Tempest Rise (Treborel)

chapter Twelve



Deep under the darkness of night the small helijet hovered momentarily over the deck of the naval destroyer before landing silently. The Treborelan Commander was only too glad to allow Prince Katar temporary use of one of his small rescue craft. Dressed in the dark blue of Treborel the three men boarded the small boat and headed toward the heard of the Bantorian arbor. The darkness of the overcast sky concealed them as they passed the last of the Bantorian war ships still operational.

Pulling up to a large store drain which led into the belly of the city Sean broke the silence as they headed into a new kind of darkness, “I’ve spent a lot of time in these sewers, chasing ghosts.”

“What kind of ghosts?” Caps quiet question came as he stopped at a large junction in the drainage system, his raspy voice intensified by the echoes of the sewer.

“The kind that assassinate Kings.” Katar answered as Sean inspected a tunnel that went off to the left.

“How did you know?” Sean asked, turning back to him.

“You told me you were in the city when King Thomas was murdered. That was about 15 years ago. If you were working for the Intelligence system then you must have been on assignment.” Katar smiled at him as they headed down the tunnel. “I took a wild guess.”

“Well then take a wild guess as to where they are holding Lysette and the others. It might get us out of her a whole lot quicker.” Sean added adjusting the glow of his luminescent dangling from his belt as the darkness deepened.

“I’ve been working on that.” Katar began then noticed a ladder on the tunnel wall stretching up into the blackness. “Hey Cap, why don’t you take a look up there and see if you can get a fix on our location?”

Without hesitation Cap leapt onto the ladder and moved out of sight, leaving on the faint glow of his left lantern to note his presence.

“Our operatives have been asking a lot of questions.” Katar continued. “The transport landed on the medical complex roof and people were seen leaving from the rear of the building on a small caravan. After that they seemed to have disappeared.”

“They could be anywhere in the city. Have your people been able to confirm that Elsebeth gave birth to a child?” Sean asked as he peered into the darkness about no longer able to see Cap’s light.

“Al I know is that she was bedridden throughout the pregnancy and hardly ever seen. No one know if they baby was carried full term or if it even survived.”

“Well I don’t know much about babies but I’d say it wouldn’t take much for a child that small to become ill or injured under the circumstances of war.” Sean said.

“Maybe it’s not the baby at all. It could be William or Elsebeth themselves.” Katar countered, “The point is we have to reach them before the person in question recovers.”

Reappearing about the Cap jumped the last few rungs of the ladder landing lightly on the damp floor. “We’re about three blocks from the rendezvous point, off to the left.”

Continuing on in silence they reached their exit point quickly, climbing out of the sewer into the alley where Lysette and her companions had been loaded into the caravan. Two figures emerged from the shadows and approached them. The young man and woman greeter Katar with silent nods and they all moved back into the shadows. The short thin young man was Tan; the red haired thin young girl with him was Leanna. The two operatives informed them that there were no new developments.

Tan reported, “We have searched all of the medical centers and local health offices. The city is riddled with abandoned buildings so we have tried to be selective. We have been searching only those still supplied with power and water. We have found nothing so far.” Tan studied the man that would someday be his king and found conviction in his expression.

Katar said, “I want to look around before we go to the safe house. William sounds to be extremely paranoid. If he’s held up somewhere in the city, it’s got to be heavily fortified against any type of assault. I’m sure Connor would insist on only one obvious entrance.”

Cap continued Katar’s thoughts, “It’s got to be underground in one of the older stone buildings. There are several that withstood the storms after the great destruction. Those would be likely locations.”

“Some of the old temples used to have shelters in their cellars for the homeless.” Sean added, “I can’t think of a better place to hide.”

“Cap, you go with Tam and Leanna, search the hotels and any temples on the south side of the city. Sean and I will take the North.” Katar ordered as they broke from the shadows. “We'll meet at the safe house a dawn. If you find anything contact them, we’ll check in every few hours.”

“The safe house is in the industrial sector just south of here.” Tan offered, “Number eight, the Ergosian pillow factory.”

“Sounds cozy.” Sean added with a smile as they separated.





