Maxerica

The Only Solution

I can't believe he's even considering going. Does he even care about me? The kids?
He can't go. It's to dangerous. What if something happens to him? Then what? I can't lose him. He's the only man I could ever love the way I do. He's my husband. He's a father. He can't risk this. Not with our life on the line. And who would rule if he died? I can't do it alone. Especially right now. I'd have to remarry.
I feel sick just thinking about it.
This is stressing me out more than it should be. I've been extra emotional lately. I blame the pregnancy.
I look away from the fountain I was watching while sitting. I stand up. I continue my walk around the garden.
The garden is so beautiful and calming. It's a good place to cool down.
As I'm walking I notice a guard moving around nearby, not on his post.
I don't think much of it and keep going.
Only when he's steps behind me do I notice him approaching me.
I start to turn around but he shoves me on the grass. I look at him as he pulls his gun.
A different guard rounds the corner and aims his gun at the man standing over me.
His gun is pointed directly at me.
"Drop it!" Carter orders.
"You drop your weapon. I'll shoot her," the man above me threatens.
More guards hear yelling and come over.
Why does this always happen to me?
I remind myself to stay calm and look for a way out of this situation.
The other guards raise their guns.
"Move any closer and I'll shoot her."
It's not good that I've heard that once before. But I got out of that situation, so let's hope I get out of this one.
I look at the gun and flinch. I look again and notice the safety on.
"Go get me any paper plans from the king and I'll let her go," the man wagers.
The guards whisper then one runs inside.
A guard starts moving closer.
"Don't move!" the man above me shouts.
I swing my leg up between his legs.
He yells and drops the gun.
I push the gun away.
He goes to kick me in the stomach, but I block it with my arms.
The guard that was walking closer tackles him.
Other guards come over to help him.
Carter helps me up.
"Are you alright?" he asks.
"I'm fine," I tell him.
"Alright. Let's get you inside."
I nod and look over at the man. A guard was about to cuff him. He looks at me. He headbutts the guard and goes for me.
Carter hits him in the head with the butt of his gun. The other guards grab him.
"Come on."
He escorts me in.
Maxon was at the door with several guards and other staff members.
He hugs me the moment he sees me. I hug him back.
Carter goes back outside.
"Thank god," he sighs with relief. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," I assure.
"What happened?"
"This guard pushed me over and threatened to shoot me."
"What."
"But Carter got me out of it quickly."
"We're going to have to do new background checks on all the guards."
"He said he wanted all your paper plans."
"He must be helping New Asia."
"Maybe."
Carter comes over and bows.
"Sir, we have arrested Fren Ventuli. What would you like us to do with him?" Carter asks.
"Put him in a cell," Maxon requests. "I'll question him momentarily."
"Yes sir."
He starts to walk away.
"Carter," Maxon stops him.
"Yes sir?"
"Thank you."
Carter smiles.
"No need. It's my pleasure."
He bows and walks away.
Maxon looks at me.
"I'm so glad you're ok," he tells me.
"I'm glad to," I admit.
"What happened to your arm?"
I look at the big dark bruise on my right forearm.
"Oh. I didn't even notice. He tried to kick my stomach but I stopped him with my arm."
"We should have a doctor check on you."
"I'm fine. It's a bruise."
"Just to be sure."
"Ugh, fine."
"You could be seriously hurt."
"But I'm not."
"You could be."
"No."
"Just come on."
I groan and follow him to the infirmary.
"This is ridiculous," I complain as I sit on the medical bed.
"No. It's smart. Now we'll know if there's something wrong," he replies.
"I already know there isn't anything wrong."
"Well, we're making sure."
The doctor comes over.
"How may I help you?" the doctor questions.
"She got kicked in the arm and we want to make sure it's not broken or anything," Maxon explains.
"Alright. Let's have a look."
The doctor moves my arm back and forth a bit. He feels around my arm, gently pressing on it. It hurts only by the bruise, but I was expecting that.
"Other than the bruise it seems fine," he informs us.
"Told you," I tease Maxon.
"And I told you we needed to make sure," he comes back.
I roll my eyes.
"Is there anything else you need?" the doctor asks.
"No. Thank you," Maxon replies.
He bows and walks away.
I get up.
"Does it hurt?" Maxon questions.
"Not really. The bruise is a bit sore," I answer.
"It's a big bruise."
"He kicked me pretty hard. I'm just grateful he didn't hit my stomach."
"Me too."
"We could've lost our baby."
"I can't imagine dealing with that."
"Me neither."
An awkward silence fills the air over the idea of losing our child.
I bite my lip.
"Come on. Let's go question him," Maxon says.
"You want me to go?"
"Yeah."
I nod and we go.
I usually don't go to this kind of stuff.
We get to the lonesome cell in the back of the prison area of the palace. A door, watched by two guards, separates the cell from the others.
We go through the door.
A barred door is the only thing between us and the guard. His uniform was stripped from his body, leaving only a stained white t-shirt and undershorts. He's sitting on the floor chained to the wall.
A guard stands up from the crate he was sitting on and bows. He smacks his gun against the bars.
"Stand and bow to your king," the guard orders.
Fren, the prisoner, doesn't move.
The guard starts to unlock the door and force him up.
"Just leave him," Maxon says.
The guard nods and stands at his post.
Fren looks up at Maxon who's glaring at him.
"What gives you the right to even consider attacking your queen?"
"She's not my queen."
"She is. And you will give her respect."
He just watches Maxon.
"Now. Why did you attack her?"
Fren ignores him.
"Answer or I'll have a questioner come in. Trust me when I say he won't be so easy to ignore."
Fren sighs as if he's bored.
"Fine, I'll go get him."
The guard pulls out a whip, which seems to get Fren's attention.
"I was hired," Fren mumbles.
"By who?"
Fren hesitates.
"Tell me.
"That I can't say."
"Why not?"
"He'll kill me."
"We'll kill you unless you say."
I look at Maxon, shocked he'd say such a thing.
"If I say he'll hunt me down," Fren explains.
"We'll let you stay safely in jail for however long as we please if you tell me," Maxon offers.
"If you let me go free I'll tell you."
Maxon looks at him uneasy.
"Please."
"You will be escorted to the border. You'll leave and never return."
"Deal."
"Now tell me everything."
French explains to Maxon how Aqina Hanu, a New Asian General, hired him to spy as a guard and get any information he can. He reported monthly, but never anything important. He couldn't get close enough to the information. He had been spying for 4 months when the general finally got impatient and ordered him to use a hostage for a negotiation. And so he did. The General wanted war plans and any soldier placements so he could attack with a huge advantage.
"Damn. I didn't think he was so eager to attack us," Maxon curses.
"Can I go now?" Fren requests.
"No. I'm having one of my men come ask a few more questions. You'll stay here for a few days. I'll let you go within a week."
"But I want to go now."
"I need more information. Don't worry. You'll be fed and given a change of clothes."
Fren glares at him.
"You should be grateful we aren't handing you over to your General."
Fren's eyes widen a bit then he looks away.
General Hanu has been know to not have any sympathy towards soldiers in the wrong.
Maxon glances at the guard who nods, knowing his orders to send someone to get Fren's things and to question him.
Maxon looks at me. I look back at him.
"Let's go," he suggests.
I nod.
Maxon being that serious in conversations scares me a bit. He's always a smiling, happy person, except when he's dealing with serious business. It makes sense, but I'm not a huge fan of serious Maxon.
I didn't expect him to threaten Fren either. I know it was an empty threat. It always is in trials and such.
I take his arm and we go.
"Dinners going to start soon. I'm going to call an emergency meeting afterwards," Maxon informs me.
"About the attack?" I ask.
"Yes. We'll talk about everything he told me and everything he's about to tell."
"Ok."
"You can attend if you want but you don't have to."
"I will."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I should be there for my country just as much as you should."
He smiles.
"Alright."

