[Prologue]
[Chapter 1] [Chapter
2]
[Chapter
3]
[Chapter
4]
[Chapter
5] [Chapter
6] [Chapter
7] [Chapter
8] [Chapter
9] [Chapter
10] [Chapter
11] [Chapter
12] [Chapter
13] [Chapter
14] [Chapter
15] [Chapter
16] [Chapter
17] [Chapter
18] [Chapter
19] [Chapter
20] [Chapter
21] [Chapter
22] [Chapter
23]
[Chapter
24]
[Chapter 25]
[Chapter 26] [Chapter 27] [Chapter 28] [Chapter 29] [Epilogue]
Chapter 30
Corina woke up. Morning already. She looked around the Throne Room. The
throne had been moved out of the way and there were loads of boxes and
crates. A Bannon nurse was talking on the quickly built com-system.
“If you need surgical tools and a proper bed,
you
can go to any medi-ship,” she was saying. “From what
you’re telling me,
you just need emergency medis. You want scalpels? We have boxes of
‘em
right here.” The nurse was talking pretty loud.
2 Wayan nurses were opening boxes and setting up
injections.
“It’s strange and cruel that the Catlans
didn’t have
the Doglans vaccinated,” the female told the other nurse.
“I know,” he agreed. “It’s a
wonder that the Doglans
didn’t die from a plague.”
Corina looked at Yanthro. He was sleeping in the bed
next to hers. He had some plasters on his head and had a tube injecting
liquid into his arm.
“He looks
so
peaceful,” thought Corina.
The female nurse came over and put some injections
into Yanthro. She smiled at Corina.
“Oh hello Corina, you’re awake.
You’d better go and
have some breakfast. Pancakes and mango juice are being served in the
Ballroom.”
“Okay,” said Corina and got out of bed.
She went out of the Throne Room and went to the
Ballroom. In there were lots of Taklans either lining up for or eating
breakfast. Guards were watching the Catlan teenagers serving breakfast.
Corina walked to a guard. “Why are Catlan
teenagers
serving breakfast?”
The guard shrugged. “Balka-Rae’s
orders.”
Corina took a tray and stood in line.
Pancakes that were on hot silver tables were taken
and 5 were put on plates and given out. The Catlans looked either very
sad or very angry. Corina was given pancakes by a Catlan girl who
looked like she was about to cry.
“Thankyou,” said Corina sweetly. A small
smile went
on the girl’s face.
Corina moved along the line to where drinks were
given out, a Catlan was pouring 2 drinks into the cups. There were cups
of mango juice and and a green juice.
“Zamaki Teal Milk! Ew!” thought Corina.
She took the
mango juice.
The line kept moving along and Corina saw a Catlan
girl give forks to everybody while looking down the whole time. She
looked like a robot until the tray of forks were empty. She looked
behind her and shouted: “TRAY EMPTY! I NEED MORE FORKS!!”
Another Catlan teenager went to her with a trolley
of fork trays, syrups, cups, plates and teeth-cleanser gum. The Catlan
girl took the fork tray from the top and gave out forks as a robot
again.
The line was near the end, where a Catlan boy was
holding a small bottle.
“Syrup?” he asked pleasantly. The Wayan
nodded and
he poured the it. “Syrup?” he asked again. The Bannon shook
her head.
“Syrup?” The Tyron nodded and the Catlan poured syrup.
“You’re in a good mood,” said
Corina.
“Yesterday was the best day of my life,”
said the
Catlan boy. “The Royal Moron is finally gone and I can say my own
thoughts. Do you think Balka-Rae will let us travel the world?”
... “Um...yeah. Syrup please.” Corina
held up her
plate.
Corina then went and sat at a place on the long
tables and benches. They were in front of large screens. The screens
had been tuned in to the 'Tellen News 24’. They were giving a
weather
report.
“So it looks to be that the South of Telleria
will
be bright and sunny for the next 2 days at least. Back to you
Reyna.”
The weatherman smiled.
The screen then showed a desk in front of a yellow
wall. The woman was dressed in purple, pink and blue. “Thankyou
Curi.
