Chapter Text
Fireworks of all colours shrieked and exploded in the night sky above the city of Eternos, watched by lords and ladies and assorted guests on the high landing of the Royal Palace, just outside the Throne Room. The Captain of the Guard was also present, keeping watch over the ground situation.
Though she had been offered a few days leave after her harrowing experience in Arcadia, Teela felt the need to remain alert. After yet another brush with death, the warrior and bodyguard wanted to regain the sharp edge that had been dulled as of late, due to what she saw as complacency. The reassurance of freeze rays worn on her wrists, dozens of loyal Guardsmen monitoring the perimeter and if all else failed, she knew of the emergency weapons cache hidden on this level, a secret known only to the Royal Family and Guard officers. Perhaps it was a little paranoid to be contemplating such matters at a party, but Teela wanted her ability to see danger coming working at peak efficiency.
The purpose of all this pageantry was to celebrate the return of Princess Adora to Eternia for a short visit. Even though Teela knew Adora well enough that she would prefer to keep her presence low-key, King Randor did always love a good party. The celebration also served another purpose, as the Palace welcomed a delegation of Cat Folk from the Vine Jungle, sent by King Paw. While relations between the secretive felinoids and Eternos had previously gotten off to a rocky start, King Randor hoped a bit of old-fashioned socialising would bring the Cat Folk into the alliance against Skeletor. Certainly, Teela was hoping to see one fierce feline in particular, to whom she owed a great debt.
Her mind drifted back to two days prior: the end of the Arcadia mission. After leaving Evelyn and Adrianna, she and Ileena managed to make it back to Queen Sumana’s palace without further incident. In the meantime, word had spread across the city. Of the two foreigners and the woman of magic, who had beaten one of the most vicious gangs terrorising the men’s slums and sent them packing. Sumana’s warriors had gone on full alert, the old city tense, braced for the possibility of riots. The Queen herself was horrified to learn of the assaults and murders visited upon women venturing into the slums, and angered to learn that an invited diplomat she respected and a second she had quickly grown fond of had been subjected to such violence. She was prepared to have a battalion of her Guards launch a manhunt and find the perpetrators. Teela, mindful of the old man’s warning that such an action would incite a bloodbath, advised the Queen against using military force in the slums. Though she too found the idea of those vile criminals escaping justice to be abhorrent, Teela knew that for the moment, it was necessary to avoid the good men of this city turning against Sumana’s rule and rising up in possible revolution.
Commending both women for their actions, Queen Sumana provided a written endorsement of Teela and Ileena in representing Eternos. With their patron’s blessing, the two visitors cut their stay short and immediately flew home in the Wind Raider that night.
King Randor had listened to the Captain’s report in his office. She had kept her word to Evelyn and fully disclosed the mage’s involvement. Whilst her sovereign was rightly sceptical regarding the former Evil-lyn’s change of heart, he agreed with Teela’s advice that a cautious “hands-off” approach was the best way forward. Less of a peace treaty and more of a ceasefire agreement.
Regarding Ileena’s part in saving both Adrianna and Teela’s lives, the King acceded to her wish not to be given a formal position early, and would not raise the subject in the trainee’s presence, but he told his subject in confidence. “Mark my words, Captain: on the day you deem her ready, if she will accept the offer, I will proudly welcome Lieutenant Ileena to my Royal Guard.”
Earlier in the evening, King Randor had presided over a ceremony giving Ileena public recognition for her bravery. She was duly awarded the Eternian Medal of Gallantry, the highest citation that could be given to a civilian. As an honour, it was considered to be second only to its military equivalent: the Eternian Star of Valour.
For the hero of the day, she had returned from the mission changed. No longer smiling or laughing, remaining quiet and serious, a haunted expression in her eyes. The past two nights’ sleep had been interrupted by Ileena bolting upright in the extra bed that had been moved into Teela’s quarters. Waking from horrid nightmares in a cold sweat, crying out her friend’s name. Each time, Teela was immediately up and out of her own bed to comfort her roommate.
Even though Teela had suggested taking a couple of days to rest and recharge, Ileena was driven to continue her training with an intensity that belied her obvious emotional turmoil.
The day before this party, an alarming incident occurred when she attacked a wooden training dummy with a seemingly unending series of strikes, letting out a primal scream of rage. Teela had to interject before Ileena broke her bones on the inanimate enemy. When the red haze had cleared, Ileena was once again apologetic and clearly distraught by her loss of control.
