The Destiny of Amalah

by Thandi Ryan

  ‘Michael how can you be so sure?’

  ‘I am sure of you Empress, this is your time,’ he said, taking hold of her hand and squeezing it. ‘Fear not Empress you do not walk alone.’

  ‘I am so afraid Michael.’

  ‘Do not be Amara, this is your destiny, accept it and embrace it, I know you can fulfil it.’

  Amara looked at the people inside the Great Hall once again and then at Michael and then she thought back to the last conversation that she had had with her father; the words he had spoken and the promises she had made and somehow, it seemed to calm her and fill her with new courage and determination, and when her confidence was renewed she turned to look at Michael once again and smiled at him.

  ‘I did promise my father,’ she said nervously.

  She placed her arm in his and he led her into the Great Hall. The orchestra which was a combination of harps and strings and other instruments long since lost, began to play a harmonious and elegant piece of classical music as Amara took her first step into the hall, the crowds of people stood up en masse and turned to face her as she slowly made her way to the front of the hall where her throne and crown awaited her.

  The guard drew their swords and raised their arms high so that their sword met just above their tips creating an archway for Amara, which signified their protection of her. Amara and Michael walked under the swords and when she passed the last two guardsmen, they lowered their swords and the rest of the guardsmen along the aisle followed in consecutive order.

  The throne was on an ornately decorated dais and Michael walked Amara up the four stairs and to her throne, where she gracefully sat down and once she was seated, Michael stepped back and bowed and took his place at the front and right hand side of her throne so that he was standing alongside Garrick, Häkan, Raynor and Thaddeus.

  Amara looked on them all thoughtfully; her father had trusted them all with his and her mother’s lives. She knew that they were all loyal and decent men and she felt safe and secure with them by her side, she mused as she stared and studied each of them in turn.

  Firstly, there was Michael, who, at thirty was the youngest of the five men. He spoke little of his role in the war but Amara knew that even as a child, his part had been significant. He was a strong and stoic man but Amara could also sense a certain vulnerability within him. He had always been warm and supportive towards her and given her good counsel and she valued his friendship. He was tall and muscular with a handsome face and thick silky brown hair that gave him an air of boyishness.

  Next to Michael stood Garrick and Häkan, whose reputations as officers, warriors and trackers were second to none. When the war ended, Garrick and Häkan had been the only clear choices when deciding who could command the Emperor’s Guard.

  Garrick was also an attractive, tall and well built, with curly brown hair and brown eyes and a clean-shaven face. His looks were similar to Michael, his face was more angular and his jaw was stronger.

  Häkan, who was a stark contrast to the other two, was medium height and lean, with blond hair, a freckled face and sparkling green eyes. He had been known for his hot head as well as his bravery, but now at the age of forty, Häkan had mellowed with time.

  Now Amara gazed upon Raynor and smiled, for everyone loved dear Raynor and he was a friend to all. Raynor was a clever and powerful sorcerer, and despite not being a soldier, he had fought side by side with Kai, Häkan and Garrick. At forty-two he was the eldest of them all, he wore his age well and it suited it him. Raynor stood just as tall as Häkan, he had skin that was tanned and had clearly been toiled, and he had grey and silver hair that made him look distinguished; together with pale blue eyes and a boyish smile. Raynor was a warm and easygoing man, with a sharp intellect and humour, and a confidence that many women found attractive.

  Last but by no means least in Amara’s thoughts and vision was, Thaddeus. Thaddeus was also a powerful sorcerer who had fought alongside Kai, Garrick and Häkan. He was an attractive black man who looked much younger than his thirty-nine years; he stood taller than Häkan but not as tall as Garrick or Michael and he wore his hair short and cropped. Thaddeus was a profound and thoughtful man who was fiercely loyal to his family and friends.

  Amara looked at them all once again and she knew that when they swore their allegiance to her, that they would never break it and she was honoured and humbled to have them in her life.

