Phoenix Emperor

By K. E. Ireland

Without a doubt, Ha’Likka is dead, but the destruction she wrought during the last hours of her life will ensure her memory lives on. Natan takes charge of cleaning up the Haikon while everyone else is busy mourning the loss of the Imperial Palace. Knowing his death in inevitable due to the loss of Hasabi, Natan still battles his biology to stall for time until Vathion awakens from a medical coma. Questioned constantly by Tendel and even his own crew, Natan has little choice but to hope that Vathion is sane. He certainly doesn’t know what to do about the Varas lurking in Gilonnia’s backyard. With his efforts to hide the truth growing more obvious by the day, the real culprits behind the war are moving to regain control of their empire.

• Language: English
• Publisher: K. E. Ireland
• Release date: Apr 8, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370400515

K. E. Ireland

We're not your run of the mill publisher. We're into the unique stuff! We are creating a coalition of Fantasy/Scifi/Romance authors who are approachable, nice individuals who take pride in their craft and believe that a good story is worth sharing with the world; no matter how wacky the premise gets. Our goal is to provide stories that travel more unique paths than what’s currently available on the market bookshelf. Our genre and audience may vary, from young adult to adult, scifi, fantasy, and anything in between, but our mission is to explore old themes in new settings. Other publishing companies don’t put much effort into advertising an author or their books anymore. Instead, they focus on a few chosen titles. Our strategy is to aggressively create an ad campaign that utilizes multimedia and social media to spread awareness of our products. We will have not just an online presence on multiple platforms, featuring videos and live chats with the authors, but also physical events where Moirae Publishing representatives will personally sell books and promotional merchandise. This approach combines the best of both the Self Pub and Traditional Pub worlds. Authors will have hands-on control of their stories, but also the support network, editing services, cover services, and marketing of Traditional Pub.

Book preview

Foreword

Books in the Natan Fleet Show

Playing the Hero

Symbol of Hope

Phoenix Emperor

Coming Soon

Frontier Station

Cover art by:

Carynn Ireland

www.Slymagpie.com

All content belongs to K. E. Ireland

www.keireland.com

Thanks To:

Kevin

Chris

Mary

Mom

Y’all know what you did.

This book may be used in the following manner:

Attribution -- You must attribute this work to K. E. Ireland at www.keireland.com

Noncommercial -- You may not use this work or any artwork attached to it for commercial purposes.

No derivative works -- You may not alter, transform, or build upon this work.*

*Fanart is acceptable since my work is primarily written.

I love fanfiction. I consider it flattering. I cannot legally read it. If you write fanfiction, please list clearly that you were inspired by my work, otherwise I’m going to pretend it doesn’t exist. If you drew fanart, I would love to see it!

Please use the subject line NFS FANART And email a link to: [e-mail]

Chapter 1

Hasabi ran at full speed.

Only minutes had passed since the Haikon had arrived and the firefight had begun.

It had only taken her that long to realize that Ha’Likka wasn’t going to give up so easily. Speeding from her room, she pounded down the halls, passing confused Palace staff and visitors. Moments later, the announcement; a diagram showing where the Haikon’s debris was expected to hit.

Every single screen in the Palace was flashing red.

Seven minutes until impact.

:And where are we supposed to go in seven minutes?: she asked Eika helplessly.

Hasabi hurried down the strangely empty hall where government officials usually had guest rooms.

Please evacuate the Palace as soon as possible. The AI was absurdly calm, repeating its message and a reiteration of the time.

Six minutes.

She turned left, jogging down the south hall.

Straight ahead, the door to Daharn’s rooms were closed. She hit the door with her whole body, expecting it to open. It didn’t budge.

Drawing back, Hasabi kicked the door. Daharn!

Something rattled on the other side.

Grabbing the handle, Hasabi shook the door. Daharn!

Whatever was blocking the door moved. Shoving against an unexpected lack of resistance, Hasabi staggered in.

Daharn, on his hands and knees near the door, groggily reached towards her. Two security men were sprawled in the center of the room. She covered her nose as the scent of blood hit her.

Five minutes.

Hasabi stepped in and grabbed his arm.

There he is!

