“With what you have perceived, how do you envision him?” Thya teased.
Kezar thought hard for a moment. “I vision a handsome Senx. Black hair similar to his father, young, almost representative of coming of age; gentle and obedient to his peers.”
Thya laughed. “He is indeed handsome, though his eyes are cold. I am doubtful of his obedience. I believe he respects not one, other than himself. As for sighting young, in youth he does, though his face reveals signs of a bitter existence. However, he does retain a delicious smile. I believe he has not dilemmas when it comes to companionship.”
They blushed and then collapsed into a fit of giggles.
Jakar stood nearby, unseen. He smiled to himself at the thought of telling Kovon what he had just heard. It seemed disappointing to harm a Bora, especially one as beautiful as Thya. Jakar was certain she would have satisfied Kovon, and now it looked as though she was changing her mind. She might even call upon him, even so, orders were orders, and he wanted to satisfy his new master.
Neither women saw the bottle appearing out of nowhere. They were far too busy laughing to notice a green liquid being poured into the wine pitcher.
Kezar was more to Jakar's taste, young and innocent. Perhaps Kovon would reward her to him after he gained control of Tsinia. It would be a shame to vision her beauty in chains. Jakar was certain Kovon would not decline a small request from a loyal servant.
Before long, Thya stood up and walked over to the pitcher, Jakar watched in anticipation as she poured herself a chalice of wine. Words were exchanged, and then, to his horror, Kezar took it from her and drank the poison with relish. Within seconds, the cup fell from Kezar's hand. She grabbed at her throat, her eyes widening in horror. The last thing Jakar saw before he fled was Thya catching Kezar's dead body.
Her screams rang through the Recas and beyond. The frightened servants rushed into the attendance room to see Thya cradling Kezar.
“Summon for Valcan,” she screamed. Only there was no need. Thya had alerted most of the city and Valcan was soon by her side.
“Kezar is beyond my aid,” he announced.
“What? Can you not deliver her back to me?” Thya cried. “What requirement is your gift?”
“Her breath was forfeited ahead of my arrival. I cannot recover a soul,” Valcan answered. Thya bowed her head in shame at her words.
Omad and Alkazar arrived, shocked by the sight in front on them. Alkazar ran to Thya's side and held her while she wept.
“What has occurred?” Omad asked.
“We were enjoying each other's company when she collapsed to the floor,” Thya sobbed.
“For what reason did this occur?” Omad questioned. “Kezar was healthy, was she not?” He looked to Valcan for confirmation.
“Tis not a natural death,” he said.
“The wine!”
Thya jumped up to her feet. “She consumed the wine before she collapsed.”
Valcan looked for the cup which he found a short distance away from Kezar's body. He sniffed it, his expression was solemn. “Tis how I feared—Scrikler.”
“Scrikler? What is that?” Thya asked as she wiped her eyes.
“Tis a rare poison, originating from the Outlands,” Valcan answered. “Whoever poisoned the wine went to great efforts in the creation of this potion.”
“It was I that ought to have consumed the wine,” Thya explained. “I poured it, only Kezar seized it from me. Tis I that ought to be lying present.”
“Nay it is not,” Omad announced sternly. “Kezar sacrificed her existence for the sake of yours. Alkazar, protect our lady well, for I fear there is a traitor in our midst. My lady, you are not to eat or drink of anything, unless I permit it. Do you understand?”
“I will not permit a fellow Tsinian to taste my food prior to myself.”
“Nay, my lady, nor I,” Valcan agreed. “I am aquatinted with the scent of poison. If your refreshments have been tampered with, I will hold awareness. Depart with Alkazar, remain in the Tora until my return, for I deem you require my aid.”
Alkazar escorted Thya away from the tragic scene.
In the past, Alkazar had taught Thya how to meditate and by the time Valcan returned to the Tora, he was surprised to find Thya well and coherent. Thya talked openly about her fears.
“If I had only approved the encounter with Kovon, naught would have occurred. Tis I that caused the death of my friend.”
