Birthright - Chapter 8 Birthright - Chapter 8
Planet Arus
The evening seemed to drag on. There was no wind. The air was thick with an unusual heat. Keith laid motionless in his bed, unable to fall asleep. His mind was racing, as he reminisced over the events that has happened in the past few days. A roller coaster ride of emotions and revelations was now tearing at his own sanity.
Realizing that sleep was now a remote possibility, he threw off his bed covers, not minding where they landed, as he grabbed his top, slipping it on as he exited his room. Late night wanderings was not unusual for the young Captain to do, but he would do those as an excuse to check up on his fellow teammates while they did their red_eye shifts, of course, unbeknownst to them. This evening, however, that was the furthest thing from his mind that he wanted to do.
He found himself wandering toward the Castle's gardens, where it seemed that all of the cool air had settled there. As he stepped on to the cold stone path, he then realized that he was wearing no footwear. He silently swore to himself, hearing Nanny at the back of his mind, who would put up a tirade if he went around barefooted in the garden.
"Here, these will be more comfortable." The voice had startled him, as he quickly turned around, taking a step back.
Unfortunately, his step took him into the direction of the small pond that was at the opening of the garden, and ungracefully, he fell in. A quite snicker came from the person who startled him, as she came to stand at the paths edge, staring at him.
"Um, I guess the slippers are not needed anymore."
"Al!" he nearly exclaimed.
She quickly placed a finger to her lips knowing that by now, his splash would have caught the attention of Hunk, who had the red_eye shift this evening. "Shh!" she hissed. "Nanny will have my skin if she knew I was out here in the dead of evening."
"Have your skin?" he asked as he stared back at her. "IM the one that is soaking wet here."
She quietly laughed as she offered him her hand, slowly pulling him out of the shallow pond. "We had better find you some towels to dry you off."
"Why'd you scare me like that?"
"Scare you?" she asked as she headed toward the door of gardens. She looked inside and let out a sigh seeing that no guards had come to check up on the noise.
"I've been here for much of the evening."
"Much?"
She nodded as she waved to him, signaling that the coast was clear. They were able to walk down the long hallways that led to a small linen closet that was near the guest wing of the castle. There, Allura pulled out two towels and a bathrobe. "Get out of those wet clothes."
"Now being bossy."
Allura stared back at him then smiled. "Do you want me to leave you here, and have you explain it to Nanny in the morning how here hallway got wet?"
He met her gaze and knew that it would be useless to fight with her on that subject.
However before he answered her, she left the small closet, and closed the door behind her.
"So what made you decide to take a midnight dip?" Allura asked as she handed him a tall glass of ice water.
"It would have been a stroll if you hadn't scared me."
"I didn't scare you," she said as she took a seat across from him. "Just startled you. You seemed preoccupied."
"I couldn't get to sleep."
She nodded. "Me too." She then took a sip out of her glass. "Whenever I tried to close my eyes, I would find myself trying to sleep, but I would only end up opening my eyes again."
"Its just that its so hot tonight."
"Hot?" she asked. "What do you mean hot?"
"Its like an oven in my room," he said. "You didn't feel the heat?"
"Keith, its only 45 kerrans." she said using Arus' temperature measurements. "If it were any colder, we'd see snow."
"What?" he asked.
She pointed up to the small gage next to the door of the room they were in, and it read 45.
He looked at it wondering why he was feeling hot.
"I swear, it was like an oven in my room."
Allura stood up, and walked over to wear he was sitting and placed a hand to his forehead. Her eyes widened feeling the sudden heat he was giving off.
"Keith, are you feeling alright?" she asked as she sat next to him. "You're burning up."
"Burning up?" he asked as he placed his hand to his own forehead. "Im feeling fine."
He then realized that he was warm to the touch, and looked at her with confusion.
"And you don't feel sick or anything?"
He shook his head. "I was with Anala all day," he said. "She was feeling fine as well."
"All the same, we should have Dr. Gorma take a look at you," she said as she got to her feet. "I don't want us traveling to Valis if you are catching a cold."
He nodded.
"You're not catching a cold."
Allura and Keith looked up and saw Anala standing at the door of the small room they were in. She was wearing an unusual garb as she walked into the room.
"What do you mean?" Allura asked.
"It shouldn't be affecting you, since you are half Valusian," she said as she took a seat next to him. "This is highly unusual."
"Anala, what is it?" Keith asked her.
"Are you feeling an intense heat?" she asked. "Almost as if it were an oven, but its more internal than external?"