The surgery began late in the evening. Using the empathic method the children were sent into a deep sleep. Lysette had been surprised at how easily the children were separated. The large carotid artery had fused into one. Leaving a massive artery that branched into several smaller arteries just before it converged on the brain of each child. There had been no need to graft a portion of the arty from the children’s legs which decreased the surgical time to an acceptable level. Joah simply followed behind Lysette’s incisions healing the large artery as she separated it into two.

Kendra slowed the children’s heart beat to such a decreased rate was frightening but it helped to keep the blood loss down. Andru monitored the twin’s vitals and brain functions. The children did not share any brain tissue. Although they each were found to have absolutely no structure in their inner ear what so ever. That portion of the bone was missing all together. They would both be deaf in the ear that had been part of the attachment.

Since the children were so young Lysette left the skull incomplete. She made a note to insist on helmets for the children before they were to be moved. Joah informed her that over the next few months the boys would need continued treatments until the bones grew over and fused as normal cranial sutures should. The surgery ended just as Katar had landed on the Treborelan ship, bent on Lysette’s rescue. Joah and Kendra took the first watch over the fragile now separate infants as Lysette and Andru quickly fell asleep on the small cots.

As the unseen dawn broke Andru woke Lysette and they took their watch over the twins. Examining Rey as Kendra sank onto the hard cot, Lysette discovered he was slightly congested by resting well. Moving to Arbus she found that his lungs were strong and clear, he was sleeping deeply. Thinking back over the operation Lysette decided that the Holy One must have been standing over them. It had been truly incredible how the children survived such an invasive procedure without complication. The blood loss alone should have been enough to send them into shock and death. Yet the empaths had seen to it that they had survived. For the first time in her life Lysette was truly envious of another’s skills. She would not lie to herself it had been the healers who had saved the children’s lives and made the separation possible not her.

A few moments later Commander Connor appeared in the doorway. The room fell silent as he walked the few steps to the crib where the sleeping infants lay. He said, “So they have survived the separation.” His causal amazement infuriated Lysette.

As she stepped forward to confront him she felt Andrus hand on her arm in silent caution as he addressed the commander. “They will live, although neither child will have any hearing from the attached side of their head.”

Studying the infants Connor spoke without taking his eyes from them, “When can he be given a new ear?”

Lysette answered as calmly as she could, “I’m afraid all we could do is form the outer each shell. They will look normal but have no hearing on that side. There is no inner ear to replace it is simply missing.”

Moving his gaze from the infants to Andru Connor waited for the empaths input. Andru said, “We can only heal what is damaged. Not create what has been forgotten.”

“We are leaving at sunset.” Connor turned to the remaining empaths as his gaze swept the room. “That is ten hours from now. Prepare the infants.” He turned back to Lysette and smiled wickedly adding, “You and the elder empathy will be joining us.”

The others stood silently waiting for more of an explanation, only to watch the commander walk swiftly out the door and close it behind him.

“What does that mean?” Lysette felt the familiar fear begin to rise once more as she looked to Andru for an explanation.

He smiled sadly and moved to place his arm around Kendra’s shoulders saying, “We can’t live forever, Lysette.”

“How can you say that?” Lysette blurted out, irritated by his calm acceptance of death. “You saved his son’s lives, how can William . . .” Her throat tightened cutting off the rest of her words as the tears began to flow.

Kendra moved to embrace Joah allowing Andru to hold Lysette. Kendra clung tightly to Joah and whispered in his ear, “Joah there is something I must tell you. “ She began, “Something that Prince Katar must know. If I am going to die, I must tell someone the secret that only I have held for so long.”

Cupping her chin he lifted her face up to searched her eyes for the source of her concern. “What is it child?” He asked, softly.

“I have seen Commander Connor before, many years ago when I was very young. He killed a very important man who just saved my life.” Kendra hesitated glancing around as she whispered so softly the name she had held inside for so many years. “Prince Mikel, Katar’s father.”



Taking Lysette’s hand Andru lead her to the small table and sat beside her wanting to speak to her alone while he had the chance. “Lysette, being here and working with the twins has meant a great deal to me. As a matter of fact it has completed my internship as an Empath.” He reached out and took her hand gently, cupping her chin with his other to raise her face to meet his smiling gaze. “I am a true empathic healer now. It’s the greatest think that has ever happened to me.” Andru paused, his eyes softened and his smile slipped away and he added, “The only thing that compares to it is the day I met you. I might not get another chance to talk to you again, Lysette.” He continued moving closer. “I want you to know . . . I love you.” The sad smile returned briefly. “I know you in love with Prince Katar. That doesn’t matter now. All that matters is that you know how I feel. I guess I’m being selfish, confessing this to you at the last minute like this. But I had to tell you how I feel. And I want you to know that I’d be very disappointed in you if you let anyone, even Katar treat you like second best.”

