Tempest Rise (Treborel)

chapter Sixteen



The sky had darkened even further than Lysette thought possible. There was no longer even the faintest hint of the moon as it danced above the thick clouds. As the wind grew stronger their strength began to leave them. Moving slowly Andru tried to pick the easiest terrain, searching for even a slight resemblance of a trail. Instead they found themselves going deeper into a dense area of the thicket.

Lysette dismounted, insisting that Andru and Arbus remain on the horse. Andrus head was pounding so he gave no argument holding tightly onto Arbus to shelter him from the fierce winds. The night was silent there were no signs of pursuit. Hoping the soldiers were too frightened of the sraebs they continued on at their slow pace. Concerned that Andrus head wound was more severe than he had let on, Lysette prayed for the ocean to appear.

Forcing the suddenly reluctant horse forward Lysette tugged on the reins as Andru nodded off in the saddle still clinging to Arbus. As Lysette continued to struggle with the animal Andru’s head snapped up and he yelled, “Lysette!”

“I’m here Andru calm down, it's just the horse . . .” She whispered back to him.

“No! There is pain! Unbearable pain!” He screamed reaching wildly out for her.

Terrified that he was hallucinating she hurried to his side. The brush moved beside her as she heard Andru scream once more, “Sraeb!” He bolted from the saddle pushing her back into the bushes as the beast snatched the horse out from under him then disappeared once more.

As the horse screamed in horror Lysette felt Andru pulling her to her feet yelling, “Run! Don’t stop! Just keep running!” They were on their feet tearing through the trees and brush terrified as they heard the sound of bone crushing behind them. The sraeb sensed their departure and left his large meal confused by the pain of his wounds. A pain it had bared for too long. As the sounds of the sraeb grew closer Andru realized there was no escape. They reached a small clearing and he stopped at its far end turning to face the beast. He pulled the laser pistol from his belt and fired into the massive creature as it cleared the trees. Screaming in pain the animal flew into them confused further by the new onslaught of pain.

Lysette turned back just in time to see Andru, still carrying Arbus fall beneath the beast. As it flew over them Lysette brought up her bow and fired, praying she wouldn’t hit them. The beast screamed and kept coming. Lysette kept firing until the quiver was empty. The beast faltered and fell less than a meter from where she stood. Jumping over the beast Lysette ran to where Andru lay covered in blood. Turning to see the sraeb pull itself up to its full height, Lysette pulled the arrows from her last smaller quiver and fired until it was empty as well. She stood and watched in numb silence as the creature finally fell dead a short way from where it had risen.

“Arbus,” Andru coughed and tried to rise.

Glancing around in the silence of the clearing she could hear the infants muffled cries. Searching she found him in a patch of dense underbrush where he had been thrown by the sraebs impact. Checking the baby she found he appeared to be unharmed and returned quickly to Andru as he once again struggled to pull himself to his feet. Laying Arbus on the ground beside Andru Lysette applied pressure to the deep wound in Andrus side. Reaching out to touch Arbus Andru sighed softly as his senses told him the baby was unharmed.

“He’s alright.” Andru smiled up at Lysette.

“Andru, help me!” Lysette cried as the tears welled in her eyes, “You’re dying, I can’t stop the blood!” She pulled off her cloak and ripped off the sleeve of her jumpsuit to press against the flow of blood.

“Take Arbus and go.” Andru urged quietly, “Listen, can’t you hear the water?”

Lysette stared at him in horror, “Andru, I’m not leaving you!”

Follow the stream.” Andru whispered. He reached out and touched the side of her face. Lysette could feel the calmness wash over her and she shoved his hand away.

“Stop it! Save your strength.” She scolded, “Can’t you do anything to heal yourself?”

“I'm too weak and the injury is too severe for me to do anything.” Andru shook his head sadly. “The strength isn’t met to be used to heal yourself, only others. Fast healing is just a . . . side effect.”

“Then tell me how to heal you!” Lysette pleaded in desperation. “You said my life force was strong, show me.”

“No, even if you could, I wouldn’t risk the chance of your sacrifice.” Andru answered calmly.

“Let him die.” A soft dark voice came from behind Lysette.