Our top story this morning is of the war in Catlan Imperial. We have
Tali over there to give us the report.”
The screen then saw a woman in black, red, orange
and yellow standing in front of ruins. “Good morning Reyna. I am
in
Catlan Imperial and you’ll find that there’s almost no one
around
except for the guards guarding the Catlans in their apartments. The
death toll has been counted as 107, surprisingly small for such a
battle that caused this much destruction. The amount of injuries,
however, is very high and has so far been counted to around 67 160. The
amount of Catlan suicides has only added to the tragedy.
“On a lighter note, Balka-Rae has been
announced to
have many plans to rebuild this city but we’re not sure how and
when.
He has, however, announced that this city is no longer called Catlan
Imperial but Desert City. Oh and I think you should notice this small
rubble next to me. Here was where a statue of King Siran stood. Soon
after the fighting stopped, after Balka-Rae announced Ingree’s
death,
dynamite was planted all over this statue and blew it to pieces. It
looks like there’ll be a bright future for this city. Back to you
Reyna.”
Reyna appeared on the screen again. “Hours
ago,
shocking rumours were confirmed. Prince Rida of Tyrony, has been
killed. We have Churo on the line, good morning Churo.”
The screen was then split into 2, Reyna on the left
and Churo, sitting in a white office, on the right. “Good
morning,” he
said.
“Where are you now Churo?” asked Reyna.
“Right now, I’m using the com-system of
the Chief
Medic on this ship. He is right now asleep and I can tell you, things
here have been a mess. The last surgery ended just 5 minutes ago, with
many more minor but necessary surgeries taking place later today.”
“Can you give us the details of Rida’s
tragedy?”
Churo told the details. “Yes Reyna, the
details have
been given: Rida had tried to disarm a Rush Bomb but was unsuccessful.
He has been regarded as a hero because he has probably saved hundreds,
if not thousands, of lives.”
“Is there anything being done because of this
tragedy?”
Churo answered. “Yes there is, Jaron declared
to
Tyrony that today is a day of mourning. Many people around here are
wearing black-or their formal uniforms if they have them-out of
respect.”
“Thankyou Churo.” Churo nodded and the
split-screen
was gone. “His Majesty Kane has given a speech for these
events.”
The screen then showed Kane, wearing his golden mask
and crown, he was wearing black, skin-tight leather and his soft silver
robe.
“Your father looks magnificent,” said a
Wayan to
Corina.
“People of Telleria,” said Kane.
“This day is one of
respect, for yesterday was a day of history. The cruel tyranny which
held the Lan Regions for years has ended. We can celebrate that victory
today, celebrating the freedom of the
Doglans and new life for the Catlans. But today, is also a day of
respect and memory, not just for Prince Rida, but for all the men and
women who fought and gave their lives for this cause. Today, we
remember them.”
The screen showed Reyna again. “Grand words
from His
Majesty. Information has been given that if you would like to help the
labour forces reconstruct the city or generally help in any way, you
can find out details by contacting your local council office. Now the
question is, what will happen to Catlan Imperial, or rather Desert
City? We have Miran in the studio with us.” Sitting next to Reyna
was a
woman-Tellen-with short brown hair and wearing yellow, green and brown.
“Good morning Miran.”
Miran smiled. “Good morning.”
“Now, before we start going into detail, can
you
tell us what the general plan is?” asked Reyna.
“Of course Reyna. Well the only tall buildings
will
be the airport and the palace. Many of the houses will be 2 floors
overground plus a basement. The security buildings and hospitals will
be 2 floors above ground and 2, 3, possibly 4 floors below ground.
Balka-Rae also plans to build shrines, they will be underground also.
Now remember that there’s a lot of people in the city and not a
lot of
them will want to leave, so it’s likely that an underground city
of
caves will be built.”
Corina had now finished her breakfast and went to
the Ballroom exit. There were 4 Catlan teenagers, 2 were next to bins
and the other 2 gave out teeth-cleanser gum.
Jaron was sitting on Loria’s bed, looking out of the Medi-Ship
window.
