Plague of Mybyncia (49 page)

“How do we administer it?” Princess Sansa
eyes the bag.

“A simple matter of ingestion,” Sampson
explains. “It was let loose in the water and you breathed it into
your system. We’ll just have to do something similar.”

“In the water?” Chancellor Keller raises a
brow.

“No. We don’t want anyone getting exposed all
over again if the water is not fully cleared yet. I would suggest
incorporating the antidote within the food. That way, there won’t
be a maddening rush and the Mybyncians will ingest it
naturally.”

“Good idea,” the chancellor nods, turning
toward the edge of the bed. “Princess Varille, please call Mallup
and the others. Have them arrive immediately.”

She bows, silently leaving the room.

“How much do you think they would need?”
Chancellor Keller returns his focus to Sampson. “We are still
unsure of the amount of toxin that was used.”

“We’ve got enough, but I’d like to test
smaller doses first. I’d assume only a tiny sprinkling of the
Nazaul’s dust will be sufficient. We can always add more for their
mid-morning meal and late-afternoon break if need be.”

“Yes, Fychu,” Chancellor Keller bows
again.

“Let’s get you and the princesses treated
first, and then we can move on to addressing the others.”

The chancellor looks to the queen, hesitant
and forlorn. But she’s drifted into her own despair, her saddened
eyes fixated on the ground. Something has shifted in the room, like
a cold wind has blasted through. It’s obvious to everyone, but
Sampson asks the question.

“What is it?”

The queen makes no move to answer and
Chancellor Keller inhales deeply. After a long, painful minute, he
finally looks up, a grave expression marring his sage face.
“Princess Ariana is gone.”

“What?” Sampson’s eyes widen. “When did this
happen?”

“Only a little while after you left. She was
fetching the attendants and never returned. No one saw where she
went.”

“It was Perio,” Tucker growls in a low,
lethal tone behind me. He’s next to Reid and oozing aggression like
I’ve never seen, like he’s about to lose it, about to go off the
deep end and take everyone with him.

“Yes…” the chancellor agrees, “…we have our
suspicions it was him.”

“Any idea where he would’ve taken her?”
Sampson asks.

“We have no doubt she is unharmed…” the
chancellor sighs. “But no, no idea.”

“Obviously you checked the Musko lair?” I
ask.

“We have combed through it, most thoroughly.
No sign of anyone.”

“But they haven’t left,” I look to the queen.
“You said you’d be aware if any Mybyncians left?”

“Oh they are here…” the chancellor exhales,
“we just do not know where. We have no fear that Perio means to do
the princess any harm. On the contrary—she is probably being
treated extremely well. The danger lies in the fact that she is
infected. If she does not get the antidote…”

“Perio has it. He’ll make sure she’s taken
care of.”

“But where has he gone?” the queen finally
speaks, a deep anger underlying her tone. “Where has he taken my
child?”

Princess Varille returns, Mallup and three
other attendants following her into the room, all immediately
recognizing the tense air. Mallup moves closer, and, keeping her
head lowered, speaks to Keller.

“You wished to see us, Chancellor?”

“Yes…” he sighs, reaching for the bag. “The
Fychu and his friends have returned with the antidote. When you
distribute food later and in the upcoming meals, you need only
break the Nazual open and sprinkle a little of its dust on each
portion of food served.”

“Yes, your Grace,” she looks up.

“Do not be stingy, but do not pour on the
entire contents either. We want to distribute tiny doses,” he
reaches for a handful of the buds but before dispensing them in her
open palms, pulls back. “And do not let them know what you are
doing. If they ask about the antidote, tell them to remain calm and
that we are still working on it. A good thing can be just as
dangerous as a bad thing if people overreact.”

“Yes, Chancellor.”

“Very good,” he drops the handful of buds in
her open hand, motioning them away. Once the attendants have
disappeared, a long moment of silence passes.

“And there’s nothing that can be done to
reclaim her?” Clarence frowns.

“Not at this point,” the chancellor shakes
his head. “We will only be notified when or if they leave. And if
they do…”

“You mustn’t worry yourself with that now,”
Sampson shakes his head. “They’re still here, on the planet. It
gives you a finite amount of space.”

“We cannot possibly search it all.”

“Maybe Perio will bring her back?” Clarence
tries. “Exchange her for something?”