She turned partially. Two Hyphokos sped towards her, neither slowing as they approached. One darted for Hasabi, climbing her leg. Daharn suddenly stood, grabbed her hand, and started dragging her down the hall.

What - Where are we going?

Down, the Hyphokos on her shoulder said. We have to get down!

Hasabi’s shoulder hit the wall as Daharn took a sudden right, heading for the main hall. Wait - slow down! she called as he released her wrist.

Run! the Hyphokos clinging to her shirt told her firmly. Run faster! Go down!

Four minutes.

Heart pounding with panic, she chased Daharn. He swiftly left her behind at the grand stairs. She caught up at the top of the stairs and looked down to see him jumping the banister to the next level down.

:Ancestors!: Eika gasped. :Do they not - Hasabi, trust me for a moment, please.:

Okay.

She felt sick suddenly, her body no longer under her control. Her pace increased, hand covering the Hyphokos still clinging to her. Hasabi vaulted the banister, landing hard on the landing below, well beyond what she would have dared to jump herself. She caught up with Daharn, passed him.

Left! the Hyphokos in her hand said.

Her body turned the corner.

Second door!

Three.

She slammed into the door, forced it open with her shoulder. Daharn’s weight broke the door from its hinges. They both stumbled into the government office. Daharn threw the door aside and took the lead again, heading though the rows of desks. He kicked another door at the back of the room and broke it down before Hasabi got there. The room had gotten dark with an eerie red glow.

Terrified, Hasabi surrendered entirely to Eika’s control. They sped past Daharn again only to find they were in an interior room with no exit. The walls were lined with filing cabinets, drawers were open and papers scattered on the floor.

Unable to help herself, Hasabi sobbed into her hand.

Two.

Daharn grabbed one of the cabinets and tore it away from the wall. Beneath it was a trap door in the floor with a handle. He ripped that aside.

In! the Hyphokos she was holding said. Hurry!

The Emperor was already through, dropping out of sight into darkness. A musty odor wafted into her room. Eika piloted her body into the hole, finding that there was not an easily accessed floor. Landing hard on the ground below. Dust choked her.

Go! Go! the Hyphokos she was holding coughed. Go!

Blind, Hasabi stumbled forward, running into a wall with her outstretched hand. The floor fell out from under her. She landed on an inclined smooth surface, sliding face-first down the tunnel. Hasabi twisted around, trying to protect the Hyphokos in her hands. Hitting the bottom with her feet, Eika shoved her upright and running again.

Hurry! Daharn’s voice called. This way!

She ran blindly in the dark. A blast of hot air cut off as the tunnel behind her was crushed.

The floor shook. She tumbled to her knees and rolled, deafened as the world was destroyed above her.

She curled around the limp Hyphokos in her hands. She couldn’t tell if they were alive, her own heart beating too hard for her to take a pulse.

:Ancestors! Protect us!:

***

Hasabi? Wake up.

Opening her eyes, she sat up, thumping into Daharn.

It was pitch dark. Daharn? Are you okay?

Yeah, he sounded muffled, as if covering his nose.

Oh no - I hit you.

I’m okay, Daharn said, lowering his hand. He touched her head, then fumbled down to her shoulder. I’m okay. Are you?

I think so. She touched his hand. What happened to you in your room?

I don’t know… My security were about to escort me to safety. One of them hit me, and then I woke up here. Where are we?

Under… the Palace. I think. Some Hyphokos came for us. There was a trap door under a filing cabinet. She looked blindly around and touched her abdomen, verifying that Eika was still merged with her. The other two Hyphokos were missing, as far as she could tell.

What? Daharn asked. We’re in the basement?

No... I think we’re lower than that. We slid quite a ways.

It’s really dusty in here. In a lower voice he added, and dark.

Don’t tell me you’re afraid of the dark, Hasabi said, a little irritated with him.

I’m not.

She rolled her eyes. I know lies when I hear them, she said. She started crawling, hands sliding across the thick layers of dust as she explored her immediate area. She found a wall and began following it, staying on her knees. It was too dangerous to try standing and walking, even though it would have been far more comfortable. She wasn’t as young as she used to be, that was for sure.

Why did we end up down here? I mean, what happened? Likka had just gotten here - what happened after that?

