Page 81 of Xeda

"Then we’ll face them together if that happens. But everyone knows you took down Kaxek. And Kaxek considered himself king. I'm pretty sure in some cultures that means whoever is the strongest..."

He snorted. "I'm no king." He looked back at her with quiet knowing. "But you. You know diplomacy more than anyone I know. Maybe a king isn’t what they need..."

She stared at him, then laughed a little and winced from the pain. "I don't know about that."

His eyes brightened. "My world is run by queens. They are wise and cunning. Brave women and fierce leaders. I think I see a fine queen before me."

She flushed at that. "Maybe we try something with a little democracy," she mumbled. Then she smirked at him. "Honestly, I just want to find our home more than anything. Let's start with that. If it doesn't work...we go."

He watched her for a moment, then bowed his head. "All right."

"So, you really plan to stay then?"

She turned with Xeda and saw Aeriz leaning against the side of crates close by. He had one white scar down his face where Tazyn had got him just before Aeriz had made his final blow. The nillium of House Zanis was one of the few that got away, fleeing the city. Going into hiding.

Xeda glanced at Ophilia who nodded her head. "Yes, that's right."

Aeriz broke from the crates to approach them. "Not going to become another Kaxek, are you?"

"No. I don't plan to," Xeda said.

Aeriz eyed him sharply. He took out one of his blades, flipped it, then pointed it at him. "Know, if you do, I will hunt you down personally."

Ophilia glanced at Xeda nervously but saw his expression brighten. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you."

Aeriz dipped his head, then sheathed his knife. "I'll be seeing you around." He walked out into the rain and disappeared.

She watched him go, then jumped and yelped when she felt an invisible finger poke her ribs. She heard a soft giggle as Niks dropped the hood of her suit.

"So, what will you do then?” she asked, clearly having heard their conversation.

“We have a few ideas,” Ophilia said, smiling and swatting her hand away that tried to poke her again. "Help rebuild a better city, try to get others to join. Find a home..."

"And if that fails?" she asked.

"We'll go," Xeda said.

Niks nodded. "Well, I have nowhere to go either. I think a lot of us don’t. We could use some guidance till then." She smirked at them, then pinched Ophilia's shoulder playfully. "I'll stay with you. You'll need a spy and an assassin. At least for a little while. Throw me some credits and give me a place to sleep. Deal?"

Xeda huffed, but Ophilia took her hand and shook it, making Niks look confused. "Deal."

Niks smiled and ruffled Ophilia's hair before she too disappeared.

"Are you sure you want this?" Xeda asked. "To stay here?"

She took his hand in both of hers. "Let's just see where this goes. Remember you're no longer a prisoner here, Xeda. We can leave whenever you like. We can leave right now." She gestured to the ship.

He glanced at the ship, then back at her. "We both have bad memories here. Are you sure it won't be easier for you to leave it behind?"

She reached up to him and let her fingers brush over the scars along his face. "I don't think it will matter. And we can make new memories," she said, letting her hand drift down to his chest where she saw the faded tattoos, one in the shape of an X. "Better ones." She rested her head against his chest, feeling his arm wrap around her waist protectively. "And in time, we can forget."

EPILOGUE

Xeda

He tied his armor against his shoulder, making sure it was doubly secure. It was the final piece of grivhide left to fix. He had his whole arm covered as well as his chest. He even had grivhide along his hips over his kelva pants. He kept a blade sheathed and strapped across his chest, just for the hell of it.

He moved to the mirrored wall across the room just to make sure nothing was amiss.

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