Tiva Boon: Royal Guardian (15 page)

“Understood,” she said and replaced the device back in her belt. She glanced back to her aunts. “I must go, I hope to see you both soon.” She turned and started on her way.

“Tiva wait!” Lilla called out. She approached her with a small scrap of parchment in her hand. “You dropped this.”

She took the scrap and smiled. “Thank you, Aunt Lilla.”

“Go, do not tarry…” Lilla shooed her away.

Once in the lift, Tiva opened the scrap of paper. She had forgotten all about slipping it in her belt. It seemed to be only a partial message, a time and date indicating the first day of the
warming. It could mean anything, or nothing. She added it to the box from Solun, and waited impatiently to reach her destination.

The lift stopped, she stepped off and felt the wave of emotions slap her mind. Rae guarded the entrance to the summit room. It seemed many of the guardians, including most of her family had been recalled while she was away. Rae saluted her, keeping a professional demeanor as Tiva approached.

Something was happening.

Rae opened the door, and Tiva saluted. Swallowing back the lump in her throat, she entered the room and all heads turned to her. The room was full, mostly of men. Normally she wouldn’t feel intimidated, but with the seriousness of what she felt, the anxiety rose within her. She stopped short, saluted them, and stood stiffly, waiting for someone to speak.

“Greetings, Guardian Boon.” King Delos rose from his seat. “Sit, we are almost through.”

Tiva bowed and found an empty seat at the far edge of the long wooden table. All twenty of the elite level one guardians were present as well as some of the level two guardians, including her mother and Zenid. The youngest aside from her in the room was her cousin Rux. She kept her focus on the king, and suppressed every emotion flowing through her.

“The legionnaires in the Obadan province have confirmed secret meetings of this faction, and Province Keeper Chal’I of Cenii has found evidence of this group as well. She is one of the few keepers we know to be loyal. We are not certain of the fates of your Province Keepers, Guardians Boon and Finto, though I think they would be sorely misguided if they sided with this faction knowing your families own the land,” King Delos said. “We have much work to do, this faction is stretching their grasp around the people, and I’ll not have anyone deceived while I rule these lands. Each of you will have a new assignment as soon as I am through reviewing all the information collected. I have no doubt that our troubles are just beginning. We have enjoyed many cycles of peace, but as we all know, we cannot please everyone no matter how hard we try. Trouble is always near the tips of our fingers; we must clutch it, and eradicate it by whatever means, and soon. Time is of the essence.

“Do any of you have questions?” he said, his cold tone pie
rcing the silence. No one spoke; they all shook their heads. “Very well, you are all on call, keep your PCD’s active, and wait for further instructions. Boon and Finto families remain, everyone else dismissed.”

Guardians from Ispek, Jelev, Becha, and the remaining families exited the room. Her parents, uncles Devler, Trach and Mikle, cousin Rux, Zenid, and Darlew Finto and their eldest son Yark all remained behind with her. The king rose from his seat again and began pacing. Tiva kept her shield tight, she couldn’t afford to lose focus now, things were too important.

“You are my most trusted guardians. The first and second families, those held closest and dearest to the throne. I know of no other way to say this than to just speak what is in my heart. My trust does not extend beyond this room. This threat has been lingering within the palace walls for some time now. Only recently have we seen such a flux of activity in the provinces. Whatever plan is afoot, it is boiling and growing before our eyes. Guardian Boon has just returned from the Hentor province, where we believe the axis of this faction resides. Speak of what you have found.”

Nervously, Tiva rose from her seat and placed Solun’s box on the table. She reviewed all she learned from her contact before leaving the province, and passed out Solun’s pamphlets to everyone still present. As she suspected, the king did find the information interesting, but he kept his thoughts to himself. Tiva finished with Solun’s request to come to Whettland for a meeting when she had gathered enough followers, and finally she slid the piece of parchment across the table.

“I found this scrap on the floor in their meeting room. It only bears a time and day; it could mean something or nothing, I am unsure.”

Her father picked up the paper and arched a brow. “This is your Remembrance day.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Curious,” the king said.

“Does it list a cycle?” Trach Boon asked.

“No, it does not,” Tiva said.

“I suggest we ensure the security of the palace on this day going forward with double patrols,” Darlew Finto said. “At least until this threat is averted.”

“Agreed,” Kevler said. “I will have it scheduled.”

“Tiva, what are your feelings about Solun and his group?” Zenid asked.

“My feelings are irrelevant.”

“Quite the opposite, Guardian Boon,” Delos said. “Granted you have only spent a limited amount of time with the youth of Hentor, but whatever feelings you have about them can only help our investigation.”

“Sire, my feelings are simply divided, for I do not know all the facts.”

“Speak of what you feel.”

Tiva looked to her father. He nodded slightly. She took a deep breath and stood up. “I am saddened and confused about the situation, but I feel as if Solun believes his cause is just.”

“Why do you feel that way, Tiva?” Kevler said.

“The sadness I feel is for the people of Hentor. They are being manipulated intentionally by someone, or by their own ignorance. And I am confused about Solun’s group because I did not sense any deceit from them when I attended their meeting. They all feel they are doing the right thing.” Tiva sighed and sat back down. “Those are my feelings, not fact,” she said.

King Delos remained silent for a spell. She dared not look directly at him, or anyone else. Divulging her feelings was not something she expected to do, and she was uncomfortable with the vibrations she sensed from the others.

“You are dismissed,” Delos said looking at her and Rux.

Together they walked out of the summit room. Rae, excited to find out what transpired, followed them to the lift.

“Speak of what is happening.”

“I gave my report and was dismissed,” Tiva said.

