My thought went to Dorn. How I missed him, wishing he was here. Knowing when he returns, he’ll never have to go to Earth again. Our daughter will be almost one-year-old when he returns. He will be surprised. I only hope he will love her as he does Zin. I know he will, yet Zin will always have a special place in his heart. I was talking to Mea on the stoop when a sentry came running by.
I went inside. “Mi, what is going on?”
He said, “There a ship just picked up on the outer sensors.”
“The new ones?” I asked.
Mi said, “The speed the ship is moving, it will be here in about twenty minutes. Mi took the radio, told all ships, cloak come in closer to us.
I asked him, “Would you be my captain?”
Mi said, “It would be an honor.” I told Aries to wake Candance. Tell her to stay with Ellie. I told Omega and Kira to stand by at the lab. Mekon was standing by the big board.
“Father,” I asked, “Is it a big ship?”
Mekon looked at me. “Leah, it’s big enough.”
Mekon said, “I’m coming with you. I need to check the new instruments.” Mi lifted the shuttle up, went to stealth right away. We were waiting where the ship would come from hyperspace.
I said, “Unidentified craft, you’re in Boldlygo airspace. What is your intention?”
The ship responded, “I am King Ba from the planet of Veron. We have a ship with your group. We wish to replace some of our troops.” I told them I knew who he was.
“My husband spoke of you; his name is Dorn. Follow us in, take the west staging area.”
He said, “I don’t see anyone.”
Mi came from cloak. “Please, follow us to port.”
Mi told the ship to take the north staging area. On the floor of the planet walking to the chambers, we exchanged small talk. In the chambers, Ba told about the meeting with Dorn. The meeting was of Porta.
King Ba said, “I ask Dorn to bring him, this captain Porta to me. He said he would.”
I said, sir, “If my husband told you he would bring you this man, trust me if he finds him he will bring him to you.”.
The meeting went well, the troop was changed, King Ba left. The other Veron ship went back to space to join the others.
Kira asked, “What do you think of them, Leah?” I told Kira, I don’t trust them. In fact, Kira, I only trust the ones on this planet.”
Midday had come again to our world, I went to my room. Mea had left the lab very early, even by her standards. She came to my room.
Mea called to me, I told her to enter if you had waited twenty minutes you would have found me in bed.”
Mea said, “Well it won’t be long.”
I ask Mea, “Why have you never took a mate?”
Mea said, “My father needed someone in the lab. He said I was too important to waste my time on a male. I’m still as you said a virgin; no male has ever touched me. The ones in Russia tried they made me feel dirty.”
“I remember that Mea. That was long ago, if not for Dorn coming we would be dead. Well my sister, what can I do for you?”.
Mea said, “I would like to see the writing on the wall.” I told her Soy said she had never seen it, with all the years she had been here.
I ask Mea, “Do you know Soy?”
Mea replied, “Everyone knows Soy.”
Mea and I left my room, Candance asks, “Where you are going?” I told her to the wall. She asks, “Can I tag along?” Mea told her sure please come. Walking down the path to the city passed the falls, I thought how beautiful it was.
Mea said, “It had been a very long time since I have been to the city.” The three of us walked down the street, the shop owners stood looking as we walked by.
I ask, “Mea if you can’t buy one thing here, why do they bother?”
Mea said, “Leah it’s our way, you’ve been here long enough to know this. Maoke made this law when he ruled.” I told her I still don’t understand. Crossing the street, I showed Mea the building where the writing was on the wall. Soy was here still trying to make the writing out. Mea spoke to her in the native tongue.
I said, “English please.”
Mea said, “I only said good morning to her. I am curious about what the words may say.”
Soy said, “Here, we know the top words read, only the Keeper of the staff can move it. These words read with a female by his side that is most powerful. A movement of the staff, with the help of the native; they can move our world.”
I said, “I don’t understand.”
I asked, “Mea, do you know these words?”
Mea said, “Leah, this is very old writing. These words mean new stars, new moon, new sun.”
Mea said, “I must leave. Soy, good to see you. Leah, I must see father.”
Walking back to the lab, Mea said, “The writing was old, maybe as old as five thousand years. Leah, did Ira ever tell you how the city was built?” I told her I knew the stories of the Busies, the Unicorns. How they came here, built the city, because they saw the future of our world. Maybe they could see the future.
“I believe we’re living their future, Mea.”
“Mea, they think about the future, that’s why they built this place. It was so the race could live on. They knew the writing on the wall would be found someday. It’s my belief, Maoke knew this. The humans that have been brought here the trouble with the planets around, they knew they couldn’t live with us. I’ve met him, only in a dream. He is a powerful being.
I remember the story of Bota and the Unicorn. I remember seeing pictures of them. I saw the pictures on Earth. Dorn told me if there is a picture of something, then it comes from a real image. Maybe we’re living what they saw thousands of years ago. The power they have, seeing this, they closed themselves off to the world. They only let some of us see this in a dream.”
I asked, “Mea, have you ever gone there in a dream?”