By the sound of his voice, Hasabi could tell that she had left him behind. Natan got here, started a fight with her and then broke her ship apart. Pieces fell on the capital, but a majority of it was stopped. It could have been worse. Some fell on the Palace.

Wh- where did you go? Daharn asked. Don’t leave me behind! She could hear him crawling after her, grunting as he tripped on his robes. Are we stuck here then? Until someone digs us out?

I’m looking for an exit, she said, holding her exasperation. I don’t know if we’re trapped. We’re alive at least and I’m sure Natan and Vathion will take care of things up there until they find you.

Daharn gave a mumble that didn’t sound reassuring.

Hasabi turned around and crawled back towards the last place she heard him, found his hand by accident, but grabbed it. They will take care of things and we will be found, she said firmly. We will get out of this alive.

Okay, Daharn said, though he was obviously unconvinced.

She started crawling again.

:Hasabi?: Eika asked, having finally woken.

:Are you ok?:

:Mostly I think. That was a rough landing.:

Silently agreeing, she continued crawling, but her hand contacted dirt. She released Daharn’s hand and slowly stood, patting the dirt all the way up to as high as she could reach.

Where are you going?

There’s dirt... Hasabi said as she carefully climbed, exploring the blockage with her fingers. She couldn’t smell fresh air, though and had very little hope that this was a good direction to go. Her fingertips found the ceiling. She brushed against the wall to her left, then inched along, keeping contact with the ceiling the whole way. There was a small opening at the top corner of the right wall, but reaching in, she found it was only a pocket and more dirt piled behind it, packed solid with age. This was not a new feature.

Sliding down to the floor again, she nearly stepped on Daharn and used his head as a balance when he bumped into her thigh.

We’re blocked this direction, Hasabi said. Let’s try the other way.

I thought... Daharn stopped himself there. Hasabi was glad. His timid whining was starting to get on her nerves. Honestly, she was scared too. That didn’t mean she could just sit down and be terrified. No one knew where they were. It was best if they found the sky somehow. Maybe there were other survivors?

Oh! Daharn said suddenly. Who are you? He sat back, removing his head from her palm.

I’m Benry, a Hyphokos voice said. What’s going on?

We fell down the hole you led us to, Hasabi said.

Then we’re in the ship. Benry said. What happened to Frei?

I don’t know. Was that who I was holding?

Yes. Why didn’t he merge with you?

I had Eika already.

The Hyphokos muttered something that sounded like a curse word. If the blast knocked me out while I was merged, then he’s probably dead.

Hasabi gave a soft hmm. Sorry.

Memory lives on, Benry said. We knew it was dangerous to try to find you.

I don’t... understand what’s going on? Daharn asked. Why were you merged with me? Where was Ferrian?

Ferrian left you to die, Benry said. He was part of the High Council faction. They must have decided you weren’t worth keeping anymore. When we noticed that all the other High Council puppets were sneaking out, Frei and I were pretty sure you had been left. We went looking.

Touching the wall, Hasabi slowly slid down to a seat and felt Eika disengaging. You must be from the Inclusionists, Eika said.

Yes. What about you? Space?

Eika hesitated a second. No. Separatist.

Benry gasped. He asked something in the Hyphokos language.

You will speak in Gilon, Eika said firmly. No, the Separatists are not a hoax.

Benry said something else in Hyphokos.

You will speak in Gilon. They are intelligent and this concerns them. Daharn is not your tool to just use, just as he isn’t the High Council’s trash to throw away when he’s inconvenient. He is the emperor of his people and as such deserves respect in this situation.

You ride in one too, Benry said acidly.

With her permission and full knowledge of what I’m privy to.

What’s going on? Daharn asked again.

There are four factions of Hyphokos, Eika explained. High Council, who are theoretically the ruling body of our people and their followers who believe that Gilon are just convenient tools for their use. Inclusionists who-

As a representative, I would like to speak for myself, Benry objected. Inclusionists believe that Hyphokos shouldn’t control so much as guide Gilon. You’re a young species still and just turning you loose without any sort of oversight is... Uhm. Irresponsible.

What was irresponsible was tinkering with their genetics to make them into our tools to begin with, Eika said. Which is why the Separatists left. We objected to the original High Council’s plan to interfere in Gilon biology just to create meat bag tools when we had perfectly functional mechanics and didn’t need to do this.

