Chapter Seventy-Seven – Call For Help

Seated outside of Baroness Fanchon's private keep, Nassandra leaned forward in her chair and stared at the wooden floor. Her hands were laced together so tightly, her fingers were changing colour. As she dragged her nails across her skin, Fethawi took one of her hands and pulled it away from the other.

''You will make them bleed, Your Highness.'' He said softly to her.

She lifted her head and sighed. ''I'm sorry.''

Despite her best attempts, she couldn't hide the tremor in her voice. Ignoring the chill running down her body, she rose to her feet and began to pace along a small section of the corridor. She studied the faces of everyone watching her. Kuval and Levana were seated nearby with worried expressions while Turrock stood with his back against the wall and amused himself by tempting a reaction from the stationary guards that were lined at the entrance. The most he could get out of them was a blink and a momentary glare. Childish? Perhaps. But, it eased Nassandra's nerves for a fleeting moment.

''Nassandra,'' Kuval said softly. He waited for the Princess to look at him before continuing. ''I may not be able to go inside with you, but there is nothing prohibiting Fethawi from...''

''I can't,'' Nassandra replied, shaking her head. Her eyes darted between him and Fethawi before she lowered her gaze to the floor once again. ''I can't show weakness in the eyes of the world leaders. I have to prove to them that I can speak without someone to hold my hand.''

Levana cleared her throat. ''They shouldn't think any less of you if you had a Drasa with you.''

''But, they will,'' Turrock challenged. ''Politics is like a game of cards. If they call your bluff and you stumble, they'll take what they need and deal you the hand they want.''

Nassandra nodded as the group fell silent. Her fists clenched and unclenched repeatedly. She noticed a look of concern flash across Kuval's face and tried to avert her eyes elsewhere, but she couldn't turn away. She knew that Kuval was right, but, so too was Turrock. Thousands of lives depended on her making this one shot count.

The sturdy doors opened, making Nassandra jump. She slowly turned to see Fanchon approach her. ''We're ready for you.''

Without a word, Nassandra followed the Baroness into the keep and down a steep slope. Darkness closed in on her as the doors shut firmly behind them. Nassandra wished that she had brought her scarf. She had begrudgingly left it behind so that it wouldn't conflict with her elegant attire. Though the blue, silk dress brushed against her skin as softly as a cloud, it paled in comparison to the comfort of Ailith's scarf.

''I beg for your forgiveness, Your Highness,'' Fanchon said as she lead Nassandra down an unwinding corridor. ''The Parliament of Magic have been unresponsive to my call, and I have only received word from less than half a dozen world leaders. I thought of waiting longer, but we must act swiftly.''

''You have no reason to ask for forgiveness,'' Nassandra said. ''I cannot begin to thank you enough for all you've done.''

''Don't thank me yet; not until your home is returned to you, and your father is safe.''

Nassandra sighed shakily through her parted lips. She cursed her past self for never being present when her father spoke with other world leaders. All her life, she had avoided them so as not to drag her family name through the mud, now, she would need to speak with them as an equal. She roughly rubbed her sweaty palms against the side of her leg, drying them just before Fanchon guided her into a dark room.

Stepping through the opening, Nassandra's ears buzzed with the gentle sound of running water. Her eyes wandered around the spherical room, awestruck by the midnight blue liquid pouring out of a thin fissure that stretched along the rocky wall from one side of the door to the other. The liquid flowed into the centre of the room, forming a small pool that shimmered like a sky with too many stars to count. The smell was earthly, yet also fabricated like she was elsewhere in another environment.

''Please, remove your footwear,'' Fanchon instructed. ''They are waiting for us.''

As Nassandra followed her orders, Fanchon slithered into the pool and retrieved two earpieces from one of her pockets. She clipped one onto her ear and held out her hand to Nassandra, offering the other to the Princess. Once she was barefoot, Nassandra stepped into the pond with Fanchon. Her feet tingled, wrapped in a numbing warmth that came up to her ankles. She took the earpiece, watching the liquid swirl inside of the ball before clipping it on.

Fanchon nodded. ''I will introduce everyone and enlighten them to the best of my knowledge. After that, it'll be up to you to convince them to come to your aid. Are you ready?''

