They sat in silence much of the ride back.

                “I… Should get back to my job.” Will said dully staring at the floor. His voice had lost any of its prior emotion.

                “I would not advise that.” Avery said softly. “That group will be looking for you, so they can give you ‘guidance’.” Will nodded and sigh letting his hands drop into his lap.

                “I doubt I still have a job to go back to. My crew won’t want the trouble I come with. I certainly can’t blame them.” They lapsed into silence again for a few moments until Tella slammed her fist down and cursed. Avery looked at her sharply but she ignored him.

                “Why didn’t he come?!” she cried. “I know I preformed the summoning right. In less…” her voice cracked and she had to pause, forestalling anymore tears, “In less… He did come and that was…”

                “NO!” Will screamed. Tella drew back and looked at him.

                “Well you don’t know. Like you said, you don’t have any connection with him any more.” she said bitterly.

                “Idiot! I would hope you know Fairien a little better than that.” Will said. “Anyway, everything that guy said was a lie. Don’t fall for those half truths and speeches, Tella.”

                “Well alright. So Fairien certainly wouldn’t say that, or possess such a… person.” Tella said. She smiled and said quietly, “Fairien has better taste in those he possesses.” Will dropped his eyes to the floor and stared at the wood.

                “Well, anyway, we’re back to your question,” Will said changing the subject, “Why didn’t he come?”

                “Oh,” Tella shifted her eyes to the floor, “Well, you have to understand, that just because a royalty performs a summoning the deity doesn’t have to come, its just if they want to. But, they usually do so we take it for granted. But this was different. This was a stupid selfish reason to summon him.”

                “Selfish?” Will asked, “They were burning those people’s houses and have done even worse things to people they believe to be evil.”

                “Well, that’s my problem.” Tella said. “I’m the ruler of this nation, so I have to deal with people who break the law. It’s my responsibility to see that everything runs smoothly here, not his. That’s why he didn’t come.”

“I don’t know…” Will said. “And what ever happened to the guards that were supposed to come?”

“They did not.” Avery said. “No one wants to upset those people. I suspect that they only said yes because of the princess’s presence… But even her influence could not move them into our service.”

“That’s pathetic.” Tella spat. “My own soldiers won’t help me.” Avery did not answer.

“Even if it was selfish, don’t you think Fairien would come?” Will asked. “I mean, I know he is a higher being and all that, but he still… He knows us.”

“Will…” Tella said sighing.

“Come on! It’s Fairien! Don’t you think he would have helped us?” Will asked.

“The Spirit of our World is not the Fairien I knew.” Tella said quietly.

“Well it’s the one I knew, and I know he wouldn’t like this any more than we do.” Will said. He paused and smiled sadly. “Fairien always hated the whole “god” thing. I mean, its not like he is one.” Tella looked up sharply.

“What do you mean? He is one, isn’t he?” she asked.

“Well, it depends on your definition of god.” Will answered, “But no, he isn’t. He’s a higher being that looks after this world.”

“Sounds like a god to me.” Tella said. Will shrugged eager to avoid an argument.

“I just hate to hear them talk about him like that.” Will said.

“It’s their right to believe what they want.” Avery said softly.

“Well, they don’t have the right to hurt other people with their beliefs.” Tella growled. Again they lapsed into silence until Will looked up and out the windows.

“Hey, I forgot to ask why you were here. Don’t you usually live in Terribia in the palace?” Will asked. “Dokado is kind of far away for you to travel.”

“We’re here on diplomatic visitation.” Tella said, “And I’m suppose to be learning about the economy of my country.”

“So who’s ruling the capital now?” Will asked. Tella looked at him oddly.

“Terra, my sister.” She said.

“Just how many sisters do you have anyway?” Will asked.

“Just Terlini and Terra. Terra’s only a year younger than me, and Terlini is three years younger than me. Anything else?” Tella asked.

“So its Terra, Tella, and Terlini. Did your parents have some kind of thing for the letter “T”?”

“I don’t know.” Tella said impatiently.

