Zein: The Homecoming

by Graham J. Wood

  ‘That’s Eva and the small girl is Mia, they are the daughters of the late Lord Fathom.’

  ‘Who looks after them?’ Hechkle asked, as he peered at the two girls as they ran off to watch the parade. In answer Tate pointed to a youngish woman and it was easy to see she was a Fathom, her hair making any argument pointless.

  ‘And she is…?’

  ‘Cadence Southgate, married to Prince Taio,’ replied Tate, struggling to hide his disgust for the prince; something which was not lost on Hechkle.

  ‘Once we have settled in can you please introduce us?’ asked Hechkle. He felt protective towards the girls and seeing Eva brought all the memories back of Princess Evelyn.

  They moved onto a large road that was busy with cheering crowds. He spotted two massive doors ahead to the left, regal looking and closed which appeared to lead to a walled-in settlement.

  ‘What’s behind those doors?’

  ‘That is where the Changelings reside. Those doors are rarely open.’

  ‘Why, surely they have to come out for food and water?’

  ‘They are self-sufficient and eat and drink very little.’

  ‘Hate to tell you, Lord Malacca, but I think those doors are not staying closed now,’ said Kabel, just as the heavy doors started to open. He was immediately amused and interested to see who and what was behind the opening gates - would it be a pack of wolfhounds like Zebulon? The large wooden gates opened slowly. Tate and Kabel brought the soldiers to a halt. The cheering stuttered and then stopped with all eyes drawn to what was going to come out of those gates.

  The gates fully extended outwards and all those waiting saw a wondrous sight. Fifty Changelings ran out and formed a decorative honour guard, twenty five each side. They held large swords with which they saluted the following Changelings, who in full regalia marched out of the compound. Kabel noted that the soldiers also held three-pronged weapons, which could only be called tridents, and they marched in rows of ten abreast. Their golden tunics and blue trousers provided a colourful yet surprising picture.

  ‘Who the…?’ said Tate. His gaze rested on the two people leading the column. There was a woman in a breath-taking and sumptuous jewel encrusted dress, walking with immense pride and dignity, but it was the person beside her that caught his eye and the other inhabitants. The man’s demeanour was of royalty, a fact reinforced by the Changelings who had run out from the gates to provide the salute, snapping their heels together and bringing their swords to their noses. They then bowed and pushed the sword away from their bodies in an arc which itself was a token of respect. The broad shouldered Changeling continued on his path, heading for them, not looking left or right, his eyes adjusting to the welcoming committee in front of him. Kabel could see that Tate was confused.

  He doesn’t know who this is, strange.

  There was something familiar in the stride of the Changeling, the way he carried himself and as he drew nearer, Kabel took in his countenance and then looked into his amber speckled eyes.

  Zebulon! It was the missing Changeling.

  As the realisation hit him the party reached them.

  ‘Hello, Kabel, Lord Chancellor,’ Zebulon addressed his friend first and then Tate.

  ‘Zebulon, is that you?’ said Amelia, before Kabel and anyone else could say the words.

  ‘Yes, I am Zebulon the Great, son of Heathlon and Keeper of the Zein Star.’

  ‘Holder of what?’ said an incredulous Bailey, as his eyes drank in the sight in front of his disbelieving eyes.

  ‘It means that he is the keeper of the magics and that makes him the most revered of his kind and of all people on Zein,’ answered Tate, slightly in awe.

  ‘Wow, and there was I thinking he made a good pussy cat,’ said Bailey, not able to resist a witticism.

  Zebulon ignored him. Bailey was not surprised.

  ‘My people will no longer hide behind gates but stand with all Zeinonians against any invaders to fight for our planet.’ The rest of the remaining Inner Council cast their eye over what appeared to be approximately five hundred heavily armed Changelings who had marched after the two majestic individuals before them and now stood silently. They were all the same height and very similar in looks. In their silence they projected a menacing air that made the hair on your arms stand up.

  Our planet? The way he said that it was if this was his planet, puzzled Tate.