  Amara exchanged looks with her mother, who looked at her with a mixture of pride and admiration and a tinge of sadness as she remembered that the last time she had seen that throne was when Kai had been seated in it. Elana looked at her daughter and smiled a mixed smile and Amara acknowledged her mothers feelings with a look of empathy and when she broke eye contact with her mother she looked at her sister Ellora who was smiling warmly at her.

  Amara could not help but beam back at her sister, because Ellora made her feel so much better in that instant, that continued to hold her gaze for a while longer. Amara winked at Ellora and then turned her gaze on the five boys, none of whom had realised that she was staring at them for they were lost in their own thoughts.

  Amara watched Rakan, Kalon, Waldon, Kenaz and Rufus and thought of the times they had shared together as children and how she had become separated from them all and then she thought of the present day. When she looked at the five boys and Ellora she felt slightly envious of them, they were close and inseparable and had she not had her destiny to fulfil, she would have been a part of them too, but Amara was not one to dwell on the past, so she looked ahead, ready to accept her own path and fate. The celebrant brought Amara’s attention back to the present as she walked up the stairs and began the crowning ceremony. She began by giving thanks and praise to the gods and then she commenced with crowning Amara.

  Amara stood so that she could take the solemn oath that her father had taken at the beginning of his reign.

  ‘As Empress of the nine nations, I do wholeheartedly and solemnly, promise to protect and defend the peace and prosperity of the nine nations. I solemnly promise to act lawfully, justly and compassionately.’ She looked at her mother, who was dabbing her tear-filled face and smiling at her and then she looked at the five men, who were watching her with pride and admiration and when she held one of their gazes, they would nod reassuringly.

  ‘I promise to guide the world council with honesty, integrity, fidelity and justice. I will ensure that my Guards will act lawfully, admirably and in defence of: peace, the World Council and my office. I promise all of these things to every single person in the nine nations and I promise all these things from this moment on to the day that I day. May I be guided by the gods. Blessed be to Amalah and the nations.’

  When she had finished, Amara sat down once again and a pageboy stepped forward holding a cushion that housed the Crown. The Celebrant stepped forward and carefully picked it up and gently placed it on Amara’s head. She stepped back and curtsied and turned to the people in the Great Hall.

  ‘Empress Amara,’ she said happily and the people stood up and began applauding their new Empress. Those who had watched the ceremony on the magical screens also began applauding and cheering and soon; thunderous applause filled Amalah City. Amara rose to the applause and it grew louder. Michael, Garrick, Häkan, Raynor and Thaddeus were also smiling happily and clapping.

  Amara smiled, and then laughed and then tears of happiness began to run down her face as she looked at her mother, sister and the five men and the applause continued.

  The Celebrant stepped forward again and this time, she called forth those who were to swear allegiance to the Empress. Michael was the first, followed by Garrick, Häkan, Raynor and Thaddeus and then the remainder of the council who swore for themselves and on behalf of the telepaths, the sorcerers, the empaths and the nations.

  When the allegiances had been sworn Amara stepped forward to the edge of the dais.

  ‘Family, friends, people one and all. I thank you all so much for coming to Amalah City and sharing this day w
ith me. It is tinged with sadness for the loss of my father, whom I loved, and who I know was greatly loved. It is also filled with happiness, as today I undertake my solemn duties as Empress of the nine nations and I could not have asked for a better coronation than the one that has just taken place.

  Amalah, has mourned in the last weeks, now I ask Amalah to laugh again. To celebrate the life of my father and the peace and prosperity that we now enjoy. Without much further ado, I declare, the celebrations open,’ she said happily.

  Once again there was thunderous applause and cheering inside and outside of the palace. Elana, Ellora, the boys and the five men surrounded Ellora and they hugged each other and laughed and congratulated Amara. The newly crowned Empress made her way to the front of the palace and as she walked, the people in the Great Hall followed her and when she reached the palace gates she saw that Amalah City was aligned with masses of people and when they caught sight of her they cheered loudly and deafeningly, they cheered for her and for the fact that they had a new Empress and for the new day that dawned on Amalah and the nations.

