Catalyst(58)

“I know. That’s why I’m here.” She hesitated, then tried to smile. “What did I tell you all those years ago? We're alone, Hellsfire. I'd like it very much if you would call me Krystal.”

“As you wish, Your…Krystal.”

“Thank you.”

Krystal fell silent again, staring into the candle's light. I was tempted to urge her to answer my question, but didn't. Her hand trembled slightly. I took a chance of overstepping and grasped it lightly. She looked at me, smiled, and squeezed my hand.

“When I first met you,” Krystal said. “I truly meant it when I said wanted to show you the city I loved. She was…beautiful, Hellsfire. We could have gone to the opera house, listening to music that would make you cry and laugh. We could have gone to the marketplace to meet my people. There’s a wonderful stall in the South Market with the most delicious honey bread. The honey’s so sweet, it’s like a drink of the gods.” Her shoulders slumped. “But not anymore. My city’s falling apart. And it’s all because of Premier!”

Krystal turned to me. “You’ve seen the city on your way in?”

I nodded.

“Like any major city, we’ve always had our share of beggars and prostitutes, but it’s never been this bad. I do my best, giving out food to the children and women. The guards fear me being attacked by the hungry mob, but they’re my people. Visiting them and giving them food is the least I can do. But it’s never enough. It’s just a symptom of a bigger problem.” Her nails dug into my hand. I held on despite the pain. It hurt me far more to see her like this.

“I barely see my father anymore.” She reached up impatiently with her free hand, brushing a tear from her cheek. I wondered, when was the last time she had let herself cry? “In the rare times I do see him, he can’t make a decision without Premier. Premier has wormed his way into every aspect of government. It’s as if he’s become the ruler of Alexandria without so much as a fight. The other advisors and I have been blocked at every turn. The worst thing is, Premier’s disbanded most of the army and the City Guard. We don’t have enough men to repel the Wasteland creatures if a strong attack comes.”

The princess faced me. In a whisper, she said, “If I don’t get rid of Premier and take back the city, Alexandria will fall.”

I gasped. My vision and King Sharald were right. I thought of the people in the marketplace, the starving mothers and children, all of them butchered by Wasteland creatures. Like a fire, it would spread from here. It would be as uncontrollable as an inferno, raging throughout all of Northern Shala until it finally spread to Sedah. No one would be able to stop the creatures if they weren’t stopped here. Alexandria needed help. The princess needed help. What could I do? The gods had guided me here, but I hadn’t even completed my training. I didn’t know what to do.

Tears streamed down the princess’s face, and I forgot everything but her pain. All she wanted to do was help her people and keep them safe. I reached out to wipe the tears away. My hand stopped when I remembered who she was.

“Forgive me,” I said.

She moved slightly away from me, regaining her composure. “I’m sorry. Here I am coming to you in the middle of the night asking for your help, and I start crying, looking like something the horse dragged in.” She let go of my hand and used both of hers to wipe the tears away. She sniffled. “I’m not usually like this.”

“Why did you turn to me, Your Highness?”

“There’s no one else. You’re an outsider, and not bound by the trappings of politics. That was one of the reasons wizards were used as intermediaries before the war. I know you’ve said you’re not a wizard, but I believe you are.”

“Oh.”

“And I trust you, Hellsfire.” The princess gave me a brief smile before she hardened her face, hiding any vulnerability behind her royal mask.

I couldn’t speak. She trusted me so much that she was willing to risk her kingdom—and show me her true emotions.

The princess’s quick eyes caught the movement of my hand flexing. She stared at the nail marks in my hand. “Did I do that? I’m sorry.” She placed her hands over mine and rubbed it lightly, as if trying make the marks go away.

“There’s nothing to forgive, Princess.” I put my other hand on top of hers.

“Oh.” She stopped. Her face relaxed, and she blushed.

“What do you need me to do, Princess?”

She took a deep breath. “It’s my father, Hellsfire. You’ve noticed how ill he is?”