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15: The Courier
"They'll be here soon."she thought to herself, "The only question now is, who will get here first – the zealots, or their dreaded enemy, our last hope for regaining our freedom..."
The woman looked around the house that had been her home ever since the death of Queen Talonka almost six years ago. Everything looked to be in order – just like any other house in the area – with a generous assortment of household items in their usual places, cooking utensils in the kitchen, furniture set up to be just enough out of place to appear normal, and the planetary news mumbling along in the background just loudly enough to cover the uneasy silence that had fallen over the small house.
The woman looked out the front windows, saw no one paying her any heed and shut them. She then did the same for every other window in the house. Working her way quietly back to the center of her living area, she listened carefully for any sounds that might indicate an impending strike.
She brushed aside the rug that covered the hidden door beneath her feet and was about to tug it open when a light tapping sound came from a window at the back of the house.
Knowing it could be a trap, yet hoping it wasn't, she silently returned to the back of the house to see just what the cause of the sound was.
Cautiously, she lifted the edge of the material that hung down in front of the window. Inch by torturous inch she moved it far enough to see what was outside.
When she saw her visitor's face, she nearly laughed with relief, recognizing him despite his brown hair. Then she realized that Desslok of Gamilon had come to her alone. What had happened to his companion?
Pushing away her concerns about the prince's solo appearance she went to the back door and opened it with as little noise as she could manage.
Without a word she motioned for the prince to come in quickly and to not say a word.
The young man obeyed and the woman shut and locked the door behind them, the lock sliding into place with a resounding click – not that that would keep out any truly determined zealots who wished to gain entrance, but it would at least give them valuable seconds to make an escape if the need arose.
"Sire." she bowed her head, "It has been but a week since you left, and yet even in that short of a time, things have changed here in Rapha'owr. Thank Adonai you have come so quickly."
"I have seen the changes too, Eliora." Desslok replied gravely. "I suspect it will only get worse."
"Yes... I know... We should go where we are sure not to be seen or heard." she whispered. "The zealots now have eyes and ears everywhere. It is only by the work of Adonai that they have not found me yet."
The prince nodded and followed Eliora as she returned to the trap door she had been about to open before he had arrived. Just as he remembered from his visit here before leaving the capitol, the door opened to reveal a dark staircase, which he descended without complaint this time. However, he did pull out Mintra'el to provide some light along the short journey to the bunker a few miles farther into the city.
Along the way the two continued to hold their peace. The only sounds were the thudding of their feet on the loose dirt floor of the tunnel and the harsh sound of each breath the two took.
Time seemed to slow as they approached the underground hollow – perhaps because the place was insulated from the noises and interferences of the world above, but there was an underlying sense of urgency that bore them along, despite the false sense of security that the quiet tunnel brought.
It was not long afterwards that they reached the bunker.
Eliora and the prince stood in the center of the room, ringed by the old steel crates that had been here the last time the prince had come to this place.
"We may speak now." the woman said in a normal voice. "Your presence here would suggest that you received my message."
"I did." Desslok replied.
"Then here." the woman pulled something out of a pocket and held it out in her hand.
Desslok studied the object strangely, wondering how this woman had managed to obtain it. "That's Guardiana technology."
Eliora smirked, "The zealots think themselves invincible. It never occurred to them that one anonymous person might be able to... reallocate some of their resources."
The prince returned her smirk, adding a knowing look to it. "My brother, with all his plotting, has some gaps in his intelligence at times." he said, accepting the small triangular crystal and examining it. "What was so important that you called me back so soon after my departure?"
Eliora looked, first at the ground, then at the prince, "Plans – schematics – they detail the construction, and destruction of the Guardiana amulets.
Masterson peered out the window of Zimring's cabin, still feeling odd watching people who couldn't see him. And there was something itching at the back of his mind – something familiar that was making his skin crawl.
As soon as he had seen the old hermit, he had known that they had an ally in him, and he was sure that the other persons inside the cabin were not the ones causing him alarm. The soldiers outside, though undoubtedly sent by either Deun or that zealot Yeshin, did not seem to be the problem either. No... there was someone else out there... watching... waiting...
Masterson nearly jumped out of his skin when David clapped a hand on Talan's shoulder and said, "Bird-watching?"
Recovering from the jolt Masterson replied quietly, "Not precisely." then he looked up at David – who just now was about a foot taller than the teenager as Masterson hadn't quite hit that age where most young men shoot up like trees – and said, "There's something wrong here."
"Well, I'd say being chased by soldiers isn't the best thing in the world." David replied, obviously not having sensed whatever was making Masterson uneasy.
"Not that." Talan shook his head, "It's something else... almost as if... we're being watched by someone else who knows exactly where we are and is simply waiting to reveal us."
