a sign of royalty that I hoped she would respect.
“Because I am royalty and my mother’s blood runs through my veins,” I said when Syrugia spotted my mother’s bracelet around my arm.
“You have Sanoka’s bracelet so it has been finalized. She wants you to lead us in her absence.” Syrugia said as I looked down at her with my ears raised proudly.
“Yes I am her successor.” I stated as the others within the group crowded around to look at the bracelet in awe.
“Then it is as I feared. She wants us to follow the orders of a whelp; she wants us to die to preserve her bloodline. Well I won‘t stand for it.” Syrugia said unsteadily raising onto her hind legs, so she was towering over me.
“What? No, I am supposed to lead the people.” I said, my ears falling as I caned my neck to look up at Syrugia.
“I will not let a whelp like you damage our functioning society simply because Sanoka wishes it. I will banish the whole royal family if they wish to destroy us. I will kill you if you don’t stay out of my way.” Syrugia announced as I fell to my feet, taken aback with fear.
A Royal Fiasco
My eyes were glued onto Syrugia’s wild blue eyes like a helpless animal in the presence of a predator. Her dark brown tail fought to maintain her balance as she towered over me. Her fangs were exposed as her supporters growled loudly behind her.
I backed away intimidated, knowing I stood no chance against her. She was right I was just a child. How could I be expected to lead these people? Maybe my mother was wrong. Maybe she is just simply afraid of change for surely there must be someone more qualified than me to take her place as leader.
“You are right, I have no right being leader when I am so young and my skills are so underdeveloped. My mother must have been mistaken to believe that I could handle such a responsibility.” I muttered backing away with my tail hovering just above the ground, submissively.
“You are correct you do not have what it takes to be leader so stay out of my way.” she yelled as I bowed my head knowing there was no way I could take her on. I had failed my mother but yet again I can’t imagine how I could have succeeded.
“Of course, why would I interfere when this is none of my concern?” I muttered backing away when Syrugia fell back on her feet.
“Good, so I don’t have to worry about you anymore.” she said relieved.
“Well I guess I should be going.” I said turning away when Syrugia looked down at my mother bracelet again.
“That bracelet is interconnected with Sanoka. It almost symbolizes her and her leadership. It would strengthen my chances of becoming leader. Give it to me.” Syrugia said as I looked up at her, anger replacing feelings of fear.
“No my mother gave this to me because it represents my father. I may not be the next leader but I will not allow you to take my inheritance.”
“It was not a question of rather you wanted to part with it. It was an order.” Syrugia said stepping closer with her tail raised.
“I am a part of the ruling royal family and thief would not be taken lightly.” I said proudly raising my large ears as I slashed the air with my agitated tail.
“You are a part of a dying regime and whatever power you hold is soon going to be mine soon. Now give me that bracelet before I take it from you, whelp.” Syrugia said arching her back so the ridge of dark brown fur was clearly visible.
“That is the only way you are going get it because I refuse to give it to you.” I yelled as Syrugia sprang toward me.
I leap out of the way though I turned sharply in midair to prepare for an attack but I notice that Syrugia’s stance was unsteady, since she was currently landing. I leap forward knocking Syrugia onto the ground before her hind legs ever touched down.
“I may not have what it takes to be the leader but I refuse to give up to the likes of you.” I yelled as Syrugia growled attempting to smack me but I leaned away as her hand whisked by my face, missing it by a few millimeters.
“You can’t defeat me, whelp, so give me that bracelet!” Syrugia yelled leaping toward me as I ran in hopes of protecting my mother’s bracelet. I came to a stop when I was met with Syrugia’s followers who formed a wall, preventing me from escaping. I turned slowly to see Syrugia raised on her hind legs as she bellowed the cry of a fierce warrior.
I cowered as she pinned me to the ground by firmly holding my shoulder down then snatched the bracelet from my arm with her other hand. She released me to put on the bracelet than waved her tail in a wide arch to show her happiness. I got up growling arching my back so the black ridge of fur stood on end but Syrugia turned away unconcerned.
“I don’t need you anymore so you are free to leave if you like.” Syrugia said as she walked away.
