| Chapter 86 Morning came way to soon. Everyone had agreed to have an early breakfast, so they could all see Brian off. Brian scooped the last of his breakfast onto his fork and downed it. He had to admit he was excited to go, but at the same time, he was worried. Worried for the guys, Marie, and Nick. He could tell Nick was hiding something from him, and as much as he had asked him in the last few days, Nick had never admitted it. Now, as Brian looked to Nick, he could see it again in his face. There was just something there, a knowledge of some sort, that no one else had. It sent chills down his spine. Nick had changed so much since he'd been here. He'd gone from a quirky, fun loving goof, to a responsible, serious man. Some of the changes were good, but it was this tired, burdened Nick that Brian didn't like. Nick looked up and caught Brian staring at him. He half smiled, and Brian returned it. Just as Brian was about to say something, a servant came in. "Lord Littrell, the transport is here," the man said before leaving the room. Brian took a deep breath, and stood up slowly, "Well, I guess this is it." Everyone stood to walk him up to the landing pad. Marie took his hand as they walked, holding it tight. Brian squeezed it, smiling at her when she looked over. As they stepped outside into the crisp morning air, Brian turned to face his �family.' Ana stepped up and hugged him, "Be careful out there." "I will," he said as she stepped back. LaDonna took her place, hugging him, "Thank you for helping us." Brian smiled at her and nodded. Anthony shook his hand, wishing him well. "Good luck Brian," Mason said, as he passed him. Brian glanced back, only nodding an acknowledgment. Mason didn't expect anything else. A.J. stepped up and pulled him into a huge hug, "Kick some ass out there Rok, and don't worry, I'll take care of Marie for you." Brian laughed, "I will, and thanks man." Howie came over and hugged him as well, "Please be careful. Don't take any chances out there." Brian stepped back and batted his eyelashes dramatically, "Who me?" "I'm serious," Howie said. "I know man, I'll do my best," he replied. Howie stepped back and Brian watched his cousin slowly take the few steps to meet him. Kevin bit his lip, his eyes misting over. Brian smiled at him, "Come on, don't get soft on me now, cuz." This brought a smile to the older man's face. Kevin rested his hands on Brian's shoulders, staring into his eyes, "I don't know what's gonna happen, but be careful, alright?" "You too man," Brian said, pulling him into a hug, "Don't get killed out there, K? I don't wanna have to explain that to Aunt Ann." Kevin squeezed him harder, "You either, cuz. Aunt Jackie would have my ass." They both laughed as they parted ways. "Love you Bri," Kevin said. He nodded, "Love you too Kev, see ya in a few days." The older man nodded, not sure he would� who knew what the future held? Brian stepped up to his best friend and looked up. Nick was fighting back tears, as he nervously shifted his weight from side to side. Brian put his hand on his shoulder, "You sure I can't talk you out of fighting?" Nick shook his head, "No, this is something I have to do." "Please be careful, watch your back out there, K?" Brian almost begged. "I will .. um Bri, thanks," Nick said. "For what?" he asked. "For everything. For taking me under your wing when we first met, for being my friend ..helping me all these years ...teaching me .. just everything man, " he stammered. Brian stared at him for a long moment, not sure where all that came from. It scared him, almost like it was .....goodbye. "Nick, is there something you're not telling me?" he asked. Nick glanced at the transport, "Your ride is waiting, you should get going." Brian sighed, seeing Nick wasn't going to tell him. "Alright man," he said, pulling him into a hug, "Be safe, I love you Nicky." Nick held him tight, almost to tight, "You too Bri." Nick reluctantly let him go, the two staring at each other for a moment. Finally Brian turned to face his wife. She was already crying, but had a smile on her face. He grinned, "Baby, don't cry. I'll see you in a few days." "I know, but I already miss you," she said. He pulled her into a tender hug, "Same here. I'll call you tonight, and if I have a chance before things heat up tomorrow, I'll call." She nodded, taking a shaky breath, "I love you. I'm trusting you Bri, you're coming back," she said, pointing at him. He smiled, "I am. Take care of the guys for me til I get back." Marie glanced at the group, then nodded. Brian took her face in his hands and leaned in, capturing her lips with his in a tender kiss. "I love you," he said, pulling away. All Marie could do was nod as he backed away, then turned and walked up the ramp of the transport. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian watched out the window as the transport slowly made its way into the docking bay. He stood up and grabbed his bag as the ship landed with a slight bump. He walked down the ramp as it lowered to the ground. "Lord Littrell," a man called, walking up to him. "Just call me Brian," he said. The man nodded, "Brian, I'm commander Worsham, welcome to the Havendale IV. If you'll come with me, I'll show you your quarters." "Thanks," Brian said, following the man. Much to Brian's surprise, they put him in the king's quarters. He was impressed to say the least. "Wow, this is a lot better than the ship I came here on," he commented. Commander Worsham laughed, but kept his comments to himself. Brian sat his bag down and looked over, "Would it be alright if I take a few runs in the simulators? It's been a while since I've flown." "That would be fine. In fact, I believe a few of our rather gifted pilots are anxious to see how good you are," he said. Brian chuckled. It was the trip there, all over again. He would have to prove himself to these men, just as he had done to Andrew and the rest. He headed towards the door with the commander, "Gifted huh? OK, I'm always up for a challenge." