Chapter 8 - The Confrontation
Crais desperately wished he had remained with Talyn. He would have stood as the king entered the bedchamber except he had no clothes on. The king was visibly angry as he entered with the chamberlain in tow. The chamberlain was trying to pretend that he wasn't there. Onara stood and wrapped her dress around herself. She exuded defiance.
"Onara, what are you doing here?" the king asked angrily.
"I am an adult and can make my own decisions," she replied defiantly.
"And this is the type of decision you make? You who will be the future leader of our people, choose an alien?" Crais wished he could sneak out of the room while the king's attention was focused on Onara, but he was sure that as soon as he moved he would become the focus.
"What relevance does that have?"
"What relevance? You are supposed to be setting an example!" The king was now shouting and gesturing wildly.
"An example! Father how much time have you spent among our people lately? You have been insulated here in the palace ever since Mother died ten cycles ago. You have no idea what the common person is up to." She was shouting in return.
"Don't ever talk about your mother like that. She was a great woman."
"Yes, she was and she loved the people. That's why you don't go out there anymore. It brings back too many memories. Father, it was ten cycles ago. She would not want you to mourn her this long. She would want you to move on and keep the people in your heart." Onara was using a soothing tone of voice now.
The wind was taken out of the king's sail. "I have lost touch haven't I? The only people I interact with are the court."
"And they only tell you what you want to hear. As trade has increased so has the number of off-worlders. The younger people, especially, have become more tolerant of aliens. A person should be judged by who they are, not what they looked like."
"And that is how you have judged Bialar?"
"Yes, I don't see him as a Peacekeeper or Sebacean, I see his inner beauty." This statement shocked Crais.
The king turned to Crais, "How do you judge my daughter?"
"There was a time when I would have judged another on the basis of species. Since I left the Peacekeepers I have been forced to interact and even rely on those from other species. It took a long time, but I no longer judge others by their appearance. I find your daughter beautiful in both body and mind." Crais desperately wished he had his pants on. He felt very vulnerable.
The king seemed to pick up on this. "I think I have learned what I need to. Onara, I will expect you after you have eaten breakfast. We need to discuss how I can become more in touch with my people." With that the king turned and left. The chamberlain gave a quick disapproving glance before turning to follow.
Crais was utterly confused, "What just happened?"
Onara sat on the bed and leaned toward him, "You just witnessed part of the arguement Father and I have on a routine basis, though I think this might be the last. I had not expected him to agree so readily." She leaned over and kissed him. "I think we should get cleaned up for breakfast." She kissed him again and then rose and went to the bathroom. When she reached the door, she looked over her shoulder at Crais, "Coming?" He couldn't refuse and smiled as he rose to join her.
They talked over breakfast. "It told you I could keep Father from throwing you off the planet."
"Yes, I should not have doubted you. How did he know you were here?"
"He either went by my room and found me gone or the chamberlain was informed by one of the guards. The chamberlain has always wanted me to be more conservative than I am. He doesn't approve of a lot of the things I do. It doesn't really matter, does it?"
"No, I suppose not. I was just curious. You're sure nothing is going to happen to me?"
"You're fine. Father will do nothing to you, unless you decide you want to marry me."
Crais nearly choked on his juice. Onara found this amusing. "Marry you? I don't think you have anything to worry about. I am not the type who would be happy settled on one planet. Besides, Talyn needs me and he is a spacefarer."
"I wasn't serious. I just wanted to see what your reaction would be." She smiled at him.
"You are using me for your entertainment again." He tried to sound hurt.
"Yes, your reactions are priceless. I mean you no ill will, though." She sounded a little concerned.
"I have a very thick skin. You have not hurt my feelings." He smiled at her.
"Now you're playing with me."
"Yes, how does it feel to have the tables turned?"
