by Brad Stucki
Looking around at those staring at him with a cross between awe, confusion, and fear Javin couldn’t help a small chuckle. I may not know who I am and where I’m from, but these women sure think they do. Then they started to move forward, timidly at first, realizing he wasn’t a threat. They wanted a closer look. Some touched his skin, wondering aloud that it was not covered with pelt, as was proper.
"Now princess, about this marble -- crystal!" Javin tried to ignore the touches, deftly moving their hands aside until they got the message.
Mouhra' Lah gestured to the woman holding the book to come forward. She took it with an air of reverence and held it up to Javin. It was turned to a faded rendering. On it was a depiction of several different types of humanoid creatures. One was Human -- and a surprising likeness of him!
At the breasts of each was drawn a peculiar white circle, lines radiating out, highlighting it’s glowing from within.
"Boy this is strange."
"Is that you, Javin?"
"Normally I'd say no, but the way my luck's running right now, I couldn't really say. One thing's for sure, I don't remember ever seeing any of those others on the page."
Then Javin looked at the page again. There were seven different species of beings, each humanoid in form, all different, as if each had evolved from a different branch of evolution. One looked decidedly feline, like Mouhra' Lah and her attendants, but male, like a lion-man.
He didn't know where he got that reference from, but it fit. The picture showed he was tall, muscular, had a dark burnished mane of hair framing his head, bushing out down to his shoulders. The rest of his body was covered in a dusky pelt that hid his body, but followed the contours showing a powerful man.
Another was reptilian. Javin looked again. It was the chameleon-like creature who'd saved him! He was one of these. . . Whatever they were.
"Is there something wrong?" the princess asked.
"I know this one!" Javin pointed to the reptilian. "I met him some days ago, you might say."
The princess looked at him, then back at the picture. "There are no such people that I know of. They are people of legend. Very old stories. Are you sure? Then again, I see you, and until now, I thought you were a creature of legend as well."
"Believe me, if he hadn't been there, I wouldn't be here. Actually, he saved me from a rather nasty looking lizard, about yea tall --" Javin gestured with his hand "-- and glowing blue eyes."
"You escaped a Birta' Fah alone? That truly is incredible! That is the only predator who would dare take a man. That is why we never travel the jungle alone. Once cornered there’s no escape unless you have another to distract it."
"I told you, I didn't escape. This. . . being, here, hit it across the snout with a branch. He startled it so I was able to get out of its way by scrambling up a tree."
The princess looked at him, saying nothing. Javin couldn't tell whether she really believed him or not. It didn't make any difference he supposed. He wouldn't believe it either.
Looking back at the picture, Javin pointed at the glowing about their chests, depicting the crystal now inside him.
"What are these called?"
"You don’t know? They are the Mulda' fi. The Promised Ones." The princess didn’t understand his question about the crystal. She acted surprised that one of the Mulda' fi should not know who he was.
"And what are these Mulda' fi, exactly?"
Again, the princess' eyes widened. She took a deep breath. "I see you have many questions. Why, I don't understand. One of the Mulda' fi shouldn’t have to be taught who they are or what they are supposed to do."
"Look, I'm sorry," Javin said. "I really don't know anything about this. I'm not one of these Mulda' fi -- these Promised Ones you're talking about. At least I don't think so. All I know is I was in this temple, looking at a strange gateway, got tired and went to sleep. You woke me up at the wrong end of a spear, and then you put that crystal thing inside me. That's all I know -- aside from wandering around in this jungle for I don't know how many days, after being dropped from somewhere, naked without any memory or tools or anything.” His ire was beginning to rise. “I think I'm entitled to just a few answers, don't you think?"
Those around the princess didn't know whether to move forward in her protection or run for their own.
Javin paused, took a deep breath, and got himself back under control. "I'm sorry, princess. It's just that I really don't have any memory of anything past just several days ago. None of this makes any sense. Would you help me, please?" He spoke the last as meek as he could.
