Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I'm simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD's get released.

Chapter Seventy – One – The Royal Seal

"That wasn't so difficult, was it?" asked Kitana after the others returned from the balcony.

"Only if hordes of adoring people are scary," said Kyle.

"We need a plan," said Liz. "It's time to sit down and think about what comes next."

"It's also time for a lot of questions to be answered," said Isabel. "Including why you never told us you were our father," she added, looking at Drinian.

"You are right," admitted Drinian. "We do have much to discuss."

"Later," interrupted Max, who had been, up until now, sitting quietly in a chair away from the others.
"Right now, we need to recall what is left of the Senate. Is there any way to contact the surviving members?"

"Yes, there is," said Drinian, a smiling appearing on his face.

"And we need to recall the surviving cabinet members and advisors as well," added Zan. How soon can this be done?"

"Word can be sent out immediately," said Drinian, his smile growing wider still. It pleased him to see his sons making decisions regarding their world.

"How long will it take them to get here?" asked Michael, joining the conversation. "And what about the Royal Antarian Guard. Did any of my men, I mean the men survive?"

"Many did, and were imprisoned. "We freed as many as we could. Most of them formed the core of the resistance group," explained Kitana.

"Hey, Space Boy, slow down," said Maria. "What's with the my men thing?"

"They are his men, Maria," explained Drinian. "He's finally accessing the memories of Rath, as are Zan and Max. They are calling upon the knowledge of their other lives to help them with the decisions they are making now."

"Maria, relax," said Michael, taking his wife into his arms. "I'm not planning on staying here. I made my choice; my life is with you, on Earth. But while I'm here, I'm going to do what it takes to help rebuild this world."

"When did you get all noble?" Maria asked with a watery smile. Sometimes Michael could be so insightful, it was almost scary.

"How soon before we can get everyone assembled?" asked Max.

"Most could be here by tomorrow," said Drinian. "Would that be acceptable to you?"

"Yes," answered Max and Zan simultaneously.

"Fine," continued Max. "Make arrangements for them to arrive, we'll have to prepare quarters for them all, and after that, we sit and we talk."

"So be it, Majesty," said Drinian, bowing his head to hide a smile.

"Don't call me that!" Max yelled, in mock anger, while the others echoed the sentiment right along with him.

The very tired group finally sat down to a meal together late in the evening. They amazed the palace staff by working right along side them to remove the signs of battle, and prepare the palace for the senate and cabinet members. By unspoken agreement, nothing of importance was discussed over dinner, and instead, Jim filled them in on the happenings in Roswell since they had been gone.

When the meal ended, they left the great hall and traveled though the palace to the stand outside the sealed doorway to the throne room. Isabel proudly removed the barrier, and the group entered the throne room. Max and Kyle shared a private smile while they examined the seal that appeared on the throne. By unspoken agreement, they decided to keep the panic they shared when the seal appeared unmentioned.

"Max, please step forward," commanded Drinian. "And take your rightful seat as the King of Antar."

A reluctant Max stepped forward and sat on the throne. He looked out at his friends and gave an uncomfortable smile.

"What do you think?" he asked the room in general.

"It's so you, girlfriend," said Maria, breaking the tension that had begun to mount.

"I'd like to try something if you don't mind, Max" said Drinian. "Please step down and remove the seal."

"Remove the seal?" asked Max in confusion. "How do I, never mind, I know, access the memories," he finished with a smile. He passed his hand over the seal and it disappeared from view. "I did this before," he said. "When Kivar attacked the palace. Michael and I came in here first and removed the seal."

"That's right, my son, you did," said Kitana. "You knew the dangers Kivar presented, and you took what measures you could to ensure that he could never rightfully take the throne. Only the King, or a descendant of the king could cause the seal to appear."

"That's why he wanted the Vilondra clone," whispered Isabel. "He wanted a make her pregnant. That way, the child could take the throne, and he could control the child."

"But it didn't happen, Isabel," said Alex, pulling her to him. "It didn't happen."

"Zan, please take the throne," said Drinian.

"Why?" asked Zan, refusing to move.

"Let's just call it an experiment," said Drinian with a laugh.

Zan reluctantly moved forward and sat on the throne, and the seal appeared again. When it did, the others gasped in amazement.

"What does it mean?" asked Liz. Is Zan the king now?"

"I'm not done yet," said Drinian. "Zan, remove the seal. When he does, Kyle I want you to take the throne."

"Hey, I'm kingly in my own right," said Kyle, "but I'm not the king, you know?" Never the less, when Zan removed the seal, Kyle stepped forward and sat on the throne, and the seal appeared again.

"Put it out, put it out!" he shouted, causing Max to laugh.

"Now who's channeling whose inner panic, Kyle," Max said.

"Shut up, Evans," said Kyle. "I have a few things I could add to this conversation, and you wouldn't like them very much."

"This is me, shutting up," said Max as Kyle stepped off the throne. Max quickly removed the seal, and Drinian motioned for Liz to sit down.

Liz gave Max a nervous smile, but did as she was asked, and the seal appeared. She jumped up quickly out of the throne and moved to Max's side and took his hand.

"I don't think I liked that very much," she whispered. "What does it mean?"

"I guess we'll find out eventually," Max whispered back.

Together they watched as the rest of their friends sat upon the throne, and caused the seal to appear. When they had all finished, they looked at one another, while a thousand unspoken questions echoed in their heads.

"We are almost done," said Drinian. "Max, if you would remove the seal please?"

Max stepped forward and removed the seal. After it was gone, Drinian sat upon the throne that had once been his own. Everyone waited expectantly, but the seal did not appear. Drinian stepped down and escorted Kitana to the throne. She perched delicately upon it, but again the seal did not appear. When she stepped down, Drinian motioned to Jim to step forward. He did so, reluctantly, afraid of what would happen. He sat gingerly on the throne and waited, but the seal did not reveal itself.

"What does it mean?" Liz asked again, this time louder. "Why is the seal appearing for all of us, but not for you?"

"I gave up the throne," explained Drinian. "I can never reclaim it, nor do I want to."

"Great," said Alex. "We know why it didn't turn on for you, or whatever it does, but why did it turn on for us?"

"It's very simple, Alex," said Drinian with a grin. "When I said the Granolith chose, I was correct. When I said it chose Max, I was wrong. The Granolith chose you all."