Tempest Rise (Treborel)

chapter Seven



The tension could be felt through the entire continent. The trams were packed full of people rushing to purchase food and extra supplies. When Lysette arrived at the Medical Complex she was rushed into the Emergency Ward. Overcrowding and late schedules had forced the trams to increase their velocity. In the midst of the chaos one tram collided into the rear of another, derailing both and injuring or killing nearly one hundred people. Lysette took this as a bad indication of how the day was to proceed.

After over 10 hours of surgery Lysette was finally able to begin her rounds. After a quick change of clothes she checked her messages and asked her secretary to locate her uncle. Then Lysette headed off to check on the progress of the two small girls in the burn until. She found the girls sleeping peacefully, the Empaths had gone. The scars were the only sign of their recent trauma.

Lysette carefully examined them, placing the long oval probe on their little chests. No fever or congestion, normal blood pressure and a steady pulse, satisfied she turned to leave. Stopping as a figure rose from the reclining chair in the corner of the room, Lysette smiled at the eldest Empath rose and crossed to her, motioning for her to follow him into the hallway. Once there he explained that their work was done. “The children will sleep soundly for the next two days. They should be allowed to slumber as long as necessary. The healing strength comes from within the Empath; even so the children's bodies are exhausted from the treatments. They have been put into a ‘healing sleep’ and should not be awakened. If they woke on their own they should be fed and allowed to fall back to sleep. All that is left for them now are normal therapeutic procedures. Their muscles will be stiff and weak, but there should be little pain. They should grow strong and live normal lives. Unfortunately we can do nothing about the deep scars. Our strength is in accelerating the healing of damaged tissues. We cannot restore them back to their original condition.”

Lysette liked the elderly empathy, his soft voice and gentle manner was comforting. She said, “We can perform a series of operations that will reduce the scarring. Our techniques are delicate and will take time. I know in my heart that these girls would have lived to worry about scars if it had not been for you and your friends. Thank you so much.”

It has been a long time since Empathic Healing and Technological Medicine have worked together. I have enjoyed the enthusiastic response your people have given us.” He smiled at Lysette.

“I’m so glad to hear them. I’ve been asked to form a research team. I’m going to be studying the Empathic Way. I hope you will consider working with us again. I would like to learn more about your people.” Lysette offered her hand in friendship.

Joah took Lysette’s hand in his and said, “If Bantor continues to threaten the continent, we may find many more opportunities to work together soon, in the field hospitals.” His expression showed the same concern that Lysette shared. With an understanding nod from Lysette he turned and headed down the hall.

It was nearly midnight and Lysette has still not heard from her uncle. She was anxious to tell him of her plans. She went to the Medical Relief office located in the basement of the building. She was given a departure schedule and a number to call if she had any questions. Lysette then headed outside and walked the short distance to the Palace gates. She watched as the last few pedestrians rushed silently past her in an attempt to reach their final destinations. Each were waiting for news of Bantor’s withdraw; hoping and praying it would come in these last few moments.

Arriving at the brightly lit palace just after midnight, Lysette hurried toward her uncle’s office. His assistant Val was still at her desk. She informed Lysette Sean was with the Regent in the communications center. Waiting for the security officers to inform her uncle she had arrived, Lysette sat silently outside the center's doors. Sear appeared a few moments later, he smile and said, “Lysette, I’ve been trying to reach you. I heard about the tram accident, you must be exhausted.” He kissed her cheek and sat down beside her. His motions were slow and reserved. He stretched his tired muscles and rubbed the tension from the back of his neck as he turned to face her.

“It was a long day but I’m fine.” She smiled at him. “I’m glad you made it back alright. I was worried.”

“It was a disappointing venture, Williams not well. I’m afraid I can’t talk for long, we’re still hoping he’ll withdraw.” He said with a sigh.

“I’m sorry, I know this is a bad time, but I wanted to tell you that I’ve signed on with the Relief Corp. I’m heading for a field hospital. The first wave will leave tonight; I’ll be going with them.” Lysette blurted it all out, hoping he’d understand and not lecture her about the danger she might be heading into.

“I figured you would do this. Prince Katar mentioned he had spoken to you about the corp. I’ve been on the Comm. with him all evening coordinating efforts. We’re both concerned about you, I’d prefer you didn’t go, but I understand why you feel you must.”

“It’s my job, my duty.” She looked into his eyes confirming that he understood.

