Tiva Boon: Royal Guardian (32 page)

“I am a guardian, not a noble. One day I may be able to return and help restore order if the Rebels lose their control, but for now, I cannot return. I will surely perish if I do, and I cannot stay here. My home must be near your planet, and if word travels to the off-worlders working with the Rebels… I dare not say what will happen. There are many questions left to be answered…”

“If you die you won’t get the answers to your questions, Tiva. But if you live, who knows what your future holds. If you will not stay here, maybe our alliance with the Union can help you.”

“The Union?” Tiva asked the young girl.

“Oh, yes the Union. They are a wonderful organization made up of different planets and races. You wouldn’t believe how many beings live in our galaxy alone. The Union was here not too long ago; my father says they are returning for a conference in four months. You should talk to him about the Union. They might be able to help your planet.”

“I will consider it,” Tiva said and stifled a yawn. “I must not keep you awake any longer. Fear not, Harai, I will not take my own life. Your kind words and compassion has changed my mind. I will speak with your father and weigh my options. But now, I must sleep.” Tiva rose and walked toward the door. “Thank you for listening.”

“Thank you for sharing your story with me.” Harai stood and wrapped her arms around Tiva.

Tiva responded in kind, but felt very uncomfortable doing so.

“I will see you in the morning.”

Tiva tossed and turned as the dreams invaded her sleep.

One by one, she watched in horror as the king’s legionnaires, the traitors, slashed the Royal Guardians, killing them instantly. Tespor, her friend, lay on the main path motionless. Skky and Loloa met their doom in the king’s garden. Yet, she was alive. Her skills had kept her from the fate of the others.

She saw herself standing in the palace courtyard covered in blood, her sword in one hand, Tespor’s in the other. Her father and uncles looked very much the same as they waited for the traitors to reach them.

“Guardian Boon!” one of the defectors called out to her. “Join us - you have no chance of surviving. The Rebels outnumber you, join us or you will die!”

“I would die a thousand deaths before I would turn my back on my king!” Tiva said, twisting the sword in her hand preparing for battle.

“Then a thousand deaths you shall have!” he said, charging in her direction screaming and yelling a battle cry.

“Tiva, all your training has prepared you for this moment. We must keep the king and queen safe. Should we die trying, our quest shall be fulfilled, we will meet in the Eternal Lands, and the task will pass on to those who survive.” Kevler looked deep into his daughter’s eyes, and gently touched her cheek.

“I will protect them until my last breath,” Tiva said confidently.

“I have never been prouder to call you my daughter than at this very moment, dearest one.” Kevler smiled, and Tiva smiled back.

“They come!” Devler said from a distance. Tiva and her father ran to him seeing the oncoming attackers as the rest of the Royal Guardians and the king’s true legionnaires formed a barrier in front of the palace doors.

The battle began with Kevler and Devler taking out several former legionnaires the instant the parties collided. Another Rebel went straight for Tiva. He raised his bladed staff and swung down at her; she parried and rolled to the ground slashing upward, grazing his thigh. He grunted and spun around aiming his weapon at Tiva’s head. She blocked the strike with one sword and twisted the other in her hand whipping it across the man’s stomach. He flipped back narrowly avoiding the attack, and leapt into the air, kicking Tiva in the shoulder.

She stumbled back, but regained her balance and spun the weapons creating a windmill effect as she closed in on her assailant. She struck with the left sword severing his hand, the weapon he held crashed to the ground. She spun around building momentum and with her right sword, sliced the Rebel from navel to shoulder. Blood poured from his wound as he collapsed to his knees. Satisfied with her victory over the Rebel, Tiva searched for her father and uncle. Her eyes focused on their location, and just as she stepped to move, a traitor legionnaire sheared off the head of her uncle.

“Uncle! No!” she screamed, tearing herself from the dream. Tiva sprang from the bed, her Timbur secure on her hand, ready to fight. She viewed the surroundings, realized where she was. She wiped the sweat from her brow and sat on the bed. Each time she closed her eyes, the terror found her.

Pulling the painting from under the pillow, she stared at her family, running her finger over each of their faces while she caught her breath. Willing herself to grieve, she grew angry at the numbness within her mind and heart. She had lost everything. Everyone she ever loved and cared about was gone. She was alone.
Why couldn’t she mourn?

Sighing, Tiva glanced out the small window in her room and saw the first streaks of sunlight rising in the east. She noticed earlier, the planet only had one sun, which made for a colder temperature.

The images of the dream remained and haunted her. She refused to sleep, instead, rested against the windowsill, and waited for morning.

As promised, Harai had breakfast waiting for Tiva when she ventured out of the room. Harai stared out the window. Tiva took a seat, sipped the juice, and ate the fruits and pastries on her plate. When Harai finally turned, the weight of the universe seemed to be on her shoulders. Tiva sensed her burdens, and immediately tightened her mental shield; her own problems were enough to deal with.