Nassandra lifted her head high and folded her arms behind her back, straightening her posture as best as she could. ''Aye.''

Before long, Nassandra caught a warm glow coming from her earpiece. The shimmering lights dancing atop the liquid's surface shifted towards the edge of the pond before gliding up the weirs and coming together to form three separate and transparent silhouettes. Nassandra held her breath as the silhouettes slowly became more detailed. Eventually, she could distinguish them apart from each other, from their clothing to their unique earpieces, and even the different ways their piercing eyes stared back at her. It was like they were standing with her and not from different parts of the world.

''I thank you all for heeding this call despite the short notice,'' Fanchon greeted with a clear and strong tone. She glanced to the first figure on her right and bowed her head. ''I greet Countess Yogini Dajor of Slaihoya.''

Yogini bowed back eloquently. She was a human with an apparent taste for divine jewellery. Trinkets and charms dangled from her sinuous dress like apples on a tree. Even her brown skin glowed like diamonds, leaving Nassandra breathless. Already, the Princess felt like she was in over her head in the presence of such divinity.

''I greet Grand-Duke Farold Kahren of Greocia.'' Fanchon continued, bowing to the next figure.

Smiling cheerfully, Farold committed himself to a full curtsy. The Majan's attire was simple, yet colourful, becoming more prominent in the gushing weir with purples and yellows and greens among the mix. Nassandra could barely see the petite tusks spiking out of the corners of his mouth, highlighting his youthfulness. He was most likely younger than her and already leading a country. She choked back her self-inflicted scolding just as Fanchon turned to the final figure that had materialised before them.

''I greet Archduke Jahari Ralora of Oblal.''

Jahari tilted his head slightly in response before looking down at Nassandra. He was a human who bore many years of experience. Standing tall above the rest, two broad arms hung at his sides, exhibiting many scars with some faded more than others. His short-sleeved, animal skin jacket clung to his body as if it was still alive and afraid to let go and incur his wrath. When his grey eyes met hers, Nassandra felt her stomach twist.

''What is this about?'' Jahari questioned impatiently.

Fanchon sighed through her nose and then gestured to Nassandra. ''I greet Princess Nassandra Arsalan of the Arsalan Kingdom.''

Timidly, Nassandra bowed to the world leaders.

''I, Baroness Fanchon Afra of Fylian, now call for this meeting to commence,'' she turned to Jahari and narrowed her eyes. ''Archduke, did you have a question? Your voice was too weak for me to hear.''

He sneered at Fanchon before fixing his hardened stare on Nassandra, studying her apprehensive posture for a moment. ''Oh, I trust that you can clarify everything for us without my prompting.''

''There has been an unprecedented event in Arsalan,'' Fanchon said grimly. ''A terrorist has taken the throne, and Kiros is missing, possibly still trapped within the Kingdom.''

''By the Gods,'' Yogini gasped, turning to Farold and Jahari. The shock was etched on all of their faces.

Jahari looked at Fanchon. ''These are serious allegations. Do you have proof that such an event has occurred?''

''All we know is that this terrorist wishes the royal family dead,'' Fanchon said. ''We cannot even confirm if Kiros is alive as the Kingdom is under lockdown. But, thanks to the efforts of a few brave individuals, Princess Nassandra was able to escape and find her way to Fylian.''

Farold's eyes widened as he gazed at Nassandra. ''That would mean you crossed Mameth Forest!''

''Then this is serious!'' Jahari said before turning back to Fanchon. ''What else do we know? Will this terrorist strike against other countries?''

Scratching the underline of her jaw, Fanchon glanced Nassandra's way apprehensively. ''I believe that I should let the Princess speak now.''

Numbing nausea took hold of Nassandra as soon as she felt their eyes burning into her. She stepped forward. Pins and needles shot up her leg as she raised her head and opened her mouth to speak. ''I...'' she paused, feeling her heart beating so quickly it was beginning to hurt her chest. The drumming in her ears drowned out all noise except for her rushed breathing.

Before she could speak, another voice interjected. ''I sensed that something was amiss when I was refused to speak with King Kiros.''

