Chapter 17
John wakes to a commotion outside the hut. He feels like he has slept for days. He peers outside the hut and sees a human looking woman with a fair complexion yelling. She is dressed similar to Queen Frallinaso but she wears completely different colors than any that were seen back in Briccxon. John takes that as a good omen that it is not someone from Briccxon looking for them. There is some sort of beast man standing next to her. He also wears the same colors as the woman and he carries a sword and there is a group of soldiers with giant lizards milling around nearby also wearing the same colors as the woman and the beast man. John thinks how similar they are to the Briccxon people. Like two mirror images fighting each other. John leaves the hut to try and hear the argument better to figure out what is going on. No sooner has he stepped out of the hut then a little insect like figure comes up to him to usher him back inside.
But before John can be shooed back in the woman sees him and says, “Wait a minute! Is that one of them now?” She points at John and suddenly a ring of fire encircles him where he stands. John takes his staff and with a wave of it the fire disappears. “What sorcery is this?” The woman then shoots a beam of blinding light out of her finger at John who uses his staff to absorb it. The woman then makes a crystal in her pouch float in the air and fires it at John who swings his staff like a baseball bat and hits the crystal back at the woman. This takes the woman by surprise as she is hit with it and falls to the ground.
The beast man unsheathes his sword, “How dare you! If you have so much as scratched the Queen you will wish you had never been born!” The beast man then charges at John with malice in his eyes and a growl in his throat. John braces for the charge with his staff at the ready when suddenly a boomerang flies at the beast man knocking his sword from his hand and stopping him in his tracks. The boomerang then returns to Karen who is standing with Sal and Michael beside her who both aim their weapons for the ready.
“Anyone want to make a move be my guest but know it’s your last”, says Sal.
“You almost busted a rhythm there”, says Michael.
“Why thank you.”
The woman gets up off the ground, “Everyone stand down we cannot afford anymore bloodshed. So I take it you are in fact the strange warriors that are causing all the fighting.”
“We didn’t cause nothing lady”, says Michael, “Who are you anyway?”
“Don’t you know the great Queen Bennu when you see her. Ruler of the kingdom of Watamam”, says the beast man sounding legitimately offended.
John realizes he had deduced right and can’t help but to show it, “So I was right you are Queen Frallinaso’s rival.”
“I suppose you could say that. Our kingdoms have been at war for some time but ever since Queen Frallinaso took the throne the bloodshed has greatly increased.”
“Your also enemies of the Magplits?”, John inquires.
“Yes both kingdoms have had to push into their lands for resources to keep up the constant state of warfare. There land is rich and has much strategical advantages. Eventually it led to all out war with the Magplits as well.”
“You said we caused fighting? What did you mean?”
“You strangers wondered into Frallinaso’s castle. She believes you were sent by me or the Magplits to assassinate her. In retaliation she has unleashed a devastating assault on my kingdom and the Magplits. It has gotten so bad I am here in desperation for as much medicine and talismans as I can get. My people are dying in droves.”
“You must tell her the kingdom of Wataman did not send you so we may negotiate a ceasefire to give our people time to recover”, adds the beast man.
“First off like we keep telling everybody we aren’t getting involved in your feuds. Been there done that. No thanks”, says Sal.
“Second even if we wanted to it’s not like Frallinaso believes anything we say. We already have told her that more times than I can count. Besides she already is changing the story we didn’t just wander into her castle we were invited there by her sister Milenas”, says John.
“Then the allegations are true? You were working with Milenas to overthrow Frallinaso?”, asks the beast man.
“Dude how dense are you people on this planet. I don’t know what you are talking about nobody was trying to overthrow anyone. For the umpteenth time we got transported from our home world to this world accidentally. We just want to live in peace and be left alone. God I am getting sick of saying this”, says Sal.
“You would think for a planet that has magic this story would be easier for them to swallow”, adds Michael.
“Wait what does Milenas have to do with anything?”, ask John with concern in his voice.
“What we hear from our sources is that Milenas was accused of plotting with the four of you to assassinate her sister so she could take the thrown. She is scheduled to be executed for treason”, says Queen Bennu without any concern.
“What?!” cries John no longer containing himself and going into hysterics. “Please tell me when? Did they already do it?”
The beast man raises his eyebrow at John’s reaction but calmly replies, “According to our sources not yet. She is still being interrogated for information regarding you four and the plot.”
John turns to his three fellow earthlings, “We got to help her!”
Michael replies, “How do we know what this guy…”
“Ulf”, the beast man interrupts with, “My name is Ulf.”
“Ok”, Michael continues, “How do we even know Ulf here speaks the truth.”
