“No,” she screamed, “no.”
Elise was at her side immediately saying, “Its all right, Rebekka, everything is all right.”
“My Baby,” Rebekka wailed, “it was the only thing I had of Raven’s with me.”
“Your baby is fine,” Elise said quickly. “She is in the next room.” Rebekka was still groggy from the anesthesia and it took a little time for Elise’s words to sink in.
“My baby is alive?” Rebekka asked again.
“Yes,” Elise said smiling, “she is doing just fine.”
“She?” Rebekka asked. “Raven and I have a baby girl?”
“Yes,” Elise said again squeezing Rebekka’s hand, “you have a healthy baby girl.”
Rebekka closed her eyes and concentrating all of her mental powers shouted, “We have a baby girl Raven.” She opened her eyes and said, “I want to see her.” At that moment the her doctor came in.
“It is good to see you awake Rebekka.” he said smiling. “We decided to take the baby fearing you would go into labor from the trauma of being shot in the shoulder. The lasers have knit your shoulder back together and in a few days you can go home. You are very lucky to be alive.”
Rebekka started to remember what had happened, Blastion shoving her aside and feeling a bolt of lightning hit her shoulder, then darkness. She searched the room and found Blastion standing in the corner watching her. At that moment Elise came into the room holding Rebekka’s baby. She placed her gently in Rebekka’s arms and stepped back. Blastion came closer to see the child as well, a smile on his face.
“What are you going to call her?” Elise wanted to know. “We never did discuss names before for your child.”
Rebekka smiled down at her daughter and said. “Her name is Adriell Kallestor.”
“What a pretty name,” Elise said. “I have never heard anything like it before.” Rebekka smiled for she had named her daughter after the dearest friends of her past, Andrew and Lorriel Crestlaw.
After holding the baby for a while Elise took her back and said. “You must rest Rebekka and get well so you can care for your baby.” Rebekka only nodded for she was very tired and soon fell into a restful deep sleep.
When Rebekka awoke the next day she felt much better and sat up as soon as she was awake. She moved her shoulder that had been shot and realized the doctors of this time could heal a person much faster than in her days. She looked around the room and there stood Blastion in the same place he was the day before.
She looked at him a moment and said, “You were not merely a personal aid to Layton Teal were you?” He smiled and shook his head no. “I have only seen one person who had reflexes like you have and that was my husband, Raven Kallestor. He inherited those reflexes from his ancestor Uriah Kallestor.” At the mention of the name Uriah, Blastion’s mouth fell open in such a way that Rebekka had to laugh.
“You know of Uriah,” Blastion said amazed.
Rebekka nodded, “That little girl is a direct descendant of Uriah, and I am Amnon’s descendant.” Blastion could not believe it, his eyes filled with tears from the wonder of it all sinking in.
“Little Adriell is a long removed relative of mine,” he said shaking his head in wonder.
Now Rebekka’s mouth dropped open, “What are you saying Blastion?”
He smiled now having the upper hand once again as he explained. “Uriah and I are brothers.” Rebekka was shocked, but it was all making sense now, the reflexes that the family possessed. “We were both genetically engineered by Layton Teal to be his body guards. Everyone knew that Uriah was Layton’s body guard, but no one knew of me, I was to be his backup in case Uriah failed somehow. He gave us different names so no one would know we were related. I always envied Uriah for finding a way to leave Layton and find love. I never had the courage to do that. But now I see the fruit of his labor in a way down the line niece.”
Rebekka smiled at him and said; “Your are not the fearful little aid people think you are.” Rebekka said that as a statement, not a question. “I always knew there was something special about you Blastion, despite your act.”
He laughed, “It was part of the cover, but I have been doing it so long that it is quite easy for me now.”
“Well,” Rebekka said, “you don’t have to act like that any longer, Layton’s gone.”
Blastion just smiled and said, “I better bring you that great niece of mine.” As Blastion was returning with little Adriell, Elise and Pi entered the room.
“What are you doing with the baby?” Elise said with a puzzled expression on her face. That was the last thing she expected Blastion to do, hold a baby.
“I’m an uncle,” was all he said as he took the baby to Rebekka.
Elise looked at Rebekka and mouthed the words, “What?”
“I’ll tell you later,” Rebekka said. Right now it brought her comfort to know that an ancestor of her daughter was there to look out for them both. “That reminds me,” Rebekka said, “Blastion, thanks for saving my life.”
He smiled and said, “If I knew what I know now I would have given my life for you and little Adriell.”
Pi looked at Blastion and said with a laugh, “What is this little Adriell stuff, have you gone soft on us or what?”
“I guess I have,” Blastion said smiling.
At that moment the doctor entered the room and asked how Rebekka was feeling.
“Better,” Rebekka said. “Can I go home now?”
“You are not scheduled for release until tomorrow,” the doctor stated. “Maybe it would be best to wait until then.” Now Blastion was once again all business.
“If you have scheduled her for release tomorrow others might know. Can she leave right now?”
“Yes, I believe she can,” the doctor said, “but I want to follow up on her.”
