by Wolf Golan
“Yeah,” Max replied holding her.
“You too should get some rest.” David said, changing the subject. “In the morning, we'll meet with the King. J.T. and I have been speaking with Paedrin about repairing the ship.”
Alex lifted her head up off Max in excitement, Max smiled too.
“Cool!” Alex replied.
“Wow that’s great news man!” Max added.
“We're glad you two are okay and with us again.” David smiled with his natural glistening eyes.
“I do offer my deepest sorrows for your companions.” Paedrin said bowing and squeezing his eyes.
“It's okay,” Max replied.
“I offer my sorrows on half of Prince Luthrick as well. He is a shame to our world and does not reflect our values as well as our hearts.”
Paedrin bowed again.
“Well, it’s okay Sr. Paedrin.” Max assured.
Padrin smiled.
Max turned to his peers. “We're going to get some sleep now.”
The Knight Guard still awaited them, and Alex noticed. “Oh I'm sorry we kept you!” Alex said, giggling. He quietly bowed. Max signaled to him and he started to the stairs. They smiled at everyone as they followed. “Goodnight everyone! We’ll see you in the morning and we’ll talk then.” Max and Alex replied together.
“Goodnight” Everyone replied.
“It's nice to have you back Al.” Jenny said to Alex.
“Yeah it is,” Ryan added.
“Yeah,” said Dallas.
“Thanks,” Alex said from under Max's arm, as they swaggered toward the stairs.
The group dispersed across the Great Hall.
They were again one.
###
Densmere Kingdom had numerous battlements, Keeps, and half a dozen towers that stretched into the sky. The castle was so huge and maze-like, it resembled a small city in itself.
After climbing two flights of stone stairs, they reached a narrow hallway without banners, and only rough stone. The guard walked Max and Alex down to a second room on the left and gestured them in.
“Thank you,” Max said to him.
“Yeah thanks,” Alex added. The guard bowed and started down the hall.
They slowly entered and peeked around. It had a huge rug under a king-size bed of puffy cotton blanket and two bedside tables. Max saw a high wooden drawer across the bed and a chair on the far right. A bathroom laid to the left with stone walls and a ledge to hold basins.
Alex dropped her bag and Max put his gun down and saw a clothing hanger beside the door. “Cozy.” Alex commented.
“It's okay,” Max added.
They noticed a small window above the right bedside, Alex pranced up to it and peeked out. “Oh beautiful! The ocean!” Max came up behind her and looked. The window showed only the sea and its moonlight glitter.
“Cool!” He got back down.
They settled in and took out their power brushes and turned them on. It buzzed as tooth gel oozed out and they moved it around their mouths once and were done. Max slid off his jacket and kicked off his shoes. Alex took off her vest and black shirt. She had on her tank top.
Max slipped off his socks and flopped himself on the bed. Alex kicked off her shoes, slipped her socks off, and lied by him.
“Can't believe half our crew is dead, my God!” Alex said out loud with her eyes still closed.
“I know, I can't either, it's pretty awful.” Max replied.
“We better watch our step, we can’t underestimate this world.” She said turning to him and peering into his eyes.
“Yes,” Max answered.
She closed her eyes, kissed him passionately, and then fell asleep.
Chapter 13
Max slowly awoke and rubbed the residue out of his eyes. His eyes were still closed and was about to drift off, when he heard a knock at the door.
“You in there?” A voice said.
“Who is it?” Max responded half-asleep.
“My name is Daegwa. I'm the Servant. Can I come in? Clean up?”
Max shifted his head around, Alex was gone.
“Yeah just a second,” He yelled out getting up. He turned to the bathroom half-asleep, “Alex are you in there?”
There was no answer.
Max jumped up and slipped on his boots and hit the auto lace buttons. He padded his hair to the side and slipped on his jacket before opening the door.
Daegwa was a husky woman with a brown tunic, broomstick skirt, and the typical whipped-hat of Chandeeran women. She had a nice smile with good teeth and carried a basket of fresh sheets. Max smiled at her.
