Bastial Frenzy (The Rhythm of Rivalry: Book 4) (58 page)

“Yes, but bring your weapons just in case,” Zoke said.

Then Alex shook hands with Zoke. “I don’t know what to say,” Alex said. “We’ve fought well together. Is there something we can say to each other in Kreppen that would be appropriate for what I’m feeling?”

“There is something,” Zoke said. “
Leka kylo lu rah
.”

“What does it mean?” Alex asked.

“Basically that the way you act is an example others should follow. It’s a common phrase.”

Alex repeated the line. “
Leka kylo lu rah
.”

Cleve shook Zoke’s hand when Alex was done and repeated the same thing. “
Leka kylo lu rah
.”

Zoke said it back to him with a smile.

Effie hugged him, her arms barely getting around his shoulders. “We’re going to miss you, Zoke. Everyone would’ve thought differently of Krepps if it weren’t for you. You’ve changed our lives for the better.”

“I’m humbled by what you say. I’ve learned much from you Humans as well. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye,” Effie said.

They watched as Zoke and Zeti turned and walked away.

“Come on.” Reela said. “I’m sure Vithos is sad and needs some company. He can join us for breakfast. Effie and Cleve, come with us.”

“But we already ate,” Effie said.

“So you can sit and play with your fingers. I know you want to come.”

She smiled. “I do.”

After breakfast, Steffen and Cleve walked to the north gate while their friends headed south to Oakshen. The guards were expecting them, and soon they were making their way toward one of the—now many—entrances to the Slugari colony. The Dajrik had come through this one, retreating back into it when he’d taken too many arrows. Steffen’s next breath felt constricted as he realized he didn’t know whether the Dajrik had survived after making it back.

There was a thin stretch of Raywhite Forest behind the Academy to the west. The entrance to the Slugari colony was in the middle of it, surrounded by trees. It was nothing more than a gaping hole in the side of a hill, transcending deep underground. Two guards were there, seated on rocks. They stood at the sight of Cleve and Steffen.

“We wish to visit the Slugari,” Cleve said.

“You two are from the Academy, aren’t you?” one man said.

“We are,” Cleve replied.

“Then go right ahead.”

The tunnel was so wide and straight that sunlight reached its base, where the glow of caregelows took over.

Slugari were wiggling everywhere, but many stopped what they were doing to come over and greet Steffen and Cleve by running a warm claw along their arms.

Steffen asked one of them in Slugaren if they knew of the evesal vine. The little Slugari’s black eyes doubled in size. He told Steffen that he must try the fruit. Then he grabbed Steffen’s hand and started wiggling deeper into the cavern.

“Bastial hell, it really exists,” Steffen told Cleve.

As Cleve gawked in every direction while they followed the Slugari, it came to Steffen that Cleve hadn’t been in the colony before. It was strange to think about, as Cleve had always been close to his thoughts. He was going to be sad to see him go once again, this time maybe for good.

They’d had such a good time at breakfast, Steffen hadn’t wanted to bring it up. Though he was extremely curious what Reela had to say about it.

He wanted to yell at Cleve, but the man’s reasons were too noble to be upset with him. He was leaving to stop war from coming to Ovira. And Steffen hadn’t forgotten about Cleve’s friend with nightmares. It was the only reason for Cleve’s interest in coming down here.

The Slugari led them through the twists of the wide cavern, bringing them deeper and deeper within.

“Steffen?” he heard a female Slugari call.

Turning, he saw it was Queen. She told the other Slugari that he could get back to work and she would take over.

“What are you doing here?” she asked. “We’re not leaving for another five days.”

“Leaving?” Steffen inquired. “Where are you going?”

Her eyes shrank. “Terren hasn’t made the announcement yet?”

“About what?” Steffen asked.

“Sumar,” Queen replied. “We told him yesterday about it.”

“What about it, if I may ask?” Cleve said.

“Queen, this is Cleve Polken, Terren’s nephew.”

“What a pleasure to meet you.” She grazed her claw along his arm.

“Do I bow?” Cleve asked.

“Just your smile is fine.”

Cleve tried to smile, but he looked more like he was relieving gas.

“You should work on that,” Queen advised him. “Before the battle we found an underground path between the deep mountains of Sumar. We dug for miles, and the stone does end eventually. We found a way up, though we haven’t been above ground yet. We were going to flee to Sumar if the battle was lost, so we didn’t want to tell any Humans because the Krepps might’ve gotten that information from you. But now that we’ve won, we told Terren, and he told your king. They want to send a group with us to explore Sumar above ground. When I saw you, Steffen, I figured you were early and the rest of your group was somewhere nearby. But I see now that you must be here for a different reason.”

“Yes, but I would like to explore Sumar. No one has found a way through the mountains yet. This is very exciting. When did you say you were leaving?”

“Terren is the one who wanted to wait. He scheduled the exploration group to get here five days from now. I’m happy you wish to come.”

“I look forward to it.” Steffen smiled and nodded. “Cleve and I have come to see the evesal vine and if possible to take some of its seeds with us.”

“Of course. I’m surprised it’s taken this long for anyone to come get its seeds…unless Marratrice just now told you about it?”

Steffen didn’t reply, not knowing how to word it.

Queen continued. “She was very secretive when she gave me the seed. Did she come down here with you? I’ve been waiting for her to visit. I would like to thank her.”

“She fell in battle, not this last one, but the one before.”

Queen let her claws drop. “It’s a shame. I’ll take you to the evesal vine. It’s just ahead. Let’s eat its fruit and think of Marratrice.”

Queen brought them to a section of the colony where one wall was completely covered by the vine. It looked like soft, round wood and was about as thick as Steffen’s forearm. It had crept and twisted up the pillars near the wall as well. Along the sturdy plant, pink and gray flowers had burst out in clusters. Among them was the circular fruit, a healthy green color and quite plump.

