Part 32 (1/2)
”Later, Alexandra figured out a way to power the stone by somehow involving Avram. She tried to get word to Peter, but the bandits got to him first. Not knowing who else to turn to, she went into hiding.”
”Why did she need my father?”
”They said it was because both the lacarnians and the Protectors trusted him, and that he wanted the lacarna freed as much as she did.”
Max bowed his head. ”So my father really did help her.” He raised his head. ”Did you know any of this Mr. Penna?”
”Not in detail. I knew your father wanted to free the lacarna, in fact, many humans did, including myself. However, Peter decided to actually do something about it. He did not want to involve me, but I told him I had already managed to make my own trouble. He never told me what he had done; only that he had betrayed Lord Avram.”
”Why didn't you tell me this, Mr. Penna? I've spent all this time trying to join the Protectors, like my dad, not knowing he had turned against them.”
”Your father did not turn against the Protectors, Maxwell, he turned against Lord Avram. He believed they could be brought back to their purpose, but it would take someone who believed in those ideals, someone who saw no difference between the lacarna and the humans. That is why he made me promise not to tell you the truth about the Protectors, or about himself. He hoped you would take his place by your own decision and not anyone else's influences.”
”How am I supposed to do that when I barely know what is really going on?”
”You will have to do as your father intended, Maxwell, and go with what you believe to be right.”
”I don't know what that is or what my father had intended to do. Lysander, is Alexandra awake? I want to talk to her.”
”No, not for a few more hours.”
Mr. Penna stood. ”Then I suggest you rest, Maxwell. You have had enough thrown at you for today. In fact, we should all rest. I have a feeling the next couple of days will push everyone to their limits.”
Max stood. ”As much as I would like to sleep, there's too much to think about. I'm going to wait for Alexandra. Lysander?”
”She's this way.”
Lysander led Max to where Alexandra lay asleep under the watch of Lycoris. The others followed curious of what Alexandra planned. They took seats around her and waited for her to wake. When she opened her eyes a few hours later, she seemed unsurprised to find them waiting for her.
”I a.s.sume you all are not here to see how I am doing.”
Max shook his head. ”You had me worried earlier, but now I only want to know what you and my dad had planned.”
Alexandra sat up, her skin no longer bone-tight and the color, what little she had in the first place, had returned. Not all of her strength had yet returned; however, as she pointed a shaky hand at Eve.
”I am going to destroy those accursed Controller Stones.”
Eve gasped and unconsciously took hold of her collar. ”How?”
”The Lifestone created them from a single ma.s.sive stone, so they share a link. By using the Lifestone to destroy one, I can destroy them all.”
Max grew angry. ”If that is all it took, why did you involve my father? Why didn't you do it yourself years ago?”
”When it first came to my mind, I wanted to, even though I knew releasing the lacarna with Lord Avram at the head of the Protectors would lead to another war. The lacarnians would win in the end, but the inevitable loss of life on both sides stayed my hand, for a while. I had almost given in when I met your father. He is the one who found a way in which, if done right, only a few will die.”
”Only a few? Who?”
”Avram and those foolish enough to protect him.”
”All of the Protectors will come to his aide!”
”Not if they are prevented from reaching his side.”
”How do you plan to do that?”
”Avram has taken care of that for me. I know what he intends to do with the stone and where he intends to do it. The place is perfect for separating him from any help.”
Max paced back and forth. ”Even if you can pull this off, what of the chaos that will follow? Won't the lacarna attack the Protectors for the years of mistreatment?”
”I have already spread the word of what I am attempting to do among the lacarna, asking for their patience. Also, those in my camp will spread out in the city to quell any disturbances.”
”But how can you be sure? What about the Protectors, who will stop them from attacking the lacarna?”
”Most of the Protectors are away from the city, the rest will not likely take action so outnumbered.”
”They will return sometime, and without a leader.”
Alexandra sighed. ”Unfortunately, that is where your father was supposed to come in. The Protectors, and many humans, trusted him. He had planned to take over as leader once I had taken care of Avram.”
Mr. Penna nodded. ”So that is the betrayal Peter spoke of.”
Max stopped and stared at Mr. Penna. ”My father would really have done this?”
”Yes, Maxwell, I believe he would have. He cared for both races, believing them to be equal. He wanted the lacarnians free.”
Alexandra stood and walked over to Max. ”The Immortals founded the Protectors as mediators between the races; their members consisting of both lacarnians and humans. Your father wanted to uphold that principle. The only person he would have betrayed is Avram, a murderer of many.”
”And now he is dead.”
”Yes, but, you are not. Maxwell, you are young, but you are Peter's son. Your name carries more weight than you could know.”
Max froze in disbelief. ”You think they'll listen to me, let alone follow me? I'm only a kid.”
”Really? Maxwell, look around you, people have already begun to follow you.”
”What are you talking about? No one is following me.”
Eve's hand shot up. ”I am.”
”Eve, quit fooling around.”
Melody raised her hand too. ”I told you earlier, anyone that calls me a friend, I'll help. Lady Metis also believes in you, which means you have the Children of the Immortals behind you as well.”
”But...”
Mr. Penna stood, giving a slight bow. ”Your father honored me with his friends.h.i.+p, I will do no less for his son.”