“Goodness to you young man,” she bowed.
“Goodness... to... you too,” Max replied hesitantly.
“How are you feeling?”
“Good.”
“That is nice.” She smiled again. She sat the basket on the bed, looked around, and returned to him. “Your friends are waiting your arrival at the South dining hall sir.”
“My friends?” Max asked, scratching his head. “Oh! Yes!”
“Yes your companions. They are eating their morning meal in the South Dining Hall. They sent a messenger.” She said. “While you're eating, I will make your bed.”
“Thank you,” Max replied. She started pulling the blanket off the bed.
“What is your name again?” He asked adjusting his jacket.
“Daegwa, servant to Queen Ainera as well,” she answered.
“Oh wow!” Max replied impressed. “Okay, I'm just going to get out of your way then.” Max said. She quickly bowed to him and started taking off the bed sheets.
Max started out the door but paused and turned to Daegwa again. “Where's the South Dining Hall?”
“I can show you Sir Max.” She replied walking by him out the door. Max felt embarrassed.
“Just Max,” he said attempting to correct her. “I'm not royalty just a traveler.” He said to her back. She turned, gave an awkward smile, and walked on.
They made their way across the castle tops as the cool sea air hit him, but Max couldn't enjoy it, Daegwa was walking too fast. Max glanced to his right and saw a large extended platform stretching out to an oval platform with a small stone house at the end. They entered the giant building and reached a stairwell. Daegwa stopped and turned. “To the third level, all the way down the hall, you'll see a double wooden door that is the South Dining Hall.” She said, smiling at him and starting back.
“Thank you Daegwa!”
“Good Morn to you sir,” she replied. She quickly turned, bowed, and headed back.
Max started up the steps and hopped onto the third level and started down a hall with a line of windows to the left. He crossed sunbeams and looked out to see a grand blue sea. He stopped and reveled in the sight. The cool sea air hit him and made him feel refreshed, but a bothersome inkling: it wasn't the pacific. The faint omniscient sounds of waves and sea gulls made him homesick.
He snapped out of it and continued to the doors that were propped open at the end. Max came through and noticed a high stone ceiling with cool sea air hitting him. He saw three long narrow open stone arch windows, a gull flew in and landed on it.
“Hey good morning!” Ryan raised his cup from the table.
“Had a good sleep?” David asked from the head of a long narrow table.
“Yeah, it was okay.” Max said walking over and sitting down. The whole crew was at the table, except the Wangs. Max noticed Jenny by him with her deep happy eyes.
“Good morning,” she said smiling.
“Good morning,” Max replied. She took a sip of her coffee before turning to David.
“Its eggs with Herzog bacon, know what that is?” Ryan said pushing a plate in front of him.
“Yes, I do. I indeed do.” Max replied sarcastically. Giggles were heard around the table at Max’s comment. He took his first bite with a fork and it was actually good this time. “I think I’m getting used to it now.” Max replied to everyone smiling with a mouth
ful.
They smiled back.
“Okay, listen up.” David said to everyone clapping his hand. He stood up. “We meet with the King shortly to introduce Max and Alex. We're all back together again. I'm so happy about that considering our recent tragedy, so we can continue where we left off, regarding our repair.”
Max and a couple others chewed quietly, as Dallas started the ship report. “J.T. and I have been speaking with Paedrin and have scanned a lot of the minerals he has in his lab. He's collected minerals from all over this planet and we found some minerals to create parts for our ship.”
Max smiled at the news, but noticed everyone wasn't smiling, so he stopped.
“I know for sure that a lot of electrical circuits were damaged and there are spare parts in the back compartment, but nothing for electrical.” J.T. explained.
“I'll have to go in and look.” Dallas added.
Alex came through the door almost panting.
“Hey guys!” She said.
Max looked at her, smiled as he finished his food. She sat down by him and gave him a peck on the cheek. Max could feel her cool body and knew she had been outside. He smiled at her with a mouth full of food before forking another piece in his mouth and turning to David.
