Clouds of Tyranny Page 14

  When Locke eventually made his way into the dining area he saw that everyone else had already settled in their seat and Smith was standing in the center of all the table probably preparing to make a speech. Terra was laughing as Lars told amusing anecdotes, Ruthie was sitting with Clyde who had been allowed to leave the infirmary, Pearl was rolling her eyes as Ray told Alex an incredible boring story at which she pretended to be interested, Chuck was holding his stomach melodramatically as if he hadn’t eaten in weeks, More like hours, thought Locke laughing to himself. He went over to the spare seat that Alex had saved for him and sat down as the waitresses began serving plates of a steaming meat product and green beans. Before the plate touched the top of table Chuck had fork in hand. “Attention everyone!” yelled Smith deeply in order to get the attention of the whole room. “Chuck put down his fork, which already had food stuck to it, and began to pout as he crossed his arms. “As most of know, or have heard, a violent time is about to enter our lives. I wanted to take this time to assure you that we will prevail and we will not falter. I will need everyone that can hold a blade or a gun to volunteer; the more people the better. Please, come to me in private and I will let you know how you can help. We leave in eight days in order to reach Harmon under concealment the night before the attack. With that being said, I am allowing everyone, that wishes it that is, to leave for six days to clear your mind and see your friends and family. The tunnels will be at your disposal. Those of you with obligations here: do not fret. If I must I will cook the meals and clean this entire place myself. Now, please enjoy your meal and I will see you all in six days, thank you.” Smith sat down as he heard random claps from every direction. Smith turned to face the Returners, “I’m sorry, but I need some of you here,” he said looking at the soldiers who worked the hardest. Pearl’s eyes began to fill with tears. “Except you Pearl. I know you’ve been planning a trip for a while now…and take Terra. Tell Elizabeth I said ‘Hello’.” “Yes sir!” smiled Pearl. “Alex, you may leave as well, but be back in four days.” “Right,” saluted Alex. He turned back around to begin his meal. Locke sneered at Smith’s back knowing that he’d never get a vacation; even though he wouldn’t know what to do if he got one. “Well Terra?” asked Pearl, “You want to go on a trip? It’s on the coast, beautiful beaches, beautiful people, and beautiful meals.” “Love to, thanks Pearl,” thanked Terra. Pearl looked over at Ruthie who was staring at her, “And of course your invited as well, just us three girls.” Ruthie was honored by the invite but objected, “I don’t know. I cant leave-“ “Don’t even say it, your going little girl,” ordered Clyde. Ruthie hugged her big protector, “You sure?” “Won’t hear another word about it.” “This’ll be fun,” cheered Ruthie throwing a fist in the air, “Ooh ooh! This the time of year when the Leviathan appears isn’t it?” “That’s right Ruthie,” grinned Pearl.

  After dinner everyone retired to their respectable rooms with the exception of Terra and Lars. When Alex retired to the dorm she saw that just about every single girl was packing a bag except the few with no families. She walked over to her bed and jumped onto her top bunk and unsheathed her sword. She looked down at Ruthie packing as she sharpened her dragon blade. “I hope that didn’t hurt your feelings,” frowned Ruthie, “But Pearl doesn’t quite know you yet. Granted she doesn’t know Terra that well either but they just hit it off from the start,” explained Ruthie. Alex carefully sharpened her sword masterfully. “Forget it. I’ve only got four days anyway and I’d hate to travel back alone,” said Alex smiling in forgiveness. “Where you gonna go?” inquired Ruthie. “Hmm, don’t know. Maybe I’ll challenge myself somewhere.” “Not a Tagmyte?” gasped Ruthie. Alex chuckled at the idea, “No, I learned my lesson. To the north is Sangrohl, the mining town?” “Yeah, I know of it.” “Well, up there is a large population of grohl rats and more importantly a beast that guards the biggest diamonds you’ve ever seen.” “Alex, I hadn’t really pegged you as a diamond girl.” Alex laughed hysterically, “No, not cuz they’re pretty and shiny. I’ve always wanted to make a diamond-bladed sword but never found a piece big enough.” “Oh…now THAT sounds more like you.” “Yeah, but I have no clue what lives in those caverns. Hope it’s not a bread of worm, I hate those things.” “Wormaphobic eh?” They both laughed, “Yup, that’s me Ruthie.” They smiled at each other, “I like you Ruthie, too bad me and Terra don’t see eye-to-eye. The three of us would make a killer team.” “Maybe you just need to get to know her,” commented Ruthie. “Heh, I bet you say that to everyone about everyone, don’t you?” Ruthie thought to herself for a moment, “Maybe I should stop that.” “No, that’s who you are.”