The princess pursed her lips. The woman who'd been carrying the book cleared her throat.
"Princess, I don't understand. But if one of the Mulda' fi needs help, I think we should give it. I will teach him. Maybe we can learn from him as well as him from us."
The princess pondered then nodded. "Fine. First, we must move from this clearing. We must not forget why we've come and relax our guard. We will find a campsite then you may instruct our Javin here."
***
The camp’s fires were burning low. Their eerie glows pierced the dark night and mixed with the cacophony of jungle sounds. Javin shivered at the surreal feeling. The princess’ personal guard, or Vouloo as she called them, gathered around their fires doing assorted chores, the work of the camp. Each time one passed by she would give Javin a strange look, smile then move on. Their pelts glowed with the dancing flicker of reflected flames and their faces were illuminated as they looked his way then fell in shadows when they turned back. Javin shook his head.
"You must forgive them their curiosity," Siri' Bhu said stirring the coals of their fire. "They have never seen a Mulda' fi before. Neither have I. But I suppose the time is ripe for one if there ever was."
Mouhra' Lah glanced her way with a sharp look.
Siri was the Keeper, as she had explained her title. She kept the history of the city, of the royal family, and chronicled their lives. It was a calling she'd trained for all her life.
Javin couldn't really tell her age. She seemed a bit older than Mouhra' Lah, who was across the fire sitting regally on a rock. From the looks the princess gave him, he knew she still wasn't sure he should be running around loose.
"Tell me," Javin said looking across the flames at the princess. "You said something about not wanting to relax your guard. Are you in some sort of trouble?"
Mouhra' Lah took a deep breath. Siri' Bhu looked at her out of the corner of her eye.
"Javin, there must be many things you do not know if you've just come to our world. One of those is the way things are right now, though indeed, my own people don't know about it either. But they will."
Seeing the princess' obvious tension, Javin remained silent. The whole camp had gone still. Slowly the princess looked around, noting the silence.
"If you are one of the Mulda’ fi, perhaps you should know. And I shall tell you." The women in the camp slowly went back about their business. Javin could tell they were quietly attuned to whatever was being said.
"Perhaps it would be best if I told him," Siri said.
Mouhra nodded. "I think you’re right. You are the Keeper after all. And it may help to hear it from other's lips rather than relive it in my heart."
Whatever it was, Javin could see it pained her. Her composure was extremely thin, and his asking had pushed the pain even nearer the surface.
"The princess is heir to the throne of Putra’ Fi Soro, the capital city of the Land we call Mouhran' Lih. Her name denotes her as the royal heir, actually now, the rightful queen if the truth were to be told."
Mouhra' Lah pursed her lips, slight lines formed at the corner of her eyes beginning to glisten with moisture.
"The last queen, the princess' mother, recently was murdered. We believe it was poison, though no one could prove it. And her uncle just so happens to return from a secret venture he still will not discuss, not many days after her death.
“He had been summoned for the state funer
al. No one knew where he was or how to reach him.
“Claiming he'd been called away on urgent matters of state at the queen's behest, he said, his errand must be kept a secret concerning threats to the kingdom and sovereignty of the people. He said that what he learned there, and then the queen's death, confirmed that the throne was in jeopardy.
“Proclaiming a state of emergency, he immediately usurped the power of the princess, asking to be named regent until Mouhra' Lah's safety could be sufficiently guaranteed, and she then ascend the throne."
Mouhra' Lah snorted. "The only thing Tranthra' Joh wants guaranteed is the kingdom for himself! Always one for power, he found a way to seize where he could not ascend rightfully!”
Javin stared at her.
“My uncle was on no errand for my mother and I know it! We, my mother and I, talked of his leaving shortly after he left. She was just as curious as I about the reason of his departure.” The princess folded her arms indignantly.
