Chapter 7: Coinciding
Actually, I didn’t have a plan past telling Kayla and hoping she’d have an idea in letting me out. I mean, I did say I was going to do this on my terms but that’d be a bit of an overstatement. If Kayla or her father really wanted, I’d be a pincushion before I could even get outside the castle. Teleportation was a last resort, besides the spell matrices for that were very draining, it was hard for me to sustain them.
I couldn’t stay here though, this place was about to be swallowed up in a battle. I had to risk teleporting outside and just making a run for it. I silently cursed. Wasn’t there a more optimal solution to this problem?
“Wait!” I turned around to see Kayla approaching me again, holding onto the collar. She held it in her paws tapping it lightly against her leg. “Don’t go. We need you. Can’t you do anything to help us?”
“You’ve got nerve asking me for help when you pulled that collar stunt on me. What did you think? I’d just roll over and shake your ha–” I stopped myself from going into a tirade. I took a deep breath. “You have two choices. Either let me go or have yet another enemy to deal with. Trust me, you don’t want to deal with me.” I snapped my fingers and summoned a mage light to prove the point.
Seeing me work magic made Kayla plead with me more so. “Please, we need help.”
“What do you want me to do?!” I snapped at her. “Wave my arms and tell them to go somewhere else? Do you think they’ll listen to me? Heck, no one here even knows I talk!”
Kayla padded over to me, gripping me by the shoulders. “You only need to be there, just show that we have a Nanu’wan and they’ll be uncertain. You can prevent bloodshed.”
I put my head in my hands. What had this situation devolved to? First I was catapulted into my Dad’s headspace, then I had to run from a corrosive blue fog, then I wake up here and get caught up in the middle of a fight that I had nothing to do with. What was my life turning into?
I sighed. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt,” I admitted, but before Kayla jumped to any conclusions I held up a hand. “I’m going to help you, but on one condition.”
Kayla hesitated then bowed her head. “Name it,” she said, her eyes averted.
“My freedom, of course.”
“Yes.”
“Some supplies to survive in the wilderness.”
“I can accede to that.”
“And you to guide me out of the country safely and to somewhere that’s more familiar to me.”
“What?!”
I shrugged. “You might have been misguided but it’s not as if you treated me that badly.” The tigress dismissed that issue with a flick of her tail.
“You’re asking the Princess of the Tiger Nation, the Princess, to escort you personally?”
“Think of it as a sort of atonement.”
“How will I explain this to my father?”
“That is your problem. You want my help, those are my conditions. Just tell him you have to go on a spiritual journey to achieve enlightenment or something. Make an excuse.”
Kayla growled and stalked away from me, her head bowed in thought. As I waited, I watched one of the brackets on the side flickering and dancing, casting shadows and light across the room. The flame was warm and inviting and I was suddenly aware of the lack of sleep I had for the last day or so. Did sleep matter here? How could I tell I was still dreaming? It seemed so difficult to delineate a clear distinction between reality and dream.
I was jolted back into the present as Kayla barked a response at me.
“Fine, we have an accord.” She held the collar out loosely. “You’re still going to have to wear this.”
I took the collar reluctantly. It seems I would have to tolerate this thing just a little longer, ironically for the sake of my freedom. I snapped it back on, giving it an experimental tug after reestablishing the thaumic charge. It felt like I was constantly rubber-banding between freedom and imprisonment. It'll stay on but obviously not with the original mechanism that it was designed to use. Stupid thing, maybe this time I'll get rid of it.
The whole time Kayla studied me as I worked magic, she seemed interested as if it was the first time she'd ever seen magic. I pursed my lips. Huh, actually that would make a lot of sense.
“Hey Kayla–” I started, but I was cut off as the tigress raised a paw.
“Not now,” she hissed, all business now that we had agreed on the deal. I shrugged and subsided, waiting for her to lay out her plan.
“First,” she said, pointing a clawed paw upwards, “we tell my father about this quietly. He will be able to rally the guard and any able-bodied tiger in the vicinity of the castle."
“What about us?”
“I’m getting to that. Once we alert my father, we'll approach the hippos and see if we can deter them from attacking.”
“Alright. Hang on, hippos? As in, hippopotamuses?”
“Yes, those things, don’t you know anything?”
“Well that’s kind of rude, I’m not from around here.”
“Whatever. Let’s go.”
“Hang on, about deterring the–”
I sighed, trudging after the tigress as she marched through the stronghold. Kayla was sure getting snippy with me. We were soon in front of imposing double-doors which I recognised was the entrance to the throne room.
“Aren’t we heading to the King’s bedchambers, shouldn’t he be asleep?”
“No, my father usually works until late at night. He should still be awake. Now be silent, we can reveal your ability to speak later for greater effect. Right now, you need to just be a regular Nanu’wan.”
I grouched to myself. I had pushed the deal, true, but Kayla held most of the cards here. I was in an unfamiliar land with unfamiliar rules and next to no survival skills. I can sneak around, but fighting, foraging or trekking through woods extensively? That was asking too much from me. The most combat I’ve been in was running around trying not to get shot at by space-faring ponies. Yes, there were ponies in another alternate universe, it’s more common than you think.
Regular Nanu’wan though? I sighed to myself softly as Kayla knocked on the door and spoke quietly to the chamberlain. Did she even consider that I was not exactly a Nanu’wan? Perhaps it was in the way that I looked. I mean, if a tiger walked into my room and started talking I’d freak out wouldn’t I? I’d probably call it a tiger and not really consider calling it something else. I hadn’t really told her exactly what I was. It occurred to me that I just take things too easily, hoping things would work out for the best. My eyes widened, that’s exactly how my Dad operated! Hmm, something to think about…
I was startled out of my thoughts as the side entrance (probably for more convenience when there wasn’t anything official going on) creaked open, admitting the both of us. I trailed behind Kayla trying to emit an aura of obedience, I guess? Hmm, that would probably run contrary to what I started with. Oh well, I’m not the best actor out there. I just kept my facial expression neutral.