"Kind of," he said.
She slowly nodded as she took his hands into her own. "Keith, what you are feeling is a time what the Valusians call the Trial of Olin."
"Trial of Olin?"
"Almost like..... puberty."
Allura slowly took a seat. "Puberty?"
Anala slowly nodded. "It usually happens to Valusians as they enter adult hood," she explained. "But being that we are not full Valusians, the Trial of Olin is usually passed by. For the male children, it happens when they are about 14 of your Earth years. Females, much earlier. I did not go through the Trial. But somehow..."
"It has been delayed in me," Keith finished. "What happens during this Trial?"
"It's a very short period," she said. "Usually lasts no more than a week, but it's a week that is a living hell. On Vallis, those who are going through the Trial are taken to the High Priests to be watched over. In some cases, those who are too weak, die from the Trial."
"Will that affect our mission?"
"It may," Anala said as she met Allura's gaze. "But, I have personally watched over those who have gone through the Trial. I can help ease the pain, but I don't know how it will affect someone who is only half Vallusian."
"Whatever the outcome, we must continue with our plan we have already made," Keith said. "I don't want to jeopardize everything just because Im going through ...puberty."
"The only help I can give now is to make a small drink," Anala stated. "It will keep you cool, to quell the burning, but you will need to get to Vallis in order to get the care we have there."
"We understand," Allura stated.
Anala then looked up at her. "If you don't mind Princess, there is something personal I must discuss with my brother about the Trial," she said.
Allura met both of their gazes and then slowly nodded. "Understood." she said. "Keith, please get some rest if you can. I will see the both of you in the morning."
"Goodnight, Allura," Keith said. "And thank you."
She nodded and wished Anala goodnight before leaving the room, the door sliding close behind her.
"What else do I have to know about the Trial?" Keith asked as he turned to her.
Anala let go of his hands and looked at him. "Turn around," she said..
"What?...but..."
"Please, trust me," she said.
He nodded and slowly turned his seat to have his back face her.
"Im going to lift your shirt, so don't be startled," she said. "I have to check to see if you are showing the signs."
"Signs? What signs?"
"There is one thing I forgot to mention to you all about Vallis," she said as she lifted his shirt and examined his back. "Actually, I conveniently omitted."
"And that is?"
She pressed hard on his back, near his shoulder blades causing him to breathe in deeply at the sudden pain that shot through him.
"Its tender," she said. "It will be for some time, until your Trial is done."
"What is it?" he asked.
"You are going through some internal changes, right now," as she explained, grabbing the glass of water that was near them. She pulled out a small bag from the inside of the robe she was wearing, and poured its contents into the water that was left in the glass. The water turned to blood red as the powder dissolved in the liquid. "That's why you are feeling the intense heat. Soon, those internal changes will become external changes."
"External?" he asked as he quickly turned to her. "What do you mean external? Im not going to grow an extra arm or something am I?"
She smiled inwardly as she placed the glass in his hands. "Drink this," she said. "It will help you sleep tonight."
Seeing that she was not going to answer him until he drank the weird concoction, he drank the red liquid. Finding it to be sweet, it was easy for him to drink the rest.
"So, what signs? What external changes?"
She let out a sigh as she stood from her chair and walked slightly away from where he was sitting.
"Vallis, is what you might call heaven on Earth," she said. "And our people...have evolved over the years...We are an old race. Older than the Terrans of Earth."
"What are you saying?"
"Its better for you to see."
She slowly untied the straps that held her robe closed. She let it slip off her, as Keith stared at her wide eyed. He was about to protest, when she held her hand up as she started pull down the straps of the nightgown she was wearing.
She turned her back to him, and pulled her hair forward, to show him.
"Females are born with it," she explained. "Males...get it during the Trial."
Keith stood from his seat as he stared at her, and then took a step back.
She then pulled her nightgown back on, grabbing her robe as she tied it back on.
"You will be able to control them, when they do appear," she quickly said.
"They...."
"Anala...."
"Please, Keith, don't be afraid," she said as she reached for him. "I will help you through the transition."
Before she could grab a hold of his hand, he slipped out of her reach, heading toward the door.
"Keith..."
Planet Vallis.
Lady Alysson leaned her head against the pane glass window as she silently read out of a book she held in her hands, sitting in a bay window. The castles library was usually quiet at this time of the day, so she found her peace in her reading.
*My lady?*
She looked up, then around, seeing that no one was there. Thinking that she was just hearing things. She went back to reading her book
*My lady?*
She looked up again. "Who's there?" she called out.