A multitude of emotions flowed through Lysette. None of which was the passionate love like she felt for Katar. Kissing him softly Lysette touched his cheek and answered, “I wish we had more time Andru. I’m just too numb to even begin to think of another relationship. If I wasn’t . . .”

“It’s alright, Lysette.” Andru smiled brightly pulling back from her. “You just said more than I could have hoped for. And if we did have more time, I’d give Katar something to worry about.”

“You’re not dead yet.” Lysette answered him with conviction. She had to do something, there had to be a way to stop them from murdering Andru and Kendra.

Joah and Kendra separated and began packing supplies, preparing for the infants departure. After several hours Joah approached the door and demanded to speak to Commander Connor.

Andru was quickly at his grandfather’s side asking, what are you going to do?”

Joah turned back to him as the deep love he felt for his grandson shone in his eyes and said, “I know how to save you and Kendra.”

“Don’t do anything foolish Pappy.” Andru said as fear gripped him like never before.

Before Andru could say more the soldiers appeared and escorted Joah out. The others stood in front of the door as it closed behind Joah. Taking Andru’s hand, Lysette led him back to the table where they all sit silently waiting for Joah’s return. As the minutes passed like hours Andru rose no longer able to stay still. Growing more restless as the time past he began to pace the length of the small room. Suddenly his head jerked up and he ran to the door pounding on it with his fists.

“They are torturing him!” Kendra gasped and followed Andru to the door.

Damn you bastards!” Andru threw himself against the door trying to force it open screaming, “Leave him alone, he’s a harmless old man!”

“Are you sure?” Lysette pulled Kendra back from Andru.

“Yes!” Andru turned to face her, “I can feel his pain! They are beating him!” Andru spun back and beat on the door again saying, “He’s doing it for us, if he dies they will let Kendra and I live!”

Kendra closed her eyes and reached out to Joah trying to take his pain as best she could. Lysette could only stand and watch as Andru exhausted himself in his effort to reach his grandfather. Finally Kendra moved forward and placed her hand on his shoulder, speaking calmly to him, “He’s gone, Andru. He’s gone.”

Sobs wracked Andru as he sank to the floor. The two women knelt and held him. Andru looked up at Kendra and asked, “Why didn’t I feel his passing? I didn’t feel him die! He just doesn’t seem gone to me.”

“I felt his pain stop completely. It had to be his death. Unconsciousness would have left a feeling of pain. There was nothing.” She spoke soothingly as she and Lysette pulled him to his feet.

As they reached the cots the door opened and Commander Connor entered with two soldiers. “The female will come with me. You and the boy will prepare the infants it is time to leave.” Connor spoke only to Lysette ignoring the others.

Andru rose and placed himself in between the soldiers and Kendra. “You’re not taking her anywhere. I know you tortured my grandfather. I want him returned to me at once.”

“He is dead.” Connor spat out as he pulled a small pistol from his belt and pointed it at Lysette. “She comes or the good doctor dies, now.”

“Kill me then!” Lysette screamed at him as the hatred erupted from her heart. “I’d rather die than allow you to take another Empath to be tortured! I won’t let her become just another amusing distraction to pass the last few minutes until departure.”

A surprised smile crossed Connor’s face as he turned to gaze at her saying, “Dr Nolan, am I such a monster in your eyes?” He motioned for the soldiers to take Kendra. The two closest guards took hold of Andru to restrain him as the other two escorted Kendra out.



Connor approached Lysette saying, “You are not used to the realities of war. Although I should kill this one, I have chosen not to. If she cooperated, I will let her deliver a message to your friends who at this very moment search the city for you.” Turning back to Andru as the shoulders shoved him to the floor, Connor’s smile vanished as he said, “Your grandfather’s body will serve as a reminder, I am not to be trifled with.” Glancing back at Lysette as the soldiers departed with Kendra Connor reached out, finding a stray lock of Lysette’s hair he wound it around his fingers. “Sean Nolan should be proud not only are you very beautiful and intelligent, but rave as well and filled with fire.” Releasing her, he turned and was gone.