However, the girl who had been so kind toward her earlier needed comfort now.

“Is something wrong?” Tiva said.

“I told you about the gift my people possess, and I told you that I felt very strong emotions coming from you. Something else has happened,” Harai said and sat across the table from Tiva. “I saw your dream.”

“You saw my dream? How is that possible?” Tiva said, utterly shocked.

“In all probability you have telepathic abilities, it’s the only explanation,” Harai said.

“I know my people can sense emotions, but I do not understand this telepathic ability you speak of.”

“It is the ability to communicate without speaking, using the mind to send messages to one another.”

“Oh, mind speaking, yes…I have on occasion done so with others, but it is not something I do often.”

“I don’t possess it myself, and I know a little about telepathy. I do know that when emotions are strong or senses heightened, telepathic abilities are enhanced; it’s a common side effect. You inadvertently projected your dreams to me…and your dream was…”

“Harai, it was no dream. It was a memory of the last day of the Great War of Abennelp. One of the legionnaires beheaded my father’s twin, my uncle…Devler. That was what you saw.”

“That day took many lives?”

“More than even I am aware. I am not without guilt. I killed hundreds of them and their Rebel friends before we fled the planet…” Tiva cut off as the memories of each face passed through her mind. She closed her eyes and felt her markings grow dark.

“I’m sorry Tiva. I didn’t mean to upset you. Please finish your meal. My father is waiting for you at City Hall. I’ve left a map on the table.” Harai touched Tiva’s hand, smiled warmly, and left the kitchen heading back to her bedroom.

Tiva ventured to the Hall to meet with Major Raku, using the virtual map
as a guide. The walk was just what she needed to relax and clear her mind before presenting herself before anyone. Uucor seemed a beautiful planet. Much like the main capital of Abennelp, the modern and sleek buildings surrounded the homes and shops of the City Hall. The one sun of Uucor warmed her, still the chill in the air made her uncomfortable. As she strolled through the main promenade of the city, her thoughts drifted.

The people on this planet would never understand what she had been through, even if she explained it all in detail. They would not comprehend the number of lives she had taken. The rage and brutality she unleashed upon the Rebels was a force no one could contend with. Vengeance boiled over into utter annihilation of every man and woman that stood in her path. The line of legionnaire traitors and Rebels that lay on the path before the Palace of Kinchar the last day were mostly her victims. She stood on the steps of the palace, willing more to approach her. Had the king not called for the guardians to flee the planet, Tiva would have killed every person who crossed her, until she was taken down.

The battles ripped her once peaceful and free-spirited life apart. The remnant was a bitter, guilty, and angry woman with nothing left to lose, and Tiva was deeply aware of it. She remembered the smile shared with her father that day on Abennelp and realized that she had not smiled since. The weight of her heart as it was, she was sure that smile would be her last.

The enormous black and silver doors to the City Hall held engraved carvings of different historical events of the town in perfect detail. Tiva climbed the steps and opened the door. When she entered, people stared and commented under their breath. Her Uucorian clothes didn’t hide
the fact she was not of their kind, yet she paid them no mind and went to the Major’s office. She knocked on the door and waited. Several long minutes seemed to pass before the Major appeared.

“Tiva Boon of Abennelp, please, please
come in.” Major Raku motioned her to enter as he held the door for her.

“Thank you, Major Raku.” Tiva bowed slightly, entered, and took a seat in front of an oval shaped desk. Raku circled the desk and sat. The similarity between Harai and her father was striking. They had the same pattern of markings on their face, same color eyes, and facial structure, but Raku’s hair was short cropped and dark. “Your daughter has been most kind and comforting to me. Thank you for allowing me to spend the night at your home.”

“I am glad to help. We are happy to meet new species, especially from neighboring planets such as yours. We’ve known about Abennelp for a while, but didn’t realize you were space worthy.”

“We had only recently crafted a vessel. Was your planet one of the few that contacted ours over the last several cycles?”

“Perhaps, we’ve explored most of this galaxy and found many inhabited planets. The people of Uucor were isolated from other races for many, many years, long ago. Recent events have changed our planet somewhat. You will probably see many different people during your stay. My daughter has told you of our new friendship with the Union?” he asked and she nodded in response. “Good, they have allowed us to make many more friends among the stars, and we look forward to learning more about other races and cultures, including yours.” Raku boomed proudly.

“Many of the people here seem displeased with my presence in your hall,” Tiva said, to Raku’s surprise.

