Chapter 21

Zerien

I t took three more endless days before Lindel finally held his next kaa training session at the Sanctuary. We debated long and hard about how to proceed. In the end, we decided to come with enough troops to perform a raid if necessary, but to first use stealth to assess the situation.

Our biggest concern was that we didn't know what type of technology the rebels possessed. Once Captain Rydel confirmed that the Guldan indeed provided the advanced technology that Deimos used against Prince Keran on Haven prior to his ascension as Magnar, we had every reason to believe they were doing the same with our local rebels.

The secret messages between the Captain and the male named Dread on Sarenia—that Siona enabled us to reveal thanks to her decryption algorithm—were far too vague to give us a true picture of what they were up to. Nothing there hinted at any form of technological exchanges. We still needed to prepare for that possibility, including the risk that the Guldans' superior systems might be able to see through our cloaking devices.

In the meantime, as Siona was making a truly phenomenal recovery, she insisted on working on the psychic disruptor implant we had removed from Rydel's brain. Over the past few years of shadowing the Braxian Queen and her brother Tevek—both scientific geniuses—my beloved had acquired some truly impressive engineering skills. No wonder she'd requested pursuing her studies in that field to the extent that her role as Queen permitted it.

My instinctive reaction to dismiss it as some hobby she could do on the side when she first mentioned it now shamed me. It once again showed how I had not acknowledged my soulmate's true gifts and potential beyond my wish to have her by my side. We were now beginning our descent towards the Sanctuary—the biggest break we'd had in months in our efforts to cull the rebel cells—thanks to her brilliant insight. Just like I had underestimated her combat skills, I had not understood the extent of her intellect. And that was another mistake I wouldn't make again.

Not only did I not oppose her studying the implant, but I also made sure she was in charge of all the work that would be performed on it. As soon as our wedding and coronation were concluded, I intended to put all the tools and support that she needed at Siona's disposal to pursue whatever goals she wanted to set for herself.

Fate kept telling me she had great plans for my mate, but I'd been too blind to see it. I would no longer stand in her way but empower her to achieve all that she was meant to. There was no doubt in my mind that my Siona would go down in history as the greatest Queen of Sarenia… our Warrior Queen.

But the sight of close to one hundred and twenty men gathered on the front lawn of the Sanctuary cast out any further thoughts of my mate. We stealthily flew over the impressive number of attendees. Not only were they all males, but their fitness level matched far more that of an army than of random civilians from neighboring villages. Granted, generally speaking, Sarenians were very healthy and naturally attractive. But these attendees had the more muscular bodies of Hunters and Warriors, like Faolen. This couldn't be a coincidence.

"Should a few of us go down and pretend to want to join in on the training?" Drade asked, echoing the thoughts crossing my mind.

"I've been debating this for the past few days," I mused aloud. "But let's remain hidden for now. If they see us, they may change their routine. So long as we can record everything they say and do, it is best that we don't give ourselves away just yet."

My bodyguard, who was also piloting our combat shuttle this time, nodded before relaying the message to our other vessels, and in particular to Faolen. The Hunter was the only one authorized to set foot on solid ground.

Unlike us, he didn't fly in but rode his hover bike with a stealth cloak to arrive by the southeast corner of the Sanctuary. The plan was for him to snoop around. With luck, Lindel wouldn't have locked his dwelling while attending the training, thus allowing Faolen to have a look inside.

After twenty minutes of breathing and relaxation exercises, the attendees all removed a leaf of kelp from the pocket of their shaal and began to chew it. So far, nothing in their behavior raised the slightest red flag aside from their military elite appearance. Had Captain Rydel's messages not pointed to this location, the event currently taking place here wouldn't have prompted any suspicion from my guards or me. And yet, my gut told me we were on the verge of a massive revelation.

As soon as they finished consuming the leaf, which enhanced the meditative trance we could naturally achieve through focus, the men rose to their feet as one and removed their skirts and sandals, placing them in neat little piles right in front of the spot where they previously knelt in meditation.

