Rocky's Story: The Search for the Huskanaso Fruit

Chapter 9: The Huskanaso Fruit

Two and a half weeks later, the three young fae arrived at the capitol if Edrait, Ninora. Where the High Queen, and the Huskanaso Fruit, resided. The trio made their way to the center of the city, unprovoked. It wasn’t till they reached the gate to the palace that they had any confrontation “Halt who goes there?” one of the guards asked

“Her Royal Majesty, Princess Rain and her companions Sir Rocky and Lady Pooky.” Rain announced, and the guard smiled

“We were getting worried that you weren't going to show up. If you want to into the palace, you have to fight us” the guards laughed

“Very well” Rain said as they dismounted and pulled out their swords. “I knew that my aunt wouldn’t make it easy to get to the Fruit, but this is pathetic.” she snarled as she and her friends lunged at the small group of guards. The small fight was over, with Rain’s team winning. They proceeded forward into the gates, and into the palace.

“Where do you think the Fruit is?” Pooky asked

“I don’t know, but I can feel it” Rain said

“You can feel the fruit?” Rocky asked

“Yes, anyone from the Royal family can feel the power of the fruit. It can also call on those that nee it’s power the most”

“But what about the High Queen?”

“I’m sure at some point she needed it. But she is one of those fae that became corrupted by its power” Rain replied as they turned the corner. The rest of the way to the Fruit was almost uneventful. The trio had some skirmishes with some of the guards, but they ended and without effort. After what seemed like eternity, Rain stopped at a closed door “It’s in there. The Fruit is in there. I can feel it” she whispered “But I also feel like this was too easy”

“What if she wanted us to get the Huskanaso Fruit?” Rocky asked

“I doubt that” Rain sighed “But it is still a possibility. She is a stickler for tradition and is very superstitious”

“Then she knows that her reign is over, and that her head will role” Rocky said as he tried opening the door “Damn, it’s locked”

“Move over” Pooky groaned as she pushed him out of the way and hit the handle with the hilt of her sword, causing it to fall. She then opened the door “Better?” she grinned, beaming with pride, and Rocky rolled his eyes

“Show off.” He chuckled as they entered the room.

“It’s about time. I would have thought that you three would have arrived sooner.” The High Queen cooed as she stepped out of the shadows. “As a matter of fact, Rocky, I didn’t expect you to live at all”

“You were the one who ordered the execution?” Pooky asked and the High Queen rolled her eyes

“Of course, I did. But that’s beside the point. War is coming, whether you have the Fruit or not.”

“That’s what you want, isn’t it? You want war. But why?” Rain asked

“To fulfil the prophecy of course” she laughed as she started walking towards them. Causing Rocky to push Rain and Pooky behind them

“Oh don’t worry you big puppy. I won’t hurt your little family. Not yet anyways” she laughed

“If you even touch a hair on their heads, I will kill you” Rocky growled, getting ready to shift if he needed to. He felt Rain touch his shoulder, and her thoughts in his head

‘Jael, beloved. Let me talk to my aunt alone please’

‘But Aila’

‘Please, don’t argue. Take Pooky outside, I’ll come to you when I’m done.’ she removed her hand.

“If you would please excuse us” Rocky said as he pulled his sister out of the room

“Rocky, what are you doing?” she demanded once they were outside the room

“Rain told me to” he replied as he pressed his ear against the door. But Pooky pulled him away

“What do you mean she told you she told you, she didn’t even say anything”

“She told me in my mind. It comes with recognition.” he smiled as he tried to listen in on the conversation between Rain and the High Queen

“Your recognized lover is strong. His head will make a fine addition to my collection” she teased

“Don’t touch him, or her sister, or my baby” Rain snarled

“And what of you?”

“You know that if you touch me, Rocky will kill you”

“Yes, he will. But no matter what the outcome of this war is, I am going to get killed by one of you three”

“So you know then? That you are going to die and that your rule is over?”

“Oh yes, I’ve known for a while now. But you know as well I that I won’t go without a fight”

“Yes I do. But I have one question. Why did you kill my mother?”

“Because she was a threat. Now enough talking, child. I have another challenge for you”

“No. No more challenges. Give my companions and I the Fruit, and then we’ll end your reign with what you so deserve” Rain snarled

“Very well. I leave you with one word of advice child. Be strong when others are weak. But let those closest to you feel the warmth of your heart, and be a good child. I must admit, recognition has found you a good young man. He will take very good care for you, as will his sister.”

“Thank you?” Rain sounded confused. “One more question before you leave aunt Cleopatra.” she now sounded almost comforting, and Rocky and Pooky looked at each other

“Yes Rain?”

“Why did you have an affair with Rocky’s adopted father, Henry?”

“Revenge, and he was there for me when few others were. And we’d both lost someone we wanted, but couldn’t have”

“You? You lost someone?”

“Yes. But he recognized your mother instead.” Silence

“You were in love with my father?” More silence “This is good bye then aunt Cleo?” Rain asked

“Yes, this is good bye. Until we meet again on the battlefield.” the room grew quiet again, till Rocky heard rain walking back towards the door, so he backed up. When Rain opened the door, there were tears in her eyes

“Beloved” he said as he pulled her to him

“I-I don’t want to kill her. I want my aunt to live Rocky. To feel love again”

“I know. If there was a way we could turn her to the light again, I would do it. Killing is never the answer. Even if they deserve it”

“You’re talking about Henry, aren’t you?” she asked as she looked up at him and he nodded

“Now come Rain, no more tears. Let’s get the Huskanaso Fruit, and return to General Crini.” Rocky smiled as he wiped away her tears and she smile and nodded

‘I love you Jael’ her voice rang in his head

‘And I love you Aila’ he sent back as he took her hand and led her and Pooky through the hall. They turned one more corner, and that’s when they saw it. The Huskanaso Fruit. It’s green leaves sprouting from the top, and its rough golden edges curved down to the bottom.

“It’s so beautiful” Rocky whispered

“Now didn’t I tell you it existed” Pooky teased and Rocky rolled his eyes “You should get it Rain. Since it was calling for you.” she said, getting serious and the princess nodded and stepped forward. The fruit glowed brighter for but a moment, before it dimmed. Rain then picked it up

“Feel anything?” Rocky asked and she shook her head and placed it in the bag that Pooky was holding

“Let’s go back to camp” she muttered and Rocky wrapped his arm around her

“Yes lets” he smiled as they walked out of the room.