The meeting lasted longer than expected, ending at eight thirty. But by the time everyone was done talking afterwards, expressing their own opinions to each other, it was nine.
Maxon and I just got back to our rooms and got changed.
I sit on the bed and watch as he puts all of his papers and important bindings where they belong.
It was a long, exhausting meeting. I'm glad it's finally over after what seemed like forever, but I'm nervous to talk to Maxon about the attack.
Everyone agreed that the town should be rebuilt, maybe closer to a big city. The amount of money being put into it will be discussed over the next few days between the council, then with the mayor. Most of the council thinks Maxon should go, but in the end, it's up to him.
Maxon comes over and sits on his side of the bed. He begins scribbling something down on his mini work notepad.
"What are you writing?" I ask.
"A list of things I need to do tomorrow," he replies.
"Is there a lot?"
"Yes."
"I can help."
"Will you?"
"Of course. What do you need me to do?"
"I'm not sure yet. I'll tell you in the morning."
I nod.
He finishes and sets the notepad with his pencil on his nightstand.
He lays next to me with a sigh.
"Maxon?" I get his attention.
He looks at me.
"I....are you really going to go?"
"Yes. It's the only solution," he replies firmly.
I look at my hands, disappointed with his answer. Tears burn at the back of my eyes as I try to bite them back
"America."
"Yeah?"
"Look at me."
I do.
He looks into my eyes.
"It'll be ok," he promises.
The tears build up at the corner of my eyes, a few slipping.
He puts his hand on my cheek and wipes my tears.
He kisses me then I hug him.
I let myself cry into him.
He holds me and gently rubs my back until I calm down.
"I don't want anything to happen to you," I cry.
"Nothing will happen to me."
"You don't know that."
"America. Guards will be nearby at all times. I'll be fine. You don't need to worry about me."
"Of course I worry about you. I can't lose you."
"And you won't."
He guides my chin up with his hand and leans his forehead against mine.
"I love you America. It'll be alright," he promises.
"I love you too," I whisper.
He rubs his forehead against mine.
I wipe my face free of the tears once I'm done crying.
"If it makes you feel better....maybe you can come."
I move back and look at him.
"I can?" I ask shocked.
"I suppose," he smiles.
"I still don't want you to go."
"I know."
"You have to swear you'll be careful."
"I will be," he assures.
"Good. You can't get hurt either."
"I'll do my best not to."
I nod.
"I won't be out in public much. We will stay with the mayor while we're there, and I'll only go out if necessary. We'll both be safe."
"Oh. I thought you'd be in public more."
"It's not necessary. We can make decisions from the mayor's home."
"That's much safer."
"Much. Next time when you don't like my plans, just talk to me about it ok?"
"I will."
"I don't want you to be upset."
"Sorry."
"No no. Don't be. You have the right. I'd just rather see you happy is all."
"I am happy."
"I'm glad."
"I wouldn't be happy without you though. So you can't leave me."
"I won't."
"I'm so glad I fell in love with you. Because of you, because you love me, I'm happy. That's the only reason. It's the most beautiful and terrible pain. When we argue it hurts, but in the end I know you love me."
"I couldn't love anyone more."
I smile at him.
He kisses my nose.
"We'll talk more tomorrow. Get some sleep darling."
"Ok. Goodnight Maxon."
"Goodnight my dear."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
He turns off the light.
He holds me close as we drift off into dream land.