“No,” the queen shakes her head. “She is too
valuable to him. I would wager her abduction has nothing to do with
revenge.”

“So why take her?” Able’s confused.

“He wants her for his bride,” Chancellor
Keller says. “If he feels betrayed by his people, he will start a
new life. But she has always been a part of his plan. He is not
ready to let that part go.”

“Monster,” the queen scowls to herself.

“Come,” Princess Sansa rises, “we should
leave Qippert to rest. The Healers will be here soon and they will
need the space.”

“Has the FH restored its separate gender
quarters?” Sampson asks the chancellor.

“Not yet. We were planning on it, but I think
it best to resume as normal once the toxin has been
eliminated.”

“Good,” he nods, looking to Reid. “Let’s all
stay together then. Educate Able on the Millix and meal
distribution, if you don’t mind. If Qippert still needs a day or
two for recovery, it’s probably best Able learns what he can.”

Reid nods.

“Okay,” Sampson glances to Qippert, then back
to the queen and chancellor. “Princess Ariana will be found—I
promise you. The Nazual is currently being distributed amongst the
infected. Your kingdom will heal,” he offers a slight grin. “All is
not lost.”

“But my daughter…”

“…will be found. I assure you, your Majesty.
But please,” Sampson retrieves one of the pink and green buds from
the bag and breaks it in half. He presents the first half to
Chancellor Keller and the second to Princess Sansa. “A people are
only as strong as their lead.”

“Without the food?” the princess frowns.
“Will it do any damage?”

He shakes his head. “I wouldn’t worry about
any damage. Please, Princess,” he motions her to take the bud from
his hands.

She nods, sprinkling some of the bud’s soft
dust into her mouth. Chancellor Keller does the same, both
scrunching their faces at the sour taste.

“Thank you, Fychu,” the queen whispers,
almost to herself. “Thank you for saving my daughters.”

“The Healers say you’re fine to leave in a
day or so,” Clarence grins over the bedside. “So?” he folds his
arms. “Are we to know the big secret finally? Where is Blovid?”

Qippert exhales with a deep breath, his hands
resting over his stomach. He looks between Sampson and Clarence
before eyeing me, Reid and Vix down by his feet. Finally, he nods
with a focus on the Fychu again. “The one place Reuzkimpart is not
willing to send forces just yet.”

Clarence laughs under his breath, throwing a
look to his old friend. “So you were right. It is a moon.”

“Larupip?” Sampson raises a brow.
“Really?”

Qippert nods. “It was not his top choice, I
will say that. But I am sure you know how Nerwolix would react to
receiving him.”

“They’ll get involved sooner or later,”
Clarence scratches his chin. “Whether they realize it or not.”

Suddenly, a thought dawns on me—something so
blatantly obvious that I’m surprised it’s taken so long for me to
ask. “How come you weren’t able to just ask him yourself?” I frown
between Sampson and Clarence. “Blovid is a trusted connection. Why
couldn’t you just ask him where he was?” I glance at Vix next to
me. “Or tell Sampson where you were?”

Clarence shakes his head. “It doesn’t work
that way. We can only speak if we’re near each other.”

“What do you consider ‘near’?” Reid asks.

“On the same planet or moon,” Sampson
answers. “Those on Dellapalania can speak with the inhabitants on
the moons. But the second they’ve entered another World,” his eyes
flicker to Vix, “it’s silent. I’d tried speaking with Vix several
times, hoping she’d eventually respond but when she didn’t, I knew
she was off planet, away from Dellapalania, but I didn’t know
where.”

I turn to Qippert. “And Blovid is fine with
you telling us where he is now?”

“Well,” he glances between Sampson and
Clarence, “you intend on our departure tomorrow?”

“I’d like to give you another day of
recovery,” Sampson considers, eyeing the bandage on his chest.

“And I can recover just as well on Larupip.
There is no need to waste any more time not aiding him. I am well
enough for travel,” he exhales. “That is good enough for me.”

“Still…” Clarence passes the head of the bed,
“let’s try for tomorrow afternoon. Day after at the latest. I’m
sure the kids need a break as well.”

“But we shouldn’t wait too long,” I add. “I
don’t feel comfortable leaving Pratt and Mae on Nerwolix
alone.”