Now the teacher watched her student from across the landing. Ileena’s heroics had attracted a plethora of potential male suitors among the Royal Court, the Masters and off-duty Guardsmen. All of them finding excuses to make conversation with the young blonde, who seemed coolly disinterested with their attempts to woo her. Teela worried for Ileena’s mind state. Concerned that while she may be gaining a future Lieutenant, she was losing the friend who was such a pleasure to be around, who could make her laugh, who was filled with such enthusiasm for anything they did together.
Her attention was drawn to Ram-Man walking up to her. “Hey Teela, ya mind if I go talk to Ileena over there? I was wonderin’ if she had any plans for tomorrow.”
Teela grinned at the short, but powerful warrior. “I’m her teacher, Rammy, not her chaperone. You two want to talk, be my guest.” She then leaned in and spoke softly. “But just remember: any man breaks her heart and I break his head.”
He patted the top of his reinforced helmet. “Heheh, good thing I always got protection.”
“I’m serious, Rammy.”
“Oh, I know y’are, pal. I’ll be the whachacallit, the perfect gentleman. Wish me luck.” And with that, he left to make his move.
No sooner had one conversation ended than one began as Queen Marlena approached her Captain. “Teela.”
The officer stood to attention and gave a salute. “Your Majesty.”
The monarch shook her head. “At ease, Captain…” She opened her arms and smiled warmly. “Come here.”
Teela stepped forward and accepted the hug. Marlena held on to her hands with a look of motherly concern. “I read your report on the Arcadia mission, are you alright?”
The bodyguard kept her professional air and brushed off the danger, despite how she felt inside. “A close call, Your Majesty. No worse than the others.”
“You did well, saving that girl.” Marlena glanced over at Ileena. “Both of you.”
Teela sheepishly admitted. “We…did have some help, Your Majesty.”
“So I understand. Evil-lyn sincerely fighting on the side of good, who would have thought? Did you have any idea this might happen?”
“A little bit of intuition and a little bit of hope, Your Grace. When the two of us were stranded in the desert, fighting to survive, she allowed me to see who she truly was, even if she didn’t mean to. Evelyn made a career out of putting on a disguise and ‘pretending’
to be nice. But for all those years, I think the person she was lying to the most was herself.”
Marlena nodded, then turned her attention back to the woman who reminded her so much of her own daughter. “How is Ileena holding up? Ever since your return, I have noticed she seems troubled. Once again, she has proven her courage. But getting mixed up in such violence couldn’t have been easy for her.”
Teela sighed. “I’m afraid not, Your Majesty. We haven’t spoken about it, but from what I can observe, Ileena is experiencing the same thing all fighters do after going into combat for the first time. She now knows the fear, the chaos, the split-second decisions that can mean the difference between life and death. If she’s anything like I was after my first action, then her mind is running through all the ways it could have been worse, and they’re gnawing away at her. It may take time, but eventually she’ll reach the point of just being glad that it wasn’t worse”
The Queen’s heart went out to her student. “Still, I think it best if I find an opportunity to speak with her. That usually cheers her up.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I know she’ll appreciate it.”
“I understand she has a guaranteed place in the Guard waiting for her. Do you think she will accept? Apparently she insisted on not being awarded a rank for what she did.”
“Ileena believes that her deeds so far have been the result of luck rather than skill, and she would sooner have skill than rank. She cannot bear the idea of letting anyone down by being put in a position she is not prepared for. I was surprised when she begged me not to recommend her to the Guard immediately, but after thinking about it a while, I realised that she’s right. The King has agreed to wait until her training is complete before making any offers, but…” She looked at her student with pride. “When that day comes, I hope she will accept, because I think she will make for an exemplary officer.”
Marlena looked at their protege, who was listening to Ram Man’s awkward attempts at asking her out on a date. “I know she will. She has the best teacher anyone could ask for.”
Teela blushed at the compliment, then remembered a pressing matter. “Your Majesty, have you seen Prince Adam? There is something I need to discuss with him.”
Mention of her son brought a wry grin to the Queen’s face. “He’ll be along shortly with Adora and a friend of hers from Etheria. Apparently my son has become very close with her during his latest visit. A lady of magic who is a Queen in her own right, I believe her name is…Castaspella.”
“I see.” Teela remained impassive, not wanting to comment on Adam’s love life in front of his mother.
Marlena leaned in and nudged Teela. “Perhaps there might be some competition for Adam’s affections in the near future, do you think?”
The redhead looked away, uncomfortable. Marlena picked up on it immediately. “Teela, is something wrong?”