“Bastard!” Andru whispered as he rose to his feet.

Lysette went to him saying, “I’m so sorry about Joah, he was a wonderful man.”

“I should have realized what he was going and stopped him.” The pain in his eyes was almost too much for Lysette to bear. Embracing him, they held each other for comfort.

“Can you tell if Kendra is alright?” Lysette asked pulling back from him.

“She’s not too far away and frightened but they haven’t’ hurt her.” Andru answered sitting down at the table feeling the frustration and helplessness consuming him. “I can’t just sit here again and wait to feel the pain of her death.” Rising, he went to the surgical tool and picked up a thin tube with several small buttons placed down it six inch length. “You used this to separate the twins; it cut through their flesh easily.”

“It’s a small laser scalpel, not a weapon.” Lysette came to him taking the instrument from his hand.

“You were going to use this you slice a piece of bone from the babies pelvis. How intense can the beam become?”

“It has several settings but they must be used at close range. No more than 2 or three inches. After that the beam dissipates or the patient would be cut in half every time it was used.”

“Sounds like a pretty nice weapon to me.” Andru’s eyes narrowed as he reached for the weapon.

“I suppose you could use it to cut someone’s throat. But it would be no more advantage than using a knife.” Lysette cautioned, knowing that the guards carried laser pistols.

“I can meet them at the door. I’ve gotten that close before.”

“Okay, so you get close enough o kill one of them. What do you think the other one or two are going to do while you’re busy? Stand by and watch? Wait their turn?”

“Alright, I’ll wait for a better opportunity. But I’m not going to stand by passively anymore. When I get the chance you better be ready.”

“You do realize that it will be you and I taking care of theses infants the entire journey? Are you seriously going to try to cut someone’s arm or head off while you’re holding a baby?”

“Maybe that’s the protection that we need.” Andru answered so full of hatred he wasn’t thinking straight.

“So you’re going to cower behind an infant, hoping they won’t shoot.” Lysette was disgusted with him. “Alright, go ahead, be a hero. I’m sure Joah would be impressed.”

Her words stung, but he wouldn’t back down. “Just be ready.”



The door opened once more and Commander Connor appeared with Kendra at his side. She appeared shaken but unharmed. Dropping the scalpel quickly into his pocket Andru glared at Connor. Are you alright Kendra?” He said moving forward trying to reach but was stopped by Connor.

“She is not allowed to speak with you again. Get your things and the infants, it’s time to leave.”





The last three days had been the most frustrating of Katar’s life. They had searched nearly every temple in the city. None of the temples supplied with water and fuel had turned up any sign of Lysette and her fellow captives. Cap had even taken to going out in the daylight hours with the operatives to search.

Sean and Katar were too easily recognized to risk a daylight search. As a result Cap had been searching steadily with only and or hour or two of sleep each night. Katar found it too ironic to believe that the two women he and his friend had ever truly cared for were both taken by the most evil man Katar had ever come across. They were to search the last five temples left in the city today. It had taken too long to search the others to risk waiting until nightfall again. Katar and Tam had managed to slip into the first of the building just after dawn, finding nothing. Making their way painstakingly through the back ways and alleys they moved toward their second objective. It took them nearly four hours to reach and search the next two temples on their list.

Tan urged Katar to duck into an old flower shop and use the comm. link hidden there to contact the safe house. Sean and Cap had left a message. It was a prearranged code. Simply the number four, corresponding to the temple list they were using. The fourth building on the list was on old three story cathedral. They were instructed to meet then in a small market across the street. Dressed in the light colored travel clothes of the Bantorians they blended in well with the people around them.

Until they reached the cathedral, the streets surrounding it were deserted. Walking slowly down the walkway to the market they opened the tall wooden doors of the stone entrance and moved inside, their weapons ready. The sight that met their eyes brought a smile to Katars lips as they watched Cap consuming the last of a loaf of spiced bread. Stuffing the remains in his mount he washed it down with a slug of port and rose to greet them.

