by Lyra Shanti
“Thank you,” whispered Ayn, finally able to slip into a peaceful slumber.
Chapter 19: The Art of Battle
Atlar loved the way she dug her nails into his chest, like a wild animal, yet gentle enough not to break his skin. She truly was the best lover he had ever experienced – even better than his beloved departed wife, Pira, had been. If only Reese could claw her way into his heart the way his wife had done... so long ago.
However, Reese could only give him physical satisfaction, as his heart still cried out for his wife's loving, gentle soul. Reese understood she would never be able to replace Queen Pira. In fact, it was one of her conditions: that he would still treat her as his best Lirhan soldier, even if they became intimate.
It wasn't easy for Atlar to hold that promise though. He often yearned to keep Reese safe and all to himself. However, he knew it would be impossible to stop her from going on missions or fighting for her country. Reese’s honor was everything to her, and he respected that vital part of her personality.
Reese, on the other hand, felt entirely different about the situation. She enjoyed making Atlar feel good, but she also used the act of pleasuring him to escape her memories of Baran who still haunted her heart like a demanding ghost.
She had always been desperately in love with Baran, beginning from the time they were children. He was a few years older than her and had protected her from the bullies at school. She had many due to being an orphan with bright red hair, a characteristic uncommon on Kri. As a child, she couldn't help but look up to Baran and found herself falling for him, deeper and deeper.
During their Lirhan training, they were merely good friends. Soon, however, a romance bloomed, and despite being younger than he, she believed with all her heart that he felt the same intensity she did for him. She had heard about his flirtatious reputation, but she trusted him all the same. In her mind, she knew the real him, and the others were just jealous, or so she told herself.
Everything changed when she was fifteen years old and found him with another girl. He was openly kissing her in the courtyard. Reese was crushed, and when she confronted him about what he had done, he laughed and told her that the girl was “nothing” to him. She wanted to believe him, but her own fears and issues with trust held her back.
From that moment on, she vowed to change. She promised herself that she would stand on her own, never expecting anyone to love or protect her; she would only protect herself and demand the same from others.
So she spent all her time training to become the toughest, fastest warrior in all The Lirhan, which seemed to annoy Baran at first. He slowly changed his attitude, though, when he realized how strong she had become. He then became even more attracted to her in a way he hadn't quite shown before. Unfortunately, it was too late. Reese was done with men.
Then Atlar happened. The king wooed her with unexpected fierceness, making her feel as though she was the most voluptuous, valuable treasure in all the galaxy. She loved the way he seemed to need her. Atlar was much older than Reese, enough to be her father, but she didn't care. He was handsome and lion-like, full of vigor, and had been her hero growing up. What more did she need? Even if he wasn’t her true love, she had left that fantasy behind years ago, and she was no longer looking for romance.
Their hidden love affair quickly became an obsession, for both of them. Atlar needed her sex, and she needed his. It was a mutual and very consensual affair. Still, Ona never approved of her childhood friend's relationship with her father.
Reese had met Ona when they were small children. After Reese's parents were both killed in the Xen war, she was adopted by Frey's older sister, Mair, whose husband had also died in the war. Mair had been unable to have a daughter, though she had always wanted one. Mair had also been friends with Reese's mother and had promised her that she would take Reese in if anything happened to her. No one objected to the adoption, except Reese, who spent her first years with Mair and Frey completely mute.
It wasn’t until Reese met the princess that she began speaking. Ona and Reese had an instant bond and played together often. Eventually, they became as close as sisters, laughing and sharing their dreams. When Baran broke Reese's heart, it was Ona she turned to for comfort.
Ona had always been there for Reese, despite the differences in their social class, and they loved each other like true sisters. However, when Reese became her father’s mistress, it was a betrayal in Ona's eyes, especially since she confided in Reese how much she and Atlar had missed Pira. Knowing how much Reese felt for Baran, Ona just couldn't understand what Reese was doing.
In truth, Reese knew all too well what she was doing. It wasn't a betrayal in her mind, it was survival - for both her and Atlar as well.
