Excalion

Excalion
Chapter Five: Lightning Strike

=[ Part Two ]=


As the Omicronus soldiers disguised as Storm Reavers left the briefing room, Jacen tied his hair up again and put the black leather patch back over his right eye.

“Quite a speech, brother,” a female voice said once the room was completely empty. Jacen tied off the knot for the patch and closed his eyes.

“Did Mei put you up to this?” he asked as a young woman emerged from the shadows to his left.

“On the contrary, Brother. Ari asked me to watch over you.”

His head snapped up and he leveled his gaze at her. “What? Why did she ask you, Ashila?”

Ashila crossed her arms, looking offended. “She felt she could trust me.”

“And what could you say to me that could make me trust you?”

“That I pledge myself to your cause.”

Jacen narrowed his eye. “It’ll take a little more than that to convince me.”

Ashila smiled. “After threatening Mei, I felt it unwise to side with Father.” She walked up to him. “Jacen, I’m an Omicronus, just like you. Trust is the most important thing to an Omicronus.” He crossed his arms, cupping his shoulders in his hands. He knew there was more to that simple statement than mentioning their family name rather than just mentioning their family.

“Anaria trusted me enough to ask me to check up on you,” she went on. “She knows full well that asking me what she did put great risk to herself. I could just as easily have given Mei or Father the information she gave me.”

Jacen carefully returned her smile. “Ashila, if I’ve been taught anything about our family, about House Omicronus, it’s that no matter how good-intentioned an Omicronus is, he will always have a second agenda, a self-serving ulterior motive. Even I’m not immune to it, and neither are you.” He leveled a curious gaze at her. “You can’t deny that you want something from me, else you wouldn’t have shown yourself.”

She crossed her arms, her smile subtly changing into a cryptic grin. “I can’t and I won’t. What I want you can give me, but I won’t ask just yet.” She bowed. “I wanted to let you know, however, that I’ll side with you provided you agree to my terms, when I make them known, of course.”

Jacen nodded. “You’re a true Omicronus, little sister: Trustworthy, opportunistic and secretive. Tell Anaria I’m fine and then report back to me.”


* * * * *


“I never thought I’d see the day when I dreaded the coming of the Barawani Traveling Fair,” Eron said, looking to the horizon and the small group of tiny lights making their way towards the castle from the center of the city.

King Valos Overon nodded. "Mm-hmm, nor I. I still don’t want to believe that Omicronus would dare attack with another House’s Traveling Fair coming. They risk war with Duuné if so much as a hair is harmed on any Barawani head.”

Queen Kirana Aloysia Overon nodded. “I’m sure that they’ve everything planned so that Barawani remains unharmed, else they wouldn’t attack tonight.”

Valos turned to his wife and nodded gravely. “I wish I could disagree with you, my love, but you are right.”

Maali Terrical Scarner, wife of Overon’s Sorcerer Superior, held her husband’s arm. “I’ve seen no increase of guards despite your knowledge of the attack, Highness. Is that a wise decision?”

“The soldiers of House Omicronus move about like no other House, Lady Maali,” Kirana replied. “Theirs is a House that employs stealth tactics, espionage and subterfuge exclusively,”

“And they’re exceptional at their craft,” Valos cut in, more of disgust than respect. “They can very well hold their own in a face to face battle, but their roguish methods have earned them a reputation that makes even the most battle-hardened warriors bring a sword to sleep.” He sighed. “An increase in guards would only serve to unsettle my people, making it easier for Omicronus to carry out their plans.”

Eron chanced a glance at his liege. “That’s not like you, Valos. Normally, you’d have tripled watches.”

Valos nodded wearily. “True, Eron, but I also don’t want to alarm Barawani. I’ve always welcomed their Traveling Fair without guards and soldiers at my back. I’m nothing if not honorable, on or off the battlefield.”

Eron frowned. “Your daughter has been looking into the House Omicronus documents in the library, Valos, but I know you haven’t. You’re hiding something, I know it.”

The King of Overon chuckled. “Even an Overon has his secrets, Eron.” He turned and offered his arm to his wife. “Come, let the four of us greet our guests, shall we?”


* * * * *


“Barawani is at the castle gates, sir.”

Jacen opened his eyes, his right one concealed behind the eye patch. “Good. All our soldiers are at their designated positions?”

The Storm Reaver nodded. “Aye, Sir.”

“Are my men ready?”

“Aye, Major Raymin, and ready to follow your orders once you give the word.”

Jacen took to his feet and sheathed his sword, which had been lying on the floor in front of him. He nodded at the soldier, who opened the door to the darkened briefing room. They proceeded down the hall when Jacen stopped suddenly.

“Sir…?”

Jacen raised his hand, hushing his subordinate. As they stood, ready to react at a moment’s notice, King Valos and his wife, as well as the Sorcerer Superior and his wife, turned the corner.

“Oh!” Maali gasped, startled.