Loria couldn’t see so she was reading Jaron’s mind to see
what he saw.
“The sky looks orange,” said Loria.
“It’s a desert, Loria,” said Jaron.
“At least you can see...stop looking so sad.
It’s
dimming the picture-hey hey don’t look at me! I don’t want
to remember
that my burnt face has got me bandages over my eyes!” Loria
complained.
“Whenever
she
says something like that, I usually smile,” thought Jaron
sadly.
“Loria, when the bandages come off, you’ll be able to see
again.”
“I’ll also need to wear a mask and have
to cover my
crippled arm,” she told her husband. “It’s horrible.
A shame I can’t
have my revenge.”
“Revenge doesn’t mean justice and
everyone gets
their rewards, Loria,” said Kane quietly.
Jaron quickly turned around. “We didn’t
hear you
come in Dad,” said Loria.
“I have to talk quietly,” said Kane.
“I don’t want
to wake up these young ones.” (He was talking about the 3 young
Doglans
asleep in the same room.) He walked to Loria’s bed. “Still
feeling sad
for your brother Jaron?”
Corina walked into the empty room. It had curtains hanging down from
all over the place (like how it was in Balka-Rae’s room when he
was
High Marshal). She walked past the bed that had the curtains half drawn
and walked to the window. She didn’t see that there was someone
sitting
on the bed behind the curtains.
Corina stared out of the window until she heard:
“Needed some room?” She quickly turned round to find Dira
standing
behind her. Dira held up her hand-cuffed hands. “Don’t
worry, I can’t
hurt you.” She put them down and walked to the window.
“So, I guess we can have a princess
chat,” said
Corina.
“Sure,” said Dira. “Why are you
here?”
“I needed to be alone for a little
while,” said
Corina. “There are so many changes going on, I needed to clear my
head.
So why are you here?”
“Balka-Rae wants to see me,” said Dira.
“I don’t
know what about but I know that I am now out of prison. I’m glad
too, I
was put in there unfairly.”
“Everyone else thought it was fair,”
told Corina.
“I’m not talking about the punishment,
I’m talking
about how it was ordered. You see, when dealing with someone like me,
it’s supposed to be done by a member of the Monarchy.”
“Monarchy?” asked Corina.
“King or Queen. Don’t you know the
word?” asked Dira.
“I don’t study much,” said Corina.
“You should study more,” told Dira.
“Well, it wasn’t
Jaron, Rida, Loria or even Zana who ordered me to prison. It was a
Judge! An ordinary Judge!”
“I remember that,” said Corina.
“Didn’t people think
you were dangerous because you killed like your parents did?”
“Please, I’ve never killed anyone in my
life...okay.
At one time, I ordered a slave dead because I was really sad that he
broke my toy. But I was only 5 years old and I was a stupid
princess.”
“I’ve been a bit of a stupid princess
too,” said
Corina.
“Why is that?” asked Dira.
“I never tried hard at school because I
thought I
would be Queen if I was smart or dumb and that Telleria would love me
because I was a happy Queen. Now I know better. Kings and Queens had to
make sure that lots of people wouldn’t be killed in this
attack.”
“Rulers need to make large and tough
decisions,”
said Dira.
“I know,” said Corina. “There was
also the fact I
never liked people telling me what to do. So I have to go back to
school, but I’m already scared of it.”
“Can’t you be tutored?” asked the
Catlan.
“It’s a Tellerian tradition not to be.
There are no
tutors anywhere in Telleria,” told Corina.
“How strange,” said Dira.
... “What d’you think of the Doglans
being set free?”
Dira thought about it. ... “I don’t
know.”
Balka-Rae was lazily lying down on the bed. He was in the council hall,
which was pretty dark. It was dark, but Balka could see wings. The door
opened.
“Dira is here sir,” told the soldier.
Balka got up. “Send her in.” He walked
to a chair.
Dira walked in. “Take a seat.” Dira sat in front of him on
the next
chair. Balka also sat down. “I wanted you here so that I can tell
you
my plans.”