“You should still be unconscious.” Lysette answered unmoving, knowing full well Connor was standing very close behind her.

“You underestimated me, Lysette. Connor said, moving closer out of the trees. “Before this night is through I shall see that you never do it again.”

Lysette rose and turned to face him, Andru had fallen unconscious. Her mind raced, she had not time to waste dealing with Connor. She had to find a way to help Andru. Her bow lay on the ground beside Arbus but her quiver was empty. As she glanced for Andru’s laser pistol Connor drew his hunting knife from its sheath and approached her. Pausing as he reached them Connor glanced down at Andru and Arbus. His gaze slowly returned to Lysette as he raised the knife holding it in his fist pointing downward. He smiled and glanced back down at Arbus.

As he moved to kneel beside the infant Lysette screamed and threw herself against him. They fell back onto the damp grass as Connor rolled with the impact quickly pinning Lysette beneath him. Using the knife he sliced open the front of her cape and jumpsuit with one swift movement, and then shoved the knife back into its sheath. Reaching out in desperation Lysette found the sraebs carcass lying next to them. Grasping at a protruding arrow that had pierced its body she pulled hard. As it came free Connor looked up to find her swinging the arrow with all her might. She sent it deep into his right shoulder.

Connor stiffened from the pain as Lysette threw her fist into his face and shoved him off of her. Scrambling to reach Andru Lysette searched quickly for the pistol. Finding only the bow she reached for it as Connor rose and pulled the arrow from his shoulder. She rose with the weapon determined not to die without a fight. A slight motion to her left caught her eye as she spun and staggered back surprised to find Katar standing before her. Lysette gasped thinking she was hallucinating. He looked exactly the same as the first time they met by the Regents bath house.

His blue eyes were wild and filled with rage as they focused not on her but the man behind her. Turning back to face him, Lysette found a delighted smile on Connor’s face as he ignored Katar and spoke to her saying, “Well my love, it appears we have a momentary distraction.” Still smiling he moved to shorten the distance between, adding, “Please don’t be offended by the delay of our union. I will only be a moment.”

Katar stepped in front of Lysette his eyes never leaving Connor, he said, “Lysette, take the child and follow the river downstream.”

“Andru . . .” Lysette started to protest.

“Leave him.” Katar ordered roughly, stepping toward Connor.

Still stunned by his appearance Lysette obeyed and pick up Arbus. She glanced at Andrus pale still form and headed toward the sound of water that Andru had described.

Still smiling Connor called after her, “You surprise me Lysette. I would have chosen someone more like the Empath as your lover instead of this noble savage.”

Lysette turned to see Katar close the distance between the two large men as Connor continued, “She’s been away from you a long time mountain Prince. Do you wonder how often another has shared her kiss?” His smile deepened, “Perhaps I should tell you how often she has shared my bed.”

Katar lunged at him knocking Connor into the Sraebs carcass. The flash of the commanders hunting knife sliced through the air leaving a faint trail of blood across Katars cheek as he jumped back to avoid the blow. Rolling to his feet Katar pulled his knife and lunged at Connor. The blow missed his chest and sank into his arm, sending a line of blood across Connors upper right arm. Stopping inside the line of trees Lysette watched as the angry men battled. Frightened by the fierce struggle between them Lysette realized that Connor could kill Katar. No matter how badly he had treated her, she still loved him and couldn’t leave him to die.

She pulled off her cape and wrapped it around Arbus to keep him warm. Then she moved around the edge of the small clearing back toward Andru and the pistol that must be nearby. Reaching Andru she pressed her fingertips against his neck and was blessed with the presence of his pulse. Lysette laid Arbus at his side and pulled Andru’s arms lose to his body tucking one then the other under the cloak. Her hand brushed against the handle of the pistol where it protruded from beneath Andrus lower back. Pulling it gently free she rose to face the deadly struggle before her.

