Chapter 9 Brynn
brYNN
I stood between Nim and Sim, their strong presence a comforting brightness against the creepy darkness of the abandoned mines.
I refused to think about how deep underground we were.
At least it felt cool and fresh as we go deeper into the cave tunnels, the silence broken only by the distant drip of water and the faint echo of our footsteps.
The walls were a canvas of strange markings, their meaning lost to me, but clearly significant to my companions.
Nim’s deep voice echoed through the tunnel. “These mines are a remnant of a forgotten era,” he said, his hand tracing the strange symbols etched into the stone. “They tell of a hidden tunnel, one of the many paths known only to the Royals of the Purple Kingdom.”
Sim nodded, his golden eyes reflecting the faint light from the crystals we carried. “Crix’s fathers should have been the alphas,” he explained, his voice laced with a hint of regret. “But they died, and Nim’s biological parents took their place as the Alphas of the Purple Tribe.”
I looked up at Nim, seeing the weight of his lineage in the set of his shoulders. “And Crix?” I asked, my voice echoing softly in the confined space.
Nim’s expression hardened. “Crix had no interest in governing the Tribe,” he said, his voice tinged with disdain. “He was sent to the Orange Lake, where he pursued his obsession with Manasties breeding with females from other planets.”
That sounded ominous. This would mean Crix was Nim’s first cousin. I shouldn’t have been surprised given all the gadgets, secret rooms and experiments he conducted when I was in Crix’s villa.
Sim sighed, his tail flicking in agitation.
“Our fathers - the current alphas of the Purple Tribe have different priorities,” he said.
“They seek to secure the Tribe’s power over others, rather than exploring the potential of interbreeding and ensuring our race survive beyond the remaining number of female eggs we harvested from The Before. ”
“Crix was a genius, much like his fathers,” Sim continued, his voice filled with a mix of admiration and resentment. “His ideas could have changed the fate of our tribe, but the current alphas saw his work as a threat to their power.”
Nim grunted in agreement. “They exiled him to Orange Lake, where he continued his research in secret. It’s why we’re traveling there, hoping he and his triad can help you in your situation.” My situation being pregnant.
I nodded, absorbing the information. The political intrigue of the Manasty tribes was a far cry from the straightforward engineering problems I was used to, but I was beginning to understand the complex dynamics at play. Politics, no matter the race, even far away from Earth, remained the same.
Suddenly, Nim held up a hand, signaling for us to stop. We all froze, ears straining to catch the faint noise echoing through the tunnels. It was a distant hum, a rhythmic sound that sent a shiver down my spine.
“What is that?” I whispered, my heart pounding in my chest, my hand automatically going to my lower belly.
Clitasoxdfwe’h, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. “I will investigate,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. He melted into the shadows, his form blending seamlessly with the darkness.
We waited in tense silence, the hum growing louder, more insistent. After what felt like an eternity, Clitasoxdfwe’h reappeared, his expression grim.
“There is an odd group of Manasties making their way towards us,” he reported, his voice low. “They do not bear the markings of any known tribe.”
Curiosity piqued, I looked at Nim and Sim. “Should we try to get closer?” Xy asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Nim and Sim exchanged a glance, their expressions mirroring each other’s concern. “It could be dangerous,” Nim said, his voice firm. “But we need to know who they are and what they’re doing here.”
Sim nodded in agreement. “Clitasoxdfwe’h, you stay here and guard Brynn,” he ordered, his voice leaving no room for argument. “The rest of us will investigate.”
Clitasoxdfwe’h inclined his head in acknowledgment, his posture stiffening as he prepared to stand guard. I watched as Nim, Sim, and Xy disappeared into the darkness, their forms swallowed by the oppressive shadows of the abandoned mines.
Left alone with Clitasoxdfwe’h, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. The hum was growing louder, the rhythmic sound echoing through the tunnels like a sinister heartbeat. I clutched the crystal tighter, its light casting eerie shadows on the walls.
“Do you think they’ll be okay?” I asked, my voice echoing softly in the confined space.
Clitasoxdfwe’h looked down at me, his expression unreadable. “They are skilled warriors,” he said, his voice devoid of emotion. “But the mines hold many dangers, both known and unknown.”
