Worlds Collide

The rest of the voyage passed rather uneventfully. Nicholas told Lucian and Jarrod of his intentions to join with them and fight for their cause. He understood their reluctance and their wariness. He was honest with them and told them he expected he would be less than trusted for some time yet. Lucian and Jarrod had told him he would be given the same respect as anyone else – trust until such trust was broken. Nicholas had been more than slightly surprised. He’d discussed it with Solstice, who’d just laughed. She’d reminded him what he’d said – Lucian was a rare man.

“The ship is docking, my lady.” Nicholas’s voice. Lucian and Jarrod were on deck, seeing to having the ship settled properly in port. “There are a number of people gathered to welcome the crew home. I am astounded. I have never seen such a gathering.”

“You have never been in a kingdom under siege, Nicholas. It is more expected a ship will not return. When one does, it is cause for celebration. I would be more worried if no one came to meet us, than if the whole kingdom turned out.” She smiles at him, getting to her feet. “Shall we go?”

The pair go up on deck. Nicholas leads her to the edge, so she can see what he means. The number of people on the docks was truly amazing to see. Men, women, children. The crew of the boat were now departing, moving to embrace their loved ones. Solstice saw many tears, but they were happy ones. Everyone on the docks was happy to see the ship return with a full crew. It was a rarity.

“Lucian! You came home!” A girl of about 18 was pushing through the crowd.

“Libby!” Lucian laughs, moving to bound down the deck. He sweeps the girl up and spins her about. “You are looking much better than you did when we left. I am glad to see you have recovered.”

“Aye, I’m much better. But you should know. You found the healer who truly helped me.” She chuckles, hugging him tightly.

“That I did. Come, meet our guests.” Lucian looks up at Nicholas and gestures them to come down.

“I see you are well, Libby.” Jarrod’s voice as he descends behind them.

“Jarrod.” The young girl blushes, looking down a bit. She looks up at Jarrod, nodding. “I am, thank you.”

“Good to see, Libby. It really is.” He smiles at her, then looks to Lucian. “I will go and see about – news.” He frowns. There had been no one who had said anything about the king. That would have been big news indeed.

“Thank you, Jarrod.” Lucian looks solemn for a long moment, then smiles. “Libby, this is Solstice and this is Nicholas. They are going to stay with us for a few weeks. This is Libby. She is like a sister to me.” Lucian smiles.

“Nice to meet you both.” Libby smiles at them. Solstice and Nicholas respond in kind. The crowd on the docks was soon breaking up. There was no fanfare, no announcements, nothing of the sort. No royal welcome for Lucian, nor any word about the king.

“We should head to the castle. Come. I am sure you would like a proper bath.” Lucian gestures them to a waiting carriage. He pauses, then pales, as if seeing a ghost.

“Lucian, what is it?” Libby looks at him, concerned.

Lucian looks back to the small group, all looking at him curiously.

(By popular demand – the truth it is!)

“Lucian, your father will die before you arrive home.” Her gaze has become a deep brown once more, the vision over. Her breathing has steadied, but she still looks pale.

“No. He cannot.” He whirls to look at her. “No, you said to hurry. He must live until I return home.”

“He will not. Someone has poisoned him.”

“What?!” Lucian goes utterly still. His features flush, anger turning his blue gaze dark. “Who.” There is a deadly, frightening calm in his voice.

“A maid in your father’s household. She is a spy for your enemy, Ryall.” Solstice gets to her feet. She is slightly shaky, but she remains upright.

“Nara. Tell me it is not Nara, that sweet, innocent child.” A sadness flits through the anger on his features.

“No. It is not Nara. It is an older woman, someone who has been with the household only a few weeks.” Solstice exhales slowly.

“I – there was a woman who came to us about three months ago. She had been beaten and was in need.” Lucian frowns. “It was all for show?”

“Not entirely.” Solstice sets a hand upon his arm. “She had no choice. You will find she will have taken her own life as well.”

“How dare he do this to innocents.” Lucian makes a sound in the back of his throat, beginning to pace the length of the captain’s chamber.

“He is what he is, Lucian. Nothing more.” Solstice moves to sit upon a nearby chair.

“So, he has had my father murdered.” Lucian looks bleak. “My father fought his illness so hard, only to be killed by his enemy.” He shakes his head slowly. “Actually, my father would prefer that. He hated he was so ill for so long.” He looks to her. “Come, I think you could use some fresh air.” He offers his arm.

“Aye, that I could. Thank you.” Solstice moves with him, back to the deck of the ship. He leads her toward Nicholas, who was taking in the view of the sea.

“I must see Jarrod. Thank you, Lady Solstice.” Lucian takes her hand, lifting it to his lips. He brushes a kiss to the back, then moves away, bounding up to the bridge of the ship.

“A rare man.” Nicholas’s voice draws Solstice’s attention from Lucian. She looks to him.

“Oh? What do you know of him? Have you become a seer?” She smiles at him, amusement in her dark eyes.

“No. I have been talking to his adviser, Jarrod.” Nicholas nods toward the man now deep in discussion with Lucian.

“What did you learn?” Solstice looks at him curiously.

“Some very surprising things. Facts which directly contradict what I have always been told about those from Eyanea.” Nicholas looks thoughtful.

“So, what will you do now? Will you join their cause, Nicholas? Or will you find somewhere else to go, once we land?”

Looks to me like you all are into truth, honesty – all that good guy stuff. ::grins::

I love it. You are people after my own heart. (;

Okay, so – Solstice will tell him the truth. And Lucian won’t like it. You’ll see. (;

Poor guy. He’s going to get very mad.

“Aye, lady seer. I trust in you.” Lucian looks down at her, uncertain as to why he trusted in her. But, he did. Something in him needed to trust in her. So, he did – and he would unless she gave him another reason not to do so. “Why do you need to know this?”

“So I know if telling you any of this will make any difference.” Solstice struggles to sit up, her breathing still very erratic.

“Allow me to help you.” Lucian slides an arm behind her, helping her to sit up.

“Thank you.” She exhales slowly, closing her eyes. “Your kingdom’s future is in flux, Lucian. Your father’s guidance will not be enough. You must be in charge of your kingdom to ensure it does not fall.”

“Are you saying my father is incompetent?” Lucian’s eyes flash with a dark anger.

“No, not at all. I am saying he cannot see clearly any longer. He has been ill a very long time, hasn’t he.” Solstice opens her eyes to look at him.

“Yes, he has.” Lucian sighs, looking away from her.

“He will not be able to make the correct choices, Lucian. You know this. You told me yourself when you offered to take me to my home rather than to your father. You disliked what he asked of you. You doubted the wisdom of it, did you not.”

“Yes, I did. I freely admit that.” Lucian gets to his feet, starting to pace.

“Can you do this, Lucian? Can you lead a kingdom?”

“Aye. I’ve been doing it long enough.”

“Without your father’s knowledge.”

“He could not leave his room. Things needed to be done.” Lucian sighs softly. He looks to Solstice.

“What else do you see, Solstice? What else should I know?”

Solstice looks to him for a long, long moment. She draws in a deep breath.