The Night of The Necros: The Rise of The Queen

Chapter Four Part Two

Arabella went down the stairs and tried to hide her discomfort at having her scar visible for all to see. When Michael and Genova saw her their eyes immediately went to the scar. Genova looked at her with shock. He was surprised that she would willingly wear such clothes. One look at her face told him that she was distressed over the clothes. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"Arabella, are you okay dressing like this?" He asked.

"I can have a maid-" Michael began. Arabella held up her hand to stop him.

"It is fine." She said. "I do not know when I will end up in a situation where something like this might be all that is available to me. I do not want to show any disrespect by refusing to wear the clothes provided to me." She said with a determined expression on her face.

"Are you sure?" Genova asked.

"Yes." She said. "Besides, this scar will never go away. I need to learn to accept that." She said softly.

Her hand traced the scar as Michael lead them around the estate. He knew that she was lost in thought by the absent minded responses she gave. For a moment he was at a loss for what to do until he remembered she loved sparing.

"Arabella, I have something to show you." He said hoping she would perk up when she saw it.

Michael lead them to a sparing arena and as he had hoped her eyes lit up. Arabella stepped into the arena and looked around. As she looked around a faint memory filled her mind. She was a child again and there was a boy that had looked down on her. She remembered being annoyed by his haughty attitude. After a while of letting her annoyance stew she stood and pointed a tiny finger in his face.

"I challenge you to a match!" She yelled.

"What?" The boy asked laughing at her.

"I said that I challenge you to a match!" She yelled angrily.

"You're a girl and a princess! You're at a disadvantage against me!"

"I bet you're just afraid that you will get beat by a girl!" She said goading him.

"Fine. You're going to regret challenging me!" He yelled.

The little girl and boy squared off against each other. He had managed to get in some good hits but in the end it had been the little girl that had won. She jumped up and down in triumph.

"You got lucky." He said. "Next time I will win."

"Yeah yeah." She said waving him away.

After that when the boy came to the village he would challenge her to a match. It always ended with the same result. The little boy would run off vowing revenge. When she was little she found herself looking forward to his visits.

When the memory cleared she found tears in her eyes. Her hands shook a little as she turned to face them. The questions swirled around in her mind. What did he mean by princess? Was this a memory of her sparing with the boy or her watching them spar? She knew that if she asked the question that was burning deep within her she wouldn't get the answer that she wanted. Instead she decided to take her mind off of the memory.

"Michael, do you want to spar?" She asked him.

"Sure!" He said with a laugh. "I gotta warn you I am a lot stronger than I was the last time we spared."

"We'll see about that." She said.

"So how are we going to do this?" He asked.

"I will let you pick." She said shrugging.

"Fine. I want to see your sword skill." He said. Genova groaned. He knew that the moment they walked into this room that the two of them would end up sparing.

"Then I will go get changed." She said running to her room.

"Tell me about the scar." Michael said turning towards Genova.

"I don't know anything about it. She doesn't talk about it. All I know is that she got it the night the village was attacked."

"How the hell did she survive that? It looks like someone tried to cut her in half." He whispered.

"Yeah. The first time I actually saw it was when we stopped the culling. It was the first time that she showed it to anyone." Genova said.

"She still has that same quiet strength about her though." Michael said. "Even though she was distressed she still insisted that she wear the top to get used to situations like those. It shows that she is learning and growing. You must feel like a proud father." Michael teased.

"Yeah sometimes I do." Genova admitted.

When Arabella returned she was dressed in leather clothes and had both of her katanas strapped to her hips. Michael was impressed to see that she wore them with such comfort and familiarity. He had noticed earlier but the swords really seemed to lend her strength. The two of them stepped into the sparing arena and faced each other.

Michael could feel his pulse racing. He had always hoped that he would get to face off against her again. He gripped his sword tightly and with a warrior's cry he charged at her. Arabella blocked and parried his attacks with the skill of a seasoned warrior.

As the match raged on Arabella could feel all of her stress melt away. Instead she was enjoying the match. Her pace quickened and she began to push him back. Michael quickly dodged her attack as she came in close. However, before he could manage to strike back Arabella landed a decisive blow. Michael laughed and surrendered.

When the match was over Michael insisted on seeing a sparing match between Arabella and Genova. He knew that Genova was a knight of the Vosat and so it was a match that he was not about to pass up. Arabella agreed to the match but Genova insisted that she rest first. While she rested up Michael sent a message to his guards that a special sparing match would take place and that they were requested to come view it.