Breaking free of Katar, Connor lunged forward as Katar brought his knife up and sank it deep into Connors stomach. Backing slowly away shocked by the blow Connor stared amazed at his brother. Slowly he reached for the pistol that hung from his belt bringing it up; he leveled it at Katars chest. An evil smile crossed Connors face as Lysette fired, striking him in the side of the head. Katar stood and watched in silent amazement as Lysette approached slowly, cautiously and reached down to check the Commanders pulse. Rising she turned to face him, frozen to her core by the night's events. She suddenly found herself in his arms, too numb to feel the warmth of his kiss, too full of sorrow and hatred to hear his words. She could only note the appearance of her uncle as he and Joah moved into the clearing behind Katar.

Pushing Katar from her she rushed to Andrus side as Joah reached him touching him lightly on the back on the neck. Slowly Andrus eyes opened and he looked up to meet the face of the man who had loved him and cared for him all of his life. Smiling the old empathy spoke gently, saying, “I knew you were alive.”

Then as Joah moved to grasp Andru firmly by his shoulders the young Empath panicked and shoved Joah from him saying, “Don’t touch me!”

“Andru, I won’t let you die.” Joah answered softly, “It’s not your time.” Reaching up once more Andru tried to remove his grandfather’s hands from him, failing as his strength left him, he pleaded, “Lysette! Don’t let him do this. Lysette, get him away from me! This is not what I want!”

“Joah?” Lysette called to him as she leaned forward unsure.

“It’s alright child, Andru will be fine.” Joah smiled softly at her and turned back as Andru fell silent. Leaning over him, Joah embraced his grandson and collapsed as warmth surrounded them and penetrated the air. Andrus sobs cut thru Lysette as nothing ever had before. Realizing that Joah had saved Andru’s life the same way her grandmother had saved her, she knelt down beside them and held them both. All the tears that she held back flooded forth, wracking her body as she held Andru and his grandfather.

The tears of guilt and sorrow over the deaths of the loved ones she had been too young to grieve for so many years ago flowed forth. She cried for Andrus loss and for the three soldiers she had killed. She cried for Chelsa and the young soldiers that the elite guard had killed so easily in the transport above Bantor. The tears kept flowing for Arbus and his loveless life and finally for her loss of Katar. Not knowing how long she lay there, she offered no resistance when a pair of strong arms lifted her off of Andru.

When she realized that it was Katar that held her she pushed weakly at the hands that enveloped her. Her thought flooded with the memory of Enda’s voice saying that she and Katar were engaged, of Roth telling her of Enda’s pregnancy and Connors evil smile announcing Katars marriage. She forced the images from her mind, remembering the promise that she made to herself. She looked up at his face. There was love there; she could see it in his eyes. He had come for her . . . or had he? Looking over to Connor’s lifeless body as doubt began to form once more.

Had Katar had been searching the mountains for Connor and King William all this time? Did he even know or care that she was missing? This time when she looked back into his eyes she saw only pity. Pity for her and triumph at Connor’s death. All these months Katar had not cared one bit whether she was alive or dead. It was her Uncle Sean who had come for her. She pushed violently away from Katar forcing him to release her. Turning away from him, she searched for Sean.

“Stay away from me!” She spoke softly at first stumbling forward in the darkness.

“Lysette, it's alright. It’s me, Katar” He called to her confused as he moved after her.

“No!” She yelled at him with astounding surprise as he reached for her. “It's not alright!”

“You’re safe now.” Katar soothed coming nearer reaching out to her again.

Finding Arbus still asleep where she left him Lysette snatched him up and dodged Katars efforts to hold her. Finding the bow on the ground she grabbed it and swung it at him as tears began to flow once more.

“Leave me alone!” She sobbed.

“Lysette, you’re hysterical,” Katar spoke softly, trying to calm her, “Give me the baby before you fall and hurt yourself.”

“Baby!” Lysette shrieked, “That’s all you’ve ever wanted isn’t it! A baby! Well here!” She thrust Arbus into his arms, adding, “He has no one to love him and you so desperately want a child, taken him!”

Katar stared at her confused, glancing at Sean he wondered if Lysette had been subject to more horrors than he had imagined. Katar pleaded with her, “Let me take you out of here, Lysette. I want to help you.”

