Authors notes:
Thanks to my husband for doing the beta on this. It may not yet be perfect, but as this is the 3rd or 4th rendition, I am ready to be done for now.
Many thanks to those who demanded the next chapter! I did leave out some tidbits about Cady (and she is NOT happy about that) so I may add them as a bloopers section later.
I have included an Earth legend here, much to the dismay of my husband. However, after having rewrote it as an Arusian one, it did not fit and no one would understand the reference. So, using my awesome powers as the author, I am leaving this gaping plot hole deliberately. :)
Please enjoy and let me know what you think!
Lastly, there are some archaic (my husband says obsolete) words and grammar included most deliberately.
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" `Hope springs eternal', so the ancient saying goes. Humans cannot live without hope. It guides our steps betimes, and lifts our spirits in the dark hours. When faced with overwhelming odds or catastrophic circumstances, hope keeps the feet moving, the hands busy, the mind calm.
Pandora opened the box and outward into the world leapt all the ills and travails not previously known to humankind. Illness came into the world for the first time. Humans learned grief and suffering. At the very bottom of the box lay one last gift of the gods. Hope. With hope, any suffering or travail transforms from an insurmountable problem into a small obstacle.
As small children, we cling to our hopes with a stubbornness only the very young and unworldly can attain. Regardless of what our parents and teachers say, a child will continue to look forward with hope for their desired outcome. Perhaps this year did not bring the exact present wanted at Harvest, but that only means next year will bring an even better one. The rain will stop in time to have a picnic and the rainbow has an end and a magic doorway into an enchanted world filled with endless delights.
Children grow into adults. The ability to hope in the impossible fades amongst the onslaught of schooling, working, bills, relationships, and all the realities adults face. The first disappointment of youth makes the first small chip in belief in the impossible and the improbable. It comes at a different moment for each person; perhaps the day when a child catches their parents' setting out the Harvest Bread; or when seeing a parent switching the baby tooth for some coin rather than their Guardian Spirit. Maybe the moment comes when a trusted adult breaks a promise or reneges on a bargain. Childish reality and trust begin to give way to grown-up reality and wariness.
Those who survive the assault on childhood with their ability to hope intact often find themselves labeled as dreamers or misfits. Yet from these people come great hopes for the future. Those who can see beyond today. Those who create incredible works of art or create inventions which change the world. Dreams wrought from the hopes of a better tomorrow and a belief in the impossible.
War grinds down on the ability to hope for a better tomorrow. Hope fades with every drop of blood shed and the wails of the mother whose child has died from the indifference of the war machine. The bright shiny edges of hope dull against the parent who boils leaves to a thin broth for a hungry child; the planet ravaged until it gives forth no sustenance, no beauty. Most of all hope dies as war reveals the hero as a tired man who just wants to rest. Our heroes stand as a shining beacon against the dark. When the heroes fall, to whom can people turn?
The child. For whom all things can and will happen. To whom magic exists in every day life; the caterpillar what spins a cocoon and emerges as a butterfly; the plant slowly unfurling into life and reaching for the sun; the chick emerging from the egg. Follow the child's faith and hope. For only in that can the impossible become ordinary and the ordinary become extraordinary."
---From the writings of Gerod
"Yeah, right," muttered Allura, throwing the book aside in frustration. "Easy to say, not so easy to follow. Follow the child. Well, Gerod did not have to deal with a world in the aftermath of yet another devastating attack. He did not have to try to find words for the mother who lost her last child defending their home." Jumping up she started to pace, letting her mounting anger push her steps faster. "Goddess and God Above he lived in the time of great prosperity on Arus! That pompous, over-educated, underwhelming," words trailed off into silence, the princess seethed as the perfect description for Gerod escaped her. Suddenly, she let out a breath and sank into the chair.
Her mother had first given her the writings of Gerod after she had overheard someone she considered a friend telling another girl Allura's secrets. Crying, Allura ran to her mother feeling betrayed. The world had acquired a small tarnish that day. Mother had shooed everyone out of the room and then opened her arms to her daughter. With her head on her mother's chest, Allura poured out everything she had overheard. The queen had not responded for several minutes, just running her hand soothingly over her daughter's hair. "Gerod would say this would be your first chip."
Confused, Allura sniffled and asked what that meant. Instead of answering, her mother opened a drawer in the desk and pulled out a slim volume. "Read this, daughter and then come to me with your questions."
The other girl forgotten in the mystery of the book, Allura thanked her mother, gave her a kiss on the cheek and ran off to find a quiet place to read. In her hurry to solve the mystery, she did not see the shadow crossing the queen's eyes nor the tears running down her cheeks as the mother mourned the loss of something precious.
