Day 9

Rachael Ceronio listened to the sounds of Chris moaning in pain as Spice cleaned his wounds. From what she could hear, the poison leaf had worked. She stuck her head in the door. Christopher’s wounds had red bumps like welts all over them.

She tried not to laugh but it was perfect.

Spice was concerned about the reaction he had. She knew her medicine could not have done this to him. But there he was suffering. The guards said no one had been to visit him so she didn’t understand how.

Rachael went to find Tẽra but she couldn’t find her

Then she went and had the dance lesson that Tẽra was late for. Natrica had outfits made. To Rachael’s surprise she was enjoying the dance lessons. It wasn’t poll dancing, but rather sexy dance floor dancing, like the Rumba.

However even though she was fit from all the horse riding she found her body to be sore from yesterday’s dancing. Rachael was surprised at how Natrica could go and go.

She didn’t really like Natrica. Poor people and poll dancers weren’t in her circle of association. But on Chayim everyone was lost, poor and dependent upon the kindness of others. Not that this equalizer made much difference to Rachael.

“And let’s cool off with some stretches.” Natrica said.

She put her head on her knees.

“Only as far as what is comfortable” Natrica added.

From there they went to self-defense training with Joe.

Joe gave them all staffs. Including the ten men who were training with them. The ten General Nathan trusted. They were still learning how to stand properly and strike without creating an opening.

Zazo arrived with five more men.

“My queen I have the men I trust with me.” Zazo said.

“Thank you.” Tẽra answered him.

Rachael had never expected to learn so much in her trip. Dancing and self-defense. She intended to use both in her future. Particularly the self-defense as Tẽra’s way of handling Chris was less than good enough for her. Once Chris was free, she would finish him.

Blinded by revenge she didn’t even notice the good-looking soldier who was visually enjoying her.

After training Rachael went to see the horses. She was very happy that at least two of her horses where there. She wondered what had happened to the others. Where they lost/ sold or stolen?

She decided to go for a ride, the hills outside the castle welcomed her.

* * *

Natrica had done a great job of fixing Rosaleighm’s hair. The child looked more like a child then a forest squirrel, having a bad, very bad day.

Joe noticed Rachael’s determination and eagerness to learn while training. Even though she was still weak from the infection she got due to the branding she received.

Joe didn’t really care about her intentions but was just happy she was trying.

“How are you doing?” Natrica asked Joe.

“Good?” Joe replied.

“Well, I am asking because this has been quite the trip. You are still healing from your fight with that cat woman.”

Joe tried to put her at ease.

“I am healing quickly. How was facing Black Beard Gruff?”

“Horrible really. But if this is what I need to do then I will do it. After all, this is my new life and I intend to make the most of it. No point in having regrets or repeating past mistakes.”

“Rachael told us you said I was an angel. I want to be clear, I am not.”

“You have been my guardian. Helped people, protected the weak.” Natrica said like this was a self-explaining fact.

“Natrica, I killed those people.” Joe said.

“I trust it was necessary.” Natrica said calmly.

“I’m not an angel.” Joe said.

“Maybe you weren’t, and maybe you still aren’t but I believe in you. I trust you.” Natrica said.

Joe wanted to say don’t. But it was nice. Having someone see you for who you could be rather than who you were or still are.

Rosaleighm came and took Joe’s hand. She looked at the child who now had clothes that weren’t torn or too small.

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

“I wonder if she will start talking.” Natrica pondered.

“That would be nice. But not necessary.” Joe replied “You did a great job with her hair.”

“Thank you. It wasn’t easy. She doesn’t like water.”

“I have noticed. Must be a reason why.”

“I wonder how long she has been on her own?” Natrica stared at the girl.

“Maybe next we can try shoes” Joe said looking at her bare feet.

“You can try.” Natrica said.

Joe observed Tẽra and Zazo talking after training.

Natrica looked to see what Joe was looking at.

“They are happy together.” Natrica said.

“What!?!” Joe asked.

“That man talking with Tẽra. The one she seems to trust. They look happy.”

Joe shook her head.

