by DP Scott
Saturna and the Battle for Zard
D. P. Scott
Copyright 2013 D. P. Scott
Chapter One
The night was like no other. Heavy dense darkness clung to the castle walls, creeping like a thief into every crack and crevice. Even the tiniest night creatures were forced to forget their foraging, burrowing deep into their hollows to hide from its cold dark penetrating fingers. Perhaps they instinctively knew, or just had an unsettling notion, that something dreadful was about to disrupt the peaceful kingdom of Zard.
Saturna lay on her side in her enormous overstuffed bed with her covers tucked tightly about her. Her long dark brown hair formed a tangled mess of curls which almost completely hid her beautiful heart-shaped face. Her gentle breath was soft and regular and she was having the most wonderful dream when a hand reached out to touch her shoulder.
“Saturna, you must get up. You’ve been summoned to the King’s chambers,” said her female servant, carefully sliding Saturna’s silky hair away from her face.
When there was no response the servant began to shake her ever so lightly. “I’ve been told to wake and dress you. Saturna, you must go to the King right away.”
Saturna turned over and opened her eyes. “Is it morning already, Maize? I had the most amazing dream.”
“It’s after midnight and the King has called for you. You must get up. Your escort will be here in minutes.”
Now, twenty minutes later dressed in her newest gown of woven lace, Saturna nervously awaited the arrival of Gondee, the Wisdom Keeper. I would have been there already if I could go on my own, she thought, knowing very well it was strict tradition she be escorted. Too nervous to sit she paced back and forth, eventually finding herself standing in front of a large painting of her mother. She certainly had her mother’s large, golden- brown eyes, pointed ears, and perfect nose, but other than that she could see no resemblance. As she leaned closer towards the picture and examined the exquisite band of blue jewels at her mother’s neck, she heard a sharp rap at the door. Gondee had finally arrived!
Her excitement of being summoned instantly changed to concern when she saw his intense expression. “What’s the matter, Gondee?”
"There is no time for discussion. We must hurry,” he said, instructing her to follow him with a wave of his hand.
Anxiously gathering her gown at her side, she began to follow him down the poorly lit castle halls. The new ruby gown now seemed a little too long and she sighed realizing she was not wearing the right slippers, but it was too late to change them, she’d have to make do. Since there had been little time for her servant to do up her hair, it had been brushed and left to flow down her back, another mistake, if she had been called by the King to attend a formal party her hair should have been pinned up. It felt a bit uncomfortable as it blew into her face while she scurried to keep up with Gondee, so she collected it into one hand above her shoulder and continued to use her other to lift the hem of her skirt.
Quickening her pace almost running behind the tiny creature, Saturna tried to contact him about the urgency of the summons, to no avail. She was moving as quickly as she could and although she towered over the gnome with her stride at least double to his, she was having trouble keeping up with him. Because she had never been summoned like this before, she could not imagine what the reason could be and wondered if it had to do with the arrival of some important dignitary. When a dignitary arrived on the planet a glorious affair was always planned and often went late into the night, but she had never been allowed to stay up for any party before. How wonderful, if tonight was the night she would be seeing the famous “after midnight” entertainment. Yet she recalled nothing unusual about yesterday, and she hadn’t seen or heard about the arrival of a distinguished guest.
Trying to remember the date Saturna wondered if today was the anniversary of some notable event and then suddenly became worried that she had been called because she was in trouble. She had never been woken from sleep before, but once years ago she had been prepared for bed, and then abruptly redressed and taken before the King for a lecture about expectations and behavior. She silently prayed she hadn’t been spotted yesterday doing the one activity she loved to do, which unfortunately was prohibited in the kingdom. Saturna had known it was wrong at the time, but justified her actions because the regulation as far as she was concerned was archaic and out-of-date. Besides, how could anyone think it was harmful to fly on the back of a tame heppal?
“Such a stupid rule,” she said under her breath. “My whole life is about rules, tradition and protocol and I’m tired of it!” But concerned this may be the reason she had been sent for, Saturna thought for a moment and then asked, “Gondee, can we pause for a moment? I must catch my breath and would like to….”
“We have not one second for breath or banter, My Princess. We are already late,” he replied, increasing his pace once more down the long and winding stone hallways.
Saturna continued to follow Gondee and hesitated to call out again, but couldn’t stop wondering what the reason was for the alarming hurry. Her living quarters were on the opposite side of the castle and they were taking the long route through the main corridors, which almost skirted the castle walls. If it was urgent, she thought, why didn’t they use the secret passageways? The darkness in the tunnels wouldn’t have been a problem for Gondee being a Urite. With large eyes disproportional to the size of their heads Urites were capable of seeing in almost all directions and at night without any light from the planet Zard’s moons their vision was at its best. If he had guided her through the hidden passageways they would have made much better time, but Saturna didn’t dare bring this up. As with many things, the secret passages were never discussed, which meant they couldn’t be used because she wasn’t supposed to know about them. But she did know about the passageway and others things too, she thought smiling to herself.
Trying to clear her head and just be in the moment as her teachers constantly suggested she should do to focus, she tried to concentrate on the patter of her shoes echoing off the white and black marble tiles. The soothing and repetitive clicking sound they created, calmed her somewhat and helped her feel a little less worried. Saturna knew she should really not try to speak to Gondee again but couldn’t help herself. As young and inexperienced as she was, she rationalized she must somewhat prepare for this meeting with her father. Relaxing, Saturna opened her auri to communicate with him using the ancient Urite technique of mental powers. It had been Gondee who had taught her how to use her inner energy or auri--a well guarded Urite secret passed from father to daughter and mother to son. It was forbidden to share this Urite secret with another race, but an exception had been made with Saturna, who had been born a Zardite but had been raised by Gondee.
