Promises & Prophecies

by Lee Watts

"I think that secret is out."

  "C'mon, Ian. That assignment means a lot to me. You gonna help or not?"

  "Deal."

  "Great. How long you figger this is gonna take anyway?"

  "We have a lot of work to do. I'd say you should be ready in six, maybe seven years."

  "Oh, ha-ha. Very funny."

  "Don't worry. We'll have you ready by the time the interview board convenes next cycle. In the meantime, we have a job to do."

  "Roger that, Ironman."

  The two Realm starfighters rendezvoused with the ships they were to escort and signaled the Dauntless they were on course for the capital planet.

  ***

  In the royal conference chambers behind the main hall, the screen of Balin's personal communicator displayed a message.

  "What is it, Admiral?" Alexander asked.

  "The Dauntless, Sire. They report the last of the delegations has arrived."

  "They're cutting it close," Cale commented as he glanced at his watch. "The gala is supposed to start in an hour and a half."

  Alexander nodded in agreement.

  "We're down to the wire too," the King added then took a deep breath as he regarded those assembled at the table.

  "Admiral Balin, what's the status of our space forces?"

  "With the guests all here, I'll redeploy our units to defensive positions, move us to DEFCON two, and keep an active SAT link to our hyperspace recon in case the Ramillie strike. This many members of the Free Realm and Coalition in one place is a tempting target, Sire - maybe too tempting."

  "I know," Alexander agreed, "but having the ceremonies for the reinstatement of the High Council, the Entauri worlds joining us, and confirmation of the Premiere Lady all at one time takes care of a lot of protocol requirements. I don't like formal events more than any of you, but our allies need to see our strength and rich heritage tonight, and so do the people of the Realm. Cale, what about palace security?"

  "I have guards positioned at every door, window and ventilation duct there is. No one is getting in here who isn't on the invite list."

  "Excellent," Alexander responded. "Caedmon, what of the schedule?"

  "Heralds will announce each attendee. Thou and Lady Canton wilt then greet them as they enter the hall."

  "Wait," Alexander said, "Aulani, I'll need you there with me to speak to the various delegates."

  "As you wish, Sire," she answered softly.

  "I'm sorry, Caedmon, please continue."

  The aged vizier nodded then proceeded to review the evening's many events. After another twenty minutes of details, Alexander dismissed the group. Everyone at the conference table stood as Alexander did.

  "Thank you all. I know I can count on each of you."

  They all nodded to the sovereign and began exiting the chamber. Caedmon remained and spoke in hushed tones to the king. Aulani lingered as well until the others were gone.

  "Miss Aulani," Caedmon said questioningly. "Needest thou ought?"

  "May I have a moment alone with His Excellency, Voice Caedmon?"

  "If the King hast no further need of me," he said.

  Alexander signaled it was fine, and Caedmon bowed then discreetly left.

  "Aulani, you haven't changed for the gala. Please don't tell me you're not coming. I need you tonight more than ever. Oh my," he said as a thought occurred to him. "You don't have a dress, do you? I hadn't thought of that. I'm so sorry. We'll get you one somehow. I'll have-"

  "It's fine," she said. "Your mother was kind enough to have a special dress made for me weeks ago. I'll change in a minute, but we need to talk first."

  She swallowed hard before continuing, and he realized something big was coming. His throat tightened, and heart rate increased. He knew this moment was inevitable but had used the busyness of their lives to keep it at bay. He wanted to say a million things to her but held his peace knowing he couldn't express all he wanted or felt.

  "Your Highness-"

  "Aulani, there's only us here. It's Alex, remember. You use to call me Alex."

  "That was before. Things have changed."

  "I know."

  "I… I can't go on like this… acting like there was nothing between us… acting like the life we had, the plans we made never existed. It tears me apart every time I see you with her."

  "Aulani-"

  "No, let me finish."

  He quieted, knowing there was nothing he could say or do to ease the moment.

