As time passed, so did the magnetic storm season on Helix-One. The ports were open and life sped up exponentially. Fellow Dunestriders were still investigating Auburn, but his innocence held up as more evidence of Otheyo's betrayal surfaced. Otheyo had known about the Obelisk since before coming to Helix-One, and his decisions as a lead of the mines all were in pursuit of it.
Kivtius remained in the village. When Tomak had asked why, he answered only that Algodon was dead. Whoever Algodon was was no more, and his life ended when Kivtius took over. When Tomak offered to contact Algodon's next of kin, Kivtius replied that Algodon had none.
Ava, for her part, was charged with manslaughter despite the pleadings of her father, Lurio. She was kept under surveillance and placed under lock and key in the local security unit. Lurio was allowed to visit frequently.
Sio was placed under the care of Dr. Tausidi whom taught her everything there was to know about first aid and lab work. In Sio's free time, she watched the ships from port come and go, as was her custom, wondering if one day she would venture out into the Great Void. One thing persisted in her mind, Otheyo's last words, find Nocturne.
—
10 years later…
Renna of Skies
"Majesties, there has been a breach in the embargo," Renna said as she bowed her head downward, her eyes to the floor. Their Majesties said nothing, but Renna could feel the tension in the room. She watched from the corner of her eye as servants' feet shuffled uncomfortably at the news. It did not please Renna that her first visit to the capital in seven years was to report a slight against the Tribunal's Royal Lineage. It had to be done.
It will be blood today. Thought Renna. it was the only logical conclusion she could think of, and some saccharine, chaotic part of her wanted it very much to be true. It had been a long time since Their Majesties had employed the fleet with something other than mundane tasks, and she was very much ready to spoil any day of the Magistrate should the opportunity arise. It looked like now was that opportunity.
"Who is the culprit?" Spoke the queen. Her voice was laced with a dangerous tone. Renna loved that about her queen. Always ready for a fight.
"It seems the Imperium has not taken kindly to recent taxation of their salt market. While surveying recent smuggled goods, we found a note indicating their involvement with several families of the Royal Lineage framing Your Majesties for unallocated goods." Renna expected the low growl from her queen, but was surprised to hear it from her king. This had been a thorn in Their Majesties' side for some time, she reckoned.
"To think, a plot devised against us after all this time," spoke the king lowly to the servants in the room. He waved his hand for the servants unaffiliated with military training to leave the room immediately, and twenty or so servants rushed their way out of the hall at once.
It took a few moments of clamoring before the hall was truly cleared, and only Renna, Their Majesties, and a few palace guards remained in place.
"So, how'd they go about it? Inciting a riot? More war games?" The king asked calmly. Renna merely shook her head and spoke one word.
"Nocturne." At the sound, the room went deadly still once more. Renna produced a dagger from her sheath and knelt. Her offering was taken by one of the palace guards then placed before Their Majesties' throne. It was a ceremonial dagger, one only given to Nocturnal Assassins on the day of their first kill, or so Renna explained. Her knowledge was never challenged when it came to Their Majesties' enemies; she was, after all, the head of security for the kingdom.
"How did you come across this, Renna?" spoke the queen as she marveled at its intricate carvings. The queen was no stranger to Nocturne's weapons or ceremony, as a war hero and herself a trained military general, she came across many assassins of the Nocturne, but the ceremonial blade was different. It was their sacred rite of passage, not something Nocturne's Assassins would carry with them on the field.
"In one of the noble houses, our security team found a chamber of all kinds of dark things, unspeakable wickedness like that of Dissonance. In it was this dagger, poised as though a trophy. We cannot be sure if the noble himself was part of Nocturne, but we certainly suspect this was not found coincidentally."
"Could Nocturne simply be framed for responsibility?" asked the queen.
"It certainly is a possibility, my queen. But it is also no secret that this could very well be a warning from Nocturne's leaders as well."
"You suspect it a warding off, then?" grunted the king. He stroked his beard in thought. "For what purpose, I wonder. We never have meddled in the affairs of the Nocturne before." At this, Renna inclined her head. It was true. It was always a monarchy's best interest to steer clear of potential enemies, especially when their dealings cut the heart out of other enemies.
"I cannot say for certain, Majesties, but know your loyal servant is investigating as we speak."
"Go then, continue your work, we will discuss a plan of action and send forth word." Said the Queen. The two monarchs bowed their heads toward Renna in dismissal, and taking a cue from their signal, left swiftly through the entrance through which she came in. Upon the closing of the doors behind her, Renna was approached by her fellow Captain Tyr, who met her pace toward the debriefing hall where the other captains of the Fleet were to meet to hear the news.
"I don't know how you speak so effortlessly to Their Majesties, Renna." Said Captain Tyr, her helmet hiding a bashful voice.
"All in the subtleties, Ros. Respecting them like a laser blade is a winning strategy."
"More like respecting them like a live hydrogen grenade. Skimming a black-hole is far less stressful!" Captain Tyr nudged Renna with her elbow. Renna only rolled her eyes. For Captain Tyr, skimming a black-hole was easy. She was one of the most decorated captains for solar flight in her class at the academy, and even more decorated in the field. Renna would easily take speaking with Their Majesties over trying to take Tyr's flight record. The two young women made their way down the hall toward the barracks, then left toward the debriefing hall.
"Shall you take the lead, or shall I?" Renna asked as she adjusted her gloves and put her helmet over her head. They were at the door to the hall, on time and not a minute less or more.
"After you, Captain Renna." And they entered a large room with the Fleet of Royal Lineage standing at ready for their debrief.