.

“Wouldn’t you?” Harai remarked.

“If I believed in what I was fighting for, no.”

“That is a sound point, Gessin,” Tiva began sighing heavily. “I do not believe everyone under the Rebel rule believes in their leaders any more. Many are afraid and confused. I sensed that when Adam and I breached the perimeter. But whoever is in charge did not want me to notice and masked the thoughts and emotions of those within the palace walls.”

Kiya suddenly gasped and froze in the door frame leading from the back of the shop. Tiva stood slowly, holding her side tenderly. “Please, speak what you hide.”

Nervously, she approached and met Tiva’s eye. “Do you remember, long ago when I told you rumors of you being a half-spirit?” she asked and Tiva nodded in response. “Other rumors spread not long after you left and the Great War began. Lo’mu and I came upon a dying Legionnaire in Cenii who begged for our forgiveness. He said his mind was clouded and he did not mean to turn on his fellow brothers. He told us of others who suffered the same fate, manipulated as you have said, but not by words, by a strong mind. A spirit-demon, just as the legends have told tales about. Anyone who dare defy the Rebel leader would become a slave to the spirit-demon’s mind.”

“What, like brainwashed?” Adam questioned thoughtfully.

“There have been some…many cycles ago who were thought to possess gifts beyond our mind-speakers and mystics. So powerful that they could force hundreds if not thousands of people to do their bidding by mere thought,” Kiya continued. “They were believed to have made pacts with spirit-demons.”

“Thank you, Healer…if you hear any more of this talk or can find any who believes they suffered the same fate, please bring them to see us.” Tiva saluted and turned back to the others; most looked confused, a few nervous.

“Do you think that’s what happened, Tiva?” Neola asked shakily.

“You don’t really believe in those tales do you?” Razzil added.

“I have felt the minds of the Rebels inside the palace walls vanish and the presence of the two only remained…however, I do not believe it is a spirit-demon.” Tiva frowned and returned to her seat, thinking and worrying even more now. “It is possible for one to train and become stronger. I myself am proof, but to control hundreds of people…”

“Perhaps they are using some sort of technology,” Wixx offered and chugged back a drink.

“Or it could just be a demon,” Adam grunted and cracked his fingers against his palm. “I’ve seen my share of demons, corporeal and otherworldly.”

Shaking her head, Tiva rose from her chair again and glanced out the window of the shop. Hundreds of Loyalists and locals were still clearing the road. Anntro—one of Harai’s men—and Millan one of Tiva’s Loyalists, were dead. It was a hit close to her heart as she had spent some time over the last weeks getting to know them. Almost everyone was injured, even herself and Adam. The Rebels here were better trained than the previous two groups and it was only a slight indication of what was to come. “I want to go to Hentor,” she announced emphatically.

“Do you think that is wise, Tiva? After what happened the last time you went out on your own?” Neola said.

“She’s right this time, m’lady…we don’t want to piss them off any more than we have, beating their asses as bad as we have already. Let’s just rest, keep watch, and finish this in the morning.”

Throughout the night, more joined the Yann sect to aid with the final fight. Many, including Tiva, did not rest. There was plenty to do, from interrogating Rebels, helping the wounded and shrouding the deceased. When she came upon a child of no more than ten cycles, dead in one of the alleyways near an eatery, she broke down and cried. She knew it was going to happen, but it did not lessen the pain in her heart. Carrying the young boy toward the healing bay, Tiva noticed a woman approaching. Her tear-ridden face, surprisingly, smiled.

“Thank the spirits you have returned, Lady Boon,” she whispered and took the boy in her arms.

“How can you thank me when your child has perished?” Tiva asked wiping her own cheeks.

“My son was headstrong and wanted to help fight the Rebels. He had grown up so much in these last few cycles and there was no swaying him. My son’s death will not be forgotten, but with you and the Loyalists finally striking down the Rebels, the rest of my family will be safe.”

