by D. L. Jordan
“It’s very nice to meet you, young man! We are the Sabulra family!” Mrs. Sabulra began, “We hope that you’ll be very happy staying with us. My husband and little Nommo here couldn’t wait to meet you. We’ve already set up your bed and everything, but you and Nommo will be sharing a room with different beds. We’re just so glad to have you!”
“Oh, yes. I can’t wait until you’re older so you can help me in the fields and inherit the family business someday. Farming is a steady business that puts food on the table, you know…and everyone else’s,” he said with a chuckle.
His wife only continued to look at Dean with a bright smile while nudging her husband in the side as if to tell him that this wasn’t the time for such mindless humor. After finally being acquainted, the Sabulra family and Dean were scheduled to meet with the Rulers in the throne
room to sign a few legal documents. Afterward, Dean was forced to say goodbye to his gained palatial surroundings, the Rulers, and Cacellon.
As the Sabulra family went to the front doors of The Marble Palace, Dean stopped in front of them to gaze at the Statue of the Rulers for one last time. He gazed at the figures of the man and woman he had wanted so desperately to see.
After taking in what might have been his last glimpse of the inside of The Marble Palace, Dean left with the Sabulra family. They made their way past the double mahogany doors and out of the palace. Walking outside in the front courtyard, Dean gazed at the beauty of the long pond and gardens. He and his new family walked past the sanded rock gate and past the guards.
Dean’s new life in the city of Yailon had officially begun.
His dream of returning to New York had been dashed with the signing of the adoption papers in the throne room. Dean clutched the lion necklace around his neck as he boarded a large Tigris with his new family, gathering the strength he so desperately needed. He rode through the air on the spacious Tigris with the Sabulras, on his way to his new home.
SEVEN YEARS LATER
Seven years had passed since Dean had come to the city of Yailon. He was now fourteen years old and he had grown used to the farming conditions of the Sabulra home. Every day, as he looked in the mirror, he could see bits and pieces of his birth parents in his facial features. Dean could see his father while looking at his nose. He could see his mother in the deep humility of his eyes. And he could see them both in the size of his full lips because both of his parents possessed this trait. He thought of them every day.
For years Dean had gone to the School of Learning and Life for Yailonian citizens aged seven to nineteen, working with his adopted parents, Leber and Adila. They had a farm located on the far eastern side of the island where the soil was dark and fertile.
The Sabulra farm was ten miles away from the School of Learning and Life and The Marble Palace was even three miles farther. The farm was a large place with fertile land on which apple and orange trees, grapevines, olive trees and many other forms of food grew. Its land had been tilled and seeded for the growing of wheat, corn, and other crops as well.
Dean had worked with Leber and Adila since he first moved in with them, traveling throughout the city selling grain, fruit, and other foods. He had lived and shared with the Sabulra family, abiding by their rules and values. He also helped watch over his younger brother Nommo, who was now ten years old.
Quite often, Mr. Sabulra would store items such as grains and other foods in a small storage building on their farm. Throughout the city, the Sabulras seemed to be the perfect family. They had a nice place to live with plenty to eat, and Mr. and Mrs. Sabulra had two loving children. The family had plenty of riches even though those riches did not come in the form of diamonds and rubies. Dean was grateful for the Sabulras. He hardly made any friends at school. He was still apprehensive about developing a close friendship with anyone outside the Sabulra family and distrustful of those who he considered outsiders, even though he was surrounded by students and teachers at school on a daily basis.
Dean was still frequently untrusting and he related this feeling to his experience of being taken from his real family in the other world. Dean created his own world. There he could give himself the warmth and affection he felt that his peers lacked at school. Over the years, Dean had come to realize that the Sabulras could always be counted on for companionship and affection.
This made his experience in Yailon more bearable.
While attending school in Yailon, Dean had taken trips with his classmates to various places on the island, which included a walk on the white sands of the beach and a tour of The Marble Palace. Dean had even learned the reason why the city of Yailon was founded. He learned that it came into existence because of several countries, ten years ago, called Rambonia, Enyern, Drasvone, Fewdstan and Campogrene.
These places were in a terrible war over pride, but because their war endangered other countries, a great king by the name of Pharaoh Amenhotep of Pulchra traveled all over the world of Erlon meeting rulers of other countries in order to help them evade the dangers of the war.
These rulers knew of an untouched island on the far side of Erlon. Emperor Yang and Empress Xian provided huge ships that were capable of carrying thousands of people. These ships sailed gracefully through the Ice Waters to their new haven. Within a matter of days, the citizens of the countries of Babefemi, Chang’an, Kosala, Pulchra, Gisilbertha, and Teotihuacan had ships docked in the harbors of their capital cities to carry these pilgrims to their new world.
Once on the island, the people developed settlements that evolved into an entirely new civilization with shining marble buildings and breathtaking scenery. As they did this, these diverse people preserved the cultures that they had brought with them to this new land of freedom. The people of the newly settled civilization of Yailon named the rulers of their old countries the new rulers over the island, to govern the people and uphold the laws. Within a year, news had come to the island that all the things that they had left behind were destroyed by the terrible war caused by the countries Rambonia, Enyern, Drasvone, Fewdstan and Campogrene.