“They have been all over the news,” said
Dira. “You
plan to rebuild the city.”
“Yes,” said Balka. “That and I
want a few more
nomads, shrines and houses all over the desert. I also plan to show the
Catlans discipline and respect.”
“How?” asked Dira.
“The Catlans have been raised with no respect
and
almost no talent,” said Balka. “All that today’s
Catlans know is how to
fight-badly-and talk tough, plus a few scientists who don’t work
for
new medicines or for the greater good of Takla. I want to send all the
Catlans, about 8-30 years old, to places that will teach them skills
for work, like sewing or woodwork, and for showing them how to respect
other people. Catlans will be sent to live and work with nomads,
tailors, servants, teachers, doctors, cargo shifters, priests and
scribes. They’ll stay there for about 3 years.”
“So...what is it you want me to do?”
asked Dira. She
didn’t seem to like this.
“You are the Catlan Princess,” told
Balka. “People
will look up to you as an example. I’ve agreed with Jaron to send
you
as a servant in his palace, you will follow the orders of his porter
Yatri and the rest of the royal family.” “Shocked Dira?” thought
Balka-Rae.
Dira’s shocked face changed to a grin.
“Fine, I will
do that. But it’s strange that you trust me because...you did
kill my
father.”
“I had to, he was a madman,” he told her.
Dira stood up. “He was my daddy and I loved
him!
You-”
Jaron and Zana flew down before a fight could start.
Jaron lifted Dira away and Zana stood in front of his Dad.
“Dad! Just ignore her!” Zana quickly
said.
Dira stopped wriggling. “Dad?” She
looked at
Balka-Rae. “Zana is your son?”
Jaron let go of her. “It was a shock for us
too.”
Dira was about to cry. “You plan him to be the
next
King, don’t you? Aren’t I allowed to take the throne?”
Balka tried to say something. “It’s
not-”
“FERA! I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME!” Dira
shouted to the
ceiling. “WILL MY FAMILY LINE EVER TAKE THE THRONE!?”
“It will,” said Zana. “When the
memory from the
Ancient Days returns.”
“But that can be a long time away!” said
Dira.
“It’ll happen sooner than you think,
you’ll live to
see it,” Zana told her.
There was silence.
Dira spoke again. “I suppose...I should
prepare for
my journey to Tyrony...Jaron, I am sorry about your brother. I know
it’s never good to lose family.” Jaron led Dira out of the
room.
Jaron felt a little...well, no one could tell what he was feeling. Not
even him. He kept walking up and down the room...
“Maybe I
should
go outside,” he thought.
He went to the Catlan-(ahem)-Lan Palace roof.
(Please remember from now on that it’s not just the Catlans who
rule.)
“The
Catlan-I
mean Lan Palace roof gives a good view,” thought Jaron. “Man it’s cold out here, good
thing I
remembered to put on my cloak. The moon’s so bright!”
Jaron looked left and saw Zana. Zana was only
wearing his perfect white bodysuit.
“What brings you out here Your Majesty?”
asked Zana.
Jaron walked to him. “Thoughts and feelings.
Why
aren’t you wearing your cloak? Aren’t you cold?”
“When you fly high you learn to forget the
cold, for
at least a few minutes,” Zana told him.
Jaron stopped walking. He was now in front of Zana.
“I was somehow involved with Catlan Revolution several times and
in
several ways. That was huge history. And now I’m confused about
what to
think of the future. Zana...don’t you ever feel, scared and
excited, at
the same time?”
“A lot of the time,” answered Zana.
“So...what do you do about it?” Jaron
asked.
“I stand under the Sun at midday and under the
Moon
at midnight.”
“Why?” Jaron asked again.
Zana then started to sing. “Luna sheen a lita
eenish.”
Jaron looked at him. “The song of High
Night!”
Zana grinned and nodded. “And just for you Jaron...”
“The Gate of Dreams has been opened.
When one eye watches people wonder
Does it know my destiny?
Golden dreams are made when people
Listen to their hearts and calling
The silver path lies before the one
Only they can know the end.”
©Ruth Amy Louise Hüneke 2008