  The dining room was dark except for the little flickers of the candle that sat on the table in front of Terra and Lars as they sat on the same side of the table facing each other. All the cleaners and cooks had hurried to clean the tables and dishes so they could pack and get ready to leave, in fact some had already made there way out through the tunnels and front entrance. “You should have seen it, I was awesome,” gloated Terra as she told the story of her mission earlier that day. “I bet you were,” smiled Lars as he had his hand atop hers on the table. “What did you do while I was gone?” “You mean besides worry about you?” “Well, yeah.” “Studied some blueprints and planned out a timeframe for extracting the people of Harmon.” “Fun.” “Yeah, I was giddy with excitement.” Terra giggled while she blushed then got serious, “What did Locke mean when he said you were even? What did you do for him?” “I saved his life. About a year ago we were on a mission together with Pearl and Ray when we were ambushed by a dozen imperials. We managed to slay them all, but not before one them got Locke from behind and asphyxiated him with a piece of piano wire. I performed a mouth to mouth breathing technique on him and he woke up after being dead for almost four minutes.” “Oh my,” gasped Terra holding her heart; not for Locke’s near death experience but for Lars’ lifesaving skills. “You’re a hero, Lars.” “Just helping my fellow man. I’d do the same for you.” “I know you would.” They just sat there in silence for several minutes enjoying each other’s company. “Come on,” said Lars as he stood up. Terra stood up with him slowly, “Where?”

  They went into the Hall leading to the private rooms and entered Lars’ room, which he shared with Chuck. They closed the door behind them and she looked around, aside from a snoring Chuck, there were paintings spread around the room, clay sculptures of beasts, a dimmed lantern, and a large tapestry on the wall. What am I doing?, thought Terra, With Chuck here? My first time making love and there is a man sleeping a few feet away. Terra was in a daze, “Over here,” whispered Lars pulling up the tapestry revealing a hole in the wall. Terra cautiously walked over to the hole and walked through it. Once inside the hole she saw a beam of blue light coming down from above. Terra looked up to see the moonlight seeping in through a hole in the ceiling and a ladder going up the wall to the light’s source. Lars followed her in and began climbing the ascending ladder, “Follow me.” When he reached the final rungs he unlocked the caged hatch and pushed it open. When Terra made it through the hole Lars was standing above her offering a hand to help her up with. He closed the hatch, “See?” he said looking at the stars and the moon above them. Terra looked around, she realized she was on top of the wayfarer’s wall. The beauty above her was mesmerizing, while Lars was mesmerized by her. Lars couldn’t look at anything but Terra; to him she was the most beautiful thing in this world. “It’s so beautiful Lars. Thank you for this,” thanked Terra smiling at this man hating herself for what she thought his intentions were mere minutes ago. Terra was nervous on the inside but her skin was surprisingly still, being with him felt right and natural. Lars brought his face close to hers as their noses rubbed against each other; they didn’t have to kiss, this was magical all by itself. Terra breathed against his lips and took in a whiff of his scent then put her hands around his strong back, closed her eyes and dove in. The kiss was soft and romantic as they held each other in the breezy
night air. Their lips quivered against each other as they opened and closed for deeper kisses; more sensual than sexual. They took a break from kissing so they could see each other’s face. “Terra, I like you a lot.” She rested her head on his chest and interlocked her fingers with his, “I have never felt this way before,” sighed Terra. “Neither have I. My heart beats faster when you’re around and my skin tingles. That kiss was the greatest thing I have ever felt in my entire life.” Terra smiled as she closed her eyes just enjoying being in his arms; she didn’t want this to end.