“I wish you didn't have to go,” Atlar moaned as Reese pulled away from his arms.
Standing up, she turned her head to the side and gave him a grin. “You're the one who ordered me to leave,” she teased, sliding into her tight, bronze-colored uniform.
“That is true,” said Atlar as he slowly stood up and stretched his arms, “but only because you're simply the best.”
Reese raised her eyebrows, and in return, Atlar smiled wide. This was how they both preferred their relationship: light, sexy, fun.
As Atlar put on his favorite, velvety, Deiusian style robe, he waved his fingers at Reese, signifying for her to come. She walked to him, smiling, and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Yes, my king?” she purred.
“Listen to me, Reese,” said Atlar as he buttoned up the front of her uniform. “When you get to Deius, I want you to blend in perfectly. To get close to that madman, you'll have to make sure Notama trusts you.”
Reese nodded.
“To do that,” Atlar continued, “I'm afraid you're going to need the War-Ruse.”
Reese groaned.
“I know,” Atlar said sternly, “but there isn't any other way.”
“You know how much I hate that stuff!” whined Reese as she placed her hands on her hips.
“I know, but-”
“No, Atlar, I don't think you do. After I took that vile stuff, I was sick for weeks. I almost died!”
Reese turned away, then angrily put on her boots. Watching her get dressed, Atlar fell silent.
Sometimes, Reese wondered whether her beloved king even cared if her life was in danger. She knew him very well, and once he had a mission in mind, he would do anything to accomplish it.
“Reese,” Atlar cooed, breaking the silence. He approached her from behind, putting his hands on her sides and added, “My dear, listen to me, the War-Ruse is necessary for you to become a Deiusian, not only by acting the part, but looking it as well. Now, after the drug wears off, remember to take the antidote this time. It will be different from the last debacle, honey, I promise.”
Reese broke from his arms and turned to face him. “I didn't forget to take the antidote! It was Baran's fault! If he hadn't tried to kill everyone on the premises, and had been quicker, we would have escaped the Ohrian's hideout, and would have made it to the antidote on our ship. It wasn't me who screwed up - it was that jerk whom you give far too much authority.”
Atlar shook his head, slightly smirking. Her still present attraction for Baran was obvious to him, and he couldn't help but be amused by it.
“My dear, it doesn't matter to me whose fault it was,” he replied, holding back his true thoughts. “All that matters is this time you do not fail to use the War-Ruse properly.”
Reese wasn't happy. She wasn't afraid of much in the world, but her near-death experience after taking the War-Ruse made her more than a little uneasy. She hated the bitter taste too.
Despite her hesitance, she understood the drug's power and why it was still being used by Lirhan spies on occasion; it was the only drug that could physically alter the user’s body into a different appearance entirely. The drug could change eye color, hair color, skin color, and even facial shapes, if the dose was large enough. How this “sorce
ry” was achieved was an absolute secret. Only The Lirhan alchemists possessed the secret knowledge of how to manipulate the chemicals that produced the War-Ruse, and they told no one, not even the king.
She knew Atlar was right. If they wanted to fool Yol Notama, she would have to take the ancient drug, like it or not.
“Fine,” she said, turning to him, “I'll do it. But I swear, Atlar, if I get as sick as last time, I'm making you dress up as my nurse maid and forcing you to wait on me hand and foot.”
Atlar grinned, embracing her. “My dear, as long as you come out of this alive, and with valuable information on Notama, I'll do whatever you want.”
“Oh really? Is that a promise, your majesty?” she teased as she grabbed his manhood.
“You have my word,” Atlar responded, instantly aroused.
“No,” Reese corrected him, “I have your everything.”
“Yes, indeed,” agreed the king as he passionately kissed her, possibly for the last time.
--
Ayn could feel tiny licks of wetness on his cheek and brow. In between the shadows of sleeping and waking thought, he realized that it was his new friend, Axis, who was licking his face like a house cat who wants his master to wake in hopes of getting fed milk or fish. Ayn smiled at that idea, and then slowly opened his eyes.