Hasabi gently lifted Eika from her lap. Right now isn’t the time, she said.

Sighing, Eika relaxed in her hand. True.

You said four, Daharn reminded.

Spacers. They’re weird. Who knows what they think.

Eika sighed again. The Space Coalition believe that Gilon are intelligent on their own and should be allowed to be partners with Hyphokos. They’re still a little backwards in thinking that they’re allowed to use you without informing you of everything involved in that alliance, but at least it’s better than outright controlling your behavior on a daily basis.

My what? Daharn asked breathlessly. That’s... absurd... he didn’t sound very convinced of his own words.

She could feel Eika getting stiff with emotion. Hasabi gently brushed her finger against Eika’s side, reassuring her. He’s never thought about it like that before. Give him some time, she said.

Reluctantly, the Hyphokos relaxed again. It’s just sickening.

What plans do the Inclusionists have? Hasabi asked. With Daharn and myself that is?

With you? We hadn’t really thought about you as anything important, Benry said. With Daharn... Frei and I weren’t given orders to save him. We just... Tried to anyway because... Vathion may not be controllable. He spent time with Likka. Who knows what she did to his head.

Shh, Eika said, squeezing Hasabi’s finger. You’ve known it was bound to happen.

Doesn’t make me any less mad, Hasabi muttered. Vathion will make whatever decisions are necessary, she told Benry.

You say that, but even you don’t know what he may think is necessary, Benry shot back. Let’s not pretend that he didn’t set up this situation. Whether it was intentional to sacrifice people along the way or not...

I don’t think he meant to, Daharn said. "He warned me that she might make a run for Baelton... I didn’t think she would be able to get her ship there, but he insisted I take precautions anyway."

What about all those names you called? Benry asked. You think those people survived?

Daharn was silent for a moment. I know they didn’t. That was the point. They were Likka’s staunchest supporters.

Yet you took Vathion’s word for that, Benry said.

No. I’d had that intelligence for months already. I just didn’t know what to do with it. They were all in Rebel territory. We couldn’t touch them. Vathion said we could get Likka to kill them for us. So I agreed to the plan.

Is there a way out of here? Hasabi asked. We can’t stay down here forever.

Yes. Though it may be too dangerous up there, Benry said.

We’ve already found a wall of dirt, Hasabi added.

Then you’ve gone the right way. There’s a door that leads to a room you can stay in, Benry said. No one will find you down here for a while. I’ll go make arrangements.

You’re kidding, Hasabi said flatly. I’m pregnant and need to be with my mate. You’re not keeping me here.

It’s probably still on fire up there. Any other exits from here go through High Council territory and the ship’s AI will notice you. There’s no power in this section, so you’ll be safe. I’ll come get you.

So we’re supposed to sit down here and starve? Hasabi asked.

No! I’ll come get you! Benry said. Just stay here! he called, voice receding down the hall.

Eika wiggled free of Hasabi’s grip and disappeared into the darkness.

What now? Daharn asked sullenly.

Hasabi swallowed. Get some rest, I guess.

Daharn sighed. I ache all over. I think my ankle is sprained. You never said how I got down here.

Benry used your body.

Used? he asked in a small voice.

Deciding to let him contemplate the implications of that on his own, Hasabi shifted and put her back against the wall, knees lifted and hands cradling her stomach. It was too early to show yet, but she hoped the baby was safe.

***

Savon had kicked him out of her medbay.

Wringing his hands as he stood in front of the door, Natan helplessly stared at it, knowing his whole world was falling apart.

Debris had hit the Palace. Emergency crew and volunteers had gone to put out the fires and looking for survivors. People were being dug out. The death count was rising.

:Kiti, there’s nothing I can do. I can’t do anything.:

Pieces of the Haikon were still spinning and bouncing through Heartland’s space; a danger to everyone.

Natan covered his face with both hands. They smelled like blood.

:Natan,: Kiti said. :They’re bringing Farynn in.:

Using his sleeves to wipe his face, Natan straightened, put on his best brave face and turned towards the lift as the doors opened.

A medical assistant hurried in, guiding a grav stretcher. Another nurse was holding a mask to Farynn’s face. Her eyes were open. She was pale. She looked at him and he thought she saw a grin pull her lips just before she disappeared into the medbay.