“Nay, my lady,” Valcan objected. “Tis prudent that you did not venture to Senx for I am secure in my thoughts that you would not be present.”
“Why did the council not heed our lady's concerns?” Alkazar asked him. “If they had treated your belief earnestly, we would have been more aware. They could have prevented Kezar's death.”
“I disagree with you both,” Valcan protested. “There is naught to place blame onto, other than Kovon.”
Silence followed. Alkazar was then asked to leave so Thya could rest. She finally settled down to sleep but was troubled by the thought of what light would bring.
The sacred Changlins were carried solemnly out of the Plecky towards the funeral pyre. Thya, believing it was her duty to do so, carried the first of the stones. Omad was next in line, then Nimas, Zarc and finally Valcan. All five bearers wore white as was the tradition. Kezar's body was anointed, dressed, and shrouded in gold coloured cloth. It was a solemn day for all.
Thya was led to her place and asked by Omad to speak to her fellow Tsinians. Even though she was nervous at the thought of addressing her kinsmen, she knew what to say, as if she had performed the speech before. A hidden strength filled her being and so she called out clearly.
“Citizens of Tsinia, although my acquaintance of Kezar is little, I believed her to be a tender-hearted Bora with a caring nature. A Tsinian that will be sadly missed. As we mourn, let us not fail to remember the existence she has redeemed by the surrender of her own. For that, I will be forever indebted, as will you all. She has bestowed upon us an opportunity to continue in our struggles—to fight against the darkness closing upon us. Kezar will be missed as my confidante and friend. I will demonstrate to you all that her death will not be in vain. Heed me, my kinsmen. In the presence of you all, I voice my oath: I will perform all that is in my power to prevent Kovon from dominating Tsinia. I will defend my nation and my kinsmen. Although the foreboding of warfare is ever greater, retain the courage yourselves; together we will preserve our history and our future. Praise to the Changlins.”
Many wanted to cheer their princess, yet remained silent. A dark cloud had lifted, their hearts lightened by her words. At last, she had acknowledged their fight was her own.
Instead of the sombre death march that was sung with the lighting of the pyre, the villagers rejoiced, singing a song which Thya was led to believe was older than the first written Oracle. It celebrated Tsinia, and all that lived within her boundaries.
Through her speech, Thya felt strong and dependent and though her heart lightened with the joyful chorus, her soul carried a burden so heavy she could barely lift her head.
“Valcan,” she called.
On hearing his name, he immediately appeared by her side. “My lady,” he answered.
“I am weary. Is it permitted to depart?”
“With certainty, I will escort you myself.”
Amid the eyes of her citizens, Valcan and Thya drifted away from the crackling wood.
Alkazar was anxious to know why Thya had departed, and on hearing her speech, how she expected to defeat the new warlord. He attempted to follow, only Siren held him back.
“Why do you pursue her? She has not summoned for your counsel,” Siren questioned.
“Our lady requires conversion; she retains a heavy heart. I believe she has requirement of me. I will progress.”
“Tis not obligation, Alkazar,” Siren lectured. “Tis not your concern and I will be shamed if you withdraw. I am your betrothed and our wedlock is to be entered upon presently. You ought to be by my side—
console my grief.”
Alkazar's temper flared, and amid the astonished gathering, he grabbed Siren's arm and pulled her away from prying eyes.
“Thya is your princess and rightful heir to Tsinia, yet you are without honour and respect for her standing. She demands her subjects to be loyal and support her in these dark moments, yet you dig your sharpened claws in whenever her back is turned. For this, I am ashamed to name you as my betrothed. Your spiteful resentment has dismantled what remained of my love for you, and I am doubtful it will ever return.”
Siren slapped his face. “Pursue her then,” she shouted. “You warrant one another. I understood from the first sight of my princess that she would attain your affection. So proceed, only be aware, you have created an enemy out of the generation of Humal presently and forever more.”