Fully naked—something that wouldn't cause anyone to blink an eye in our society in this setting—the men walked in twelve perfect rows of ten towards the river. They entered the blue water and calmly waded through it until their heads were completely submerged.

Drade moved our shuttle so that we would quietly hover directly overhead. The clear and peaceful waves hid nothing of the men resuming underwater a position similar to the one they had on the front yard, each of them kneeling at exactly a one-meter distance from each other on all sides. Lindel also entered the water, kneeling in front of them like a master in front of his pupils.

‘Listen to the water.'

The words spoken by the Oracle suddenly flashed in my mind. I straightened in my seat, a wave of excitement surging through me.

"Naax, scan all Sarenian frequencies for any signal, especially ultrasonic ones," I ordered.

My guard glanced at me over his shoulder with a confused look before his face lit up with sudden understanding. Drade gasped seconds later as he also caught on to the idea that crept up in my head.

My shoulders slouched when time stretched, the seconds turning into minutes where the perfect silence reigned. Could these people truly have come here simply to learn how to better control their natural anger and savagery through kaa ? Had they merely gone into the water to benefit from the deeper trance we could achieve as amphibians when submerged?

This doesn't make sense.

I didn't have the standard foresight or type of sixth sense that many Korletheans possessed. However, my instincts rarely misled me. And right this instant, they were screaming loudly that the answer was within my grasp. I only had to reach out and touch it. And yet, I wasn't seeing or hearing it.

What am I missing?

"Contact Faolen," I ordered Drade, my frustration audible. "I want to know his current position. We're missing something. It has to be inside Lindel's residence. There's no way this is all innocent."

"Yes, my P—"

A whisper through the com interrupted Drade. My heart leapt in my chest, and my men both stared at the shuttle's com system with the same air of surprise laced with excitement.

"Boost the signal," I ordered, leaning forward, closer to the edge of my seat.

My guard complied. Water naturally carried and amplified sounds. As amphibians, we could communicate underwater using ultrasonic sounds. We possessed an extensive language that allowed us to communicate complex sentences simply using a series of clicks. The fact that these men were using ultrasonic whispers instead of broadcasting at a regular level confirmed they were attempting to limit the dissemination of their message beyond their small group. Unless you were right there in the water with them or actively listening for it, you would have no clue about what was taking place right under your nose.

Although you could recognize the voice of the sender when hearing it directly in the water, through the com system, it was impossible to identify the person emitting the clicks. However, in this specific case, I didn't doubt for a minute that it was Lindel speaking.

"The Guldan female not only survived, but she's making a swift recovery. It is an unfortunate turn of events. I know how much you all struggle with the idea of killing females, but Siona Aldriss is currently our biggest threat. She's the key to the success of the Rogue Prince. So long as she survives, he will rise. She will lead his armies to victory and destroy everything we've been fighting for all these years. Siona must die."

The blinding fury that surged through me left me reeling. I wanted to rush straight into the water and tear him up, limb from limb. But I needed to control my anger. We still knew too little. Although his involvement in the assassination attempt was now undeniable, it didn't mean he was the actual assassin. It also distressed me that he should be so clearly aware of my mate's swift recovery. Granted, Kaelin insisted that Siona be seen publicly to reassure the population about her health. Was that how he knew how well she was faring? Did he have a spy within the palace's walls? Was he himself the assassin?

"We have few windows of opportunity," Lindel continued. "Eliminating the Guldan female will result in the lowest number of casualties. Since this first attempt failed, we're exploring other options, but their increased security makes them unlikely to succeed."

"What of the boy?" someone else asked.

Although the radars pinpointed the approximate position the sound emanated from, we would never be able to identify the owner unless we could send a camera down there to capture their faces. The only thing allowing us to determine that the clicks came from someone else was the fact that they almost interrupted the flow of the first speaker.

