Plague of Mybyncia by C.G. Coppola

tinge of anger
escapes at the word, “we would be honoring him instead of these…
humans.”
    “These humans ,” Clarence grinds his
teeth, “helped secure our escape.”
    “How lovely. I will be sure to remember that
when we are attacked again.”
    “ Varille ,” Queen Ravan addresses her
daughter with stern orange eyes, “I believe your opinions have been
made clear. Let us not speak of this anymore. Please,” and now she
returns a look to us, “enjoy yourselves. Tomorrow we shall discuss
what can be done for your departure so you may rejoin Blovid in his
escape.”
    “Your Majesty,” Sampson bows, the rest of us
following, “we cannot express our gratitude for the kindness you
have bestowed.”
    The queen lowers her head, her daughters
mimicking the gesture and they start to leave. Princess Ariana
tosses a glance over her shoulder at us. “Have a wonderful
evening.”
    Tucker, still stunned, brings his hand up to
wave but drops it a second later. Reid leans into him, quietly
whispering. The Rogue leader nods in response, still staring off
after the princess. “Fine.”
    “How about something to drink?” Reid pulls
back with a smirk, trying to hide a laugh.
    “There’s some Hunnis,” Clarence grins. “It’s
got a little… kick . Might relax you a bit.”
    “Where?” Reid asks.
    “Follow me. Ladies,” Clarence turns to us,
“will you be alright? You are honored guests so if you need
something, simply ask.”
    “Just not Varille,” Pratt mutters.
    “No…” he laughs, “but Qippert or the
chancellor will get you anything you need. Enjoy,” he smiles,
leading Tucker and Reid away. Jace and Booker watch, nearly tempted
to follow at the promise of Mybyncian booze, but the duo resist at
the last moment.
    “I’m not sure about Booker here,” Jace scans
the room, searching, “but uh… I’m going to do a sweep of the
perimeter.”
    “Don’t hit on the mayans,” I say.
    “What?” he feigns a gasp. “Me?”
    “You heard Clarence.”
    “I’m just getting a scope of the crowd.
Booker, want to come with?”
    “Sure thing, Rogue Commander.”
    “Just call me Jace, Booker.” Jace throws his
arm around Booker’s muscularly wide shoulders. “Let’s uh… go get a
handle on things.”
    The two depart instantly, disappearing
through the crowd. Mae and Pratt turn to me.
    “What now?” Pratt wants to know.
    “I don’t know. Socializing, I guess.”
    “With who?”
    Before I can answer, someone taps my
shoulder. “Excuse me?”
    He’s got bright jade hair, trimmed close to
his sage scalp and smirking orange eyes that wash over me. Built
similarly to Tucker and Reid—lean, but muscular—he sports the same
cobalt loin cloth which falls to his knees. Grinning broadly, his
eyes brush over me again and I have to fight the urge to cover
myself.
    “You are Fallon, correct? Fallon of
Harrizel?”
    “Yes…”
    “I am Kendal—I work closely with Chancellor
Keller,” he explains, eyeing Pratt and Mae behind me. “He has asked
me to keep an eye on you—all of you—and get you anything you might
need.”
    “Oh…” I glance at them before returning my
attention to Kendal. “That’s very—uh—nice.”
    “It is my honor,” he bows deeply. “Please,
what can I do to make your stay more enjoyable?”
    “Um…” I start, still thrown off by his
proximity. He’s close— so close—his exposed chest barely
brushing against mine. It’s making me uncomfortable and Mae must
pick up on it because she steps forward, drawing the attention on
herself.
    “What work do you do with the
chancellor?”
    “We keep the queen’s affairs in order. Well, he mostly does,” Kendal laughs, “I simply assist where I
can. And right now,” his eyes flicker over me again, “I am more
than willing to oblige.”
    Two other miyons appear, both of the same
staggering stature and strength. They lock arms with Pratt and Mae,
who seem as surprised at their arrival as I am.
    “This is Gring and Lolin,”