Sean appeared from the back of the shop holding out a jug of water to the lanky commander. “’Go easy on the spirits, you haven’t had enough sleep to handle much without nodding off at the worst possible moment.” Sean scolded him.

Moving across to Katar and Tan, Sean gave his report. “This cathedral doesn’t hold services. It’s reserved for weddings and anointing of children. Lately they’ve expanded it to include funerals. There’s a wide alley around back with an outer stairwell that goes directly into the basement. There are no basement windows and . . . “Sean smiled brightly, “The guy across the alley says a caravan has been there twice in the last two weeks.”

Cap joined the and they left the market and walked casually to the end of the block, crossing the intersection and following the walkway past the alley entrance behind the ancient structure. Cap spoke softly glancing around the still silent street saying, “The shop owner that backs to this alley says that about three months ago there was a major renovation project going on in the temple. He thinks they were getting ready to supply new quarters for the clergy. But Leanna checked the Administrative records

And there is no clergy assigned to this temple.”

Katar asked, “Are there any other entrances into the cathedral beside these two?” They moved around the corner and headed for the Meat shop that backed to the cathedral.

“No,” Cap quickly answered, “But there’s got to be a way into the basement from the chapel.”

“It’s locked up tight.” Sean interjected. “Either we make a lot of noise trying to get in or stand around and wait.”

Reaching the meat shop Cap opened the door and walked in without hesitation as he spoke to the owner, “Mr. Lutz, your business has slacked off.” Cap smiled and shook his hand.

“Mr. Cap, you going to actually buy something this time?” The stocky dark haired owner greeted him with familiar gusto.

“I would if you had anything to buy.” Cap pointed to the empty coolers.

“Pay the right price and I just might find a piece of meal lost behind the crates in the freezer.” The shop keeper smiled displaying a mouthful of crooked teeth

“I’d rather get a look at your meat processor.” Cap answered waving a hand back at the men behind him. “My friends here are looking for a good investment. I told them about your idea. They just might be able to supply the financing you need to market it.”

“Ah!” Mr. Lutz looked them over with renewed interest. Saying, “Well I don’t have any meat out on the table to be contaminated so come on back.”

Moving into the slightly larger back room of the ship Mr. Lutz proceeded to demonstrate his machine to Katar and the others as Cap snuck around to the rear of the building and glanced out the set of small windows. Acting impressed at the strange gadget that supposedly gauged the quality and type of meat that was placed on its rotation best Katar and Tam asked as many questions as they could think of trying to give Cap enough time to study the rear of the cathedral.

“Well we certainly are interested in marketing this extraordinary machine Mr. Lutz.” Katar put out his hand to the overjoyed meat cutter. “Let me speak with my legal advisors and I’ll get back to you tomorrow with an offer.”

Leaving the store as the sky began to grow dark with an approaching storm they followed the walkway further down the block and headed into one of the older hostels. As their eyes adjusted to the din light Cap described what he saw. “The stairwell was deep and dark but there was definitely someone down at the bottom. I could see the figure of a man. He was just standing at the base of the stairs. All I could see was his head.”

Cap moved them further into the interior and through a doorway into the room beyond. They found Leanna eating some hard cheese at a long table. Rising as they entered she offered them a seat.

“I think this is the place.” Cap spoke quickly filled with anticipation and worry.

“It could be a vagrant hiding down there from the upcoming storm.” Katar cautioned.

“Well we’ve got to get in there and make sure either way.” Sean added sitting down across from him.

“Leanna has an idea.” Cap nodded in her direction.

She explained, “There is a funeral today at dusk. We have moved it to another location and will replace the mourners with our own people. That will give us the access we need to enter the chapel. Two of us enter with the funeral procession and find the interior stairwell.” Leanna pulled out a rough sketch of the interior of the building. “It should be here.” Pointing to the rear area behind the altar, they could see there were several small storage rooms. “The rest of us will enter through the stairwell. We will converge on them together cutting off any means of escape.”

Placing a second sketch on the table, Leanna added, “There are three perhaps four levels under the main structure. The old shelters were all built with one large main corridor running down the center of the structure. Unless they have moved the walls during some past renovation we should find the basement stairwell leading to the end of this hall. I suspect the interior steps will enter at one of the far corners.”

