Chapter 34
With the escort of the two Skeksis, Gurjin, Kylan, and Naia, as well as the Spitter, were taken to the throne room, where all the other Skeksis were at, surrounding the throne where the Emperor sat. When they entered, the chatter came to an immediate stop, the Skeksis all turning as one to witness this strange occurrence in their castle.
"Ah! Skektek! Skeksil!" The Emperor called out. "What is the meaning of this?!"
"Mmmm, royal sire," Skeksil started. "These Gelflings say that they have something important to discuss with you about. A conversation that will shape all of Thra."
"They even say that we are all in danger." Skektek added. "And by we, they mean themselves as well as we Skeksis."
"In danger, bah!" The Emperor scoffed. "There is no danger, especially not for we Skeksis. As for the Gelflings though."
The Skeksis all hummed and started to slowly walked towards the three Gelflings, not caring about the one Spitter in the room.
"Get back! Get back!" Gurjin warned. "Don't come any closer or we will have the Spitter attack."
"What's one Spitter going to do against a group of Skeksis?" The Treasurer cackled.
"Please, we did not come to fight." Naia started. "You must listen. If not, you may lose all your Gelflings all together, and then there will be no more essence for any of you for the rest of your lives."
That quickly got the Skeksis attention… for a split second before they all started to laugh.
"Lose all our Gelflings?" The Scroll Keeper laughed. "Do they think we are stupid?"
"Bah! Skektek!" The Emperor ordered the Scientist. "Take these foolish Gelfling to the labs and drain them of their essence."
"Yes, sire." Skektek nodded.
"Oh no you don't!" Naia hissed, dodging out of the way of the Scientist. "Kylan! I told you talking them into joining our fight against the invaders was pointless!"
"Stop!" The Emperor suddenly cried out, bringing everything to a halt. They all turned as one as the Emperor got up from his throne and began walking towards the Gelflings, his eyes trained Naia. "What's this about fighting against invaders?"
Naia sighed in relief and stood up straight. Finally, the Skeksis were listening. "A race of strange creatures has come to Thra, and we have reason to believe that they have come to invade. They have captured our Gelflings and killed most of others when we tried to attack. They are destroying the forest, and building shelters out of the wood from the trees. They have these large machines with big claws that they use to rip the trees out of the ground as if they are mere weeds. They speak our language, but most of the words they say are strange."
"And how can you be sure that they are invading?" The Emperor challenged.
"We overheard one of them saying that Thra may be Earth's sister planet, and that it may be a suitable second Earth." Kylan answered.
The Skeksis were silent after hearing that, the room becoming so quiet, one could hear a pin drop. The Skeksis then looked at each other, murmuring under their breaths to each other, but only the Emperor kept his eyes trained on the female Drenchen in front of him.
"Do you have any proof of these creatures?" He asked her.
Naia nodded. "To the west of the forest, in a large clearing they have made themselves. That is where they are. That is where they have made their base of operations. If you come with us, we can show you just what these creatures have done to Thra."
"How do we know this isn't a trap?!" The Ornamentalist spat. "They could be tricking us and leading us straight into an ambush."
The others seemed to agree with him, voices their own opinions on whether they should trust the Gelflings or not.
"Silence!" The Emperor demanded, stomping his staff onto the floor, creating a resonating ring through the room. He turned back to Naia. "I will send two of my Skeksis to go with you to see these creatures. And if they do not return, it will be your lives."
"Understood." Naia nodded. "Who will you send?"
The Emperor looked up, staring directly at the two Skeksis that even bothered to escort the Gelflings in the first place. "Skektek the Scientist, and Skeksil the Chamberlain."
"Us, sire?!" Skektek gasped.
"But why us?" Skeksil agreed.
"You two volunteered yourselves the moment you brought these Gelflings into my throne room." The Emperor spat. "You will accompany these Gelfling to the west side of the forest to see these creatures, or you will be punished."
The two Skeksis whimpered, cowaring before their leader. "Yes, sire."
"Good. Now, be gone with you, and be back before sunset."
"We'll make it happen." Gurjin nodded.
"Oh, and one more thing." The Emperor stopped them as they were just about to leave. "Where did Rian send you three instead of coming himself? I thought he was your leader."
The Gelflings were silent at first, but then Naia looked at the Skeksis dead in the eyes.
"Rian was one of the Gelflings these creatures stole from us."