"The young Prince isn't a threat for the time being," Lindel replied. "He only becomes a problem if his Massi survives. But she genuinely loves him, which is surprising for a female of her species. When we take over the palace, should she resist capture, do not hesitate to use the boy as bait. She would give her life for him. So feel free to exploit that weakness."

The part of me that wanted to melt with love for my mate that she had truly embraced my son as her own bowed to the angry one that wanted to spill their blood for even contemplating harming the two people I loved the most. Once again, it took every bit of my willpower not to nuke the lot of them right there and then.

"Under the circumstances, and as we're unlikely to be able to pull off another assassination attempt, we must move on to the alternative plan. Sadly, it will involve significant bloodshed on both sides. Should you fall, remember that you are heroes for the future of Sarenia," Lindel continued.

"Fucking traitors," Drade hissed. "The worst part is that the fools are likely so indoctrinated they believe that drivel."

And that was indeed the saddest part. When, how, and under which conditions they had been recruited and brainwashed into joining this terrorist cell was a mystery we needed to resolve quickly to avoid further nonsensical deaths. Despite the rage burning deep within, the protector in me mourned the inevitable loss of people who could have been loyal subjects had we gotten to them first.

"Princess Siona must die before the coronation. If we succeed, then Prince Zerien may be spared. I know many of you still love him, and there remain many opportunities for him to become the Emperor we need. Therefore, we will launch our raid in the next few days. First," I must activate the other cells so that we can coordinate our attack. Be ready for the call to come in at any moment. Whatever business you have outstanding, make sure to promptly have your house in order."

With these last words, the river went quiet, and the males appeared to shift to a genuine session of kaa meditation.

"We need to take them out now," Drade ground through his teeth while glancing at me over his shoulder with a hopeful expression.

I wanted nothing more than to concur but shook my head. "We need those other cells. And Lindel will lead us to them. Open a secure channel to the other vessels."

Although visibly disappointed, my guard complied.

"Captains, I want ears and eyes on every shallow meditation river in every city and villages bordering the Capital City," I commanded. "You will assign your most trusted units to your respective sectors. Start with Sanctuaries and every other mass gathering venue used by private groups. DO NOT let them detect you. I want the names of every person attending these events."

The beep of an incoming message interrupted me.

"Zerien out," I said in the com before gesturing with my head for Drade to accept the call.

"My Prince, we have a bigger problem," Faolen's voice said over the com. "I'm standing outside of Lindel's cave. He has set multiple very discreet traps that I won't be able to bypass without tripping at least one of them. But deep scans reveal the presence of someone inside."

"Who?!" I asked, my back preemptively stiffening from what I knew would be distressing information.

"Lindel," Faolen replied.

"WHAT?!" I exclaimed, the gasps from my guards echoing the shock I felt.

"Lindel is inside the cave," Faolen reiterated grimly.

"Then who the fuck is in the water?" I demanded, glancing at Naax.

His fingers were already flying over the interface of the vessel's advanced scanners.

"The DNA scans confirm that it is also Lindel in the water with the others," Naax said in a troubled voice. "Could he have a twin?"

"No," Faolen replied. "I already checked. He has no blood siblings. Both his parents are dead. When Lindel was still a teenager, his father killed his mother in an access of rage then took his own life out of guilt. That sent Lindel into a downward spiral of substance abuse and a life of petty crimes. That's how he ended up in the Sanctuary after he completed his rehabilitation. Since then, he's been leading an exemplary life. Considering his vitals appear to be stable but very slow, I believe he's asleep but more than likely sedated."

"A prisoner?" I asked, although I worded it more like a statement.

"Possibly," Faolen replied. "Should I proceed with a rescue at the risk of triggering the traps?"

I silenced my instinctive inclination to say yes. I hated the thought that a likely innocent male who had turned his life around after so many hardships now had to remain at the mercy of a ruthless terrorist. But too many lives were at stake for me to risk it all for his sake. The needs of the many had to come first.

"No. We cannot tip our hand so close to getting to the root of it all. Let's hope we can save him during the raid if he is innocent."

"Yes, my Prince," Faolen said.

