Plague of Mybyncia (12 page)

The queen waits a second longer, scanning the
entire table before assuming the closest coral chair with a slow,
haughty movement. She motions to Princess Ariana and once both are
seated, Chancellor Keller opens his arms to us.

Everyone begins to sit but Sampson is quick
to shake his head. I’m already seated—Mae, Pratt and Salva as
well—and just as I’m about to jump back to a stand, Sampson
clarifies.

“Females first,” he glances around the table,
locking eyes with the Rogue’s confused expressions. “And now the
males.”

At this, the rest of the group sits in
silence.

“I see you have ordered some Hunnis,” the
queen glances to the bowls of clear liquid. “Eager to suppress
rising nerves?”

“To accompany the Wormin, your Highness,”
Clarence grins. “I have heard it is a spectacular duo.”

“Have you now?” she indicates for an
attendant to bring out the meal, then looks back to Clarence. “I am
quite certain there was no Wormin at the feast last night, yet I
distinctly remember you enjoying a rather generous portion of
Hunnis. But,” she shrugs to herself, “perhaps I was mistaken.”

Clarence’s smile fades. “It is delicious with
several
dishes, your Majesty.”

“Mother, please,” Princess Ariana lowers her
eyes, blushing with embarrassment. “Clarence is not the only one
who could use some nerve suppression...”

“I am sure I do not know what you mean,” she
withdraws so the attendant can place what looks like a long, mushy
green tube on the table before her. Inches thick, it’s about a foot
in length and coated in a heavy, milky glaze. “There is no reason
to be nervous unless you have done something for which you
intensely regret. And if that is not the case, which I am sure it
is not, there is no need for a relaxant, is there?”

“How about for the simple pleasure of its
effect?” the princess scowls, shooting her mother a look.

“Again, there is no reason…”

“Then how about for the sole purpose of
wanting our guests to enjoy themselves? We have not begun to eat
and I am already growing sick.”

“Then you should mind your nightly activities
better,” Queen Ravan picks up the Glippis heart with her fingers
and takes a bite. She gestures to her daughter who begrudgingly
nibbles on the green tube and places it back down again.

Princess Ariana motions to the rest of us,
“Please.”

Jace and I both eye the slimy heart while an
apprehensive Booker grasps it on both ends. He lifts it and,
sniffing once, brings the tube to his mouth. Ripping a piece free,
he suppresses a revolted face as best as possible, but not before
catching Werzo’s eye who reaches for his bowl of Hunnis
instead.

“Are you not eating?” the queen asks.

I think she’s addressing him but after a
minute of silence, I look at her and, immediately startled, find
her eyes are set on
me
, the question hanging in mid-air.
She’s waiting for an answer.

“Just pacing myself.”

“Pacing?” she looks aghast.

“You mentioned nightly activities. I’m afraid
they’ve left me a little weak…” I clear my throat, “…and the last
thing I’d want is to eat too fast and upset myself. I’d feel
terrible if I insulted your hospitality so….” I nod, summing up.
“Just pacing myself.”

The queen glances to Jace who also hasn’t
taken a bite.

“Uh… me too.”

“Perhaps the Wigwig and Wormin will be more
to your liking. Hopefully they will not upset your delicate system.
Tell me,” she nibbles on the heart, “what caused your state of
weakness?”

Sampson, Clarence, Qippert and Chancellor
Keller all look to me, wanting to jump in, hoping I’ll give them an
in.

“I was thrown into the wall twice.”

Three times, actually, but who’s
counting?

“Twice?” she’s surprised at this.

“Once in the East Wing when Salva and I
returned to find Pratt,” I indicate to her, “with a dagger to her
throat, and the second time when I attempted to free her. Kendal
knocked us both down. I was lucky. Pratt was thrown into the water
without her protective gear. That was the second time I thought she
would die.”

“How upsetting.”

“Yes,” I agree. “Although hearing the Muskos
plan to murder Mae and myself wasn’t exactly comforting
either.”

The queen takes another bite of the heart.
“And did they give any adequate reasons or justification in
this?”

Again the three Dofinikes and the chancellor
watch wide-eyed and anxious as Reid and the others pause as well.
Somehow, I’ve inadvertently gotten in the middle of the queen’s
decision on the extension of our stay.