  The next morning, Terra awoke with a spring in her step, though nothing sexual happened, she hadn’t been this happy since before her mom passed away. She skipped to the dining room with her duffel bag for the trip thinking, Locke who? When she got to the dining area she saw that there were bowls of fruit on each table, warm bread, and only half as many people as there usually was. People were by both at the front entrance and the rear door leading to the tunnels. People were preparing to leave and others were saying goodbye to those who were staying behind; that made her remember that she would have to say goodbye to Lars. Terra began to feel depressed. “Ter,” yelled Ruthie from across the room, “Over here!” Terra jogged over to the table that Ruthie and Pearl were at. “Alright, lets get the hell out of here,” said Pearl getting up from her seat as she picked up her bag. “Got your bikini?” asked Ruthie. “Uh, well,” hesitated Terra. “Oh! Shy, I forgot.” “Don’t want to sound like I’m still working, but,” said Pearl, “Lets get moving, on the double.” “Wait,” begged Terra looking around until she saw Lars hanging out in the kitchen peeling an orange. She dropped her bag next to Ruthie and ran to Lars with open arms. She jumped him and he caught her as she wrapped her legs around him as they kissed, “I’ll miss you,” she whispered. “Me to Terra, but try to have fun.” She nodded as she looked into his eyes, and then gave him a last kiss. She jogged back over to Ruthie and Pearl, “Now we can go,” she said with a big smile. “You little slut,” joked Ruthie. “Stop, it’s not like that,” argued Terra. “Huh?” “I know what she means,” said Pearl. They left through the rear door into the tunnels as Lars watched her leave. One-by-one the inhabitants of Returner’s HQ left their home and after late morning the lair felt empty.

  Eventually, Smith came into the dining room to explain why he had asked people to stay behind. “Well,” asked Locke, “Why can’t I go away for a week?” “Quiet, it’s not like I want you to mop the floor, Locke,” said Smith in desperation, “Velxeer has called for our help. It’s a chance for us to not only get much needed supplies but to also find out what there up to. I don’t know about you all, but I’d like to know if there’s a chance of them herding with the empire. That would be bad.” “To put it lightly,” scoffed Ray. “What’s the job?” asked Lars. “All they said is that they wanted my top MEN, they were specific about you being male.” “What if it’s a trap? Maybe they are under imperial rule and this is their chance to cut down our numbers,” question Chuck eating half a cantaloupe. “Because,” sighed Smith, “It came from the king himself.” All got quiet. Smith cleared his throat and continued, “The king’s right hand will be here within the hour to discuss the details and provide transportation. Suit up men!”

  After finishing their so-called breakfast they all went to get ready for travel; weapons, clothing, and spare medicines. Locke, Smith, Ray, Chuck, Clyde, and Lars waited impatiently in the dining area. Locke sat there sighing in and out while he picked his fingernails with a throwing dagger. Locke kept thinking, Who is going on this mission with me? he thought. Locke prayed that Smith wasn’t going; he did need to watch HQ after all. All was quiet until Smith stood up and everyone’s eyes pointed to the entrance. In walked a man around the age of twenty-four wearing black pants with a red pin stripes going down the side of each leg, a black dress shirt with red buttons and red sleeves, and a regency styled rapier hanging from his left hip. The man’s face was like his garb; sparkling clean and neat, framed by his long silver hair. “Mr. Smith?” asked the boy. “That would be me,” answered Smith holding up his palm in the air. “Sir, this is for you,” said the Velxeer guard handing a rolled up document to Smith. Smith unrolled it slowly and began reading as the boy waited patiently with back straight and eyes forward. “Hmm,” hummed Smith as he read to himself. Smith rolled the document tightly and slipped it into his pocket. “Who will be joining me back sir?” asked the boy looking around at Smith’s team. Smith looked at his standing men, except for Locke who hadn’t budged from his seat. Clyde had a huge grin on his face, Chuck was eating as he stood, Ray didn’t seem to care one way or another as he looked at his arrows that lined the inside of his jacket, and Lars wasn’t even paying attention to the room; his mind was elsewhere.

  “Well, there’s Locke, my best. He’ll be a lot of help. Ray over there in the long jacket, and Chuck,” said Smith, as the boy looked at Locke, whom he knew, Ray after the description was given. The boy looked to the rest of the mean trying to decipher who chuck was. “The one with no neck,” chuckled Ray. “Muff moo, moo puth,” mumbled Chuck with a mouth full of food. The boy was very professional, not so much as a cracking a smile before turning back to Smith, “Anyway, if your men are ready we should go immediately.” “Of course, they are ready as am I,” said Smith as Locke’s spirit dropped to the floor. “Alright, Lars you know what I want you to do,” ordered Smith. “Yes, I’ll take care of Harmon,” nodded Lars. “Uh, Smith?” questioned Clyde as he raised his hand. “I don’t think your ready for travel yet, my boy. But, I promise you that you will be a very large part of Harmon,” said Smith reassuring Clyde who was now sulking. Smith walked over to Clyde and whispered something in his ear. After Smith went into his room to retrieve a weapon the five of them set off for northeast of the wayfarer’s wall where the Velxeer train was due to pick them up. The Velxeer railroad stopped only when appointed to pick up Velxeer citizens or military personnel.

