"Your Highness, things are ready for your departure. Are you sure you want to go through with this, Zhandia?"
Zhandia turned from her post to gaze upon the beloved and wizened face of her advisor. Her emerald eyes shimmered with sadness and determination.
"Unfortunately, it is the only way, Astlar. You know it as well as I. If we are to bring peace to Antar; we must retrieve the remaining royal heirs. Without their help, we are doomed."
Astlar nodded in resignation, following at Zhandia's side as she left her sleeping chambers. They walked down the unlit corridors, not wanting to alert others of their presence. At this stage in the war, the pair didn't know who to trust or depend on.
They stopped at the end of the hall and looked about them cautiously. When they were certain that no one was about, Zhandia reached for the painting in front of her.
It had faded from age, but the image was crystal clear in her mind as the day it was painted. It was of the "Royal Four". In it, the King stood behind his queen with his hand rested upon her shoulder. Zan looked magnificent and powerful in his formal wear, a perfect compliment to Zhandia's more compassionate and poised form seated before him.
Seated to the left of them was Zan's sister, Vilandra. Her classic features were set in a cold and aloof look to match her husband, Rath's. He kneeled beside her, his arm draped along her shoulders. His other hand rests on the hilt of his sword, an ever-present companion to him in times of need. To look upon this picture, one would swear they held no fondness for one another, but that wasn't the case. They were as close as could be, but hard times had destroyed any innocence they might have had.
Zhandia caressed Zan's face, tears coming forth as she thought of her beloved. How she missed him and their times together… But soon she would be reunited with her love, and the only family she ever knew. She just prayed to the Gods, that they remembered her also.
"Zhandia… We don't have much time." Astlar's words broke her from her reverie. With an acknowledged nod, she pressed the hidden panel behind the picture, waiting for the soft click before the secret door slid open to reveal descending stairs. She lifted her skirt and began walking down them, every step ingrained on her mind so she had no need of a torch.
The pair made haste down the winding stairways until they reached a forbidding wall. Zhandia reached up once more to activate a switch, opening up yet another door. Inside lay the lab, filled with all the information and history of Antar… and Zhandia's ticket to saving her dying planet.
"Just in time, my dear. Right this way is the Crystal. We have a few short moments, before it will be activated. Are you prepared for this? Once this has started, there is no stopping it."
"I am well aware of what lies ahead of me, Gralin. Thank you for your concern, but it is misplaced. Save it for the people who desperately need it. I am prepared for what may come, so there is no need to delay. Astlar, who will be my companion on this journey? It would be unseemly for a young girl to live on her own, even if the humans claim to be civilized." Zhandia searched her bags to make sure everything was as it should be, barely looking over her shoulder to her Advisor.
"I have thought on this, and there wasn't that many I could trust with your life and of this grave mission. I thought myself as an option, but someone must stay behind and keep everything hushed. Gralin was my second option, but he must stay here to run the lab and get you home safely. There is but one other who is trust-worthy enough for this task. Tarik… He is a distant relative of mine, and shall protect you above all else. He shall be here within the moment."
As Astlar finished his statement, they heard footsteps upon the stairway. Soon, an older gentleman in his forties appeared in the doorway. He had on standard human clothing – a pair of jeans, a dark green sweater, and black loafers. He nodded his head as introductions were given, but said hardly a word. As soon as everything was finished, Zhandia and Tarik headed for the Crystal chambers that would transport them to Earth.
The mission was priority on both of their minds as they both fell asleep. It seemed simple enough when spoken – Find the Royals who were on Earth and bring them back. But it was anything but simple…