“So… Where are you staying?” Will asked.

“The governor’s mansion.”

“Oh yeah, that makes sense.” The carriage began ascending up a slope as they entered the driveway of the mansion.

“I shouldn’t burden you all.” Will said.

“What are you talking about, you’re no burden.” Tella said.

“Well, I-”

“You’re staying. I won’t have them lynching you when you leave.” Tella told him. With one look from her eyes, Will gulped and nodded meekly.

 

 

They were served a late meal, which they ate in silence. The governor did not join them. He sent his apologies in a note, saying that he had business in the city hall. Truthfully, Tella was grateful he wasn’t there. She knew it would have made Will even more uncomfortable for someone like the governor to be there. After the meal Tella Will and Avery retired to a comfortable sitting room where they would not be disturbed.

“Yes, its true,” Tella said smiling, “Collin actually marched right into an Arean Senate meeting and demanded they end their aggressions against Betamy and Hailia. They were all so tired of the war they gave in and listened to what he had to say. After that the senate made him the chief ambassador of foreign relations.” Will smiled at this.

“Yeah. Sounds like Collin alright. I guess that makes your job easier too, huh?” Tella nodded.

“Yes it does. Oh, I forgot to ask, do you want an after dinner drink?” she asked. Will shrugged.

“Yeah, but just tea or something.”

“And you princess?” Avery asked, “Would you like something?”

“Yes. Milk if they have it.” She said.

“I’ll be back in a moment.” Avery said and walked out, quietly closing the door behind him.

“Ah, good he’s finally gone.” Tella said leaning back.

“Oh come on Tella. That’s not nice. He’s only looking out for you.” Will said. Tella grunted but said nothing. Will laughed softly at this.

“You have got to be the most un-princess-like princess.”

“Whatever. So anyway how is everything for you now?” she paused and sat up to look at him seriously,

“Its fine.” Will said.

“Ah good, um sorry. I don’t mean to pry.” Tella said awkwardly. But Will shook his head.

“No, don’t apologize.” He said quietly. That sat in silence for a moment. Tella sighed, shifting to look out the window.

“I wonder where Fairien is now…” she said. Will shrugged looking out the windows into he black star studded sky.

“Who knows.” Will said sighing, “I just hope all this trouble works out all right. These creepy factions… where did they come from?”

“Oh Will, they’ve been around forever, they just never got any power.” Like they have now. Tella thought, but didn’t say that. She didn’t want to worry Will anymore than he already was.

“Did they always hate Hailians?” he asked remembering Maloom Vraido’s comments about Avery. Tella shrugged.

“Oh, they’ve always been nationalist and racists as well as religious fanatics. They cause a little trouble once in a while, but like I said. Nothing’s ever come of it.” Will nodded but said nothing. Tella could see he was still worried but she didn’t know of anything else to say.  At that moment Avery enter quietly with their drinks. He set the tray down on the table between them.

“Avery, I’m sorry.” Tella said realizing something, “I didn’t ask if you wanted anything.” Avery blinked in surprise.

“Princess, don’t concern yourself with such things.” He said, then noticing his words hadn’t helped he added, “If I had wanted a drink I would have gotten one. Come now, you’ve never been concern with things like that before.” He stopped and looked at her closely. “If its because of this afternoon-”

“Yeah.” Tella said. “I hated that. Not only everything they were doing, but what they called you…”

“Don’t worry about that. They said even worse things about you. Don’t think I’m going to get upset because of people like them.”

“If we keep talking about them we’ll only get angrier.” Will said quietly. “Perhaps we shouldn’t speak of them anymore.”

“We can’t forget this though.” Tella said, ‘We have to think about them because it’s a problem. They don’t have the right to do this. And you had better believe that I won’t be satisfied until those people are brought to justice, and stop their madness. I absolutely will not stand for things like this.”

“You must be careful.” Avery said. “Don’t think that you’re invincible just because your acting ruler of this country now.” Tella scowled at this.

“I know that. If anything this afternoon taught me that.”

