The Desert King
In the center of a desert city was a palace built into the side of an active volcano. In the throne room on the top floor was a tall, robust human male, with intimidating, sharp, and bold features. He had a crown of thorns growing from his bald skull, and locks of braided white hair around the side and back of his head. He stood at the open window, gazing down at his city of jaded warriors, men and women, even the children carrying weapons, ready to do battle at any moment. He sighed longingly as one of the children ran up to his father with joy. He covered his eyes and struggled to compose himself.
"Where are you, my son? When will you come home to me? My dear Calliope, please, I beg of you, return our son to me," He gripped his staff desperately, a single tear hitting his hand.u
"Sire!" A familiar, deep voice echoed as he heard the elevator rising up the shaft. "Damas! Damas! I have news!" Sig barely let the elevator get to the top before leaping out and hurrying to his side. "Turn on your television." He instructed. "Something big is happening in Haven."
Damas growled at the interrupting to his grieving. "What are you on about, Sig? There is only one thing in Haven that I care about."
"King Damas, I insist, you need to see this for yourself," Sig pushed the small set over on its wheeled stand and switched it on. For a few moments it was all static but then he heard the announcer.
A blonde young man went wild on his guitar. "Your kisses lift me higher. Like the sweet song of a choir.
You light my morning sky. With burning love. With burning love!"
Damas rolled his eyes. "This is what I needed to see?" He asked skeptically.
Sig chuckled. "Look to the left edge of the stage. He's just barely on screen but he's there."
Damas got closer and squinted until he saw an old man in his white robes and a child in a toddler's sailor uniform. He covered his mouth. "That… it's… it's… I'd know those eyes anywhere… that nose…" He couldn't hide the misting in his eyes. "And that man… he must have come back when he learned we were in trouble." He allowed Sig to see the rare smile. "You must go and bring them here. At once."
Sig nodded. "As you wish, Sire. As you wish." He ran from the room.
Damas turned back to the tv in time for the blonde to lower his guitar and step up to the mic. "Alright, we have enough time for one more song tonight. What do you all want to hear?" He asked.
"FREEBIRD!" A voice shouted and the rest of the crowd agreed.
The song began with an emotionally slow guitar solo. Damas looked at the young man close. He blinked a few times. Those eyes. The chin. The shape of his nose. No, that couldn't be possible. He was imagining things. He forced himself to look away. It just wasn't possible.
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Della and the Dealer/He's Mine
With a big, glorious guitar solo, the song came to a close and the crowd began to disperse. The Underground began the arduous task of packing up their instruments and equipment.
Errol pulled Ashelin aside. "So, you really did it. You betrayed your father for the Underground." He said disapprovingly.
She sighed. "I didn't have a choice. He's using his power to abuse these people. They don't deserve to be treated like criminals and prisoners when they've done nothing wrong. And they don't deserve to be bullied by the Krimzon Guard," she explained. "The bulk of the Underground wants to kill him. Jak just wants to stop the fighting and free our city. There are only two ways for this to end and I've already lost my mother. If I work with the Underground, I can save my father from himself."
Errol glared at the man who spoke with the elderly sage. "That Eco Freak? Really? He's a monster, Ashelin. I indulged you this time but your father will defeat the Underground. I'm going to pretend I don't know who that child is with that old fogey though since the Underground is protecting him, it's kind of obvious! But I can't do it again."
"Then join us! You don't have to do everything my father says! You had fun today! Admit it! That could be everyday! You don't have to be our enemy! Think about that new girlfriend of yours," she pleaded. "Come with me. We can help this city and Father together." She offered her hand.
He looked at her hand then to the old man and the child, back to her hand, then finally to the palace above them. "I can't Ash. I'm sorry but I still believe in your father even if you don't. And if I leave… to whom does he have left to turn?" He turned his eyes to the ground. "As I said, I'll pretend I saw nothing today but I can't do it again." He glowered once more at Jak, who only nodded, before stomping off with his squadron.
The blond man came up beside her and took her hand. "You tried. He'll come around eventually. He'll have to." He squeezed her hand. "Hey, we're all going to the Hip Hog to celebrate. Come on."
