Chosen

by West, Shay

  “Can they really do this?” Master Briska asked Master Brok. She was amazed at their magical powers. Surely, with their power we can find a way to fight the Mekans.

  Master Brok nodded. “They would not have suggested such a thing if they didn't believe it was possible. The spell for invisibility is simple, really. What I don't know is how they plan to shield the mind of the Earthmen and Guardians traveling to Kromin.”

  Briska looked confused. “Surely you must have some idea of their plans! After all, they learned their magic from you.”

  “It's not that simple. While I did teach them everything I know, they have begun to tap into magic I have never heard of and never read about.” He shrugged. “Perhaps they were born with gifts beyond imagining. When faced with problems and danger, more of these gifts will be realized. They are acting on instinct for the most part.”

  The Chosen ate a quick lunch and allowed themselves to be guinea pigs for the Astran Chosen to practice their magic on. All of the Astrans could make the others disappear. The spell was quite effective.

  “Why don't we have to make the Earthmen invisible?” Jon asked.

  “Kromins do not wear clothing so it is not necessary for them to be invisible.” Mirka explained. “They do not have different sexes and their buildings and travel pods are climate controlled so that the temperature is always perfect. Therefore, there is no need for clothing.”

  “No men or women? How do they…Well, you know….” Gwen gestured vaguely with her hands.

  “They do not do that sort of thing,” Mirka said with a sideways grin. “When it is time, a new Kromin is awakened from the birthing chamber and assigned a designation.”

  “Kromin certainly sounds like an…interesting…planet,” Gwen said faintly.

  “It is, Gwen. I was anxious to return home though. It is too different and alien. I envied the other Guardians.”

  “We do not wear clothing here. Maybe the long trains of the bodies make it seem as though we are wearing something,” Gwen pondered.

  When it came to hiding the thoughts of the Earthmen, only Jon, and Saemus and Kaelin linked could accomplish the task. The Kromins were quite taken aback by the sudden lack of emotion coming from the Earthmen. They had become accustomed to touching the minds of the other Chosen and Guardians and it was strange to see them standing before them and yet detect nothing.

  “Do you have to continue to use the magic to maintain the shield?” Master Ferrok asked.

  “No. We can tie it off, in a manner of speaking,” Kaelin answered.

  Master Ferrok nodded. “Excellent work, all of you. Is there anything else that needs to be discussed before we finalize preparations?”

  “I think we should send Numbers 1 and 2 with the Astrans. Even though the Volgons will be able to speak Astran, there may be a need for the Kromins.”

  “Such as?” Feeror asked.

  “The Kromins can communicate over long distances. If you should become separated, they will be necessary to stay in touch with the others.”

  Feeror nodded. He understood the need to be able to talk to one another, to coordinate attacks and to give and receive information quickly. “Do the Astrans not have radios for communicating?” Feeror asked.

  “No. The Astrans are, well…rather un-advanced compared to the people of your world.”

  Keera folded her arms and cocked her head to the side, her body flashing with angry maroon spots. “Un-advanced?”

  Master Brok held up his hands. “The Volgons have weapons, shields, armor, and other technology that you can't even imagine. The Kromins are even more advanced. But that does not mean they are better; just different.”

  Keera turned, mumbling under her breath. “Well, I hope they aren't too disappointed with us un-advanced country folk from some backwards world.” She gave the Volgon sidelong glares.

  “This is the very reason why you all must get to know each other. It isn't enough to simply talk. You must see how the others live, where they come from, to truly understand and gain respect for one another. It is imperative that you work together and not let petty differences stand in the way.” Master Ferrok gave Keera a hard stare.

  “I do not think there is a need to bring the telepaths to Astra. We will all travel together and take every precaution,” Master Brok said.

  Master Ferrok nodded. “If there is nothing further, we should make our way to the portal chamber with all haste.”

  “Shouldn't we wait until tomorrow?” Martha said. She was nervous about the impending journey to another world.

  “I fear we cannot wait. You must travel to all of your worlds. Eventually, you will have to travel to a planet that has been ravaged by the Mekans. You must see first-hand what they are capable of. All of this will take precious time, and all the while, the Mekans are moving closer to the galaxy. Perhaps while you are gone, our prophets will have managed to see into the future once again, giving us some sign of what is to come.” Ferrok hoped fervently so. He did not like the prospect of fighting this battle without having the foresight to know what was coming.