“I really should go.” Will said getting up.

‘I told you Will, your staying here.” Tella insisted.

“But I have to pay my rent!” Will said, “The lady will kick me out if I don’t pay by tonight!”

“You don’t have to worry about that.” Tella said, “You can stay with me as long as you want.” Will paused not sure how to take this.

“Mr. Kapino, it really would be unwise for you to try and walk the streets tonight.” Avery said. “I am sorry to emphasize this but apparently you have not grasped it yet. These people are not to be dealt with lightly. Meaning that if they find you, they will beat you, and maybe even kill you.”

“If they keep doing thing like that that leader Maloom Vraido is going to get it in the end.” Will said. But Tella shook her head.

“I know how guys like that work. They imply things and then their followers do all the dirty work leaving them clean. And he’s got a lot of followers according to what Avery has found out.” Will sighed and rubbed his head.

“This is all too much to think about.” He smiled, “You know a few hours ago my life was very uncomplicated. Then you come along. Isn’t it always that way?”

“No excitement you mean.” Tella said. “Well, do you regret it?”

“Oh, not a chance.” Will said. “So anyway, where am I sleeping tonight, since I have no choice about staying?”

“I’ll escort you to your room.” Avery said rising.

“I’m going to stay here a while. Tella announced snuggling deeper into her chair and reaching for a book. “You’ll come back here after you show Will his room, won’t your Avery?”

“Yes madam.”

“Sorry, I don’t want to keep you up, but its kind of creepy around here at night in all these big rooms. You don’t mind do you?”

“Of course not. I’ll be right back.” Avery said opening the door. “Please follow me Mr. Kapino.” Will paused at this.

“You know you can call me Will. It sound really strange, Mr. Kapino.” Avery nodded and led him down the hall.

 

 

Will entered his room and looked around. It was spacious with a large fancy bed. Will eyed it suspicious. He had never slept on anything with so much lacework.

“Ohh..” he said seeing that the windows were actually doors to a balcony. He smiled having always loved balconies, ever since he had been to Malibius, he had longed to stand on one and look out across the world. Opening the doors he stepped out and breathed in the fresh night air. It was cool and peaceful with a gentle breeze. His eyes filled with the beauty of the night- the stars shining down upon him, and the trees branches swaying gently, hypnotically. He sighed his heart filled with contentment.

It was moments like these that would take his mind back to all the things that had happened to him, and how he had met Tella and the rest of his friends. He even allowed himself a brief thought about the sword, sealed within him at this very moment. He tried not to think about it much, knowing that there was no reason to worry about it. Fairien had assured him that it was dormant now and would not awaken. It wasn’t that Will necessarily feared it, but when he thought about it, the only thing he could picture was Demus’ corpse. The sword had done that.

He shook himself. What unpleasant thoughts to be thinking on such a nice night, he chided himself. It was truly a beautiful night.

Will’s eyes blinked in surprise, breaking the spell of tranquility. He could see firelight. Not just one but about five, moving to his left and right. He squinted and tried to think of what they could be.

A small whistle sounded in the quiet air and before Will could move a cold metallic thing slammed into his stomach and knocked him back against the brick wall of his room. The air had been knocked out of him so he made no sound. Three forms quickly climbed up the balcony to examine what they had caught.

“It the one from this afternoon.” One said.

“Shall we kill him? We have to move on.”

“Don’t be barbaric. We’ll give him a chance. See him trembling. He knows he is in the presence of those who are holy.”

“What…?” Will choked out, only vaguely aware of what was being said. He was still in shock and disoriented, trying to figure out how he had ended up on the ground with a metal thing clapped around his body.

“Hold him, or he’ll try and break free.” One said. The other two moved down and grabbed Will’s hair and held him by it tugging just enough to hurt. The other made sure Will didn’t try and undo the metal coil.

“Do you recognize that you are a sinner in our lord’s eyes?” one said. Will had now regained enough of his senses to figure out who these people were. He glared at them and spat at the one who had addressed him. But the person ignored him.