She glared at him before stomping away. Alkazar watched her leave. He felt no pity, no remorse. In fact, for the first time since his betrothal to Siren, he felt free. The chains that had dragged him down, slowly choking the life out of him, had finally broken. He left in haste to the Recas.
***
“That was well done, my lady,” Valcan said. “You have dispersed the gloom that hovered above us. We rejoice in your decision, although I did not doubt your loyalty.”
She did not answer.
Valcan saw that she was settled. “Rest, my lady. I will call upon you presently.”
“Summon Alkazar to my council.”
“Tis not required,” Alkazar said as he entered the room.
Valcan left, closing the door quietly behind him. He smiled, satisfied, for he observed the change in Thya's expression when she sighted Alkazar. He was good for her, and he was glad she has another confidante.
“Oh, Alkazar, what would I do without you? Come, sit.” She motioned to an empty seat beside her. “You understand me well. Is there naught I can conceal from you?”
“Tis not accurate, Thya. There is much you can instruct me on, much to be learnt. You are wise beyond your years. Shortly, you will disregard your past.”
Thya sat up. “Never,” she snapped. “You mistake me. I have bequeathed a vow to will aid my kinsmen and I intend to retain this. However, once peace has resumed, I will depart. I possess a home in a faraway place, and unless you have been there and sighted it for yourself, you could never understand why I choose to return.”
“You are accurate. I cannot understand why you would desire to exist in a world filled with destruction and intent to destroy one another. You are a similar species. Why do you remove breath so unnecessarily?”
“How can you remark this when your planet behaves identically? You have studied my land from books, not reality. How can you fathom? You do not retain awareness of the beauty that lays there—the love and kindness and hope.” A tear rolled down her cheek.
“If only you had such passion for your own domain. Instruct me, Thya, force me to understand.” He raised her chin and gazed into her eyes. “If I kiss you, I will be punished for tis against the code to touch a Ganty with the intent of desire. Yet if I am thrown unclothed into Death Valley, it would be worth it for this.”
Alkazar bent his head and kissed her softly on her lips, an act he had been desperate to fulfil since their first meeting. To his relief, she did not fight off his advances. He could feel her desire and sensed she ached for him as much as he ached for her. He could not hold himself back any longer, the fever of his passion rained upon her lips. His kiss deepened, the urgency grew.
At last, Thya rejoiced. She'd been certain of the attraction, only she deemed it wrong to throw herself at him and so had waited, patiently. It was more than she had envisaged. Just having him hold her in his arms was enough to leave her quivering. Nevertheless, the physical interaction was too much. The desire for him so intense it pained her. Actual physical pain, the remedy of which was immediate sexual satisfaction. A dreadful thought raced through her mind and her body froze.
“We will cease this,” she said, pushing Alkazar away. “The Changlins summon me. I will withdraw. You, my love, will return to your betrothed, for tis there you belong, not with me.”
Thya turned to leave, only Alkazar took hold of her arm. “I am betrothed not, though I fear we have gained a foe, one we ought to be wary of.”
Thya turned to face him. “By the code, you cannot withdraw from your contract.”
“That is so. However, I did not. Tis Siren that released me. She is aware, as are others, of my love for you.”
“I am saddened by her loss, though not for yours. From the introduction of Siren, I retained uncertainty of your match. Then you are unrestrained?”
He nodded. “That is so.”
“Then you will accompany me to the Plecky. We will discourse to the Changlins together, for only they can consent to our union.”
By the will and order of the sacred stones, Thya and Alkazar consummated their love in the Plecky. Alkazar cradled Thya in his arms, gazing in wonder at the sacred stones, and at the light burning within.
“I am familiar with the connection you retain with the Changlins, except I currently sight for myself the unique gift you possess.”
Thya laughed. “You all hold a connection with the Changlins,” she informed him. “They were aware of our intent prior to the revilement of our feelings. They sense the hearts of Tsinian's. You remark as though the Changlins have not communicated with Ganties before.”
“They have not.”
She sat up in surprise. “So my mother did not possess the ability to perceive their voices?”
“She did not.”