Gerod had sustained Allura through the first devastating attacks, the loss of her parents, the ruin of her world. She had tried to believe with a child's faith someone would come to their rescue. Until now, she had done nothing harder. Gerod offered no comfort. Keith had lay in a coma for nearly three weeks. Dr. Gorma continued to offer platitudes, but the team knew the statistics. The longer Keith remained in a coma, the less likely he would emerge.
Hope withered as time passed. The critical time for Keith to awaken from the coma had come and gone. Gorma had no obvious medical reason. Physically, the captain continued to improve. With the parasite eradicated, his body had finally begun to absorb nutrients and put on weight. Broken bones finally started knitting as material became available for repair work. As the second week passed, Mikko ordered physical stimulation of muscles. Physical therapists came in every two hours to work with the captain. Keith had no muscle left to atrophy, therefore the therapists worked to help rebuild and replace the muscle loss. Nothing would compare to an aware patient, but the medical staff would not accept less. The therapists had worked out an around the clock schedule for the captain. They had also developed some therapies the night nurses could use. Allura had learned the therapists also took turns going on short sleep in order to help Keith.
A watery smile crossed the princess' face. Keith just did not know how many lives he touched or what his sacrifice meant to the people of Arus. He had literally given everything of himself and driven his body to the ground. More importantly, he had gifted his daughter with the hope of peace and prosperity in her lifetime at the potential cost of never coming home to her again. Yesterday, Coran had shared a letter the commander had left. Lifting it from her desk, Allura read a part of it again.
"There are so many things I wanted to say to Cady. So many things I wanted to do. I think every parent who faces their own mortality questions their choices as a parent. One thing I know that I did right: Cady will always know how much I treasured and adored her. Perhaps her Uncles and I spoiled her, but she brought us such joy and delight, how could we do anything else? It is for her and for every child on Arus I can make this terrible decision. My heart lies heavy and beats sadly, for I know the chance of seeing the peaceful and prosperous Arus for myself and watching the children learn to play without fear in the meadows and parks.
"Lance will laugh at my over-preparedness, but enclosed are letters for Cady. I have tried in the last few years to remember my childhood, friends, and family. It should give her a sense of her history and family. I know she will have many more stories and tales from her Uncles, Aunts, and cousins, but I wanted her to have my perspective as well.
"There is more to say, but please always tell Cady this: she gave my life a reason and a purpose. She helped bond five young men and create a family in a way few people can ever experience. The instant the doctor placed her in my arms, my life and life's purpose shifted. As a parent my most important job is to keep Cady safe. I am and always will remain willing to sacrifice anything to keep my daughter safe and give her peace. Nothing will ever take the place of that goal. Nothing.
"I also will take this burden for all the parents of Arus who cannot protect their children as I can. As Arus has given us a home, so will I stand firm against any who try to harm her children."
Allura slowly lowered the letter to her desk. It continued for several pages, but these passages brought the princess a measure of comfort. Rarely did Keith show such emotion and passion so obviously. Few people saw beyond the stoic exterior and adherence to rules and regulations. No one who saw the captain and his daughter doubted his devotion and protectiveness but only a handful saw the great love and joy behind them.
Cady did not doubt her father would come back to her. He had promised her to return if possible. Like Gerod said, she did not doubt and hoped and believed in the improbable. Her caretakers had tried to prepare her for the chance her father would not wake. Each time she had solemnly looked at the speaker and said, "Just wait. He will wake up when he feels better." With that simple statement she proved Gerod right about a child's ability to hope and believe in the impossible and improbable. Perhaps Allura could take a lesson from her.
Shaking her head, Allura put the book aside. The hour had grown late and tomorrow brought another day of recovery and rebuilding. Bunkers remained buried, crops needed planting, stragglers needed shelter, food, and medical care, and the list continued. At least this time, the loss of property did not mean a meager existence in caves, struggling to find enough to eat to prevent people from starving. This time Arus had prepared for the worst. The next year would prove difficult due to the loss of major crops. No one would go hungry although everyone would have to tighten their belts for a time. Only three more months of the growing season, if the Goddess and God Above could hold winter for a time. Enough for quick growing crops. With some towns still buried, not enough fields could be planted.
Taking a breath, Allura deliberately brought her thoughts to a screeching halt. She would do no one any good by brooding. Best to sleep and start fresh in the morning. Tossing her robe carelessly at the foot of the bed, the princess crawled into the covers. With years of practice, she pushed aside all thoughts and concentrated on the quiet in her mind. Exhaustion of weeks of hard labor, war, and recovery efforts had her sleeping within a few minutes. Allura knew nothing more until morning.