“I brought that up to my Uncle. All he would do is smile in that condescending way of his and assure me it was for the benefit of the kingdom.” She paused, and anger glinted in her eyes. “More like the benefit of his grasping power!”
“Not long from his returning,” Siri’ Bhu began again when she saw the princess had once again grown silent – but kept watching her closely. “Tranthra’ Joh called the princess to him and proposed marriage.” Javin looked at the princess. Her eyes were flashing with anger, face flushed. “Of course, the princess told him no.”
“In no uncertain terms!” the princess snapped.
“Yes,” Said Siri’ Bhu, again watching the princess closely, hesitating before she continued. “However, he continued to press his suit, saying it would be best for the kingdom, that he would be a strong king and protector for the hardships to come.
"Tranthra’ Joh boasted of having had a vision of where the kingdom must go, what it must do to become stronger, and that he could rally the people and forge the greatest nation in history.”
“The big blowhard,” the princess jumped in again. “I told him that the nation didn’t need his vision, that it didn’t need his leadership, and that I, Mouhra’ Lah was strong enough for my people. Further, I told him, that if he were really as strong as he said, then he should exert some of that strength to find the murderer of his sister, my mother, but that I intended to find out myself with or without his help.”
The little party was silent for a time. Javin could tell the princess was fuming again. Siri’ Bhu kept looking back and forth between them, but eyeing Javin in a strange way he didn’t think he liked.
“Tranthra’ Joh mentioned hardships to come?” Javin said after a time. “Is your kingdom in trouble?”
“It wasn’t,” the princess answered, this time in a lower tone. “That is, until my mother was killed, and my Uncle started pressing for power. When I refused him, he hinted that I’d best reconsider or something untoward could happen while I was still waiting to become queen. It was clear that he meant it as a threat, but not in such a way that I could have him arrested.”
“What’s the hold up in your becoming queen?”
“It is forbidden for a queen to rule who is not or has not been married.”
“Then why don’t you find some man and get married?” Javin pressed. “Then you could assume power and force your uncle off to the side?”
There was a sharp intake of breath from Siri’ Bhu. Javin glanced her way then back to the princess, whose eyes were flashing in anger. After a moment she calmed herself and her features relaxed.
“You are indeed a stranger in our country or you would realize it is not so simply done. I for one” the princess continued, her voice rising slightly, “would not hold for just marrying anybody who comes along simply so I could be queen.”
There was silence for a time again.
“Look,” Javin said, “I don’t want to upset you, it just seemed to me to be a simple solution to your problem. A queen can do many things, or at least she ought to be able to do things she wants.” Javin picked up a stick and began poking the coals of the fire. Siri’ Bhu continued to look back and forth between the princess and Javin. Several times she acted like she wanted to speak but stopped. Finally, the princess spoke again.
“There is someone, or at least was someone,” the princess began softly. “A prince of a neighboring mountain province – a powerful man, yet gentle. We met on several occasions, and aside from the benefits of a political alliance for our cities found we shared similar dreams and visions for our people. We continued to correspond, and both agreed we should be married.
“I discussed it with my mother and she was heartened by the idea and immediately announced our betrothal.
“The City of the Winds had celebrations such as you’d never seen, and my betrothed and I were happy. A date was set, arrangements made then tragedy struck.
“Within a month of the time we were to be married, mother took ill with a strange disease the finest physicians couldn’t cure. The prince immediately set out with a party to come to me and offer what support he could. He never arrived. There were rumors he was attacked by a renegade band – people from another city trying to stop our cities’ alliance; though it’s been long since any of the cities have fought amongst themselves.
“An exhaustive search was mounted. No sign was ever found. Mother continued to grow worse. My heart pained me, and I was torn between going out to find the prince or staying with my mother. If my mother should die I couldn’t be away from the city.”
The fire crackled. Javin noted the far away look in Mouhra’ Lah’s eyes. The sounds of the night seemed to close in and silence reigned throughout their camp.