“Fine,” Blastion said, “come to the palace, she will be safe there.” The doctor nodded, now understanding that someone had known of her scheduled appointment a couple of days ago.
“I will come to see you tomorrow,” he said smiling. Rebekka dressed and Elise gathered up Adriell and they headed for the entrance to the hospital. The hallways were filled with the palace guard, watching her and keeping her safe.
“Did you ask all of them to come?” Rebekka whispered to Blastion.
“No, they came on their own. It seems you have had a great influence on them, much different than Layton ever had.” They were smiling and wishing her well as she passed. They were now forming ranks in front of her as well as behind. She then realized it would take a great effort to get through to her with all the guards around. Transportation was waiting outside and she was ushered into it and soon they were heading to the palace.
Blastion spoke to Rebekka, “The empire is outraged by the attempt on your life. If we were to even drop the name of Max Bane casually, they would burn him at the stake immediately.”
“You and I know who did this,” Rebekka stated. “But the best way for him to be defeated is in the election.”
“As you wish,” Blastion said, “but it still would be great to see him burn.”
Rebekka glanced sideways at Blastion and thought: “He really does mean that. I sure am glad he is on our side, knowing now just how deadly he really is.”
Max Bane was livid, “How could you have failed you little weasel, Arden?”
“I don’t know,” Arden said trembling. “Someone took out the sniper before he could finish off the queen. None of us knows how it was done.”
Max just growled again, “I guess I will have to do this myself.” As he was leaving he spoke to the tall man. “Lance, take care of the little weasel, make him pay.” Lance just nodded as he turned back toward the pudgy little man trembling in the center of the room.
Rebekka stayed within the palace for the next two months, having plenty of time for affairs of state since Elise and Pi both enjoyed taking care of Adriell. John Martin came by to see how she was doing several times, an
d she appreciated his visits. He was a kind man and always cheered her with his warmth. On his fourth visit, Rebekka told him it was time for the people to choose their own leaders. John Martin nodded, knowing it was the goal of Rebekka for the people of the empire.
“I will call a cabinet meeting,” John said as he left.
When the cabinet was assembled with Rebekka in her seat once more, John Martin this time began the meeting.
“I have called this meeting at the request of Queen Rebekka to inform you that in a short time she will be leaving her position.” John Martin could see genuine concern from Chan Quon and Charlotte Frank at this news, but Max Bane and Esther Smith just sat passively still. Rebekka stared at Max with hard eyes, both knowing who had tried to kill her and her child. But even then she could not get a response from him. She felt like pulling a dirty trick on him and yelling at him in Layton’s voice, but that was over. She no longer needed Layton’s support to rule this empire, she had the support of the people. When John Martin finished Rebekka rose and spoke.
“Minister Martin is correct that I will soon be resigning my position as head of the empire. Before I do though, there is one more item of business that needs to be taken care of.” At that statement, Rebekka saw Max Bane raise his eyebrows a little but that was all. “All along my goal has been to give the empire back to its people. Too long it has been run by tyranny and oppression. In order to do that, our leadership must be voted upon by the people of this empire.”
“You mean,” Chan Quon said, “you are going to hold an election for our positions?”
“Yes,” Rebekka said smiling, “and those of you who are worthy will retain your positions I am sure.”
“Are you going to run?” asked Charlotte Frank.
“No,” Rebekka said, “my time will be over once the elections are over. Someone else will have my position, but only by the will of the people.” At this statement Max Bane began to laugh. Everyone turned to see what was so funny, but he was not looking at anyone in particular.
He then turned to Rebekka and said, “Layton Teal never chose you to be ruler in his place did he?”
Rebekka smiled, “No he did not. In fact I was Layton’s prisoner, sent to this time with Elise. We were to return in four days but I convinced Elise not to go and we stranded Layton in the past. For without Elise, he cannot return. It is too late for Layton Teal, he is history.”
“We all heard him speak to us,” Esther Smith stated. “I know that was Layton.”
Rebekka smiled again and said, “I am a telepath and I spoke with Layton’s voice to your minds.” Everyone was silent except for the slight laugh of Max Bane.
“We cannot allow a public vote,” he said. “Why in the world would you want to give the people that kind of power?”
“So another tyrant like Layton Teal or you will not come to power, or take it by force.”
“Well,” Max Bane said, “it is time this charade ends.” With that he stood up with a gun in his hand pointing it at Rebekka. John Martin clenched his teeth, he should have seen this coming. Max Bane smiled as his finger began to tighten on the trigger.
No one saw when Blastion drew his pistol or even aimed it. All they saw was a flash of light that caught Max Bane in the chest sending him flying backwards to the floor in smoldering death. Blastion could have shot Max in the arm, or even his gun, but he decided he had seen more than his share of evil, power hungry men in his lifetime. It took everyone a few seconds to realize what had happened. John Martin looked at the former meek and mild Blastion, now realizing just how deadly he really was. Blastion caught his eye and John Martin just nodded his approval for what he had done.
Rebekka stood calmly and said, “We will take a short recess and reconvene the cabinet in half an hour.”