“How can I put this, Your Majesty…” The Captain picked her words carefully. “The Prince shall have my sword, and if need be, my life, for as long as the House of Randor requires it…and Adam will always be my friend. But if a lady should seek to court him, she will not need to consider me competition.”
“Oh.” Whether the Queen was disappointed or relieved to hear this news was hard to discern.
Teela then leaned forward with a slight smirk. “That said, if any such lady should toy with his heart, she had best steer clear of my right hook.”
Marlena chuckled. “That’s all a mother can ask for.” Her attention was diverted by applause from the assembled guests. “Here they are now.”
Sure enough, the crowd parted to reveal Princess Adora walking side-by-side with her brother, who in turn was escorting Castaspella, Queen of Castle Mystacor, on his arm.
“Mother!” Adora immediately ran ahead and hugged Marlena. “I’ve missed you and father so much!”
Marlena beamed with joy. “We’ve both missed you too, my little girl.” She then led Adora off in another direction, the partygoers standing aside to allow access. “Now before you get sidetracked, come along and tell your father what you’ve been up to.”
Teela smiled at seeing the family reunited once again, then straightened to attention as the Prince and his date caught up.
“Hi Teela, I’d like you to meet Castaspella.”
The Captain extended a polite hand “Pleased to meet you.”
Castaspella met the handshake, with a twinkle in her eye “And I am pleased to meet you, Captain Teela. Adam has told me so much about you.” She then gave an adoring look to the Prince. “I understand I have you to thank for making him a man...”
Adam began stammering. “I, well, that is, uh…”
Casta’ then clarified with a wink. “With your training, I mean.”
The Captain grinned. “I do my best, glad you appreciate it.” She then sobered up as she addressed Adam, who was trying to hide his face. “Your Highness, I need to speak with you alone for a moment. It’s official business.”
Glad of the chance to get some separation and collect himself, Adam made his apologies. “Uh, by all means, Captain. Casta, will you excuse me?”
“Of course, my handsome Prince. But don’t take too long, I’m sure you want to introduce me to all of your wonderful family.”
“Uh, sure, right.”
Adam hurriedly followed Teela as she marched over to one of the open-air corridors that fed into the landing directly from the kitchens, stopping at a stone column while waiters moved back and forth past them. “Thanks for bailing me out, Teela. Casta is very charming, but she can come on a little strong sometimes.”
She couldn’t resist teasing him. “Don’t tell me that Prince Adam, whose famous charm has captured the hearts of maidens across Eternia, has met his match?”
“I didn’t say that, I just mean, well…never mind.”
“It’s alright, Adam, I’m just kidding.”
“I’m surprised you and Casta got along so well.”
Teela arched an eyebrow. “Why is that surprising?”
Adam rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “Well, I guess…I thought you might have had a problem with me seeing her.”
Teela chuckled. “Adam, you’re being silly. Why would I get mad about you courting one of Adora’s friends? After all…” She gave him a wry grin. “I did that first.”
He relaxed and returned the grin. “You sure did.”
Teela then recomposed herself to deliver the grim report. “Adam, the reason I wanted to talk to you alone is because while you were away, I was given some bad news. I know a party for your sister is not the best place to tell you such a thing, but we seem to spend less and less time in the same room these days.”
He moved to reassure her. “It’s alright, Teela. Probably best to get the bad news out of the way before everyone starts drinking. What’s wrong?”
She let out a breath and began her tale. “While you were on Etheria, your father assigned me to be a diplomatic envoy to Arcadia.”
Despite his foreboding, Adam was amused. “You? A diplomat?”
“Don’t start, mister, we already made those jokes. Anyway, Ileena and I went to see Queen Sumana…”
“Oh, how are she and Ananda doing?”
“That’s just it…” Teela put a hand on his shoulder, hoping to provide some comfort as she dropped the bombshell. “Adam, there was an accident a year ago…King Ananda…he’s gone.”
Stunned, the Prince lowered his head in remembrance. “Oh no. He was a good man, I was proud to know him.” He then leaned forward and hugged Teela, who accepted the embrace and gave her Prince a supportive pat on the back. “Thank you for telling me. I’m just glad he lived to see the day where all Arcadians are equal.”
Her face fell as she realised she would have to deliver the other bad news. “About that…”
“What? What is it?”
“If I told you the details, then it really would spoil Adora’s party. Suffice to say, there’s a reason your father just gave Ileena a high honour for bravery.”