  Amara, along with her mother, sister, the five men, the council and the five boys; made her way to the temple along the same path that her father had taken before her and once again, both sides were lined with people from all of the nations. This time the mood was jubilant and buoyant and the light and bright colouring of their clothes indicated to all those who could see from on high, that this was a truly joyous occasion.

  Amara made her way to the temple and once again, gave thanks to the gods for the day and the days that were to follow. She asked for courage and fortitude in all times and asked that she be guided throughout and so it was, on that day, that Amara became Empress of the nine nations and people from all of the nations celebrated.

  Oh how they celebrated on that day and all through the night. I have to say that is one thing that I also adored about humans, it was your love of partying and you do it so well and with such zeal. When the walkabout came to an end, the Empress made her way back to the palace, only this time as she walked along the path she stopped to greet the people, she talked, shook hands, received gifts and made everyone feel welcome. She was exuberant on that day; she was so caught up in the excitement and taken in by the warmth of the crowd that she did not see Adriel lurking in the crowd, spying on them all. By now she had put him out of her mind, but he was there watching her with his cruel glinting eyes.

  ‘Empress indeed,’ he said with contempt. ‘I wish your father could be present to see your downfall,’ he said, as he smiled cruelly. ‘I see you men who fought by his side have also all forgotten about me,’ Adriel said haughtily. ‘One day, I will make you all wish that you had kept me in mind every day,’ he said, the malevolence in his voice palpable. ‘You will all weep when you see me next – this I promise.’

  Adriel remained lurking in the shadows, contemplating her downfall and the downfall of Amalah and all the nations – such was his malevolence.

  ‘I wish I could turn you evil,’ Adriel said to Amara; ‘but I see right through your soul and you reek of goodness and piety,’ he said with disgust. ‘Just like your father and his friends,’ he said becoming more needled. His thoughts soon shifted and his mood lightened as he looked at the others. ‘It matters not though Empress; I will still destroy you. There are those that I can corrupt and I, well I will enjoy destroying you just as much as I would have enjoyed turning you evil.’ Satisfied by his own words, Adriel turned away from the crowd once more and headed out towards Lansten.

  ‘Adriel!’ a voice shouted angrily inside his head making him jump.

  ‘Yes,’ Adriel said, alarmed and annoyed at the same time.

  ‘Why do you insist on coming here to the centre of Amalah when you know that some of the old guard are here and that they will recognise you?’

  ‘It helps me to scheme master,’ Adriel replied, the annoyance in his tone still evident.

  ‘All of your scheming will do you no good if you are locked up in a palace dungeon for an eternity.’

  ‘You could release me,’ Adriel said stating the obvious to the voice inside his head.

  ‘Yes I could, but I would not. That would be your lesson to learn Adriel.’

  ‘Or not, for they have yet to catch me and I am now leaving Amalah master.’

  ‘Hopefully you will not be returning to indulge in another one of your thought processes,’ the voice said in a tiresome tone.

  ‘Not for a while,’ Adriel replied smiling.

  Adriel found his horse once again, which was waiting patiently and quietly in the forests. He untied the horse, saddled up and headed north once again towards Lansten where he would remain until he was ready to make his move.

  ‘Besides master,’ he said, bringing him into his thought process halfway through it. ‘I get the feeling some of them will come to me when the time is right,’ Adriel said smiling slyly.

  ‘Your plan had better work this time Adriel,’ the voice said.

  ‘It worked last time master,’ Adriel said defensively. ‘I brought the whole world to war and to the edge of darkness,’ he said proudly.

  ‘Yes, but you did not keep them there. They have all made peace now and old wounds have healed when they should have festered. So Adriel, you may have done well for a mortal man but the end I wanted has not been achieved.’

