Tempest Rise (revised edition 10/2013) (Treborel) (10 page)

"Does the Royal Family have an Empathic Heritage?" Lysette asked, as they walked in the glowing, pastel light.

"Somewhat, neither I nor my parents have the
strength
. Treborelan royalty claims a distant link to the Empathic Community. Marriage has weakened it." Katar explained. "Although my father brought the heritage back into the family, his mother was an Empath."

Moving on
to a small pond, he turned, and gazed down at her, speaking softly, "How is it  your eyes manage to sparkle in such dim light? I've heard of people with stars in their eyes. I’ve always thought that phrase meant they were dreamers, searching for the unattainable, until now." Moving closer to her, he brushed her cheek lightly with his fingertips. The tightness in her stomach returned. It was then that she realized it was not him she feared. It's how he made her feel that scared her. She allowed him to pull her close.

"What is Prince Roth to you
, Lysette?" He whispered, his arms surrounding her. "A friend? A lover?"

"We have never been more than friends. Right now, I'm not even sure we are  anymore." She answered, breathlessly, looking into his deep
, blue eyes.

Katar's lips touched hers gently,
taking her breath away. His heart began to pound as the kiss deepened. Suddenly, Katar released her. He wanted the kiss to last longer, yet didn't want to frighten her. Or was it himself who was afraid. This beautiful, intelligent Physician had no place in his world, and he could never live in hers. Allowing her to move away from him, they descended the next flight of steps.

"The fountains are fed by an underground river.” She blurted out, trying to break the silence. "The river supplies enough pressure, enhanced by the t
errace structure, to operate the fountains and keep the small stone ponds from becoming stagnant." Lysette turned to find him standing directly behind her in the cool darkness.

Silently taking her hand
, he led her down the last flight of steps to the base of the gardens, fighting the urge to hold her again. He followed a narrow stone walkway to a small, man-made waterfall. They sat on a stone bench and watched the churning water in silence. The wind moved quickly through the trees, as the pastel shades gave chase to the waterfalls shadows. Turning slowly, Katar watched the waters reflection caress Lysette’s delicate features.

"Did you have a chance to speak to Lord Wills about your grandmother?" Katar asked, quietly, turning back to gaze into the bubbling water.

"No, but we're having lunch together tomorrow.”  Lysette’s disappointment showed through her hopeful manner, as she turned to face him.

Katar smiled at her
, and said, "He told me an interesting story about Lady Moore, just this afternoon. I think he was trying to make me feel worse about the incident in the bath house." Katar chuckled, looking into her eyes. "It seems he was very much in love with her. Seeing you must have sparked that old brain of his. He never spoke of her before this afternoon, then he couldn't stop."

"In love?”
She asked, dismayed.

"
He had just begun to court her, when your grandfather appeared and swept her away to Lon Tesse." Rising, as something caught his eye, Katar moved to a large bush covered in huge, white blossoms and picked one. Returning, he offered her the flower, "This flower grows abundantly, high in the mountains, around the base of waterfalls in Treborel. It is a
My Beloved
, named so because of the crimson center, hidden inside the blossom. The center is called 'The Hunter's Heart." Reaching down, he opened the center of the large petals to reveal a velvety crimson bud. "The white petals represent pure unselfish love. In Treborel, not too long ago, a man would send his love six single blossoms, separately. One each day, then on the seventh day he would appear at her door with another six, wrapped in white lace, and tied with a crimson ribbon. If she accepted the bouquet, he'd won her heart, and they were married soon after."  Sitting back down beside her, he reached up to brush a stray lock of hair gently back from her forehead. "Now your grandfather, being from Lon Tesse, knew nothing about this custom. One day he overheard a casual remark about the growing number of flowers on your grandmother's end table. He began to inquire about the tradition. Upon his enlightenment, he rushed out and bought a full dozen. He arrived on her doorstep only a moment before Lord Wills. Hanlin stood, across the street bouquet in hand, as he watched your grandmother give her heart to another man. Ever the gentleman, he turned and left, without a word."

