A/N – Chaptah 12 atcha!
Changing Faces
Part 1 – Searching For Her Past
Chapter 12 – Face of Evil
The next morning, Videl woke barely after dawn nudged its light into the windows of her room. She packed a light bag, a few changes of clothes, boots, and some string, to tie her hair back. She had just tucked the last of her supplies into her ship when a young, brown-haired girl appeared at the foot of the ramp.
"Videl, are you going again," she asked.
Surprise flooded her face, "Antella, you're up early."
"You're going again, aren't you," she persisted.
Antella was ten years younger than Videl, and they were the only two out of Matiko's five daughters whose father was not from Pandova. Her father was from Earth also, but she took more to her sire than Videl did.
Bright green eyes were framed by a pale heart-shaped face and wavy brown hair. She had thick black lashes, even for a child, and one day promised to become a lovely woman. But while her outside showed good looks, her personality was tenacious and steadfast, never stopping at what she did, never giving up at what she wanted. There was no stopping this girl from taking on the world, the universe, when she became an adult.
Until then, Videl felt it was partly her responsibility to make sure Antella made her way 'safely' through the political and social world of royalty.
"Yes, Antella, I am going. For a little longer this time, but you may visit me, if you like," she smiled and ruffed her hair.
The girl jumped into a hug, "I'll miss you, Videl."
"Come on, let's go see mother. She wants us at a meeting," she stated and led Antella to the stately palace court room.
The room itself was built out of a huge cavern in a mountain side. Legend stated that the cavern was the first area occupied when the ancestors first arrived on Pandova, and the village, now a city, had been built around the natural castle.
The path leading to the opening was a shallow grade, perhaps fifteen meters in length. At the bottom were four guards, of an upper warrior class. They saluted the two princesses as they passed, and resumed guarding the entrance.
Ivy dotted with large white and yellow flowers framed the expanse of the cave opening, while long tendrils of flower-bloomed ivy divided the outside from the inside. No doors covered the entrance, and since it remained warm year round, there was no real need for heat. Videl and Antella gently brushed the ivy door aside and proceeded thru.
Inside, the room was massive. Long shafts had been cut into the mountain to allow natural sunlight in, but it was still not enough. Although the cave had been cleared and cleaned, there was little decoration, even for the dignified position it held in Pandovan culture. Further along the cave was a bend, which was where the ornamentation was. Rows of plush, single armed chairs faced towards an even larger chair, the queen's seat. Next to it was a slightly smaller one, where the crown princess sat. On both sides of those ruling places were two chairs, one for each remaining daughter.
Abruptly, Videl realized she and Antella were a bit late. Four beings sat facing them, and another unfamiliar one faced opposite. Instinctively, Videl read the being's chi: it was ice cold. And then he turned.
His eyes were the first thing she noticed. Their venomous red pigment chilled her core. They were set in a green-scaled face. A gaping mouth of teeth hung just below a long snout. On his head was a long single row of sharp spikes facing downward. At that moment, they flexed up and down slightly, showing agitation. His body was covered in the same green scales, but with brown and black splashed here and there. A vest of gray armor plated his chest and back, and extended down the front of his legs to his knees. A thick powerful tail colored like his body extended the floor. Long toe claws stretched out from the feet of knee-high black boots, and brown leather gauntlets covered pale colored scales of his hands. Long, dangerous looking claws grew from each digit.
Matiko spoke first, "Duasha, please forgive the interruption. Videl, Antella, take your seats."
The glare they received promised a postponed punishment. For Videl, it very well might have meant a no-go on her trip. Very depressing indeed.
The lizard was reintroduced as Duasha of Ruan. The far away planet was semi-famous for mining ventures, ones that profited all parties greatly. They had come looking for resources that other planets would buy. It was a beneficial proposition; the only sacrifice was Pandova's permission for Ruani mining of the planet.
But there was still something in those eyes. Red they might have been, but they just as well could have been ice blue. The cat-like pupils narrowed slightly as he outlined the details of the trade contract.
His chi sat high as if in arrogance or dominance. Though little was known about where her lineage had descended from, she knew enough about her culture to see that he knew less.
Videl laughed inwardly at the display. It was the same haughtiness that had driven her ancestors away from their home planet, the same authority that the females had stolen from the males as they populated and controlled their new home. Her mother had to see this. It was written all over his scaly green face.
"Duasha, your contract is all very well, but it has nothing stated of Pandova's profits. I couldn't possibly sign this without knowing we will benefit," her mother said, somewhat incredulously.
"Of course, Queen Matiko," he appeased by producing a second sheet of paper.
"What? Will I sign both?"
"No, you needn't sign both, this is your side of the contract, it would merely be attached," he purred.
"You take me for a fool," she demanded as the lizard stepped back in surprise.
"No, of course not, milady! What would you have me do?"
"I would have you flip this paper over, and copy on to this side. That way there is no risk of 'misplacing' our side," she said, handing both papers back.
She's actually going to go for it? Videl thought, wide-eyed.
"I will have my attendant complete your request," he said, fairly subdued.
"Very well. We will meet here tomorrow, where we shall continue negotiations."
The Ruan lizard bowed and exited the grand cavern.
"Videl, I am disappointed you were not here on time. You also Antella."
Both girls hung their heads in shame.
I have a bad feeling about that lizard guy... But I wouldn't want her to think I am undermining her judgment. Maybe... maybe it's just a bad feeling because I was late.
"Videl, you may leave immediately. Your punishment will be your secluded training. Antella, you have an extra hour of... meditation each morning before your lessons."
The younger groaned inwardly at the thought of another hour of sitting still every morning.
"You are both dismissed."
"Finally away from all those distractions," Videl muttered as she stabilized the ship in orbit.
The system took extra minutes to align itself with the gravity of Pandova, and then kicked onto autopilot. She leaned back, relaxing in the pilots chair and reflecting upon that which Gohan had taught her. She remembered every detail, every instruction, every moment of training they had conducted. When she found herself satisfied, she removed herself from the pilot's chair and changed for training.
Then, she began.
The End – Part 1
Coming soon is Part 2 – Choices They Make
