Zinc 01 - Altors, page 19
part #1 of Zinc Series
Ivy was located on the right side of the room. I could either go straight for her, or play nasty. Closing in on Vervaine who was fighting Iso, I dove forward, rolled over and stood back up behind him. Grabbing his arm, I twisted it backwards and firmly closed my other arm around the guy's neck. Iso was startled at first, but didn't fight as I pushed his arm up in warning. I assumed he was well trained enough to get out of this without much difficulty, but I figured he was pretending not to be a soldier for my benefit. No shots where fired.
"What do you think you're doing?" Ivy shouted.
"I'm fighting dirty." I offered.
"That's not allowed!" Irritation and exasperation oozed from her. Excellent.
"Ivy, I don't think the enemy cares. Right now you're my target and I'm yours. So, to sum it up, you're my enemy." I was immensely pleased with myself. "Look, if it bothers you that much, just start shooting." I challenged her. "I hear collateral damage does happen."
"My husband isn't collateral damage!" So, they were married. I'd been able to tell they were close to one another. "Let him go."
"Then you surrender?" Iso burst out laughing. "I'll keep him hostage until you do." I heard her groan and then metal fell to the ground.
"I surrender." She admitted reluctantly. Patting Iso on the shoulder, I let him go so he could continue training with Vervaine, offering Ivy a salute as she smirked. Making my way to Datura, I leaned down onto the highest rope of the boxing ring, offering him a self satisfied grin.
"It's gone to your head, hasn't it?" He eyed me in amusement.
* * * *
Although I'd tricked Ivy nicely, the rest of the training hadn't had any of those possibilities. Tricks were possible, but none of the surrendering kind. They were taking it easy on me. They didn't say this out loud, but I could tell and although it pissed me off, I also realized that they didn't do it to hurt my pride but to protect my muscles. Getting beaten black and blue full force wasn't the way to learn things. But just being beaten black and blue was the answer to all my issues.
I'd feared for my life when I'd been battling Vervaine. She had a nasty swing and her heavy sword was harsh on the forearms when blocking. I'd had a laugh with Dandelion. The fact that she was so small and cute had me fearing I'd hurt her; of course she used this to her advantage. I learned a lot from Jatrop. He showed me how to position myself when attacking or blocking, explaining the movements that were least harmful to my own body. Iso and I had a very similar way of fighting, apparently. So we'd ended up exchanging moves instead of fighting one another. It had done my ego some good that an Altor, already having trained for years, was listening to what I had to say and watched my moves carefully so he could mimic them. I felt included and involved. My second battle with Datura had been different. The first one we'd had, had been fun. This one had been tense. I could feel that he was playing less nice. There was a confident air around him and when he moved he did so with grace. The captivating ruby of his eyes and that hum threw me off. I was starting to like him. I wasn't his friend because the others wanted me to be, I was his friend because I myself, wanted to be.
These people could teach me a lot and I was slowly letting them. I still had that worry that was never far in my mind. Had Lupinus sent Solenum away after he'd sent me off? If Solenum had gotten the note, would she find a way to get away from Lupinus? If she did, how would she get all the way over to the Meadows of Serenium without gold? Was she working? And then back to square one. Had she even gotten the note to begin with?
* * * *
"Run!" I shouted, shooting upright in the bed, eyes wide and I stared around my room. Breath ragged, I was sweating and my heart was racing. A nightmare. I hated my nightmares but I'd missed this sense of feeling so alive after waking from them. The weakness caused by being sick had made it so. It wasn't an obvious illness, not like a cold or fever. Sometimes I felt absolutely fine, but then I was suddenly assaulted by a sense of vertigo making me feel the need to sit down and catch my breath. I hadn't woken up screaming in weeks, like I was too tired or weak to really feel the fear the nightmares caused. My appetite constantly changed as well. One moment I could eat everyone's plates on the table and then the next I could barely swallow down one simple bite.