Mea answered, “Only once, when I was very young. I asked Maoke to watch over Dorn when Ira took him to Earth to do the change. I’ve never told anyone this. I promised Kayla I would watch over him. I somehow think I let her down. She came to me, took me to Maoke. It was the only time I was there.” Entering the lab, Mea told Mekon what she had discovered. She told him my thought.
Mekon said, “Well, it is possible. Mea, go to the archives, check the old writings, see what you can find. Take some time for yourself. Please! Shift to your human side, spend some time with your sister. You and her need to bond. You have worked your whole life, that was my mistake. Now, take time for yourself.”
I jumped up. “A man.”
Mea said, “Humans, I sometimes don’t understand your humor.” Ellie told me when you’re in your human body, you sort of have the humor of a human.
Mea said, “Well, I suppose for over three hundred years of living around humans, you pick up things. Father, the writing, its carved in the ancient language. Leah still insists it’s the same writing she saw in her dream of the ancient city.”
Mekon asked, “Leah, come sit in the chair.” Ellie had come in with Kira. They looked with concern.
Kira asked, “Mekon, what are you going to do?”
Mekon said, “I’m going to talk to her.”
Kira said, “I know your plan, you want to see this city. I believe her, there’s no need to find it. When it’s time, Maoke will let us know. Think of what you’re doing. If her memories are revealed, they could be bad for some.”
I jumped up from the chair. “Don’t I have a say in this?” I asked.
Kira said, “Leah, I’m surprised in you. Some things should be left alone.”
“Yes, Kira, I agree. I am sorry, please forgive me.”
Kira said, “If Kayla wanted us to know, Zin would not have erased your memories.” I looked at Kira. “How did you know that? I’ve told no one.”
“Think about it Leah, if I can read your mind, so can others,” Kira said. Kira went on and on.
I said to her, “You’re right, Kira.” Kira was talking to Mea when I come to myself. “Kira, come her.” I embraced her. “I love you, Kira. I am so sorry.”
Kira whispered in my ear, “That’s the bitch in you.” I laughed so loud, laughing while holding her hand.
“Let’s go see Charlie.”
I was still laughing. It reminded me of the Marders when I told Dorn I was losing weight. Such intelligent people to be well, you know.
Kira took Charlie from the crib. She took him outside. He was several days old now. Charlie was looking around at the world that was before him. He was a beautiful child. Mekon walked up, Charlie smiled.
Mekon said, “Good boy.” I took my turn with him.
Candance said, “My words that baby will be so spoiled.”
“I think he’s hungry,” Kira said.
Candance said, “No, he has been handled too much by aunties and the Queen. Come here son, let’s take you to your mother.”
Kira said, “Now you know how I felt with all of you around Tressa when she was a baby.”
I said, “Yes, look what has happened since then.” I told them I was going to the great room for breakfast. The food barons had placed fresh food on the table.
I asked the food baron, “Will you sit and talk with us?”
She replied, “It is not permitted for me to sat at the same table with the queen.”
I said, “There is only the two of us.”
She replied, “I can see, I’m not stupid. The queen is always here.”
Kira said to her, “If I ask you to sit with me, would you?”
“Please, my lady, I’m not worthy,” she replied.
Kira got up. “Come, sit with me please?”
She walked to Kira, shy like. “My Queen, I don’t know how to present myself.”
Kira asked her, “You are intelligent. You said you were.”
Replying, “Yes, I am.”
Kira said, “Then all you need to do is come over here and sit. I promise you, I won’t bite you.” Candance laughed out loud. I snickered myself.
Kira expressed, “Girls.” We laughed harder so did she. “Please, come sit.”
Kira asked her, “How long have you been here in the palace doing this?”
“Since you were born,” she said.
Kira replied, “You’ve been in my present that long.”
She replied, “I have my Queen.”
Kira asked her, “What is your name? I can’t believe you have been here that long. I don’t even know your name.” Several minutes had passed, Kira and the native talked. Kira asked again her name.
She said, “My name is Nida. My mother was Joy. She was the first native to give birth to an almost human child, that was me.”
Kira said, “You say you have been with me since I was born.”
“I have,” she said. “I took care of you, gave you baths, brushed your hair, took you to Ira.” It was hard for this woman to bring forth words. Kira could see she was hurting. Kira walked back to her chair, looked across the table. “Who are you?” Well, Candance and I stared at them. Something was going on, we just could not figure it out.
“Please my lady, may I go?” she asked.
Kira said, “I want you to come sit with me.”
“Please my lady, if I’m seen.”
Kira said, “Well, I see you. Candance and Leah sees you.” A voice came from the back said, “I see you.” It was Omega.
“Good morning, my love,” Kira said.
Omega asked, “What are you three up to?”
Kira asked, “Omega, have you met Nida before?”
He replied, “Of course, she has been here as long as I have been king by your side.
Kira asked again, “Nida, are you coming to sit with me?”
She looked at Omega. Ira knew the secret she kept. For over one hundred and forty years, she had kept this secret. Ira told her he would never tell. If someone finds out Nida, it will not be me. He overheard Nida one morning changing Kira’s clothes, “Let mother change you.” Ira heard this twice, told her she must never say that again; she is to be queen.