Concerned, Adam couldn’t help but press his friend for answers. “Is she alright? What happened?”
“She’s…well, she will be fine….eventually. I’ll tell you tomorrow, okay? All I can say for now is that while there were good men in those mines, there were some monsters too, and while they’ve stepped into the light, they’ve brought some of the darkness with them.”
“I see.” Adam’s expression reflected a rising guilt for his role in upending Arcadia’s status quo. An illogical guilt Teela knew all too well after her firsthand experience of the horrors unleashed by their actions. Or rather, as she reminded herself, by Queen Sumana’s inaction. “I know what you’re thinking, Adam. Same thing that’s been on my mind for the past two days. It’s not your fault. Despite what’s happening in that city now, we found a system of cruel slavery and tore it down. We were right to do that. There’s nothing more you or I can do to help the Arcadians right now. It’s up to them to do their part.” She tried steering his mind to happier thoughts. “So just enjoy the party, introduce Castaspella to your parents.”
He shot her a slight grin, his good humour returning. “And I thought our run-ins with Skeletor were terrifying…”
Teela burst out laughing. “Oh come on, Adam! I’m sure the King and Queen will love her. You two go on and have a good time, just know that I want this to work out for you.”
Adam looked at her shyly, probing to see if there were any lingering feelings. Some sign that he might be causing more harm than good by courting another woman. “Are you sure, Teela? I know you haven’t always thought well of women who have been interested in me. If…if seeing Casta is going to upset you, then tell me truly and I won’t take it any further.”
Teela spoke softly, knowing her answer might be a little hard for him to take. “I know what you’re referring to. There was a time when, apart from your mother and sister, any woman who so much as looked at you fondly would make me so jealous. When the Queen told me you were escorting Casta here, I half-expected the same old routine to start. But when you introduced her just now, I didn’t feel any of that. Maybe I’ve changed, maybe I’ve gone to a different place lately. Is the change for the better? I don’t know, I’ll let others decide. But when I see you and Castaspella together, I am honestly happy for the both of you.”
Adam reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Thank you, Teela. One way or another, I needed to be sure how you felt.”
She was curious as to why he had raised the matter. “Does it bother you that I’m not getting jealous anymore?”
Wide-eyed, he held his hands up, pleading off. “Oh no, nothing of the sort. I’m sure a lot of men would love the idea of women being ready to fight over them, but it would bring me no joy. However this relationship goes, I wouldn’t be able to continue seeing her if it upset you. It does matter to me that I have your blessing.”
Teela gave him another hug, touched that he valued her opinion that much. “Adam, the only thing that would upset me is if you were to upset her. I know I bust your chops a lot, but I truly want you to be happy. Now you better get back to her, my Prince. Shouldn’t keep a lady waiting.”
“No, better not.”
As they started to walk back to the landing, she had a rather prurient thought. “Have you told Cringer yet?”
“Told him what?”
“That he’s going to have to find somewhere else to sleep tonight. Your room is going to be…occupied.”
Adam’s cheeks burned, turning the same colour as his shirt. “What makes you so sure? Maybe it won’t be.”
Teela grinned. “Trust me, Adam. I’ve been with a woman before, I know that look Casta is giving you.”
He turned a bright crimson. “Teela, I know I have this image that I’m Zoar’s gift to women, but the truth is…Castaspella is just so strong-willed, so self-assured, so beautiful. She’s everything I want in a woman, but…when I’m around her, I get nervous.” He looked at his best friend, embarrassed. “I’m guessing you didn’t have that problem.”
Teela sympathised with a situation she was intimately familiar with, “On the contrary, Adam. When I first met Huntara, I was practically quaking in my boots.”
He stopped walking, surprised by her admission. “You were?”
She turned to look at him sincerely. “I was. You know me, I don’t admit to being afraid often. When you make a connection with someone who wants you that badly, it is scary, but it’s a wonderful kind of scary. Just do what I did: trust her and allow her to take the lead, then something special will follow. You had a front-row seat to witness how Huntara changed my life, Adam. If Castaspella wants to do the same for you, and I believe she does, then I want you to have that. You just need to be brave and rise to the occasion. Casta said that I made a man out of you? Then show her just how much of a man you are.”
“I’ll do my best, Teela. If nothing else, I have plenty of experience with a woman putting me on my back. Hopefully the landing will be softer this time.”
Teela smirked. “Don’t tell her that, she may take it as a challenge.”
The two lifelong friends laughed as they headed back to the party.