“Do we at least have an idea of where we're at?” Ryan asked.
“I'm not sure,” Dallas replied. “I looked over Paedrin's Star Charts, and the astronomical records in the Library. Me and J.T. also did some more readings with his LU on the tallest Tower. We found a cluster in the database matching Paedrin's notes, but it doesn't say where the cluster is.”
“There's no other records?” Max asked.
“I got lots of material from Paedrin's Guild Scrolls. He has most of their astronomical materials.” Dallas answered serious.
“Well whoever mapped the cluster must be close enough for us to contact right?” Max asked. He shifted his head around to everyone.
“I thought about that too, so I looked into who made the charts in UEF's Database. It was the Crads. One of their mining ships warped into this area a few parsecs away, they searched the area and found no rich deposits, so they warped out and designated this area Mineral Dead, so no ships have come since. And they obviously didn't find Chandeera.” Dallas answered.
“There's no location information?” Ryan asked.
“No, I don't know why they didn't create a database.” Dallas answered. “Guess they're lazy Aliens.” Dallas replied with a giggle, but no one joined, so she got serious.
“When was the Crad ship here?” David asked.
“400 years ago.” Dallas quickly answered.
“Great!” Ryan replied.
“Yeah,” Dallas added.
“I know Crad Federation Outposts end just beyond Andromeda, but I don’t know where they’ve gonebeyond them. Does anyone know?” David asked. Everyone shook their heads and shrugged theirshoulders. He turned to Jenny. “Jenny? You studied Northern Rim Cultures.”
“They charted dozens of galaxies and like five distant ones no one else had gone too. They've gone the farthest of any Alien Race in the Discovered Sectors.They’re considered the greatest Alien Explorers by many.” Jenny replied.
“Of course they are.” Ryan added frustrated. He folded his arms and lookedaway frustrated.
“What were the distant galaxies do you remember?” Max asked.
“USB-478, 79-Beta, 3114 Seti, Crab, and Torren,” Jenny answered.
“That’s impressive girl.” Alex replied.
“Just had Mid-terms on them last month,” Jenny giggled.
Alex giggled too.
“Did they give the name of this Galaxy?” David asked Dallas.
“No, like I said, Crad records were blank on that.” Dallas replied. “It just said 'Galaxy ' which could mean anything.”
“What about your Alien Encyclopedia Compendium Jenny? Can you research about the Crads?” Ryan asked with his arms still folded.
“I actually had to write a paper on their planetary relation methods Sophomore Year, so I don't remember any outpost information or any information, sorry Ryan.” She replied, smiling in attempt to cheer everyone up.
The crew fell silent as some pensively bit their lips.
“We should wait to vote on turning on the DS, until then, let's take a closer look at the ship.” David suggested.
“Sounds good,” Dallas got up.
“Yeah,” J.T. added.
Ryan's eyes got huge as he unfolded his arms. `Wait a minute.”
One of the King's Official came through the door. “Good Sirs and Ladies, the King requests your presence.” He said in his pitched voice.
He bowed and left.
“Thank you.” David replied, bowing back. He glanced at everyone and they gave their consenting gestures.
The Official started out and the group migrated after him.
“Trash,” Dallas told the ration plate.
“Trash,” Max said too.
“Trash” said Jenny.
“Trash” Alex said last.
Their small empty plastic plates on the table began disintegrating and soon disappeared into molecules, then gone completely.
The Official quietly led them across the castle to two big double wooden doors. He slowly screeched them open and they quietly made their way in.
Throne hall was a grand room much like an amphitheater and a mini-version of the Great Hall. Stone archways lined the ceiling with consoles lining corners all the way to a barely visible back wall. Flags draped the elaborate walls with insignias of Freena. A red carpet led them to the throne with the King, Queen, and Prince staring at them from down the hall.
Max nervously looked over at Alex and she raised her eyes-brows, widening her eyes to acknowledge the monumental moment. She turned forward and quietly continued. The guards with pikes lined the edges of the rug.