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick took a deep breath as the transport stopped. "Do you want me to go in with you?" Mason asked, looking at him with concern. Nick shook his head, "No thanks, I won't be long," he said, jumping down from the open air transport and heading towards the entrance. Mason watched him go, "He's so burdened. Like he's carrying so much more than he should have to." Rowland nodded, "I believe he is." Nick looked up at the massive mountain in front of him. The elaborate carvings going as far as the eye could see. Taking a steadying breath, he continued through the entrance to the King's Mountain. He quickly walked through the sanctuary and into the great hall the tombs were in. Each tomb was sealed with a massive stone. Carved into the stone was that king's accomplishments. And standing next to each, a life size hologram. It was eerie walking past them. They looked so real, like they could reach out and touch you. He stopped at one, recognizing the name. Marques Shotier. The king that had announced the prophecy. Nick stared at his image, remembering the letter he'd translated. A William was telling him not to lose faith, that the prophecy was going to come to pass. He looked down at the date on the stone. This man had lived more than five hundred years earlier. Nick looked up into the hologramed eyes of the man, "Well you got your wish. Here I am." With that, he continued on ..searching for the one he came to see. He saw it up ahead, and slowed down. Almost apprehensive about approaching the image. But soon enough, he was standing in front of his father, Frederick. For a long moment, he just stood there, staring at him. A flash of anger raced through him at the pain this man had caused his mother�and then right after it, came sadness. For he still loved the man, even with his faults. Unwanted tears surfaced. "I um I had to come see you one last time. See I kinda screwed up, but I guess it's what was suppose to happen. We're facing a war.... they'll um be here tomorrow. I don't want our people to die, but I know some of them will. Apparently I am the fulfilment of that prophecy .... lucky me," he said sarcastically. "Dad, I don't know how to handle this. I don't know what to think. Mom told me what really happened ... about you and Mason and her. Did you really hate me that much that you had to send me away? I don't think I could take it if you did. Mom said you were just upset and hurt, I understand that ...but I guess I just need to know that you did love me. Did you think of me as your own, or did you always have doubts? I know you can't answer me now ... but it's what I'd like to know. I'm going into this with so much pressure, I-I don't know if I can do it. I mean I know what I have to do ...... but ...it's just not fair!" he cried, slipping down to his knees in front of the hologram. There he held his face in his hands and sobbed. "Please help me .....give me the strength I need to do this," he cried, "Please help me to let go and do what's best for Celeste." As Nick cried, his body shaking with his sobs, he felt something. A cool breeze blowing across his skin. He wiped his eyes and looked up. The hologram eyes of his father looking at him, sending chills where the breeze touched him. Suddenly Nick didn't feel alone, as he had for the past few weeks. He thought he was chosen to carry this burden alone, but now .. it seemed he had help. He wasn't sure how, but he could feel them. The spirits of all the past Kings were there with him, surrounding him, giving him courage and peace. The weight he had been carrying on his shoulders was gone, the pressure disappeared. Slowly he stood to his feet, still looking at those haunting eyes. Nick could feel his fathers spirit there in front of him, comforting him. The cool breeze swirled around him, whispering to him ... You are not alone, for we are all with you. Nick sucked in a breath and looked around, finding no one there. But the words still rang in his ears, and in his heart. He closed his eyes and just listened. Murmurings of voices filled his senses, all encouraging him. For a moment he basked in them ..feeling free, and for the first time in his life ...feeling like he belonged. No longer were the insecurities there, the sense of never having a place of his own. For here, in this moment, he fit. This was what he was destined to do ... and the past kings welcomed him with open arms. He was accepted, loved. The breeze swirled around him once more, causing him to open his eyes. He looked into the eyes of his father and smiled. "Thank you dad," he said, wiping a tear away. He turned to leave, but he wasn't walking alone. The presence of the many kings followed in his path, and it gave him great comfort. As he passed through the entrance and approached the transport he smiled. Rowland and Mason stared at him. "Are you alright?" Mason asked. Nick nodded as he sat down and the transport took off. "You look .....different," Rowland observed. "What happened in there?" Mason asked. Nick stared at the two men, a smile on his face, "I got answers." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Hi sweety, how are you?" Brian asked. Marie smiled at his image on the screen, "Fine, how was your day?" "Long," Brian replied with a laugh, "Just got back from supper. I've been doing simulator runs all day. I ended up running against every pilot on the ship." "Did you win?" his wife asked. Brian beamed with pride, "Of course. No one can touch me." Marie sobered, "I hope so." Brian took on a serious note, "I know so. They put me in command of the fighters. When things start, go down to the control room, you'll be able to hear me, K?" She nodded, "Alright." "Listen baby, I gotta go and get some sleep. I'm not sure if I'll be able to call in the morning," he said. "I understand," Maire replied. Brian bit his lip, "I love you baby. I'll see you soon." She nodded, "See you soon." With that the transmission ended, leaving Marie alone in her room. She closed her eyes and said a quick prayer, praying that she indeed would see her husband soon. Chapter 87 |