  ‘I won’t fail this time.’

  ‘No you won’t Adriel. Do you know why?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Because there will not be another chance for you Adriel and you will find out just how powerful I really am and I know it will not be pleasant for you.’

  Adriel stopped still for a moment, he felt something that he had not felt in a long time – fear. His master had taken him from earth’s plane and hidden him from all of those who sought him out. He had seen some of his masters power, which was beyond anything human but it had never been used against him and that and the unknown, made Adriel afraid.

  ‘Keep moving Adriel, the voice in his head barked.

  ‘Yes master,’ Adriel said sheepishly.

  At the palace, the Great Hall had been set for a great feast and when the newly crowned Empress returned home she sat down to a magnificent dinner with over a thousand people. Her mother, sister and Kai’s five friends sat with her at the head table as well as a few members of the council. After the food, came the entertainment, then there was dancing and then, the Empress and her family walked about Amalah with Michael, Häkan and Garrick never far from their side. Later, when night fell they returned to the palace for more dancing and wine and entertainment until the early hours of the morning.

  Before the celebrations came to an end, the Empress made her excuses and retired to bed. It had been a long and wonderful day she thought to herself but now she was ready to sleep before she faced the next one. The Empress changed into her satin nightclothes and brushed her hair before climbing into bed and just as she was about to go to sleep, she heard a knock at the door.

  ‘Come in.’

  Her mother entered her room and went over to her daughter.

  ‘Mother,’ Amara said warmly.

  ‘I just came to give you this,’ her mother said handing her daughter a package that was wrapped in silk cloth. Amara opened it to see a diamond pendant surrounded by intricate patterns of gold.

  ‘Oh mother it’s beautiful.’

  ‘It is a present to mark your day and to say how proud I am of you. I saw you out there today among the people and I thought to myself “you truly are an Empress.” I want to also tell you that your fathers’ faith in you and my faith in you is well placed.’

  ‘Thank you mother, that means everything to me.’

  ‘I love you my dear daughter, good night and sleep well,’ she said hugging and kissing her daughter.

  ‘Good night.’

  Elana stood up and left to go to her own room, leaving Amara to fall into a sound sleep as the newly crowned Empress.

  Chapter 10

 
As time went by, life in Amalah City began to return to a semblance of normality. Ellora had turned to Rakan, and the boys, her mother and her sister for support during those early days. Before long, weeks had passed and Ellora had returned to school and remained – for the most part – within the company of her friends who were extra sensitive to her needs and Rakan and Kalon remained especially close to her.

  Amara found herself somewhat alone and began to feel as though everyone needed her for something. She was needed as a sister, a daughter and as an Empress and the latter was taking up more and more of her time. The Empress had stoically stepped into her father’s shoes and although she found it overwhelming at first to be a monarch, she overcame her fears and threw herself into her work and her duties.

  Michael had been the main reason she had found the transition bearable and manageable; he had been a stalwart and was constantly at her side and he advised her well and she in turn trusted him completely. When they were together she felt at ease in his presence and conversation always flowed naturally between them and she trusted and respected him.

  Over the next few months the guard scoured Amalah and the nations for Adriel but there was no sign of him. The guards had asked numerous villagers in numerous places if they had seen him or heard of him but they had not and soon; Amara, Michael and the Guard Commanders accepted that the search proving futile – Adriel had disappeared once again.

  ‘There is only so much we can do,’ Häkan said, in a conference with the Empress and his four friends. ‘If it is him, we must wait until he makes his move. It is an unfortunate predicament but alas it is the predicament we are in.’

  ‘I am in agreement with Häkan,’ replied Garrick. ‘For months now, the guard have scoured Amalah and the nations and it has been in vain. There has been absolutely no sight or sound of Adriel. More importantly, nothing has changed. Everything is as it was and I am sure that – if it is him – whatever his intentions are that they would be nefarious ones. We cannot do anything until we have him in our sights or in our charge, or something changes.’