"I want you to use facial recognition to track everyone here as they come out of the water. Use all the tools and personnel you require to get every single detail you can about them," I told Faolen. "I want their names, what they have in common, where they met, where they live, and where they work. We don't have much time. The coronation is in eight days. Their attack might come within the next couple of days. How quickly he contacts the other cells will determine the timing of the attack. We must be ready."

"On it," the Hunter said.

After ending the communication, I provided additional orders to the rest of my fleet. One of the vessels would remain here to help Faolen finish the identification process that they had already begun while the attendees were performing the first portion of the training in the front yard.

The journey back to the palace felt both too short and endless. I couldn't wait to get back to my beloved but also dreaded having to reveal to her what we discovered. As a Sarenian, I'd been raised to shelter females from harm. As my Council mainly contained females, they handled diplomatic, legal, economic, societal, and administrative matters. All war related topics I kept for the small circle I deemed my War Council.

But my Siona was no administrator. She was the Warrior Queen of Sarenia.

As soon as our shuttle landed, I called an emergency meeting with my father, Kolvar—the Commander of his Imperial Guard—Drade, the Korletheans Deliah and Killian, as well as my Siona. I inwardly kicked myself for not telling Faolen to return to the palace at once, as he normally attended all such meetings. To my pleasant surprise, Siona requested I invite Alred. It pleased me tremendously that a bond of trust was slowly forming between them.

To avoid drawing too much suspicion, we held it in the private meeting room inside my dwelling. Holding it in my father's chambers would have set far too many tongues wagging. If there truly were spies in our midst, I would avoid as much as possible feeding them any information.

We settled around the large table, my father at the head, Siona and I at the opposite end, the Korletheans and Commander Kolvar to the left side of the table, while my guards and Alred settled on the right. Reflective windows gave a breathtaking view onto the shared garden of the palace. Despite the room being located in my personal dwelling, I greeted various people here—some of whom I would not want to get a glimpse of the private garden where my mate regularly trained and where I hoped our younglings would someday play.

I quickly apprised the attendees of what had transpired at the Sanctuary. The stoicism laced with righteous anger that emanated from my mate when I repeated the fake Lindel's statements regarding her filled me with pride. Not even the slightest hint of fear fleeted over her beautiful face, only ruthless determination.

Her reaction didn't go unnoticed as my men discreetly studied her.

"They somehow have access to an Oracle," Siona mused aloud when I finished talking. "That surprises me. Considering the Sarenian rebels started their movement out of hatred for the Korletheans, how are they collaborating with them? Could they have one imprisoned here?"

"What makes you think they still have access to that Oracle?" Commander Kolvar asked with genuine curiosity devoid of challenge. "They could be getting the information from their Guldan allies. After all, we know that they are collaborating with the Korlethean rebels."

"Because this information is too recent," Siona explained in a factual manner. "Since we captured Captain Rydel, we've been monitoring all the frequencies they used before to communicate with the rebels. There hasn't been any incoming or outgoing. Their new plan is based on the fact that I survived the first assassination attempt and clearly states that there's still hope they can spare Zerien and Eldrin's life if they manage to somehow kill me before the coronation. This means they got an update since then, based on recent events. From whom?"

I smiled proudly at my female, while the other people around the table nodded in approval.

"The Princess is right," Deliah said with a frown. "Only an Oracle could give this type of warning. And that assessment is correct. My own probes into the future state the same. This complicates things. There's no question our rebels would never ally with the Sarenians. The civil war currently destroying my planet is because they feel no remorse for the wrongs brought about by our ancestors. They still want to eradicate the Veredians and Sarenians from the galaxy. So if they are indeed getting help from an Oracle, it is against her will."

"Then we must have our units currently also scan for Korlethean DNA while they scout the shallow rivers, Sanctuaries, and other venues all the rebel attendees will visit over the next few days," I said with a pointed look at Drade, who nodded in acknowledgment.

"I understand your reasoning for not capturing him and the others on the spot," my father said pensively. "But we could have made him talk had you seized him while he was within your grasp."

