Chapter 17: Decisions

Qualin

I stood in the open cell for several long minutes. I paced back and forth, peaking my head out a couple times. Nobody seemed to be coming. Was this a trick? It was a pretty elaborate play just to trick me and get me caught for 'trying to escape'.

"Fuck it." I left the cell and headed up the stairs. There were no guards. It still felt weird to just walk out freely. So, moving quickly through the halls, I made may way to the nearest window. A few times I heard footsteps ahead; I hid or took an alternative path.

Finally, I reached the gardens and the outer wall. It was much easier to reach the top from the trees inside the wall than from outside.

Once atop the wall, I couldn't resist taking a look back at the palace. I single figure was visible on a third floor balcony. The queen was there, watching me with a casual air and she gave a friendly nod. How did she know where I'd be?

Weird.

Whatever. I leapt down, landing gracefully outside the palace wall. For the first time, I realized I had absolutely no idea where to go. I could make my way to the shuttle bay. Maybe boss man's shuttle was still there. I could take it and the ship and goods on it to make a start for myself. If it had been seized, I could probably barter labor for passage on another ship. To go where?

The queen's words came to mind. It would be easy to fall back into the same old life style. I was free, for now, but that didn't mean I magically knew another way to get by. "You should stick with Minor." That was her advice.

I didn't know where he was or how to find him. Or if he wanted to see me again. Taking a deep breath, I started heading out of the city, towards the crumbling stone bridge.

***

Bonus: Callie's perspective

Throughout the conversation with Qualin, I watched and listened to the demons clinging to him.

They tried to counter everything I said, and sow doubt and distrust.

But his guardian angel was there, too. They whispered comfort and reassurance, but as with most people, it was clearly easier for Qualin to believe the bad things. Especially about himself. The fact that the demons were trying so hard to convince him that he's bad and worthless told me a lot.

At the mention of Minor, the demons really dug in. The subtle change to the expression on his face told me he believed them: that he wasn't good enough, that a creature as pure as Minor could never love someone as despicable as him.

"You were led to him. And he feels the draw to you. He is capable of seeing your worth. You are worthy. You have so much potential. You just need help to realize it." The angel whispered, nearly pleading for him to listen.

"You're just being selfish, and foolish. You really think you could hold his interest? That he would want to tie his life to yours? Absurd!" The demons hissed.

"What you are feeling is real, and love isn't selfish. You can help him as much as he can help you. You just have to be willing to try, and to open up and trust..."

Interesting. I continued our idle conversation while listening to the supernatural beings. Obviously, nothing I said was going to radically change his heart in this moment. But if his guardian was pushing him toward Minor, than that was obviously the relationship he needed.

I had no idea what had already taken place between them, or what Qualin had supposedly done to 'freak' Minor out. However, what I knew about the transformers made it seem likely that Minor would be back: if God and his angels were drawing these two together, Minor wouldn't be able to ignore it.

But sitting here isn't helping. Qualin will keep listening to the darkness and push Minor and everyone away. He needs to act. He needs to be able to choose a path to take. He will choose the right one.

Whether it was my own intuition or God nudging me in the right direction, I knew that was the answer.

I said my final peace to Qualin and left the cell. The demons shrieked in his ear that it was a trap, that there was no way I'd actually just let him go. But the angel smiled.

"Thank you." They whispered. "He won't be able to sit here for long. And he's more likely to listen to me when taking action."

I understood, my own guardian nudged me. Yep. I was the same way when I was younger. It's a lot easier to take the right path when the choices are laid out before you rather than simply believing positive words in the back of your mind.

I left, leaving Qualin to process and act in his own time. When I saw the guard at the top of the stairs, I gestured for him to come over.

"The man we're holding is free to go."

"Are you sure, your majesty?"

"Yes. Let everyone know that he isn't to be bothered. Just give him a wide birth and let him leave." I could see his hesitation. I understood, the men that had been hurt were my friends as well. Thank God the transformers had ensured that everyone had been healed.

A put a firm hand on his shoulder. "It'll be alright. Trust me."

He gave a curt nod and a bow. "Yes, your majesty." He turned and left to inform the rest of the guards and staff.

"Now, if I were him, I would probably go... that way. From this part of the palace, the best place to sneak out would be... over the east garden wall."

I made my way up the stairs, so I'd have a good view of the east garden.

It took a little longer than expected,

but eventually I spotted a figure making it's way to the wall. He used the trees to leap rather nimbly to the top. I was too far away to hear anything, but I could see the invisible tug-of-war as the demons tried to pull him in one direction, his guardian in the other. He didn't seem to be responding yet, but I had a feeling that once he wasn't focused on just getting out, he would feel lost.

"Lord, help him take the right path." I know he couldn't have heard me, but he glanced back and saw me at that moment. I nodded as he jumped down and out of sight.

"God, I know how hard it is to make the right choices when you're drowning in darkness. So I pray, that right now, those negative voices be silenced. Give him a chance to think and decide for himself."

I spoke with authority and saw the flash of light. Even with Qualin out of sight, I knew what that meant: his guardian was given the authority to vanquish the demons plaguing him, at least for a little while.

"Are you sure he'll be alright?" Romnoe walked up behind me, wrapping his arms around me.

"I believe so." I leaned back against him. "He's clever and capable. And apparently in love with Minor. That's a pretty good advantage." We both chuckled lightly.

"Minor, huh? He's almost like one of our own kids. Are you sure that person is right for him? That the union would be blessed?"

I nodded. "His guardian said he's love for Minor is real. He may not realize it yet, but apparently he isn't just feeling fascination or lust. And God's greatest gift is love, so as long as they actually do love each other, God will bless them."

"Well, if that is the case, I'm sure we'll be seeing more of him." He sighed. "I'll be sure to let Rayken and the others know. Norcar is still upset that he was not only bested, but that his sword was also stolen and used against his friends."

"Ugh, yeah, we'll have to smooth that over." We both laughed and I leaned back and gave him a kiss. "It'll all work out." I had faith that they would.