Asteron

ASTERON

M inoran is waiting for me in the hall he chose for our meeting. It's one of the older buildings in Mazos, the interior ornate and cool from the desert winds outside.

It's a building the clan has owned for a long time, and the choice is not lost on me. His clan might not rule Mazos, but he wants me to know he has a place here, a footing. Mazos does not belong only to me.

"." Minoran gestures to the long table in the center of the hall before striding over and taking a seat at the head.

Neither his failure to use my title nor his lack of ceremony on seating are lost on me either. He is making a point.

I use the subtle hand sign to my guard, one only they will recognize, and they stamp themselves to being at ease, hooves ringing out on the stone flags. I remain standing, but my gesture is also very clear.

I care not for his hall and his demeanor. Standing, I tower over him. Minoran is at a disadvantage, and he is realizing his mistake.

For all my efforts, I am not ignorant of court politics, given I've been around them all my life. He's playing a dangerous game with a Xnosson who knows all the tricks.

After all, I was taught by the trickiest of them all, my father.

"Minoran," I intone. "I have meetings with a number of other clan leaders today, so I won't take up much of your time."

He tilts his horns in a deliberate move.

"What can I do for you, my king?" he finally says.

"You are to attend a galactic council meeting this nova-month, correct?"

"There is a council meeting, yes." He steeples his fingers in front of him. "But I don't have to attend."

Hooves and horns! He's even going to make this difficult.

"I need a petition presented to them," I force out through gritted teeth. "Regarding the Habosu and their trading practices with the human star cruiser Britannia ."

I lift my hand, and my chief guard places the screen in it. I slide it over to Minoran. He takes it, spinning it around and skimming over the contents.

"I would present it myself, but the position on the council has always been yours," I say in his silence.

"Did you never think to involve the clan leaders in your plans, your majesty?" He looks up at me, and his eyes glitter with menace. "Or do you simply assume you own all of us, like you own this city? Bending us to your will and whim."

"I've never professed to own Mazos, Minoran," I snarl. "And my routing of the Habosu made all the difference to their trade, and they are thankful for it, as are many other trading cities. But it was me who took the decision, not the clans. Had it not been successful, I would have taken the hit and owned it, rather than just allowing the Habosu to do what they will, even if it was in my power to stop them."

I glare at him, daring this warrior to contradict me. The clans, albeit not his, and not here, could have done what I did, but they chose to fight each other, as directed by my father, looking inwards rather than outwards.

Minoran grunts and shoves the screen back at me.

"I can put in your petition, but I want something in return."

"I'm not offering anything in return. I'm asking you as a courtesy because your clan, by ancient right, is the council representative for Xnos."

Minoran lifts his lip in a snarl, his horns dipping dangerously and my guard shift on their feet.

"You want to play at politics, ? You will lose. You are not your father," he spits.

"No, I am not my father. My rule will be different. I want to stand up for the rights of those who have no voice, including the humans, my mate's species. I refuse to be anything less."

"Your altruism will get you killed as surely as greed killed your sire," Minoran growls as he stands, pushing the chair away with a sudden movement.

"I doubt that very much. And my father was not killed. His death was an accident, if I need to remind you."

"An accident where a Xnosson bull falls down some stairs?" Minoran chokes on his laughter. "If you say so."

I growl under my breath. "I am working to make Xnos a force within the galaxy, as it was under my grandfather. The rule of King Xeron is no more. This is my time, and my choice is to be strong and bold. Present my petition, Minoran. It is not a request."

I've had more than enough of this arrogant Xnosson bull. If he won't see my ways are better than my father's, if he is going to insist on peddling the rumors about his death, then I have no more to discuss with him.

The other clans are waiting. I turn and leave his hall, my guard in hot pursuit, somewhat caught out by my sudden departure.

Outside, the heat is oppressive. I step into my ground transport for some relief.

"Take me to the dining place where I am due to meet with my queen," I order the captain, attempting to unclench my fists.

It will not do for me to turn up to meet my sweet mate in a temper. She needs reassurance and calmness in her current condition. The mere thought of her rounded belly and smiling face helps my frazzled nerves. Minoran is but one clan leader. There are many others far more well-disposed to my rule so far. If he wants to go back to attempting to rile up the others, he can, but he will not get far in his ambition.

No one has yet challenged the crown and been successful.

In the distance, I hear a low crunch, like a tree falling in a forest. Only we are in the heart of Mazos, and there are few trees which could make such a sound.

"Sire!" the captain calls out and I follow where he is pointing.

A large black cloud rises up in the distance, sitting atop a column of grey smoke.

"An explosion!" he says.

"Where?" I respond.

He checks his mapping system and raises his head to look at me for too long a beat. "The retail sector, sire."

"Tell me my mate was not there." I grab at his horns, twisting at them as my guards grab hold of me from behind, holding me back. "Tell me my queen is safe."