For a brief moment, he thought he saw his new cat-bird friend with his nose to Ayn's nose, grinning. However, just as Ayn was about to pet Axis' short coat of golden hair, his furry friend had vanished, as if in a dream.
Soon, other senses took over Ayn's mind, like the smell of enticing food wafting in the air. He sat up and rubbed his eyes as Zin walked in and out of the room with plates in his hands. Setting a plate on the table, he smiled at Ayn and gave him a wink.
“Well, good morning, sleepy eyes!”
“Good morning,” Ayn replied in a yawn. He slowly got out of bed and made his way to the table, which called to him with its delicious aroma.
On the table, Ayn saw a variety of baked breads, as well as many other strange, yet tasty looking offerings. There was something that looked like Paya-na fruit, which was a favorite Deiusian fruit of Ayn's. This fruit, though, looked slightly different in color; it was redder and more round. There was also some kind of pink meat present on the table. However, Ayn was not a meat eater and had no interest.
Fortunately, there was much more food on the table, such as hard boiled Anko bird eggs. Ayn didn't like to eat the flesh of animals, but eggs were another story. In fact, he loved them. Anko birds tasted the best, in his opinion, especially when the yolks were slightly raw, which they seemed to be at present. What a feast in front of me! thought Ayn, happily.
All of it had been provided by Zin, which made Ayn incredibly grateful. Swallowing down his emotions, he held back tears as a lump swelled up in his throat.
“Thank you so much, Zin,” he said to his friend in a quiet voice.
Zin sat down in the chair next to him and smiled. “You're more than welcome, Ayn,” he replied. “Now eat!”
They sat at the table, enjoying the good food and each other's company. As the sunlight peered through the window, Ayn felt its warmth shining on his face, allowing him to feel a much needed sense of comfort.
Then, Zin began telling Ayn all about the hotel, and how amazing it was. According to Zin, there was, not only a free buffet of baked goods and fruit, which was available each morning in the lobby, but there was also free Konaka brew. In addition, the hotel provided a free Virtu-Pod with the daily news, which they placed at your door.
Ayn had absolutely no idea what a Virtu-Pod was, but Zin sounded so excited that he made Ayn feel the same. Ayn nodded along happily while eating sweet breads and listening to his friend's exuberant words. For a moment, all seemed calm, simple and good.
Zin showed him what a Virtu-Pod was, and it changed everything. The device itself didn't matter to Ayn, but what it did made his heart stop. The small, black, circular object was much like the tool that controlled the holographic screen he had watched with melancholia the night before. Instead of playing atmospheric images of landscapes, it projected images that told the galactic news. Shockingly, Ayn's face was now three-dimensional and floating above the table. Ayn found himself looking at his own face with sad eyes and in full Bodanya costume. Ayn dropped his fork as an Ohrian voice narrated along with the images displayed in virtual format.
“The child, known to his Deiusian followers as The Bodanya, Shiva the Fourteenth was killed yesterday morning when the anti-religion organization, The Tah, attacked the Deiusian Royal Palace during what would have been the fourteenth coronation of a Shiva-born king. According to witnesses, The Bodanya was shot at by an unknown gunman. Dei High Priest Meddhi-Lan, who was a good friend and ally to King Atlar of Kri, was then brutally shot down while protecting the child. According to King Atlar, The Bodanya had been quickly taken to a safe room while he and the Deiusian priests, as well as the Ohrian king, Lod Enra, assessed the situation. However, The Tah had planted a plasma-bomb in the palace, which went off in multiple explosions. Unfortunately, The Bodanya was inside the palace when it exploded. Having just barely escaped with his life, King Atlar described the tragic event as 'brutal and horrific.' His daughter, Princess Ona, was also present, but was unharmed.”
Ayn could barely breathe as familiar, terrible images flashed in front of him, forcing him to relive the nightmare of the day before. They showed the remains of his palace, then Atlar's image, followed by Meddhi-Lan's dignified, solemn face. Then, they showed a man Ayn didn't know, though his image somehow bothered him. The man’s face made Ayn feel as though he’d been punched in the stomach.