King Laedin Redoren sat in the middle and to his left, sat Queen Ai’na Redoren and on his right, Prince Cornigan Redoren. Paedrin stood below them with his hands behind is robe.
King Lae'din had a pleasant face with deep glowing blue eyes, dark eyebrows with shaggy white hair and a front balding hid under his crown. He wore a tall-spiked crown and a crimson leather rivet with a black suede shirt underneath.
A gold buckle shined from a black belt under his crimson cape with a gold pin. He looked glamorous, and a lot purer than most of the Royals Max and Alex encountered in the galaxy.
The Queen had on a spiked crown as well with a fur ruffle on her dark purple cape, beautiful jeweled necklace and a fine silk corset. She was beautiful with soft red hair and glowing eyes that made you happy when you saw them.
The Prince looked in his early 30s, handsome with black hair and dark eyes. He had a pleasant and bright face with a brown leather rivet covered his chest with a gray cloak and a gold pin. The prince did not wear a crown, but Max thought he still looked cool.
The Royal Official came before the King, turned to the crew, and gestured his hand. With a loud voice, announced: “King Laedin Redoren sole ruler of Chandeera.”
David bowed low and the rest including Max and Alex, followed. Max was in back of Alex and could only see the backs of his peers bending down. He turned back down to star at the carpet.
King Laedin stood up and opened his arms with a big bright smile that made his eyes glisten with happiness. “Welcome my visitors!” He said. “The rest of your companions have arrived I've heard?”
“Yes, of course, Sire,” David replied from the back.
He shifting his head back to Alex and Max and gave them the facial que to come forward. Max and Alex slowly stood up from behind. The Royal Family sat quiet and examined them. Alex slowly looked up and locked eyes with Prince Cornigan for a moment then turned back.
“So this is Maxwell Wilkes and Alexandra Parks.” King Lae'din said, smiling down at them with glistening eyes. “Your companions have told me a lot about you two. We've been doing our best to make them feel at home.” His smiled fad
ed into a tense countenance.
“We are sorry for the loss of your friends to Lutherick’s Forces. My brother has waged war on me for over thirty Moon Cycles now.” He sat back down.
“We continue to fight him and hope this war will end someday... and Chandeera can see peace again.” Lae'din turned away as if the next subject was physically hard to mention. “I banished him long ago for attempting to take the Kingdom. Our Father King Kraa anointed me and my brother Lorgae to the Northern Kingdom. Luthrick felt betrayed so he poisoned my father and broke away.” He stared intensely at them. “We are sorry for your lost and I take blame for my brother.”
“No we understand, thank you Sire,” Alex replied bowing.
“Yeah,” Max added bowing too.
“General Ryzen and Commander Brimdor have been battling Kraakon's Groargon army in the Droe Plains, blocking their invasion of my Kingdom.” He squeezed his mouth then calmly said, “We're at war.” Max and Alex quietly nodded. The rest of the crew remained silent with their heads down.
“Max,” King Laedin said, raising his eyebrows. Max slowly lifted his head and looked at him. “Knight Godrin tells me you helped defend the Waywongs and then you sent the Modas to help General Ryzen and General Tywor. Then you helped Yems fight Luthrick. You possess great fighting skills and leadership.”
“I just helped where I could King. It was nothing.” Max replied. “I wish I did more for Yems.”
“No it was greatness!” King Laedin corrected with a warm smile. “We can use your help.”
“It would be an honor your Highness.”
“Have you heard of Yems Sire? What happened to Magistrate Broglin?” Alex asked concerned. “We wanted to help, but he insisted we go.”
“I sent an airship to Yems two nights ago. They should be arriving back today. I also sent a letter with one of Buk's birds to General Ryzen in the South Woodlands to go to Yems to assist. A Messenger came and told me Ryzen, Tyang'gesh, and Tywor successfully defeated the Rourds and drove them to the coast.”
“The news brings me joy,” Max replied.