Teal allowed his sister to guide him after his mother and father into the palace. They walked through a high arched marbled hall that made Teal tip his head back to see the ceiling. At the back, they walked straight into a room that made Teal stop short. There before him, a long low-rise table covered a large portion of the centre of the room. He blinked. The similarity with the Talbecan Empire was jarring. The difference between them was that it looked like the Lombock sat on simple thin mats instead of the comfortable array of cushions that the Talbecans preferred.

At the top of the room, large glass windows opened out to allow the view of the purple and pink blossom tree forest.

“Please sit,” King Treaken said, pointing to the table. “It will take a moment for the kitchen to prepare some food. We will ensure a rare healthy young human for this evening’s meal for such a special occasion.”

Teal froze. It was another jolt of confusion. He blinked, wondering if he had heard correctly. It was so strange to hear the talk of eating a human to be conducted so casually. He stayed close to his sister and followed her movements. She stopped near the top of the table and motioned for him to join her. His parents arranged themselves at the head of the table.

Looking over his shoulder, other Lombock males and females took position against the wall. Several had his silver and black hair while others donned the orange and black colour. Teal’s heart pounded as his eyes rested on the other Lombocks with silver and black hair. He guessed they might be other relatives or court officials if Lombock society had such positions. One, a young male of similar age to himself and with silver and black hair, smiled warmly and gave him a quick nod. He smiled back.

“How long did it take you to reach us?” King Treaken asked.

“Four months,” Teal answered. “I left a week after I woke up, after… you all helped me.”

King Treaken smiled. “It was your sister who was able to put in all the effort. To be honest, I wasn’t convinced that it was really you. My efforts have been focused on the northern front past Lake Elan. We looked for you for many years and I thought it was highly unlikely that you would have been found now.”

Teal nodded, unable to take his eyes off of the pair. He kept staring, afraid they would suddenly disappear and he would lose them again. He didn’t know what the northern front was, but he could accept his father’s doubt after such a long time.

“I believe I finally sensed you in the palace at Dalenia, but I wasn’t sure,” Princess Aleria commented. “When you were in the Keglar Kingdom, it was as clear as day. I knew it was you.”

Teal thought for a moment. “I think, maybe, you were only able to find me because of the elixir I was given. It stopped the spell from controlling me.”

King Treaken and Queen Alaroundra leaned forward. “An elixir?” they both asked.

Teal paused, and he reconsidered. He didn’t want to give too much information away just yet. “I can explain that later,” he said, shifting uncomfortably on the mat. “You were going to tell me how I ended up in the Talbecan Empire.”

Princess Aleria glanced towards her father, their father.

“I don’t know what you have been told in the Talbecan Empire of what happened,” King Treaken began. “Whatever you have heard, I want you to hear our side of the story, for no doubt you were told lies.”

Teal shook his head in confusion. “I have never been told anything. No one knew how I ended up there. As far as I’m aware, the late Emperor Rathner did not know I existed until about a year ago.”

Queen Alaroundra and King Treaken shared an unreadable look. Teal frowned. What was going on here?

Food was brought into the room. Teal looked up in surprise to find that the servers were human. They kept their heads down and placed the plates around the table. Before him lay a mixture of delicately designed dishes. He didn’t want to know what the meat was, although his mouth had started to water at the sight and smell.

King Treaken accepted a cup that was placed on the table before him. “You are obviously aware of your diet, of our need for human flesh?” he asked as another server poured liquid into his cup.

Teal nodded, a lump forming in his throat.

“The whole entire reason you were lost in the Talbecan Empire was all down to food, down to our need for human meat,” he began. “In the past, the spell meant it was difficult for us to get an adequate supply of humans to feed on. We wanted to bring down the barriers with the Talbecan Empire once Emperor Leath had established control. We were aware of his labour camps, and we sent word in writing to Emperor Leath that we could help stabilise his outer borders for his new empire.”

Teal swallowed, a lump in his throat. He had never expected his story to include Emperor Rathner’s father.

“In return, it was our hope that they could send through their worst of their worst. We received word from the Talbecan Empire that Emperor Leath was willing to discuss these terms with us. He arranged to meet us on the borders with his Empress, Emperor Rathner’s mother.”

Teal’s palms began to become clammy. Worry confounded his thoughts. Was he about to be told something unforgivable that would turn him against the Empire forever?

“We travelled to meet Emperor Leath, knowing full well, that the point we had arranged to meet at meant that we would be under that forsaken spell.” King Treaken paused before he continued. “You and your sister had just been born so we took you both with us. When we arrived, we believed everything would fall into place and negotiations would be peaceful. Instead, it was a trap. Emperor Leath brought a whole army with him where we had not. He had wanted to wipe us out and get rid of us once and for all. He attacked knowing that our true fighting capabilities would be hindered by the spell.”

Teal’s mouth went dry. He couldn’t look at the food in front of him. His stomach churned, and he worried he would throw up.

“It was a hard-fought battle. Even with our limited numbers, we did not go down easily. But Emperor Leath’s army could not get the upper hand either until during the chaos, we realised that the Empress, Emperor Rathner’s mother, had managed to get her hands onto you. She threatened to kill you if your mother, and all of us, did not retreat. Your mother had to choose. She had your sister safe and well in her arms, and you were in the Empress Dowager’s hands.

“To protect you, we backed off. Emperor Leath informed us that you were his assurance. If we ever stepped on his lands again, he would kill you. That is why we returned back to our lands and left you. We did not want to risk your death. We assumed, Emperor Leath took you back to Dalenia and kept you there.”

Teal shook his head, his breath fast and hard in his chest. “No,” he said. “This can’t be right.” His thoughts raced as he tried to accept this new information. “Did, did Emperor Rathner know anything about this?”

