Illusional Reality

by Karina Kantas

  Without hesitation, Alkazar bounded down the stairs to meet him. “I am your servant,” he greeted breathlessly.

  Omad told him of Thya's attack and of her recovery, and his concern that she insisted it was a dream. “Tis why I require your assistance. Your acquaintance is superior to anyone else. I entrust to you to bring about her change, compel her to grasp the situation.”

  Alkazar was taken back by the request. “I am honoured you have chosen me, only if it is so prudent to influence an opinion onto our lady, would not it be superior for her to discover for herself who she is?”

  “I concur,” Omad answered. “Alas, we do not possess the duration to tarry. I anticipate communication from Darthorn, shortly, and our lady is required to be prepared to take her standing amidst her subjects. I recognise you have a burdensome task ahead, and what I am requesting from you may seem unfeasible. Nevertheless, it should be done.”

  Alkazar didn't need to think about it. Firstly, it was not prudent to refuse the council and secondly, it seemed like an excellent opportunity to meet the princess.

  “I will surrender my all to your command, Omad. Where will I chance upon our lady?” he asked.

  “I am confident you will not fail, my friend. Come, we journey in unison.”

  ***

  “Do you not desire to visit your dwelling?” Kezar asked.

  Thya turned to answer but her sight blurred, almost as if she was looking at an illusion. It lasted only a few seconds, even so, it scared her.

  Kezar pointed to the largest of the four buildings.

  “Not now,” Thya said and continued to walk as though she knew where she was going. Something was pulling her towards one of the buildings, only she wasn't going against her will. Every step made her feel warm and content.

  As she neared the Plecky, a chill crept over her. She shuddered. Eager to shake off the strange feeling, she struck up a conversation. “Where do you live? I can't see any homes around here, apart from these four buildings,” Thya signalled to them.

  Kezar laughed. “We dwell up high.”

  Thya looked up, bending her neck in the direction Kezar pointed to. “Where? I can't see anything.”

  “Up high, within the ancient trees.”

  That was when Thya saw Tsinia. A whole city built within the trees and camouflaged by lush green leaves. Houses made of wood and straw were built between the sturdy branches of the ancient, giant trees. Each house looked similar in design and size and every one of them had a charming wooden balcony. Yet, what astounded Thya the most was the wooden rope bridges connecting each home, as though you could walk from one end of the tree tops to the other. Thya looked around. There were hundreds of them. She sensed a unity with the inhabitants. They trusted one another and had no enemies among them.

  She noticed small heads peering down at her. Goosebumps prickled her arms. She had an awful feeling that she wasn't dreaming, that she was wide-awake and had somehow been here before.

  “Are you well, my lady? You appear colourless,” Kezar asked.

  “I'm fine, just had a dizzy spell.”

  However, no matter how she tried to shake the feeling off, she couldn't get the deja vu to pass. She looked around anxiously. The forest closed in around her, stifling her breath.

  “What is it, my lady? Is anything amiss?”

  Thya felt the panic rise in her throat. Her heart beat as though it would soon jump out of her chest, and she was gripped by a sudden fear that left her unable to move or speak.

  Two Tsinians approached.

  While Alkazar stared at Thya with astonishment, Omad's face was scornful. “Kezar, I instructed you not to withdraw until my appearance. I was to accompany you both.” He studied Thya's face. “My lady, you are not yet satisfactory. Return to the Tora with me, I beseech you.”

  “Can you hear that?” Thya whispered.

  “I perceive naught,” Omad replied.

  “What is it you hear?” Alkazar asked gently.

  She stared at Alkazar as the unknown force continued to pull her along. “Whispers… voices… they're getting louder—they're calling to me. Can you hear them?”

  Thya pointed towards the Plecky. “Omad, what's in this building?”

  “Why do you inquire such? Return with me, my lady. You are not yet able enough to be out of doors—”

  Alkazar broke in. “Permit her to continue, Omad. She is compelled to proceed.”

  Thya continued to walk. “The voices are coming from inside,” Thya announced. “I must go to them.”

  Omad could not persuade her to leave with him, and so followed behind silently.