His hands shook. He clenched them.

The lift opened again.

I hope you’re happy, Tendel said.

Overjoyed, Natan retorted and stepped over her.

She caught his pant leg and scurried up his side to merge. :What did you think was going to happen anyway? You left the planning of all this to a child and look at this mess.:

:It came out better than it might have,: Natan defended and shut down whatever doubts he might have had creeping in the back of his mind.

:It still got your mate killed. Your son probably isn’t going to survive this either. And even if he does, is he really sane? You realize all of this is your fault. You urged Likka into an arms race. You annoyed her until she came up with worse ways to get rid of you.:

Natan stood in the lift, staring at his hazy reflection in the doors. The lift hadn’t begun moving because he didn’t know where he wanted to go.

:Can’t run from yourself, can you?: Tendel asked, her tone pitying.

He wanted to tear her out.

Clenching his fists again, he decided to go back to the bridge. It wasn’t like standing in the lift was going to get anything done.

:Less likely for you to break anything else, though,: Tendel pointed out.

Would you just shut up? Natan snapped, just as the doors opened. Hassi withdrew, her eyes wide. He put on a smile and tapped his Bondstone as explanation before brushing past her.

:Way to go, Natan. Perfect.: Tendel said.

:I can say those kinds of things to myself just fine. I don’t need YOU adding to the noise. Go away.:

:And miss this show?: Tendel retorted cheerfully. :This is the most entertaining thing I’ve seen in years. Can’t wait to see what you mess up next.:

:I will punch you,: Natan promised. Entering the bridge, he glanced around, finding first shift still at their places. Status.

"Raptors and Ferrets are out picking up pieces. The larger pieces of the Haikon are being pulled away from the planet," Codas reported.

Clemmis asked what we should do with it, Bibbole said.

"Take it to Marak I guess, Natan said. He stood next to his seat, one hand gripping the back of it so hard his fingers hurt. What’s the damage on the planet?"

Everyone is too busy to do much reporting, Bibbole said. Rough estimate is at least three thousand, given the areas hit.

Natan leaned heavily on his chair. ‘My fault.’

Tendel didn’t bother saying anything. Her silence said enough.

Lifting his head, Natan took a breath. Do they have any heavy equipment out there to pick up debris?

Doesn’t look like it, Bibbole said.

Find me some construction companies. Ugh. Just hire them all. Get them out there helping to clean up.

Bibbole nodded once, his hands already sending messages.

Pressing his fingers to his eyes, Natan made himself breathe. He still smelled like blood. Lowering his hand, he looked at it, realizing he had red crust under his nails and in the creases of his palms.

‘He’s going to die. Its my fault.’

Clenching his hands, he lifted his chin, determined to just bury himself in work. ‘Hasabi was down there. My days are numbered too. She’d be mad at me if I left things destroyed like this. I’ll do what I can until I lose my mind. Stupid Widow Syndrome. Blasted Likka. She’s taken everything from me, including revenge.’

Bibbole. Let the station know that I want Likka’s body bagged and sent here, Natan said.

Why? Bibbole asked, cringing.

Autopsy, Natan said. ‘Not so I can stab it a few times myself.’

Bibbole nodded and turned back to his board, sending the message.

Is the Fleet helping clean up too? We should be if we’re not, Natan said. He stared at the ceiling.

Someone touched his shoulder.

Turning, he found Logos standing beside him. Kiti will let you know if you’re needed, he said. He bodily turned Natan towards the door.

I need to-

Take a shower, Logos interrupted. You’re covered in blood. His grip tightened on Natan’s shoulder, helping to steady him. Across the hall, Logos took Natan into his quarters. Hasabi was down there.

Natan covered his mouth with his hand, feeling sick. His vision blurred.

***

She woke up when something touched her.

Sorry, Daharn said.

What are you doing?

I was going to... lay beside you if that’s okay, Daharn said. It’s a bit cold in here.

Admittedly it was a bit chilly. She nodded, then reached over to take his hand. Sure.

Where did Eika go?

After Benry, she said.