“Repent and all shall be well. We can see into your deepest depths and we can reach into you and cleanse you of all evil. Let us help you brother.” Will’s body went prickly in panic. He didn’t know why he was suddenly fearful of these people, but their voices had taken on something frightening, something that disgusted and spurred pure terror in Will’s soul. He shuddered. Encouraged by this the three came closer to him, chanting now,

“Come, let us help you,” Will tried to scream out, but his throat felt as though it had been clamped shut. Something moved around him, freezing his body and yielding him into its power. His instincts screamed within him as he called out for help with in his mind. He prayed wistfully that Fairien would come and defend him from these people but deep down something told him that Fairien would not come. His panic increased and Will felt himself slid off into oblivion. The three cried out and jumped back as their prey’s body was suddenly surrounded in a burning green glow. It hurt them to look at it and it hurt even worse where they had come in contact with it. One cursed.

“What devilry is here?”

“We cannot waste time with this one. We must move on to the princess.”

“What do we do about this one?”

“We can do nothing for now. It looks as though he doesn’t even know what he’s doing. Mark me, we’ll be back for this one.”

“He is interesting. Our leader will be intrested to know of what has occurred here. Come we must make hast!” one of them moved toward Will’s room but the other clasped his shoulder.

“No not that way. We’ll get in from the outside. We don’t want to be spotted inside.” The nodded and set off going left, leaving Will to himself.

    A moment later Will opened his eyes and saw that he was all alone. Trembling he reached down to the metal coil and unhooked from around his chest. It slid off and Will laid it down on the floor. Then realization hit him.

“They’re going to get Tella…!” he whispered to himself and set off running down the hall. It was a lucky break that the invaders didn’t know Tella had not gone to bed yet. They had gone in the direction of her room. Will prayed she had still not moved form the sitting room.

He reached the doors within seconds and burst in, closing them tightly behind him. Tella and Avery looked up in surprise at his entrance.

“Will?” she asked. He shook his head out of breath and gasped out,

“Their here, coming to get you!”

“Who?” Avery said suddenly very alert.

“The one’s from this afternoon. They went for your room, but they’ll have found that you weren’t there by now so they’ll come looking for you, they already came for me, I got away don’t know how-”

“Alright Will! Calm down!” Tella ordered him.

“I can’t calm down!” Will squeaked.

“Lock the doors, bolt the windows and draw the curtains.” Avery ordered.

“We’ll be trapped!” Will said.

“No we won’t. You’ll see, now do as I asked.” Avery said moving to the windows. “The longer it takes them to find us the better. Now hurry both of you, and be quiet.” Tella and Will complied, though they had no idea of what Avery had in mind.

When the task was accomplished Avery motioned them to the fireplace and whispered to them,

“There is a passage behind the fireplace that leads out of the mansion. Only Betamian Royalty can open it so I’m not exactly sure how-”

“Let me see.” Tella said moving forward. Already they could hear footsteps in the hall. It could have been servants, but Will feared the steps were far too hurried and careful for servants. He shuddered as Tella worked.

“Oveirea…” she whispered. Something rumbled within the fireplace and Tella smiled.

“How cliché.” Avery muttered. However whatever the rumbling had been it did nothing to open an actual passage. Tella growled and kicked the wall and reluctantly groaning the wall slide open. Tella stuck her tongue out at it and motioned for them to follow her. They ducked into the dark opening after her. As Will passed through the door shut spitefully closing off all light from them.

“What do we do now?” Will asked.

“Put your hand out to the wall and try not to trip over each other.” Avery said.

“I don’t like the dark.” Will said mournfully.

“Don’t be a wimp. Come on.” Tella said. “Its better than up there.”

“Yeah.” Will agreed.

“So what happened, care to tell us?” Tella asked as the moved forward. Will told them what he knew, how the people had come to him, and interrogated him.

“I can’t help but wonder…” Will mused. “They made me feel so weird. Maybe they do have a god behind them. It was unearthly how they almost smothered me without even touching me.”