Having no children of his own Gondee had taken responsibility for Saturna when her mother had died giving birth. Saturna had been only four hours old, heir to the throne and motherless when Gondee, looking down at the precious infant, had decided he could allow no one but himself to give her care. The King, so distraught with the loss of his wife and disappointed with the birth of a female child, had approved of Gondee's wishes to raise the infant and of the name Saturna without a second thought.
“Gondee forgive me for asking again, but please tell me why my father has asked to see me in the middle of the night? It’s so unusual for him to include me in evening events,” communicated Saturna, nervously through her auri.
“You will find out soon enough, Princess Saturna. As I have taught you, there are some things in life that should not be questioned,” he replied using his auri, the invisible cloud that surrounded all Urites.
Go
ndee had gently nurtured Saturna through-out her growing years, but had always made her aware of her position and power. He was her advisor, mentor, instructor and companion, and extremely wise beyond his one hundred and forty years.
As they approached the massive solid gold door the guards bowed and moved away. For as long as she could remember Gondee had always accompanied her to her father’s chambers and stayed during the meetings. This time however, Gondee opened the door and stood aside for her to enter. He did not say a word nor did he look at her, yet Saturna understood she was to see her father alone, and that it was of the utmost importance for her to go through the gold door as royal protocol demanded. Pausing for just a moment to collect her thoughts and breath, she stood tall and letting her skirt swish gently to the floor, she regally walked through the doorway prepared she thought, for whatever awaited her.
Once the door closed behind her, Saturna walked cautiously toward her father’s large, elaborately jeweled desk. She was surprised to not find him sitting behind it and jumped when she heard, “Saturna, my darling come and sit beside me." Looking towards the canopy bed she was shocked to see an emaciated, white haired stranger propped up on pillows.
"Father, Father are you ill?" Running towards the bed she fell to her knees and kissed his hand. She felt tears welling in her eyes and fought hard to control her emotions, remembering her lessons that said a true royal does not weep. She had not seen her father for two months and suddenly felt very guilty although the distance between them had nothing to do with her.
Ever since he had married Detis, her stepmother had managed to keep them apart. The King had been married to Detis for five years now and the only time Saturna saw them was during royal functions. It was then and only then that Saturna sat in the royal throne at her father’s side. Never crowned as Queen, Detis was forced to sit nine inches below them, a position she knew Detis found quite displeasing.
"Saturna, my little one,” said her Father as he stroked her hair. "I have missed you." Standing up she leaned over and embraced him. "Sit my child, we have much to discuss and very little time. I will pass to the next world soon and you shall become Queen of Zard."
“No, I cannot lose you. You’re all that I have!" Saturna began to sob, uncaring about protocol and reached out to the only blood relative she had ever known.
The King removed the sapphire, ruby and diamond ring from his left index finger and taking Saturna’s hand, he placed it on her left index finger. Saturna was shocked when she felt the ring shrinking in size until it fit snugly.
"You are now Queen. Rule Zard with a strong but tender heart and the inhabitants will always support you. Saturna never remove this ring from your finger until your time of passing as it holds the secrets of our kingdom,” said the King with difficulty. “If your life is ever in danger, twist the ring around and around your finger but do not take it off. Never take the ring off, do you understand?”
“Father, I understand, but I don’t wish to have this conversation,” replied Saturna, feeling extremely emotional. "Please, I beg you to rest. I will take care of you and you’ll get better. Let me get help." Saturna stood and frantically looked for a servant.
"My child, it’s too late, my time comes quickly. Pull me up and let me continue. There are things you need to know." Saturna did as she was commanded and although she wanted comfort from her father’s arms she gently placed more pillows behind his head and again sat beside him on the side of the bed, terrified at the pallor of his face.
"I love you with all my heart and have watched Gondee transform you into a powerful, intelligent and gracious inhabitant. Of that I am very proud. I only regret my position as King gave me so little time to be with you as a father. Forgive me Saturna.”
Tears rolled down Saturna’s cheeks and trickled off her delicate chin staining the crimson lace on her bodice. Closing her eyes, she bowed her head realizing her father’s death was imminent. This was something she couldn’t wish away. She had only had him for fifteen years and since he had married Detis, Saturna rarely saw him. She actually had thought her father had forgotten her.
Lifting her chin gently from her chest, the King said softly, “Detis and you have not become close, yet as you rule remember she was my wife and treat her kindly. Because you are a female and young, many may doubt your abilities to rule the kingdom. I’ve always had faith in you and for that reason I never took Detis as my Queen. If she had a male child, he would have usurped your kingdom with support from the inhabitants.” Leaning back onto the pillows the King closed his eyes again, looking clearly drained. "When I die you will feel an energy surge. A part of me and my love for you will remain with you always. Go now and sleep, the ceremonies will begin tomorrow."
"Father, I hear what you say and shall remember with all my heart. Thank you for giving me life and showing me how to love." Kissing his cheek she turned to leave. The urge to cry and hold him was unbearable, yet she knew he expected her to leave the room with dignity.
The gold door opened and closed. As she approached Gondee, he bowed and respectfully said, "My Queen."
Saturna felt the surge of energy and realized that before even she, Gondee had known of her father’s death. I have much to learn, she thought with sadness.
“I shall teach you,” Gondee replied, reading her thoughts.
