Marcael: A Terraneu Novel, Book Five (5 page)

“Wait!” Kniam shouted. “What are you doing?”

“I am doing what I do best. I am going to kill a King.” Marcael hit the
teleport button before the others could ask anything more.

All Brennae could do was watch in terror as her home
world disappeared around her and she was suddenly in the last place she ever
wanted to be, the Elyon. Named after her crazy grandmother it was specifically
commissioned so that her Uncle Knuan could try to find her father and other
uncles hiding in deep space. That her grandmother had named the spaceship after
herself so that she could always be close to her insane son said volumes.

She didn’t know if it was a good thing that the male
was carrying her or not. She wouldn’t be able to walk if he put her down and
she really didn’t want to be dragged all over this ship. He was walking fast
and she knew that with every step she was getting closer to meeting her mad
uncle. The walls moved past her and she saw faces as they went by in a blur.
She was probably going into shock and would die of a heart attack before
getting to wherever it was that they were going.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. She didn’t pass out or die before he
was stopping in front of a large door. Two guards on either side looked her
over with interest before letting the male into the room.

Rushing forward the male holding her bent over, taking her with him.
Hitting himself with a closed fist on his chest, he almost smacked her in the
face.

“My King I have a prisoner from the planet.” The man was overly excited
and was speaking fast in his zeal, “It is a female my King, I captured her and
brought her straight to you.”

“Is that so?” She heard a cold voice drawl out in the way she imagined
the snake would sound in the Earth books she read as a child. The ‘s’ was drawn
out and malicious sounding. She had never considered herself a cowardly person.
She had earned nothing but praise for her efforts that she put into training.
How was it that twice today she had failed at protecting herself?
 
Stiffening her spine, she resolved to stop
cowering. Whatever happened she would face it head on. Picking up her chin, she
looked around the room. It looked like it could have been anywhere, not just a
spaceship. There were chairs and a table directly in front of her, with doors
leading to interior spaces. Maybe sleeping or meeting quarters possibly even a
bathroom of some kind. Her eyes swung back to the table when she heard a
scraping noise and a figure stepped toward them.

The male walking toward her was her father’s image. This male had the
same dark hair, the same tall body but even though he was her father’s twin
that is where the similarities ended. Her father was darkly tanned and this man
was extremely pale. Her father had warm glowing purple eyes and this male had cold,
hard cobalt blue eyes.

“What have we here?” He had stopped before her and Brennae couldn’t help
that she was trembling like a leaf. “What is your name?”

“I am Brennae.” She managed to get out and was proud of herself for being
able to speak clearly.

“Hello Brennae.” Her uncle moved his finger to trail in her hair. “Put
her down fool.” The man holding her instantly set her on her feet. She
staggered for a second then made herself stand taller. The brutal hold he had
on her upper arm was going to leave a bruise but she had bigger problems to
worry about. Her uncle was stalking around her examining her with his icy
stare. She felt his fingers grab her braid and release the tie. She felt
gooseflesh rise on her skin and not in a good way. Finished with her hair he
moved to stand in front of her again. His hand rose to trail a finger against
her cheek and Brennae couldn’t help remember the way Marcael’s finger held
warmth and comfort when he had done the same. This was like the trail of icy
death against her face. She shivered uncontrollably at the touch.

When his finger trailed to her chest, she slapped it away before she
could stop herself. Her uncle punched her across the face without hesitation.
Stars danced before her eyes and she hit the floor gasping. She had never, in
the entirety of her life been struck across the face. During any training, they
always wore gear to protect against injury. The pain she felt was immense but
she made herself get off the floor. Taking an unsteady breath, she glared at her
uncle through watery eyes.

“If you touch me again—” she hissed.

“You’ll what?” Her uncle snarled. “What will you do?”

Before she could answer there was yelling outside and the door banged
open to crash against the wall and hang there. Brennae looked over her shoulder
to see who was there and her vision blurred through a swell of tears. It was
Marcael!

“Marcael, how dare you—” her uncle stared to talk but Marcael just
ignored him. Stalking over to the male who had taken her, he grabbed him and
jerked him back. Without a word of warning or explanation, he snapped the
fellow’s neck and threw him across the room.

“If you clone that fool I will kill him again.” Marcael’s voice was stone
cold and without emotion. Brennae had never heard such a dead sound. “He cost
me good men on this mission.”

“I am still King and you will be punished for killing one of my men!” Her
uncle snapped. “He even brought a prisoner for me to play with!”

“I had your
brothers
in that clearing!” Marcael shouted back,
“That fool grabbed a female and forced a fight among the men that I could not
win! Our priority was to bring your
brothers
in so that
you
can
bring them to justice. Thanks to that fool they were warned and their priority
was to kill us!” Marcael was pacing in front of her, slowly moving her uncle
back with his movements. “Another few moments and I would have had them for you
my King.”
 
He waved his hands
dramatically at the King and Brennae saw they were covered in blood.