"How sad for him.”
Lysette whispered, gazing back into the sparkling water.

"He was lucky enough to love a beautiful woman, very deeply. It could have been
worse. He might never have known her at all." Katar answered. Startled by his own response, he decided they should return to the palace. "We've been gone too long. I'd better get you back before your Uncle sends the guards after us.” He rose, taking her hand, reminding himself Treborel offered nothing to a Physician.  Turning to leave, Katar noticed Hanlin standing at the base of the steps.

Coming forward quietly, Hanlin addressed the Prince. "The Regent has called an early Summit
conference. She requests you attend her at once.”

"This is an outrage!” Ambassador Long stormed into the conference room. "
Bantorian Troops are murdering hundreds of my people at this very moment!"  Crossing to the Regent, his face red with fury, "We must reach King William and demand he remove his armies from Nayr at once!”

The Regent motioned for him to
be seated at the long conference table with the other members of the Continental Alliance. He said, “Ambassador, my son is attempting to contact His Majesty at this very moment. Please try to calm yourself; we must remain rational if we are to end this distressing situation."

“Situation?
This is much more than a simple difficulty. Bantor has invaded a completely helpless, peaceful society. We are Pacifists; we do not have a defense system or armaments. This is a violent act, nothing short of murder!" Ambassador Long glared at Ambassador Kreal waiting for a response.

Katar stood and offered him the
Nayrian a seat. Calming himself, the Ambassador sat down across from the Bantorian. Prince Katar and Lord Wills were seated on either side of Ambassador Long each shared his outrage. Lord Nolan and Ambassador Hannah Airee were seated across from them next to the Bantorian. Ambassador Kreal sat rigid in his seat, beads of perspiration forming on his brow. He offered no information, only concentrated on Regent Dana, waiting for her to begin.

The Regent announced, grimly, turning to Ambassador
Kreal. “We have received information directly from a Bantorian courier, claiming an attempt on Queen Elsebeth's life happened earlier this morning. The attack occurred in her suite while she slept. Is this correct Ambassador?"

"That is the information relayed to me by
Commander Connor of the Kings Elite Guard." He answered confidently, ignoring Ambassador Long's glare.

Catching Hanlin’s glance of caution at the mention of the
Bantorian Commander, Katar had a bad feeling the Commander's survival through the wilderness was partially responsible for the invasion.

"Did the Commander also state the reason to suspect Nayr for the attack?"
The Regent asked, calmly.

“Yes,
Bantorian Intelligence was able to capture two Nayrian Intelligence operatives. They subsequently confessed to the attempted assassination of the Queen and her unborn child." The Bantorian answered, returning Ambassador Long's stare.

Katar’s eyes narrowed with suspicion as he asked, “How can you explain the fact that a completely passive society
that has maintained a non-violent foreign policy for the last 150 years, would suddenly decide to assassinate your pregnant Queen? A woman who has no political power whatsoever?"

"It is no secret
Nayr and Bantor has been at odds over the new Search and Seizure Rights Nayr has suddenly claimed." Ambassador Kreal answered casually adjusting his collar. "Frankly, it is an insult to Bantorian Security to search our ships for stolen goods and illegal weapons."

"I assure you  the Prime Minister would never risk our country's security over such a trivial matter." Ambassador Long spoke with reserved hostility. "We reserve the right to search
all ships that are delivering goods to our harbor, especially if they are traveling through our canal system and into Lon Tesse or Bantor. The coastal pirates have become increasingly bolder. We must take precautions to insure they are not transporting goods through our system,"

Nodding silently at the Regent, Prince Katar rose and headed for the conference room doors as Prince Roth entered announcing that King William was in
a conference and therefore unavailable. "I left an urgent message for his Foreign Minister; he has assured me the King will contact us immediately." Roth's voice reached Katar as he closed the door behind him.

Determined to discover the identity of the Nayrian operatives, Katar headed to the Communications Office to consult with Treborelan Intelligence.
There was not a conflict on the Eastern continent in nearly 160 years. This situation had the potential to escalate completely out of control. Turning down the long dark hall, his mood brightened as Lysette rounded the far corner and turned in his direction. He smiled and said, "I thought you would have retired for the evening."