  Kabel stepped forward and offered his hand to Zebulon in welcome. Zebulon took his hand with a firm grip. Tate, gave the more formal Zein salute, which Zebulon mirrored back. ‘We have a seat available for the emergency Inner Council meeting to discuss the Pod threat,’ said Tate, ‘do you want to join us?’

  Zebulon agreed and directed his guards to remain where they were. As the senior members of the Expedition Force and the Inner Council all moved to the Royal Council building, Bailey sidled up to the imperious Changeling.

  ‘Like your new look Zeb.’

  ‘Feels a little strange, if I were to be honest,’ said Zebulon, not falling for Bailey’s grinning barb.

  ‘Y-you prefer to be a dog?’ stuttered the surprised human.

  ‘Got you,’ said a smiling Zebulon, causing Hechkle to start laughing at Bailey’s confused face. Bailey, seeing that he had fallen for the line, grimaced. It wasn’t every day he was suckered in but he couldn’t resist a smile at how the tables had been turned on him.

  They entered the Royal Council building and took their places in the Inner Council with the Expeditionary Force represented by General Corder, Kabel and Belina. The others remained outside. Due to the extraordinary events, Tate had decided that the meeting was to be a public and open meeting and speakers were turned on for the benefit for the inhabitants of the community. It was something which was done a few times a mano, to broker unity. Tate Malacca stood up to address the council and the people of the Aeria Cavern.

  Belina noticed his huge, strong, coarse hands that gripped the lectern in front of him. She could not help herself and found her eyes wandering up his body, taking in its strength and poise. She felt the immediate attraction to the brooding figure, taking in the battle weariness around his eyes, a hint of sadness but also strength. Belina had spent many of her joyless early years experiencing Malacca warriors’ macho posturing, which they had made an art form. The man in front of her was no bragger, no need for unnecessary fits of temper to impress his will on others – you could see that from his bearing and the haunted look in his eyes he had nothing to prove, either to himself or others. Kabel straightened up next to her as he caught the turbulent thoughts in his sister. He held back his disapproval but with his protective nature couldn’t help narrowing his eyes at Tate in warning.

  Tate for his part noticed the change in the magics and struggled to pin point where it was coming from, until his eyes fixed on Belina and was instantly captivated, the girl from Reinan, then he felt a presence just behind him.

  ‘Are you all right Lord Chancellor?’ It was Kron.

  Tate became acutely aware that he had stood and allowed the change in the magics’ flow to disrupt his opening speech. He glanced around and saw the questioning glances as they waited for him to speak. Pull it together man, he admonished himself.

  He cleared his throat.

  ‘Greetings, your worshipful Elders and honoured guests, after so many years of hope we have been blessed with the return of the Zein Inter-Galactic Expeditionary Force. We welcome you and our new allies.’ With that he bowed to General Corder, who hesitantly, not sure what to do, returned the bow awkwardly.

  ‘As Lord Chancellor…,’ said Tate, and then stopped. Safah had stood up requesting the floor of the Council. Tate hid his annoyance and waved her forward to make her point. What does the old battle-axe want now?

  ‘Point of order, Lord Malacca, I would like to make a recommendation to the Inner Council,’ said Safah, in a condescending tone that communicated that she was far superior to him and the words requesting to speak, were just a nicety.

 
Lord Malacca rather than Lord Chancellor.

  Tate sensed Kron tensing next to him and hidden by the lectern, he pushed the palm of his hand repeatedly down, in an attempt to calm his second-in-command.

  ‘According to Zein Law, Lord Blackstone should be the Lord Chancellor, though I would like to say for the record what a good job Lord Malacca has done for the community as an able deputy.’

  Her insincere words grated on Tate. With all the battles he had won, family lost and sacrifices he had made, then to be cast aside as a “deputy”, was galling. He had no idea how he maintained his passive face.

  There was no way on Zein that Kron would let this go.

  Sure enough the fierce warrior next to him pushed aside all protocol. ‘How can you say that? If it was not for the Lord Chancellor Malacca you would all be dead,’ Kron shouted, emphasising the missing element of the title as provided by Safah. She didn’t flinch.