“I will keep an eye on him.” Joe said with a distant voice.

Tẽra then left. Shortly after her leaving a man joined Zazo. A man with peculiar eyes. They were lilac and blue and white. The lilac was like flames coming in towards the pupil. He had white hair and he was tall with excellent posture.

Joe and Zazo played an awkward game of charades in which Zazo asked where the queen was going, and Joe tried to answer.

The man with lilac eyes looked at them with impatience. He seemed to be in a hurry. Not that being in a hurry with the real queen would work in your favor. As queen Tiffany beheaded anyone who offended her. Tiffany was not easily amused and she didn’t value any one person. With the exception of her handmaid Hannah.

The man kissed Natrica on the lips then resumed his position with his hands folded in front of him.

Natrica looked freaked out.

“I didn’t want that.” She stated.

“I am Keimoni. Do not be afraid. I mean you no harm. I only needed to bridge the language barrier between us.”

Joe and Natrica looked at each other.

“You speak English?” Joe said annoyed.

“I do now. I am able to learn everything in a kiss.” Keimoni said.

“Kiss me and I will kill you.” Joe said.

“I believe this to be true. I see you are a friend of the queen. I have come to serve the queen.” Keimoni said.

“Have you now? How are you going to serve the queen?” Natrica questioned.

“I will keep a record of facts and gain knowledge to help her reign over the land in safety.”

“You said you learn things from a kiss. How much do you learn?” Joe asked.

“Everything. I am a Viden this is what we do.”

“You know everything about me?” Natrica worried.

“Yes, I am the keeper of knowledge. I will only share with the queen that which will or might affect her rule.”

Joe narrowed her eyes.

“So, what can you tell me about Zazo?” she asked.

“Nothing you don’t already know.” Keimoni replied.

“How old are you?” Natrica asked.

“I am old enough.”

“Answer the question.” Joe demanded.

“I am thirty-seven cycles and I am the only Viden that will work with the queen. I believe she is willing to make different choices and her invite was not a trap.”

Zazo looked at them confused. He had no idea what they were staying. He cleared his throat. Making them focus on him.

“The queen?” he asked.

“I am here to see the queen.” Keimoni said “Please take us to her”

Joe eyed him.

“I will take you to see the queen.” She said.

Joe and Natrica took the new comer to see Tẽra. Zazo accompanied them.

Joe knocked on the door.

“Come in” Tẽra responded.

Tẽra looked at Zazo and the new comer.

“I am Keimoni the Viden you sent for. I have come to help you in any way you need.” He said in the royal vernacular.

“He kissed me unwantedly and now he says he knows everything about me.” Natrica explained.

Tẽra put Otchulissa on the floor. She looked at Keimoni.

“How do I know, you know everything about Natrica? You could be lying or pretending.”

“Are you testing me?” he asked.

“Yes.” Tẽra said.

“Natrica is the only daughter of Sara.”

He turned and addressed Natrica.

“You have many brothers. You dance for people to look after your brothers. The Ceronio foundation helped you study as an accountant. But they chased you away saying you were not the right image required for the job. You come from another world and you don’t know how you got here. Joe found you dancing on tables after you got the attention of Black Beard Gruff a man who threatened to kill you. Shall I really go on?” he asked.

“Nope” Natrica said.

“If you kiss Rosaleighm will you know everything about her?” Natrica asked.

“Yes”

“Can you help her speak?” Natrica asked.

“No”

“Would you tell us how to help her?”

“I only share with the queen.”

“So, you wouldn’t help even if you could?” Natrica asked.

“If my queen wanted, I would try to help. But I am the keeper of knowledge. I cannot do for her anything you can’t do.”

(Keimoni had a secret. He was cast out of his position among the Viden for being too emotional. He didn’t relay facts only and the great stain of loving a Terra was put against him.

Viden believe emotions are weakness. They moved through life as spectators of the lives of others. Not being influenced by the wrongs or rights in the world but simply remembering all and stating only facts when asked.

Some Viden were without emotions. Most were able to stay objective despite their emotions. But Keimoni couldn’t, he was not objective about what he knew. He wanted to influence change from his knowledge. So, he was excommunicate from the tribe.