King Treaken shook his head. “I do not know. He would have only been a boy himself when this occurred. We assumed you were always at the capital so we thought the entire Talbecan Royal Family knew. But if you only just arrived at Dalenia and met Emperor Rathner, then I do not know if Emperor Leath ever told his son. We have sent Lombock in secret into the empire to get an idea of your location, but some have never returned and others could not find any trace of you. It filled us with great fear in regards to your fate.”

Teal shook his head. Everything he had been told turned his head on what he knew of Emperor Leath. Who was this man? He had always thought Emperor Leath was an honourable person who had done whatever it took to build a peaceful empire. But at what cost?

“It doesn’t make sense,” he said. “I grew up in Hulena, on the borders of the Talbecan Empire. How did I end up there if they had taken me?”

“This is news to us. We did not know. No wonder we never found you. We always searched deep within the Talbecan Empire.” King Treaken looked at his wife and rested his hand over hers. “Making that decision was the hardest decision your mother had to make. She has carried that burden for the past twenty years, although I told her she should never do so. It broke her heart.”

Teal glanced at his mother and saw the fear and turmoil in her eyes. He couldn’t handle the pain he saw there.

“I’m sorry this happened. That was a horrible decision to have to make, and I don’t blame you for making it,” he said. Tears welled into her eyes again. “I’m glad that you were able to leave with Princess Aleria. But I must excuse myself,” he said, and he rose to his feet. “This is a lot of information that I need to consider and process. I need to be alone for a while.”

>>

Teal stood on a bridge that linked the castle to one of the floating islands. His brain was still on overload. His stomach churned and his throat was dry. He faced the view, but he was unable to absorb or appreciate it. His father’s story replayed over and over in his head. It was strange to even contemplate and accept those words: his father. Was this story his father had told him the truth? Or was it some washed up version that they had concocted?

His thoughts raced back to the interactions he had experienced with the Empress Dowager and it was as if his stomach dropped. When she had first laid eyes on him at her welcome in the Hall of Memories, she had been surprised to see him, but she hadn’t been that surprised. There had also been that second interaction between the Empress Dowager and his Presence when they had been watching the performance.

Teal swallowed, and his hands began to shake. Was that why she had nodded and acknowledged the Presence within him? Was it because she had met it once before all those years ago when he had been a baby? The Presence had been with him since he was born, so if the Emperor Dowager had taken him from his mother, the Presence would certainly have known her. But then, why hadn’t the Presence warned him? Why had the Presence allowed him to become involved with Emperor Rathner? Why had the Presence not told him to be wary of the Empress Dowager?

His thoughts went back to the Empress Dowager. He shuddered. How deceptive. What had been running through her mind for her to allow him to stay with her son after she had committed such an act? Did she not feel guilt? And, if Emperor Rathner did not know, that meant she had lied to him as well. Or had she? Did Jale know as well? He had been there inside the Hall of Memories when the Empress Dowager had demanded a meeting with all of them. Even Empress Crael had been there. Was she aware as well?

He shook his head. Emperor Rathner? Had it all been a lie? Had he known the truth of what his parents had done? Jale. Jale might have answers, but surely, Jale would have told him by now if he knew of anything. Teal gripped the table in front of him. Instead of answers, he had gained more questions. And now, he would not know the answers because the Empress Dowager was dead, murdered by her own son, Prince Vox. He couldn’t even ask Emperor Rathner for he was dead as well. Deception seemed to run throughout the whole family.

There was only one explanation. The Presence knew that Emperor Rathner was not aware of what had taken place and that the Emperor’s intentions had been true. Teal thought back to the last couple of months. If the Presence had warned him off going with the Emperor, he would never have met Jale or Lana. He would never have been involved with all the key members of Emperor’s inner circle. Teal almost laughed. If he had never agreed to join the Purple Jade Palace, he would never have ended up in the Keglar Kingdom and Ladet would most likely have never met Princess Estina.

A sigh escaped his lips and his shoulders dropped. All of a sudden, he was exhausted. There were still so many missing pieces to this story. It still didn’t explain how he had ended up in Hulena and it didn’t explain why the Empress Dowager allowed him to stay in Dalenia? They were pieces that he didn’t think he would ever know.

“How are you feeling?”

Teal startled and turned to face Queen Alaroundra. Apprehension filled her features, and she stood a good two meters away, giving him space.

“Overwhelmed,” he said. “It’s a lot of information to digest. I had no idea about the proposed trading agreement all those years ago and the events that transpired.”

“Yes,” Queen Alaroundra said, walking towards him. “I can imagine it’s a lot to take in.” She took position beside him and looked at the view.

“This is more than I could have ever imagined. It’s so beautiful,” Teal said. “I read stories about the Lombock living on islands and that they were like animals.”

Queen Alaroundra’s face stiffened. “There are some of us that live on islands. The city does extend to the coast, but I’d like to think that we’re not monsters.”

“I’m sorry,” he said.

“It’s understandable. You’ve been with humans your entire life. You have no idea who you really are.” Queen Alaroundra turned to face him. “Teal,” she said, “for the time being, why don’t you forget what we’ve told you about how you ended up in the Talbecan Empire? Why don’t you allow us to show you around our city and introduce you to your Lombock heritage? Later, you can analyse the story we have told you, for we have more to tell, much more.”

Teal’s gaze turned back to the city that folded out before him. She was right. He could worry about the past later. For the moment, he could focus on what was happening right now in front of him. He had been a prisoner for the past couple of months conducting the most heinous acts. And in fact, in some ways, he had been a prisoner his entire life. Now, he wanted to know who he was.

“That sounds like a fantastic idea,” he said. “I want to know everything about the Lombock, about this city, about the Everold, and about shapeshifting.”

Queen Alaroundra smiled. “Of course, I will tell you everything you want to know.”