“Help me?” She stammered as exhaustion finally took her. “You’re too late to help me. I had to help myself. Why didn’t you come before . . . I killed all those people?” She staggered back from him and sat down in the grass unable to support herself any longer. “I killed five men today, Katar!” She moaned placing her head in her hands. “Never in my life have I injured even the smallest of creatures. I always thought that everyone and everything had a purpose, a reason for existing. I thought mine was to save lives and take away the pain. But I was wrong!” She wailed shaking her head violently, tears streaming down her face. “I killed 3 men so easily, so quickly with my bow.” Her strength left her as her voice turned to a whisper. “I’ve always been good with a bow.”

Struggling she rose and crossed to where she’d dropped the bow lay in the grass. As the light of a new day filed the clearing Lysette smashed the weapon against a tree and turned to her uncle in despair, saying, “I’m glad I killed Connor, he was evil, but not Joah. I killed him as surely as if I’d shot him like the others. I killed him with my stubbornness and pride. I pushed Andru and bullied him to escape. If I had waited just one more night! Joah would be alive! Of all the people who had to die, I was the one who had the least to live for! I was the one who thought only of myself. Not about Arbus or Andru, not about how dangerous it was to bring them out here. I thought it would be all right, I thought I could handle it.”

Lysette glanced back at Katar as she began to sway with fatigue. “You know, I can’t remember the last time I did anything right.” Her last words were barely audible as she collapsed into Katar’s arms.

Bird song invaded Lysette’s dreams. How did a bird get into the nursery, she thought. She opened her eyes and found a lace canopy above her. Sitting upright she scanned the room as the horrors of two nights ago came back to her. Catching a movement out of the corner of her eye she turned to find her uncle Sean sitting in a chair next to the bed watching her silently. Behind him the ocean rocked in the distance as the sun touched the water briefly with a sweet warm kiss.

“How long have I been asleep?” She asked quietly.

“It was nearly late morning when we reached the coast. You were exhausted so we took the transport from the bluff and came directly here to the harbor.” Sean answered smiling, happy to see she was back to normal. “We got here just after lunch and asked the harbor master to let us have the use of his upper floors. That was two days ago.”

“Two days?” Lysette smiled surprised, “The Borel Harbor?”

Rising from his chair he moved to the side of her bed, sat and kissed her lightly on the forehead. “Yes, the harbor master was very happy to allow his future King access to his home.” His smile lightened as he watched her reaction.

Not ready to broach the subject of Katar, Lysette hugged him and quickly changed the subject asking, “Where are Andru and the twins?”

“All three are in the room next door. He’s taken charge of them. I think they’ve found a new father.”

“Is he alright?” She asked concerned, remembering his grief at this grandfathers passing.

“He’s weak but there's not a mark on him.” Sean smiled sadly.

“Joah gave his life force up so Andru could live.” She whispered as tears welled in her eyes.

“He loved his grandson very much.” Sean answered looking away from her out the window studying the ocean.

“As much as my grandmother loved me?” She asked forcing the tears back as he slowly turned to face her.

Sean looked at her for a long time before answering, “She couldn’t let you die.” His words were full of love.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” She reached for him and he took her in his arms hugging her tightly.

“You were so young, you wouldn’t have understood.” Sean answered, “There’s so much about your grandmother and your father I haven’t told you. One minute you were too young, the next I was afraid you would never forgive me for not telling you sooner. Then you were a surgeon running off to join the Medical Relief Corp.”

“I want to know everything, no matter how difficult it is to tell me.” She pulled back looking into his eyes.

“When we get to Borel, I promise I’ll tell you the entire story.”

“Borel? Why are we going there?”

“Queen Sari wants to meet you. You and Katar . . .”

“I don’t want to talk about him?” She turned away climbing out of the bed and pulling on the robe she found at the end of the bed.

“But, Lysette . . .”

“I don’t want to see him, ever again.”

Studying her once more, Sean tried desperately to figure out what was wrong. “I think we need to talk about your captivity.”

“There’s nothing to talk about.” She snapped moving to open the French doors that led to the balcony and walking outside.

“Lysette if something happened when you were with Commander Connors . . .” Sean knew the only time she had been away from Andru was the last night when she had gone off with Connor.

“Uncle Sean, I’m fine, no one hurt me.” Lysette turned to him and smiled touched deeply by his concern. “I’m just not ready to deal with Katar.”