"I like a man who fights back. As the crown princess everyone around here is afraid they might insult me and lose favor. I am treated like fragile ornament, something to be looked at and touched only gently. I want someone who will play with me, who's not afraid of breaking me. I found that in you. I realize you will be leaving in a couple of days, but I want to live for those couple of days. I see my father. He is no longer young. I probably only have a few more cycles until I assume the throne." She got up and began pacing. "When I found you I was 'running away' for what was going to be my last independent foray off-world. I had planned on being gone for a monen, maybe two. Now I know I will not have that chance again. I have to help Father, he has lost touch with our society. Please, just let me enjoy the few days we have left." She had come and grabbed is hand in hers and was pleading with him.
Crais reached up and brushed her cheek. "I will help you in any way that I can. I understand the burdens leadership can place on you." He gently kissed each of her hands.
She released his hands and sat down. "Thank you. Would you like me to bring you lunch again today?"
"I would like that. Now that work has begun and Talyn has become more trusting, we should be able to find a better spot for lunch." He smiled at her.
Epilogue
They enjoyed the next couple of days. Crais found he was able to leave Talyn in Jayt's capable hands most of the time. Onara showed him the best that Kandor had to offer, but he looked forward to their evenings together more. All too soon, repairs were completed and Talyn was anxious to get back into space and try out his repairs.
She had asked him to stay, almost begged him. He knew he and Talyn would never be happy stuck on a planet, he had told her as much. He knew she could not leave and lead the nomadic life that he and Talyn were used to. As much as it pained him, they had to leave. She told him he could come back someday, when he was ready to settle down. He knew that would not be possible. Too much would have changed by the time he could return. He knew she had responsibilities to fulfill. It was best for everyone if he left.
He left quietly after a quick goodbye. He knew he must proceed deep into the Uncharted Territories. He and Talyn would resume their nomadic existence. Perhaps they would try to find Moya and the others. He didn't know how they would react to his arrival, but he knew Talyn would want to find his mother and let her know he was still alive.
Bialar Crais was alive through some strange twist of fate. He was positive he now owed the universe something for his continued survival. He didn't know what, but he knew the universe would find a way to collect on the debt.
Finis. Hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I did writing it. I'm going to take a brief break from Crais fiction and write one about Pilot. It should be up over there in a couple of days.
Crais desperately wished he had remained with Talyn. He would have stood as the king entered the bedchamber except he had no clothes on. The king was visibly angry as he entered with the chamberlain in tow. The chamberlain was trying to pretend that he wasn't there. Onara stood and wrapped her dress around herself. She exuded defiance.
"Onara, what are you doing here?" the king asked angrily.
"I am an adult and can make my own decisions," she replied defiantly.
"And this is the type of decision you make? You who will be the future leader of our people, choose an alien?" Crais wished he could sneak out of the room while the king's attention was focused on Onara, but he was sure that as soon as he moved he would become the focus.
"What relevance does that have?"
"What relevance? You are supposed to be setting an example!" The king was now shouting and gesturing wildly.
"An example! Father how much time have you spent among our people lately? You have been insulated here in the palace ever since Mother died ten cycles ago. You have no idea what the common person is up to." She was shouting in return.
"Don't ever talk about your mother like that. She was a great woman."
"Yes, she was and she loved the people. That's why you don't go out there anymore. It brings back too many memories. Father, it was ten cycles ago. She would not want you to mourn her this long. She would want you to move on and keep the people in your heart." Onara was using a soothing tone of voice now.
The wind was taken out of the king's sail. "I have lost touch haven't I? The only people I interact with are the court."
"And they only tell you what you want to hear. As trade has increased so has the number of off-worlders. The younger people, especially, have become more tolerant of aliens. A person should be judged by who they are, not what they looked like."
"And that is how you have judged Bialar?"
"Yes, I don't see him as a Peacekeeper or Sebacean, I see his inner beauty." This statement shocked Crais.
The king turned to Crais, "How do you judge my daughter?"
"There was a time when I would have judged another on the basis of species. Since I left the Peacekeepers I have been forced to interact and even rely on those from other species. It took a long time, but I no longer judge others by their appearance. I find your daughter beautiful in both body and mind." Crais desperately wished he had his pants on. He felt very vulnerable.
