"What do you mean it's too soon Xavier?" demanded Nathaniel Summers.

            "It means you have to go. Now. It's no longer safe in Hammer Bay, in all of Genosha, in fact." He finished writing on the parchment Rachel had brought him and rolled it up. "Selandor," he incanted. A red phoenix seal appeared on the parchment, mystically binding it shut. He handed the letter to Nathan. "Pack a bag; you're going to see Stephen Strange."

            "What? You can't be serious. I'm not leaving Genosha while my father ails. Someone needs to run the kingdom."

            "Aye," replied the wizard, "and the Queen will continue to do that, just as she has been with your father for decades. Your mother is a quite capable ruler, and I will continue to advise her."

            "I am confused though, Xavier," the prince was still trying to wrap his mind around the events of the past few hours; his father stabbed and poisoned by a skrull assassin, while another had less successfully come after him. "What is this Kaluachi the skrull referred to?"

            "It's an ancient skrull legend. A bedtime story for disobedient children who refuse to sleep. A being who will wipe their race from the face of the earth."

            "And I'm this legend?"

            Xavier scoffed. "Of course not. The Kaluachi is a myth, nothing more. But apparently some skrulls think you might be this figure, and that is just as dangerous."

            "I still don't see why I have to leave Genosha."

            "An attack as brazen as this, they obviously plan on striking again. We need to remove you from the field of play, put you somewhere safe while we figure out who is pulling these skrull's strings. They haven't attacked a nation like this in centuries. Additionally, I need someone I trust completely to deliver this to Strange. You are one of the few to fit that description."

            Nathan was not completely content with that answer, but had too many other questions to dwell on Xavier's furtive answer. "I don't know how I'll be able to get to Strange's tower and back in time. The Eye of Agamotto is weeks away."

            "I know," Xavier replied, "but I have an idea. I cannot stop the king's infection, but I can freeze the progress of the poison, halting at least the spread of the disease."

            "How, by stopping time?" asked Rachel Summers, Nathan's younger sister.

            "Not exactly, but the result will be about the same; your father's body will remain in stasis until Nathaniel returns with a cure."

            "Alright." Madelyne Summers stood. She had shaken off the shock of the attack and was once more calm and confidant as queen of the realm. "Xavier, get what you need for your spell. We'll need to do it immediately. Rachel, help him round up whatever he needs. I'll have Bishop increase the security in the palace and try to root out any more skrulls that may be hiding in town."

            "And I guess I'll begin packing," added Nathan.

            "Yes, and we'll need to find a proper guard unit to accompany you north," she answered. Nathan and Xavier glanced quickly at each other and then at Queen Madelyne.

            "Your majesty, I don't think it will be very convincing if we try to sneak the prince off the island and he's surrounded by a battalion of Genosha soldiers."

            "I tend to agree with Xavier mother," stated Nathan gingerly. Madelyne's eyes flared, as the red-haired queen's famous ire boiled close to the surface.

            "And I think you're both fools if you believe I am going to allow the Crown Prince of Genosha to gallivant across the continent by himself while assassins are hunting him down and the king is on his deathbed!"

            "Your highness, I wasn't suggesting he go alone, but we have to think outside the normal realms of protection. We need someone who can move inconspicuously yet knows the continent and can protect the prince from his, shall we say, impetuous urges."

            "I'm still in the room!" Nathan protested.

            "Hush, darling, the adults are talking." Nathan stormed to the corner; they expected childish, he'd be more than willing to comply. Madelyne drew her index finger to her lips pensively. "I take it you already someone in mind."

            "Lebeau." Xavier winced, anticipating the response well before the name left his mouth.

            "Lebeau! You expect me to trust my sun with a thief?"

            "A thief?" exclaimed Rachel. "Who exactly is this Lebeau?"

            "He's a local crime lord," stated Xavier, "runs shop down by the docks, mostly smuggling, and he gets a cut from the street urchin pickpockets in exchange for protection. He runs a pretty tight knit organization; he probably keeps violent crime down."

            "That's such a glowing recommendation of the man," Madelyne noted sarcastically.

            "So why do we need him?" asked Rachel, "and what makes you think he'll be willing to help us?"

            "Well for one, Lebeau has access to the best intelligence network this side of Nicholas Fury's Avalonian spies. Second, he's been to the Eye of Agamotto and can guide Nathan to Strange's tower." Xavier paused. "As to why he'll help us, self preservation for one; we don't throw him in the chains. Second, he has an insatiable desire for adventure. Finally, he owes me a favor. A big one, and one I intend to make him repay - tonight."