After the cabinet came together again, everyone decided it was in the best interest of the empire to have free elections.
“What are we going to do about Max Bane’s death?” Esther Smith asked.
“Tell the people the truth,” Rebekka said. “The truth is always the best for everyone.”
“They may believe the story is fabricated, though with such public opinion on your side I doubt that it will matter,” spoke Chan.
Blastion now spoke, “They will see the truth, pointing to the cameras in the corners of the room, our meetings are always recorded.” He then produced the document that all the cabinet signed to bind the ruling body of the empire to elections every four years. They then adjourned the meeting and Rebekka held a press conference to inform the people of the coming elections.
The people were saddened by the announcement that Rebekka was resigning as the head of state, but also rejoiced that they now had such freedom to choose their leaders. As the press conference was ending Rebekka admonished the people of the empire with these words:
“Be careful never to take the freedoms you have gained for granted. As they have been given to you they can also be taken away. Choose your leaders wisely and choose those who believe in freedom and personal responsibility. For if you trade your freedom for the promise of security, you will end up with tyranny again. Do not let fear rule your decisions, for freedom is more important than life. Remember, this kind of freedom only comes through sacrifice. Do not depend upon the state to provide for you, it is your own responsibility. If you begin to choose leaders that promise to give you provisions and reward, you will find that free things from the state are not as free as you think and they always come with a price. That price will come with the erosion of the freedoms you now have been given and will lead to your enslavement once again. The enslavement of a populace always takes place by the apathy and permission of its people. Choose leaders who will guard this freedom more than their political careers and you may keep this freedom for a very long time. But be warned, I and others may not be here to guard these freedoms for you, it is your responsibility, so be vigilant. May the empire prosper in its new found freedom.”
For weeks after Rebekka’s speech, the press published and promoted her words to the populace. So powerful were her words that many believed it should become part of the state’s oaths of office for the future leaders who would be elected. In any case the press did all it could to make sure her words would be remembered by the people.
The elections took place three months later. John Martin was named as the new head of state. Sherman Templas was named the new minister of defense. Chan Quon and Charlotte Frank both retained their seats, but Esther Smith was replaced by Calvin Hart who had championed education reform away from indoctrination. Elise retained her position as Chancellor and moved back to her old apartment with Rebekka, Adriell and Pi. Simon stayed on to help in the palace where John Martin would now stay. He had tried to persuade Rebekka to stay as well, for their was ample room at the palace. When she still insisted on leaving, John Martin took her aside and in his most humble tone said.
“Since you are stuck here in our time, would you consider being my wife?” Rebekka saw how he really meant this, so her reply was very gentle.
“John, there is no other man I would rather be with in this time than you. But even though in our time here King Raven is dead, in my time he is still alive. I could never devote myself to another man while in my heart my husband is still alive. You deserve someone who will devote themselves to you, and you alone. As for me I have but one love to give, and that will forever be given to Raven.”
“I understand,” John Martin said. And somehow he really did. That is what made Rebekka special, her devotion to principal and determined conviction to stand by her decisions. He had known heroes in his day, but none would ever rank as high in his eyes as the woman he would always call Queen Rebekka.
Chapter 9
Reunion
“Nothing is sweeter than the reunion of heats separated by circumstances or time”
--The Wisdom of Fathers
FIFTEEN YEARS LATER......
“You are getting old and sl
ow,” the young man said as two swords clashed in practiced battle. Raven chuckled at his son Edward’s statement. If he pulled out all the stops he could disarm Edward easily, and that would not be as beneficial for him as learning to defend against such an unorthodox attack. Back and forth they went, thrusting and parrying, move countered with move. Raven had followed the exact training formula that Master Fields had used so successfully on him.
“After all, one does not improve on the master,” Raven thought. He did miss Master Fields, but knew that his whole energy was now being poured into another trainee, young Robert Rollins who would take Master Field’s place as the royal weapons master after Master Fields passed on. When Master Fields thought Robert was ready, he would bring him to the royal court and present him to the King. From that day forward Robert Rollins would be known as Master Rollins to everyone in the kingdom.
His lack of attention and thought almost caused him to be disarmed by Edward. Just as Raven was loosing his balance and was about to lose his sword he leaped into the air spinning backwards and landed on the top rim of the courtyard fountain.
How does he do that? Edward thought. As Raven spun back down into the courtyard with sword ready, Edward smiled. He thought he had his father that time, backed up against the fountain and nowhere to go and then he pulls those impossible stunts. Edward knew his father was special, no one in the kingdom could do the things the King could. And yet he was gaining every day in his great goal of being like his father.
Raven watched his son’s bewildered face with amusement. Years ago Raven had feared his son would not inherit his reflexes. His training responses seemed clumsy and unorganized. It took great patience on his part not to force too much on his son in those early years of training. When he had almost given up hope that Edward would be blessed as he was, the hidden genetics bounded forth. Edward’s abilities did not come to him as fast as Raven’s had, but they were growing nonetheless. If he kept improving, Raven had hopes he would equal him someday. Edward was already older than Raven had been when he had fought in the great Wickshield war.
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