  "I know what Vivica means to the Realm, but if you ever cared for me then tell me the truth, and I'll never speak a word of it to her or anyone… Do you love her?"

  Before answering, he took a step closer to the dark-eyed woman he had shared so much with through the years.

  "Aulani, you're my best friend. I'd rather spend time with you than anyone else in the universe. You make me smile… make me actually look forward to Council meetings because I know you'll be there beside me." Taking her hands in his, he added, "How could I love Vivica, when I've already fallen in love with you."

  "Alex," she began, but tears prevented her from saying more.

  Placing his arms around her, he pulled her into his chest, and she sobbed deeply, embracing him. They held each other for a long while, cherishing this last time to ever do so.

  "I'd give up the crown today if it meant we could be together, but the Realm's survival is at stake. If there were any other way…"

  "I know," she responded as she stepped back and wiped her eyes. "I know. It has to be doesn't it, but I can't… I can't stay."

  "…I understand. Where will you go?"

  "President Ilan of Entauri Major once offered me a position on his staff. It is my homeworld after all. I'll talk to him about it tonight."

  "I'm sure his offer still stands. There are at least twenty other worlds who've asked for entry to our language schools, thinking students all come out as amazing as you."

  She smiled shyly from the compliment, and he paused a long while before continuing. He knew this was their last moments together when no one was watching - the last time they could be honest with each other. He realized he would always regret it if he didn't say what he felt.

  "Aulani, when I died on that planet, and you found me, I promised the Elder if He would send me back, I would be willing to sacrifice anything for a chance to save the Realm, but I didn't realize the cost would be this high. You're the most precious thing in the universe to me. Sometimes I wish Lord Canton never rescued us from Acatus V, and we were still there together. Even in that jungle… with you… well, it was happiest times of my life. I am incomplete without you, and will never be able to give Vivica my heart because you already have it. Aulani, you're the most kind, intelligent, and beautiful woman I have ever met. It was the highest honor of my life to know you, and I'll forever envy the man who wins your hand."

  He paused to strengthen his emotions before finishing then took her hands in his. Though he realized he would see her throughout the night, he knew it would never, and could never be this way between them again, so he added a last farewell as he walked out of her life. His words were slow and voice wavering.

  "May your life be long and full of great joy," he said forcing a smile behind glassy eyes. "Despite what happens tonight, know that in my heart, you will always be the Premier Lady of the Realm… Goodbye, Aulani," he said softly then lifted one of her hands, kissed the back of it, and quietly left the room.

  She stood there motionless for a long while with tears silently rolling down her checks and emotions tearing through her.

  It's not fair; it's not fair, was all she could think. She considered going after him and asking him to run away with her, but she knew his sacred promise forbade it. She tried to think of some way, any way they could be together, but there was none. It wasn't meant to be, and she knew it. She had known it for a long while, but only now accepted that this was the way it was always destined to turn out. Through her tearful gasps, she tried to compose herself. She tried to purge him fro
m her thoughts, but it was so hard. She didn't want it to end; he didn't want it to either, which made it all the more difficult. She almost wished he would lie to her - tell her he loved Vivica and never wanted to see her again. It would have made it easier, but he was too noble to lie, too in love with her not to share his innermost heart. There was nothing left for her on Theera, no more fleeting hopes of a life with him, no more reason for a jump of her pulse every time he entered a room. There was nothing left for her but to let him go.

  "Goodbye Alex," she, at last, whispered then turned off the lights and left the room.