"I heard about the invasion. I'm on my way to contact the Chief of Staff at the
Lavose Medical Complex. I am sure the Emergency Relief Program is preparing supplies for the refugees. They just announced on the News Network. They're pouring across the border bridges into Southern Lon Tesse by the thousands."  Lysette answered meeting him in front of the corridor that led to the Communications Offices.

"Are you a member of the Emergency Relief?" He asked as they turned and headed down the hall.

"Yes, I spent my residency with the Corp  I'm going to volunteer my services. I retired only a few weeks ago, so it should be very easy to reactivate my commission. If I can reach the capital by morning, I could leave with the second team. I'm certain the first units are already in route."

A sudden urge to persuade her not to travel to the unstable area surged through him. Quelling the
impulse he realized it was none of his business where she chose to go. Reaching the communications office they paused before the series of small private booths.

"The border could become unstable, things could get rough. You
’re headed into a war zone. That’s completely different from rushing to assist after a natural disaster.” He managed, despite his effort at restraint.

"I know the risks; I've
worked with the corps for two years. I am sure the Alliance will prevent Bantor from targeting the Relief Program. But even if they were under fire, I’d go if they needed me.” She answered, sternly, looking up at him.

"Your calling to the healing profession is as
strong as some Empaths I've known.”  Katar smiled, impressed by her determination. "I'll miss you at breakfast tomorrow.”  He added wanting to touch her but holding back.

Lysette stared after him as he turned and entered the first of the
holographic Comm rooms and closed the door. Those simple words made her heart pound. Shaking the effects the large Treborelan had on her, as best she could, Lysette entered the next open booth and placed her call. 

Ambassador Long
had difficulty holding his temper, becoming more agitated as Ambassador Kreal refused to cooperate. He would offer no more information other than his original statements. He offered neither regrets at the action taken nor any encouragements toward its end.

"Ambassador
Kreal." Ambassador Airee began, trying to reason with him. "Nayr has no defensive armaments of any kind. For the Prime Minister to risk an invasion by assassinating a pregnant woman, is absurd. What possible gain would such a venture reap for them to set aside their peaceful beliefs so easily?"

"I can only relay to you the information I have been given, Ambassador. The King believes the
Nayrian Government to be responsible for the attack. That he believes, is in retaliation for the Queen's efforts to restore the Old Bantorian Rail System. You cannot ignore the confessions of the two Nayrian operatives.  They confessed to the attempted assassination." Ambassador Kreals cool attitude was giving way to his tendency to sweat, profusely at the slightest onset of nervous tension.

Regent Dana studied the stout Ambassador
. His hands shook slightly as he reached for his third glass of water in the last hour. She was sure there was more to this maneuver than he was willing to admit. Lord Nolan leaned forward activating the holographic image display on the small instrument panel embedded in the table. The air over the octagon shaped table shimmered and the picture of the Eastern Continent appeared.

"Ambassador
Kreal, why do you think Nayr would want to stop the Bantorian Rail restoration project?” Sean asked, enlarging the Bantorian Nation on the display. "It runs down the center of Bantor and branches out toward the large cities near the Bantorian boarder. “The nearest it comes to Nayr is the coastal capital of Ergos, approximately fifty kilometers across the border."

"When the rail is completed Bantor will no longer be forced to rely on
Nayr's canal and barge system to transport goods to and from our eastern cities. Due to ancient boundaries the entire river system from the eastern coast to the Lon Tesse border belongs to Nayr. The River Ny surrounds Bantor on its eastern and southern borders. Until now, it has been a reliable, convenient source for shipping. But we have grown tired of Nayr's high harbor fees and canal taxes. Now this new outrage has been inflicted on us the Queen has urged the Rail System efforts be doubled.” Ambassador Kreal answered, glaring at Ambassador Long.  “I believe  faced with the substantial loss of revenue Prime Minister Ondale panicked and struck out at the easiest possible target."