I nodded, trying to swallow the lump of fear forming in my throat. All I could do now was wait and hope that my mates would return safely. The thought of losing any of them was unbearable.
Xy, Nim, and Sim silently walked back to us.
Nim shared that the group were heading to the mines and not to the secret entrance to the Prison Tunnel therefore, we should not engage and just let them pass.
We watched silently from the shadows as the group of Manasties walked by, their forms barely visible in the dim light.
My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to keep my breathing steady. The slow hum of their conversation echoed through the tunnel. It’s a good thing I puked earlier. I squinted, trying to make out their features, but the darkness made it impossible.
Suddenly, one of them stepped into a pool of light cast by a nearby spring water. I gasped, the sound echoing loudly through the tunnel. Xy, Nim, Sim, and Clitasoxdfwe’h reacted instantly, their swords drawn and ready for combat.
“Wait! Wait! Hold position!” I yelled, my voice slicing through the tension. "I knew these people. They had helped me escape when I got kidnapped."
Nim and Sim exchanged a glance, their eyes flicking back to me.
Recognition dawned on their faces as they remembered the first time we met at Orange Mountain.
They lowered their swords, their bodies relaxing slightly, but still on full alert.
There were what, about ten or so manasties.
Then again, we have Xy, the captain of the Red Guard.
“Brynn?” one of the Manasties called out, his voice echoing through the tunnel. “Is that you?”
I stepped forward, my heart still pounding but with relief now. “Yes, it’s me,” I said, my voice steady. “You helped me before. What are you doing here?”
The group of Manasties approached cautiously, their eyes warily taking in Xy, Nim, Sim, and Clitasoxdfwe’h. One of them, a burly Manasty with striped fur, stepped forward.
He was CG, the captain. They all have coverings, making it hard to tell the color of their small furs.
However, instead of answering me, he only said, "We heard a neko kidnapped the royal heirs of the Purple Tribe.
Is it the other way around?" He narrowed his eyes at the males behind my back. Nim and Sim growled behind me.
I turned and looked at Nim and Sim, deliberately exposing my back to the group of Manasties.
Their low growls of disapproval rumbled behind me, a mix of protective instinct and irritation.
I could feel their intense glares burning into the people behind my back, but I met their eyes with a steady, resolute gaze.
My look was a silent challenge. These were my allies, and they needed to trust me.
If not for them, I would had been captured again.
Nim's tail lashed back and forth, and Sim's jaw clenched, but they recognized the determination in my expression. "They're friends," I said, my voice firm and unwavering. "We can trust them."
Slowly, reluctantly, Nim and Sim nodded, their swords disappearing into their sheaths.
Xy and Clitasoxdfwe'h followed suit, their bodies relaxing but still poised for potential action.
They exchanged knowing glances, Xy giving a slight nod of recognition.
Satisfied that the tension might have dissipated, I turned back to the ragtag crew that had saved me before.
The burly Manasty looked at me, his eyes softening. “We’re here to help, Brynn,” he said, his voice gentle. “Whatever you need, we’re at your disposal.”
I felt a lump form in my throat, tears threatening to spill over. Stupid hormones, always making me cry. I sighed.
Just then, I saw a big guy with a cloth over his mouth. My eyes went wide. I knew that huge shape. Nif.
“Why do you have cloth covering your mouth?” I pointed at him. His hands were not tied up so at any point, he can take it off.
He rolled his eyes, and a voice from behind him snorted. “His big mouth will give us away.”
I turned, my eyes narrowing at the one who just spoke. “You.”
“Ferix,” his uncle, Snarz, warned him. His eyes darted around as he tried to assess the situation. “Shut your mouth.”
So the innkeeper’s nephew was called Ferix.
As I took a step forward, Sim and Nim growled, stepping in front of me like a wall.
“Back up,” Sim commanded, his tone firm.
Snarz, Ferix, CG—the captain of this odd crew—and a few others fell back to give us space, but Nif stayed put, his arms crossed.
“Your Highnesses!” someone exclaimed, recognition lacing the air.