Nassandra snapped her head in Yogini's direction. ''W-what do you mean?''

''A few weeks ago, I called and requested to speak with Kiros about our country's spice trade. A councilman named Bricen Delwyn stated that His Majesty was tending to internal affairs regarding the lockdown.''

Jahari folded his arms across his chest impatiently. ''That's nothing beyond the norm. It's my understanding that if the King is absent to deal with other matters, the longest serving member of his council represents him, am I correct?''

Nassandra knew that the question was directed at her, so she nodded before fully understanding the implications of her answer.

''And the lockdown was imposed by the King himself, is that right?'' Jahari questioned.

''Y-yes...'' Nassandra sputtered.

Clicking his tongue aggressively, any slither of sympathy Jahari held was masked behind a cold sneer. ''You best start making sense soon because I will not come forward in support of an accusation that holds no merit.''

''We haven't even heard Her Highness speak yet...'' Yogini said.

''Aye, we haven't.''

Nassandra hoped that Jahari's tone would fuel her anger. She wanted to spill her guts before them and open her heart, but she couldn't find her way around the cold tension that gripped her body and left her frozen on the spot.

''This is a waste of our time!'' Jahari scoffed.

He appeared to be reaching for his earpiece when Yogini turned to face him. ''Are you not concerned by all of this?''

''What is there to be concerned about?''

''You're not the least bit curious?'' Farold asked.

Jahari gave a mocking scowl. ''The Kingdom is on lockdown by orders of the King. Limited trade is still ongoing under the watch of a long-serving council member. Unless I have clear evidence brought to me that something malicious is afoot, I refuse to indulge in what is clearly the delusions of a child that is seeking attention.''

His hostility was contagious as he began a verbal duel with Farold and Yogini. Their voices rose over each other. All the while, Nassandra was rooted. Her skin prickled as she drowned in the echoes of their heated argument. She then felt a sharp tug on her arm and turned to see Fanchon staring at her with growing intensity. The Princess had never seen such a fire in her eyes.

''Your Highness, I know this is difficult for you...'' Fanchon's low voice was barely audible as the shouting match between the world leaders continued. ''But, you have to convince them.''

''I know! I'm trying!'' Nassandra said.

No one could help her. Nassandra had to find strength on her own. However, she was soon finding it difficult to breathe as a force in the back of her mind chained her to the floor and coiled her around her lungs more tightly. Any attempt to push away and free herself was for nought. This was different from how she had calmed herself when travelling through Mameth Forest. It was as if everything that she had bottled inside was igniting and coming to the surface. Her voice cracked as she tried to speak up and get the others to listen but to no avail.

Suddenly, the commotion was halted as each of them felt a warm glow radiating from their earpieces once more. They were about to have more company. Another silhouette emerged from the water and took on a new shape. Nassandra held her breath as she quickly recognised the figure as an Elbaf, one of the people of the Sky Continent. That could only mean one thing...the Emperor of Sorasama. While each of the world leaders was heralded as a majestic figure that carried the weight of a country on their shoulders, the Emperor was of a different class. If the world was to one day have a supreme leader of all, the Emperor would be the most likely to ascend.

He was the only individual under the stars who bowed before no one else.

However, the sense of worry that was shared between every in the room did not last as it became apparent that this person was not the Emperor. An Elbaf's body was shaped like a robe without a body, floating delicately above the ground with piercing eyes illuminating under a darkened hood. This Elbaf was bright red. If this was the Emperor, they would have been shrouded in gold. Still, Nassandra felt unsettled as an unseen pressure pushed against her.

''Minister Dio?'' Fanchon sputtered before bowing respectfully. ''Forgive my tone, I was expecting the Emperor to grace us with his presence.''

''Emperor Thalim sends his regards.'' Minister Dio replied. His voice was soft like silk. ''I am here in his place. Everything that I hear in this meeting will be brought to our Great Ruler's attention.''

Yogini lowered her gaze before looking toward Nassandra. ''Her Highness was about to give us the name of a terrorist that has staged an uprising against her father.''