  They were only a few steps away from the entrance when Thya swooned. Alkazar ran to her side and held her up.

  Omad tutted loudly. “I declare that you are unwell. You will rest?”

  “I'm okay.” She leaned on Alkazar for support.

  “What is drawing you to the Plecky, my lady?” Alkazar asked. “What is so significant about this place?”

  “I don't know. I've no idea why I'm here. I just feel… I have to be. Does that make sense?”

  Alkazar observed the subtle glow around his princess. He'd seen auras many times before, yet never the colour of silver. He knew instantly that she was special; it didn't surprise him that she was drawn to the Changlins.

  As Omad opened the entrance to walk in, Alkazar rested his hand on his shoulder. “Nay, my friend, our lady will venture in solitude.”

  After the door had shut behind her, Omad sent Kezar to ready the princess’ dwelling, certain that food and a hot drink would be required.

  “Clarify, Alkazar. Why do you perceive you recognise our lady's action?”

  “There is something exceptional about Thya, yet I am not certain what it is. A powerful force surrounds her, and I am keen to gain an understanding of what this signifies.”

  Omad told Alkazar about the fading light of the Changlins, and his belief that they called to her, though he could not understand why.

  “This does not amaze me. I sense an intense connection between herself and the Changlins. She is a unique Ganty. I am anxious to instruct her, and curious to discover how powerful her ability is.”

  “Perseverance, my friend, we have yet to persuade her to accept her destiny.”

  “It could pass that we will not be forced to,” Alkazar remarked as he looked at the closed door.

  It seemed as though they had been waiting for an eternity when she finally emerged from the Plecky. Her face was pale and wet. Tears rolled down her cheek.

  They remained silent until she was ready to speak.

  “I have been given awareness of who I am. I am acquainted with who my mother and father were. I understand that I am not dreaming… It is clear to me now.”

  Omad sighed deeply.

  Alkazar observed Thya as Omad ranted on about how thrilled he was that she had accepted her fate, and how happy her subjects would be.

  Thya wasn't listening. She was trying to comprehend what the Changlins had told her. She didn't feel like herself. It was as if she was there, but wasn't.

  “I need to lie down. Will you excuse me?”

  Omad ceased his chattering.

  “Certainly. Kezar has prepared food and drink for you in your dwelling…”

  “Permit me to escort, our lady,” Alkazar offered.

  “Tis acceptable,” Omad smiled. “I will provide the council with the revelation. Our conflicts will finally be concluded. We will stage a festival in honour of your homecoming. Does this cheer you, my lady? It will be a marvellous introduction to your subjects.”

  “Err… yes.”

  “Wonderful!”

  Alkazar watched him leave then turned to Thya. “Take hold of my arm, Princess, for I am confident your contact with the Changlins has drained most of your strength. Lean on me for support if you wish.”

  Thya smiled weakly.

  They walked most of the way in silence. However, upon reaching her dwelling, Alkazar could no longer
hold his tongue. “I can only imagine how you are feeling, Thya, I—”

  “What is your name?”

  “Alkazar, I—”

  “Well, Alkazar. You couldn't possibly imagine how I feel, for I am not sure myself. I don't particularly want to talk about it if that's all right with you?”

  “With certainty, however, I will express myself.”

  Thya stopped walking and glared at him, but it did not deter him from speaking his mind.

  “You have come upon the realisation of who you are, and I believe this is overwhelming to you. I suggest you disregard all of this for the present. Do not reflect on what will come. Relax and sleep. Do not dwell too much on the past, exist in the present.”

  Thya smiled. She understood his words better than anything anyone else had said so far. “I thank you for the kind words, Alkazar. However, if you do not mind, I would like to be left alone.”

  “Certainly, we will encounter again at the festival. Rest well, my lady.” He bowed then left.

  The door to her new home was open and so Thya walked somberly into the narrow hallway. She was met with a choice of three doors. The one to the left and right were both closed. The third door, situated at the far end of the corridor, was slightly ajar. A light shone from within and Thya could make out shadows. Knowing that someone was inside, she approached the room cautiously.