“I’ve never held you back, Lysette.” He hugged her and rose. I’ve got to get back in there. Bantor has moved their laser cannons up to the river’s edge. Our forces are closing off the bridges between Bantor and Lon Tesse, it doesn’t look good. Contact me when you arrive at your station and let me know where you are.” He kissed her cheek and softly added, “Be careful, I love you and I hope you miss me and Doc terribly.”

“Doc! Oh you will take care of him for me?”

“I see that Doc will be missed more than me.” Sean chuckled.

With that he was gone; Lysette spent the rest of the night at the Medical Center preparing for the worst. As dawn broke King William issued a Declaration of War and began to fire upon the Treborelan Vessels that blocked the Nayrian Harbor. As the Lon Tesse troops began to cross the Nayrian bridged into Nayr the Nayrian Ambassador pleaded for a peaceful resolution.

Bantors laser cannons began to fire on the Lon Tesse boarder troops and were quickly met with return fire. The smaller Air Force of Lon Tesse began to battle the larger awkward Bantorian transports that had been converted into battle craft. Treborel’s Southern Airbase dispatched fifty aircraft that swept over Bantor from the north. Leading the assault Katar ordered all Bantorian defensive weaponry destroyed. Unprepared for the attack Bantor quickly manipulated their forces away from Lon Tesse to match the northern assault. As the battle escalated the Relief Corp sent twenty medical units to the Southern Lon Tesse Boarder. Lysette was among the first to arrive at the field hospital near the Bantor/Nayrian River channel.

The moment she arrived, Lysette was sent into surgery and remained there for the next three days. Her only reprieves were a few quick meals and a two hour sleeping period each day. Yet she and the other Physicians considered themselves lucky. They had been assigned to a local medical center. It was large due to the merging of two farm communities who had depended on it as their only medical care facility.

As a result they had a self contained complex in the middle of the flat countryside between the two communities. This afforded multiple air Evac units access simultaneously. Many of the other units were working out of small clinics or abandoned warehouse or factories forced to use ambulance or the tram system to transport wounded.

Lysette’s center was used as a stabilizing area. They performed emergency surgery and stabilized the injured for transport to another unit further away from the battleground. The Empathic Healers arrived the second day of the conflict. Nine healers and 7 surgeons composed the centers medical team. Not sure how to work with the healers, the surgeons simply ignored them. Working separately the healers chose the injured they could heal quickly, skull fractures, unobstructed wounds or excessive bleeding. Leaving the surgeons the patients who needed reconstructive surgery or fragments removed.

Finally after nearly a week of total separation Lysette approached the elder healer Joah whom she had met in Lavose. She asked him to work with her during her next surgery. Joah was anxious to assist and was able to place the patient into a deep sleep and slow or stop the hemorrhaging while she operated. Quickly it became apparent that Lysette’s patients were stabilizing more quickly and able to be transported faster than patients who did not have an Empath assisting the surgeon. Surgeons began to request assistance from the Empaths and soon every team was staffed by one of the healers.

Nearly all the casualties that arrived survived to be shipped to a secondary unit. Over the next nine months as the battle continued, Bantor ceased its attempt to cross the Ny River into Lon Tesse. Instead it began to concentrate on keeping the Alliance forces from invading. Finally Bantor pulled all its forces out of Nayr. The Continental Alliance was called into session and it was determined that King William should be removed from power. When William refused to advocate they began to push the Bantorian Army back deeper into Bantor. The harbor was secured by the Treborelan Navy but not without losing several ships. Bantorian troops forced Nayrian civilians onto cargo ships that were loaded with explosives and set adrift. The ships would be detonated a few moments after the Treborelan ships arrived to attempt a rescue.

Keeping track of Katar’s movements had been easy for Lysette. Reports constantly came in about the small Treborelan helijets and their exploits behind enemy lines. Of the fifty helijets that had been deployed only 4 had been destroyed. Nearly half of the Bantorian laser cannons had been disabled. Allowing the Lon Tesse land forces to cross the river and begin the push toward the ocean. William had pulled all the operational cannons back to defend the major cities.

Due to the large civilian population of the Bantorian cities, the Treborelan helijets refused to attack; giving air support to the advancing armies instead as the war came to a standstill. Nearly a dozen of the helijets had been converted to small air ambulances taking the seriously injured directly to the hospitals from the battlefield first air stations. Occasionally Katar would manage transport duty and deliver an injured soldier or civilian to Lysette’s center. They would manage to spend a few hours or even an evening together. One such evening Lysette told Katar of her dream for an Empathic Medical Research Center.