He settled down behind her, chest against her back and arm around her waist. It wasn’t very comfortable having his scent so close to her. She didn’t know him that well, but made herself stay still. It was warmer than laying on the floor by herself. I’ve been... Thinking, he said. Can you explain some things for me?

Sure.

What exactly is going on?

I’m actually not sure about that. I know the Hyphokos have a disagreement on how Gilon should be treated and have been. She took a breath and let it out slowly. I know that by the end of this, whatever is going on will be public and the Hyphokos can’t hide it anymore.

Do you have some kind of plan? Daharn asked.

Not right now. Nothing past the need to get out of here and get back to Natan. Even though she could see nothing, she cut her eyes towards Daharn, wondering if Benry had come back. She felt a little guilty for suspecting him, but her gut was telling her not to trust that Hyphokos. How’s your ankle?

Still sore.

Well, you did jump the railing on two flights of stairs.

I what? Daharn sat up.

Hasabi laughed behind her hand. Wish I could see your face right now. But it’s true. Benry took over and had you running top speed. You also kicked down a door and pulled a full filing cabinet off the floor and threw it.

Oh my... Daharn slowly lay down again.

I had to let Eika take me over to keep up with you, Hasabi said. Hyphokos can override our motor control and pain receptors, make us do things beyond what we normally can do.

That’s a little disturbing... I wouldn’t believe it but I suppose the evidence is there. No wonder my shoulders and back ache.

She snorted.

Should we try looking for a way out ourselves?

Let’s wait a little longer and see if Eika will come back. She may find out how to escape and then come get us.

Okay.

Hasabi shifted to pillow her head on her arm.

It’s so quiet... Daharn said. Eerie. I don’t know I’ve ever been anywhere so quiet.

That’s really why you woke me up, isn’t it.

He was silent for a moment. Sorry...

Hasabi laughed softly. When you have children you’ll value the silence a lot more.

Daharn sighed. I... don’t want to, though.

Don’t want to what?

Have children. They... frighten me. Ferrian has been on my case about picking a mate and I just feel unsettled every time I think about having children. They’re sticky and loud and demand so much time. I don’t even have time for the things I want to do for myself, how would I have time to spend with a child and a mate? They deserve my attention too. Right?

Yes they do. And kids take a lot of attention.

Its a permanent decision too. I may like her now, but in ten years? Or less? And most of the women I’ve met have been just awful. There was one I was almost interested in, but her laugh was horrible and nothing I said made her actually smile. She didn’t like me. She liked my title.

Sounds a lot like what Natan said.

Daharn snorted softly. Yeah. I’d asked him about how he met you... how he knew you were the one. After that, I’d started noticing. Or more, started being able to identify why I didn’t feel anything for these women.

Eika and Paymeh arranged for Natan and me to meet, Hasabi said. Eika said there wasn’t any pressure for us to actually get together. She just thought we would get along well.

He had nothing to say about that, apparently.

Paymeh and Eika left us alone for every date we had. Hasabi smiled as she remembered the first time she met Natan. Her fingers curled into her palms, nails biting flesh. I need him, she whispered, forcing air past the heavy knot in her chest. She had gone sixteen years without having him around and only a few hours of being with him and she couldn’t bear it anymore.

Sitting up, she got to her knees. Come on.

I thought we were waiting?

I’m tired of waiting.

H-hasabi... Daharn hesitated.

Reaching back, she grasped the first thing her hand came in contact with. Pulling the front of his robes, she started forward. I’m tired of waiting! she snarled.

Daharn tripped twice before stopping. Wait, let me tie... She paused, listening to him shuffle with his clothes. There. His hand landed on her ankle. Where are we going anyway?

The problem was that she didn’t know. Anywhere was better than here though. She hoped anyway. Moving forward again, she set her hand on something wet and cringed. I think I found Frei, she said.

Oh. Daharn said, obviously disgusted.

Locating where the rest of the Hyphokos corpse was, she shuffled sideways to keep from crawling on it, then continued forward, scrubbing her hand on what remained of the dusty carpet to clean it off. Daharn kept up, using her ankle as a guide to know where she was in the pitch darkness.

This direction seemed to be longer than her first choice. Hasabi wished she had counted her steps between the caved in wall and finding the body. It was too late for that, though. Forward was all she had left. Reaching ahead, her hand did not encounter more dusty carpet.