I'd pressed Ilex on the matter and he had confirmed it was most likely connected to the blue blood cell. But because they were uncertain about what my lineage was, Ilex was afraid he'd only make me more sick if he gave me the medicine needed to make the sickness go away. I was trying to be patient, but it wasn't easy.
I heard a crash from somewhere, and I laid back down in reflex, pulling the blanket over my head when I heard footsteps drumming down the hallway. I squeezed my eyes shut at the sound of my door being thrown open and bit onto my bottom lip to keep from making any noise. With all this talk about the Regius wanting to get their hands on me, I couldn't be blamed for being somewhat paranoid.
"Calycanthus?!" Recognizing the voice, I pushed the blanket away and stared at the figure looming in my doorway.
"Datura?" He jumped into action, sprinting over and kneeling down beside my bed with a look of worry engraved on his face.
"Are you alright?" He was checking to see if I was hurt in any way.
I cringed. "I had a nightmare." He'd probably woken because of my shout. Maybe I wasn't so happy about it anymore. Now, I'd have to explain myself.
"I heard you shout." He confirmed my thoughts. "I apologize for barging in." He did look sorta sheepish.
"It's okay."
"I'm supposed to say that."
"Right." I smiled, staring at his face for a moment. His braid was looser than usual, the curls at the front were thicker as more hair sprang free. I’d thought he’d look even more delicate in his features, instead the lack of neatness made me realize that it was the opposite. He looked nothing like a girl and I knew it was for that very reason I was attracted to him. This wasn't an epiphany, more a moment where I allowed myself to at least admit it in my mind.
"Do you need anything?" He asked and I shook my head. "Are you sure?" I nodded, not trusting my voice. With that, he stood and made his way to the door. Nervousness hit me.
"Wait." I whispered and smothered a smile when he spun around, racing to my side so his worried gaze could lock onto my face again.
I didn't want to be alone. I knew that if he left, I wouldn't sleep at all. I'd get up, go downstairs and wait until dawn showed itself.
"Can you, like," I cleared my throat uncomfortably. "Stay?" His eyebrows raised in surprise for a split second but then he nodded, standing back up onto his feet.
"Scoot over." I couldn't help but let my eyes widen comically at the idea of him laying down beside me in bed. The frown on my face was to physically show my brain had just exploded, or maybe imploded. Datura nodded down at the floor.
"Do you expect me to just sit on the ground?" I self-consciously tugged my blanket up, tucking it under my chin in a way to cover myself.
“Can’t you get a chair or something?”
“Seriously? You’re going to make me drag a chair up the stairs at four in the morning? Also, you remember you train shirtless, right?”
I chucked the blanket away, shrugging at him. “I’ve heard stories, Datura, I know you’re the stealthiest killer in this lot. I’m sure you can get the chair up here without making any noise.”
“Cali.” He growled. “I’m doing you a favor. The least you can do is make sure I perform this favor without it causing me a back ache the following morning.”
"I'm sure you've been forced to sleep in uncomfortable situations before due to your job description."
"Seriously?" He repeated, dumbfounded.
“I just don’t want to lead you on.” Hurt washed over me when he laughed at that.
“Not everything is about sex.” Pushing me over, I swallowed his comment with a furious blush, too occupied doing that to protest as he settled down beside me.
“I swear,” He muttered, reaching over to pry me away from the wall I’d plastered myself against. “I am able to control myself.” Both our gazes now fixed on the dandelion sticker covered ceiling and there were several beats of silence before I managed to relax. Deciding to believe him, I showed him that by sharing my blanket, which he thanked me for in a soft whisper.
I’m not entirely sure how many minutes flew by, but it felt like hours.
“Well, this is awkward.” I muttered.
He snorted, something I'd never heard him do. “Only because you make it so.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Why is everything always my fault?”
“You punched me.”
“If that upsets you, then you should have punched me back.”
I saw his eyes roll. “Unlike you, I’m an adult and know when not to resort to physical violence.” He finally turned to look at me when my laughter at that comment surprised him.
“I’m not the one who stabbed the obnoxious pirate.”