“It’s been so fascinating working with the Empaths.” Lysette’s enthusiasm overflowed. “I can see an endless supply of knowledge and research capabilities coming from a joint venture.”

“What do the Empaths think of this idea of yours?” Katar questioned, impressed by her interest.

“The elder Joah doesn’t think we should discuss any plans until the conflict is over. I don’t think he’s really considered the advantages.” She answered, showing her disappointment.

“I guess you’ll just have to wait until William is defeated. Then I’m sure Joah will listen carefully to what you’ve got to say.” Katar stopped fighting the urge to stay uninvolved with this intelligent beauty. He had become captivated by her strength and dedication.

Lysette had become equally enthralled; she had never known anyone who had so easily accepted her ideas. Katar didn’t hesitate to point out a flaw in one of her plans, yet he did it with such calm sincerity, she never got angry. Here clearly was a man interested in her inner self, not just her beauty.



The last nine months had been extremely hard on Lord Nolan. Sean was kept constantly busy co-coordinating the three nations' forces. The small inexperienced Ragal Army was allowed enough active combat to satisfy their need to participate. They felt strongly that they should show their support for the Alliance. Even thought their army consisted of volunteers or retired police officers. They had to make sure the small force form Ragal wasn’t wiped out as they tried to assist the Lon Tesse ground forces.

Sean was deeply impressed with the Ragalian people. Their land was under no immediate threat; yet they had volunteered by the thousands to be sent to the defense of the Alliance. It helped Sean to understand why he was so deeply in love with Hannah. Of course the fact that she had golden red hair, big brown eyes and a figure most twenty year old girls dreamed of didn’t hinder his attraction. She was highly intelligent and had a stubborn streak that was only matched by her ability to reason calmly under the most stressful of situations. Sean could swear Hannah was actually more beautiful now than before the stress of war had assaulted them all.

Perhaps that was because it was almost impossible to get her alone. He had hardly spent any time with her in the last few weeks. When he found the time she was usually too busy. Even finding enough time to make the trip out to the ranch was difficult. When he did manage it, he was only reminded of Lysette’s absence. He loved Lysette like his own daughter. The tragedy of her parents' death brought her to him at an early age. He had taken his mother into his home asking her to take on the task of raising the quiet little girl. When she had died a short time later, he had been left to carry on as Lysette’s only living relative. Keeping the truth about her grandmother’s death from Lysette had been a heavy burden. Yet one that even now he was certain was the right thing to do. There was no reason she ever needed to know. Lysette had grown into a caring, thoughtful, confident woman. Sean missed her gentle wit and constant chatter. The only good thing that had resulted from this conflict was the friendship he had established with Prince Katar. The boisterous Prince reminded Sean of himself about twenty years earlier. Katar had a great capacity for command, yet he chose a field position instead of the behind the scenes. Sean knew the feeling of wanting to charge off with is men and lead them to victory. That was fine for a young Prince. When the time came, Sean hoped Katar wouldn’t have any difficulty accepting the crown and settling into the position of distant command.

Sean’s mind cleared as his assistant entered saying, “Lord Nolan did you accept an appointment with a Lady Waytals of Treborel?” She asked moving toward his desk to search his computers personal memo file.

“That name is not familiar.” Sean answered glancing over at her as his thoughts began to focus.

“She claims to be Prince Katar’s fiancé.” The tall thin woman shrugged her shoulders and waited for instructions.

“Fiancé? I wasn’t aware that he was engaged.” Sean said intrigued, he recalled his earlier conversation with Katar. “Why does she want to see me?”

“She claims she was referred to you,” A strand of Val’s curly brown hair slipped out of its bun as she moved back around the desk to face him. “Should I send her over to the Treborelan Embassy?”

“No, send her in, Katar might have sent her over for something specific.” Sean said and rose to move to his desk Val’s disappeared through the door.

He looked up as a beautiful blonde entered and smiled at him as she offered her hand in greeting. Her shimmering burgundy dress was snug and showed her ample cleavage. Sean caught his breath and forced himself to concentrate on business. “Lady Waytals, please sit down.” He rose as he spoke coming around his desk to show her to the small chair. “I must admit this is an unexpected pleasure. To find a Treborelan in Lon Tesse these days is rare.”