Why did we stop?

There’s no floor ahead. She blindly groped, finding a solid edge just past her stationary fingers. I think its a lift. Hasabi laid on her stomach, scooting further out to touch, searching for a clue. A foot below, she found a surface. Hang on to my ankles.

Daharn fumbled for her other foot and finally found it when she tapped his hand with her toe.

Scooting to the left, she reached her hand against the wall, finding the pully system for the lift. Ok, this is the roof of the lift, she said. There should be a trap door that leads into it. We can get down to the next level through there.

Why would we want to go down?

Hasabi bit her lips together.

Shuffling back, she bumped into Daharn.

Sorry, he said. I didn’t mean to make you angry.

No... You’re right. Let’s see if there’s any other direction to go first. She drummed her fingers against her thighs as she tried to think. She had no idea of what the layout of this place was. Which way would be a good direction to turn? We followed the right wall to get here. Let’s just keep following that.

Okay. Daharn didn’t sound too convinced, but he returned his hand to her ankle and let her take the lead again.

Keeping the fingers of her right hand against the corner of the wall, she crawled. The air didn’t smell any better this direction. She had a feeling there wasn’t going to be an exit this way.

I feel like we’re just going in circles, Daharn said softly.

Hasabi could neither confirm nor deny this statement. Feeling mildly irritated that Daharn was acting like such a baby about all this, she gathered her patience and said, We’re still alive and we have knowledge of one way out of this immediate area. We will get out of here.

But if we-

She kicked back, catching his shoulder. Stop it, Hasabi said firmly. Your attitude stinks. If you give up, you will die down here in the dark. Taking a breath, she sat back and reached for him, finding his head. Besides, it isn’t like you’re alone.

His hair scrubbed beneath her hand as he nodded. Sorry, he mumbled. I just don’t like having things be so out of control.

You have a very narrow definition of control then, Hasabi teased.

What’s your definition then?

Hasabi started forward again. Her hand encountered an opening with floor beyond it. Exploring that blindly, she said, Imagine having to raise Vathion? He was into everything, questioned everything. Momma why is this plant yellow? And he wouldn’t accept the simple answers. He wanted the facts. So I had to learn the facts. I had to anticipate where he was going to go next and determine if it was worth stopping him or not. Thank the Ancestors he got interested in code. That was one thing I knew about at least. I think this is a door into a room.

We should check it out then? Daharn suggested.

Okay. She led the way into the room, feeling around carefully on the floor. Her head hit something. Ow. Reaching up, she fumbled, cutting her finger on something sharp. I think the ceiling fell in here, she said. Watch your head.

I smell blood?

I’m okay. Its just a scratch. Crouching lower, she ducked under the debris, feeling further back until she found the far wall. Dead end.

Don’t call it that please.

No exit here, Hasabi rephrased. Back out.

She followed him this time as he shuffled in reverse. We’re in the hall again, he said. Are you sure you’re ok?

Its just a scratch, she said. Taking the lead once more, she put her right hand against the wall and started forward.

You are sure we’re going the right way?

As right a way as we currently have right now, Hasabi retorted.

Daharn sighed. No wonder you and Natan got along so well. I hope Vathion doesn’t do that too.

Oh, he’s even better at it, Hasabi said cheerfully.

Wonderful. Do you know how annoying that is? Daharn asked.

Hasabi snorted a giggle.

Groaning in despair, Daharn said, Now I really don’t want to see all three of you together.

You just need to cultivate an appreciation for puns, Hasabi said. She found what felt like another door recess, but it was closed.

Did you find something?

No. She moved on. Her knees were really starting to ache. Except that I’m not as young as I used to be. Ow.

Did you run into something?

No. Just my knees. She continued forward, trying to ignore the pain. We’ll find light and we’ll be able to stand then.

Yeah, he said faintly.

Even though she knew she wouldn’t see anything, Hasabi looked back at him. Only darkness... But she could feel his grip on her ankle, so he was there still. Keep moving. That was all she could really do. Putting on a brave face, even though no one could see it, she reminded herself that she would see Natan again, she would see Vathion again. She refused to die here. This wasn’t about being heroic and getting Daharn out. ‘I’m going to be selfish for once. I’ve given up so much for other people. I’m