"Now that isdisturbing." David said, taking his hand away from the teenager's shoulder and propping his fist underneath his own chin in thought. "Now that you mention it, the air does seem a bit... edgy." David looked curiously at Masterson. "I think my brother may have had the same suspicion." he glanced back over to where Dommel was sitting with Elisa and their son. "He's been shifting around like a boxed yafehari* ever since we got here. I know he doesn't wantto have to get caught in the middle of a conflict – especially now with his family – but I fear he may have to. Especially if there really issomeone – or something," he dropped that phrase in, "else hiding out there watching us."
Masterson nodded and continued quietly, "Indeed. I only pray that... Deuel will return safely since I cannot follow him now..."
David nodded solemnly, "That friend of yours is an odd one, and as you've said, sometimes he seems to be too smart for his own good, but I'd give a lot to have him here now. Perhaps he could tell us a few things we haven't figured out yet."
Masterson smirked, "I'm sure he could," he said in all seriousness, "But with him out there somewhere, we have an advantage they don't know about yet."
David nodded, "True. Though how a teenager – even one with connections to Mossad – could get through that mob out there, I have no idea..."
Masterson chuckled, "In case you haven't noticed, he's no ordinary teenager, and besides, Adonai will have His way." the young man looked back out the window at the soldiers haphazardly roaming around, "I don't know what His purpose is in all this, but I trust that He will accomplish it – whether I live to see the resolution or not."
"Brave words from one so young," Zimring said, suddenly appearing behind Masterson and David.
Talan turned to the old hermit, "I'm afraid our world is about to be thrown into some very dark days. Adonai's light is the only thing that can dispel that darkness."
"Yeah, well, I suppose we'll have to see about that." Zimring dismissed, "Nothing can really deter a determined man. AndI'm determined not to let those miscreants out there get their sorry hides in here." the spunky old man clapped David on the back and changed the subject. "You remember that time your brother asked me how this place works?"
David nodded.
"Well, you suppose your friend here would like to see some of my work downstairs?" Zimring pointed a thumb towards a door in the far wall.
"I suppose he might." David smiled and asked Masterson, "Interested?"
"Of course." Talan replied, surprised that this man would so quickly trust a stranger who had just walked in with David and his brother.
"Come on then." the hermit motioned for both young men to follow him across the room. He unlocked and opened the door. Then, stepping down the flight of stairs, he led the two young men into the guts of the cabin's defense mechanisms.
The cabin's sub-level was warm and dry, probably somewhat owing to the numerous computers that adorned the metal-clad walls. There were screens everywhere, waiting either to accept input or to display requested information. There was also one large viewscreen dedicated to surveillance of the entire area. It displayed video feeds from every angle outside the cabin. If anyone tried to sneak up on them, they'd know about it long before any successful attempt occurred – at least, that was the idea.
"How did..." Masterson's sentence trailed off as he looked around the basement, taking everything in.
"A lot of time by myself." Zimring supplied. "Not too many people bother me all the way out here – though those guys outside are an exception."
David chuckled. "At least they haven't found us yet."
"True enough," the hermit sighed.
Masterson's gaze swept from one side of the area to the other. As it did, he noticed several peculiarities, but before he could ask about them. Zimring summoned them back upstairs.
David was the first one back up the stairs, but when it was Talan's turn to go back up to the cabin, he paused and looked back at the basement.
Zimring gave him an uncomfortable look, suggesting that it might be a good idea for the teenager to stop looking now and mind his own business again.
The sudden change in the hermit's demeanor puzzled Masterson. It almost seemed like the old man was... hiding something. But, deciding it might be wise not to push the issue, Talan continued on back up into the cabin's main room. Zimring followed him and quickly shut and locked the basement door.
Everything was as they had left it a couple of minutes ago, except it seemed quieter somehow.
"What's going on up here?" Zimring asked, noticing the uncomfortable silence too.
Dommel, still sitting with his wife and son gave the hermit a strange look and then looked pointedly at an anonymous spot on the ceiling.
The hermit took out a device that allowed him to see the video feeds from outside. He flipped through them all, stopping at a few places. Seeing nothing amiss, he replaced the monitor and raised an eyebrow at Dommel.
The complete silence lasted for about ten seconds. No one moved; no one breathed. No one was sure what they were listening for, and the three who had just come up from the basement didn't even know what had caused Dommel's alarm in the first place.
Zimring turned to say something to David. And then, the ceiling caved in.
"Has this been tested?" Desslok asked.
"A few times," Eliora replied, "though the conditions under which the deconstruction can be accomplished are difficult to achieve. You will need the help of your friend, Masterson Talan, to do it. It seems that the amulets and the shêdim go together. Where one is, the other is as well. There are exceptions, but they are rare."
The prince thought on that for a moment, then nodded, "Thank you for the warning."
"Sire, if I may ask, where isMasterson?"
"He is... otherwise occupied," the prince answered vaguely. Then seeing the concern on Eliora's face, he added, "He is safe, I assure you."
The woman's face relaxed, "Good. To be honest, I was rather surprised to see you arrive here alone."
"What of Admiral Talan? How has he fared since our departure?" Desslok asked, studying small triangle in his hand.