When it came time for them to spar Arabella noticed that guards were in the sparing arena. She nervously made her way to the center of the arena. When the guards saw the difference in the sizes of the opponents they began to place bets. Arabella rolled her eyes. By now she was used to people doubting her because of her size but people betting on who would win was new for her.

"Are you sure about this?" Genova asked.

"You still owe me a match, remember. You weaseled out of the last one." She said. "Now shut up and buck up, Mr. Guardsmen."

Genova sighed. He knew that she wouldn't let that go. It didn't matter that he had a good reason for it. He had promised her a match and didn't show. He knew that there were two things you did not do where Arabella was concerned. One you didn't squelch on a match and two you didn't harm children. He knew that he was in for the ass kicking of a life time.

"Okay. Okay." He said. "How are we going to do this?" He asked.

"Just like the match we were supposed to fight." She said.

"Alright." Genova said with a sigh. Arabella was a truly frightening woman and these guards were about to witness just how terrifying she could be.

Michael sat back and smiled. He knew that his men were about to be delighted. He just didn't realize that there was a different level of strength to the woman standing before them. He raised his hand and started the match.

The two of them drew their swords while the guards continued to place their bets. With a cry Genova charged towards her. Arabella blocked his attack and sent him flying with a solid kick to the gut. She twirled her swords and charged. Genova blocked and parried her attacks as best as he could but her speed and strength caught him off guard. He knew that she was strong and fast but when fighting against her it always caught him off guard.

"Come on, Genova." She said. "I told you it needs to be like the last match in the Village. Either give it your all or get out of the arena." She said with an annoyed sigh. One of the guards laughed.

"I can't believe you let such a little thing push you back like that." He taunted.

"Alright, Arabella." He said. "Have it your way."

Genova threw his arm out. He could feel energy pulse into the palm of his hand. It shot out and a wave of water came hurling towards her. Arabella looked around as she tried to avoid being surrounded by the water but it was too late. The water had formed a dome around her and its current was strong enough that she could feel wind coming off of the dome's walls. Arabella took a calming breath and analyzed her options. She could either admit defeat or she could risk going through the water. She took a deep breath twirled her swords and charged forward. To everyone's surprise Arabella sliced her way through the dome and emerged unscathed on the other side. Genova laughed when he saw the triumphant look on her face. He turned both palms facing up and began to lift his hands. The ground beneath her began to quake and rise into the air. Arabella jumped down before the land under her got too far up. Genova squeezed his hands into fists causing the slab of land to crumble into giant rocks.

"Whoa." Arabella whispered.

The rocks began to fly in her direction. Arabella sprinted and dodged the large rocks. She jumped into the air and used some of them as stepping stones. Arabella jumped off of the last rock only to be blown back by wind. She stabbed her swords into the ground refusing to lose any ground. As soon as the wind died down Genova threw his hand out and felt hot energy pulse down his arm. A large wall of fire erupted in front of her. Arabella grunted against the heat but she didn't let the succession of attacks slow her down. Instead she charged at the flames as horrified gasps erupted around her. Arabella slid through the fire and charged at Genova. Her swords slashed through the air. Sparks flew as metal struck metal. Sill Genova could feel his strength begin to falter. She was constantly getting better and surpassing her limits. He knew that this match would cause her to go further past her limits than before. As Arabella found her rhythm her momentum increased. Her swords slashed and danced through the air as she twirled. Soon instead of cheering there were collective gasps of awe as they watched her graceful movements. It was like the swords were a part of her and they were leading her as she glided through the air. Soon Genova was pined down and surrendering to his opponent.

When the match ended some of the guards complained that they felt like they had been deceived by her size. Michael over heard this and laughed. When his men heard him laugh they looked at him with puzzled expressions.

"You allowed yourselves to be fooled by her size." He said. "You should never allow yourself to be deceived by under estimating your opponent. I should know. I have been losing to her since we were children."

The guards turned and faced her with admiration and respect. Arabella bowed her head and thanked them for watching the match. Genova knew that it would be a while before she would be able to get away from them so he went to speak with Michael.

"Was it necessary to call your guards to watch that match?" He asked.

"Of course it was." He said. "I told you that things were happening, right?" Genova nodded his head.

"What's going on?" He asked.

"This will be a conversation that we will have to have when everyone has been dispersed." He said.

"Seriously, Michael, what is going on?" He demanded.