  It only took them a couple hours to reach the tracks. Within ten minutes of their arrival the train arrived, the train was eight passenger cars long colored the same as the Velxeer guard’s clothing and flag; crimson and black with gold wheels. The double doors in the center of the third car parted gaining the Returners entry to the train where two armed guards stood; two at each door no doubt. Inside the car was luxurious with bench booths surrounding tables; about eight sets in this car. The four of the Returners sat down as the guard that had led them to the train walked the opposite way after showing them to their table. “I’ve never been there. How long will it take?” asked Chuck. “This train can get us there in a matter of hours,” answered Locke. “I’d like to know what this is about…or is it a secret?” asked Locke directing his question to Smith. “It’s just a treaty signing as far as I can tell, but stay on your guard all the same,” said Smith clearing his throat as a Velxeerien waitress walked toward them holding a tray of cups. “Fresh coffee gentlemen?” asked the young girl. “For everyone, yes.” Said Smith answering for everyone. Smith waited for the girl to leave before speaking further, “Hold it!” ordered Smith pulling out an eyedropper filled with a white thick liquid. “Lets find out there real intentions,” said Smith squeezing a drop into each cup. The coffee didn’t change. “Okay, it’s safe. No green,” assured Smith. “You aren’t very trusting, you know that?” said Ray smiling. Smith ignored it, “Locke?” “Yeah?” said Locke looking at Smith as he picked up his steaming cup of coffee. “I need you to do me a favor.” “A favor? I didn’t know we were that close.” “I need you to be respectful of the king, that means bowing and being polite.” “The king? He’s a kid, more like a prince.” Smith glared at Locke. “Damn,” moaned Locke, “Fine, I’ll do it. I’ll be respectful, but I refuse to be ‘nice’.”

  “How much further?” inquired Terra as the three of them climbed over the small mountain trail leading to the coast. “Just over that next hill,” bubbled Pearl who was giddy with excitement to see Elizabeth. “Your gonna love Sandria, Ter,” chirped Rut
hie. Terra wasn’t much of a climber but as making due. Terra looked up the top of the hill where Pearl was standing and Ruthie was extending her hand to help Terra up. When Terra was finally pulled up to the peak of the small hill she saw what Pearl was gazing at; the coastal town of Sandria. It was truly beautiful with straw huts raised off the sand along the coast as close to the water as humanly possible, brick diners with colorful roofs and their names spelled in bamboo, and a large building made of logs with dozens of windows sat in the center of it all. Sandria was closer than Terra had first thought. Pearl began to run down the other side of the hill toward Sandria as Ruthie and Terra followed her lead.

  After a brisk jog they arrived at the entrance to the large log building that served as a motel/hut rental. Pearl went up to the service desk followed by her two companions. “Pearl! How have you been?” asked the desk attendant; a middle-aged woman with curling dark brown hair and full lips. “Busy,” answered Pearl, “Any huts available or rooms?” “We have all.” “Great,” said Pearl turning to Terra and Ruthie, “What would you girls like?” “We’ll share a hut. Right Ter?” giggled Ruthie at Terra. “Sure,” nodded Terra. The attendant handed a key to Ruthie as her eyes caught something behind them as she smiled at Pearl. Pearl turned around to see a woman in a silk wrap around her legs going down to her ankles and an orange bikini top, with blue eyes and golden blonde hair. Terra stared at the tall woman thinking that she was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen, Why cant I look like that. Pearl walked up to the woman, “Liz,” she said as the woman’s eyes shuddered. They wrapped their arms around each other and shared a long sensual kiss complete with swirling tongues and heavy breathing. Terra’s jaw dropped. She leaned over to Ruthie’s ear, “That explains a lot.” “Can’t believe it took you this long to figure it out,” retorted Ruthie.