“Why would I lie?”
“To trick us into helping you fight your enemy.”
“What makes you think I care what happens to princess Milenas.”
John says, “He is right he wouldn’t know Milenas in danger would make us get involved.”
“Well maybe Frallinaso is sending out false stories to lure us back. It was plain to everyone who saw you together you cared for her. Or maybe his spies saw you two and passed along the information.”
“Oh will you stop doubting and questioning everything for once Michael. Sometimes you gotta take a risk and we gotta risk it for Milenas”, cries John in exasperation. “Wait a minute”, John turns to Ulasa, “You could tell we weren’t from this world and could talk to that animal. Can you tell if this man speaks the truth?”
“Yes and he does.”
“Can you tell if Milenas is still alive”, John desperately asks.
“One moment.” Ulasa joins hands with several others. John hears a humming which sounds like it is coming from everywhere and nowhere all at once. After several moments Ulasa says, “She is in pain but lives.” John turns to look at his fellow earthlings.
“Oh my!”, exclaims Karen.
“So much for staying out of this thing”, says Sal.
“Conflict drags all in”, says Michael almost to himself.
“She helped us twice. Doesn’t that make her one of us? We vowed leave no one behind years ago”, says Karen.
“Even if we are able to help her, we will just all be dragged into this never ending war. What good will that do anyone?”, says Michael.
“Besides we can’t take on a whole fucking army by ourselves. We are good but not that good”, says Sal. “We will end up dying along with her. I don’t think she would want that.”
John knows everyone is right. They are in a no win situation. But he thinks he has a plan. It’s definitely a gamble and long shot at that but he has to give it a try for Milenas. He just hopes he doesn’t let everyone down. “What if there was a way to save her and stop all this fighting.”
“I would say you ate some bad whatever it was we ate and are delusional”, says Sal.
Karen feels John’s forehead, “Yea, are you feeling ok sweetie?”
“We know you cared for her. She was one of the good ones. But we aren’t super heroes. And this isn’t a fairytale”, adds Michael.
“No I have a plan. But if we do this plan I can’t guarantee we are all surviving it. So what’s it going to be?”
“Action and consequence again. We gotta choose our action and live with the consequences. Whatever they are”, says Michael.
“Exactly”, says John grimly agreeing with Michael’s assessment.
“I am tired of running from fights and just surviving. If you think we have a shot at peace it’s worth the risk”, says Karen.
“We said we owed her twice and we do. It’s the honorable thing. Never turn your back on someone who had yours”, says Michael.
“Ah we never did things the easy way anyway. Like your gonna have any fun storming a castle without yours truly”, says Sal with a wink.
“Thanks guys”, says John.
Michael puts his hand on John’s shoulder, “Whatever happens we face together.”
John smiles and then turns to Ulasa, “Can your people make an herb concoction that can release a lot of heat energy at once?” Ulasa nods. “Can you also make four talisman’s that shield against magic?”
“It would be difficult but we can offer some protection. However it seems that your staff already does just that.”
“We will need more than what my staff can handle.”
“I take it you are referring to Queen Frallinaso. I must warn you her magic is powerful and potent our talisman’s won’t offer much resistance to her.”
“Every little bit helps. Sorry my friend guess we aren’t going to live in the flow of life after all.”
“Perhaps, perhaps not. There are many ways to live in accordance with the life force. I believe you may find your way someday.”
John nods then turns to Queen Bennu and Ulf, “I need your help too.”
“Why should we help you?”
“Because your being destroyed and I am your best shot at stopping it. You just need to promise not to hurt princess Milenas.”
“She is our enemy”, says Ulf narrowing his eyes at the gall of this outsider.
“I can promise she won’t be if this works. All I need is for your full force to lay siege on the castle of Briccxon and I can guarantee the Magplits will stop fighting you and instead aid you in the siege.”
Queen Bennu let’s out a laugh, “Oh is that all. Your talking suicide.”
“Right now your being slaughtered anyway and your desperate. This was Queen Frallinaso’s plan along she played everything. She won’t let up now. Ever. Suicide or slaughter either way your kingdom is done for. But if we try my plan you just might survive.”
Queen Bennu looks at Ulf and they exchange knowing glances for what seems to John forever as he anxiously awaits her response. “Very well. What do you need us to do?”
Karen whispers to Michael, “You got any clue what he is thinking?” Michael shakes his head.
Sal says, “Just so I am clear on why I am going to die are we saving Milenas or ending these wars.”
“I think he wants to do both.”
“Well if you are going to die better do it for as many reasons as possible I suppose.”
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