''Kardas!'' Nassandra spat out. ''Kardas Valkoinen.''

The room fell silent as the world leaders shared a perplexed gaze. ''Impossible.'' Jahari said.

Farold raised his hand. ''May I ask who is this Kardas Valkoinen? You speak of him like he is the living embodiment of a plague.''

Hoping to not lose her tongue again, Nassandra hurried with her answer. ''A Knight...he served under my grandfather a long time ago. He...h-he has returned for revenge.''

''Revenge against your family? Why?''

Nassandra hesitated. She didn't want to stop now, but she knew that she had to be careful with what she revealed.

''I might know why,'' Jahari interrupted. ''You say he served under King Niru?''

''A-aye.''

The sneer that flashed across Jahari's face made Nassandra flinch. ''Then he most likely discovered what kind of man your grandfather was.''

Fanchon leaned forward. ''That's enough-''

''I always had my suspicions about him,'' Jahari continued. ''I could never investigate while he was alive if rumours about the fate of those who have tried were to be believed. Niru tended to present himself as an iron-willed man with a voice that could make the earth shake. But, we all knew the truth. He was no man...he was a monster.''

Glancing around the room, Nassandra could see the other world leaders wearing cress-fallen masks. She had no way to argue against Jahari's remarks.

''I will not risk the lives of my people for your blood-soaked kingdom,'' Jahari stated and without another word, removed his earpiece which caused the water silhouette to lose its shape and disappear.

A soft sigh came from Yogini. ''While I do not agree with the Archduke's tone, I also cannot take this risk. I will not fight against a threat I do not understand. I am sorry.''

She repeated the Archduke's actions, leaving the room feeling colder.

Nassandra quickly locked eyes with Farold and tried to plead her case with him. But, she could tell by his sympathetic expression that this was a losing battle. ''I wish you well, Your Highness.''

He was the next to go.

The reality of the situation was beginning to set in. Nassandra's mind was crushed under the weight of her anxiety.

'I couldn't do it!'

'What have I done?'

'My father will die because of me.'

Next to her, Fanchon had slithered her way to Minister Dio, always keeping her head lower than his. ''Minister Dio, you must help the Emperor to see reason. Even just one of your Paladins will be enough to turn the tide of-''

''True as that statement may be, I do not think it would be wise to waste our resources. Your mission is led by an individual that cannot cope with the pressure of a full-scale assault. This weakness is not something I wish to burden upon our Great Ruler. Farewell.''

He disappeared. Fanchon hissed through her teeth and stared down at the rippling water. ''Don't worry, Your Highness, we'll think of something.''

There was no immediate response. All that Fanchon heard was heavy breathing that was steadily growing louder and faster. She turned and saw a haunting sight. Nassandra's face had paled considerably and she looked as if she would buckle over and collapse at any moment. The Princess was clutching at her dress until her knuckles cracked. Tears streaked down her unflinching expression.

Reaching out to stop Nassandra from falling, Fanchon felt the Princess's body trembling uncontrollably. ''Bring the Drasa down here now!'' She shouted down the corridor, hoping that someone would hear.

''Nassandra? Nassandra!''

It had reached a point where Fanchon's voice could no longer reach the Princess. Overwhelming panic had consumed Nassandra; taking over and transforming her into a trembling vessel. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't stop shaking. Nassandra was drowning in deep and visceral pain. Her heart felt like it had stopped. Her skin burned as her mind snapped and the world around her was consumed in darkness. A bellow of pure fear erupted from within. She couldn't even hear her screams because of the deafening ringing in her ears.

A/N: Hello everyone. It has been a long time since I last updated this story, hasn't it? I'm so very sorry to those who have been waiting so patiently to see how this story would end. A lot has happened in the last few years, both in my personal life and with the world itself. There were a few times when it seemed like I wasn't going to update and I had even lost my will to write all together. But, I thankfully had some very awesome people who helped me through that dark moment in my life. Beyond Legend is back and will be updated until it is finished. There will be new chapters every Tuesday and Friday. When the last chapter is published, I will then be talking about the future of Beyond Legend and what comes next for this story if you're interested. Thank you so much for reading. Take care of yourselves.