Ashes of the Realm: Book 04 - The Return of the Realm (8 page)

T
rey and Cassie teleported in and joined Danielle and Tag in the Throne Room. Danielle stood and bowed to them. Valerie and Jake saw her bow and then stared at the two teenagers that had just teleported in. Who were they? Valerie bowed and Jake finally did as well. Trey said, “Oh stop that. We are not royalty and you do not need to bow.”

Danielle said, “You deserve much more than a bow and you are royalty whether you want to admit or not. You are your family’s son.”

Trey sighed and said, “Please rise.” The four Leaders of the Realm stood and Trey said, “Danielle, were you serious when you told Twig that we would go and destroy her galaxy?”

“Absolutely.”

Trey looked at Cassie and turned to Danielle, “I don’t know that we would have done that. I just don’t see us causing that much death; especially to those innocent worlds brought in from the Keeper’s Universe. We are sworn to protect those that cannot defend themselves.”

“I didn’t say you would. I just said I would order you to do it.”

Trey started laughing. Cassie joined him and then Tag joined them. Danielle didn’t laugh and said, “I was serious.”

Trey finally caught his breath and said, “That’s what Twig saw. She didn’t know that we follow the old principles so she could only make a decision on what she saw.”

Danielle smiled, “Trey, if I told you that all of the worlds in this galaxy were going to die if you didn’t do exactly what I threatened to do, would you refuse?”

Trey’s expression turned serious as he thought about Danielle’s remark. “Danielle, if Twig refused to allow this galaxy to be moved because of selfish reasons, I suspect we would have been faced with an extremely difficult decision.”

“What would your grandfather have done if the Empire was being held hostage by the Algeans?”

Trey lowered his head and took a deep breath, “His responsibility was to protect his subjects. He would have started blasting the Algean’s planets first until they agreed. He knew that the failure of the Realm was due to the leaders not having the strength to make hard choices. He wouldn’t have hesitated for a moment.”

“This is exactly what I would have said to you if she refused. Now what do you say?”

Cassie said, “We would have done it. I can see it now.”

Valerie said, “My name is Valerie Gardner Talant and I don’t know who you are?”

Cassie smiled, “We are the leaders of the Bristone Empire’s Naval Forces. We are the ones that met your husband in our former universe. My name is Cassandra Robbins and this is my husband Trey.”

“I mean no disrespect, but both of you are extremely young.”

Cassie smiled, “How old were you when you ascended to the throne, Valerie?”

Valerie smiled, “Touché’, you make a good point. Age changes one’s perspective. I was probably stronger then than now.”

Danielle said, “They are the ones that caused the psychic blast.”

Jake jerked his head around at Danielle and then looked at the two standing in front of him. Trey smiled, “That got your attention.”

Jake took a deep breath, “You’re the one that said you didn’t really care if we lived or died.”

“Yes, I am and I meant it at the time. However, Danielle has made me see that you might just be worth saving. That’s why we allowed her to make the effort. I honestly viewed the Realm as being just like you, Jake, and she showed me I was inaccurate in that assessment.”

Jake flinched at the remark, but sensed that he was no match for the young man who made it. Like Tag, he was stronger, “I’m not sure what you mean?”

“Yes, you do. You are the one primarily responsible for the death of our former universe. Your indifference ultimately led to the death of my grandparents and parents. I actually hoped you would ignore my warning during our first meeting and stay where you were. When the Demons came and burned your worlds, I hoped that you would have a better understanding of what your actions caused.” Trey stared at Jake and then said, “However, Danielle proved to me that the Realm’s heart is not black. I understand why you did what you did two thousand years ago. But I still don’t like you, Jake, and I don’t know that I ever will.”

Valerie listened to the exchange, took Jake’s hand, and said harshly, “It’s easy for you to stand here in judgment after the fact and make your accusations. You didn’t have to fight the Keepers to save our universe and you weren’t staring down the barrel of millions of Searchers coming to kill your subjects.”