This war--to the citizens of the island of Avesia--was forever known as The War of The Lost, because so many innocent people lost their lives.
Being an inquisitive person, Dean had always loved hearing this story. He would always listen attentively whenever it was told, impressed and inspired by the strength of the founding Yailonians. Though he enjoyed this story, he had also grown curious by the absence of Pharaoh Amenhotep. This too was answered during one of his lessons at the School of Learning and Life. It was recorded in the history of Avesia that Pharaoh Amenhotep was mysteriously killed several
months after he had defeated a great evil that threatened the very existence of Yailon, its rulers, and its people.
Dean’s teacher did not explain this lesson any further. Whenever Dean asked anyone about this story, no one seemed to have the ability to tell him. It was almost as if they were hiding something from him. Dean soon abandoned the idea to ask any more. He threw the matter aside, considering it to be one of those things that was better left alone.
Since he knew the reason why the island existed, Dean was satisfied. He enjoyed being a part of something so historical, taking in every diverse culture and accepting each one of them as if they were his own.
***
The early evening sky was bathed in the essence of orange twilight as the Sabulra family retired inside their home. It had been a busy day of selling wheat and milk to the citizens of Yailon. After such a hard day, the family enjoyed a meal of grilled fish and sliced wedges of potatoes.
Later that evening, after blowing out the lantern in his bedroom, Dean got into bed. The room was silent as he lay there in the darkness. Dean opened his eyes and stared into the blackness of the room. He soon felt his weariness overcome him like a shroud.
“AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!” cried a shrill voice so loud it could have literally woken up the entire city. It seemed so close yet so far to Dean’s ears. Nommo and Dean quickly sat
upright in their beds, sensing one another’s surprised looks in the darkness.
“Did you hear that?” Nommo asked.
“Of course I did. Where do you think it came from?” Dean asked. His heart was racing. “I don’t know, but whoever it came from sounds as if they might be in a lot of trouble.”
Dean sprang from his bed and opened the bedroom door as Nommo quickly followed.
Dean looked to his left and saw his parents exit their bedroom with the same alarmed expressions. Mr. and Mrs. Sabulra then went to the front door.
“What was that?” asked Mrs. Sabulra.
“I don’t know,” said Mr. Sabulra who stood with wide eyes behind his wife.
He grabbed the knife that hung from the mantle in the living room. Mr. Sabulra opened the door as the shrill scream sounded once again. It was even louder than before.
The night weather had changed from its usual warmth to an atmosphere of chilling cold and fog. Dean brushed his arms up and down with his hands before folding them to protect himself from the cold night air. He had only the comfort of his pajamas to keep him warm. The scream sounded once again. Dean wished very badly to see where it was coming from.
Mr. Sabulra suddenly dashed to the stables to fetch a Tigris. He was going to fly quickly to the source of the scream.
“Go inside with the children, Adila…quickly!” he shouted to her.
Within seconds, he was off into the foggy night sky. Mrs. Sabulra went inside the house and held both Dean and Nommo in the hopes that everything was all right and that her husband would safely return home.
THE SIGN
Around the gates of The Marble Palace, the people were in disbelief at what happened.
Mr. Sabulra hovered above the people with his Tigris, like others had done, to see over the calamity of the crowds below. On the shores of the white sands of the beach was a pattern of a red substance that had been spread through the sands.
Mr. Sabulra followed the pattern out into the Ice Waters where this red substance stretched in the water for miles around the island as if a giant had accidentally spilled a case of red dye. Mr. Sabulra knew that this was no ordinary substance. He ascertained that it was something more sinister--blood. It seemed the blood had no source at all. Mr. Sabulra’s mouth fell open in disbelief as he could feel his heart racing.
A horn bellowed from the gates of The Marble Palace. Between the open double mahogany doors stood all the Rulers in their usual splendor. King Berthold stepped up and began to speak to the people.
“Go back to your homes, please! Everything will be fine. We, the Rulers of Avesia, will find a solution to this ghastly situation. We will protect you if needed, so calm your hearts and
minds. Please, return to your beds. But also take precaution and do not leave your homes until the morning. That is all!”
Turning around to the rest of the Rulers, they walked toward the front yard of The Marble Palace. The gates were closing once again. Mr. Sabulra, like so many others, whether they witnessed this terrible sight on foot or on the backs of Tigrises, returned to their homes as commanded.
A FATE ALMOST FORGOTTEN
Dean gazed out of the living room window. Just when he was becoming more discouraged about Mr. Sabulra’s return, Dean could see him dismounting the Tigris and locking it back inside the stable before entering the house. Nommo, Mrs. Sabulra, and Dean all had insisted on staying up in the living room, waiting for his return. They were all sitting down on the couch and raced to assist him, seeing the frightened look on his face. He urged them to sit down so he could tell about what happened, including the blood on the shores.