  Sloan spoke up, exasperated. “What does it matter that your prophets can see the future? As far as I know, your world is the only one with such a need.” He gazed at Ferrok with a flat expression. “We do not need to see the future to know we need to fight. If what you say is true, we have no choice, regardless. If we do not fight, the galaxy is certainly doomed. If we do fight, we may yet fail, and the galaxy will still be doomed. I for one would rather fight on the hope we may be victorious.”

  The other Chosen nodded in agreement, none more so than the Volgons. “The Earthman has spoken the truth. We also fight, every day, and do not know the outcome. If we do not fight, we fail. If we fight, we may lose, but we will not have failed from not trying at all. I would rather die fighting than waiting around for someone to scratch nonsense onto some old paper.” Kyron said.

  Ferrok sighed. He could not make them understand that their being on this planet was the result of the prophet's ability to see into the future. All of the decisions concerning the Chosen thus far had been made after reading through the scrolls of the prophets.

  Master Ferrok led the group to the portal chamber. The Chosen took great care in taking their last look at this beautiful and graceful planet. They arrived at the portal chamber. A ripple of fear and apprehension filled the room.

  “How long will we be gone?” Robert asked, trying to delay the departure

  “We only want you to remain for fourteen days or however your planets record the passing from one sunrise to the next.” The Chosen all nodded at this. They all knew of what he spoke, even though they had different names for such an event. “The Guardians will be ready to bring you back after the right amount of time has passed.

  “The visitors must look to the others for guidance. You must blend in with the folk of that world. More importantly, you must look out for each other. Keep one another safe.” Ferrok met each of their eyes, trying hard to make them understand the importance of his words.

  He approached the portal and touched the Astran symbol: three interconnected rings. He floated off to the side so that those going to Astra could enter.

  ASTRA

  Queen Cheye of Siswae sat on her throne, facing the crowd of men and women kneeling before her. Her throat tightened as her green eyes moved over them, seers and prophets all. She took a deep breath to steady herself.

  “Kill them all.”

  Her guards saluted and began dragging the screaming, protesting people from the room. She made herself look as they tried to pull away from the grasp of the men who mercilessly dragged them to their doom.

  Soon, the cacophony was replaced with blessed quiet. Her throne room had become a place of wailing and screaming and moaning too much as of late.

  Her auburn hair moved and a white hand wrapped around her throat. She swallowed hard as the hand caressed her smooth white skin. She closed her eyes and willed back the tears threatening to fall. I am Que
en and I will not blubber and cry like some commoner.

  Fa' Vel emerged from behind her throne, hand enfolded in her hair. She winced as he tugged hard.

  “Well done, your Highness.” He whispered the last word sounding like a hissing snake. His face was pale and haggard, the scar running from his left cheek to his chin standing out more than ever against his pasty white skin. His black eyes were full of a feverish light. “As long as you continue to do as I say, all will be well. Together we will wipe the scourge from our land and prevent our doom. I have seen it!”

  Queen Cheye dared not interrupt his tirade. She kept silent and sent up a prayer to the good Spirits to watch over her and the people of Astra. While the ramblings and mutterings of the seers and prophets were odd, they did not strike her as being dangerous in any way. Fa' Vel's claim to have seen the old man and the others disappear into a rock face was ludicrous. She thought that perhaps Fa' Vel had killed them all and had gone mad.

  She longed to fight him, but he had taken control so quickly and completely that she had no choice but to do what he said and hope a solution presented itself. The man was ordering all seers, prophets, bone readers, Mystics and their families killed. He had managed to acquire a group of followers that he sent into the countryside to kill all involved in any sort of mystical doings. He said he killed the families to stop the spread of the “disease”.

  Word had reached her ears of people slaughtered as far away as Romalla in the Valla Territory. The Patriarchs had prices on the heads of Fa' Vel and his band of thugs but he only seemed to acquire more and more followers as his message of purging the evil from their midst gained momentum.

  “Just do what I tell you,” he purred. “And all will be well. I will save Astra from the evil that comes.”

  THE END

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