"It's a long story but there are things that need to be made right." He said with a sigh. Genova stared at him with a puzzled expression. "I will explain in a bit. I just need to make sure that she won't kill me when I tell her what I know." He said taking a deep breath. Genova could read the genuine fear on his face. "Everyone back to your posts." Michael ordered.

The guards reluctantly went back to their posts as instructed. Arabella sighed and whipped the sweat from her brow. Her eyes sparkled and her rosy cheeks glowed from the excitement of the exercise. When she rejoined them she noticed that there was a tension between the two of them.

"What's wrong?" She asked eyeing them suspiciously.

"Nothings wrong." Michael said. "However, we do have somethings that we need to discuss. Why don't you get cleaned up and then we can talk."

"Sure." Arabella said slowly.

Arabella went up the stairs to change. She slipped put of her training clothes and wiped the sweat from her body. Arabella felt the chill of the water soothe her warm skin. She slipped back into the clothes that had been provided for her. The gauzy white material gathered and flowed in all the right places. Arabella slipped back into the top and subconsciously placed her hand over her scar. She knew that she would face situations where she would have to wear clothes that would not cover her scar but she still felt nervous about wearing such clothes. Arabella sighed and looked at her reflection. With a final look at her reflection, Arabella opened the door and went down the stairs to join the two men.

"So there are somethings that I would like to discuss with you." Michael said when she sat down.

"Sure." She said.

Michael cleared his throat and took a deep calming breath. He wasn't sure where to begin and had been weighing his options since he had noticed them in the village square. Michael clenched and unclenched his fists. Arabella and Genova stared at him in confusion.

"Michael," Arabella began.

"No. Sorry. I just have been trying to find a way to tell you what I know." He said softly. She could see the fear in his eyes.

"Michael, what's wrong?" She asked.

"Look there are things that I know. Some of them I just learned and others I have known since becoming village leader." He said. "Please do not hate me for what I am about to tell you."

"What could you tell me that would make me hate you?"

"Seriously, why are you so afraid?" Genova asked.

"When we left the Village that day there was a reason for the visit. I was unaware of it at the time. I didn't know anything until I took over as village leader. My father had kept a log of every dealing that he had with both the Vosat and the Council. At first I didn't think much about it until I got to the day of the attack. He had reported a visit to the Vosat village. On the same day in another note book he had recorded a mission complete status for the Council. I did more digging into the note books and later learned that my father had been working with the Council to find the location of the Vosat queen. Arabella, I am so sorry that my father betrayed your village." He said bowing his head to them.

Arabella and Genova stared at him in shock. They had not expected to hear such a revelation. Arabella's hands twisted in her lap as she played his words over in her head. As a child she had been unaware of what people could be capable of. Since that night she has been painfully aware that people could be cruel. In her heart she knew that Michael was not responsible for the actions of his father. However, she had been a victim of that betrayal not only her but her whole tribe had been deprived of their princess and queen.The two thoughts were hard for her to come to terms with. She knew that she could not take her pain out on Michael but she also had no where for her pent up emotions to go.

After a painfully long silence Arabella let out a sigh of frustration. Her brow furrowed as she tried to find the words that she wanted to say to him. Part of her still demanded vengeance but she knew that Michael could not be the recipient of her rage. Michael held his breath as he waited for her words while Genova's heart did a nervous dance. Neither knew what she would do with this information and neither of them would blame her for wanting revenge. After all that night was forever branded on her body. When Arabella could finally speak she took a calming breath and looked Michael in the eyes.

"Michael, I know that it was hard for you to tell me something like that. I know that I do not remember you well but I can say that I do not nor cannot hold the actions of your father over your head." She said sighing. "I know that You will never be able to look at me without seeing your father's betrayal and I think that is more than enough punishment. I survived something when I should have died and that night haunts me in more ways than I can say. I know that people have their reasons for getting into bed with the Council. If you are wise you will do the right thing and stay away from them for your people, for yourself, and for the Vosat." She said. Her hands still twisted nervously.

"Thank you, Arabella." He whispered as he bowed his head. "You are truly kind."

"Is there other business that we need to discuss?" She asked.

"Yes," He began. "I have caught word of Council movement near one of your villages. It would seem that some of the refugees are hired by the Council." He said.

Arabella and Genova looked at each other in shock.

"When did this happen?" She demanded.

"The refugees should be arriving in the next three days or so." He said. "Apparently a village has been taking them in. Why?"

"Genova!" Arabella began as panic set in.

"I'm on it." He said.

