| Chapter 37 Kevin woke up and looked around. Everyone around him was asleep. He glanced out the window, seeing the mountains in the distance. The group had left Dacadia early that morning, heading for the mountainous region of Mardica and its capital city Gold Creek. They had been traveling for hours and everyone had settled in. He stretched and got up, walking to the back of the transport. Nick looked up as he came closer, "I thought I was the only one awake." Kevin smiled, "You were, I just woke up." Nick nodded, "It's a long trip." "Yeah," Kevin said, taking the seat next to him, "What are you reading?" "The Book of Kings," Nick replied, "It's the history of every king Celeste has had." "Must be interesting," Kevin said, thumbing through the pages. Each page was ordained with elaborate art work. Intricate boarders surrounded the words and every other page or so there was a picture of the king being discussed in that particular chapter. "It is, but I'm not finding what I'm looking for," Nick said sadly. Kevin looked up at him, "What are you looking for?" He sighed, "A way out." Kevin stared at him, "What do you mean?" Nick glanced around making sure they were the only two awake. "A way to hand over the crown without causing a war," he whispered. "Do you know there is a way?" Kevin asked. Nick shook his head, "I'm just hoping. But as old as this planet is, and with all the kings it's had, surely this has happened before?" Kevin shrugged, "It's possible I guess." Nick looked back at the book, "I just gotta find it." Kevin glanced down at the book, noting Nick was only about a fourth of the way through it, "How long have you been looking?" "Since the day I became king," Nick admitted. "I wish I could help, but I can't read Angel," he said. Nick smiled at his older friend, "It's OK. I'll find it eventually." Kevin patted him on the shoulder and stood up, "I hope so Nicky." Nick watched as Kevin walked to the back of the transport and disappeared into the bathroom, "I hope so too. I wanna go home," he muttered, resuming his reading. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "There it is," Anthony said, pointing out the window, "Gold Creek." Everyone looked out the windows, in awe of the beauty they saw. The city was unlike any they'd seen so far. The buildings seemed to blend with the landscape, making it hard to tell where the city ended. And right through the middle of the city ran an enormous river. The suns reflections on it, causing it to shimmer a brilliant golden color. "It's beautiful," Howie said. Anthony smiled, "It's one of my favorite places. I can't wait to show you guys around." Nick smiled at his younger cousin, "I hope we can rest first. That was one long trip." Anthony grinned, "Well I suppose so. I forget I'm traveling with those of the �older' persuasion." Everyone laughed. "I am not old," Nick protested, "I just don't sleep well on these things." In no time the transport had landed at the palace and the group was exiting the ship. Nick smiled as he walked off, seeing Count Marcave. "Nathaniel, good to see you," he called. Nathaniel bowed, "It's an honor to have you here my king. If you and your friends will follow me, we have a meal ready for you." "Great, I'm starving," A.J. said, flipping his bag over his shoulder and following the count. Once inside the palace, several attendants took everyone's luggage from them, and they were lead to the formal dining hall. The table was set with the finest of china, and their meal was enough for two armies. "Count Marcave, you shouldn't have gone to all this trouble for us," Kevin said, sitting down. "No trouble at all," Nathaniel said, taking his seat across from Nick. Howie pulled Ana's chair out for her, as did Brian for Marie. "We weren't expecting this my lord, thank you," Ana said. Nathaniel smiled at her and nodded. Nick looked over seeing Rowland talking with one of the guards, "Rowland, you can take a few minuets and eat. I'm sure I'm quite safe inside the palace." The burly guard walked over to Nick, bending down and whispering in his ear, "I cannot eat with you. It'll look like I'm being given privileges to the other guards. I will eat with them later." Nick nodded, not even thinking that it could be perceived that way, "I understand. Do what you have to." Rowland nodded, then went back to stand with the other guards in the room. Throughout the meal, Nathaniel told the group about Mardica, and all the attractions it had to offer. They had a number of things to do, including skiing. Kevin's eyes lit up at