“Don’t turn your back to me.” I yelled chasing after her when someone grabbed my shoulder, pulling me backwards onto the ground. I looked up, with my vulnerable belly exposed, as Syrugia’s supporters walked passed me, arrogance radiating from their expressive gestures.
“You don’t know when to give up do you?” Syrugia said glancing coolly over her shoulder.
“I am not letting you get away with my mother’s bracelet.” I yelled getting to my feet as Syrugia and her followers slowly walked away.
“You are not letting me take your mother’s bracelet? You make it seem like we need your permission, like you are capable of stopping us.” Syrugia said jokingly as I caught up with her group looking for a weakness to get to Syrugia but her supporters would not let me pass. I was simply too small and weak for they were all physically mature. I did not stand a chance but I was not planning on leaving without my mother’s bracelet.
I followed Syrugia and her group toward the lit dome where announcements are usually made. The group paused for there was another group already there. It was Merula, a member of the Death Stalkers, along with a few others. She was standing on her hind legs like royalty clothed in her Death Stalker uniform. Her fawn colored tail was raised and her pale silvery grey eyes were commanding.
“Our great leader, Sanoka, is dying and she will not be able to continue leading us for long. I wish this was not so but it is true. I have a great respect for Sanoka but I can’t allow her ten year old daughter, Kyzudo, to lead us. I may not be of royal blood but I am a member of the Death Stalkers so I am strong and experienced. I will not fail you. I wish Dabu was telling the truth about our leader’s recovery but it was simply a lie to calm us in our time of need, to protect the royal family. We can’t ignore the truth and all of you need to understand that by refusing to choose a new leader, by remaining loyal to Sanoka you will be supporting Kyzudo as your future leader and I doubt she can handle that much responsibility. We have to choose or our fates will be sealed.” Merula said as the crowd, that had gathered, yipped when Syrugia made her way to the front to confront Merula then rose onto her hind legs as well.
“My name is Syrugia and I promise that my strength will not wane in the face of adversity. I may not have a drop of royal blood in my veins or be a member of anything as prestigious as the Death Stalkers but I believe these facts make me stronger. I am just like any of you and I do not believe myself to be superior. I stand for equality and I will lead the Death Stalkers to victory for the betterment of the people.” Syrugia said raising the arm with my mother’s bracelet, a great show of dexterity and balance, since non royals were unaccustomed to bipedal walking. The crowd yipped at the sight of the bracelet obviously impressed for the only possibilities seemed to be that she proved to be stronger than Sanoka or Sanoka gave it to her as a gift to sway the people in her favor. I am sure none of them considered the possibilities that she attacked a child half her age while in the company of others for backup.
“Syrugia is a thief! Now someone give me my mother’s bracelet this instant.” I said rising onto my hind legs as everyone turned toward me.
“Is that Kyzudo?” everyone whispered as I cursed myself for not wearing my robes for this was most likely the only time I was embarrassed for appearing av
erage, it made me look less like royalty.
“Lady Kyzudo we have been looking for you. Dabu said you went missing and that it was the utmost important that we find you as soon as possible.” one of my guards yelled as two of them rushed over to me.
“Guards that lowly servant has my bracelet!” I yelled fling my forearm in Syrugia’s direction.
“Bracelet?” asked one of the guards coming to stand beside me.
“Yes Sanoka’s bracelet.” I said as both of the guards looked to Syrugia to see that she indeed had my mother’s bracelet.
“How did she acquire her Majesty’s bracelet without setting off the alarms?” asked the other guard looking at me.
“She gave it to me and I snuck out for some air.” I admitted as both of the guards stared at me puzzled.
“Why would her Majesty give you her bracelet unless…” the first began when the other looked at him in concern.
“You don’t mean?” inquired the second when Syrugia spoke.
“Yes Sanoka is dying and she intends to leave Kyzudo the kingdom.” Syrugia announced as the guards” stares intensified, waiting for me to contradict them but the truth could not be hidden forever.
“Fine she expects me to be the next leader but I am sure I can do it with all of your help.” I said as everyone looked me over disdainfully as I looked to my two guards for reassurance but they were slowly backing
The Creatures that History Forgot Page 6