“I can’t tell you what a relief it is to know that.” Sean smiled back at her.

“Can I see Andru?”

“Of course! Get dressed, I’ll tell him you’re up.” Sean kissed her once more on the cheek and headed out the door.

When he returned he found Lysette dressed in one of the traveling outfits the harbor master's daughter provided. “You look good in blue; it brings out the color of your eyes.” Sean winked at her and led her out the door. “Arbus and Rey as both awake and hungry. I think Andru could use some help.” Sean smiled and left her at Andru’s door.

“Thanks for the warning.” She said with a smile, and then called after him as he headed down the stairs, “Can you find me a medical probe?”

“Oh no you don’t.” Andrus voice came from behind her as he opened the door. “I’m not being treated by a barbaric female toting a miniature computer.”

“Well at least I could heal a wart if I had to.” Lysette smiled and gave him a huge hug.

“Save your energy for these two eating machines.” Andru laughed pulling her toward the two small infants lying on a heap of blankets in the middle of the floor.

Lysette picked up Arbus and examined him before placing a kiss on his chubby cheek. Replacing him back on his makeshift bed she stroked Rey’s head, kissing it and turned to look over at Andru.

“I’m fine.” He smiled backing away after seeing the look in her eyes. “I was ready to travel yesterday, but I wanted to stay and see you before we headed out.”

“We?”

“Well, I figured since you weren’t going to let me spirit you away to my ancient ruin I’d take the next best thing. Arbus and Rey.” He grinned and winked at her.

“Uncle Sean said you had taken charge of them. Are you sure this is what you want?” She asked realizing the burden he was taking on all by himself.

“More sure than you could ever know.”

“I’m sorry about Joah.” She said softly almost afraid to mention his grandfather’s name.

“Don’t be, he did what he had to do. I’ve been giving myself the same speech I gave you.” He smiled sadly. “And I’m the one who should be sorry. I never should have started that conversation. I should have known better than to delve into your past when I had no idea where it could lead. We were in a deeply stressful and emotional situation and I made it so much worse for you.”

“It’s alright; I know we didn’t get a chance to talk after that. I realized later that you were right.” She rose and went to him taking his hand in hers. “I’m sorry about the things I said. I was being very cruel to you.”

“I deserved it.” Andru pulled her to him for a quick hug.

“No you didn’t. I just spoke with my Uncle and he didn’t deny it.”

“Well it’s good to know that you do listen to me on occasion.” Andru smiled.

“You are the most honest person I know. I always listen to you, Andru. ”

“But you don’t always hear what I say.” He added softly.

Seeing the love in his eyes, Lysette wished with all her heart that she could love him. She knew it was impossible as long as Katar filled her thoughts. “Oh Andru, I wish . . .”

“Marry me Lysette.” Andru pulled her closer, “I’ll never hurt you and in time what you feel for Katar will fade. I can’t take his place but I can help fill the void.”

“I can’t.” She answered softly.

“I guess I knew the answer, but I had to try.” He smiled, “I’m going to take the twins to the Northern Colony, if you're going to change your mind you’ll have to do it fast.”

A knock came at the door and Sean stuck his head into the room saying, “The Regent is sending her transport to escort us back to Lavose, Lysette. If that’s what you really want.”

“It is.” Came her quiet answer, Sean nodded.

“It will be here in the morning.” He added and disappeared closing the door after him.

Lysette and Andru spent the rest of the day discussing their plans and talking about the twins. Andru was going to adopt them legally and raise them as his own. Elsbeths family wanted nothing to do with the sons of a psychotic serial killer. It was after midnight when Lysette returned to her room.

When she turned on the light she found Katar sitting in the chair beside her bed. For the first time he had actually become concerned about Lysette’s relationship with Andru. Could the two of them have shared more during their captivity than friendship? Could they have turned to each other in a desperate need for comfort? Pushing the jealously that was growing inside him to the back of his mind he rose and smiled softly.

“I just got back from Bantor.” He began, “I felt I should be the one to return William and Elsebeth to their home.” He moved slowly toward her not wanting to frighten her again. “I see you’re doing well?”