“They’re not alone,” Clarence shakes his
head. “They have Walker to look out for them and Hozfin himself.
They’re perfectly safe.”

“Tomorrow,” Sampson decides, settling the
matter. “Late afternoon. We’ll leave for Larupip.”

“Good,” Qippert nods. “I am sick of this
bed.”

“And we’re sick of looking at you in it,”
Clarence grins, turning to Reid and I. “How’s Able doing? He
mastered the Millix yet?”

“A pro,” Reid nods.

“Although,” I smirk, “I think he’s more
excited over the Hunnis.”

“Why wouldn’t he be? Maybe we can bring a jug
with us to Blovid,” Clarence catches eyes with Sampson. “What? For
celebrating.”

“We are far from celebrating.”

“But the Mybyncians are fully healed?”
Qippert asks.

“Nearly,” Sampson nods. “Most have regained
full strength and color. Chancellor Keller is announcing their
release later today. We expect the FH will empty by nightfall.”

“And the water has been cleaned?” Vix asks.
“They are not at risk to catch it again?”

“No. It is safe for them to return.”

“Are there any plans to search for additional
survivors?” I ask.

“The Chancellor will request a search of all
vacant neighbor homes. He’ll make sure every air room is
checked.”

“Good.”

“Well,” Sampson glances to the rest of us
before setting his focus on Qippert, “we should leave you to
recover.” He moves for the door and we quickly follow. “Feel
better, old friend.”

Qippert nods a goodbye, closing his eyes and
we leave him to the quiet.

Making it back to the Great Hall, we arrive
in time to hear Chancellor Keller announce that with the water
cleared and everyone restored to full health, the Mybyncians are
able to head back home. With a final request to search their
neighbors’ homes for anyone trapped and if need be, to dispose of
the dead, Mybyncians flush from the FH one by one. Within minutes,
the Great Hall, Docking Station and all tunnels are nearly empty,
leaving only a handful of guards, the royal court and us—the humans
and Dofinikes.

With the FH emptied, Chancellor Keller has
decreed the same separate sleeping quarters as before. Reid tries
fighting it with Sampson, claiming it doesn’t make any sense for
one night when I don’t even have Pratt and Mae for company. But
Sampson agrees with the chancellor that Vix and Salva are more than
enough company for sleeping quarters and I end up back in my
original room in the East Wing with them.

“You’re looking much better, Salva,” I grin
as I climb onto the large, circular bed. “You didn’t want to head
back home for the night?”

“This is my home.”

“Your family is here?” Vix asks.

“Queen Ravan and her daughters are my family.
Chancellor Keller is my family.”

“And Maris?” I ask. “Is she staying here
too?”

“She is attending to the North Shore. The
moment she regained her health, she resumed her post.”

“And there’s no word on Princess Ariana’s
location?” I tuck my knees to my chest. “No one’s heard
anything?”

Salva shakes her head slowly, a frown marring
her sage lips. “She was last seen three days ago.”

“Have any plans been made for her retrieval?”
Vix asks.

“After your departure tomorrow, Queen Ravan
is sending out a fleet of guards to search for her, but I fear
Perio has absconded with the princess to the far reaches of
Mybyncia’s ocean.”

“What—to the South Waters?”

Salva nods. “But not to the city. He will be
in hiding with the other Muskos in some obscure location. I fear…”
Salva takes a breath. “I fear once he senses their trail, he will
flee the planet.”

“And go where?” I ask.

“Of this I am not certain. But once they are
gone, it will be nearly impossible to retrieve the princess.”

Inhaling deeply, I bite my lip. “They’ll find
her.”

“Please, get some rest for your travels
tomorrow. I will keep guard.” Salva moves for the tunnel’s opening
and like a statue, stares rigid into the blackness ahead.

Vix lays back, staring up to the ceiling and
before long, closes her eyes to a deep, snoring slumber. I try my
best to do the same but thoughts of Princess Ariana keep me awake.
Is she safe? Scared? Hidden nearby? At some point, all my racing
questions pile into one another, tumbling into one illegible blur
of drowsy darkness that overtakes me.

***

“Come on,” Clarence positions Qippert’s arm
across his shoulder, the two moving awkwardly over the smooth,
yellow sand. “Time to quit being lazy. I’m sure there’s a place you
can rest on Larupip.”