Well this chapter will more than likely the last of this year - how scary is that! Anyway, Merry Christmas to everyone reading this and good luck in 2012!
Everyone ready for a twist...
Ch 10-
The next few meetings got progressively more tense. It seemed that Valek was the first to hear the rumours and as each General got wind of them they eyed the Princess with dark eyes. More and more arguments broke out over the smallest things; the Generals feeling unease at the Princess' intentions. Valek did his best to quash the rumours but they got out of hand. Finally, after a week the strain was too much.
The delegation and Ixians were approaching the final points of the discussions. The Generals were arguing every point and the Commander was losing his temper. He too had heard of the rumours, but Valek had assured him he had spoken to the Princess and the rumours were false. If Valek was convinced that was good enough for Ambrose. He called a special session requesting that the Generals came alone, without their advisors.
"I have called this session so that the final papers may be drawn up and sent with the delegation for the King to sign; without the dramas if the past few days. Is everyone happy with the treaty as it stands?"
A couple of the Generals nodded. Valek could have cut the tension in the room with a knife. As the Commander opened his mouth to speak, Brazell stood. "No."
"Brazell? You have objections?"
"I will not sign this treaty. You have all heard the rumours. The integrity of the delegation has been called into question."
"The rumours are just rumours Brazell. There are no questions about the Princess or her delegation." Replied Ambrose in a dangerous voice.
"You would have us sign this treaty without giving us proof of that!" Brazell was angry, Valek was poised in case he moved against the Princess. "Are we supposed to take your word that this delegation will not be used against us? No-one has seen anyone from Tertia in years, even you could be fooled." Brazell ranted.
"Are you questioning me now?"
"I want proof!" He stormed around the table towards the Princess. The Princess stood. He stopped half a step away from her. "These rumours confirm the beliefs which circulated when you were sanctified at your coming of age ceremony, your majesty. Beliefs that your father put on you, a mark. A secret mark only a few were privileged to see. A mark to act as proof of your identity. I am sure, in order to finish these talks, you would have no objections in showing us this mark; thus ending our distrust."
"I do not have to show you anything General. " Kala replied, getting angry herself. "I came here to reunite our two lands. I do not expect to be accused like this."
"If you cannot prove you are the Princess then you must be an imposter!" Brazell grabbed Kala's arm and forced her into the centre of the room. Ambrose was on his feet. Aiyana stood at the side of the room her eyes wide as she played out what was going to happen. Valek moved forward but was stopped by Ambrose.
"Brazell!" he shouted. "Unhand her!"
Brazell maintained his grip. "She is an imposter! She cannot show the mark of the King. She is a threat to Ixia." Brazell was raging.
Ambrose slammed his gavel onto the table. "General Brazell!" Silence descended.
"Take your hands off her. Remove yourself to your chambers until you can control your temper!"
Brazell dropped Kala's wrist. "You will regret this Ambrose!" He stormed out of the room, murder in his eyes.
After a second of silence when the door shut, the room erupted with noise. The Generals shouted at each other; at the Commander; at Kala; some shouted for proof, others shouted to believe the Princess. Kala backed out of the centre area and sent a panicked look to Aiyana. Aiyanas shoulders sank as her eyes filled with regret. Kala almost imperceptibly shook her head. The look she got in return said we don't have a choice.
Swallowing her emotions Aiyana crossed the room to her friend. She gave her hand a quick squeeze as she walked past her and stopped in centre of the room.
"Commander!" she said, her voice lost in the commotion. "Commander!" she repeated louder, drawing the attention of some. The remaining voices died down as all eyes turned to look at Aiyana.
"Commander." She started again, drawing a deep breath. "The rumours going around your castle are not completely false…..Kala is not the Princess." An intake of breath went around the room. Aiyana continued before anyone could speak. "I am the Princess." The Generals began muttering to each other until Ambrose said "What?" Aiyana risked a look at Valek her eyes filling with tears.
"My name is Aiyana Regan Iliona, Princess of Tertia." She said her eyes never leaving Valeks face; her voice on the verge of breaking.
The room froze. Valek felt as though the floor had dropped from beneath him. Shock came at him in waves as moments flashed through his mind.
I've never been threatened like that before… it is not always best to judge people by reputation alone…they could be sisters…. my heart feels like it's balancing on a knife edge. Between what it wants and what it knows has to happen… I cannot guarantee you will like all you find out….it's not my past I'm worried about. His heart hardened as he realised he had been completely deceived; his face became stone.
Tearing her eyes from his face she moved closer to the Commander.
"You were present at my coming of age ceremony, were you not?" He nodded. "You know the secret mark of the King." Another nod. She stopped in front of his table. She fumbled with the gauntlet on her left wrist. She had a set to match every outfit; they looked so natural it crossed Valeks mind that he'd never even noticed them. She held out her bare wrist to the Commander. "Is this the secret mark?" The room seemed to hold its breath as he reached forward and took her wrist in his hand. He examined it for mere seconds, the mark was unique and there was no mistaking it.
"It is. You are the true Princess." He released her arm and she stepped back a little, replacing the gauntlet.
"I am sorry for my deception gentlemen, but it was necessary in protecting myself. Kala is my trusted body guard, my decoy and my best friend. We often trade places when travelling afar to decrease the risk of assassination. Something I hope you can understand Commander."
He looked at her for the longest time. "Please return to your suite Your Majesty. The Generals and I have things to discuss." She inclined her head to him and left the room with Kala.