BOOK 12 DESTINY
DERIVED
(THE ROYAL FOUR
RECLAIMED)
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ PART
3 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ (3.10.23692) Over the next couple of weeks, the gang grew restless from being
cooped up in the house, and increasingly disheartened by their lack of
progress. They still didnÕt have a
plan to rescue Isabel and there was constant bickering about what to do. When a message finally arrived from the spy in KhivarÕs midst, Max
called a meeting to start on a plan.
He spoke to the group, gathered around the room. ÒThe message has a current layout of
the palace and the schedule of the guards, and he confirmed Isabel and my son
are in the palace.Ó ÒSo what are we waiting for?Ó Michael asked. ÒLetÕs get this plan finished and go
get her.Ó Max nodded. ÒI
agree. WeÕve been here too
long. We need to finalize the plan
and organize a rescue team.Ó Michael nodded approvingly.
ÒOkay, what have you got?Ó Max smiled and started the explanation. ÒI think it will work best this way.Ó ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ (Royal Palace) In the last couple of weeks, Khivar
had helped Isabel regain several more memories of their past together. Most of them had been wonderful,
romantic, but today she had remembered the day in her other life, when she had
discovered that Khivar had been plotting against her brother. The memory had sent a chill right
through to her bones, affecting her as much this time as it had
originally. She hadnÕt wanted to
believe it was true, but when she asked Khivar he assured her it was. He had seemed concerned by her reaction
but he wanted her to know the entire truth of the situation, filling in the
blanks in her memory. And KhivarÕs
unemotional recitation of his plan that had led to her brotherÕs downfall
disturbed Isabel almost as much as the memory. And now hours later, unable to
sleep, Isabel sat in bed and traced KhivarÕs form with her eyes. The more she learned about him, the
more she was confused. Khivar, the
man she knew and loved, was kind and gentle, loving, but she knew he must have
another side to him. After all, he
had caused a war to obtain her brotherÕs throne, and he was the reason they had
all been killed. But she had never
really allowed herself to think about what that might mean. When she had first arrived on Antar,
Isabel hadnÕt really cared about the politics and the situation on the planet,
worried more about herself and her life.
But the recovered memories had made her curious to learn about her new
home, and along with her memory retrieval, Khivar started her tutelage of
Antarian customs. But the more she learned about
Antar, the more apprehensive Isabel became. The situations that Khivar described, closely echoed what
had happened on Earth in communist countries after World War II. Khivar assured her that the continued
military presence and control was necessary to keep order and subdue anti-government
rebels. And although she had been there for
a few weeks, Khivar hadnÕt officially announced her presence on the planet, and
Isabel was starting to wonder why.
She hadnÕt asked him yet but Khivar seemed to have an answer for
everything. But his words didnÕt
always relieve her apprehensions and Isabel started to wonder exactly what
Khivar was capable of. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ (Secret
Headquarters of the Resistance Loyal to the Tageonants) Liz turned onto her side carefully, trying not to wake Max, unable
to sleep because of the vague feeling of unrest in the back of her mind. Now that sheÕd recovered her memories,
she knew how in her past life as Ava, she used to concentrate to try and learn
more about her feelings. And Liz
had tried, but so far sheÕd been unsuccessful in coaxing out any details. It was terribly frustrating to know she could have information
that could save them, but she couldnÕt access it. Finally, she slipped out of
bed and donned a robe, before silently opening the door into the hall. Cuerena was there, with the
other guards, instantly alert but she relaxed when she saw Liz. ÒYou canÕt sleep, your Majesty?Ó she
whispered. Liz mentally cringed at the
use of her title but nodded.
ÒNedra mentioned that there was a library in the house. With everything thatÕs been going on I
havenÕt had time to check it out but I thought maybe I would try to read for a
while.Ó Cuerena motioned to two of
the guards, ÒJaetus and Heran will take you, your Majesty.Ó ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Liz let her eyes roam over the many volumes covering the walls of
the houseÕs library. Some of them
were ancient texts dating back thousands of years, the titles so familiar to
her. Others were books she had
read and cherished as a child, and many were titles she had anticipated
studying at college. But that had
never happened. She smiled, remembering her other life. When she had been Ava, sheÕd made many plans for the future,
including moving to the capitol city of Tageonon to attend the best university. All of her life, she had looked forward
to the time when she would be old enough to attend, but then she had met Zan. Now that she had recovered her memories, Liz could remember every
detail of the night they had first met, and it had been as magical and unexpected
for her as it had been for Zan. Although, he had seen her when she first entered the room, she had
been disinterested to meet him.