“She is only your daughter by DNA.” Nida made Ira mad that day. “You mean like Dorn is to you. However, you love him.” Looking at her, Ira told her to come close. Ira showed her Kira’s future. Therefore, you must never tell. She said to Ira, “I understand.”
I took a plate, placed a Simon and bread with a cup of tea, give it to her. Candance and I stood by Nida. Kira came over. I’ve never seen a native cry before, didn’t know they could. This one had tears in her eyes, well, it was water anyway.
Kira smiled. “Then you may leave, will I see you again?”
Nida replied, “I’m always here, my queen.”
I asked, “Kira, what was that all about.”
Kira said, “I’m not sure Leah, she is a nice lady. I can’t believe she has been here all this time, I have not seen her.”
I told Kira, “You’ve seen her, you had to if she has been here this long.”
Candance said, “I’m going to my sleeping quarters.” Entering, she spoke to Aries, “It’s time to rise my prince.”
“Come lay with me.” Aries said. Candance laid on the bed beside him, her hair fell to his arm and chest. Aries said, “Nothing feels as gentle as Candance in the morning.”
Candance said, “That was beautiful, my prince.”
Aries said, “I said it for you, my love. Candance, my life is complete now that I found you. I have you and a baby on the way, what more could a man ask for?” Candance told Aries all the thing he has always wanted to hear.
Candance said, “My life has changed so much since I have come here. I never thought I would ever marry a prince. It’s a storybook come true.”
Candance had tears in her eyes. “I love you, Aries.”
Aries said the same. The day lingered on. I made my way to the great room for the noon meal. I told Ellie I was going to my home.
Later that day I walked to our cabin. Sitting on the bench that my husband made for me, Dorn was always doing something. Dorn was a man I never wanted to be without. I thought of Earth, how different the men were there, I’ll take the alien. I must admit I was scared at first. I would not change one thing about my life.
A small hummingbird flew by. I asked Dorn once about the birds. He said they stayed to the north. I asked him to make me a feeder. I told him how it must look. I remember seeing one on Earth.
He would say, if it’s here, it’s not on Earth. I would tell him I’ve seen different birds or animals. He would just look at me, he would always say “I love you, Leah.” That was my cue to know he was right. Well, sitting here, I was watching the hummingbird drink the juice from the fruit. I went to the cabin to make more. Reaching up to take the feeder down, I had a sharp pain in my side. The pain was so sharp, it took me to the floor of the stoop.
I said, “Oh no.”
A voice called, “Are you hurt?”
Two native boys were walking by. One said, “Oh my, its Leah.” He helped me to my back lying on the stoop.
I was hurting. I tried to speak. The pain came again. “Oh please, not here, not now.”
The one helping me told the other one, “Go to the lab, get some help.” Lying on my back, I watched him go. I’ve never seen someone run so fast.
Mekon was the first to arrive picking me up, with the help of the other, placed me in bed.
“Father, where is Mea?” I asked.
Mekon said, “She’s coming too, Leah.” Word travels fast here. Several came from the palace: Kira, Omega, Mea. I was shaking as if I was cold.
I looked at Mea. “Mea, it’s time for my baby. My water has
broken.” Mea told the men to leave, wait outside. Ellie and Kira were with me. From that moment on, I don’t remember much. I do remember asking of Candance.
Ellie said, “She is in bed.” They told me later I said it’s a good place for the bitch. Later, I was told there were several people from the city. Kira and Omega walked around the people again, speaking to them.
Kira came into my room. She asked Mea, “How is she doing?”
Mea said nothing. “That was the last thing I remember.” I was told later of all that happened. Eleven hours later, she came into the world.
Kira said, “Look at her eyes.”
I asked, “What is wrong with her eyes?”
Kira said, “Nothing is wrong Leah, they’re just so big and blue. She has her father’s eyes, Leah.”
Kira said before I went out, “I wish he was here.” Kira took the baby, cleaned her up. Mea turned her attention to me. In and out I heard her call for Mekon. “Father, I need to transport her to the lab. That’s when I went out. I woke up two days later. The girls took care of my baby. When she cried, they would feed her, change her, place her back in bed. Ellie was with Mi and Charlie. The native boy that helped me sat in a chair by my bed.
“Leah,” he said, “My mother and father said I was to stay with you until you were well.” Kira and Candance came in.
I asked, “Kira, what has happened?”
Kira told me, “After the baby was born, Mea could not stop the bleeding. She needed to have you in the lab. You had a hard time for a while, Leah. Mea says everything is fine now.”
Kira asked, “Have you named her?”
“I have not, Kira. Would you like to give her a name?”
Kira said, “I like the name Shasta.” I looked at her. “Yes, that is a beautiful name.”
“So be it then, Kira, my Queen. She will grow to know a queen named her.”
Kira bent over, kissed me on the forehead. “Leah, what would I do without you?”
I smiled at her. “You would get by.”
She replied, “Leah, that’s where you’re wrong. I need the three to make my life complete, my family.”
The Staff of Ira Page 23