Phoenix Rising (Dragon Legacy) (26 page)

“Good work, men,” John commended his Knights. “Prime Admiral, turn our guns on them before they regroup.”

“Aye aye, Majesty,” the Admiral replied over the line.

Then the Highreach was turning, and abruptly snapped into warp. Gone, leaving only the twinkling light of the silent stars. Unusual procedure for a Citadel, but not unheard of in certain emergencies. It left John and his Knights hanging there in the void of space.

“Always together!” John shouted.

“Always together!” his Knights answered him.

It seemed like disasters never stayed under control forever though, and John Phoenix knew he would have to deal with Harris soon. John sighed with regret and turned back toward the great lawn of the Prime Citadel, his army of faithful Brigadier Knights in formation behind him.

No, right now John Phoenix had to deal with someone else who had betrayed him. He wished he understood why that kept happening. It was a recurring theme in his life, one which had haunted him through the long, lonely years. He needed to pray for greater wisdom tonight, he decided.

Thank goodness the dragons hadn't attacked them.

“I wonder why,” John muttered.

“It looks like the battle's over...for now,” Stella said as she thumbed the dusty hem of her shirt, and noticed the grass stains on the knees of her jeans.

“I think you're right,” Mtumba nodded, and wiped his nose on his sleeve. “Maybe old John will let us fly to Kaj. With Harris gone, maybe we can get it back from his company. The tribe has to be reunited. We have to return home.”

“Well, I guess every wadi ajali has to come to an end sometime, and I can't think of a better way than that,” Stella said

“Thank you, Stella,” Mtumba smiled, “But something tells me this is just the beginning. At least you look like you're feeling better, Rok.”

“Here he comes,” Rok whispered, and pointed up at the sky.

John Phoenix returned at the vanguard of his faithful Knights, and Stella saw the ocean of people part to make way for him on the great lawn. His cape was a red, smoldering wreck, and his once-gleaming golden armor was battered and tarnished. Of all his regalia, only his shining golden lance appeared undamaged by the battle. He slowly walked over toward the Regent, who sat huddled on the ground, under guard by peacekeepers.

John Phoenix stood there for a moment as he decided what to do with the man who had so completely betrayed his trust. The news about the House of Lords had come to the public’s attention while the High King had fought off Harris's attack, and everyone wanted to know what would be done with the traitorous Regent. John Phoenix drew a deep breath, and let it out long and slow. He turned his earbud on, relaying his verdict to the skydome, and when he spoke, all saw him and heard him speak.

“In light of Harris's actions, yours are only slightly less treasonous. So you shall be punished for your complicity with Harris at your clandestine meeting. That part, you committed of your own volition, and it can be neither pardoned nor condoned.” The High King paused.

“Regent Varion, I hereby strip you of your title, your power and your rights as a free citizen. You are a now and forevermore shall be a lowly creature of exile. None shall offer you safe harbor without incurring my wrath, and none shall grant you more than the meanest forms of shelter or sustenance. So let it be known throughout all of the twelve kingdoms!” he shouted across the great lawn, and pounded his lance three times on the ground. Varion's rings of authority were instantly shattered from his hands by invisible force, unmade into dust by the High King's command.

At last, the true royal guards made their way forward through the gates, and fell to their knees in front of the High King. “Forgive us, your majesty,” the Captain of the Guard said. “We were battling the squadrons of Harris's shock troops that were attempting to sabotage our wormhole generator. They have been defeated and detained for questioning.”

“Very well, Guard Captain,” John Phoenix nodded, and motioned them to manacle the ex-Regent Varion. “Remove this criminal to the endless dunes of Kalibax,” the High King commanded, his voice hard as iron. “There, he shall pay indentured penance for his crimes until his life is claimed by the dust and sands of that wretched world, or until he is brought to stand trial for his crimes against humanity!” Then with a final act of humiliation, John Phoenix reached over and pulled Varion's earbud out, dropping it to the ground and crushing it under his boot heel. “You are dismissed,” he said to the ex-Regent.

“No, John, please!” the Regent pleaded as he was dragged away. “Please, I'm innocent!”

As the guards took Varion away to be shipped off, John Phoenix shook his head sadly. Then he looked at the Stella and her friends, gesturing for them to come over.

“I need to thank you all for saving everyone in this Citadel.” He drew them into a hug, but it was different from last time, because now they knew who he was, and had seen his power. Still, when he looked at them, they knew he was the same man who had rescued them nearly two months ago. Now it seemed like a lifetime ago.

“What happens next?” Rok asked, and old John looked at him thoughtfully.

“Well, Harris will have to be dealt with eventually, and there are many other things that we'll need to figure out for that to happen, but that's not something you need to concern yourself with. You three have already done far more than anyone could have asked, and I thank you all from the core of my being.” He stood, and led them by the hand across the great lawn toward a crowd of cheering people. “But for now,” he smiled, “For now, we celebrate the most precious gift we have.”

“What's that?” Mtumba asked with genuine curiosity.

“Life.”

30

“Do you know what minister Qortus is talking about with old John?” Stella asked Rok as he rejoined her and Mtumba at the royal banquet table. “They've been at the fountain for over ten minutes!” she whispered, and Rok nodded.

The celebratory feast was being held in the royal gardens, and the bright red geraniums next to her chair were in full bloom. They provided a fragrant aroma that underscored the dishes of delicacies the staff had been catering all afternoon. Stella was full for the first time in weeks, and wiped her mouth with a silk napkin. She looked over at Mtumba. He swallowed his last slice of pineapple-honeyed ham, and wiped his mouth on his sleeve.

“If I'm hearing them correctly,” Rok said as he held his glass of hoji-berry juice, “they're talking about the dragons.” He took a sip, and looked at Stella. “Qortus thinks they're not evil, but the High King disagrees.”

“What do you mean, if you're hearing them correctly?” Stella asked.

Rok tapped his earbud. “I put this on shadow-mode, and I can pretty much hear everything that's going on through their earbuds.”

“We'll have to train that out of him, then,” a gruff voice chuckled from behind them. “Dangerous times ahead.” It was Quinn, and Stella smiled at him.

“Hi, Quinn,” she said. “Kai and Quincy around?”

“Nope,” he shook his head, scanning the area with a grimace. “They're back on the ship. We have to head out soon. Lots to do if we want to stay ahead of Harris.”

“I notice no one calls him King Harris anymore,” Rok said.

“True,” Quinn nodded. “Harris stopped being a king the moment he turned traitor to the High Crown. And speaking of the High Crown...look sharp” Quinn said, straightening his black Knights jacket.

“Knight-Commander Deston,” John Phoenix smiled, extending his hand and drawing the old warrior into a rough hug. They pulled apart with a laugh, and John asked, “How've you been, Quinn?”

“Been well,” Quinn tilted his head, “but I need to tell you what I discovered about the dragons.”

John Phoenix's face went serious, and he glanced at the children before turning back to Quinn. “That seems to be the topic of the day,” he nodded. “Qortus had something to say on that subject, as well.”

“It’s absolutely fascinating!” the now-beardless and well-groomed Minister chimed in, his eyes alive with excitement. “The dragons seem to be focused in on the warps and wormholes not, as we suspected, to attack us, but rather because those actions can create a fissure-nexus in the space-time continuum that could unravel life as we know it. I tried to tell the Regent, but he had me thrown into the reeducation facility before I could finish. At least now I know why,” Qortus chuckled as he ran a hand through his thinning silver hair, and winked at Quinn. “Luckily, I got a faraday implant about a year ago.”