The Two Sides of a Sword

Chapter Twenty

When they landed on the valicara compound, it wasn't swarmed with battle like it had been last time Rocki saw it. In fact, it was quiet. There were some mechanics working on other ships, but only three people were there to greet them.

Arinda was the first to rush up when the ramp opened. "Kofi! Did everything go well? Are you both all right?" Her gaze locked onto Rocki's, eyes widening a bit as she faltered over her words. "S-savioress—your leg!"

Rocki's grip on Kofi's helping arm tightened as she glanced down at her bandaged wound. "There was an accident with my air tank."

"We got it taken care of," Kofi said. "I had a healer look at her. It probably wouldn't hurt to have someone else check her out though."

"I'm fine," she said, "but you need to have someone look at your wings. They're still all torn up from the lopenants."

A frown touched Sovereign Faish's lips as he greeted them at the bottom of the ramp with General Bry. "It sounds like the two of you have had quite a time. Did Lindka have anything to say about the war now that we have a savioress?"

Kofi shook his head. "Nothing definite, although she did have a vision. I would like to get Rocki settled though before we discuss it in too much depth."

Rocki stopped, still holding onto his arm so he would halt as well. "I'm not doing anything until we make sure you're okay. You haven't seen a doctor and your wings and legs have been hurt for the last day. You need to be taken care of."

He smiled charmingly. "Careful, blue eyes, you're starting to sound like you care."

"Well, I certainly don't want you having problems. You're the only person I really know here."

"Well," he mimicked her, "I certainly don't mind your attention, and it's good to know that you don't mind mine." He winked.

Rocki clenched her jaw, hoping that she wasn't blushing. "Could we just get you to a doctor?"

"Anything you say, blue eyes." He started leading her away, glancing over his shoulder. "Sovereign Faish, General Bry, do you want to hear about what Lindka said now or wait until we're somewhere more private?"

"Let's wait," said the sovereign. "I don't want any sort of rumors getting around yet."

"I'll let everyone know that you're both back and safe." Arinda kissed her boyfriend's cheek, then hurried off.

"How did you get hurt?" Bry asked, following behind them.

As they walked to the healer's rooms, Kofi explained their adventures; the lopenants, the air tank, their stay on Bey-Ark. Rocki chimed in any time he was beginning to get too exaggerated, rolling her eyes at him.

After Kofi and Rocki's injuries had been attended to, they retired to Faish's office to discuss the prophecy, which Kofi relayed in almost word-for-word detail. When he finished, Faish and Bry stood there quietly, processing everything.

"We'll have to write this down and send it in to analysis," said Faish. "Perhaps they will be able to make some sense of it."

"What is clear is that we need both of the savioresses. I don't think the prophecy will be complete until one of us has them," said Bry, slapping his palm against the side of his leg. "We have yet to come up with an idea how extract the other savioress."

"We will also have to prepare for the sariun to attempt to steal Roxanne away." Faish crossed his arms. "Have your men been on alert?"

Bry inclined his head. "Of course. The sariun will be hard-pressed to get through our defenses."