Trey felt his anger skyrocket and opened his mouth to respond and stopped. He took a deep breath and stared at Valerie for a long moment and finally said, “No, I wasn’t. Choosing to run is not what has caused my ill will. It was your total indifference afterwards that makes me feel this way. Perhaps you can explain that, Valerie. The buoys were gone but you never looked in on the planets of the Realm you left behind.”

Jake said, “She can’t explain it. We gave that responsibility to the Spiders and Algeans and they assured us they would handle it. I now see that we chose poorly in selecting them to do it. We were unaware of their treachery and just didn’t see it. You’re absolutely right to feel as you do and we have the ultimate responsibility for our decisions. It’s too little too late, but I am so very sorry for what happened to all of those that were killed due to my incompetence. I don’t blame you for your anger. I deserve it.”

Valerie turned to Danielle and said, “Thank you for trying to save our citizens, Danielle. We will take our things and leave the castle.”

“Oh no you won’t!”

Valerie and Jake looked at Danielle and Valerie shook her head, “We no longer serve a purpose here. We’ve done nothing but harm to the Realm.”

Trey and Cassie looked at Danielle and were shocked by her next statement. “I hereby abdicate the Throne of the Stars Realm and name Valerie Talant as my successor. You will take the Crown now and start making plans to defend the Realm.”

Trey started to challenge her but Valerie said, “You have totally confused me. That doesn’t make any sense what so ever. Why on Ross would you even suggest that? What do you mean!?!”

Tag looked at Danielle and smiled. Danielle stood from the throne and said, “How many of our citizens know about what just happened?”

Valerie thought about it and said, “I only announced my abdication to our fleet. I suppose none of our worlds know anything.”

“Exactly right; they have their confidence and trust in you, Valerie and now we are going to remove them from this dimension and tell them the Demons are returning. Putting me on the throne after all the years you’ve ruled would be too much of a shock. You should also remember that it was you and Jake that saved them from the Keepers. They love you and they are your responsibility during this crisis. You are going to have to lead them during this time of danger and you are going to have to get them prepared for the coming fight.”

Trey looked from Danielle to Cassie and she nodded. He looked at Jake and then at Danielle, “And just what are you going to be doing while all this is happening?”

“Exactly what I told you before we came here; assisting you in the coming war against the Demons in those four universes.” Danielle saw Trey look at Jake again with anger and she said, “Look at his mind, Trey. Do it now!”

Trey hesitated but turned his mind to Jake and saw the agony taking place. He saw the pain and guilt from what he had done. He withdrew and looked at Cassie. She made it clear that this was his decision. He looked at Danielle and said, “You are still following my orders?”

“I am.”

“And if I tell you that I will not accept this decision?”

“We will do whatever you decide.”

Cassie listened to them and remembered Danielle’s words, she said, “You said the biggest mistake you made was thinking that more powerful psychic powers allowed one to see the truth more clearly. You said you were wrong in that judgment.”

Trey looked at Cassie as she repeated Danielle’s words and desperately looked in his mind at all the possible choices that could be made and couldn’t see the path to follow. Cassie slowly shook her head and said, “I don’t see it either.”

Trey was fuming. He wanted Jake to be punished and Jake’s sorrow now was just too little too late to remove that desire. He thought about what his family would have done and then he saw his grandfather and Grang. He immediately saw his adopted Father kneeling in front of Scotty begging for death. Scotty refused Grang that mercy and forgave him. What he had done was much worse to Scotty than Jake had done to him. Trey looked at Jake and said, “You will atone for your actions! If you do nothing else in your life, you will strive to balance your debt!” Trey took a deep breath and said, “It will be done as you say, Danielle. We’re leaving for the Empire and you can join us there when you’re ready.”

Danielle saw Trey’s struggle and knew he was stronger for it, “Will you do one thing for me?”

“What is that?”

“I need you to bring Weed and Seed here as quickly as possible.”

“Why do you need them?”

“Because the Algeans and Spiders will be coming here quickly and I need them to help me kick some sense into them.” Danielle paused, “I would have thought you would want to see that happen.”