  She entered to find Kezar and two others preparing a table. When they observed her standing there, they stopped what they were doing and curtsied. One of the two, a plump, rosy-cheeked Tsinian, spoke enthusiastically.

  “Tis an honour to attend you.”

  Thya forced a smile.

  “We have developed a meal we believe you will relish.”

  The other Tsinian pulled out a chair and gestured for her to sit.

  “Thank you. I hope you do not think I am rude, but do you mind leaving me alone.”

  The two maids looked to Kezar, puzzled. Kezar signalled for them to leave, which they did promptly, and then turned to follow them.

  “Not you, Kezar. Please, stay.”

  Even though she wanted to be on her own, she needed someone to talk to. “Sit beside me.”

  “How may I serve you?” Kezar asked.

  “You will serve me well by being a friend.”

  Kezar nodded.

  Thya looked around the room, a humble place she concluded, elegantly decorated, yet with modest furniture. Certainly it was more elaborate than the Tora. She sighed and looked down at the carved wooden bowl before her. It contained a bright orange liquid. She played absentmindedly with the wooden spoon, stirring the liquid while in deep thought.

  “Tis satisfying. Sample it.” The sound of Kezar's voice shook Thya from her fog. “Grenko produced this for you. We are led to believe that humans delight in this strange food.”

  The word humans gave Thya goose pimples. “Tell me, Kezar. Where is Tsinia? Am I on another planet? Another world? I mean, who are you?”

  After a moment of thought, Kezar answered. “To us, Earth is another situation. A location not so unlike Tsinia. We are not dissimilar to humans.” She quickly changed the subject, for it was not her place to speak of such things. “Thya, you ought to ingest if you are to retain your effectiveness.”

  Thya was so lost in thought she had forgotten about the food. She lifted the wooden spoon and sipped the warm, thin liquid. To her surprise, it tasted of tomatoes. It was… tomato soup. Thya's spirits rose slightly.

  “You grow tomatoes here?”

  “Grenko possesses the capability to cultivate and produce whatever he desires. He controls a gift we name Blooming,” she announced proudly.

  “Tell me more,” Thya urged, amazed at what she was hearing.

  “Tis not my standing, my lady. Alkazar is your mentor. He holds the undertaking of educating you about the arts.”

  “I command it.” Thya smiled after using the word for the first time.

  “Very well, my lady, if tis your command. Several Tsinians retain unique powers. I imagine you would name it as such. Alkazar is our mentor and he tutors us on how to control and master our gifts.”

  “Like black magic?”

  Kezar gasped. “Nay, my lady, we would never indulge with the dark side. Sorcery certainly.”

  “And does Alkazar have a special gift?”

  Kezar paused before answering. “Nay, nor myself. The gifts are transmitted down specific generations.”

  Thya was scared to ask yet needed to know. “Does a Ganty… Do I possess powers?”

  “With certainty. A Ganty is the most powerful. Tis guaranteed that you harbour the gift, alas, Alkazar is required to prepare you initially.”

  “I… I have special powers,” stuttered Thya. “This can't be. Please, don't tell me any more.” She couldn't hold it in any longer and sobbed uncontrollably. “I do not want this. I cannot take any more.”

  Kezar stared at her, bewildered.

  Thya wiped her eyes. “I thought I was having a dream, that all of this was a figment of my imagination. It's not, though, is it? It is real, and I do not want it to be.”

  Stunned by the revelation, Kezar went to comfort her.

  “Tell them to take me back home, Kezar. I don't want any of this.”

  “Peace, my lady, all will be well.”

  Kezar couldn't understand why her princess was so unhappy with the revelation. Did not every Tsinian dream of being a powerful Ganty? What was so wonderful about Earth? How could it be preferable to Tsinia, her true home?

  “I do not belong here,” Thya cried.

  Kezar didn't know what to do to calm her princess and thought about sending for Valcan. Instead, she lifted Thya's chin and smiled sweetly at her. “You will not be returned to Earth, my lady. Tsinia is your homeland and it will remain so. You are compelled to recognise this.”