“Maybe they do. But it can’t be Fairien.” Tella said. “Maybe it’s Minerva.”

“Oh Tella, it wasn’t her. You aren’t still carrying a grudge?” Will asked.

“She nearly destroyed the world and tried to kill all of us. I can’t forgive something like that so easily even if you can.” Will sank into silence at this.

“These people are more powerful than we guessed.” Avery said. “I never imagined they would actually do something like this. Its amazing the connection they must have.”

“What do you mean?” Tella asked.

“Convenient, wasn’t it? How the governor just happened to have a lot of work to take care of a city hall this evening.” Avery said, “Convenient, that the servants had all gone to their quarters a quarter of a mile away early this evening. Convenient that there were no guards around the mansion as there should be…”

“T-The governor?” Tella asked. “No, they couldn’t have… It must be a coincidence Avery. Officials have to do work late a lot of nights.”

“Yes, but when you are hosting a member of the royal family are you going to let a little work keep you from presenting your self as a good host to be in favor? Not likely. In less you aren’t concerned with what the royalty thinks. And for a governor it had better be a pretty good reason.”

“Like he thinks the religi’s will take over and he’s doing this to get in favor with them.”

“Exactly.” Avery said, narrowing his eyes. They were left with a long silence, until Will finally broke it.

“So… Where exactly does this tunnel go?” he asked.

“To Terribia.” Avery answered.

“We’ve got to walk all the way to Terrebia in this tunnel?!” Will groaned.

“No.” Avery said scowling in the dark. “Don’t be absurd.  This tunnel has magic in it, can’t you feel it?” he asked. Will frowned. He had never been very sensitive to magic in the past, and now that Fairien was gone, he wasn’t surprised he felt nothing.

“No…” he admitted.

“Well, what Avery is trying to say,” Tella said, “Is that rather then walk the fifty miles to Terrebia, we’ll warp there, be to the end of this tunnel within a few minutes.”

“Really?” Will asked. “That’s pretty cool.”

“Yeah… It- ah!” Tella shouted. There was a loud banging noise.

“Tella?” Will shouted.

“What was that?” Avery asked, alarmed. Tella cursed angrily, rubbing her forehead.

“The door.” She answered. There was a pause.

“Oh.” Will said. “So… We’ve already warped?”

“Apparently.” Avery said coolly. Will frowned. There wasn’t any reason for Avery to be so cold to him. So what if he had never heard of tunnels with warp magic inside them? That didn’t mean he was stupid…

“It’s just here…” they heard Tella say. There was a click and then light filtered into the dark tunnel. Will squinted at the sudden sight and lifted his arm up to shield his eyes. He could just make out a staircase, leading up.

“Where have we come out?” Avery asked.

“Mmm… Let’s see…” Tella stepped up the stairs, turning to look around. “Ah, perfect. I’ll have to keep this in mind.” They heard her say as she stepped out. Avery frowned, and followed her up.

“Where are we?” he asked, looking around. They were surrounded by dense foliage. The opening for the tunnel seemed to have been carved out of an ancient crumbling statue, covered in vines.

“We’re in the outer ruins of the castle.” Tella replied calmly.

“Are we?” Avery asked slowly. “And how do you know? As I remember, I forbid you to go to the outer ruins.” He sighed. “Not that that would stop you, of course…”

“Of course.” Tella grinned. Will stepped out and looked around.

“What are you talking about? Outer ruins?” he asked. Tella shrugged.

“It’s just a little ways behind the castle. Back along time ago this was the castle, and what we’re in now was a court yard, but over the years some king, I forget which one-”

“Jineus the II.” Avery interjected.

“-Jineus the II decided to build a new one, so that’s the one we use now. The old one was left to ruin.” Will blinked, nodding.

“So, the passage comes out here… I suppose that makes a bit of sense.” Tella mused. “Now then, we have to get home.” She grinned, “So we can start an investigation. I’m not letting them get away with this.”

“Of course not, but you must proceed carefully.” Avery warned. “It seems they have acquired a great deal of power under our noses.” Tella scowled, seemingly unmoved by his warning.

