Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

ZURA

Stepping out of my room, I am torn on what to do first. Everything has been such chaos since returning home. I am scared to see what's coming up next. I need to see to my people below, but wanting an explanation from my mother also sets heavily on my mind. So many questions plague my thoughts, but the most pressing one is where did she acquire that necklace that blocked my ancestral runes. How did she even know something like that was possible to achieve? Many times, throughout my life, I took her advice without a second thought, now I wonder if I was simply another pawn in this game, she was playing with all our lives.

A tug on my hand has me looking down at Rosad .

" Mother , can I go play with the others?"

" Only if you promise not to leave the fortress. I know you are tempted to go out and see what has survived, but we will await OrO's return before heading out. Then we'll all go together."

She nods yes and I watch as she runs towards the set of younglings sitting together in a corner. They all jump up when she starts telling them about the knife she has strapped to her back. When one of the males reaches around her to feel the handle, she smacks his hand away, and I have to hold back my laughter. They gather together in a circle around Rosad with unkempt garments on and dirty faces. Standing there watching them, I don't hear Priestess Murga approach.

" The younglings are skittish, my Queen , as they have every right to be if their hushed conversations can be trusted."

" I fear their lives will only get harder before they improve, as many have lost what family they did have. Priestess Murga , I need to ask a favor of you. I have somewhere I need to be. I would appreciate it if you could watch over Rosad and the other younglings until I return."

" Of course, my Queen . I am here to help in any way you wish."

" Before I leave, my next concern is that their bellies are empty, and they are all in need of a good bath. Do we have any spare clothing here in the fortress that might fit them?"

" Our supplies are running low, my Queen , but there are plenty of robes that could be cut down until clothes could be provided for them. I will seek Rosad's assistance in getting them to the sustenance area, then we will tackle the bathing."

" Thank you Murga , I am sure there are some idle hands below that would be willing to help. I'll return as quickly as possible to assist in any way needed."

" As you wish, my Queen ."

While I am unaccustomed to the way Priestess Murga is addressing me, my new title is the best way to help my people. Rosad's reassurance is the only reason the younglings do not flee when Murga approaches them. Rosad is a natural leader as she gathers them all together, talking adamantly as they go towards the sustenance area.

Turning away, I head towards the bowels of the fortress and … Mother . I stop several times to talk to others on the way, but when I come to the bolted doors that lead to the bottom chambers, I hesitate when I see there is no guard present. Reaching out, I test to see if it's locked only for the knob to turn effortlessly. Opening it, I head down the few steps and for some reason. It does not shock me to find the place empty.

The bed appears to have been slept upon and a pale pink shawl lies on its edge. Picking it up, I bring it up to my nose, instantly surrounded by the familiar smell of Mother's perfume. I don't know if I should be relieved or angry that she has escaped. Throwing the shawl down, I don't waste another moment down here. Charging back up the steps, I stop in my tracks when I see Kraga headed towards me.

" Forgive me for stepping away my queen, but Azog requested all males to report to the docks to help unload the shuttles that just landed with supplies."

" Kraga , how long were you gone from your post?"

" Since early rising."

" You are relieved of duty. She … Mother is no longer here." The look on his face shows his surprise, that was not what he was expecting me to say.

" My Queen , that's not possible. I heard her singing. She was here when I left. I swear it."

" Kraga , who else has keys to these chambers?"

" No one has the keys to this door, but Azog , the guard on duty, and … the Head Priestess ."

" Well , that explains much now, doesn't it? In the mix of all this chaos, I never thought to have her searched. Mother simply waited until she heard you walk away and let herself out. I don't hold you personally responsible for this, Kraga . I am sure she would have escaped one way or another, as several others would help her in any way possible. She has a steady following, many of our people still believe as she does."

Running a hand across my face, I sigh, as I don't know if I should be relieved or worried about her disappearance. " As long as she never shows her face again, I will allow her to live out her risings in peace. If she returns, then I will take matters into my own hands."

Kraga bows to me and turns, heading back out the main doors. For a moment, I wonder if he is the one who freed her. He is a stickler for the rules. Nevertheless , it will be easy enough to confirm his whereabouts this rising and he knows I'll inquire to see if his words are true. Trust is something I realize will not come easily for me from this point on, thanks to her deception. Standing in this empty hall, I am at a loss as to what to do next.

The weight of what has happened weighs heavily down upon my shoulders. Things have happened so quickly and to such an extreme that I feel like I am living in an alternate universe looking in. The runes dancing on my arms remind and reassure me that I am no longer alone. Closing my eyes, I reach out for OrO .

His soothing presence instantly calms my thoughts and I shake off the doubts that are trying to take hold. Heading towards the main halls, I stop many times to check on the others. Even though the first couple of pink starburst eyes startle me when I see them, I am constantly reassured the decision I made was the right one. Someone entering the main hallway has everyone quieting down quickly. Looking up, I see SCOUT's very intimidating form approaching. " Mistress Zura , if I could speak with you privately."