  ‘Lord Malacca, can you keep your pet under control in the Inner Council or have him removed,’ she said coldly.

  ‘There is no need for that Lady Blackstone.’

  Tate turned to Kron and attempted to placate him. Kron’s eyes shot daggers in the direction of the patronising Blackstone and even Safah’s egotistical swagger retreated somewhat. Tate sent a warning glance at Kron and the intimidating warrior simmered quietly. When he saw Kron had accepted, albeit reluctantly, the request he returned to his address to the Inner Council.

  ‘Lady Blackstone and honoured members of the Inner Council, I am fully aware of Zein Law and protocol. This will be the last Inner Council I will chair and I will ask Lord Blackstone to accept his rightful position, as one of the agenda items today.’ Safah’s triumphant look grated on Tate but he ignored it.

  ‘What is more pressing is that the attack in Reinan yesterday was an escalation of Pod activity. Our scouts have said that movement in the Pod breeding grounds is unprecedented and we must prepare for an imminent attack.’

  ‘We need the Expeditionary Force to protect us,’ said Eben, licking his lips nervously at the prospect of another overwhelming attack. He had nothing left, the fight extinguished from his slight frame, burned out by the constant battles and family loss.

  ‘I agree we need their assistance but we need to decide how that can be provided effectively,’ said Tate, looking across at Corder, Kabel and Belina.

  General Corder cleared his throat and spoke first. ‘We of course would like to help. Has this Inner Council considered an offensive action rather than just defending your position?’

  Tate replied. ‘A unit is on its way to neutralise the Pod as we speak.’

  ‘What do you mean, neutralise?’ Kabel spoke for the first time. Tate explained the quest. Some of the Inner Council looked uncomfortable as the plan was outlined. Even in the light of the aggression the Pod had shown it seemed a harsh decision, females and their children to be slaughtered as well as the males. Outside there was an excited buzz which filtered through to the room at this latest news.

  Zebulon stood up and there were audible gasps around the chamber. When Heathlon had spoken at the previous meeting that had been a first but now to have a Changeling stranger address the Inner Council was unique. Everyone’s eyes were on Heathlon; was not she the spokeswoman of the Changelings? Heathlon didn’t move and made no attempt to prevent the impressive Zebulon from speaking. The expectant silence hung heavy in the council chamber.

  ‘I have to warn you that I cannot let your attempt to eradicate the Pod continue.’ The buzz outside turned into heckles as the general population expressed their displeasure.

  ‘What! How dare you tell us what to do?’ shouted Eben, echoed by other clan members, with Safah incandescent with rage. Kabel gasped with amazement at Zebulon’s statement. It was only Tate who remained calm, Belina noticing how still he was. She could see he was rocked by the latest statement but she also could see that he was computing the why and what behind the comment.

  ‘What is your authority to make such a statement to the Inner Council and people of Zein?’ said Tate carefully, not forgetting the public broadcast. Shouts of approval for the challenging question came from all directions, including outside. Belina smiled, impressed, he was still the one they followed.

  Zebulon didn’t answer the question immediately. He was considering whether to hold back or not. He looked around the room at the expectant faces and then his eyes rested on his mother’s. She gave him a barely perceptible nod.

  Zebulon, where is this going? asked Kabel

  A long, long way from when you met me at the Federation Fair, my friend.

  Zebulon drew himself up and stripped away the years of camouflage he had layered on his physical appearance. Everyone in the room for the first time saw the true majesty of the person in front of them. He radiated the essence of power, not to hurt or cripple but to care for, improve and develop the very environment they all lived in. Those in the room did not fear him but felt comfort and awe in his presence.

  ‘I am Zebulon the Great, Son of Riolon and Heathlon, Keeper of the Zein Star and King of all life on Zein,’ said Zebulon, providing his full title to the astonished Inner Council members and those listening outside. Before anyone could interrupt him, ‘My father gave you the power over the magics many, many years ago and I have the power to take those magics away for future generations.’ The last statement caused uproar to all who heard, Kabel was bewildered, and Tate struggled to bring order. Cries from Safah and Eben amongst others demanded Zebulon to be arrested and placed in the community prison.