The storm began in earnest outside as the group continued their discussion throughout the afternoon plans were set in motion for the encroachment of the cathedral. When the mourners arrived Cap and Katar slipped from the shadows of the doorway and mixed in with the crowd entering the cathedral. Wasting no time they made their way cautiously toward the front of the church. Finding the door that emptied into the sacristy they searched until a locked door barred their way.

Pulling a vial from his jacket Katar squirted a small bit of solution into the lock and onto the bolts through the crack in the door. After several seconds her shoved against the door and it gave way, its frozen bolts shattering like glass. Activating the small comm. Unit on his belt Cap signaled Sean that they were through.

In the alley behind the structure Tan slipped through one of the meat shops rear windows and crouched in the shadows with his rifle. Turning the sights toward the stairwell he activated its heat signature and got a clear image of the man hidden inside. Jerking the gun upright Tan bolted back through the window speaking quickly to Sean and Leanna. “There’s an old man and a girl standing in front of the door. They appear to have been chained across the opening.”

“Are they alive?” Sean asked glancing out the window into the darkness.

“Yes, the girl is I’m not sure about the man and there’s no sign of soldiers.” Tan answered.

Sean activated his comm. Link and signaled Katar and Cap hoping it wasn’t too late to reach them due to signal loss. As the small light blinked Cap touched Katars elbow, pointed to the signal and whispered, “Something’s wrong.”

Katar answered back, “We can’t just stand here. Whatever it is, they can handle it. I say we go on.”

Descending the narrow winding steps they followed its length to the first level. Finding no signs of activity and thick dust covering the floors they moved on to the next level. Again they found a wide empty corridor covered with layers of grime. The stairwell ended on the final level. It was lit by a dim light hanging from the ceiling. Just to the right was a set of double doors. The hall was filthy yet there was no layer of dusk covering the hallway floor. Moving along the sides of the main hall, Katar headed for the double doors as Cap carted beyond to inspect the next set of doors across the hall. Finding the room empty Katar returned to where Cap had disappeared through the other set of doors.

Moving quietly he scanned the large carpeted area. It had chandeliers hanging from the ceilings and several pieces of furniture scattered about. Moving through the next set of doors he found Cap as he entered the medical room. Cap spun to face him saying, “They’re gone. Damn it Katar how could we have missed them!”

Katar and Cap sprinted back to the main corridor quickly headed for the stairwell thinking that Sean and the other may have caught them as they tried to escape. As they reached the rear exit the found a small device attached to the locking mechanism containing a vial of clear amber liquid.

Cap grabbed his comm. Device as Katar shouted through the door. “Sean! Can you hear me, don’t open the door!”

Sean’s voice answered back through the door. “We can’t, there are a couple of people out here chained to the door.”

“There is an explosive device attached to this side. Don’t touch anything until we get a chance to take a look at it on our side. I’m not sure what the triggers are.” Katar advised a Cap kneeled down and pulled out his hand torch to get a better look at it.

“Katar, we’ve got a real problem.” Cap grimaced, “I think this stuff is Trania.” We should jut back out of here and evacuate the building. If this thing goes off it could take the entire building with it.”

“What did you find?” Sean called through the door.

“They were here but we’ve missed them.” Katar said then took a deep breath getting his growing anger and frustration in check. He wanted to leave this mess for the others and get back outside to search for Lysette. He knew he couldn’t. “Get everyone out of the stairwell, Cap says the explosive is powerful, it could take the whole building.”

“I’m afraid that isn’t going to be so easy.” Sean called back to him.

“I’m telling you; just the warmth of my hand could set this off.” Cap explained quietly to Katar. “I’m not too comfortable with the way you two are shouting through the door either.”

“Will you be ok here if I go around to the outside and see what the problem is?” Katar asked not wanting to leave his fiend to dismantle the bomb alone.

“I guess that means we aren’t going to leave well enough alone?” Cap sighed and added, “I’ll be fine. Just don’t touch anything on that side until I give you the okay.”

It didn’t take long to find a suitable tool to break the chains that bound Kendra and Joah to the cellar door after confirming they were not linked to the device. Sean headed around to the front of the building to assist Cap as Katar questioned Kendra.



“They left Joah as a message, they thought he was dead.” She stammered as they reached the top of the steps. Katar and Tan carried the elder empathy to the shelter of the meat shop and handed him through the small window to Leanna.