“The elders are still talking, we don’t have much information,” Rux said. “King Delos said we’ll have new assignments soon, I’m sure we will be informed when the time is right.”

“It is the waiting that does not sit well with me,” Rae said.

“Nor I.” Tiva frowned.

“You should rest cousin; you have had a busy day.” Rux squeezed her shoulder.

“I will not leave until my parents are dismissed.”

“Very well, I am going home. I’m on patrol early in the morrow.” Rux saluted and took his leave.

“See you at home, brother,” Rae said as he walked away. “I am here until the meeting is concluded; do you wish to wait with me, cousin?”

“Yes, if you do not mind.” Tiva grinned.

“Not at all, I would be happy for the company, and you can tell me of your first mission.”

Tiva returned to the lobby with Rae and told every detail about her mission. Rae seemed more interested in Solun and his romantic feelings toward her, but Tiva was not in the mood for girl talk. She kept the conversation on track, and when through, Rae gave the impression she was only slightly satisfied. Before she probed for more details about the mysterious Solun, the doors to the summit room opened. Rae and Tiva saluted. The king and company returned the gesture as Harer beckoned everyone to the lift. Once on the ground floor, the Fintos departed, Rae and Devler took their leave, and Tiva was alone with her parents and the king.

The darkness of night surrounded the palace. It was quiet and still as Harer led them to his private chambers. The palace, normally full of life at all times of the day, now felt empty. The fact it was so sparsely populated made Tiva worry. The only reason for so few to be inside the palace made her stomach twist: Guardians were all on duty securing the palace grounds or with the legionnaires in the provinces on patrols. All the government heads were undoubtedly ordered to stay away from the palace unless on important business.

Lilla and Jinka opened the doors when they approached; then the king dismissed them too. Tiva, lost in thought, followed the king and her parents into the chambers. She remained standing until the king offered her a seat.

“I am most pleased, Tiva, you did a fine job on your mission,” Harer said.

Tiva lowered her head in thanks, but stayed silent.

“You were able to gain access to a meeting, and gather far more data than we thought possible from the youth group. However, your part in this is just beginning. Solun wishes to meet you in Whettland when you have found a group of followers. This will be our next course of action, do you agree Kevler?”

“I think it wise, Harer, though we must delay for a spell. We want everything to feel natural. If Tiva contacts Solun too quickly he may become suspicious.”

“If we wait too long he may lose interest,” D’laja said.

“True, one month should be enough time to counter both possibilities. In the meantime, you are to return to active patrols in the palace. You will be notified when everything is set in Whettland.”

“Will I be involved in choosing who attends this meeting with Solun?” Tiva asked.

“I do not think it is necessary. We have enough young guardians and legionnaires to help.”

“With all respect, sire, not all the legionnaires should be trusted. As I have stated in my report, legionnaires are training the guardsmen from Hentor. We have not verified if they know they are training faction members or not. Solun did not hint either way.”

The king stroked his chin and asked, “What would you recommend, Tiva?”

“I believe I have names of those who would be willing and are trustworthy,” she said. “Myself and my training mates, your children, my siblings and cousins as well as Tiko and Kito Becha, Skky Finto and
Nex Jelev. It is a varied group of ages, and having thirteen, Solun will be pleased. He himself had twenty-five. With this company, there is no reason to worry about any being easily swayed; they are all loyal to the throne.”

Harer Delos raised a brow and looked to her parents.

D’laja nodded, and tried to keep her smile hidden.

Kevler shrugged and leaned back in his chair.

The king nodded. “If only your age matched your wisdom, we might infiltrate this group before the end of the cycle. Your choices are granted. I will speak with my children; I leave the others in your hands. Talk with them, explain the situation, and ask if they wish to join you. I will not order anyone to do so - this is a voluntary mission. Once you have your group report to me and we will contact Solun.”

“I understand.”

“Is there anything else?” Harer asked.

Tiva shook her head, as did her parents.

“Then you are free to go. Rest well, I will see you all when the suns rise.”

Kevler led his family out of the king’s chamber and gently squeezed Tiva’s shoulder as they walked down the hall. “You did well, dearest one.”

“Thank you, Father,” she said. “I tried not to overstep my bounds, but it was my feeling that this matter should be contained within the confines of the palace.”

“It was wise of you to say, Harer agreed.” D’laja laughed. They exited the palace and acknowledged the Truda twins guarding the doors.

Tiva’s gaze lingered on the pair as they crossed the courtyard. She was glad to be home. Everything around her was calm and familiar. Thinking about all that had happened, Tiva was pleased with the outcome. She had gained some respect from her elders, learned more than she would have if she stayed on the palace grounds, and realized something she was unsure she understood. Solun said she drew him with her beauty. Did Tespor feel the same way?

Never being the type to rely on her appearance, she wondered if beauty was a gift or a curse. She did not see herself that way, though she knew she was far from hideous. As they approached the hover storage facility, Tiva stopped abruptly and grabbed her parents’ arms.

“What is it?” Kevler said.

Before she answered, the ground beneath her feet vibrated. A thunderous rumble stripped the silence from the quiet of the night. The hover storage facility exploded in a massive inferno of red, propelling Tiva and her parents backwards.

Slamming hard against the ground, the air left her lungs, and heat blazed her skin. Gasping to catch her breath, she felt her father’s strong hands around her arms. He pulled her up to a sitting position.

“Are you injured?” Kevler’s voice sounded muffled in her ears.

She shook her head.

D’laja was sitting up staring at the fire.

“Look after your mother, I must see if anyone is hurt.” He ran off toward the facility, a dozen other guardians following behind.