  Through all this commotion, Zebulon stood motionless. Safah shouted an instruction to her two supporting soldiers to arrest him. The soldiers flanked and closed in on him, whipping out some of the manacles that Kabel and Belina recognised from their previous confinement on Earth. Just as they were in touching distance of him, Zebulon raised his hand and a violet force-field surrounded his body, pulsing with such intensity that everyone had to avert their eyes. Tentacles of energy came from his fingers and wrapped the two soldiers in bindings that slammed their arms against the sides so that they couldn’t move. The intense shield spread to cover all the Changelings in his group.

  The doors of the Inner Council were flung open, the Changelings had overpowered the guards outside and Bailey and the remaining companions were penned back away from the door. Zebulon stepped into the centre of the chamber, the force-field effortlessly following him.

  Scared and troubled eyes followed him now, with their previous angry protests silenced. There were only four people in the room who kept their cool, Tate and Kron, Kabel and Belina. The latter due to their past relationship and how Zebulon had saved their lives many times, the former simply demonstrating the strength of character that they had shown defending the Aeria Cavern over all the years.

  ‘I didn’t want to resort to this yet you force my hand; you need to understand your own history.’ His voice was quiet but every word could be heard clearly and distinctly.

  Crowds outside had seen the Changelings, who had stood silently, suddenly move into action. They secured the approach and entrance to the Royal Council and the Zeinonians had at first backed off and now were crowding against the protective wall which the Changelings’ bodies had created around the building. The crowds felt intimidated by the chain of events and nervously studied the Changelings and what was unfolding before their very eyes.

  ‘My father, Riolon the All Powerful, granted you the magics that you enjoy today. Our people wanted a new life and had taken that decision to throw off the remnants of the old way we used to live.’ Outside, his voice echoed powerfully across the cavern; no one stirred, all entranced. ‘We embraced the magics within Zein’s core and shared them with you. You need to understand what can be given can be taken away.’

  Shocks of surprise and fear ripped through the crowds. Safah shrank back from the majesty in front of her eyes. Zebulon slowly turned his gaze onto her.

  ‘The Blackstones convinced us that if we shared the
magics then we would walk as one, and we did for a time. However, the royal clans always wanted more and I saw on Earth what that could lead to.’

  ‘But we are not all like Zylar, he is a monster,’ said Belina, unable to hold back her resentment at the broad comparison of all Zeinonians to her previous guardian. She had good cause and history: Zylar had lied to her, played the part of a benevolent uncle whilst at the same time killing and following his own twisted path.

  ‘I know, but now I have a choice to make. In this choice I want you to understand one thing: I can’t let you destroy the Pod.’ Outside the Zeinonians, who had only just been informed of the quest, muttered angrily, deeply resentful of the loved ones they had lost to the vicious Pod. They had lived in this dark, dank place for many years and wanted it to all to end. Reason had gone, to be replaced by an all-encompassing hatred for the creatures that made their life a misery.

  ‘Why, they attack us with only one aim, to destroy us?’ said Eben, overcoming his fear of the sudden turn of events.

  ‘They attack you to get to us,’ said Zebulon sadly. Puzzled looks swept across the Inner Council and outside, where they could only hear Zebulon’s voice. But that was sufficient for them to realise the enormity of what was happening to everything they had held true.

  ‘All those years ago we devised the annihilation of our own race. My brother forced my father’s hand. Myolon and others took the magic to new unacceptable limits and my family had to follow him to save our lives. Once free we found that we had the power of the magics but nowhere to live. My father devised a pact to share the magics with you in return for sanctuary.’ He let that sink in and all in the room could see the distress his memories brought. ‘Yes, we are the Pod and the Pod are us.’

  Stunned silence met this statement and then shouting, pushing outside took over.

  ‘Silence!’ Zebulon’s voice became more forceful and the tone of his demand hurt people’s ears, so much they had to grab their heads before they could recover.

  ‘I will lead a team to prevent my brother instigating the same mistake we made all those years ago. I will seek peace with the Pod and find a way to restore a way of life for everyone on Zein.’