Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve

ZURA

You could have heard a pin drop as all eyes were upon Mother . " Commander DaR , we were not expecting you."

" That's apparent with my son kneeling on the ground with a raised sword above his head."

" Your son went directly against the rules, and the consequences of his actions is his life."

" Oh , is that so? Was there a trial? Witnesses ?" DaR swings the sword around in his hand as he walks in front of Mother , his agitation plain to see.

" OrO openly admitted to using the Sacred Waters on another."

" It was me, DaR ! He only did it to save my life!" I scream so loud it makes my throat hurt.

It takes a moment for DaR to find me in the crowd and when he sees the guards holding me. He motions to XuL . Instantly , XuL is at my side and the guards step back.

" You look like hell, Zura ."

" Thanks , missed you too. You guys cut it a little close."

" You know Father , he likes to make an entrance."

DaR motions for me to come to him. Pulling my leg behind me, I limp to his side. He stares down at me, his eyes roaming my tattered body. " I see you are sporting a new set of eyes, Zura . Nevertheless , I have seen you look better. Are you well?"

" Thanks to your son, I am alive and standing before you. He is only in this predicament because of me. I was moments from death, DaR . OrO was … is willing to die to save me." DaR nods his head and I step back when the Symbots on his arms flare out.

OrO grabs my arm, pulling me closer to him. " Zura , I am a grown Orc . I knew the consequences of my actions when I stepped into the Sacred Lake . I would gladly do it again to see you standing here whole before me. What good is my life if you are not in it?" Before I can comprehend his words, DaR's voice distracts my thoughts.

" Head Priestess , correct me if I am wrong, but Zura is your own flesh and blood, correct?"

" Yes , she is my daughter."

" So , her life means little to you?"

" I did not say that."

" But you are willing to kill another for saving hers. My son, is this correct?"

" He took a vow the same as all the other Palace guards to protect this place and its inhabitants. He knew he was forsaking his own life when he put her in that water. The only reason she was not also to be executed. Was because it was done without her approval or acknowledgment."

" Can you not hear your own words, woman? Was the destruction of this entire sector not enough of a loss for you? Was there not enough blood shed or lives lost in this last rising to drown your thirst? I don't know what God you serve here, but mine would never approve of your methods."

" Commander DaR , you may not approve of my methods, but I am simply doing what I promised. And that is upholding the laws of this world."

" Who do you think you are?"

" I am the Head Priestess of Xuias ."

" And I am your Commander !" He growls out, " There are no laws, no authority that overrides my decisions, and you knew there would be consequences with the actions taken against one of my own. I am judge and jury, and you, Zlana , have overstepped your authority."

" So , your sons are above the laws?"

" All of my sons are noble and will do anything in their power to save the ones they love and the people they protect. You are a power hungry tyrant according to the reports that have somehow been withheld from me for rotations.

" Imagine my shock when SCOUT was able to open the correspondence that you blocked the others from sending me. I have spent the last half a rising reading the messages your people sent, asking for help against your bullying ways. When I inquired as to why these were never delivered to me, I was informed their comm units were blocked. Then I remembered your words when I asked where my son was and you willfully lied to me. You said he was away when he was stationed right here at your front gates."

I feel OrO's large presence as he walks up behind me. " Father , I need to interrupt you for a moment before you go any further. Ask her what wrong she has done to Zura and me? Ask her how she hid the one thing every Orc dreams of from her own daughter and why?"

I look up at OrO confused, but he doesn't take his eyes off my mother. His large hands land on the top of my shoulder and I feel my necklace slip off. Just as I reach for it, OrO is holding it in his hands, away from me. Suddenly , his voice booms all around. " I want you all to stand and bear witness to the crimes our Head Priestess has done willingly to her own daughter. Where did you get this Zura ?" He holds the necklace out in front of me.

" My mother gave it to me when I was a youngling?"

" Was this after you met me?"

" I don't recall the exact age, but I believe so, yes." Suddenly , a tingle starts under my skin and a smell captures my complete attention.

" Look down at your arms, Zura ."

I gasp as runes suddenly start to pulse up and down my skin. My heart jumps in my chest when I realize what this could possibly mean and with a smile on my face. I turn towards OrO , expecting to see his runes, only to find them gone. " What does this mean? I saw the markings of a Kismet on you."

" SCOUT , would you take this?" The instant OrO lets go of the necklace, his runes burst forth.

The connection I have been praying for all this time clicks in place and for the first time in my life, I feel whole. Jumping into his outstretched arms, I wrap my legs tightly around his waist. Suddenly all the pain is forgotten as one of his large hands grabs me by the hip. While the other spans across my back, pulling me close as we both stand here crying, overwhelmed by the events that have just happened. My hands roam all over him as I try to get closer. Sobs leave me shaking all over when the enormity of what I had almost lost hits me fully. With the noise of the crowd getting louder. It takes me a moment to hear SCOUT's words in the background.

" This stone has been charmed, Commander ."

If I thought DaR was mad before, that was nothing compared to now. He jumps upon the dais mother has been standing on and she slowly backs away from him, holding her hand out like that is going to stop him. I should feel bad for her, but I cannot find it in me to forgive her for what she has done to me ... us.

" Do you deny giving this to Zura ?"

" No , I had my reasons."

" They'd better be good."

" She deserved better."

" Woman , you are on thin ice with me. Are you saying … better than my own flesh and blood, my SON ? I would choose my words wisely if I were you."

" His mother was a siren, and she lured my mate to his death. That devil spawn of hers was not going to take my daughter, too."

" So , you willfully admit that you saw these runes appear on your daughter's skin when she was a youngling. The marking of a Kismet , the most sought after and precious gift handed down from the Lord of Light to your people, and you maliciously decided to hide this from her. Taking it upon yourself to be wiser than our God !" DaR's words keep getting louder as he paces around mother.

" Yes , and I'd do it again! I would have rather she'd died out there than mate with that woman's beast, runes or not."

" Guards , remove this female from my sight and place her in a holding cell. As of this very moment, the rules of Xuias will be governed by their rightful leader. The former Princess , now Queen , Zura , and her Kismet consort, OrO . Any who goes against this new law will be banished never to return here again."

" You can't do this! I am the Head Priestess of Xuias and what I say is the law!" Mother screams as she struggles against the guards now holding her.

" Zlana , … you are no one as of now! You took the position the Lord of Light entrusted you with and the power went to your head. Unlike how you have done others, you will be given a fair trial for your crimes. You better pray that your daughter has a forgiving heart, or you might find your own neck under the blade.

" Zura , I know you are overwhelmed at this moment. Much has happened in such a short amount of time, but do you have any instructions that you want your people to proceed with?"

I pull my head away from OrO's chest and look around at all the other Orcs , awaiting my answer. " I want all of you to go to the Sacred Lake and drink the waters of our world and heal yourselves. When your bodies and spirits are renewed, we'll return to our old ways and only partake from our Sacred Waters with the aid and instructions of our Healers .

" Once all have rested, we will rebuild Xuias together. This rising marks a new beginning for all of us and hopefully one that will be well remembered in the rotations to come." I look up at OrO who has been smiling down at me this entire time. " Are you alright with all of this?"

" Zura , wherever you are, I am. I've no desire to lead, but I will stand beside, behind, or in front of you, always. We have much to discuss, but first, your people are not the only ones who need to heal. You are a mess, my mate."

Reaching up, I cup his jaw. " I have dreamed of hearing those words spoken from your lips all my life."