Ashelin squeezed his hand back. In the short month, he'd slowly become her most loyal confidante. "I just hope you're right. He's my friend and… an excess of loyalty is hardly a sin. Even if he's expressing it poorly."
He gave her a half-hug in comfort before they left for the saloon.
Walking in, they were immediately approached by the rancid-smelling floating man. "Jak, I saw your little spectacle tonight. I must say… I'm impressed by your courage. Or was it stupidity?"
Jak laughed. "We helped the people let their hair down today. They remembered what fun and joy are like. I wouldn't call that stupid." They sat down and Krew groaned.
"You brought the child back? Jak, you're going to get me into trouble," he sighed.
"If you don't serve him alcohol, you'll be fine," Ashelin stated as they reviewed the menu. "Don't worry."
Kor got his son settled, straightening his collar. "I don't feel comfortable leaving him at home alone." He settled the argument. "Just give him an orange juice like last time. He liked that, didn't you Kaj?"
The boy nodded and the man groaned in defeat. "Very well. He seems well-behaved enough. Oh, Tess, you're with them?"
She shrugged. "Well they were auditioning members, and I can play both trumpet and keyboard so, I tried out." She explained. He didn't need to know she only took his job to spy on him. "It was fun. Why didn't you try out?"
He frowned. "I wasn't asked. I didn't know about the try-outs."
Ash and Jak exchanged glances. "Do you play an instrument?" Jak asked curiously. "I honestly didn't think you'd be interested."
Krew pointed at an acoustic guitar hanging above the door. "I do. And I sing." He floated up the guitar and pulled it down off of its hooks.
Ashelin grinned. "Then give us a tune. Sing us something."
He quickly tuned the wooden guitar. "Well, I suppose I could. It's been years since I played." He thought and began. "It was Della and the Dealer and a dog named Jake and a cat named Kalamazoo. Left the city in a pick up truck. Gonna make some dreams come true."
The saloon became quiet when a surprising bass-baritone voice came from the man. Everyone listened intently to the country ballad about Della and the dealer.
Jak nodded. "He's pretty good," he whispered to Ashelin. "Maybe we should invite him to participate somehow." He looked up when he heard the familiar clang of armor.
"Jak! Jak! Thank the precursors you're here and I don't have to go huntin' ya down," Sig said. He smiled at Kaj who was drinking his juice. "Hello there kid. Am I happy to see you. Look, Jak, I need you and the kid to come with me. The old man too." He said with excitement.
Jak looked at Kor, who put an arm around his son. "Give us a few minutes. What's wrong?" He whispered.
"Nothing's wrong. Nothing is wrong. Exactly the opposite! But you have to come with me," Jak had never seen Sig like this before. His eyes were shining with barely restrained glee. "Whoa! Is that Krew? Damn, didn't know that fat slob could sing." He whispered.
"If that cat could talk, what tales he'd tell about Della and the Dealer and the dog as well. But the cat was cool and he never said a mumbling word," the man continued to sing into the third verse. The bar patrons listened and even clapped in time.
Jak nodded. "I know, right? Look what's this about? What do you need with Kaj? Do you know him?"
Sig nodded. "I can't talk about it here. Too many ears. Lady Ashelin, you know why. Come with us. He'll want to see you too."
Kor stood up. "No! We won't go! It's getting late. Kaj needs supper, a bath and his bed. It's too late to go anywhere tonight." He picked up the child. "He's mine!" He clutched Kaj tightly. "Jak, let's go home. Ashelin, Daxter." He ordered with the authority of a father. He leaned over to hiss at Sig, his teeth becoming pointy. "I know who you are and you cannot have him. It's too late. He's mine!"
Jak sighed. "Sorry Sig. I don't know what's going on but Kor is a bit overprotective. And he's lost a lot. It would ruin everything if he lost Kaj too." He went up to Krew. "That was great. You're welcome to join us next time we play for the people. We'll let you know when." He followed Kor out, Daxter on his shoulder and Ashelin by his side.
Sig sighed. This was going to be harder than he thought. Who was that old man? What was he? Why was he so angry?
AN: Will Sig be able to get Kor to bring Damas back his son? Or will Kor allow his old selfishness borne from his grief to get in the way?