“Kayla,” King Leo bellowed warmly. “What brings you here?” He got up from the desk that was positioned unobtrusively to the side of the vast hall. I hadn’t noticed it earlier, but they probably dragged it back and forth whenever the King required a desk to write on.
Kayla’s expression must have communicated the gravity of the situation because Kayla’s father immediately went from welcoming and warm to concern and a hint of wariness.
“Kayla?” he queried softly. “What’s wrong?”
Kayla shifted uneasily. “It’s the Hippos, father, they are planning to attack.”
Leo’s eyes widened fractionally then narrowed.
“How did you come across this information?”
Kayla glanced at me.
There was utter silence for a few heartbeats before the king burst into laughter. He held his sides.
“Oh forgive me,” he said in between laughing fits. “I did not mean to offend you, daughter.”
Kayla remained expressionless, she crossed her arms.
“Your spirit familiar?” the royal patriarch continued, his tone was scored with disbelief. “Kayla, I know you’re proud of your accomplishment, but there’s no way you could discern a Hippo attack from communicating with your spirit familiar.” He shot a look at me. “No matter the familiar.” He started to turn around.
“Gart’nir is behind the attack,” Kayla blurted.
Leo turned back slowly. “Really?” he said mildly. “Again, how are you coming across this information?”
Kayla impatiently gestured at me. I looked blankly at her before I realised she wanted me to say something. I smirked inwardly and gave an imperceptible shrug. Her gaze darkened. The King turned to me, waiting for me to do something. I cocked my head.
He turned back to Kayla.
“I don’t have time for this,” he muttered, waving an imperious paw in dismissal. Kayla glared at me and I rolled my eyes. Fine.
I yawned. “Neither do I,” I spoke mildly and the King froze. Leo glanced back at me and then turned to Kayla.
“That’s an interesting trick,” he said slowly. He circled around me.
I sighed. Enough playing around. “I would agree with you had we met under different circumstances, but right now I just want to fulfil my end of the bargain and get out. You’re the only thing that’s stopping me from doing so. Oh, and the army just outside your city.”
King Leo raised an eyebrow.
“And who are you,” he drawled, “to make such demands from me?”
I sent Kayla a look that bespoke how impatient I was getting.
“Father,” she intervened before the situation ignited. “Regardless of what you are thinking right now, don’t you think it is a little farfetched that I would lie to you?”
The King paused at that and his belligerent expression softened as he considered his daughter’s words.
“Of course not, Kayla, my darling princess.” He drew away. “But this is a different matter,” he said, padding away. “You’ve made some accusations. Deeply political accusations that have to be handled with care.”
I snorted. “Handle with care?” I blurted out. “You have a dang army outside! What more deliberation do you need? You have to deal with them right now.”
King Leo whipped around and fixed me with a chilling glare that froze my throat.
“Do not insult my intelligence, you ignorant little cub,” he growled menacingly. “You may be a creature of lore, but I will not hesitate to try my paw against you if you speak to me like that.” He waited a couple of moments to see if I would say anything flippant. When I remained silent, he continued contemptuously. “Your ignorance does you discredit. Do you have the responsibility of making decisions for hundreds of your kind? Do you have any inkling the kind of consequences that could spring from one false move? The kind of lives that could be lost with a single word I utter, with the wave of my paw? Still your tongue.”
I was taken back by his words. I had thought that whatever reverence they had for me would protect me in this little standoff but I was sorely mistaken. What infuriated me the most though, was his cutting remark about my ignorance. I wasn’t mad at him, though I was tempted. I couldn’t be mad. What he said was true…
All this time I’d been bumbling around, whining and posturing. Was I really that self-centred? Am I the kind of hypocrite that complains and moans about his problems but doesn’t do anything about it? Was I a person that didn’t see the bigger picture? Unbidden, Discord sprang to my mind. He was right, this was a decision that involved lives. What I said was rash and callous. What was I thinking? I hung my head in shame.
King Leo turned to Kayla. “But lacking wisdom though he may be, this Nanu’wan may be useful after all.” He pointed at my collar. “Perhaps he will be useful in the upcoming battle?” I jerked my head up at that.
Kayla must have seen my obvious discomfort because she jumped in immediately. “Father,” she began, bowing her head respectfully. “I don’t think it would be for the best if we charged into battle.” She glanced around. “If we show we’re more than a match for the Hippos, and that we are wide awake and alert, they may turn around and leave us.”
“Or put us at siege,” Leo pointed out. Kayla conceded that with a nod. “We need to find a way to discourage them from coming back.”
I clicked my fingers, sending a few sparks flying with that gesture.
“That,” I said with a weak grin, “is something I think I can help you with.”
––––––
Exhausted, the alicorn struggled the last few steps to the top of the structure. Around her the metallic walls reflected the light of a sphere that dominated the centre of the chamber. It glowed with a diffuse luminescence, bathing the room in a gentle white light. Tempora leaned against the wall of the chamber, catching her breath. With the monotony of climbing the steps, Tempora had had a lot of time to ponder the recent chain of events.
The alicorn wanted to help Max so much, but she was trapped, lost and alone in this tower, surrounded by a mute field of snow. Gingerly, Tempora sent a probing pulse to the glowing light. It flashed sympathetically for a small moment and then settled down. Her pulse was absorbed in the process. That confirmed it. This was the core.
Something compelled Tempora to reach out. To touch the softly glowing sphere.
As her hoof made contact, Tempora gasped.
It all made sense.