  Thya stopped crying and wiped her face. It seemed useless to talk. No one would understand.

  Feeling weary and mentally exhausted, she stood up and turned to Kezar. “I wish to lie down.”

  “Tis fitting. I will accompany you to your chamber.”

  Kezar led her through the corridor to the door on the right, and then opened it to display a large bedroom. Thya found herself looking at a four-poster bed, three times the size of her own. The bed was beautifully dressed with silk sheets. Six huge pillows lay across it. Muslin curtains hung from each bedpost.

  A small, elegant, wooden dressing table was in the far corner, and there was an enormous wardrobe to her left. To her right was another closed door, and there was that fragrance again—a mixture of exotic fruit, flowers and woodland spices.

  “This room was formally your mother and father's. It is currently yours,” Kezar announced.

  Thya didn't want to hear about a life that had never existed. “That will be all,” she told Kezar.

  “If you are in requirement of my assistance, summon me.” Kezar pointed to the closed door. “It was to be your chamber. Would you care to view it?”

  “Not now,” Thya said impatiently, and then regretted her words. “I mean, I am really tired. I will have a look later.”

  “Very well, my lady, I hope your slumber is furnished with sweet visions.”

  Thya laid on the bed, too exhausted to undress. She fell into a deep sleep, even before her mind replayed the dreadful day. Only, bad dreams disturbed her sleep, nightmare images of monsters and evil wizards. Then, just before she awoke, she dreamt of her real parents. She imagined, or saw, as it was so realistic, what her parents looked and sounded like. They spoke to her, telling her how much they loved her and how proud they were of who she had become. They told her how much it pained them to send her away and that it was because she had lived on Earth that she was different, yet so very special.

  They warned her of bad times ahead and advised her to keep the strength of their love deep inside her.

  ***

  While their princess slept, the villagers did what they did best and organised the festival. It was t
o be a feast of dancing and merriment. Everyone was enthusiastic, and laughter and drink flowed as they worked. It had been a long time since the Tsinians last celebration.

  Alkazar told her to relax and not worry about the next day. Easy for him, Thya thought. He hadn't been told everything he knew to be true was a lie. But yes, she needed to relax. Besides, an afternoon of festivities might be all she needed to put things into perspective. Plus she was looking forward to seeing him again.

  Tall and handsome with a sexy stubble, something she'd always found attractive, Alkazar had medium length hair with natural waves and bright blues eyes. He was similar looking to all the Tsinians, yet there was something else. If only she could read him better. Some hurt perhaps, that he hid away, past troubles? She wanted to understand him as he understood her. He was the only one who seemed to know how she felt.

  Kezar spent the entire morning preparing for the princess' first meeting with her subjects. The villagers were eager to meet Thya and rejoiced in her acceptance of who she was. There had been a rumour circulating around the village that all was not well, only now it seemed further from the truth. The Tsinians wanted to celebrate the return of their princess and of the coming peace between the two lands. They believed the last of their troubles were behind them now Thya had returned.

  ***

  Thya soaked in a smooth, relaxing, bath. The fragrance of lavender and peaches filled the air. The water was warm and comforting. But was it water, she wondered? Although it had the right colour and appearance, the consistency was too thick. It was like bathing in cream. It was a wonderful experience she didn't want to end. Her spirit revived, and by the time Kezar came to dry her, Thya was singing a haunting melody that seemed to come from nowhere.

  “You retain a remarkable voice, my lady. Could I inquire where you acquainted with the melody?”

  “I made it up.”

  Kezar didn't want to ruin Thya's mood and tell her the melody was a Tsinian lullaby, one her mother must have sung to her. As Kezar pampered and dressed her mistress, she talked nonstop about the festival and how everyone had spent the night preparing for her entertainment.

  Thya dressed in a long white silk tunic with a train attached to the back. A thin gold braid hung around her waist. Single stone diamonds held the thin straps of the dress. Well, they looked like diamonds. The top curved along her cleavage, retaining her modesty. She looked stunning—all that was missing was a crown. Kezar brushed Thya's hair until it shone, then braided the sides so they hung loose around her face.