by DP Scott
Chapter Eight
The inhabitants were anxious for the event to start and when the trumpets sounded signaling the appearance of Saturna, they roared. Walking very slowly so as not to show the black boots under her dress, she entered the royal cubicle and took her seat. Detis, who was already seated below her, turned and smiled sweetly, however Saturna refused to acknowledge her presence. The music began and the first fighters were announced. Saturna scrutinized the red uniforms of the Zardite warriors looking at the angle of the hat to the buckle coverings on the boots. She knew she must do everything perfectly to not be detected posing as Anton. The first match was a quick win for the Zardite and the crowd roared again.
Throughout the Solar System the bullen was a symbol of strength and to handle it well meant power. Although more sophisticated weapons were used during war, for thousands of years the bullen was the only instrument used during competitions. Similar to a lance, the bullen was a long thin spear made of platinum. The sharp pointed head of days gone by was now rounded, so as not to wound the players.
Each warrior was categorized according to weight and previous wins. Every Zardite fighter was placed against an equal planetary opponent and the winner received special merit. If the Zardite won, he would rise in rank, if the opponent won, he would become part of the Zardite army. To lose was a humiliation and although nothing would be said, it was never forgotten. For this reason, Saturna was nervous. She wouldn’t be fighting for herself, but for Anton, and if she lost the humiliation would be his to bear.
The predominately Zardite crowd cheered wildly again because the Zardite fighters were doing well, with ten wins to three losses. The third round was beginning. It was the third and fourth rounds which held the finest and most sophisticated warriors of the kingdom. These fights took longer. The winners of the third fought the winners of the fourth round semi-finals, resulting in the final competition which occurred between the last two remaining winners. Great rewards and honor were bestowed on the warrior to take the last competition, for he would be exclaimed the greatest gladiator in the Solar System.
Saturna stood to see. One of the fighters, a Zardite had been struck and was slipping from his saddle. But until his foot touched the ground or he was knocked from the heppal, he could not be disqualified. She watched the officer struggling to regain his balance on the galloping heppal, holding his bullen high so as not to drop it. When this occurred, the rules of the competition clearly stated the opponent may circle, but may not strike a falling fighter. If the officer fell, the fight would be over. A hush blanketed the crowd and the inhabitants leaned forward, tensions rising. Saturna gripped the handrail of her box scrutinizing the action. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing--the Veectoreze’s fighter was galloping at full speed with his bullen down. He was rapidly approaching the Zardite and before the crowd could scream, the Veectoreze’s struck the flailing Zardite, knocking him from the heppal.
Reining the heppal to a stop, the Veectoreze’s raised his arm in victory. The board quickly flashed a loss for the Veectoreze’s, awarding the win to the Zardite, signaling the judges had seen what had happened. Saturna sat down once she was certain the Zardite fighter was unhurt.
"Do something Saturna. That was a clear win for the Veectoreze. The judges are old-fashioned and unfair. Saturna, darling are you listening? Only you can change the score," exclaimed Detis, calling and waving to get Saturna’s attention. Every one of the inhabitants with Detis turned around to hear Saturna’s reply.
Saturna was angry, but refused to waste her energy on Detis. She needed every bit of strength for her upcoming match. "The score will not be changed Detis and from now on please keep any further comments to yourself," replied Saturna, curtly.
"I won't sit here and be insulted!" whispered Detis, bitterly.
Saturna said nothing as she watched Detis move to a lower Veectoreze box. At least now she wouldn’t have to deal with questions from Detis when she left her cubicle for the next round. The third round was finished, with eight wins to five loses for the Zardites. The opposing planetary fighters had been training well and Saturna was beginning to feel sick. What had she been thinking when she had Maize confirm Anton's name for the fourth round? She would be up against a powerful and seasoned warrior, a warrior with many more hours of training than she had.
"I know I can do it, I must do it for Zard," she said aloud trying to convince herself.
Standing up, Saturna quietly exited through the back door of the box. By taking a secret passageway hidden in the castle wall, she was able to reach her chambers unseen. Once there, she removed the gown that had completely covered the uniform she was wearing beneath. She replaced the gown with a simple dress, similar to one worn by female servants, and with a scarf covering her hair, she set out, hoping she wouldn’t be found out or challenged. Familiar with some of the secret passageways in the castle Saturna stepped back into the dimly lit tunnel and made her way down the stairs to the kitchen on the first floor. Pulling a dusty lever, the wall instantly moved away and she found herself in the kitchen's rear hall. The second she exited, the wall silently slid back to its original place. The opening was once again completely hidden.
The culinary was buzzing with excitement. The cooks were preparing the food for the night's banquet. Saturna hurried passed them and out the kitchen door into the garden. As she approached the stables, she saw Maize holding the reins of her heppal, Fire.
"We must work quickly, Maize, there’s little time." whispered Saturna, shedding the dress and exposing the smart red uniform.
While Maize fastened the buttons on the jacket, Saturna stuffed her hair under her hat. "To the side, My Queen," said Maize adjusting the cap with extra pins so it wouldn’t fall off.
"Yes, yes, thank you Maize. Wish me luck," answered Saturna, swinging into the saddle. After taking the shiny bullen from Maize she waved and galloped towards the starting gate.
"Good luck, Your Majesty," said Maize through her auri.
Saturna could see her number appear on the game board and then heard the announcement of Zard Officer Anton against Veectoreze Officer Hugo. As she neared the gate, the reins were grabbed by a Urite servant. According to custom, the reins were held by another to prevent a false start. When the gun was fired they were released. Nervous, Saturna crouched into position. Suddenly she read the auri of the Urite servant holding the reins. He had recognized her auri.
