An Untitled Novel

“Basil” Spiro said, surprising Basil who bumped into the mess of gunship parts. As Basil finally exited the maze that enveloped the hanger, he noticed Spiro looked slightly surprised or uneasy. Odd. Perhaps Spiro was just surprised by his change of appearance, his beard shaved off and his hair tied behind his head. “What’s going on?”

“I just got back from speaking with Cicero and the Redcap Queen, they captured a criminal who claimed there was going to be a major attack on their capitol soon. They wanted us to join them to ensure everything went smooth while they rounded up the would-be attackers.”

Something felt off, although Basil couldn’t tell if it was the abyss reaching out or just intuition. “Why us? Don’t they, you know, have an army?” Spiro shook his head. “Apparently Brayden found a traitor in their mix. They’ve gathered their most trustworthy people to staff the capital, but there’s a very short list of people who they’re entirely certain aren’t a part of the conspiracy. Apparently, we’re on that list.”

It was definitely the abyss, muted as it was. There was something more to this, apparently enough to make the abyss think he was in danger, and it seemed to be directed at Spiro. Spiro wouldn’t actually betray him again, right? He’d risked his own execution by confessing to his meddling, the Amigosian weapons were crucial in the fight against the Elthrice, and Spiro was probably the only reason they both walked out of California alive. Could the abyss be wrong? Unless…

“What are you not telling me?” Basil asked, and Spiro looked surprised. “What are you talking about?” Basil barked an order, a short and unexpectedly cold “Don’t lie to me.” Spiro suddenly looked concerned, hesitating a moment before replying. “Look, the Redcap Queen threatened me while I was there. They’re all under a lot of stress, and I think it bruised her ego to ask us for help. Cicero had me promise not to tell you.” Basil’s face un-contorted.

Spiro looked less concerned, instead taking on a look of annoyance. “What the fuck was that?” Basil shrugged and Spiro repeated his question. “No, seriously, what the fuck was that. It felt like you were staring into my soul.” Basil began to feel guilty. “Whatever (thing that controls the relics) did to me when it rebuilt my brain, I don’t think it ever truly left. It seemed to pick up on the fact that you left that part out, considering you a danger ’till you told me, but I don’t know how or why.” Basil paused a minute, before adding “Sorry.” Spiro responded with a concerned look.

Basil made his way into the Redcap’s throne room, a vast and ornately decorated place seemingly designed to give a petitioner a feeling of awe and insignificance. Of course, however, its designers didn’t have the foresight to consider an owner of an Elthrice gunship. Basil began feeling some irony in that he was called to protect those who used such intimidation, their sluggish recovery weakening them to their enemies, which certainly wasn’t helped by putting resources into such showmanship. “Morning” Basil yelled as he got within earshot, receiving unwelcoming glares in response to the seemingly improper greeting.

As Basil approached he noticed the Redcap Queen looked like the head of a state, authoritative and powerful, nothing like the scared girl he pulled out of a burning craft nearly two years ago. Perhaps the designers of this place did a good job after all, not to mention his gunship was still in multiple pieces on another planet as the weapon systems were being installed. She still held a mild look of displeasure on her face - although whether that was from the informal greeting, the indignity of requesting help from an outsider, or the one time he threatened her with explosive drones - he couldn’t tell.

Molly, the captain of the royal guard, broke the silence permeating the hall. “As you are likely aware, we have requested your assistance in protecting the keep and her majesty. This is an abnormal request, but highly important, and our demonstration of trust in you should be considered a great honor.” Basil bit his tongue, fighting the urge to comment on the absurdity wording a request for help as if they were doing him a favor. Instead, he nodded. “Your help against the (old order) Elthrice is the only reason we’re all alive today. I’ve fought and blood alongside you all, and would consider many in this room to be close friends. I’ll gladly help out any way I can.”

In a moment, the tension of before left the room. Basil, however, took a deep breath and continued. “Though, before we do anything else, beware, I take threats very seriously. You threatened Spiro this morning; I’ll let it slide, one egotistical asshole to another, given we’ve all had some hard days lately. But do not threaten me or Spiro again.” Tension returned to the room, and silence fell upon the hall yet again. Molly eventually broke the silence, anger deep in her voice. “Excuse me, what did you say? Guards-” The Redcap Queen cut Molly off. “It’s okay. We have all had rough days, and I did not mean to be so harsh to Spiro.”

Molly still looked angry, but remained silent; the Redcap Queen looking ambivalent and Cicero looking a mix of relieved and pleased. Basil nodded again. “Alright then, I’ll go raid my armory and be back in an hour or so.” When the room remained silent Basil began leaving, Cicero and Casio following him out. “For the record, I had to beat it out of Spiro, he didn’t originally tell me that threats were made when he passed along your request” Basil told Cicero as soon as they were out of earshot of everyone else. A few steps later he followed it with “To clarify, it’s just an expression, no beating took place,” unsure if they were familiar with the expression. Cicero, however, remained near expressionless - mind seeming elsewhere.

They continued in silence until nearly reaching the wormhole device, however, as Basil went to leave Cicero took on a melancholy smile. “Thank you, Basil. And I’m sorry to hear your people were attacked.” Basil nodded and began to turn towards the now opened wormhole, but stopped as Casio put his arm on Basil’s shoulder. The big man stood there, as if willing himself to speak, but remained silent. “It’s good to see you Casio, you too Cicero, I just wish it was under better circumstances.” The big man nodded.