Datura’s mouth dropped open. “Are you kidding me? Should I remind you that I saved your behind with that action?”
I huffed. “Hadn’t you avoided me, I wouldn’t have been forced to follow you out into the meadows and find you in the presence of untrustworthy Rangers.” My glare turned into a frown when he grinned. “Now what?”
“I didn’t think you’d notice.” When my frown didn’t fade, he elaborated. “I didn’t think you’d care or notice that I was avoiding you after that unfortunate fist incident.”
“Unfortunate fist incident?" I muttered gruffly. "That’s what we're calling it now?” I was most definitely not going to admit that I had cared or noticed his change in behavior after that. Not out loud anyways. His ruby eyes were peeking at me from their corners, a smirk toying with his mouth as he could probably tell my mind was currently producing about a hundred thoughts a minute.
"Solenum normally is here, isn't she?" He asked gently, and I knew he was talking about the after nightmare specials. I nodded at him, returning my gaze to the ceiling, but then my concentration was broken when I could feel Datura's fingers ghost over the back of my hand.
“Sorry.” He whispered before he removed his hand from beside mine. I turned my head towards the wall and away from him, staring intently as I realized I was sorry it had only been an accident and not an intended move on his part. But then, what was I to expect? First time he’d tried anything, he got a fist in return, and every time he came somewhat close after that incident, I instantly started freaking out about it, making sure to always draw a clear line between the two of us. Yet here I was, contradicting everything I made him believe I was. Why did I have to be so complicated? At this point I could blame the migraines on nobody but myself.
A soft exhale of relief left me when I could hear him start to hum, appreciating it as it calmed me and my thoughts.
I wanted to hold his hand. Sliding my palm across the mattress, I felt my heart beat faster the moment my knuckles touched the back of his fingers. His hum faltered for a split second, but I was grateful when he continued on with it, leaving his hand where it was. Placing mine on top of his, my stomach tightened at the connection and when he slipped his fingers through my own, his thumb stroking a pattern over my skin, that’s when I realized the tightening of my belly wasn’t a gut feeling warning me, but rather an explosion of emotions filled with want, happiness and, for lack of a better word...lust.
“Take your time.” Datura whispered.
* * * *
Chapter 17: Calycanthus Esquivel
“Reinhardt”
* * * *
Since I'd gotten here, I'd learned that Lithium Village had been severely secluded. I couldn't have imagined any of this: Altors, training, weaponry, assassins, enemies, Rangers, the Valley of Death. Datura answered my questions patiently and with detail, giving me all the information I wanted.
Poking the pancake with my fork absently, I frowned up at him.
"But," I cut into his explanation. "I don't understand. Why not battle one another once and for all to the death?"
"Because there's a chance we, as opposed to them, might die and we wouldn't want to leave the Civilians to fend for themselves." He paused. "We don't know where their base is located." He stared at me in a way that said 'I thought that was obvious'. Well, it wasn't. So much so, I nearly choked on my pancake.
"You don't know where the Regius are hiding?!"
He shook his head. "Probably somewhere in their territory. So the Wastelands of Xenon. While that region contains Iodin City, the rest of it is ‘Immortalis Silva’. It is not like any other forest; the trees are alive. They oppose the war, blocking Altors, Palliums, Regius and Civilians alike from going in without getting lost. Unless you know the exact location you are going to.”
I nodded carefully back at him. “So, you believe they hide within the forest? Having somehow obtained a location within?"
“Correct. And unless one of them lets the information slip, we’ll never find it.”
"Can’t you just fly over the area with the Rangers?" I smiled up at him in thanks when he placed two more pancakes on my plate.
“You don’t necessarily have to be inside of the forest to get lost.” He looked thoughtful, almost perplexed. “I went with Juglan and his crew on Apnea. We managed to fly over Iodin City and even as far as ‘Seputus Civis’, the Sunken City.” His eye twitched in confusion. “One moment we’re flying towards the edge of the forest-" I liked how he used his hands to illustrate all he explained. "And then the next, we’re suddenly back in the Meadows of Serenium, as if Zinc was a globe and we’d flown all the way around it, blacking out during the time we’d been hovering over Immortalis Silva.” Well, that was just creepy.