Cassie started laughing again and said, “You can leave if you want to, Trey but I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

Trey stared at Danielle, “How are you going to do that?”

“I’m not, Jake is.”

Jake jerked his head up, “I’m what?”

Trey said, “This I will stay to see. Greyson.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Not you, too.”

“Oh yes.”

“Timmy, will you and Virze go with Greyson and get Weed and Seed and bring them here.”

“On our way.”

Jake looked at Danielle, “What is it that I am going to do?”

Danielle told him while Cassie and Trey went to a chair and smiled. This was going to be fun. It wouldn’t take long for the festivities to start.

Cassie yelled over to Danielle, “What are you going to do after this?”

“I thought we were going to the universes the Demon Ships are currently invading and say hello.”

Trey chuckled and said, “Boy! You can really see the big picture.”

Tag said, “You’ve got that right.”

Danielle thought where everyone could hear her, “Cassandra, I need you and the Kosiev to come to Ross. I also want you to join us in the Throne Room.”

“Do you really need me, Danielle?”

“More than you know.”

“We’ll be there momentarily.”

• • •

“Edison, I need you to come and see me.”

“What’s on your mind, Twig?”

“The Demons are coming and you are going to be their first target.”

“I’m glad you see that. We do currently occupy their former family’s home and this will be their first stop. Do you have a plan?”

“No, I don’t and all of these Searchers are worthless in protecting us. I’ve reviewed the recordings of the original battle and even the Psychic Ships would have lost if not for the Kosiev. The Demon’s ships will destroy everything if they come here. We’ve got to go and ask Danielle what she is doing to protect the Realm and what we should do.”

“You felt her thoughts. She has no love for us and I doubt she will offer us any assistance. Her anger was real.”

“Then you decide what we should do and if you don’t have a plan, we’ll try my way first. Do you have a plan?”

“No, but I’m reluctant to join you in this.”

Twig saw it then, “Edison, Danielle was right. We are no longer bound by a common destiny. Our decisions long ago broke what held us together. You do not trust me and you must be thinking you should only take care of your species. Am I wrong?”

There was a long period of silence and Twig waited for him to respond. “Twig, we know that you will take care of yourself first. Our safety is not your primary concern.”

“You’re right.”

“I never expected you to admit it.”

“Our original decision to leave the Realm behind makes that obvious; Edison, you and I may be on different paths but you need to ask yourself a question.”

“What is that?”

“If the Demons can see us wherever we choose to hide, what made Danielle think she could protect her galaxy by moving it. Do you know the answer to that question?”

“It really didn’t make sense. They’ll see the Realm no matter where they move it.” After another pause Edison said, “She must know something we don’t, although I can’t think of what it could possibly be. You’re right, we’re missing something. What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to go ask her why she requested the move. I was thinking you would want to be there with me.”

“What ship do you want to take?”

“We’ll go in mine.”

“I’ll be there as soon as I talk with Destiny and the Nest Mother. They have some questions about what’s happening.”

“You may want to have them come with you.”

“Perhaps you’re right and it may be I’ll not be given a choice in the matter. I’ll let you know as soon as they decide.”

Twig waited and thought about Sprig. She remembered him running from Wes on the Megaship Dorg-Ross. She smiled and then remembered Tommy and Cassandra helping them so long ago. Such wonderful memories; where had everything gone so wrong? Where had they lost their way?

• • •

Trey sat at a table in the Map Room in Castle Gardner and listened to Jingo and Grang argue about the Realm’s return. Paul and TK listened in and both were trying not to laugh. Jingo would go on for ten minutes and Grang would respond with a short sentence which only got Jingo started all over again. Timmy and Virze had teleported in with Weed and Seed. Junior teleported down from the Robbins and met them in the Map Room.

Virze hugged her son and said, “It’s so good to see you. My how you’ve grown. How are things going?”

“The Robbins has performed beyond my expectations. We have a good crew.”

“Do you want to have your own ship?”

Junior smiled, “No, this is where the real action will take place. This ship will ultimately determine the fate of the empire. They need me on the Robbins.”