“We must act then. If my brothers were all in that clearing then their
stronghold must be close!” Her uncle was going to attack Terraneu! How many men
did he have? Would they stand a chance of winning?

“We do not have to go to them my King. We can use the female to draw them
to us.” Marcael advised and Brennae wanted to scream and ask just what he
thought he was doing!? Instead, she kept silent.

“Why would they care about a stupid female?” Her uncle sneered at her,
“Now that I think on it...where had they found women?” He went to pull her
around Marcael but he moved faster.

“No my King wait.” Marcael wrapped an arm around her to hold her against
him. “You do not know what kind of germs she might have. I am guessing that
stupid idiot did not even take her to medical to make sure she is not
contagious.”

Her uncle took a wary step backward. “Yes, he did say he came right to
me.” Taking another step back, he ordered Marcael, “Take her to medical for
cleaning. Then bring her back to me. I have a lot of questions for this little
female.” With a nod, her uncle dismissed them and then Marcael was holding her.
He had one arm around her upper back pressing her against him, the other under
her knees.

“Turn your head into my chest and do not look at anyone.” His voice was
rough and angry. He was walking quickly and she could feel him turning this way
and that. She got dizzy and everything went black for a few moments. When she
came around, she was in a room like their medical dome. She recognized the
equipment as almost identical to what they had on Terraneu.

“Out!” Marcael snarled at the male in the room with them. “I am capable
of doing a medical scan!” Walking with her over to a medical bed, he gently set
her down. She was sitting with her legs dangling off the edge, afraid to look
at him in case he was angry with her. “Who did this to your face, your uncle or
that idiot?” His voice had turned whisper soft and his fingers were on her
cheek prodding gently. “Who Brennae?

Tears streaming down her face she gasped when he touched a particularly
sore spot, “My uncle. He tried to touch my...” she lifted her face until her
eyes met Marcael’s...” He was reaching for my chest...” her voice caught, “I
slapped his hand away before I could stop myself. If he had tried to touch me
again I would have—”

“Gods Brennae!” He groaned stepping between her knees and pulling her
close. “Do you not have a sense of self-preservation?” His fingers were working
deep into her hair and she did not think he knew they were there. “What would
you have done? You are so small. He could have killed you in the time it took
me to reach his quarters.” His hands moved to her shoulders and the burning
heat of them felt comforting.

Pressing herself against his chest, her fingers digging into his back she
whispered, “I am stronger than you think!” Being in his arms was comforting
amidst the chaos, “Marcael what are we going to do?”

With her cheek pressed into his chest she could feel the rumbling when he
said, “
We
are going to keep you alive for the next twelve hours. Then
this will finally be over.” With one last reassuring squeeze, he took a step
back. Taking her face in his fingers, his intense eyes bore into hers. “I want
you to stay in here for now. I will have a man loyal to me watch over the
doors. Do not go anywhere, with anyone! Do you understand?”

Brennae felt a bit insulted, a half-wit would understand the way he said
it. Instead of showing her displeasure, because frankly without Marcael’s
interference she would probably be a bloody pulp by now, she nodded slightly,
“Yes Marcael. I understand. If anyone but you comes for me I will do everything
in my power to stay here.”

Smiling Marcael brushed his fingers across her face one last time, his
thumb almost against her lips, “Good. I will return for you as soon as I can.
Now lie back for me so I can set the medical unit to fix your face.”

Brennae did as he asked and heard the familiar hum of the machine as it
worked at repairing any damage it found. She watched through heavy lidded eyes
as Marcael walked toward the doors. Then an un-natural need to fall asleep came
over her. Why had he made her promise to stay here in the medical unit if he
was going to knock her out anyway? That was the last thought she had before she
lost the ability to think.

Marcael found someone he trusted to watch the
medical room then hurried back to his King’s chambers. He was going to have to
do some impressive lying to keep the King from Brennae. He had one of his men
working on showing the medical room as under quarantine. If Knuan asked, he
would explain that his armor must have protected him and that he was clean.
Usually Knuan did not bother himself with the details of away missions as long
as they got him what he wanted. This was going to be a tricky situation since
Marcael knew that his King would want to see Brennae again, and that most
quarantine situations only lasted a few hours or so. He would have to come up
with something by then to keep his King occupied.

Walking into Knuan’s chambers Marcael came to stand before him. He did
the required salute then stated, “The medical facilities are under quarantine
my King. It is as I feared and the female has some diseases that require
sterilization.”

Knuan looked at him, “Yes I checked. I saw that the female is
contaminated. Is there any reason for me to be worried?”

“You have no need to worry my King unless you exchanged bodily fluids.
You are safe until the quarantine is lifted.” Marcael knew the King had not
kissed Brennae so he figured it was safe to use that transmission method.