" Absolutely ."

He motions for me to follow him outside. He leads me around the wall surrounding the main fortress. " Mistress Zura , before I get started on the main reason, I requested that you come out here, I would like to ask you about something more personal." With the flick of his hand, my necklace appears. " Do you mind if I keep this for a season? I would like to investigate its origin and unique powers. My main processor is not familiar with objects such as this, and it has intrigued me."

" I have no objections, SCOUT . Keep it, I never want to see it again."

" I understand why you would feel that way, Mistress . I will share all my findings with you once my investigation is complete, I'll have it put into a safe location. Now for the reason, I brought you out here. Do you see that section of undisturbed forest out there to your west?"

" I do now, yes."

" That part of the forest somehow escaped the worst of Mount Caldera's wrath and is still hanging heavily with seedlings. The research I have been able to confirm leads me to believe the Sacred Waters can be used for more than just the healing of organics. I would like your permission before proceeding further."

" You've lost me, SCOUT ."

" Excuse me, sometimes I forget that you don't receive the information simply because I do. If my examinations are correct, the Sacred Lake is fed from an underground stream that comes from the base of Mount Caldera . The few soil samples I have taken show that this is not the first time an occurrence like this has occurred on Xuias .

" Now remember this is all in theory, but I truly believe that if we could get the destroyed forest areas cleared away and removed, with the help of the Sacred Water , we could revitalize the soil with the surviving seedlings to replant the damaged areas. The forest should sprout back pretty rapidly."

" Let me make sure I understand. You want to use the Sacred Waters to revitalize the landscape."

" Precisely . I could set up a pump system that would send a small mist throughout the area. The water has so many healing properties in it that the seedlings should grow rapidly and possibly stronger than ever. Within a few Orbital Rotations , things would be close to returning to normal."

" That's almost too good to be true, SCOUT . Except , before you start this, I have a few stipulations. Can you reassure me that we will not damage the lake? My people will never stand by and watch it be destroyed even if it is for a good cause. The changes I have made already are pushing the limits of my people's beliefs and the sacredness of the waters we have placed guardians over. The last thing I need right now is a riot to be overthrown."

" I will monitor its status constantly. If I see a decline in any way, we will back off until it reestablishes its normal depths. I have been measuring the natural spring's output and with my calculations, there should be no noticeable deterioration of the Lake ."

" What do you need from me?"

" Your permission and several sets of hands. SAGE already has a mass of Maintenance bots here. I was planning on using them to clean up the forest area once the dwellings have been reconstructed."

" You have my approval, and let's go see about getting those hands." When I walk back indoors, it is apparent most of the males are missing. Only a few elders or severely injured remain. " SCOUT , are you picky about who helps?"

" Not in the least, as a matter of fact, I was going to suggest females because of their gentler hands. Even a few younglings would be useful to help get into smaller areas."

" That makes this much easier." I clap my hands and most turn towards me. " SCOUT needs a few helpers to gather seeds and saplings from the outer forest area. Do I have any volunteers?"

Several females get up and head towards us. Rosad slowly walks over to me, her eyes big as she stares up at SCOUT . Standing as close to me as she can get, I realize she has probably never seen anything like him before. " Rosad , I would like you to meet a dear friend of mine, SCOUT . He is here with OrO's father and a few of his brothers to help our people rebuild."

SCOUT bows down a little. " It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, youngling. Would you like to be my helper this rising? I am in need of several, if you have a few friends who would like to go on an adventure in the outer forest area."

With a puzzled look on her face, Rosad looks up at me, seeking my approval. I nod my head yes. Then with her hands on her hips, she approaches him. " You know I am a princess now, right?"

" I have been made aware of this, yes."

" I will go with you on this adventure as long as you remember to address me by my proper title, Princess Rosad ."

A rare smile breaks out on SCOUT's face, and he nods before he winks at me. I have to bite my upper lip and turn my head to hide the smile that is trying to escape me because she is serious.

" Since that issue is now out of the way. I will go get my friends to accompany us. Stay here until I return." She skips off towards the other younglings and I look up at SCOUT .

" She is taking this princess stuff to heart."

" As she should, one day she will stand by your side, with your morals and standards as the foundation of her life and future. Let her enjoy her dreams as a youngling because they are much harder to achieve as an adult."

" You are very wise, SCOUT ."

" I've spent my entire existence observing others. This has taught me much."

" You will watch over her and the other younglings?"

" I will protect her with my life. If things turn bad once again, I assure you. I will find us a safe location until we can return once things calm down. Also , SAGE is currently making comm units for each of the younglings so you can monitor them at all times."

" Thank you, SCOUT . This mom thing is new to me."

" You and Master OrO will do well."

" Should I send sustenance later in the rising to your location?"

" That would be wise."

" I will have Priestess Murga and a few others join you mid-rising. Please don't hesitate to ask for anything you need. I will only be a comm message away."