Tiva only nodded in response, lost for words of comfort or wisdom. Harer would know what to say, he’d agree that the boys sacrifice would not be in vain, but she couldn’t commit herself to speak. The woman carried her son down the road and vanished inside one of the healing bays. Lost in a fog, Tiva returned to the shop, which was now the main headquarters. Several women were mending clothing, others sharpening swords and lances. In the far corner, a few of Wixx’s men were repairing plasma guns and refitting grenades. After watching the group work, Tiva pushed through the droves of people into the back room to see Harai and Neola in a deep conversation, so, not wanting to disturb them, she found a sleeping mat and lay down.

A few restless hours passed, lingering on the edge of dreamless sleep and nightmares of what was to come; Tiva forced herself to rest despite her inner emotions. The people needed her strength and focus, and she was not going to let them down, not this time, not ever again.

~*~

It was still dark when Tiva woke once more, Adam at her side, resting soundlessly. She softly kissed his temple, retrieved her weapons and quietly weaved her way through the room of her sleeping friends and out onto the road. Hundreds of Loyalists were patrolling the marketplace. Though they believed the Rebels would not attack until morning, she could take no chance and had done her best to ensure that enough people were alert and ready at a moment’s notice.

“Your people should be commended, Tiva,” Wixx commented as he neared. “They’ve followed your advice and the casualties have been minimal so far.”

“Yes, I believe we have convinced them that killing is not always the best option. I only hope that once we break through to the palace, people will remember what we have told them.”

“I am sure they will,” he replied resting his large hand on her shoulder. “Gessin scanned beyond the walls; he hasn’t found many power signatures. I don’t think they have any of those fancy weapons.”

“Most likely a few, if any. The strength of the Rebels lies beyond the gates, those who have been with the leaders since the beginning, Legionnaires and guardsman who have trained with the Guardians, the best fighters and the most skilled minds. He would be a fool not to surround himself with the elite of all his faction.”

“Your husband was telling me about your ways, I find them interesting.” He grinned.

“So you know,” she responded, smiling some. “Sometimes Neola cannot help herself and lets her tongue run wild. I had planned on telling everyone once this was over, who has she told?”

“Just a few of us,” he replied and grinned. “I wish you happiness, Tiva. You deserve nothing less.”

Tiva embraced him. “Thank you, my friend.”

Harai yawned from behind and rubbed her eyes as she walked out of the shop, Rufal and Lo’mu followed closely. She walked over stretching her arms high in the air and ruffled her hair. “Get any sleep, your majesty?”

“Some, and you?”

“I got enough; though it wasn’t easy for anyone I’m sure.”

“Adam seems to not have a problem sleeping anywhere. I am sure he could find time to rest in the middle of a planet quake if the mood struck him.”

The group chuckled softly. Rufal and Lo’mu bowed and ventured off as Harai smiled sweetly at Wixx and maneuvered between them. “May I steal the lady, Wixx?”

“Certainly, I must go wake my men anyway. I will see you both shortly.” He dipped his head, smiled back at Harai and walked back down the road to one of the temporary sleeping houses.

“You two are…becoming quite close.”

“He’s a fascinating man, he tells wonderful stories. I’m sure my father will find him just as interesting as I do.”

“I believe so.” Tiva smiled, linked her arm with Harai’s and walked down the road toward the other buildings in the north. “Have you heard from your father?”

“Not in a few days. I’m sure he’s busy helping the Union still.”

“I hope he is safe.”

“I would have heard otherwise. Don’t worry about what’s happening out there, Tiva. There’s nothing we can do. They will contact us when they can, until then we need to focus on our task here and stop these bastards.”

Nodding, Tiva paused in the middle of the road and glanced to the palace in the distance. Through the cracks in the gate walls and the slight gaps, she saw slight movement back and forth. They too were awake and patrolling. Her eyes lingered upward. The rose colored Palace of Kinchar did not shine as it once did. The glass was dirty, some of the windows were broken or missing, but the four crescent moons still held strong, pointing toward the sky, a symbol that not all hope was yet lost.