“I’m very tired; I’d like to get some sleep.” Lysette managed a reply and turned stiffly toward the bed walking past him.

“Lysette,” He called her name so softly she felt the old grip of fear return to her stomach; it had been so long, she’d nearly forgotten. She stood with her back to him, frozen, unable to move. Katar said, “I love you.”

“Then why did you marry someone else?” She asked softly as she turned to face him.

“I didn’t marry Enda, I put her in prison.” Katar said, softly confused.

“Prison? Why?” Lysette asked as hope flared within her.

“She betrayed Treborel. She betrayed me.”

“She only did what you asked of her.”

“I never asked her to betray you to Connor.” Katar stepped forward, thinking she had been blaming him for her captivity.

“No, she’s having your child.” Lysette stammered.

“My child?” Katar smiled, “Lysette there is no possible way that Enda is ever going to give birth to a child of mine.”

“You killed the baby!” Lysette gasped horrified.

“Of course not.” Katar shook his head in frustration, “Lysette, listen to me carefully. Enda has not been nor will she ever be pregnant with my child.”

“You didn’t marry her?”

“No,” He answered softly.

They stared at each other in complete confusion, Katar though he would lose his mind before she ever understood. Then suddenly she began to laugh, uncontrollably. Sweeping her off her feet he took her to the bed thinking she was having a nervous breakdown. He laid her on the bed and went to the decanter on the small dresser near the balcony. He poured her a glass of brandy and forced her to drink it. She sipped from the glass between giggles. Then taking a large swallow himself he sat on the bed beside her watching with deep concern.

As Lysette’s laughter subsided, he spoke softly to her, asking, “What has happened to you? Did Connor torture you?” He was afraid to ask the real question in his mind. Had he managed to find his way into her mind as he had William? Was this his final revenge against him?

“It’s not Connor,” Lysette smiled at him relaxing into the pillow, adding, “It’s you, no I take that back, it’s me. I’m such a complete and utter fool.”

“I don’t understand.” He wanted to smile at her but he was too worried.

“I have to stop believing what everyone tells me. I seem to recall you warned me about that, not so long ago.”

“Lysette,” Katar reached out for her slowly, hesitantly, “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, I was told that Enda was pregnant and that you married her while Andru and I were prisoners. I had no way to contact you, no way to find out the truth. I had no reason to doubt what I was told. As time went by it was just too difficult to fight it anymore, so I just gave in and believed what they all had said.”

“I have never betrayed you Lysette, not once since the day we met.” Katar pulled her into his arms. “I haven’t been able to think of anyone or anything but you. If I hadn’t found you when I did, I think I might have lost my mind.”

Kissing him deeply Lysette let herself feel the warmth of his love, the touch of his hands against her skin. When they finally parted Katar pulled a small box from his uniform pocket. The same box he had been carrying for months. Opening the box he removed the pear shaped gem and placed it on her finger saying, “If we leave now, we can be in Borel by dawn and marry in the Queens garden as the sun rises.”

The news of the wedding spread throughout the waking city. Nearly two thousand sleepy eyed Treborelans appeared before the palace as the sun rose brightly above the clouds. The gardens were full of sparkling evergreens as the brisk air turned the dew into sparkling ornaments. Local florists flooded the gardens with every “My Beloved’ in the city.

Lysette entered the gardens wearing a shimmering pale silver gown. Beside her walked Katar in the Royal Blue Uniform of Treborel’s Air Command. Standing before the Clergy they said their vows as their close friends stood by watching. Cap stood beside Katar sharing in his joy as the clergy pronounced them bound for life.

Watching from afar Andru felt a great loss as he watched the woman he loved kissing her new husband. Glancing down at the two sleeping infants in his arms he turned and left.

As the Queen’s guards announced the marriage of their Prince the crowd began to cheer. The celebration began that would last several days. Andru disappeared through the gates on a tall gray stallion determined to carry on as his grandfather had intended. He would cherish the two sons he held, reveling in their happiness regardless of the emptiness he felt inside.

Katar and Lysette disappeared into the Royal Suite the Queen had prepared for them; determined to celebrate their wedding day in the ecstasy of each other’s arms.


The End