“Then why, Alkazar? Why am I so unique?”
“Such queries cannot be replied to. However, I retain belief in the Oracles. Your destiny is to aid your kinsmen, and you possess a power within you that can do just that. Do not regard this as a burden Thya. You have been provided with a gift unlike any another. Though tis not understood how significant, or the length the power may reach, employ it wisely and master it. I will be by your side as you undertake this deed.” They embraced, only it was cut short by a frantic calling of Thya's name.
“That surely was not the Changlins, for I too perceived it,” Alkazar chuckled.
“It sounded like Salco,” she said. “Come dress, I sense the urgency in his tone.”
Hand in hand they left in search of Salco, finding him walking towards the Tora, calling out Thya's name in desperation.
“Salco,” Alkazar shouted to gain his attention. “Why do you bellow your lady's name as though she is a creature of the woods? State, what is the haste?”
“Oh, Alkazar, praise to the Changlins that I encountered you both, for I have searched far and wide.” He stopped then to catch his breath. “Alkazar, you are requested by the esteemed council to proceed at once to the Escos, though you, my lady, were not summoned, I feel tis my duty to escort you also, and to convey to you both the findings.”
“What to report, Salco? Come, we depart immediately.”
“A trial is to be entered upon.”
“A trial! What trial?” Alkazar questioned.
“Salco, enlighten me. What has occurred in my land?” Thya commanded.
“We have apprehended an informer,” Salco explained.
“A spy? In Tsinia? This cannot be. Tis grave revelation indeed that one of our own would betray us. Name the traitor,” Alkazar demanded.
“You are misled, Alkazar. The informer is not of Tsinia. Tis a Senx.”
Thya gasped. “A Senx in Tsinia? Are you confident of this?”
Salco did not answer. They walked into the Escos to find the council seated and in mid-discussion. Zarc stood up as they entered.
“My lady,” he sputtered. “Your presence is not required, only Alkazar has been called upon to attend.”
“Tis not my right to be present?”
“The council has ruled since the passing of our sovereigns, and we will continue to do so until the monarchy is restored. Do you desire to bear the crown as is your ri
ght?” Zarc smiled smugly, knowing well what her answer would be.
“You are aware of the position I hold on this,” Thya retorted. “However, as you demand so much from me, I expect to be included with resolves that are formed with concern of Tsinia from the hereafter. Is that understood?”
Zarc sat back down without comment.
Omad rose from his seat. “I would not permit an alternative, my lady.” He bowed, then re-seated.
“Excellent, then let us resume,” she said.
Alkazar took Thya's arm and led her to the thrones, situated opposite the council's semicircle.
Tasark stood up. “Darthorn always seemed to know our counter attacks and we have for some while suspected an informer. Until Kezar's death, we did not retain suspicion that one of our own would betray us. Yet, if the spy was to be a Senx, how was he not sighted? The conclusion was revealed in an Oracle.
“Little is recognised of our foe. If we had known they possessed gifts of their own, we would have tightened our security and become increasingly vigilant. Despite this, a snare was arranged to capture the warlord's messenger, which by the grace of the Changlins we were capable of achieving. Now, to the present; the esteemed council has convened to judge and lay sentence upon the informer.”
His speech finished, he took his seat as Omad rose.
“Well voiced, Tasark. On to the explanation of why our loyal friend Alkazar is present.” He signalled for Alkazar to step forward. “As you will presently sight, or not, our captive is endowed with a gift that you, Alkazar, are acquainted with. He has declined our demands for compliance, and tis hoped your talents could be employed.”
Alkazar, although puzzled, bowed and answered. “I am at your service as always.”
Thya too was puzzled. “Bring the prisoner forth,” she commanded.
Alkazar and Thya gasped. Two guards dragged something towards them, only all they could see was a pair of shackles clattering forwards as if walking by themselves. However, the strangest sight of all was the smaller sized shackles, suspended in midair. A ghost was Thya's first thought. Alkazar laughed aloud, making the council jump in fright.
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