  CHAPTER 28

  "A gracious woman retaineth honour…" – Proverbs 11:16

  Alexander entered the hall outside the Royal Conference Room, which bustled with activity as workers made last-minute preparations for the gala. The lighting was low, matching his mood. One of the guards noticed him and was about to call the hall to attention, but he subtly waved at the man letting him know the king wanted to slip in quietly. Ascending the back stairs to the royal platform, he gazed out on the recently refurbished main chamber of the palace. It was the first time since liberating Theera that all the scaffolding and other work material was absent from the room. Pausing for a moment, he took time to appreciate the immense grandeur of the space and walked about to examine its magnificence. Giant displays of the blue and white Realm banner and purple and white flag of the Coalition decorated the massive pillars. The craftsmen had outdone themselves. With damage to the outer walls, the builders had used the opportunity to significantly widened the rectangular room. Before the reconstruction, the royal platform had a flat edge and was only a few steps elevated from the floor; now more than twenty steps were leading to the top. On the royal platform was the new throne. While it was a magnificent piece of master craftsmanship, it still made Alexander sad to see it. Thoughts of his brother came flooding to him and how Salazar so desperately wanted the Plyeccian throne that would rid him of the caryon. He wondered had their roles been reversed if would he have gone to the same lengths to stay alive. He pitied Salazar.

  He has no one. There is no one to love him - no one to truly mourn him when he passed, or sorrow over his absence when he is gone. No, there is someone... me. He vowed to try and reach out to his brother again. He just needs someone to love him.

  Snapping the King out of thought was when his eyes fell upon the throne beside his own - the queen's. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he considered who would be taking her place there after tonight. For a moment he allowed himself to imagine the joy of having Aulani seated next to him. He thought of her warm smile and kindness. What an ideal queen she would make. The people would adore her. He smiled at the notion, but his delight turned to sorrow as he forced himself to deal with reality. It would not be Aulani beside him; it would be Vivica. Self-absorbed, elitist, she would make sure she stayed the talk of high society and would love him and the Realm only so far as it got her the prominence and affluence, she so craved. In his musings, her renowned physical beauty didn't occur to him, nor would he have cared for it if it had. He knew who she was, and the wrapping was insufficient to hide what was inside. The wraps she wore were insufficient to hide much of anything.

  Forcing himself back into the moment, he continued examining the chamber. The platform and steps curved gently outward in a long, elegant half oval. Behind the platform were narrow windows that soared to nearly the ceiling. Similar, yet somewhat wider windows extended down both sides of the chamber, and two open-air balconies were flanking each side of the room. Tiered rows of seats for the High Councilors lined each of the two side walls and extended two-thirds way down the hall. Where the High Councilors area ended were two large pillars with elaborate caps and bases. There were six sets of these pillars and arches flanking the wide path from thrones to the ground-level tunnel at the far end where visitors entered. As with the earlier design, the new chamber also made use of an open second level, with arches and pillars where onlookers could view events on the main floor. A new addition to the second level, high above the entry tunnel, was a semi-circular balcony. On either side of it were twin grand, outward curving staircases leading to the marble floor of the main level. Each staircase sported a regal blue carpet lining the center portion. The carpet joined with the one coming from the entry tunnel and leading all the way up the stairs and to the top of the Royal Platform. Alexander marveled at the exquisite details of the stair railings, which matched the exquisite artistry of the pillars and intricate details in the floor patterns. The room reminded him of the grandeur he always imagined was in palaces of the classical era, but this was even more so. Though the wide main path of the Royal Hall was usually unobstructed, it presently housed scores of white-clothed tables in preparation for the gala.

  "Your Excellency," came the familiar voice of Alexander's oldest friend and advisor.

  "I did not realize thou wast here. I wouldst have had a herald announce thee properly."

  "I didn't want him to," Alexander said. "I just wanted a few moments to look around. It's amazing."

  "Aye, 'tis. In all my years and travels I have never seen its equal, yet how it must pale in comparison to the magnificence of Paradise."

  Alexander smiled, calling to mind even what little he could remember of his short time in Paradise after he was killed by Imenand. By comparison, the Realm's palace was a pauper's shack.

  "We have much to look forward to," he told Caedmon.

  "Speaking of looking forward, there is not much time before the gala is to commence. Where is thy betrothed?"

  Alexander rolled his eyes and sighed.

  "You know Vivica, she always likes to make an entrance at these things. She won't show up until there's already a crowd."