She then heard a quiet laugh. She got to her feet, looking around for the source of the voice.
"Who's there?" she asked again.
*How quickly you forget me, my lady?*
Alysson let out a gasp as she turned around, seeing that the source of the voice was from the dark figure who now stood behind her. She then let out her breath as she took a step back, staring back at the man who stood before her.
"Xue," she said. "Back to playing practical jokes I see."
She closed the book she was reading and placed it on the table near where she stood. The figure then took a deep bow.
*I live by them, my lady,* he stated. *I wish I had come on a happier note.*
"What is it now?" she asked. "Kelar has you picking the burrs out of his wardrobe again?"
*No, he wishes to bed you, my lady.*
The sudden comment caused her to stare back at him. "What?"
*This whole business Princess Lyana business is causing him to act irrationally,* he stated.
*He wishes to sire a son.*
Alysson slowly seated herself in a nearby chair. "He knows how I feel about him," she said. "Why now? I've lived here for nearly 16 years. He has never once shown any...."
*A desperate man resorts to desperate measures,* he said. *My lady, I only come to inform you of his wishes. I do not want to jeopardize my standing with my master.*
Alysson slowly nodded. "Unfortunately, Kelar only sees you as a slave Xue," she said. "When you are so much more."
*I thank you for your kind words, my lady,* he said.
She then turned to him, "One day, Xue, you shall be free," she said. "Even if I have to demand Kelar to let you go."
*Don't take it the wrong way, my lady, I enjoy my service under master Kelar,* he stated. *Though, I do enjoy your treatment of me as well.*
She nodded as she slowly reached to him. He quickly grabbed her hand before she touched the dark robe he wore.
*I can sense what you want to do, my lady,* he said. *I cannot let you. I must not.*
"Has anyone ever seen you?" she asked.
*No one,* he said. He then came to kneel before her, then leaned in closer, whispering. *I know.*
Her eyes widened, but before she could protest, he placed his finger against her lips, slowly pushing her long hair aside to reveal the small birthmark on her neck.
*I am here to help you, my lady,* he said as he pulled away from her. *I've always watched over you.*
"But how..."
He shook his head before standing. *I hope you enjoy your book, my lady.* And before she could question him, he vanished.
Planet Arus
The evening seemed to drag on. There was no wind. The air was thick with an unusual heat. Keith laid motionless in his bed, unable to fall asleep. His mind was racing, as he reminisced over the events that has happened in the past few days. A roller coaster ride of emotions and revelations was now tearing at his own sanity.
Realizing that sleep was now a remote possibility, he threw off his bed covers, not minding where they landed, as he grabbed his top, slipping it on as he exited his room. Late night wanderings was not unusual for the young Captain to do, but he would do those as an excuse to check up on his fellow teammates while they did their red_eye shifts, of course, unbeknownst to them. This evening, however, that was the furthest thing from his mind that he wanted to do.
He found himself wandering toward the Castle's gardens, where it seemed that all of the cool air had settled there. As he stepped on to the cold stone path, he then realized that he was wearing no footwear. He silently swore to himself, hearing Nanny at the back of his mind, who would put up a tirade if he went around barefooted in the garden.
"Here, these will be more comfortable." The voice had startled him, as he quickly turned around, taking a step back.
Unfortunately, his step took him into the direction of the small pond that was at the opening of the garden, and ungracefully, he fell in. A quite snicker came from the person who startled him, as she came to stand at the paths edge, staring at him.
"Um, I guess the slippers are not needed anymore."
"Al!" he nearly exclaimed.
She quickly placed a finger to her lips knowing that by now, his splash would have caught the attention of Hunk, who had the red_eye shift this evening. "Shh!" she hissed. "Nanny will have my skin if she knew I was out here in the dead of evening."
"Have your skin?" he asked as he stared back at her. "IM the one that is soaking wet here."
She quietly laughed as she offered him her hand, slowly pulling him out of the shallow pond. "We had better find you some towels to dry you off."
"Why'd you scare me like that?"
"Scare you?" she asked as she headed toward the door of gardens. She looked inside and let out a sigh seeing that no guards had come to check up on the noise.
"I've been here for much of the evening."
"Much?"
She nodded as she waved to him, signaling that the coast was clear. They were able to walk down the long hallways that led to a small linen closet that was near the guest wing of the castle. There, Allura pulled out two towels and a bathrobe. "Get out of those wet clothes."
"Now being bossy."