So, when Zazo’s men went looking for a Viden brave enough to serve the queen and none of the invited Viden replied. He saw an opportunity to rise above the masters of his clan and make a difference from where it mattered most. Sitting beside the queen. The most powerful person in the land.)

Tẽra was not pleased by this. She worried that now he would try to use the knowledge, of her, not being the queen against her.

“I will only answer to my queen. I am at your service.” He told Tẽra.

“You will need to prove yourself, and you may not kiss any of my friends.” Tẽra said.

“It will be as you have said”

“So, do you know who I am?” Tẽra asked him.

“You are my queen. Where you were born is not important.” He answered.

Smooth, Tẽra thought.

“I will need you to work with Hodge the records keeper. I am looking for a few things. First the protocols for tribal greetings. I want the peace conference to be a success this requires me to learn things quickly. I am also wanting a way to reopen the sugs. Any other information that will help me rule or that I need to know will be your job to inform me.”

“How will I know who your friends are?” Keimoni asked.

“They speak and understand English. We are all from earth.” Tẽra answered.

Then Keimoni went to the records hall to work with Hodge and prove himself to Tẽra the new queen.

Keimoni was impressed at how smoothly Tẽra had taken over. No one had noticed it wasn’t Tiffany. They all believed she was the queen. New comers from Earth had taken over the land and no one knew it. This was the type of powerful friends he wanted.

Zazo spoke with Tẽra

“My queen I apologize for the Viden kissing Natrica. It was impulsive of him.” Zazo apologized.

“Zazo you are not responsible for him. He will now prove himself to me… or not. But you nor anyone else will be held accountable for him.”

“My queen you are generous.”

Natrica and Joe slipped out, moaning about the new guy who kissed her.

“That was the perfect opportunity to strike back.”

Joe told Natrica as they left. Leaving Tẽra talking with Zazo.

Zazo looked sad

“I have discovered that the woman Lakisha went over a waterfall. Her body has not been found. It’s presumed to have drifted into the swamps.”

“That’s terrible.” Tẽra said.

“My men tried to find her body but it is too dangerous to go into the swamp. I am sorry my queen.” Zazo said.

Tẽra didn’t know what to say. Lakisha being lost to the swamp was terrible. How would she ever tell James?

“Thank you, Zazo, for finding out. Please try to recover her body, even if it is in a bad way.”

She wanted to be alone.

General Nathan Steel got news that a Viden had arrived as requested by the queen. He then separated his men into groups. He knew sooner or later the Viden would pay them a visit. He didn’t want the Viden over stepping and kissing anyone. There was rank and protocol to follow.

* * *

Natrica and Joe had been practicing their royal vernacular with Spice over and above the normal daily lesson. Joe had a knack for languages.

After their talks with Spice, they decided to try get some shoes on Rosaleighm.

Natrica showed her the pretty boots. Joe showed her that she was wearing shoes.

Rosaleighm came and let Natrica put one shoe on her. But when she saw her foot was gone, she freaked out and ran off wearing one shoe.

Joe and Natrica searched for Rosaleighm.

“Rosaleighm. Rosaleighm? Where are you? Shoes aren’t bad they are good. Rosaleighm…”

Joe’s voice faded as she walked, looking for her.

“Come on try some shoes. They are good for your feet.” Natrica told Rosaleighm.

Rosaleighm just hid in the walls. Her foot was gone and she was not going to let them take the other!

Joe and Natrica meet up.

“This castle is so big we will never find her and if she is hiding in the walls our chances are even less.” Natrica complained.

“Maybe we need to bribe her. Something tasty from the kitchen. Nice food for the shoe.” Joe suggested.

They went to the kitchen. Maids worked away. Cooking, cleaning and preparing the ovens. They eyed the new comer who came in with Natrica, they had somehow managed to befriend the evil queen.

Joe and Natrica help themselves to freshly baked goods. They then went around calling for Rosaleighm.

“Rosaleighm, I have food. Nice delicious food. I will give you this food for a shoe?” They tempted.