CG pulled Nif back slightly. “Just because they’re heirs to the Purple Tribe doesn’t mean they’re not going to bite.”
“Or slice,” someone added, meaning they knew the manasties I’m with were fighters.
Nif rolled his eyes again, exuding a mix of annoyance and amusement. I’m glad he wasn’t intimidated by them.
Sim faced the group, his expression serious. “What’s your goal? Why are you here?”
CG stepped forward, his deep voice steady. “We’re here to rescue Old Onork from the Prison.”
“Prison?” I echoed, confusion creeping in. What happened to the old man with the washed out purple hair, er, fur?
“Why was this manasty imprisoned?” Xy asked, his brow furrowed. “And why does his name sound familiar?” He looked at Clitasoxdfwe’h but the latter only shook his head. Sim did not know as well but Nim’s brow furrowed, thinking hard.
Sinx chimed in, his voice low and matter-of-fact. “Because Old Onork was carrying a hiscat.”
My breath caught in my throat. “My hiscat?”
“Your hiscat?” Nim and Sim exclaimed at the same time. From my peripheral, Xy and Clitasoxdfwe’h even took a step back away from me as if I have a disease. I forgot. Hiscats were sacred animals to them.
CG nodded, his expression confirming my fears. “Yes, yours.”
Before Nim and Sim can ask about the hiscat, I asked CG,”So you’re all here to rescue him?”
They all nodded.
“We heard there’s a secret entrance - oomph,” Sinx voice cut off. CG elbowed him hard in the gut.
“Pardon him your highnesses,” CG said smoothly in his gruff voice.
However, Nim and Sim approached CG at the same time, at least their arms were crossed above their chest. Better that than draw their swords.
“Explain,” Sim’s body was radiating tension. It seems like the Purple Tribe’s secrets were open secrets. If this wasn’t a serious situation, I would say the Purple Tribe was very lax in security.
CG glared at Sinx who looked chastised. Then he faced the twinsies. “Everyone knows the Prison Tunnels were like a maze designed to confuse those who will enter it. However, we heard near the spring caves, there is an entrance.”
“Who gave that information?” This time it was Xy who stepped up. His face grim. As Captain of the Red Guards, I could feel the huge responsibility on his shoulders.
CG pressed his lips, not saying anything.
“Enough,” Sim stepped between CG and Xy. “We can’t help you.”
CG nodded. But my mind was working overtime.
I understand Nim and Sim don’t trust these people.
They don’t know who Onork was. They can spare the lives of these men because I asked them.
Can I ask my mates to have these odd manaties to join us?
For goodness sake - practicing not to curse in my mind because of the baby - we were going to the same location!
I clenched my fists, feeling the weight of the situation. “We have to save Old Onork. He’s important.”
Sim and Nim exchanged glances, their protectiveness still intact, but I could see grave concern in their eyes. They will not budge about this.
“Please, they saved me. Especially Old Onork. Even though he was half-blind -”
“-Wait!” Nim cut in. “Onork? Half-blind?” His brows knitted. “Fuck. Sim.”
He and Sim gazed at each other. It was eerie seeing them like this, like they can communicate in their mind. Sim inhaled sharply without Nim saying anything. Nim just nodded and Sim cursed left and right.
“Your highness,” Clitasoxdfwe’h stepped nearer to Nim. He whispered something to Nim that I wasn’t able to hear or anyone else in our vicinity.
Nim nodded, then said, “Go.”
Clitasoxdfwe’h looked at us, Xy nodded at him, then he went away. Not the time to ask what that was about. I looked at Nim and Sim who looked at me the same time, doing their twin thing again. I stood taller and await their final decision.
Sim sighed and faced CG. “We’ll take you with us.”
CG tried to hide his surprise yett even I saw it. Some gasped and some were murmuring.
When I turned to express my gratitude to Nim and Sim, I saw their grim faces and thought things were not as straightforward as I thought.
“We need to talk,” Sim told CG. When CG stepped forward, Nif stepped forward as well. I wasn’t surprised that he was acting protective of CG.
Nim gently took hold of my elbow and guided us away from the rest of CG’s crew.