Allura stared back at him then smiled. "Do you want me to leave you here, and have you explain it to Nanny in the morning how here hallway got wet?"
He met her gaze and knew that it would be useless to fight with her on that subject.
However before he answered her, she left the small closet, and closed the door behind her.
"So what made you decide to take a midnight dip?" Allura asked as she handed him a tall glass of ice water.
"It would have been a stroll if you hadn't scared me."
"I didn't scare you," she said as she took a seat across from him. "Just startled you. You seemed preoccupied."
"I couldn't get to sleep."
She nodded. "Me too." She then took a sip out of her glass. "Whenever I tried to close my eyes, I would find myself trying to sleep, but I would only end up opening my eyes again."
"Its just that its so hot tonight."
"Hot?" she asked. "What do you mean hot?"
"Its like an oven in my room," he said. "You didn't feel the heat?"
"Keith, its only 45 kerrans." she said using Arus' temperature measurements. "If it were any colder, we'd see snow."
"What?" he asked.
She pointed up to the small gage next to the door of the room they were in, and it read 45.
He looked at it wondering why he was feeling hot.
"I swear, it was like an oven in my room."
Allura stood up, and walked over to wear he was sitting and placed a hand to his forehead. Her eyes widened feeling the sudden heat he was giving off.
"Keith, are you feeling alright?" she asked as she sat next to him. "You're burning up."
"Burning up?" he asked as he placed his hand to his own forehead. "Im feeling fine."
He then realized that he was warm to the touch, and looked at her with confusion.
"And you don't feel sick or anything?"
He shook his head. "I was with Anala all day," he said. "She was feeling fine as well."
"All the same, we should have Dr. Gorma take a look at you," she said as she got to her feet. "I don't want us traveling to Valis if you are catching a cold."
He nodded.
"You're not catching a cold."
Allura and Keith looked up and saw Anala standing at the door of the small room they were in. She was wearing an unusual garb as she walked into the room.
"What do you mean?" Allura asked.
"It shouldn't be affecting you, since you are half Valusian," she said as she took a seat next to him. "This is highly unusual."
"Anala, what is it?" Keith asked her.
"Are you feeling an intense heat?" she asked. "Almost as if it were an oven, but its more internal than external?"
"Kind of," he said.
She slowly nodded as she took his hands into her own. "Keith, what you are feeling is a time what the Valusians call the Trial of Olin."
"Trial of Olin?"
"Almost like..... puberty."
Allura slowly took a seat. "Puberty?"
Anala slowly nodded. "It usually happens to Valusians as they enter adult hood," she explained. "But being that we are not full Valusians, the Trial of Olin is usually passed by. For the male children, it happens when they are about 14 of your Earth years. Females, much earlier. I did not go through the Trial. But somehow..."
"It has been delayed in me," Keith finished. "What happens during this Trial?"
"It's a very short period," she said. "Usually lasts no more than a week, but it's a week that is a living hell. On Vallis, those who are going through the Trial are taken to the High Priests to be watched over. In some cases, those who are too weak, die from the Trial."
"Will that affect our mission?"
"It may," Anala said as she met Allura's gaze. "But, I have personally watched over those who have gone through the Trial. I can help ease the pain, but I don't know how it will affect someone who is only half Vallusian."
"Whatever the outcome, we must continue with our plan we have already made," Keith said. "I don't want to jeopardize everything just because Im going through ...puberty."
"The only help I can give now is to make a small drink," Anala stated. "It will keep you cool, to quell the burning, but you will need to get to Vallis in order to get the care we have there."
"We understand," Allura stated.
Anala then looked up at her. "If you don't mind Princess, there is something personal I must discuss with my brother about the Trial," she said.
Allura met both of their gazes and then slowly nodded. "Understood." she said. "Keith, please get some rest if you can. I will see the both of you in the morning."
"Goodnight, Allura," Keith said. "And thank you."
She nodded and wished Anala goodnight before leaving the room, the door sliding close behind her.
"What else do I have to know about the Trial?" Keith asked as he turned to her.
Anala let go of his hands and looked at him. "Turn around," she said..
"What?...but..."
"Please, trust me," she said.
He nodded and slowly turned his seat to have his back face her.
"Im going to lift your shirt, so don't be startled," she said. "I have to check to see if you are showing the signs."
"Signs? What signs?"
"There is one thing I forgot to mention to you all about Vallis," she said as she lifted his shirt and examined his back. "Actually, I conveniently omitted."
"And that is?"