The Vouloo surrounding their several different campfires were silent, acting like they weren’t listening, yet no one spoke.
The princess continued.
“Finally, after a night of pain and fever, my mother passed on to her rest.” Mouhra’ Lah gave a slight sigh. “The State funeral was planned, and my people went into morning. Mother was a much beloved queen.
“And then my uncle came back from wherever it was that he had gone; all tears and mock sorrow at the queen’s passing.” Again, Javin saw the anger flame back into her eyes. “He immediately addressed the Quorum, a group of close advisors my mother held to confide in and advise her in all State matters. They agreed that my uncle be set up as Conservator until such time as I married and could take over the reins of government.”
The princess’ voice started out almost as a low growl as she continued, “I was the only one who found it ironic when my uncle returns just shortly after my mother’s death, and the prince gone missing, and who just so happens to begin pressing for my hand in marriage when he knows there is no one else who could come forth.”
Siri’ Bhu moved over from her place and sat next to the princess, her arm consolingly around her. The princess didn’t seem to notice. She looked directly back into Javin’s eyes, making him nervous. For some reason she was speaking directly to him, confiding in him as if he had power to help.
Strangely he found he wanted to help. Not because of her beauty, not because she was in distress, but because he felt an innate rightness about her cause.
Something within swelled up and pushed forward, at once scaring him while at the same time emboldening him, making him proud, knowing that whoever he was, or had been, deep within he had a strong sense of rightness; a person who beyond anything else desired the right to succeed.
“I knew my prince was not dead,” the princess interrupted Javin’s introspection. “My prince could not have died, I can feel it here,” the princess held her hand over her breast. “Our bond was such, even though it can’t be described, we would know if the other had perished.”
Javin was skeptical though he couldn’t discount it completely. Maybe she really would have felt it. Maybe she just doesn’t want to admit it.
“My uncle’s importunities increased, and I realized the only w
ay I could save my country and myself from his greedy aspirations was to leave – to find the prince myself. So that is what I did.”
At this point Siri’ Bhu jumped into the conversation, her eyes alight with the fervor of loyalty.
“The princess would be alone had I not noticed her preparations. I quickly gathered her personal guard and we made our own preparations to follow. We had to be quick for the princess knew at any time her uncle might take hold and not let her go. No doubt he suspected her designs.
“On the guise of going to the market place with just a couple of her most trusted guards, the princess went out of the castle, wandered through the street for a time to make sure she wasn’t followed, then donned a dark cloak, pulling the hood up over her head she went out the front gate of the city and up the road. After she was out of sight of the city, she went into the wilderness, heading in the direction where the prince would have been traveling to reach Putra’ Fi Sorro.
“She hadn’t gotten far when her Vouloo and I made ourselves known.
“We’d been waiting without the gate just outside the cleared space from the city and followed her for a time to make sure she hadn’t been followed.” Siri’ Bhu stroked the hair away from the princess’ face much as a mother would. The princess, deep in her own thoughts, gazed at the glowing embers of the dying fire.
“At first, she was angry,” Siri continued, “then hugged us all for our loyalty. She needed to know she wasn’t alone – that she was loved. And most importantly that she was supported by all of her people.
“To most of us within the court it was easy to see what her uncle was up to. And we, like the princess, desired no part of it,” Siri’ Bhu’s fervor raised the pitch of her voice. “The sooner we got out of there the better, to my mind!” Suddenly she stopped, as if realizing her outspokenness might be out of place in front of the princess. Instead the princess reached over and squeezed her hand.
“The Keeper’s fervor in a good cause is much to be admired, don’t you think?” The princess once again looked directly at him. He could almost see the working of her mind behind the glistening brown eyes that reflected intelligence along with the glow of the coals. It seemed as if in her silent pondering while Siri’ Bhu had been speaking she’d drawn several conclusions, made an assessment, and reached a decision . . . all about Javin.