“So… what are you going to do?” Will asked, as they made their way across the ruin, heading to the current castle.

“I’ll start by talking to the Chancellor.” Tella said. “He’s the head of the Senate.” Will noticed Avery scowl slightly at this, but he made no move to speak. Will wondered what this meant.

 

 

“So… Exactly how many were there?” Chancellor Umbert asked, looking at them over his glasses. He was a stout man, dressed in a red vest, making him look like a rather large overripe strawberry. He frowned, making his wrinkles deeper.

“Well?” he asked. Tella hunched her shoulders defensively.

“I don’t know.” She said. “A lot… I think.” 

“A lot you think?” the Chancellor repeated slowly.

“Look, I told you, we escaped before they got in the room-”

“So you didn’t actually see them?” the Chancellor asked.

“Well… N-No…” Tella said, “But Will did! Three of them- it was three of them, wasn’t it Will?- attacked him before they came for us!” the Chancellor shifted his gaze to Will, looking him up and down. Will got the distinct impression that this man did not like him.

“Did you?” he asked. Will nodded. “Alright, can you describe these people to me?” Will blinked frowning.

“N-No… Not really…” he admitted. “They knocked me down and I… Uh…”

“I see.” The Chancellor said, shifting in his chair. “So, you can’t really be sure these people had any connection with Maloom Vraido?”

“Yes! They did! I’m sure of it!” Will said. “They started talking about all that nonsense Maloom talks about-”

“Mr. Kapino, I warn you to be careful what you call nonsense, especially if it concerns Maloom Vraido.” The Chancellor said severely. Will blinked, taken aback.

“But-!” he began.

“Never mind.” The Chancellor said waving his hand, “Now, these three men, did they give any other reasons why you might think they were followers of Maloom Vraido?” Will paused a moment, then his face lit up.

“Yes! They said they recognized me from that afternoon! And it was that afternoon that we had the run in with Maloom and his followers!”

“You had a run in with Maloom Vraido?” the Chancellor said, eyeing Tella. She glared back.

“Yeah, we did.” She said. The Chancellor rubbed his head, sighing.

“I was afraid of this… Princess, you need to watch it. You’re bound to make a lot of people mad if you keep up this attitude! It will only mean trouble for yourself and for all of us, do you understand?” he asked. Tella frowned.

“No. I don’t.” she said. “All I know is that I am the ruler of this country and I was almost killed last night.”

“Except that you have no proof of this.” The Chancellor said.

“Proof?! We’ve given you proof!” Tella cried. The Chancellor shook his head.

“The only witnesses to this eh… incident are yourself, Mr. Kapino and… Mr. Avery. Correct?” Tella slowly nodded, watching him dangerously.

“What are you saying?” she asked.

“Firstly Princess,” the Chancellor said, “the public opinion is against you. Everyone thinks you’re a coward, running off in our most desperate hour-”

“I-!”

“Second,” the Chancellor interrupted her, “Your other two witness are…” he paused, trying to find the right word, ‘Undesirable.” Tella blinked, angrily.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“He means Will is low class and I’m a Hailian.” Avery said, a slight edge in his voice. The Chancellor lifted his eyebrows, but said nothing.

“I… I…” Tella stared at him. “I don’t believe this!”

“I’m only telling you, no one will take their accounts seriously.” The Chancellor said. Tella glared at him. He shook his head, and sighed.

“I think we’re done.” He said.

“No we’re not!” Tella shouted.

“Yes Princess we are.” The Chancellor said through clinched teeth. “I have given you my advise. If you choose to ignore it and make a fool of yourself, then so be it. However, I warn you that your sad reputation may not be the only thing at steak.” He frowned, “It may also be your life.” Tella stared at him, then slowly stepped back.

“Good day Chancellor.” She said.

“Good day Princess.” He returned. Tella turned and walked out, smoothly, Will and Avery following her. All in all, Tella seemed to be handling it quite well, but as Will looked closer, he could see her hands shaking.