“They said blood for blood. Though,” I shrug,
leaning back to consider the events, “if my memory serves,
we
were attacked first. By your patrols, when we arrived.
Oh, and after the peace signal had gone out. So…”

“Fallon…” Sampson begins with a warning
tone.

“…It strikes me as odd that after we failed
to retaliate against an unmerited attack, the Muskos deemed our
murder
necessary
to validate the deaths caused by the
Vermix—our sworn enemy.”

Sampson, Clarence, Qippert and Chancellor
Keller exchange glances with one another, terrified of the queen’s
reaction. She lowers the Glippis heart to the table, threading her
fingers beneath her chin. After a minute of watching with intense
orange eyes, like she’s trying to detonate me with just her stare,
she inhales.

“Yes... I suspect that would strike you as
odd.”

“Wouldn’t it for you as well?”

“Not if I had been properly briefed on the
situation.”

“A hostile environment is not an excuse for
poor manners.”

“And the arrival of company does not excuse
the natural act of survival.”

“So…” I bite my lip, certain I shouldn’t
continue, “Is it custom to ignore an international peace call? Or
only on days of ambush?”

“My,” the queen shakes her head, an
expression of surprise, “you certainly do not hold back, do
you?”

“Don’t misunderstand me, your Majesty. I have
no intention of being rude. But if you ask a question, I’m sure
you’d appreciate an honest answer. Anything else would be
disrespectful.”

She narrows her eyes accusingly. “Did you
enjoy the Glippis eye?”

“Not in the least.”

“Yes… it is definitely an acquired taste,”
she glances to Princess Ariana. “My daughter would not touch it
until a few years ago when Blovid visited. He kept requesting it. I
do not know if it was to be nice or if he actually enjoys the dish.
Fychu,” the queen looks to Sampson. “What are your opinions on the
matter?”

“Which matter?” he chokes on a laugh.

“The Glippis eye. There is no point in
serving dishes to guests who only want to be considerate.”

“Personally,” Sampson says, “I am more of a
Brekin-tail Dofinike, myself. I never understood the appeal of the
Glippis. However,” and now he considers, “the Wormin never bothered
me either. Especially served with the Hunnis,” he glances to
Clarence.

“And the rest of you?” she looks around the
table.

Booker takes another gaping bite while Werzo
downs a hearty sip of the Hunnis.

“Do not make them tell you they hate it,”
Princess Ariana says before turning to me, “but thank you for being
so honest, Fallon.”

“Yes,” the queen nods, “it
is
rather
refreshing. Let me ask you this,” she redirects her attention back
to me, “do you think it wrong of me to consider your immediate
departure?”

Inhaling, I give myself a moment to answer.
“This is your home, your Majesty. I can understand your need to
remove anything—and anyone—that threatens that. But we came in
peace, and as you said of your patrol, company does not excuse the
natural act of survival.”

At this, the queen’s mouth lifts into a
smile. Satisfied, she looks at Sampson. “We have the Muskos in
custody along with all the Vermix captured from yesterday’s raid.
The entire Northern Shore has been swept clean and I have been
notified that all of the Vermix in the South are detained as well.
It is strongly believed that they were here for Blovid and the
Shadow Bag,” she turns to Chancellor Keller. “But they have stayed
silent on both intentions, is that correct?”

“They have admitted to seeking Blovid.”

“And the Shadow Bag?”

“They would not confirm.”

“Have they said
anything
?”

The chancellor shakes his head. “No. But
after Blovid fled, they continued their search with similar
hostility. It is my belief…” he takes a breath, “…that they will
not stop. Your Majesty… I fear this is only the beginning. “

“It is not the first time a foe has come
seeking our Gift. We will protect it as we always have.”

Chancellor Keller, the three Dofinikes and
Salva exchange glances. The chancellor clears his throat.
“They—they have made threats against you, your Majesty.”

“It would surprise me if they did not.”

“It seems they want a war.”

“Then a war they shall have. What
preparations are being made?” She motions one of the attendants
over. “Please bring around bowls of Jiji. Our guests are too shy to
ask for something they would actually enjoy.”

