"So what should we do, Turk?" I try not to pay attention to John's face but I can't help but keep checking on him. To the point I was not paying attention to what Thietian was saying in the feed.
"Pay attention!" Turk grunted, nudging me with his elbow.
I focus on the Erlking and Thietian's conversation again, Turk turning our volume up to not miss a word. The Erlking was still insulting John, tying to get a bigger reaction from either of them at the table, but was becoming bored when they merely kept silent or answered with short to the point answers.
"Very well, shall we dine some more? Please eat, John. You are still a guest at my table." The Erlking waved at the table motioning him to fill his plate. A slave came in and started filling the Erlking's plate, then Thietian's and John's. Right as they were about to leave the room, the Erlking instructed the slave. "Wait! Come here, slave."
The boy who was probably fifteen, was shaking all over, but did as instructed and went towards the Erlking. The Erlking placed a hand on the slaves shoulder, and pushed him down to the ground on his knees.
"Now tell me, Thietian, is John's life more important than this slave boys life?" The Erlking asked, hand still on the boys visibly stiff shoulder.
"No." John uttered, his eyes staying the teenager who was silently crying, not daring to glance up from the floor even though his tears and terror were evident.
"DID I ASK YOU, JOHN?!" The Erlking shouts, making the teenager wince his eyes, and John face turn to stone.
"No, your majesty. My apologies, your majesty." John picked up his goblet and took a drink, to show the Erlking his mouth would be busy.
"Thietian, answer me." The Erlking demanded.
Thietian sighed, "No ones life is more important than any one else's. Let the slave go, father." Thietian kept a blank expression on his face, not letting his emotions show.
The Erlking tutted, "No one's life is more important? Yet you just traded all of Earth for one man." The Erlking released the shoulder of the slave and propped his head up on his palm again, looking bored with the whole ordeal. "You my son, are a hypocrite."
Suddenly, the slave boy cough and spit up blood, looking up at Thietian and John, terrified. A glowing mark on his shoulder, grew brighter, as the boy started to shrivel up, screaming.
"NO!" John was straining against the chains, screaming obscenities at the Erlking, Thietian sitting there not making a sound or moving according to our view.
The Erlking merely gave Thietian an evil smile, "What? Didn't you just trade all the Earth for John's release? When I take the life of all the Earth, I will release John."
He starts laughing, sounding akin to dead branches cracking and rubbing against each other. Thietian stands, "Than we have no agreement. I'm sorry, John. " Thietian suddenly was back at his office in HQ where he immediately began trashing it in a fit of rage.
"We need to think of something quick, Turk." I can hardly watch Thietian throwing a tantrum like a two year old because he didn't get his way. John would never consider that sort of offer for his own life. Thietian is focusing on the wrong things, he's lost sight of everything, and he betrayed us all.
Turk nods, "Go to Bavarthos, stay with him. Do not come back to HQ, do not turn on any of your equipment." He grabs something from under a piece of his armor, tosses it to me and grunts, "I'll use this to contact you, or you contact me if the need arises. Do not go through with your plan to rescue John. The Erlking will be expecting some kind of move, even more so now. We must keep the Queen and Bavarthos safe, if we want to have any chance of saving the rest of the Earth." He grips my shoulder, making sure I am focused.
"Unless it's absolutely necessary, I suggest you stay away from HQ, that way you are not used for the Erlking's plans. You'll have access to the feed on Thietian with that com device I gave you. So you'll be able to see what is going on." Turk continued.
I interject, "What about Cass, Turk? Cass can not be going along with his choice." I grip Turks chest armor, not sure what Turk might be thinking.
Turk pats my shoulder, "I know, Sin. I can not promise he will be unscathed when all is said and done."
I grip his armor tighter, "They didn't make the deal though. He may not have sold out the Earth, he may just have a hail Mary that required John. There's a chance, right?" I know I am gripping at straws but I can't believe that Cass who owns that body, that Thietian is using, would let Thietian sell us up the river.
Turk sighs, "There is that chance, but we have to come to terms that there is not too. It annihilates my soul that I may have to do something that I do not wish to, if it comes down to it. I will not put that action on anyone else but myself, for I am loyal to the Queen and will do what has been requested of me. Please tell the Queen this."
"I will, Turk."
He grunts, "Go, now. We must let the others know what is happening without our knowledge."
I nod, "I'll talk to you soon, then?" I take a step back from him and Turk nods his large head, tusk like fangs glinting in the light coming in from the glassless windows.
I snap back to Bavarthos and the workroom that is bustling with action still. I take a deep breath as I search the room, finding the Queen and make my way to her.
She's focused on enchanting a weapon as I approach, but finishes and immediately her gaze finds mine. She covers her mouth and stands, snapping to me and takes me into her arms. She holds me like a mother would and I let out a sob. I quickly reign it in though, we have to talk.
Queen Lirael, holds a hand up, "Did Thietian make a deal with his father?"
"No, your majesty, but he tried to, for just John." I struggle to keep myself calm and through gritted teeth, I add, "No deal was made, but Turk instructed me to inform you that he is loyal to you and will do as you instructed, not letting the task fall onto anyone but himself."
She nods in understanding, her wide solemn eyes full of painful resolve. "What else did he say?"
I inform her of what he told me, including the fact I have a com for the feed.
"We must tell Bavarthos, come. He is with his pets and Vartonix." She grasps my hand and snaps us to Vartonix's cave room, my eyes having to adjust to the darkness that permeates the area. The dim lights that suddenly appear help as the Queen guides me farther into the cave. The ground is wet in areas, making the fine minerals and dirt into a squelching muck. We walk on farther into the cave and the now the muck is topped with an inch or so of water, causing the Queen to sigh in exasperation.
"Vtheirtrha." The Queen says something in another language, and we are now standing on a floating tray, that moves along at a jogger's pace. I look down and see that the water's depth has quickly deepened. The cave is so eerie and calm, after everything that's happened, I feel like the silence is louder than all the chaos of battle. The only thing that prevents the silence from becoming deafening, is the dark water and the light dripping that comes from the stalactites in the ceiling. I notice how deep the water must go as it becomes black with the waters depth, the farther into the cave we go. The dark calm water gives me the creeps, like unknown and unseen creatures are swimming under us, waiting to jump out and swallow us.
After a little while, I turn and notice that the Queen is holding her head, as if she had a headache. Then she suddenly mutters, "I'm so tired."
I brace myself, as she strokes her head, and watch her turn into the old crone. The one I remember well. The one I could never forget, even if I wanted to. Before she finishes her change though, something huge and dark comes swimming our way through the water, making fear rise in me.
"What is that?!"