Saturna and the Battle for Zard

by DP Scott

  Chapter Fifteen

  As suddenly as the vibrating and spinning had begun, it stopped. Saturna adjusted her eyes to a tiny light source and realized it was a reflection from some sparkling object. She could see a crumpled entity lying close to her feet and when her eyes became more accustomed to the dim lighting, she discovered it was Hete. Trying several times to push herself up, she found no strength. She was extremely fatigued, exhausted. Struggling she managed to pull herself to a seated position, and leaning over, she touched Hete’s forehead. It was warm and there appeared to be no physical injury.

  “Hete,” she called softly. “Hete, please wake up.”

  There was no stirring from him, but she could now hear him breathing. Resting back against a smooth, cool object, Saturna relaxed somewhat and scanned the room. “The archway…the archway in the Vaulted Room, this looks so similar to the Vaulted Room in the castle!” whispered Saturna excitedly as she squinted in the murky lighting and looked more closely. “Are we home? Am I having a dream?” she asked still feeling sleepy and now very confused. Glancing at Hete, she remembered being in the space pod and opening the viewing port of the ship, but that was all.

  “If I can just stand up and get help for Hete,” she said groaning as she tried to get up again. It was no use. She felt incredibly weak as though every bit of energy had been taken from her.

  “I must remain calm. Help me Father, give me strength,” she called, fighting the urge to close her heavy eyelids. Taking a deep breath she focused on her auri and Gondee. It didn’t help, her head was muddled, her mind foggy. She wasn’t able to concentrate and all she wanted to do was to lie back down and go to sleep.

  “I shall just close my eyes for a moment and rest to gather....” she said, allowing herself to slip to the floor. Instantly she was asleep.