"Tell no one, by order of the Queen," she communicated to him.
As he nodded, Saturna heard the shot and the reins were released. Fire reared, frightened by the noise and then accelerated forward causing Saturna to almost lose her hold on the bullen.
"I'm here Fire, we’ll work together, it’s alright," she said, trying to gain control of her heppal.
As Fire settled Saturna braced herself, for the Veectoreze was galloping thunderously towards her. Not having enough time to get into position, she kicked and reined the heppal into a gallop, skirting around her opponent. The strike was within inches of her mount and momentarily she could not think of what to do. Clouds of dust rose around her, she couldn’t see or breathe, but she knew if she was to win, she had to become the aggressor just as she had been taught by Gondee.
Again she could see her opponent through the billowing dust bearing down upon her with his bullen very low. The position of his weapon was against the rules; you were to strike the warrior and not the heppal. The Veectoreze was clearly aiming for Fire, hoping Fire would rear again, this time losing his rider. Saturna wisely skirted the Veectoreze once more and although he struck, it was only a glancing blow.
"Saturna, do not block me from your thoughts!"
"Please leave me in peace, Gondee," Saturna tried not to listen to her auri. She didn’t have time for lectures.
"Saturna, your life is in danger. You must concede this match. You are not physically able to win. He is double your weight and one of the best w
arriors in the Solar System!”
“It’s too late. I must find a way.”
“If you are determined then let me help you. I have seen this warrior fight before; he does not fight fair and strikes below the mount. When his bullen is low, strike high, aim for his upper body and he will be unable to block. Wait for the right opportunity when his arm is extended and his body is leaning towards the ground.”
Saturna’s mind was muddled. The noise coming from the stands was incredibly intense and inside the thick dust it was almost unbearable. She couldn’t concentrate, and she was finding it difficult to remember the rules of engagement. Nothing seemed the same as her practice matches and she realized she had no choice, but to listen to Gondee. She had foolishly put herself in a hazardous situation, but she couldn’t lose the match for Anton! She just couldn’t!
As the dust cleared somewhat, she could see the Veectoreze had turned his heppal around and was again quickly approaching her. Kicking Fire, Saturna urged her heppal to gallop towards the Veectoreze giving the impression she was going to strike. As their heppals came close to one another the Veectoreze figured Saturna had changed her mind because she had not adjusted the position of her weapon. He therefore dropped his bullen from the position of defense, to strike. As he reached out towards Saturna, she quickly reigned in Fire, who reared just in time, thus avoiding a vicious strike to his front leg.
Saturna’s full intention when she had galloped toward the Veectoreze was to be the aggressor and strike as Gondee suggested, right after her opponent’s strike. What she had not anticipated, was that she would have to make Fire rear to avoid being hit. The Veectoreze was not following the rules and was definitely aiming for her heppal. She could still hear the screaming in the stands from the inhabitants, who had expected her to fall. They didn’t know that she was more comfortable riding Fire than walking.
It was only seconds before the Veectoreze was coming towards her at full force once more. She could see his heppal panting and wondered how long he could keep up this pace. With determination to win the match, Saturna had to focus all of her strength and energy on bringing her opponent down. Kicking Fire into a run and holding her bullen to block, she was ready.
When the metal clanged, the crowd roared when Saturna was almost knocked off Fire. The Veectoreze had hardly felt the impact and was getting bored. This Zardite Anton, who was supposed to be one of the best in the Solar System, was no match for him. It was ridiculous, child’s play! Letting down his guard for a moment, the Veectoreze turned to grin at the crowd for his success of the good strike. He would finish off the Zardite now!
Before she could change her mind, Saturna regained her balance, brought Fire to an abrupt halt, braced herself and struck the Veectoreze as hard as she could just above the breast bone. He fell to the ground and the crowd went wild. Saturna reined in the heppal only to make sure the Veectoreze was unharmed, then kicking Fire into a trot she returned to the starting gate. She couldn’t risk being seen by the crowd when the dust settled.
Approaching the exit Saturna nodded to the Urite servant as he opened the gate. Walking Fire towards Maize, she dismounted and handed her the reins. "Zard will be proud!" whispered Maize.
"Zard will not know, Maize. Now that I’ve won, I qualify for the finals. I wonder who I’ll fight."
"You must not fight anymore, My Queen," said Gondee, walking into the stable.
"Gondee, I won. I have to challenge the finals."
"Your Majesty, with all respect your next competitor is Thor of Veectors, a heavy-weight champion who has never lost. Not only is he more experienced, but triple your weight. I fear you would not stand a chance, despite your cunning win against Hugo," replied Gondee, firmly.
"If I don’t fight the match will go to Thor and Anton will lose face. I must do something!" cried Saturna.
"My Queen, the future of our planet and our Solar System rests on your shoulders. If anything happens to you without an heir, the kingdom would fall to Detis. The doctor has been sent to reassess Anton. If he is able, let him fight Thor. You must change and return to your seat."
Saturna sighed, "Yes, Gondee, my inner feelings tell me Anton has recovered enough strength, but if Anton is unable to fight...”
“He will not be unable,” replied Gondee knowingly.
Saturna nodded and hurried to leave.
"My Queen?" said Gondee.
"Yes," answered Saturna turning around.
"You fought well. I was proud," said Gondee with tears in the corners of his aging eyes.
"I fought well because I had the best teacher in Zard," replied Saturna.