“He’s in a very deep coma.” Kendra continued, “I’ve never seen anything like it before.”

“Where is Lysette?” Katar turned as soon as Joah left his arms and took Kendra by the shoulders trying to steady her.

“She’s alright, they haven’t hurt her. They took her and Andru to care for the babies. But I don’t know where they went.”

“How long ago did they leave?” Katar asked through clenched teeth.

“I’m so sorry your Highness! They left only minutes before the others arrived to rescue us.” Kendra’s voice shook with emotion as she tried to remain calm. “Commander Connor made me memorize a message for you and Lord Nolan.” She blurted out terrified at what she was about to tell him.

“What?” Katar’s eyes locked on hers.

“He’s knows about Lysette being Lord Nolan’s niece. He told me to give you this message word for word as he spoke it.”

“Tell me,” Katar’s voice was low and menacing.

“Lysette is a very beautiful prize. I shall enjoy very much when her work is completed. When I tire of her splendors, I will revel in her screams. She will know she has the two of you to thank for the depth of her pain and the length of her death.” Kendra burst into tears at the horror of her words and the look of hatred on Katar’s face. She sobbed, saying, “He is a vicious demon, I have no doubt he means what he says.”

Katar moved slowly away to return to Cap and Sean as Tan pulled Kendra to him and hugged her as she cried. Katar reached the two as they dismantled the explosive and gently set the Trania aside. Katar patted Cap on the back saying, “Sean and I will see to the Trania. There is someone out back that would like to see you.”

As Cap rose to his feet he studied Katars face confused then suddenly bolted up the stairs to find Kendra. He saw her by the meat shop window and called her name as he rushed to her side. When his raspy voice reached her Kendra spun to find herself swept up in his arms as Cap kissed her deeply. She clung to him desperate to feel his warmth. Allowing the pain and horror of the last week to wash over her she sobbed uncontrollable into his chest.

“Baby, I’m here, you’re safe now.” Cap whispered holding her close. “I’m going to get you out of here and back to Treborel as quickly as possible.”

“How . . . did you find me?” Kendra stammered, gazing up into his coal black eyes.

“Katar needed help finding Lysette.” Cap answered honestly, “I couldn’t let him fly by himself so I brought him down to meet with Lord Nolan.” His voice softened as he added, “When I found out that you were on the transport, nothing was going to keep me from finding you.”

“You came for me?” She looked up into his tired face amazed.

“I’m crazy about you, Kendra. I wasn’t about to let you disappear.” Caps raspy voice faded to a whisper.

She kissed him boldly, never wanting to stop, then suddenly released him gasping, “Oh Cap! I’ve made such a mess of things. I had no idea that Prince Katar had been told that his father died from a sraeb attack!”

“Kendra? What are you talking about?” Cap pulled back and stared at her completely lost by her sudden confession.

“Prince Mikel was murdered Cap, right in front of my eyes!” Kendra drew him away from the shelter of the buildings back toward the cathedral stairwell. Once inside out of the wind and rain she explained. “When I was a small child, my family discovered that my empathic talent was exceptional. They decided it was best for us to move from the northern colony to be near the institute, so I could start training early but not have to be away from them.” Kendra glanced around finding the corridor empty she settled on the floor pulling Cap with her continuing, “I was so young I didn’t understand what was happening. I would touch anyone with a cut or scrape and heal it without saying a word. They began to fear I would hurt myself by expending too much energy all the time. So against their better judgment they decided to travel through the mountains at the beginning of ‘frenzy’. They felt the risk to stay another winder without instruction would be dangerous for me.” Kendra stopped, hesitating then gathered up her courage and continued, “It was the year of the massacre. We were only a day’s ride from the institute when the sraeb reached us.” Images of death flashed though her mind as she recalled how the sraeb appeared out of the woods attacking the horses and cattle. Then having their fill of the animals they attacked the houses, tearing through the walls as if they were paper, killing everyone around her. “As I fled from the sraeb searching for my parents a man appeared from the brush and snatched me up carrying me deeper into the forest. I tried to scream but he held a blade to my throat and told me to keep quiet. I was only 9 years old, Cap. I was I was terrified that if he didn’t kill me a sraeb would find us and kill us both.” Kendra rubbed her temples bent on finishing what she had sworn to do. Caps arm came around her pulling her close as she continued.

