Untitled - Chapter 17 - The Rightful Heir - Seg.2

{segment 2 of chapter 17 - Garn}1

Avi sits at the base of the glass stairs in my house in silence. The second knuckle of her pointer finger rests between her lips as she frowns at the floor, silently. At first, Avi’s shock had been utter confusion. She denied the possibility of being an Empress completely, so I argued right back until she had no choice but to believe it. There was a brief apprehensive silence followed quickly by a babble of, ‘How can this be?’ and ‘How could this have happened to me?’ before the girl collapsed on my lounge room floor in a shuddering fit of tears. I tried to comfort her, but every time I thought she was finished, I would hug her and her grip would tighten on my arm. And she would start again. 2

I can’t understand it. Through all the time I’ve known her, Avalia has never cried. Not like the way she did last night. Even when I killed her father, there was barely a tear, and even when she’d been thrown through the acid clouds twice with a stab wound and a million things to fear, she never cried once. I’ve always known that Outsiders are strong, and though Avalia isn’t biologically from Outsider blood, she’s definitely been raised like one. 3

So why now? There are many people who would only dream of someone coming to them and telling them they were royalty. This is a surprise, obviously, but it’s not the end of the world. What is she thinking? 4

Logan called after his meeting with the Emperor to confirm that Avi was now the ‘Empress Avalia the Second, Daughter of Daisitar and Natale’ a couple of hours after her breakdown, and I was relieved to find that she was her calm self again. She coolly agreed to everything he told her and planned with him how her next few days would be filled. Beneath my relief, I was kind of surprised Logan had actually managed to get the Emperor to step down. The boy continues to amaze me. How did he do it? I thought surely that they would try to kill him, in spite of his confidence.5

Avi remained in my house last night though today she has to go and prepare for a new life. Now, she sits at the base of the stairs. Now, there is only silence. I’m not sure what was worse.6

Sitting down beside her, I pull on my boots and begin tying the laces.7

“When are you leaving?” she asks.8

Pausing briefly to look up at her, I reply, “The same time you leave.” I’m heading to the military training grounds today. I think I may have gotten soft after all that time letting myself waste away in that old dungeon cell; healing chambers heal and purify, but they don’t rebuild muscle. I have nothing much to do when I’m not on a mission and I can’t slacken off just because I have a few months ‘rest’. Besides that, it’ll be good to see the soldiers again… find out anything interesting that’s happened while I was gone… and Avi is in Logan’s hands now.9

She sighs. “Can’t I come with you?”10

I laugh, thinking that she’s joking. “Sure; you don’t need to be anywhere today.”11

“I’m serious,” she smiles. “I’m an Outsider, remember? I’d like to see how those soldiers would fare against me. I don’t want to go and drown in formalities today. I want to go outside and run.”12

“Sorry Avi,” I shake my head. “For one thing, female soldiers aren’t allowed, so I doubt anyone will want to fight you. And secondly, you do have an appointment today, do you not?”13

“Yes,” she admits. “Promise me you’ll take me one day soon though, ok?”14

I don’t answer. No one would let the Empress into the training grounds where she could get hurt, let alone practice with her. What is she thinking? She’ll never have to lift a finger against another enemy again. I don’t understand why, but I get a small feeling of pity for her when I think of that. Pulling my pants leg over the rim of my boot, I stand up. “We’d better go.”15

We climb the stairs to get to the hatch leading to the roof outside. Avi pulls her coat tightly around her against the cool wind as I lock the hatch behind us, and when I stand, she gives me a forced smile. What’s wrong with her?16

“Where are we supposed to wait?” she asks. 17

Shaking my head, I reply, “Follow me.” Taking a brief run-up, I leap from my roof to the next. Looking around, I see that I don’t even need to reassure her. She leaps across right after me. I should remember the fact that she was raised an Outsider; of course she can do this without batting an eyelid. After a quick grin, I lead her the rest of the way until we eventually find a lower building that has been built into a hill, leaving one side of the roof only a few feet from the ground. It’s simple then to jump neatly to the ground. From here, we walk across the street and down three blocks before finding Avi’s ride already waiting for her. 18

Logan leans against his double-seated bike with his arms crossed, staring up at the sky. The clouds are a mixture of black and reddish-purple today. I’m surprised to see only Logan here to escort Avalia, and on an old Government-owned bike at that. 19

“I didn’t think you’d give them the actual address to your home,” Logan says wryly, still studying the sky. Knowing that I made absolutely no sound as I walked beside Avi on our way here, I wonder how he knows of my presence without looking. His eyes slide over to Avi and me as we approach. “Don’t worry; your secret is safe with me, Garn.”20

I don’t really know what I’m supposed to say to that, so I just nod. “Thanks.” 21

Avi smiles at the boy when we stop in front of him. “Thankyou for picking me up. I know you must be busy.”22

He nods his head calmly. “I seem to give myself extra duties. But I’m happy to do this. You’ll need someone to make sure you settle in easily on your first day… Highness.”23

Avalia seems to stiffen at the name he addresses her with. But she’ll have to get used to it. We’ll all have to get used to having her called ‘Highness’, I realise. There’s a brief silence. “I expected some sort of procession,” I frown inquisitively at Logan. “Aren’t we declaring Avi’s identity to the world yet?”24

Avalia crosses her arms. “Apparently I need to be trained first. How did you say this Valetish described it, Logan? Prepared. I need to be prepared.”25

“And by that, Valetish means that all of the Advisors want to meet you and decide how they’ll control you,” Logan agrees, a wry twist to his mouth. “I trust you won’t let them.”26

“But I should trust you, Logan?” she smiles. I’m reminded of the day she pointed out something similar to me. Here we are, telling her not to trust anyone, completely excluding ourselves from the rule.27

Eyebrows raised with amusement, Logan opens his mouth to reply, but I speak first. “I’d better go. I don’t want to miss the train.”28

Logan nods. “We shouldn’t stand around all day either. By your leave, Highness?” Avi blinks at him. He’s already slipping comfortably into this new way to address her. 29

“I… yes?” she replies uncertainly. He gets onto the bike and offers her a hand to help her get on behind him, but she pointedly refuses his help. Hanging loosely onto Logan’s waist, Avi gives me an unreadable look. “Bye Garn.”30

Reminding myself who she is now, I bow smoothly. “Safe journey, Highness.”31