"We might have made him talk," I conceded, "or he could have taken his own life first. Listening to him, it's clear that he's one of those fanatics willing to die for a cause, just like he called on the others to do once they launch their attack. We also couldn't afford for him to send a warning to the other cells and have them go to ground. This is our chance to cut them down at the root. We cannot allow this cancer to continue the fester in our midst. The Great War is nearly upon us. If we have to battle on two fronts, we will fail."

"The Prince is right," Deliah said. "Revealing their presence earlier today and capturing as many of the rebels as possible would have closed the path to a potential total victory here."

"Why didn't you warn us of that possibility earlier?" Commander Kolvar demanded in a clipped voice that revealed his continued dislike of the Korletheans.

"Because she couldn't be certain," Siona intervened sternly. "You should know by now that the future is fluid and continuously changing based on the various decisions that each of us make. If House Aerith falls, what do you think will happen to her and Killian?" she asked, gesturing with her head in turn at the Oracle and the Seer. "What do you think will happen to her hybrid child with Faolen and to Faolen himself? They didn't come here just for fun. They're putting their lives on the line every day to ensure Zerien will reign and that our alliance will survive. We're all fighting on the same team here. Let's focus on constructive matters."

I bit the interior of my cheeks to hide the smile that wanted to blossom on my face to have the mature warrior thus properly chastised by my mate. Although totally loyal to my family and the crown, he was among those who saw my Siona as the off-worlder ‘Little Queen' too delicate for the role. My father made no effort to hide his own amusement, while Deliah and Killian addressed a grateful smile to her.

"The good news is that they have confirmed that the new security measures around the castle have thwarted their efforts at another assassination attempt," Siona continued with an approving nod at Alred, who puffed out his chest proudly. "Based on what Zerien said, we have to assume they will launch an attack on the palace itself. As I have no outings planned that would have me in a public enough setting for them to give it another try, I see no other alternatives if their goal is to eliminate me before the coronation."

"There are too many possible paths," Deliah said apologetically. "Most of them begin in two days from now, some of them not before the day of the coronation itself. But there are also cases where they begin today and others throughout the next few days. It just keeps changing."

"As Siona said, the future is too fluid," my father said pensively, before turning his gaze towards me. "We must simply be prepared to answer any attack at any moment for the foreseeable future. We cannot scatter all our most trusted troops to hunt down those other rebel cells. The palace—and especially your mate and son—must be protected at all costs."

"I don't disagree. You know I want nothing more than to keep them both safe. They are my heart. But stopping them before they reach the palace will spare countless lives," I argued. "If at all possible, we should take the offensive to them, not let them bring it to us."

"I agree," Siona intervened in a soft voice. "We need to cull as many of them as possible before they reach the palace. There are too many people here who do not possess the slightest combat skill, especially the females. Finding and eradicating the rebel cells should be the troops' priority over the next forty-eight hours."

"But what of you and young Eldrin, my daughter?" my father challenged. "Deliah stated there's a path where they might attack today or tomorrow."

My mate nodded. "Yes, but the palace isn't going to be entirely unprotected. Worst case scenario, we have at least three bunkers we can take refuge in. The Capital City's Sanctuaries and closest villages are on average only a fifteen-minute flight away, twenty at the most. We can hold them off long enough to allow for our units to return. Plus keeping too many troops here when everyone knows Zerien is hunting the rebels will raise suspicions. They must continue to believe we're clueless about their plans."

I smiled approvingly at my mate. Kaelin regularly reported on my Siona's progress as she learned everything about us, including our geography, the leaders of each city and county, as well as their economy. Her praises as to what a dedicated student my Siona had proven herself to be were now on full display.

"We have already doubled our patrols around the palace following the assassination attempt. Increasing our defensive presence will only spark further rumors," I replied to my father. "But your concerns are valid. We should strategize for various attack scenarios and evacuation protocols should things turn ugly."

And for the next few hours, we did exactly that.