“Yes, your Majesty,” the miyon attendant says
before retreating.

“Equivalent to your rice,” Queen Ravan nods,
looking to the chancellor for his answer.

“Right now we are increasing security along
the shores. The Vermix got lucky with penetrating our Southern
Waters. It will not happen again.”

“Are there any offensive plans in place?”

Sampson, Clarence and Qippert exchange
glances again. Sampson is the first to speak up. “Queen Ravan, are
you inquiring on whether there is a plan to attack
Dellapalania?”

“And her moons. Apparently the Vermix have
been busy there as well. I will not have my people slaughtered
again.”

“But, your Majesty,” Clarence begins, his
voice rough, “Dellapalania is in a state of civil war right now.
Both Vermix
and
Arizals inhabit the planet. It would not be
right to attack…”

“Then the Arizals would be wise to flee, such
as yourselves and Blovid.”

“I did not
flee
,” Clarence grates,
straining to hold back. “I was
enslaved
, just like the
Fychu, just like these humans. Blovid left because the other Arizal
Leaders were being killed. Reuzkimpart is on the war path to claim
Dellapalania for himself. Do
not
punish every Arizal
civilian for his lunacy.”

“He is the one who discovered your prophecy,
yes?”

Sampson nods. “And is intent on preventing
it.”

“He
is
a lunatic then?”

Clarence seethes again. “But your
Majesty—”

“Do you think they’ll stage another attack?”
I ask the chancellor, hoping to bring the topic back to Mybyncia so
Clarence doesn’t lose it.

“At this point,” Chancellor Keller inhales,
“it is unclear. The Vermix lost a lot of their numbers… but if they
are intent on getting the Shadow Bag…”

“What I mean is—do you think they’ll go about
it the same way? The Vermix are malicious, not stupid. If they saw
how many they lost in an attack like the one from yesterday without
retrieving the Gift, they’ll probably try something sneaky.
Something you won’t immediately notice.”

“Like what?”

“I’m not sure… but I wouldn’t be surprised if
they attacked differently. I’m not familiar with their strategies,
but they won’t come at you again the same way. Not unless they’re
willing to use all resources and I highly doubt someone as
motivated as Reuzkimpart would hand Dellapalania back over to the
Arizals.”

“Very wise,” Queen Ravan nods, speaking to
Sampson. “I can understand why you prize this one.” She turns to
Clarence and with an expression that gives nothing away, tilts her
head. “Or is it for other reasons?”

At this, the attendants return with bowls of
pink mush, broken into tiny cubes. The bowls are filled, nearly to
the brim with the soggy pieces.

“I want to apologize for Perio,” Princess
Ariana blurts out, “and for what happened.”

“Ariana, there is no need…” the queen
starts.

“There is,” she gulps, eyeing all of us,
especially Pratt. With a heavy inhale, her mouth turns down in an
apologetic frown. “There is nothing to say that can excuse his
behavior. Perio is… radical.”

“Tell me about it…” Jace mutters next to
me.

“He feels justified in everything he does.”
The princess turns to her mother. “He thinks you are turning your
back on Mybyncia.”

“He can think what he likes. Once he sits on
the throne, he can make his own decisions about what is best for
Mybyncia.”

“Let’s hope that never happens,” Clarence
says.

“I do not see how it can, as he is under our
control in one of the cells below.”

“Princess,” Sampson addresses her with a soft
expression, “your apology is unnecessary. If not for your
assistance, our rash rescue team here would not have been able to
save Pratt in time. We are indebted to you.”

“I wish there was more I could do.”

“You could,” Tucker clears his throat, his
focus on the table. “Do you have any more information on him? On
the Muskos?”

“In what way?”

“Anything else they were planning,” his eyes
flicker to hers. “Things he might have told you before, about what
he wanted to do, what he told his men. Anything at all, really. The
more information we have, the better.
Anything
would
help.”

“I think my daughter has been more than
generous with her assistance.”

“Mother,” she shakes her head, looking back
at Tucker with an apologetic smile. “Of course. But I do not know
much. Perio only had me go to his gatherings a few times.”

“Which we will discuss later,” the queen
interjects.