Jacen bowed quickly, beating a fist to his chest. “I beg your pardon, Your Majesty.”

“None are necessary, Major…”

“Major Raymin, Highness. My lieutenant and I were on our way to the Royal Library.”

“Whatever for?” the Queen asked. “The Barawani Traveling Fair has just arrived. Didn’t you want to join in the festivities?”

Jacen smiled humbly. “Begging my Queen’s pardon, but I prefer a book to pass my time. Besides, I think the Traveling Fair would be a bit put off to see a pair of armed Blade Weavers at the castle gates.” He bowed again. “Don’t let my lieutenant and I hold you back from the Fair. If you’ll excuse us…” He and his fellow Storm Reaver saluted then respectfully stepped past the four royals and rounded the corner. They remained quiet as they proceeded up the steps to one of the upper levels and down the hallway to a balcony overlooking the main courtyard.

“Send word to the Omicronus soldiers. The attack commences at the first launch of spark-flares.”

The accompanying Storm Reaver nodded. “Understood.”

“After that, report to all Storm Reavers. Inform them that the signal is a single golden spark-flare after the coup is complete.”

“Is there anything else, Sir?”

Jacen nodded. “Find Ashila and have her report to me,” he answered. “I don’t want anything to go wrong with what I’ve entrusted to her.”


* * * * *


“Do you think they’ll make it back before the gates open?”

Shanavale nodded grimly as she looked out at the multitude of dots close to the horizon. “They’ll have to; my father will want answers otherwise. House Omicronus won’t wait. They’ll jump at the first opportunity.”

“Shanavale…”

She turned to Wynn, a breeze lazily playing with her hair, throwing it in front of her face. The torchlight behind him illuminated her hair with a golden glow. “Hmm?”

“I talked with my father last night,” he replied. “I was granted the Gift of the Goddess yesterday.”

She straightened up in surprise. “Oh, Wynn! That’s great! Have you gone to see a Temple Elder yet?”

Wynn shook his head. “No, not yet. I’ve been putting it off.”

“Why?”

He looked out to the city. “I’m worried, Vale. What if it’s someone else I share the Gift with?”

Shanavale sighed and followed his gaze. “Then that’s the will of Ameena,” she replied, smiling sadly.

Wynn looked at her. “How can you say that so easily, Vale? Doesn’t our relationship mean anything?”

“I can say it because my mother warned me about it,” Shanavale answered, keeping her focus out towards the city as a single tear rolled down her cheek. “When she first found out about us, she told me to be careful in case one of us was blessed with Ameena’s Gift.” She sniffed. “Don’t get me wrong, Wynn, I can say it easily, but it still hurts me to say it.”

Wynn looked down at his feet. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. My mother and Lady Maali are good friends, as close as my father and yours.”

Wynn hesitated. “My father was saying that there are families with more than one husband or more than one wife, and two of the people in that union share the Gift.”

She smiled and huffed once in a small laugh. “I’m a Princess, Wynn. I know it’s not uncommon, but I couldn’t live like that.” She brushed away another tear. “Besides, my father wouldn’t stand for it.”

He chanced a nervous laugh. “Of course, this is all hypothetical. No one’s come to me saying that they share Ameena’s Gift with me.”

“Princess? Wynn?”

They looked up to see Rohadin approaching.

“Am I interrupting…?”

Shanavale smiled. “No, Rohadin. What is it?”

The Captain of the guard saluted crisply. “Your father has requested that you be at his side with the Queen to greet the Barawani Traveling Fair.” He turned to Wynn. “Your father asked me to find you as well.”

“Where are my swords?”

Rohadin shook his head. “You are to be unarmed, as per the king’s request.”

Shanavale sighed. “Omicronus will attack tonight and he wants to greet Barawani unarmed?”

“I’ve prepared for Omicronus, Highness,” Rohadin said with a slight bow. “Your weapons are hidden underneath a set of stairs by the main gates. I’ve handpicked soldiers and archers to patrol the area and be ready to defend your families and the castle at any cost.”

Shanavale smiled weakly. “That’s not enough to stop the entire House from coming down on us, though I do appreciate your efforts greatly, Rohadin.”

He puffed out his chest proudly. “It was a pleasure serving under you, Princess.” He bowed again, though more solemnly. “May the Goddesses watch over you.”


=[ End of Part Two ]=


A/N: Sorry about taking so long. I've been fighting Writer's Block again (though I had this part originally written well before Christmas), as well as general laziness what with retyping all I've actually written onto my computer and uploading. Winter blahs, SAD and work hit me extra hard because of the hustle and bustle of the holidays, and the first week of the New Year hasn't exactly been friendly to the household. Life aside...ACTION IS COMING! Bet you can't wait, huh? Will I expect a flood of e-mails and/or reviews bugging me to write and upload? Only you can will it so! XD

Sorry, got carried away. Seriously, though, thank you all for reading, and never forget that reviews and/or constructive criticism is always appreciated. See you next chapter (and hopefully soon)!