that, "I love skiing, but I don't get to go that often." Nathaniel smiled, "Then we must go to White Cap first thing." Everyone agreed. "Then after that we have to go to Tumacer. They have the most amazing hot springs," Anthony suggested. "Sounds great," Brian said. Maire smiled, "I've always loved the hot springs. It's just the most romantic place ever." Brian grinned at her, "Then we'll have to spend some extra time there." Nick and Ana exchanged glances, instantly knowing what Brian was thinking. Neither one could hide the smile on their faces. Howie nudged Ana, "What is this?" Ana looked down at his plate seeing the purple meat. "That's kictchnue. It's like chicken," she answered. A.J. laughed, "Doesn't everything taste like chicken?" Howie took a bite, "Wow, this really does taste like chicken." A.J. looked at him, "Really?" Howie nodded, taking another bite. A.J. dove into his, "Hot damn, chicken!" Everyone laughed. "You'll have to excuse my friends, the food here still amazes them sometimes," Nick laughed. Nathaniel smiled, "I'm just glad they like it. Not many from earth tend to like our food." "That's because of the color," Kevin noted, "Not the taste." "Yeah, once you get past the look of it, it's really good," Brian said. The rest of the meal was spent in small talk. Once finished everyone retired to their rooms to rest, except Nick. He had asked to speak with Nathaniel in private, so they went to one of the many sitting rooms. Nick sat down and yawned. "You are tired my king. Surely this can wait until you've rested," Nathaniel said. Nick shook his head, "I'm fine. I wanted to ask you about Krystal." Nathaniel sighed, "I knew it wouldn't be long before you learned of it." "Tell me what it's done here in Mardica, and what you know of the company that's bringing it in," Nick said. Nathaniel looked out the window for a moment, collecting his thoughts, "It's devastated my region. Our crime is up, the companies here can't keep workers on the job. It's taken over. When it first arrived I knew it was trouble, so I outlawed it here. It didn't help though. Instead of getting it off the street, our jails were overflowing, and we weren't equipped to handle that many going through withdrawal. So I repealed the law." Nick ran his hand through his hair, "There's no way to get it off the street?" Nathaniel shook his head, "The company that' s bringing it in is very powerful. Anyone who's ever went against them has met an untimely end." Nick stared at the older man, "What do you mean? They kill anyone that gets in their way?" "Basically, yes," Nathaniel answered. "But what about the council, couldn't they go against them?" Nick asked. "We've all talked about it, but as soon as we did, we all received threats on our families. I have two young daughters your highness, I will do anything to protect them," he said. Nick nodded, "I understand. What about the king? Has a king stood up to them before?" Nathaniel sighed, "Yes. Your father was determined to find a way to stop the shipments in. He hated what the drug was doing to his people, but then he fell ill." Nick stared at him for a moment, "But you don't think that's all that happened do you?" "No your highness. I've always thought that somehow they got to him, that his illness wasn't natural," Nathaniel admitted. Nick closed his eyes for a moment, letting the count's words sink in. Could they really have murdered his father? And if they did, how the hell was he going to stop them? "Your highness, I know this is difficult for you to hear, and I don't have any proof to back up my beliefs. It may not have been that way at all," Nathaniel said. Nick shook his head, "I want to find out the truth Nathaniel. I have to. Any information you can give me, I'm grateful for. And I will make sure that you and your family remain safe." Nathaniel nodded, standing up, "I will give you what I have, but even you can't keep my family safe. I will send them into hiding until this is over, it's the only way." Nick stood, searching the man's face. He could tell he desperately wanted to help, but was still afraid for his family. "I'll do everything in my power to keep you out of this," he said. "I know you will my king," Nathaniel said, heading for the door. He stopped and turned back around, "Oh, I would keep a close eye on my friends. If they find out you're investigating them, they may try to use them to get to you." Nick nodded as Nathaniel left. He stood there for a moment, then headed to his room. Being king wasn't turning out how he thought it would. Chapter 38 |