She had seen pictures of him of course, who hadnÕt? Zan was the crown Prince, heir to the
throne of Antar, the most eligible bachelor on the five planets, and she had to
admit he was very handsome. Most
of her friends were completely in love with him and had looked forward to the
ball for months, hoping to catch his eye.
But she had heard the rumors about ZanÕs spoiled, foppish ways, and she
considered the whole evening to be a waste of time. But her father was the Governor and the host of the ball,
and it was her duty to meet the Prince. She had dithered as long as possible getting ready, but finally
her handmaid had hurried her into the ballroom. And after a too short time in the reception line, she had
finally arrived before Zan, and her father made the introductions. Zan had greeted her mother first, as was proper, and then he
turned to her. And when his eyes
met hers, she had known instantly all of the gossip about him had been
lies. It was as if through his
eyes, she could see into his very soul, and there was nothing foppish or
spoiled about him. He was a man
with deep feelings and passions, intelligent, caring; and totally unexpectedly
Ava felt a jolt of recognition race through her. Even though she had never met him before, she knew this was
the man she had been waiting for all of her life. Without taking his eyes off her, Zan had extended his hand to
her. ÒMay I have the honor of the
first dance, my Lady?Ó Ava had placed her hand in his unhesitatingly and Zan led her to
the center of the dance floor.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew that every set of eyes in
the ballroom was focused on them, but she didnÕt care. And as the music started, and Zan took
her into his arms, she knew she was in love. So she had chosen to forego college and marry her love. She had not even come of age when she
married Zan, had never lived outside her fatherÕs house, had never been away
from her own province; very much like her life on Earth. But none of that had mattered to her in
the least, then or now. It was
like she had told Max just a few days ago, college and everything else was so
unimportant. All that mattered was
being together. Coming out of her reverie, the title of one of the books suddenly
caught LizÕs eye and she reached for it.
The book had been one of her favorites as a child and she had read it
many times. She opened the cover,
skimming the familiar words on the first page, as the memory washed over her. ÒWhy am I not surprised to find you in here?Ó a voice from the
door interrupted her. Liz turned to the speaker with a smile. ÒI wouldnÕt have thought this was your kind of hang out,Ó
she teased. Rath leaned a casual shoulder against the door jam and met her
eyes solemnly. ÒYou donÕt know
everything about me.Ó Liz nodded, instantly contrite. ÒIÕm sorry. I
didnÕt mean to offend you.Ó Rath shrugged and walked into the room. ÒYou didnÕt.Ó
He crossed to the shelves, stopping beside her, scanning the
titles. ÒI donÕt remember reading
any of these, but I must have.Ó ÒIt will come back to you in time,Ó Liz assured him. ÒOr you could read them again and have
the pleasure of the first time all over again.Ó Rath motioned to the book in her hands. ÒWhat have you got?Ó Liz smiled, running her hand down the open page. ÒIt was my favorite book when I was a
child. I read and re-read it,
maybe a dozen times.Ó ÒYou liked it that much,Ó Rath said, as he crossed to her, looking
over her shoulder. ÒMaybe I should
start with that one. WhatÕs it
about?Ó ÒItÕs about a young girl, who goes on a magical journey to save
her best friendÉÓ Liz trailed off as she received a sudden flash. She saw that Rath had been in the library many times since they
had been in the house. In her
vision, she saw him seated at the table, with piles of books around him that
she recognized as law tombs. And suddenly Liz caught a hint of RathÕs emotions and intentions. But she didnÕt have time to act before
he grabbed her from behind, pinning her arms to her sides and clamping a damp
cloth over her mouth and nose. She
struggled against him, but his superior size and weight were too much for her,
and the smell of the substance on the cloth quickly clouded her brain. But before she slipped into blackness, she called out through her
connection to Max. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ MAX! LizÕs frightened voice in his head woke Max immediately and he
jumped out of bed, quickly scanning the room for her. When he didnÕt see her, he pulled their connection sharply
into focus. He could feel her
through the connection but when he called to her, she didnÕt answer. He burst into the hallway and confronted Cuerena. ÒWhereÕs Liz?Ó ÒShe couldnÕt sleep and went to the library, your Majesty.Ó ÒYou let her go alone?Ó Max asked. ÒSheÕs in trouble.