“We need the Dajrik to pick the higher fruits,” Queen said. “Still haven’t found a way to get it ourselves.”

“Is he alright?” Steffen asked.

“He’s still recovering from his injuries, but he’ll be fine.” She lifted her claw at Cleve. “Terren’s nephew, you’re very tall. Would you like to pick three evesals for us as high as you can reach?”

Cleve nodded and yanked three of the round fruits from their vine. He handed one to Queen and the other to Steffen.

“To Marratrice,” Steffen said. Then he took a bite.

There was a thick yet soft skin to the evesal fruit. It was sweet and fluffy, like a pastry. On the inside, the flavor changed to savory. The consistency was softer, like a fine cut of meat. Together, the textures and flavors mixed to perfection.

“Amazing,” Cleve commented with his mouth full.

As Steffen finished the fruit in his hand, he looked at the massive evesal vine. A solemn feeling came over him, yet he found himself smiling even as he fought back tears.

Wherever you are Marratrice, I hope you can see this. Rest peacefully.

“There are plenty of extra seeds,” Queen said, giving a handful to Steffen. “Just plant them in the dirt and water every day. Once they sprout, they’ll start to need Sartious Energy as well as water, more of both as they get bigger. You can trim the vine if it becomes unmanageable.”

“For your friend,” Steffen told Cleve, handing off half of them. “What’s his name?”

“Jek Trayden,” Cleve answered. “Thank you.”

“Jek?” Steffen repeated. “What an odd name. Did you know it means ‘fight’ in Kreppen?”

“I didn’t.”

Chapter 44:

CLEVE

When Cleve was back above ground, he thanked Steffen again and headed south, giving his pocket containing the evesal seeds a comforting pat.

It was time for the last thing he needed to do before saying his goodbyes. Terren had been speaking to King Kerr through messages on Cleve’s behalf, and he needed to finalize his trip in person.

Guards outside the castle greeted Cleve and brought him inside. One of them took the stairs to check on Kerr. Not long after, the guard leaned over the banister from the second floor and whistled to Cleve. “He’s ready to see you.”

The old man’s face immediately brought a smile out of Cleve. “Glad to see you,” Kerr said.

“I’m sorry about Welson.”

“Yes, tragic. I’ll miss him. He had a good heart and a strong mind. The last thing I wanted was to be king. Still—I’d rather control Kyrro than let the Takarys take over again. I assume that’s why you’re here?”

“Yes. Thank you for letting me use a ship and some of your men.”

“It’s nothing. If you weren’t volunteering for this, I’d have to send others for the task. I should be thanking you…but are you certain you wish to take Captain Mmzaza? There are others who can captain a ship besides him.”

“I’m sure there are, but I already know he’ll get the boat there safely. I can deal with his personality.”

Kerr laughed. “I understand. The boat will be in Gendock and ready to sail by tomorrow. Nulya will be ready for you as well. She’s in the stables outside the castle. You can get her on your way to Gendock.”

“Thank you.” Cleve didn’t know what else to say, so he bowed and prepared to leave.

“Cleve,” Kerr said, stopping him. “What exactly will you do in Greenedge to prevent the Takarys from coming here? You’ve told me you have friends within that family, so I know you’re not going to be fighting against them.”

Cleve thought about how he could answer.

“The face you’re making is worrying me,” Kerr said. “You don’t know?”

“I’m just not sure where to begin. The desmarls are the main reason behind the Takary family wanting Ovira. If I could find some way to exterminate them, or even stop the monsters from spreading, then the Takarys will stay in Greenedge. There’s also the possibility that I can offer my service under the agreement that they won’t fight to take Ovira once their war is over. In other words, I’m not exactly sure what I’ll be doing, just that it’ll be far more than I could’ve done staying here.”

Cleve pressed his hand against his pocket.
And Jek needs a cure before his darkness kills him.

“Well, I have confidence in you. If you think of anything else you need from me to make this mission a success, let me know tomorrow when you come by for Nulya.”

“I will. Thank you, King Kerr.”

The old man smiled. “King Kerr…” He reflected upon the way it sounded. “I think I’ll always prefer Councilman Kerr.”

It was dark by the time Cleve got back to his house. His roommates were in their rooms with their doors closed. He was pleased to find Reela in his bed. She’d fallen asleep with her arm slung across the bed, and there was no way to lie down without moving it. He wondered if she’d done so on purpose to make sure he’d wake her.

“Did you just get back?” she asked in a whisper, her eyes still closed.

“Yes.”

“I want you to see something.” Reela gingerly pushed herself up and off the bed. She fiddled with a lamp until it began to glow. Holding it next to her cheek, she smiled. “Look.”

“What am I looking at?” Cleve said. “I don’t see anything.”

“That’s the point!” Reela was excited and far more awake. “My scar, it’s nearly gone.”

“I’m surprised.”

“That’s it? That’s all you have to say?”

“I’m happy as well, so long as you’re happy.”

“I’m thrilled! I’ve thanked Steffen profusely. The skin should be completely healed in just a few more doses. He’s already made more for me. How could you not notice the scar was practically gone when I held up the light?”

Cleve shrugged and held out his hand. “Come lie beside me. Leave the light on so I can look at you.”

She crawled into the bed and nestled against him. Cleve kissed her forehead and brushed the hair from her face.

“I’d still like to know how my missing scar wasn’t the first thing you noticed when I lit the lamp.”

“I guess I just never saw it as part of you. I don’t focus on your imperfections. There are too many things I like about you to worry about a scar.”

She touched his cheek and leaned over to kiss his lips. Then she sighed and said, “The day is nearly here.”

“Are you certain you don’t want to change your decision?” Cleve asked.