“I could kill that idiot all over again for putting me in danger.” His
King’s dead eyes landed on him, “You are a worthy Kings guard Marcael. What
would I do without you?” Before Marcael could acknowledge his Kings words he
continued, “Come show me my favorite memory while I relax.” The King walked
through the doorway into his private chambers. With an exaggerated sigh, Knuan
lay down on his bed and closed his eyes. “You may begin. Start at the point
when they dragged the worthless traitor King into the Queens chambers.”

“As you wish my King.” Marcael made his voice cold as possible. Having to
show his King the worst moment of his life was always a trial. Steeling his
resolve he went into his memories and thought of the one his King wanted to
“see”. Then he played back the moment in his mind. It was as if it was
happening again for both of them to re-live.

He had been with the Queen in her chambers. She had been ranting about
her husband and his worthless offer of peace.

“Does he really think I will let him and the other four traitors flee
across the universe to escape justice?” She had not expected an answer and all
of the guards had stood their positions without comment. “Why would I agree to
let them use the port pad outside of Socar and leave Terra?” She had seethed,
“What possible incentive is having Terra for all of Aekaetum if I know they are
living their lives out there somewhere? Happy and healthy.” She had gestured
wildly around the room. “No! I want them to be brought to justice!”

“My Queen.” A guard had rushed in and bowed low, “We have caught the
traitor. We have your husband.”

Marcael had forced himself to show no response. Standing rigid at the
Queen’s side, he had watched as two guards dragged the King into the chamber
and forced him to his knees in front of his wife.

“Not so high and mighty now are you
my love
.” She had sneered.
“What has become of the great King of Hedal?” She went to leave her throne and
Marcael had tried to stop her. This earned him a glacial stare.

“My Queen what if it is not safe?” He had tried to reason with her.

“Not safe?” She scoffed, “Look at him Marcael! He is no threat to me.”
She had walked forward to stand in front of the prostrating man. “How I hated
every minute of being forced to “love” you.” She had motioned for his guards to
pull him up. “Did you know that? Did you know that my father forced me to
accept you as a mate? I never loved you and I loathed your touch.” She slapped
him as hard as she could, “That is for forcing your disgusting body on me.” She
slapped him again. “That is for giving me four worthless sons and making me get
rid of two worthless daughters.” She went to move away and the King spoke.

“I loved you Elyon. I would have loved all of our children.” Marcael
noted that the King’s voice was weak and raspy, “I am sorry you did not return
the sentiment.” Before anyone could stop him, the King had gotten free, grabbed
his wife and kissed her. Wrenching herself away, she wiped furiously at her
mouth. Marcael noted that the King had an utterly peaceful look on his face.

“How dare you touch me!” The Queen had spun around and stormed to her
throne. “Marcael, I have a job for you.” Smiling maliciously, she had turned
her mad eyes to him. “Torture him.” She had pointed at the King, who was not
struggling against the men holding him. “Now.”

Marcael had walked toward his King pulling the Un’bah from its sheath. He
had taken in the King’s pinched lips, pale completion, and sweaty brow.

“Please Marcael.” The King had whispered and Marcael sent his blade into
the Kings chest. “Tell Elyon to enjoy my parting gift.” He gasped quietly then
went slack against the men holding him up.

“What?” The Queen had screamed. “I said
torture
him, not kill him.”

Marcael cleaned his weapon on the Kings tunic then turned to the Queen. “It
is not safe here. The King just said to enjoy his parting gift.” Then he made
his way back to his Queen’s side.

“What parting gift? What does that mean?” She had sneered.

“I believe he was talking about kissing you while in the early stages of
what all of Terra is calling Elyon’s madness.” Marcael had dared to name the
disease that everyone was dying from but no one named to the Queen.

She had turned three shades of red and ran screaming from the room.
 
Even though he knew it would do no good,
Marcael had ordered the removal of the King and the cleanup of the throne room.
The next time he spoke with the Queen she had gone into isolation and was
sending him to be with her son Knuan. How he had been spared from the illness
was anyone’s guess.

“Enough.” Knuan stopped him. “My favorite part is over. I should just
have you show me the traitor King dying, but I love how grand and fierce mother
looks in those memories.” He sighed and Marcael knew he would be ordered out
soon, “Why did she get so close to him? I know you tried to stop her Marcael, I
saw that in your memory. Why didn’t she listen?” Knuan’s voice was getting
quiet and sleepy so Marcael just walked to the doorway. “You are not dismissed
yet. Answer me. Why didn’t she listen to you?”

Marcael knew what the King wanted to hear, “She was fearless and the
traitor King was so weak. He had no honor and tricked your poor mother, the
Queen, into getting close.”

“Yes. That is true.” Knuan waved his hand, “You are dismissed. I will
want to inspect that female when the quarantine is up. Send me a STARR in a few
hours, the black haired one with blue-gold eyes I think.” He yawned and Marcael
moved out of the doorway. Having to relive the death of the King he had loved
as a father always took a toll on him. Hurrying down the corridors, he made his
way to the training room. He needed to burn off some energy before he went to
check on Brennae. Along the way, he ordered the computer to inform the STARR in
three hours that she would be required at the Kings room.