The king seemed to pick up on this. "I think I have learned what I need to. Onara, I will expect you after you have eaten breakfast. We need to discuss how I can become more in touch with my people." With that the king turned and left. The chamberlain gave a quick disapproving glance before turning to follow.
Crais was utterly confused, "What just happened?"
Onara sat on the bed and leaned toward him, "You just witnessed part of the arguement Father and I have on a routine basis, though I think this might be the last. I had not expected him to agree so readily." She leaned over and kissed him. "I think we should get cleaned up for breakfast." She kissed him again and then rose and went to the bathroom. When she reached the door, she looked over her shoulder at Crais, "Coming?" He couldn't refuse and smiled as he rose to join her.
They talked over breakfast. "It told you I could keep Father from throwing you off the planet."
"Yes, I should not have doubted you. How did he know you were here?"
"He either went by my room and found me gone or the chamberlain was informed by one of the guards. The chamberlain has always wanted me to be more conservative than I am. He doesn't approve of a lot of the things I do. It doesn't really matter, does it?"
"No, I suppose not. I was just curious. You're sure nothing is going to happen to me?"
"You're fine. Father will do nothing to you, unless you decide you want to marry me."
Crais nearly choked on his juice. Onara found this amusing. "Marry you? I don't think you have anything to worry about. I am not the type who would be happy settled on one planet. Besides, Talyn needs me and he is a spacefarer."
"I wasn't serious. I just wanted to see what your reaction would be." She smiled at him.
"You are using me for your entertainment again." He tried to sound hurt.
"Yes, your reactions are priceless. I mean you no ill will, though." She sounded a little concerned.
"I have a very thick skin. You have not hurt my feelings." He smiled at her.
"Now you're playing with me."
"Yes, how does it feel to have the tables turned?"
"I like a man who fights back. As the crown princess everyone around here is afraid they might insult me and lose favor. I am treated like fragile ornament, something to be looked at and touched only gently. I want someone who will play with me, who's not afraid of breaking me. I found that in you. I realize you will be leaving in a couple of days, but I want to live for those couple of days. I see my father. He is no longer young. I probably only have a few more cycles until I assume the throne." She got up and began pacing. "When I found you I was 'running away' for what was going to be my last independent foray off-world. I had planned on being gone for a monen, maybe two. Now I know I will not have that chance again. I have to help Father, he has lost touch with our society. Please, just let me enjoy the few days we have left." She had come and grabbed is hand in hers and was pleading with him.
Crais reached up and brushed her cheek. "I will help you in any way that I can. I understand the burdens leadership can place on you." He gently kissed each of her hands.
She released his hands and sat down. "Thank you. Would you like me to bring you lunch again today?"
"I would like that. Now that work has begun and Talyn has become more trusting, we should be able to find a better spot for lunch." He smiled at her.
Epilogue
They enjoyed the next couple of days. Crais found he was able to leave Talyn in Jayt's capable hands most of the time. Onara showed him the best that Kandor had to offer, but he looked forward to their evenings together more. All too soon, repairs were completed and Talyn was anxious to get back into space and try out his repairs.
She had asked him to stay, almost begged him. He knew he and Talyn would never be happy stuck on a planet, he had told her as much. He knew she could not leave and lead the nomadic life that he and Talyn were used to. As much as it pained him, they had to leave. She told him he could come back someday, when he was ready to settle down. He knew that would not be possible. Too much would have changed by the time he could return. He knew she had responsibilities to fulfill. It was best for everyone if he left.
He left quietly after a quick goodbye. He knew he must proceed deep into the Uncharted Territories. He and Talyn would resume their nomadic existence. Perhaps they would try to find Moya and the others. He didn't know how they would react to his arrival, but he knew Talyn would want to find his mother and let her know he was still alive.
Bialar Crais was alive through some strange twist of fate. He was positive he now owed the universe something for his continued survival. He didn't know what, but he knew the universe would find a way to collect on the debt.
Finis. Hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I did writing it. I'm going to take a brief break from Crais fiction and write one about Pilot. It should be up over there in a couple of days.