“Oh, Leber, it has to be something dreadful for the Rulers to have to send everyone to their homes and tell them not to leave until the morning. I just know something’s wrong. This could mean the eruption of a volcano, drought and poverty, or…”
Mrs. Sabulra stopped while placing her hand over her mouth. She turned to her husband with a horrified expression. Mr. Sabulra exchanged the same expression as if to say he understood what she meant completely. Dean looked at them anxiously, wanting to know what they were talking about.
“He’s back. It couldn’t be that, could it, Leber?”
Her voice trembled. “He’s come back, Leber! HE’S COME BACK FOR HIM!”
She screamed as tears rolled down her cheeks and she began to weep. Dean and Nommo became frightened. They had never seen her in such a state before.
“Hush, now! You mustn’t say that! It’s not like we need another form of bad luck on our hands!” Mr. Sabulra growled. Dean was so confused, and worried. What or who were they talking about, and why did they fear this HIM so much?
A series of forceful knocks suddenly sounded at the door. Mr. Sabulra told his wife and children to hide behind the couch as the forceful knocks continued to pound on the front door. He pulled out the knife he had hidden in his pocket earlier. Preparing for the worst, he placed his hand on the door handle. The knocks once again pounded. He quickly opened the door.
In the foggy shadows of the night, a tall figure in a black cloak stood in the doorway.
They all watched from behind the couch as Mr. Sabulra began to speak to the figure in an apologetic manner. The cloaked figure then spoke back to him in a gentle voice, accepting his apology before Mr. Sabulra threw himself to the floor in a bow. Dean sat up suspiciously, still hiding behind the couch. He was surprised to see Mr. Sabulra bowing to the other side of the open front door.
Mr. Sabulra rose quickly to his feet after stepping aside to allow the cloaked stranger into the warmth of the house. He closed the door and offered to take the figure’s cloak since there was no longer any need for it. The figure refused and politely took a seat on the couch that Dean, Nommo, and Mrs. Sabulra were hiding behind.
“It’s alright you three,” said Mr. Sabulra with an excited smile, “you all can come out
now!”
Dean, Nommo, and Mrs. Sabulra stood from their hunched positions behind the couch and beside Mr. Sabulra, away from the figure visiting them.
“What’s gotten into all three of you?” asked Mr. Sabulra. “Show our royal guest some respect!”
Naturally, any person who was considered a guest in the Sabulra home was treated like royalty. However, Mr. Sabulra never called anyone royal unless by some chance they really were. Dean swallowed his cowardice and stood beside his father.
The cloaked stranger removed the hood from her head to reveal someone Dean had not seen in person since his first arrival to the island. It was Queen Lila. Dean’s heart began to race, as his eyes were entranced by her stunning beauty. The features of her ebony face, accurately depicted in the Statue of the Rulers, were before Dean’s very eyes and he was mesmerized.
“Oh, welcome to our home my Queen!”
Mrs. Sabulra bowed in a polite manner. Nommo and Dean did the same to show their respect. Then, Mrs. Sabulra took a seat beside the beautiful queen, looking fondly into the queen’s eyes and offering to bring her anything she desired. It was almost humorous watching her sit beside the queen like an obsessive admirer.
“No, I’m fine, thank you,” Queen Lila responded in a tone that was familiar to Dean’s ears. His heart sung with excitement. He remembered her voice speaking to him as he was being whisked away by the Zaives in the carriage years ago. Her words and guidance gave Dean complete comfort all the while. Dean stroked the lion necklace that hung from his neck as he remembered that fateful evening.
“I’ve actually come to restore the order of Avesia,” said Queen Lila. “I came on behalf of the Rulers, to retrieve someone who has lived with you for quite some time.” Her eyes suddenly fixed on Dean as she spoke again. “A young man named Dean Sabulra.”
Dean’s mind became numb for a moment, but he soon regained his thoughts. “Me?” Dean said while pointing to himself, “Why?”
“Tonight, something terrible has happened on our island. A deadly omen has repeated itself on our land,” Queen Lila said in a seriou
s manner.
“Repeated itself?” asked Mr. Sabulra, “You mean this has happened before?”
“Yes,” she responded. “What happened tonight was something that can only bring dire consequences to our city. I didn’t think that it was possible at first, but it seems that it is true. For some reason, he has returned.”
There it was. The word that Dean had heard so many times before in Mrs. Sabulra’s frightened voice. It seemed to be the word that brought fear into the hearts of anyone who heard or spoke of it. Mrs. Sabulra let out a gasp while clasping a hand over her mouth.
“Since Amenhotep’s death, he’s obviously been forced away. But now that Amenhotep’s heir has come to our island to claim his rightful place, his revenge will be like a lion stealthily awaiting its prey. Never, since The War of The Lost, have we been so threatened.”
“You said something about Dean’s rightful place, my Queen?” asked Mr. Sabulra. “Yes,” she replied.
“You’ve come to our house for our son, Dean?” Mr. Sabulra’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped as he continued. “Do you mean to tell us, your majesty, that you think Dean is the heir to the throne of Pulchra?”
“Yes. And I don’t think… I know he is Amenhotep’s heir! I’ve known it ever since I helped him escape from the captivity of the Zaives seven years ago. His name back then was Dean Richardson.”