He stood up and placed two fingers on his forehead. He prayed that the information had been correct. If it was then they could head the Council off by a few days. Genova paced the floor as he waited for the Grand Elder to respond.

"What's going on?" Michael asked.

"That's our village!" Arabella hissed. "I asked the Grand Elder to take them in and she agreed. I can't believe that I was stupid enough to request that they be let in." Arabella placed her head in her hands as the realization of what she had done sank in. In her head that night replayed over and over again. What if another village was destroyed because of her? She would have been responsible for every death that followed.

"I can't get through." Genova said with a worried expression. "I am going to try the Commander." He said. Genova put two fingers on his forehead and contacted Commander Tamaki.

"Tamaki!" Genova called.

"What is it, Genova?" Tamaki's voice came through sounding as if he had been woken from his sleep.

"I know it's late but I need you to do me a favor."

"What's wrong? You sound worried." He said.

"We may have a problem. Have any refugees come through that village?" He asked.

"Yeah. They just arrived today." He said sounding confused.

"Do not let them leave." Genova said.

"Why. They all looked like they were in pretty bad shape. Arabella wouldn't like you detaining them." He warned.

"She would probably kiss you if she found out that you stopped them from making it to Hiroki Village." He said.

"What's going on?" He demanded. "She specifically asked me to look after this village and that means that the people that come through here are my responsibility as well." He reminded.

"Trust me do not let them leave. We will be heading back there." He said.

"Why?"

"Just don't let anyone leave. We will be there in a few days."

"This is ridiculous, Genova. Just tell me what is going on. Why would you come back? Besides I can't make people stay if they want to leave." He said.

"s**t!" Genova said panicking. "Just wait. Do not go back to sleep. I need to speak with Arabella."

Genova ended the transmission and turned to face Arabella who was already in a full blown panic. He raced to her side and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. Genova's heart broke because at that moment he wanted to give her the time that she needed but he knew that there was none to spare.

"Arabella," He said soothingly. "I need to know what you want to do."

"What do you mean?" She asked looking up at him with tearful eyes.

"I talked to the Commander. They had a group of refugees arrive in that village. What do you want to do?" He asked.

Arabella chewed on her bottom lip in thought. In her heart raged a war. She knew that there were innocent people that would be hurt if they were detained however, she also knew that the Council's hired men were in that group. Arabella hung her head and sighed. She knew that the right choice was to make sure that they didn't leave the village.

"Detain them." She said. "How soon can we be there?" She asked.

"It will take time. Time that we don't have." He said softly.

"What else can we do?" She asked frowning.

"There is a way." He said. He knew that she wouldn't like it but it was the only way to clear up who was hired by the Council.

"Then that's the way that we will choose." She said without even considering what it might be.

"Alright. I will inform the Commander." He said placing two fingers on his forehead. "Tamaki, you still there?"

"Yeah..." He said sighing. "What does she want to do?"

"You and one of your men are going to come here and escort her to the Village." He said.

"What?" Tamaki asked. Genova could practically see him blushing.

"It's exactly as I said." He said with a chuckle. "I am putting you in charge of her safety to the village until I can arrive with reinforcements."

"But- What are you planning?" He demanded frowning.

"Fine. You don't have to come get her. I can have Michael escort her to the village instead. After all that's where we are right now."

"I will come get her." Tamaki said softly.

"Good. I will see you soon." He said. He ended the transmission with a chuckle. Arabella and Michael stared at him in confusion.

"I don't think that this is really the time to be laughing." Arabella said glaring at him.

"I'm sorry, Arabella, but your escort will be arriving shortly. Please ready yourself as you see fit." He said.

"How long do I have?" She asked frowning.

"Five minutes." He said.

"Five minutes?" She squeaked. "That's not nearly enough time!"

"Then you better grab what you can." He said. His eyes danced with mischief.

Arabella raced upstairs. She knew that she didn't have the time to change so she strapped on her swords and grabbed her bow and arrows. She tied her hair back and ran back down the stairs.

"What are you playing at?" Michael asked.

"Nothing." Genova said innocently.

"You're up to something." He said narrowing his eyes.

"I can't travel with the princess quickly enough to get her there without there being any problems but one of our commanders can do spacial travel." He said.

"Really?" Michael asked. "That's cool. That means she can be there in a matter of minuets."

"Yeah and the best part is that there is a certain commander coming to get her." He said chuckling.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"Tamaki." Genova said with a wink. Michael shook his head.