Rising slowly, Ambassador Long addressed the Regent, "I will not listen to this fool babble, while my people are being forced from their homes and murdered in the night. These lies are preposterous!" With clenched fists, he turned and headed for the door.

"Ambassador Long, please one moment.” The Regent halted his departure, and then turned back to the Bantorian. "Once again Ambassador, I ask you why King William has invaded a completely defenseless country instead of addressing the situation here at the Alliance Conference, as we all agreed. This is where all conflicts are to be resolved, not on the battlefield."

"King William believes it is vital to the welfare of Queen Elsebeth to remove the threat against her quickly.”
The Ambassador replied casually.

The door opened behind Ambassador Long and Katar entered, hearing the
Bantorian's words. Escorting the Nayrian back to his seat, Katar turned his full attention to Ambassador Kreal, saying, “Ambassador, I’ve just returned from a conference with Treborelan Intelligence. You are aware of how extensive our Intelligence has become integrated into the planetary systems in the last fifty years are you not? The isolation of our country, deep in the Mountains requires  we supply our own source of information.” He began, leaning over the table, "I have received information regarding this alleged attack on the Queen. There is no evidence any such an event ever took place. There are no witnesses. No one was seen entering or leaving the palace, at the time the attack was to have taken place. Furthermore, no cry of alarm was ever issued. The two so called Nayrian operatives are known Latrian felons from across the sea, recently released from a short term in the Nayrian prison detention system."

"Exactly what are you insinuating You
r Highness?” Ambassador Kreal’s voice was low and threatening. His hands gripped the table and were turning white at the knuckles, as he waited for a reply.

"I'm saying this story of yours has little basis
, and nothing to do with Nayr." Katar answered easily, undaunted by the bold glare he received. "Perhaps King William has simply decided to increase his realm."

"You have no proof!" The
Bantorian jumped to his feet enraged.

"Then tell me, why is it that
a country with a helijet force of such large proportions is launching a land war. Is it merely to destroy the Prime Minister and the Parliament? I assume he has blamed them for this so called assassination attempt. Why didn't he simply use the jets to lay waste to the palace and parliament buildings?" Katar's voice softened to a lethal tone as he finished. “It would have been simple enough to do, Ambassador. Simply wait until Parliament was in session and use the jet's cannons. Nayr is not equipped with an air patrol other than its emergency evacuation fleet, and those are not armed. Nayr has no laser cannons, no army, only a small, unarmed national reserve to call upon. The jets could have been in and out in a manner of minutes."

"Enough!” The Bantorian roared, pounding his fist against the table.

Katar's cold voice answered him. "Yes Ambassador
, I have had enough." Turning to Ambassador Long, he continued. "Ambassador, I believe  King William intends to claim Nayr's land and river rights as his own. He intends to rule over Nayr as Bantorian territory. If the Queen were attacked, it had nothing to do with Nayr. It was only used as a ruse to initiate the invasion."

With this announcement, Ambassador
Kreal stormed out of the conference room. Waiting until the tall wooden doors closed behind him, Sean addressed the Regent, “William has massed his troops at various points along the Nayr’s Lon Tesse border.” Sean stepped forward, changing the holographic display to include the entire Eastern continent. "We have received information  the Prime Minister and many members of the Parliament have been taken prisoner. There have also been reports of peaceful protesters being fired upon in front of the Parliament buildings. In less than five hours, Bantor has taken complete control of Nayr."

Throughout the night, reports of
Nayr's destruction continued to flow into the Alliance Conference. King William continued his silence, not responding to any attempt at communication, not even from the Regent herself. By dawn, the remaining members of the Continental Alliance came to a decision. They composed an ultimatum for the Bantorian King. They called for an immediate cease of hostilities and a complete withdrawal from Nayr within forty-eight hours of delivery of the document. If William failed to comply, the Treborelan Navy would initiate a blockade of the Bantor and Nayrian Coastline. Ragal and Lon Tesse would participate in a further embargo against Bantor, closing all borders. This would continue until all Bantorian troops were removed from Nayr and restitution was paid for all damages.