“The man being held accountable for the attack on The Bodanya, as well the Deiusian Royal Palace, is Yol Notama, the current leader of The Tah. There isn't much known about him at present, but we will keep you updated as soon as more information becomes clear. We now bring you King Atlar's speech as it comes to us live from his palace on Kri.”
Ayn and Zin watched with wide eyes as they saw the virtual version of Atlar sitting at his desk. He seemed to be looking directly at them with tears in his eyes.
“My fellow Krians, Deiusians, and all who are watching the news unfold this very sad day, I greet you with a heavy heart, for this day will be remembered as the day the galaxy lost a great spiritual leader, as well as a potentially great king.” Atlar sniffed and then changed his hurt expression in a matter of seconds. Now, he was angry, and it showed.
Continuing his address, he added, “I was there, my friends, and I can tell you the attack on the Deiusian temple was nothing short of extremist terrorism! And to those who claim that the Deiusian priests had this coming to them, I say to you that no matter what you believe about their religion, or even their government, they were our allies and friends, and did not deserve to be brutally attacked! As for The Bodanya, I am deeply saddened he is no longer with us. It was a senseless killing, and I am outraged that The Tah would stoop so low as to kill a child who had not even reached adulthood.”
Atlar took a deep breath and then continued with a stoic fierceness, completely capturing Ayn and Zin's attention.
“As I speak to you now, my friends, only one Deiusian priest remains alive. Only one! He was like an older brother to The Bodanya and has been forever changed... and so have I. With that in mind, I say this now, directly to Yol Notama, the leader of The Tah: you can pretend your actions are true and just, but they are not, and I will not stand for the crime you have just committed. I will not stand idly by while you get away with murder! And if you do not surrender, you should now consider Kri to be your biggest enemy. Remember this: I am King Atlar, leader of The Lirhan and I WILL use all my strength to capture you and bring you to justice for your crimes! Consider yourself forewarned!”
Then, the image of Atlar's enraged face morphed into the news anchor's serene, Ohrian face.
Ayn and Zin sat in their chairs, speechless.
“And there you have it,” said t
he Ohrian anchor. “You have just seen King Atlar's response to the tragedy on Deius, which occurred yesterday, Deiusian Time. We have also heard that, shortly before his speech, The Council of Kri held a meeting with the lone survivor of The Royal Dei. His name is being kept private, but we did capture this video of him as General Baran spoke to our reporters.”
As the Virtu-Pod played the image of Baran, Ayn stood up, pointing, his mouth agog. He was shocked to see the hooded priest who stood near Baran.
“It's Pei!” he shouted. “I can't believe it!” Ayn was now breathing out of rhythm, feeling faint.
“As far as I'm concerned,” said Baran, calm as a shallow pond, “if King Atlar were officially to declare war, it would be completely justified.”
Ayn looked at Zin with crazed eyes. It made Zin slightly nervous.
“We have to go to Kri,” Ayn declared, determined.
“No,” replied Zin.
“Yes!” Ayn shouted.
“It's not a good idea, Ayn!” Zin argued.
“I don't care! Pei is alive! And he thinks I'm dead! They all do!”
Ayn stood breathing hard for a few moments. He shook his head, folding his arms. Ayn then broke the silence with a voice Zin had not heard before; it was piercing, deeply throaty, and somewhat terrifying.
“I have to go, Zin! Are you listening to me?! I hereby command you to take me to Kri!”
Shocked, Zin nodded and fell to his knees, bowing, almost against his will. He had no idea what was making him cower like that, other than something in Ayn's voice and demeanor; it was awe striking, like he had suddenly been possessed by an ancient spirit of war and death. Not that Ohrians believed in such myths, but Zin knew of them and secretly loved the romance of their ancient songs and stories. Yet, the idea of Ayn becoming one of those spirits frightened him and made him wonder, even if just for a split second, if it was somehow possible Ayn truly did have the power of The Bodanya... whatever that was.