The stories tell about how the Heroes were this group of wildly different people quickly came together, became the best of friends, and then marched off to save the princess from Cull and his followers. It’s why Ral’s betrayal of his soulbond is so shocking. In truth? Some of us were close friends before we came together. Some of us became friends during our journey. Among all of us? There was some closeness, but it was the kind that developed more through shared suffering. None of us particularly liked Jevin. He was a cold, ruthless bastard who was more interested in restoring himself to his former position than truly saving the princess and the Empire. Despite that, we respected his capabilities as a leader. Yet, it wasn’t Jevin’s drive alone. If it weren’t for Trennis, I don’t know if we would have made it to that cave. Not just because of when he sacrificed his life to protect me, but because he knew how to get us to work together when we weren’t in the middle of life-or-death combat. Unfortunately, we didn’t learn enough from him to stay together after we returned. – Excerpt from an interview with Selene Onale shortly before her departure from Lisandra.
RIN
Rin swung down from his horse as the others climbed out of the Mareian ambassador’s carriage. Rin wasn’t against soft cushions or opulent furnishings, but he couldn’t carry all his guns if he rode in the carriage. Rin wasn’t about to walk into the Crystal Palace without being able to fight his way out. The medallion’s furious pulsing didn’t help his trepidation. He pushed down that thought as he scanned Eldar’s Court.
Located just inside the Crystal Palace’s main gate, Eldar’s Court was where official guests were received. At least the elves covered the five-meter-high sparkling crystal walls with ornamental plants and banners of the Imperial house. All jewel-spun buildings were grown from a single gemstone. The Crystal Palace was the pinnacle of spun buildings. According to the legends, the Crystal Palace was spun from the most perfect diamond ever found. The smooth facets of the walls and spires sparkled in the sunlight. Some of the sunlight was redirected inside the wall for warmth and illumination in the Palace. Some was stored for use at night. A five-meter-high wall surrounded the palace grounds. The corners were anchored by four spires reaching almost a hundred meters into the sky. Rin looked up to the gently sloping walls of the palace proper as it stretched up a hundred meters. Rin felt a new pulsing in his medallion and knew who was coming down to meet them. Rin closed his eyes and tried to calm down.
It’s been ten years, Rin thought to himself, We’re not boys anymore. Rin stood off to the side as the elf walked over and greeted the ambassador. Lord Pallus Parn wore the black uniform of the Crystal Guard with the gold piping of a colonel. Pall moved with a lithe grace that brought remembered envy from Rin. After formally greeting the Ambassador Tierra and Major Agnelli, Pall turned to Rin.
“So, the runaway avails us with his presence after all,” Pallus said, with a sneer. “Did you finally find your courage to return, or did the Republic force you to honor your obligations?” Kurt groaned. Rin bit down his anger and took a step towards Pallus.
"We don’t have time for you two to spit at each other. Now, if we could see Lady Sonya? The ambassador needs to speak with her,” Kurt said. Pallus shot Rin a poisonous look before nodding to Kurt and spinning smartly on his heel.
Rin couldn’t keep the Crystal Palace’s maze of passages straight in his head. They all looked the same with the frosted glass surfaces and warm glowing light. Rin didn’t understand how the people who lived and worked in the Crystal Palace kept from getting lost. After dozens of twists, turns, and stairs, Pall led the group to a pair of two-and-a-half meter tall, mirror-polished steel doors. A half-dozen Crystal Guards in immaculate chain mail stood in front of the doors. The guards snapped to attention and saluted as Pall approached. Pall returned the salutes and ordered the guards to open the door. Kurt, Marteen, and Ambassador Tierra walked through the door, but two of the soldiers stepped in front of Major Agnelli and Rin before they could enter.
“My apologies, but only the Crystal Guard may be armed in the Crystal Blood’s quarters,” Pallus said, the barest hint of a smirk on his face as he looked at Rin.
“Of course, Colonel Parn,” Major Agnelli said. The senior ranger graciously handed over his sword and pistol to a waiting Crystal Guard. Both men turned to Rin.
“No,” Rin said.
“Sergeant, hand over your sword and sidearm,” Major Agnelli ordered.
“With respect, Major, Pallus knows damn well I’m allowed to carry my weapons anywhere in the Empire, including into the presence of the Crystal Blood.” Rin said. “He has no justification for asking for my weapons. Other than being a petty ass.” Major Agnelli’s face went to a professional neutral, but Pallus smiled.
“You’ve returned in another nation’s uniform,” Pallus said, “I must insist. I can’t be too careful with the princess’s safety.”
“You can suck a horse’s cock before I hand over my weapons, Pallus,” Rin growled.
“Sergeant!” Major Agnelli said, his eyes wide in shock. The ambassador’s face went white.
“For the Goddess’s sake, are the two of you bickering already?” Selene asked, striding out into the hall. She shot exasperated looks at Rin and Pallus.
“You’re both supposed to be grown men, not children.”
“He started it,” Rin said, with a remembered reflex. Selene put her hands on her hips with exaggerated patience, but Rin saw the twitch of a smile dance across her face.
“Goddess protect us. You are both Heroes of the Empire,” Selene said in the same lecturing tone she used when they were teenagers. “Could you at least act like it long enough for us to deal with the impending crisis?” Selene spun and stormed back into the Crystal Blood’s quarters. Rin and Pallus eyed each other warily.
“Are you just going to stand there all day?” Selene called loudly from inside the door. Rin gave Pall a smug smile and strode by the frowning elf. Just inside the doors was a long hallway, but before Rin could see much more, he was nearly tackled to the ground by a red-haired blur.
“Rin! You’re here!” Sasha said, hugging Rin tight enough to make him wince. He forgot how much strength Sasha packed into her small body. One of the few elves shorter than him, Sasha was like a cannon ball in combat. This open display of affection was something new. Sasha Rin was always so reserved most of the time. She let that reserve slip a few times when the two them were paired on guard duty. It was during those times Rin learned Sasha was terrified to let anyone to see her softer side because they wouldn’t take her seriously as a warrior.
“I was ordered to escort the ambassador to the Crystal Palace to meet with a Lady Sonya,” Rin said, when Sasha finally let go. In boots, Sasha was only a few centimeters shorter than him. In elven formal wear, she was a good ten centimeters shorter. The long dress was a pale yellow with small rubies worked into the flowery embroidery. Her long red hair was loose around head, but the curls were gone. It gave her a more serious look.
“Well, I’m glad they forced you to come to see me,” Sasha asked, with that impish grin she reserved when Rin asked an obvious question.
“I thought we were meeting Lady Sonya.”
“You just did,” Sasha said, with a mischievous smile, and then laughed at Rin’s confused look. “I’m Lady Sonya.”
“What? Why did you change your name?” Rin asked.
“It was brought to my attention the Imperial Regent shouldn’t have such a common name like Sasha, so I’ve been Lady Sonya for the last nine years.” Rin’s face grew dark.
“I did what was necessary to protect Illana,” Sasha said, and then her face grew hard. “Something much more difficult after you left.” She put a finger to his lips before he could say anything.
“Selene told me what happened after we brought Illana back – and why you left,” Sasha said, quietly, “I wish you’d come to any of us before leaving, but it was also our fault in not seeing what was happening to you. I know it may take some time, but I hope you forgive us.” She let out a breath as she escorted him into the room.
“Anyways, I’m just glad you’re home.”
Chapter 12