“Your craft falling from the sky did raise a level of fear among some of the people, but we see no threat. Everything in your terminal logs show you were merely trying to escape an attack on your ship, we are glad to help any way we can. It is true, some people may have issues with alien species still, but I think it is change most dislike, even when it is to our advantage.” Raku smoothed a cloth on the desk in front of Tiva. He placed two glasses on the cloth, and pulled out a long bottle filled with a bright pink liquid. “This drink is a bond of friendship. I would be honored if you would share a glass with me, Tiva Boon.”

Tiva bowed her head
. “I would be honored as well, Major Raku.”

Raku poured the beverage into the glasses and lifted his in a toast.

Tiva raised her glass as well then opened up her senses to him to verify if he was being sincere or deceitful. A wave of happiness and friendship engulfed her. She pressed her fist to her heart. “May the spirits always keep your glasses full.”

Raku smiled and said, “Blessings and good fortune to you.” The two sipped their drinks and she allowed the good feelings within the room to wash over her. “The Pink Acatilya plant only grows in the deepest darkest caves on Uucor. It has often surprised me how sweet its nectar is.”

“Indeed, it is a wonderful taste.” Tiva felt her spirits rise as she shared the drink with Raku. “Harai told me that my module is beyond repairs… Due to circumstances on my home world—I am sure Harai told you of the war on my planet—I cannot return there, and I would like to know what my options are at this point.”

“Yes, yes the pod was heavily damaged; we were surprised that you survived the crash. I have spoken with the other Majors and town leaders and we have made a decision. We can grant you asylum and you can remain on Uucor as long as you wish, provided you earn your keep, or you may stay here as our guest until the Union returns and discuss other options with them. They are a fine organization and I have learned much from them since our meeting. They might be sympathetic to what I know of your cause.” He smiled and finished his drink.

“I understand they are returning in four months. Could I procure a post until then? I need wages for a place to stay, and to repay you and your daughter for your kindness.” Tiva folded her hands on her lap and relaxed.

“Nonsense, you will stay with us, and there is no need to repay us. We are happy to help. But I think I can find something for you in town if you want to work, what skills do you possess?” he
asked.

“Mainly protection, I was a Royal Guardian in charge of security. I protected the king and queen of my planet. I am highly skilled in various forms of combat and weaponry. I can also forge weapons from metal and hides. I have some domestic abilities, but the majority of my training has been defense.”

“Wonderful, I will hire you to patrol our military base. You won’t have clearance to our facilities, and you’ll have to pass the standard security test, but I am sure you’ll have no problems,” the Major said, as he poured the nectar into their glasses again. He picked up his glass and smiled. “To friendship.”

Tiva walked back to the Major’s residence worried that she had said too much. Though she kept the horrific details of the Great War to herself, she had told Raku many things she should have kept private. Raku, like Harai, was sensitive to her loss, but neither fully understood what she had been through in recent days. Major Raku made an appointment for her to test with the military base General, and sent a message to the Union about her meeting with them. It was curious to Tiva that the military of Uucor would take an outsider into their community, she wondered if her people would do the same.

Once she returned to the house, she looked for Harai and found the young girl in the back garden toiling through the dirt. Tiva watched for a while in awe as her face lit up each time her fingers dug into the ground. She was humming and singing as she worked and seemed to be at peace, the complete opposite of how she had been when Tiva left. Instead of breaking her concentration and bringing more worries upon the girl, Tiva went to the guest room.

On the table next to her bed was a plate of food. She nibbled on a few of the choices given and retrieved her Yantar. She leafed through the pages and read the passage her father had loved so dearly. “On a hill in the great province of Degort stands a statue of the Eternal Spirit Shial. One can see Shial from every corner of the capital. Her ubiquitous presence brings comfort to her children. Each morning they pray to her and each night they pray for her. The story of Shial is tragic and triumphant; let the voice of Shial be heard.”

Kevler had told Tiva that their family was connected to Shial, which was one reason she shared the Spirit’s mother’s name. Though she was skeptical about the connection, she never let her father know. Tiva turned the page and read the story of Shial.

The evil Lord Gito, the high ruler of the lands of Degort killed Shial’s family. Her mother and father refused to pay an increased tax Lord Gito had imposed upon the people, and as punishment, he ordered the village burned. Shial awoke from her sleep the next day surrounded by a white ring of salt; a sign that the spirits had spared her. That day the Great Spirits bestowed upon Shial the gift of water and she exacted revenge on Lord Gito by drowning him in a pool on the hill where her statue eventually stood. Shial cured the scorched land of her village before she explored all the lands of Abennelp learning from different people of different cultures. Shial used all the knowledge to serve all the people of Abennelp. In the end, she became the Eternal Spirit Shial, Guardian of the People.

Tiva let the words of the Yantar fill her and realized the future she could have if she chose the right path. Tiva closed the book and prayed to Shial to guide her in her journey then she prayed for her family and the innocent people of Abennelp.

When she was through, she finished her plate of food, curled up on the bed, and forced herself to fall asleep.