"He has thus far remained undetected. Deun doesn't seem to realize that the admiral is in contact with anyone outside the palace. It seems that most of those loyal to our formerLeader have been conveniently deployed to off-world – or out-of-system posts. Most of those who remain here in the capitol are either zealots, or those who had not previously expressed support for our former Leader."
"What about the civilians?" the prince asked.
"The sentiments are mixed. Some support Deun, but there are strong undercurrents of discontent stirring everywhere. All you have to do to see that is walk the streets for a few hours. The people exude distrust and unhappiness. Even the children seem to sense the rising conflict. They have a look of bewilderment about them – as though they don't know what to do with the waves of tension they sense in their parents, friends, neighbors, and everyone else around them." Eliora sighed. "It will come to a conflict... Of that I am sure..."
"Perhaps." Desslok conceded, "But that time is not yet upon us – if indeed it comes at all."
"Do you think that we will escape this brewing storm, Sire?" Eliora asked.
The prince sighed and shook his head, "I cannot truly say if I believe it or not. The future is a peculiar thing, Eliora. It is, above all things, unpredictable."
"To all but Adonai." Eliora said confidently, "He knows the end from the beginning. I trust He knows my future, and the future of our world, and that He is in control of all things."
The prince gave her a condescending look, "Adonai, if indeed He truly cares for our world, would surely have intervened before now."
Eliora's confidence did not dim, "Ah, but the ways of Adonai are not our ways, Sire. Sometimes what appears to us to be disregard, is in fact great mercy. To seek the will of Adonai and to do it is the most fulfilling thing in life."
"You say this. Yet you are hunted." something dark began to creep into Desslok's words, "You speak the name of Adonai, and yet, where is He? Ihave seen no evidence of Him. What mercy has He shown to me that I should be grateful to Him?" the prince slipped the crystal Eliora had given him into one of the pockets in his travel bag, but when he did, his hand brushed something. It made the sound of quickly shifting sand in a glass bottle. The viper's rattle. His jaw clenched in anger and he quickly closed the pocket.
"I am sorry to cause you such unhappiness, Sire." said Eliora.
Some of the darkness in the prince's face abated and his anger subsided, "Do not apologize. It is not you with whom I have my disagreement."
Eliora nodded, and let the subject of Adonai go for the time being. She had only met Desslok a few times, but she knew better than to keep pushing when it would only make his heart harder. "Admiral Talan informed me that you had left Rapha'owr to escape Deun's less than honorable intentions."
"Masterson saved my life. I would never have known about my brother's plans if it weren't for him. The Admiral undoubtedly discovered what had happened not long after our... disappearance. He is a good man, Admiral Talan; I am most grateful to count him among my friends. And I am just as grateful to have your loyalty as well, Eliora."
"Thank you, Sire. It is my honour to serve the rightful Leader."
"Now, is there anything else about this device you have given me that I should know before using it?" Desslok returned to a more comfortable subject.
"There is an entry-key you will need to use to obtain access to the information. If you try to go around it, the device will notify the zealots and then self-destruct. We – the Admiral's people and I – learned this the hard way... several of my comrades were caught in that attempt. None survived the zealot's interrogation..." Eliora said solemnly. "The key is 'Aurelia.'"
The prince's face suddenly became devoid of all expression, "'Aurelia,' you say? The last Guardiana."
"Yes." Eliora nodded, "How do you know of her? She disappeared almost fifteen years ago."
"An... old friend of mine... told me about her. She is – was – my own grandmother after all." he said, his face still blank.
"So you know that as well... Queen Talonka would be happy to hear that you have learned the truth of your – and her – past. It was a subject she quite frequently discussed with me."
The prince nodded, "I thought perhaps she had." He left it at that, not seeing any reason to reveal something so personal as the chronicle his mother had left for him. He had only just finished going through it when Deun's men had come for him a little over a week ago. The information Talonka had passed on to him was invaluable. It had shown him the significance of the zealots and their devilish company. More specifically, it had revealed the story behind the line of the Guardiana – all the way back to the very first Guardiana, or "Guardian of Diana" as she had been called then, Nuray, the high priestess of a temple in a city named Ephesus almost two thousand years ago.
Something in Eliora's pocket chirped and she quickly withdrew a tiny communicator – much smaller than the one the prince carried and tiny enough to be hidden almost anywhere if the need arose.
"There's someone at the house door." she said.
"Who?"
"I don't know, but I can't leave them standing out in the street like that. It'll draw too much attention." she said and then instructed the house door – a few miles back down the tunnel – to open and let the person in question into the small foyer, locking both the front door and the door that led into the rest of the house, confining the visitor to the small entryway. "I have to get back. They'll wonder why no one's there and why they can't leave."
"I'll follow you back in case – "
"Sire," she interrupted the prince, "You should remain here in case whoever this is proves to be... hostile. Without you, we have little hope of liberating our world from your brother's tyranny."
Desslok nodded, "Of course."
Eliora bowed to him respectfully, then turned away and began running back down the tunnel.
The prince smirked, waited five minutes and followed quietly behind her.
* yafehari – literally, "lion-cat"