“I don’t know how long her ran, it seemed like forever. Then as abruptly as he had appeared he stopped and threw me forward onto the grass and disappeared. Only after I caught my breath did I realize he had thrown me directly in front of the largest male sraeb I had ever seen.” Kendra looked into Caps eyes needing to know his reaction to what she was about to say, “As the beast charged me there was a flash of movement from the trees beside me. A man came running from the trees and threw himself on top of the massive male. He had only a knife.” Tears filled her eyes as she sought to continue, “I was frozen! I just sat in the grass and watched them battle; it was more than I could comprehend. This man had saved me. I never thought of running away. It never occurred to me that the man might die in his valiant attempt. I just sat there only a few meters away and watched.”

Cap held Kendra as sobs wracked her body. She stammered, “He killed the beast, not quickly but knew somehow knew where to strike. It took such a long time, in my memory at least. But when the battle was over the man turned to me covered in blood and he smiled. He actually smiled. His dark blue eyes sparkled at me. I remember thinking he was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. As he moved toward me his gaze shifted beyond me. I turned to see the man who had thrown me to the sraeb standing behind me holding a crossbow. He smiled at me too, but his smile was frightening. Then he raised the crossbow and fired.” Kendra stopped and took a deep breath as the memory flowed through her. “I watched as the bolt flew past me and struck the man who had saved me. The bolt buried itself in his forehead. His eyes went blank, and then he fell back onto the grass. I was still frozen, only able to stare at his lifeless body as the men appeared from out of the woods. Suddenly the air was filled with cries as the man was surrounded by people. The first man to reach him cried out the Prince had been killed. I turned to point at the man who had killed him to find him gone. As the men and women around me ran into the woods after the murderer my mother appeared and carried me off through the woods not stopping until late that night when we reached the Institute. She explained to me that it was Prince Mikel that had died and that I must never speak of his death again.” Kendra looked into Caps eye and added, “They never found that man, Cap. Until now, the man I watched kill Katar’s father was Commander Connor.”

Cap stared back at Kendra astonished at what she had just told him. He said, “Kendra, Katar was with me the day he was told about his father’s death. Lord Wills came to us in the garden and told him that Mikel was forced to kill a sraeb with only a hunting knife to save a little girl, but had died shortly afterward. He never spoke of an assassination. No one ever spoke of that.” Cap considered her words carefully. He believed her. But why would the Queen had kept the assassination a secret? Why would she have kept it from Katar all these years? Scandal? What connection did Connor have to Mikel to warrant his actions?

Cap rose and pulled Kendra to her feet. “I believe you.” He said softly, “But now comes the hard part. You’ve got to tell Katar. The entire story just as you told me.”

Katar appeared at the end of the corridor as Kendra backed away from Cap in horror. “Baby, you have to do this. You’ve got no choice. Katar has to know.” He reached out and pulled her to him, placing his arm around her shoulders protectively as Katar neared.

Katar strode quickly toward them, with Sean following close behind saying, “Cap, we found how they got past us. There’s a doorway linking the cathedral to the drainage system. They got out the same way we entered the city.”

Cap stepped into the middle of the corridor blocking Katar’s way saying, “Katar, Kendra has something very important she has got to tell you.”

“She already gave me Connors message and I’ve relayed it to Sean.” Katar pushed his arm aside and continued on.

“No, Katar. This is about your father.” Caps words stopped him and he turned to face them.

Cap turned to Kendra and said softly, “You have to tell him now, this can’t wait.”

Kendra took a deep breath and blurted out, “I was there when he died. He wasn’t killed by a sraeb; he was murdered by Commander Connor.”

Katar looked at them both as if they were insane and said, “Cap, what the Hell? I don’t have time for this!”

“It’s a long story Katar but one you need to hear.” Cap stepped in front of Kendra protectively and added, “I believe what she’s told me and I think you will too. You need to hear this now.”

Katar could tell by the look on Caps face he wasn’t going to let it go. He sighed and said, “We are going to lose Connor and Lysette if we stand her talking. Whatever story you’ve got to tell me you can say on the way.” Katar reached past Cap and grabbed Kendra’s arm pulling her behind him as he headed for the door, followed closely by Cap and Sean.