She called out to me, and now I canÕt get her to answer.Ó Cuerena instantly activated the silent alarm. ÒShe didnÕt go alone. I sent two guards with her. WeÕll lock down the house and search it
top to bottom. Nothing will get in
or out. WeÕll find her, your
Majesty.Ó The sounds of people rushing around filled the house, as Michael
emerged from his room down the hall.
ÒWhatÕs going on?Ó ÒLiz is missing,Ó Max said over his shoulder, already starting
down the hall in the other direction.
He called back to Cuerena, ÒWhereÕs the library?Ó Cuerena hurried ahead of him. ÒIÕll show you.Ó Michael jogged to catch up.
ÒWhat do you mean sheÕs missing?Ó Max shook his head as he quickened his pace. ÒShe called me through the
connection. She was really scared
and now she wonÕt answer me.Ó They reached the library moments later and a quick glance was
enough to tell Max that no one was there.
But one thing did catch his eye, a book lying on the floor. He crossed to it and picked it up,
recognizing the title immediately.
It had been AvaÕs favorite as a child. But beneath the book, was something that made his blood run
cold. It was the necklace they had
found at AthertonÕs house, that he had given to Liz. Max knew she never took it off and he noted that the cord
was broken. He picked it up,
clasping it tightly in his hand and suddenly, images flashed through his mind. **Flash** Liz looking at the book **Flash** Rath
entering the room and Liz talking to him **Flash** Rath
grabbing her from behind and pressing a cloth over her face Max came out of the flashes, as a soldier ran into the room. ÒYour Majesty, we found no sign of the
Queen but we found four dead guards.
Two who were guarding the Queen, and the twoÉ Max cut him off, ÒAnd the two assigned to watch Rath.Ó He turned to Cuerena and Michael. ÒRath took Liz.Ó ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ It had only taken a few
minutes to figure out that Rath had simply opened the door in the library that
led into the garden, and taken Liz out that way. Michael and several of the troops were still searching
nearby, but Max didnÕt have much hope in their chances. ÒWhat about an alarm?Ó Max
asked. ÒI thought this house was
protected.Ó ÒIt is, your Majesty,Ó Toaks
assured him, Òbut we never intended the alarms to keep people inside. Rath simply turned off the alarm in
here.Ó Nedra took MaxÕs hand. ÒI know youÕre in shock, but we have to
leave the house, Max.Ó ÒWhat?Ó Max asked
incredulously. ÒBut LizÉÓ ÒIt isnÕt safe here,Ó Nedra
cut him off gently. ÒRath could be
giving our position to Khivar even as we speak and there will be no chance of
saving Liz if we are in KhivarÕs prison or worse.Ó Max nodded, pushing his
grief into the background. ÒYouÕre
right. We have to go.Ó He turned to Toaks. ÒPack only the essentials and get the
Granolith out on the first transport.Ó Toaks bowed and hurried out
the door as Kyle rushed in. ÒWhat the hell is going on?Ó
Kyle asked. ÒI heard Liz cry out
and I ran to your room but everybody was gone, and now I find you all down
here.Ó Max grabbed Kyle by the
shoulders. ÒWhat do you mean you
heard her?Ó ÒI heard her call for you,
at least I think I did, your room is at the other end of the house. I was sleeping and she woke me, but the
weird thing was that it was like I could feel her fear.Ó Kyle glanced around the room, noting
LizÕs absence. ÒWhere is Liz? Did something happen to her?Ó ÒRath took her,Ó Max ground
out. ÒWhat?Ó Kyle asked
incredulously. ÒAnd heÕs done something to
her because now I canÕt contact her,Ó Max said, Òbut I think we can all guess
where heÕs taking her.Ó Kyle nodded. ÒKhivar.Ó ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ TBC
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