"Why don't the civilians know about the Sunken City?" I'd been delighted when I'd understood most regions he'd spoken to me about this morning over pancakes. There had to be a war related reason for the Civilians to be kept clueless about that place though.
Datura smiled as he followed my line of thought. "The Palliums have been forced to move from one place to another throughout the centuries. It is believed the Sunken City used to be their capital before the Regius conquered Zinc. Because back then the war was out in the open, the Palliums were hurt as much as the Civilians. It wasn't called the Sunken City until after the Regius destroyed the dam that blocked the water out. Effectively drowning the place and forcing them to evacuate."
"From what I understand, Immortalis Silva wasn't always the way it is now."
Leaning onto the kitchen bar, he chewed for a minute. "Unfortunately, not a lot was documented so we barely know anything about how the war truly started, besides racial conflict and how certain regions in Zinc changed. But you're right, the forest hadn't yet been touched by whatever controls it now."
"The Palliums moved to the sand mountains of Cobalt." I declared, but then frowned when he shook his head.
"They re-located themselves in Iodin City before they were forced to move to Cobalt. The Regius went off grid at that same moment." He reached over, smoothing away the frown on my head. I grinned. "To give you an idea on how recently that happened, we were both born already." My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Yes, I know. You'd think the Civilians would have noticed such a large change, but the Palliums used their secretive nature to ignore questions and the Regius moved completely out of sight, so it's not like the Civilians could ask."
"Wait." I thought it over. "Not all Regius are out of sight." I pointed out.
"The ones that roam around outside of their base are like the Altor soldiers, if you will." Datura explained. "Like us, the Blue Bloods have a hierarchy. The top categories are the Royals, the pure blood families, the advisers, the assassins, the trackers and then the soldiers. The soldiers are spread out over Zinc much like the Altor soldiers are. It is for that very reason we have soldiers and District Leaders. So that there is always an Altor where there is a Regius."
"So basically those that won't be missed don't hide."
"Exactly." Datura agreed. "Unfortunately that applies to the Altors as well. The Elders and District Leaders are very well hidden. When a raid occurs, the first thing that is set in motion is moving the important figures out of harms way." I chewed thoughtfully on my food, falling silent for a moment.
"Does it work the same with the Palliums and Rangers?" I asked.
"No." Datura chuckled. "Strangely enough, they are, what I believe, to be much more honorable in that sense. Others may view it as reckless though." He shrugged. "If the Rangers were to be attacked by anyone which, mind you is rare, the Captain is the one that goes down with the ship, not the crew. And when the Palliums get attacked, which unfortunately happens more often than not, Flux, their leader, purposely puts himself in harms way so their tech base has a better chance of surviving. His children fight alongside the other Palliums, as well. They believe that death is what makes everyone equal and that nobody should die on the account of a higher title."
It was strange to see the differences of opinions on the Palliums amongst the Altors. Where Datura respected and understood them, I knew that Jatrop didn't always agree with how they viewed things. While I thought believing death made everyone equal to be very wise, it was reckless to put a figure a population depended on in harms way.
"How valuable is this tech base?"
"Hopefully, it is what we'll allow us to find the Regius' base." That was very valuable indeed. "Unfortunately, so far they've only confirmed that there is in fact a Regius base, but they can't locate the technological waves they caught a hold of." Datura lifted a finger, silently asking me for a moment, and then he shoved some food into his mouth, chewing fast and swallowing before he continued. "Which gives us three things." He lifted a finger again. "One, severely pissed off Palliums." He added a second finger. "Two, no way to locate the Regius." And a third finger. "Three, we know a Pallium works with the Blue Bloods as none other than a Pallium tech could build a wall that strong around data. Which means," He pulled back two fingers. "One, severely pissed off Palliums."