  "Indeed," Caedmon mumbled, "but what of Miss Suchet?"

  "She'll be here. Our… discussion put her a little late."

  Detecting the tension, Caedmon didn't press the matter.

  "She's leaving, Caedmon," Alexander said lowly.

  "Perchance 'tis for the best. It does not take extraordinary vision to see the pain in her eyes, nor thine, Sire. When she is gone then perchance this wound may heal."

  "I have my doubts, old friend. This wound runs deep."

  Dressed in the blue and white dress uniform jacket of the military personnel, Commander Rayne approached the King and Royal Vizier. As head of palace security, Cale had numerous details to handle that night, and so moved with purpose.

  "Excellency," he said with a hurried bow, "the media have arrived. With your permission, I'll have them brought in and set up in this back area."

  "Sounds good, Cale," he said with a nod, and the Commander signaled to have the press escorted into the room.

  "I hope there's room left over for the guests," Alexander said after seeing the glut of reporters.

  As the journalists finished setting up their equipment, the Herald on the main level called out the arrival of the first guests.

  "BARONESS AND BARON TRENTON OF DONEAC III."

  Alexander stepped forward quickly, positioning himself center between the stairs and several steps in front of the tunnel entrance. This would allow him to greet those entering from the main or second level without having to change position. The newly arrived couple bowed deeply to King Lyons as he welcomed them warmly to the royal hall.

  "HIGH COUNCILOR MEREDITH DORSON OF PAR'NAKEL," announced the Herald on the second level.

  From that point, there was a steady stream of Realm officials who, as requested, were early to be in position when the foreign dignitaries arrived. Aulani rushed down one of the elongated palace hallways as she put in her other earring. She hated to be late and was grateful for Cheyenne's lessons about running in heels, as she was all but doing that now. In contrast to her haste, Vivica had been ready for more than an hour and carefully listening to the herald's announcing guests from the speaker on her vanity table. As the rate of arrivals slowed, she made her way to the balcony of the second level. Satisfied that all
Realm representatives were likely there, Vivica stepped from the shadows.

  "Whom shall I announce, Miss?" asked the Herald.

  "You don't know who I am?"

  "My apologies."

  "No wonder you yell for a living. No matter, you'll know after tonight," she said smugly. "Everyone will."

  Alexander, the media, and all those assembled paused their conversations as they heard the herald announce, "LADY VIVICA CANTON OF ENTY."

  Gliding to just before the top step of the left staircase, Vivica smiled and posed for the media who were anxiously awaiting the arrival of the future Premier Lady. Confident in her well-deserved reputation as one of the most stunning women of the Realm, Vivica wore next to nothing, and she wore it well. Her white gown extended to the floor, with a slit up one side reaching her upper thigh. The low-cut bodice, highlighting her ample chest, was shoulderless and gave the impression of a corset. Brilliant sapphires glistened from her earrings, matching her jewel-encrusted choker. Slowly turning so the media could get pictures, she displayed the back of the gown - what there was of it. Mostly backless, the material was a wide V-shape, coming to a point and the lower portion of the small of her back. Laces crisscrossed her exposed skin. Her blond hair was down, and the beautiful long curls were elegantly draped over the front of one shoulder.

  Turning back to the front, she smiled broadly, relishing the attention. Then she froze as she noticed a similar dress being worn by a woman on the main level. Sure, the slit wasn't half as high or the top nearly as low, but it was the same basic dress. No, there wasn't only one more of the dress; there were two of them. The second was blue, not even close to as tight as Vivica's, but it was the same general design. There was a third, a fourth and more. Each replica of the gown was far more modest, and in a different color, but it was defiantly the same dress over and over, and over again. There was some chuckling from those not in the cloned outfit. Members of the media, noticing the duplicate dresses, began photographing many versions of the popular gown. Mumbles of the gossiping crowd grew louder as more and more copies of the gown were noticed.