She pressed hard on his back, near his shoulder blades causing him to breathe in deeply at the sudden pain that shot through him.
"Its tender," she said. "It will be for some time, until your Trial is done."
"What is it?" he asked.
"You are going through some internal changes, right now," as she explained, grabbing the glass of water that was near them. She pulled out a small bag from the inside of the robe she was wearing, and poured its contents into the water that was left in the glass. The water turned to blood red as the powder dissolved in the liquid. "That's why you are feeling the intense heat. Soon, those internal changes will become external changes."
"External?" he asked as he quickly turned to her. "What do you mean external? Im not going to grow an extra arm or something am I?"
She smiled inwardly as she placed the glass in his hands. "Drink this," she said. "It will help you sleep tonight."
Seeing that she was not going to answer him until he drank the weird concoction, he drank the red liquid. Finding it to be sweet, it was easy for him to drink the rest.
"So, what signs? What external changes?"
She let out a sigh as she stood from her chair and walked slightly away from where he was sitting.
"Vallis, is what you might call heaven on Earth," she said. "And our people...have evolved over the years...We are an old race. Older than the Terrans of Earth."
"What are you saying?"
"Its better for you to see."
She slowly untied the straps that held her robe closed. She let it slip off her, as Keith stared at her wide eyed. He was about to protest, when she held her hand up as she started pull down the straps of the nightgown she was wearing.
She turned her back to him, and pulled her hair forward, to show him.
"Females are born with it," she explained. "Males...get it during the Trial."
Keith stood from his seat as he stared at her, and then took a step back.
She then pulled her nightgown back on, grabbing her robe as she tied it back on.
"You will be able to control them, when they do appear," she quickly said.
"They...."
"Anala...."
"Please, Keith, don't be afraid," she said as she reached for him. "I will help you through the transition."
Before she could grab a hold of his hand, he slipped out of her reach, heading toward the door.
"Keith..."
Planet Vallis.
Lady Alysson leaned her head against the pane glass window as she silently read out of a book she held in her hands, sitting in a bay window. The castles library was usually quiet at this time of the day, so she found her peace in her reading.
*My lady?*
She looked up, then around, seeing that no one was there. Thinking that she was just hearing things. She went back to reading her book
*My lady?*
She looked up again. "Who's there?" she called out.
She then heard a quiet laugh. She got to her feet, looking around for the source of the voice.
"Who's there?" she asked again.
*How quickly you forget me, my lady?*
Alysson let out a gasp as she turned around, seeing that the source of the voice was from the dark figure who now stood behind her. She then let out her breath as she took a step back, staring back at the man who stood before her.
"Xue," she said. "Back to playing practical jokes I see."
She closed the book she was reading and placed it on the table near where she stood. The figure then took a deep bow.
*I live by them, my lady,* he stated. *I wish I had come on a happier note.*
"What is it now?" she asked. "Kelar has you picking the burrs out of his wardrobe again?"
*No, he wishes to bed you, my lady.*
The sudden comment caused her to stare back at him. "What?"
*This whole business Princess Lyana business is causing him to act irrationally,* he stated.
*He wishes to sire a son.*
Alysson slowly seated herself in a nearby chair. "He knows how I feel about him," she said. "Why now? I've lived here for nearly 16 years. He has never once shown any...."
*A desperate man resorts to desperate measures,* he said. *My lady, I only come to inform you of his wishes. I do not want to jeopardize my standing with my master.*
Alysson slowly nodded. "Unfortunately, Kelar only sees you as a slave Xue," she said. "When you are so much more."
*I thank you for your kind words, my lady,* he said.
She then turned to him, "One day, Xue, you shall be free," she said. "Even if I have to demand Kelar to let you go."
*Don't take it the wrong way, my lady, I enjoy my service under master Kelar,* he stated. *Though, I do enjoy your treatment of me as well.*
She nodded as she slowly reached to him. He quickly grabbed her hand before she touched the dark robe he wore.
*I can sense what you want to do, my lady,* he said. *I cannot let you. I must not.*
"Has anyone ever seen you?" she asked.
*No one,* he said. He then came to kneel before her, then leaned in closer, whispering. *I know.*
Her eyes widened, but before she could protest, he placed his finger against her lips, slowly pushing her long hair aside to reveal the small birthmark on her neck.
*I am here to help you, my lady,* he said as he pulled away from her. *I've always watched over you.*
"But how..."
He shook his head before standing. *I hope you enjoy your book, my lady.* And before she could question him, he vanished.