Sitting down in the chair he offered, Enda smiled brightly and answered. “I admit reaching Lon Tesse without traveling through Bantor is a bit of a challenge. I had quite an adventurous trip.”

Moving back to his desk Sean forced his eyes to concentrate on her smile. “Don’t tell me you can through the chasm?”

“Oh No, Lord Nolan. I’m not much of a nature lover.” She flashed him a brilliant smile and crossed her long slender legs. “I went up the coast and took the ferry down the River Ragal.”

“I see, quite a long journey.” He answered, not seeing any adventure in a journey down the large lazy river.

“It wouldn’t’ have been if they had given me a helijet in Treborel.” He pouted, leaning forward. “But, I suppose that is just another of the sacrifices I’ve had to make in order to spend time with my fiancé.” Her eyes grew distant. “I haven’t seen him in almost five months.”

Hesitant to inquire about this woman's engagement to the Prince Sean sat silently looking at her. As his thoughts wandered to Lysette, he decided it would be wise to inquire into a situation that might reveal his niece was romantically involved with someone who was betrothed. Perhaps that was the reason why Katar had been so determined to make him understand he had no intention of marrying Lysette.

Enda waited patiently for Lord Nolan to make up his mind as to whether he should inquire about her relationship with Katar. After all that was why she had come to him.

“My assistant informed me that you were Prince Katar’s finance, would I be terribly belated in offering my congratulations?” He asked with a smile.

“We’ve been engaged for the last five months, but I thank you for the gesture.” Enda smiled sweetly and waited for a response. She continued only when she received a smile. “We only decided to wed the night before he left for the Summit.” She paused gauging his reaction, confused at his calm attitude. “Of course we haven’t formally announced it yet. I’m sure we would have been married by now if it hadn’t been for this damn war.” He elegance slipped slightly.

“I see,” Sean answered with a frown. “What is it that I can do for you Lady Waytals?” He asked. He didn’t like the way she kept waiting for a response from him. It was almost as if she expected him to challenge her.

“I’m afraid I haven’t been able to reach Katar. I was hoping to travel to the Bantorian border and perhaps arrange a few moments alone with him.” She smiled innocently.

“Why is it that you came to me?” Sean began to realize that she was much older than he had first realized. Looking closely, he could see she was not a flawless beauty. There were well hidden signs of age, just beneath her heavy makeup. The wrinkles around her eyes and a deep frown line on her brow were faintly apparent. She was perhaps in her early forties, not in her late twenties as he had first believed. She had appeared well bred and elegant at first, now after close inspection, Sean began to doubt her sincerity.

“You were recommended, I was told you were in constant contact with Katar.” Enda answered with confidence and surprise at the question.

The more she spoke the harder her mannerism became. Sean doubted that Katar would fall in love with such a seemingly shallow gaudy person as this woman before him. “If you’ll excuse me for one moment, Lady Waytals. I’ll see if I can pinpoint Prince Katar’s location and get you clearance to enter the restricted area, near the border.” He rose and left the appreciative Lady Waytals behind. Closing the door behind him he went to Val and ordered, “Val, get Treborelan Intelligence on the line, I want to check on Lady Waytals. Something about her bothers me; I want to know if she’s really who she says she is. She claims to have left Borel recently, say about 7-10 days ago.” Then pausing as a courier entered, he turned back to her and added, “Get security in here, I want to know how she got clearance to enter the building. Also find out Prince Katar’s location, if possible.”





Prince Roth had arrived at the palace from Southern Lon Tesse less than an hour ago. His meeting with Lady Waytals had lasted only a few minutes. If he had known Enda was such a beauty, Roth would have met her in his suite, instead of the sterile environment of his office.

His joy had been unbounded when his intelligence operative had discovered Katars past relationship with the young widow. Roth was elated when Enda accepted his invitation to visit the palace. He had less than twenty-four hours to complete his objective before he had to return to his command post. These next few hours should be the most lucrative ones he’s spent in a long time.

A wicked smile crossed his face as he moved over to the large windows overlooking the back lawn. The clouds were doing their usual best to filter out all of the sun’s rays. As one slipped past, he caught a glimpse of the sun directly overhead. Enda should have reached Lord Nolan’s office by now and had a nice enlightening conversation. It was time for him to make his move.