Asora opened her eyes and struggled to look at the admiral, “Yane. Take the people home. Get them out of danger.”
He came to her as she was cradled in Jeia’s arms. “Princess Asora, you cannot ask me to leave you at her mercy. I cannot do it.”
“That was an order Yane. Only you can tell the others what has happened.” She took a raw breath. It was ragged and tortured. “Get my people to safety.”
He bowed to her. “I will get them to safety but I will not leave you alone, nor will the rest of your honor guards.”
The princess then turned to Laxur, whispering, “please let the people leave. They are nothing to you.”
The dark queen nodded her head. “I want no war with you. So that this horrible accident does not turn into a greater crisis, I will open a portal for your people. You may stay Yane to be sure that I do nothing to endanger my sister. I will take the bullet out; make her comfortable and able to travel. When I am finished I will open another portal to take you home as Asora is not capable of it.”
Asora closed her eyes, passing out from the shock of the bullet.
Laxur closed her eyes briefly and stretched out her hands. A whirlpool of color and then a hole appeared showing that it was night on Evorn palace grounds, the home world of the Grand Utopian Kingdom. The torches were lit and the humongous stone front doors of the great palace could be seen.Laxur turned her head towards Jeia, “this should not have happened. I will punish Dari. Tell your people to go but I will see to Asora. The bullet must be taken out.”
“Maybe it would be better to take her to her own healers-” Jeia was cut off.
“Your healers will not know how to fix the damage to her. They have never seen bullet wounds before!” The dark queen walked up to the young duke. “We need room so that we can lay her on the floor or a table.”
Jeia hesitated. He turned to the mass of beings, Elves, Dwarves and Humans that had been protected and called out, “go! Now! We will be behind you.” They milled about. Staring at the princess in her long white gown now with a red stain growing ever wider.
you go! I cannot do anything for her highness until you do. You are in the way!”
“I said go! Do as I say! Damn you go! I cannot do anything for her highness until you do. You are in the way!”
Sarea woke up, got up off the floor and ran over to Jeia. “My Duke! What has happened?”
“You messed up! That is what! Now help me get the people out of here! Make them leave!” He clutched his sister closer, spreading her blood onto his long brown coat.
The bodyguard was horrified. It was her life to give to her Princess not the other way around. She looked at Asora and Jeia with fear.
“I said do it or we will lose her!” The dark queen shouted at the duke.
Yane took command. “All employees leave now. Bodyguards you wait here. Sarea?”
“Yes, sir!” She turned on the people. “You heard the Admiral. All employees, you need to go. Queen Laxur cannot keep this open portal forever!” When only a few moved, she urged, “you are endangering the Princess! Move!” She gestured with her lance and they broke out of their stupor and walked quickly through the portal pushing each other to move faster.
The royal guards stood their ground surrounding the duke, the admiral and Sarea in a semicircle. They faced Laxur’s better armed forces with their lances.
Laxur collapsed the portal as the last of the employees left. “Put her on the table.”
Jeia threw the laser onto the floor, missing Laxur’s wince at her toy being broken and laid her down with Sarea standing right beside her. “Any false moves and I will kill you, queen or no queen.”
Jeia smiled slightly at the hiss of the bodyguard and Laxur raised her eyebrows.
“I believe you would try. Now, hold her gently but firmly, this will not be easy for her.” The dark queen put her right hand over the hole. It shimmered and Asora cried out and suddenly opened her eyes to stare at the four above her.