Day 12
Tẽra Trazzie had stress dreams most of the night. Everything that could go wrong went wrong. She was tried and yet buzzing on nerves and adrenaline. This was the second night that she had not slept well and before that she was hangover.
She walked the quiet passages in the castle, looking at the rooms where she housed a small army. An army loyal to some who wanted her dead. She realized it was not a good idea for her to be walking around without a guard. She stroked Otchulissa who made a purring noise. She really liked her new pet.
Tẽra wondered to the kitchen and found some fish to give her.
Then Rosaleighm the child who followed Joe everywhere came into the kitchen.
“Are you also hungry?” Tẽra asked her.
There was a nod from the girl.
“Here, have some bread.” Tẽra gave her bread which had been baked the night before for dinner.
Rosaleighm eyed the cat.
“Do you want to touch her? She won’t bite if you are gentle.” Tẽra said.
Rosaleighm shook her head.
Otchulissa finished her fish.
The cat and the girl stared at each other.
Tẽra picked Otchulissa up.
“It’s alright you don’t need to touch her. I will take her away.”
Rosaleighm put out her hand cautiously. Otchulissa couldn’t see Rosaleighm getting closer.
“Stay calm.” Tẽra said.
“Close your eyes.”
She took her hand and slowly move closer to the girl. Her eyes tightly shut and Otchulissa facing the other way on Tẽra’s shoulder.
Then her fingers stroked the soft fur.
She giggled. It was a sound Tẽra had never heard her make.
She spread her fingers in the fur. Tẽra moved her hand so she was stroking her.
Otchulissa purred away unaware that it was not Tẽra.
Rosaleighm spread her fingers and closed them again in the fur. She giggled each time.
“See it’s nice.” Tẽra said.
The child nodded.
A servant came in and startled them.
“My queen. Can I get you anything?”
“No, it’s alright.” Tẽra said.
Rosaleighm was gone when Tẽra looked back.
Josephina Jujitsu woke up and this time Rosaleighm was not by her feet. A moment later the child crawled out of the fireplace with bread crumbs on her clothes.
Joe smiled, she brushed the crumbs off.
Natrica Woods sat in her dance studio. She had loved teaching them to dance. She had never thought about being a dance teacher but after her little adventure she was sure that is what she was going to do once she returned to earth. She was going to be a dancing instructor.
Rachael Ceronio walked with determination. She was going to see Chris. She hadn’t been to see him after Ranger healed him.
When she arrived in the room there, he lay tied to his bed.
“Hi” she said.
Chris’ face fell. He looked around for someone else in the room who could maybe help him. But they were the only two.
“What do you want?” he asked.
“A lot of things. But you can’t give them to me.” She replied.
“Why are you here?” he asked looking around.
“I wanted to see if I still wanted to kill you. But I am not going to kill you. I am going to let you live. Not because you deserve it but because I deserve to not have to do it.” She said calmly.
“So, you are not here to kill me just say sorry?” he looked surprised.
“No. I am not apologizing I am just saying goodbye. If I see you again, I will kill you. But not today.”
“You can’t kill me without an advantage? Like me being tied to a bed and unable to defend myself.”
“Are you asking me to kill you now?” Rachael asked.
“You don’t have the stomach for it.” He said.
“Here I was trying to have a fresh start and you just make me want to kill you.” She said getting angry.
Rachael composed herself.
“What you did to me is never going to be ok. But I will let karma get you instead.”
“Karma and I are friends. We drink together.” Chris provoked.
Rachael was getting the feeling that something was amiss. She looked at his restraints, but she didn’t get close.
She decided to leave. She would come back with back up.
Lakisha Thornbulton woke up ready for the day. She had so much catching up to do. She went to wake James and found him sleeping. But purple spots where on his skin, like polka dots.
Lakisha ran to Fiona’s room. She banged on the door over and over until Fiona opened it.
“What?” Fiona moaned.
“It’s James, he’s not right he has purple on his skin. He’s not all purple but still purple. I need Ranger to heal him properly.”
Fiona opened the door wide and let Lakisha rant to Ranger.
Ranger followed her. He saw James was turning purple again.
Ranger went and got Spice.
“Do you know what is going on?” Ranger asked.
“It was a magic translator potion that did it to him. Maybe he needs a magic cure?” Spice suggested.
“How will we find that?” Ranger asked.
Spice told him a story about a wizard who was only seen every fifty cycles. It is said he grants the wishes of some who find him. But she had no idea where to find him. It is possible another with magic could help if they could be found. But she wasn’t sure how to find them or how to tell if someone had magic.
Lakisha watched them talking and wondered why they were taking so long to heal James.
Fiona watched them talk. She had started to pick some things up.
“Ranger can’t heal him.” Fiona said to Lakisha.
“Why not? He healed him last night.” Lakisha objected.
Lakisha ran to Tẽra’s room. Joe was standing outside the door.
“This is not proper behavior.” Joe said.
“James is turning purple. Ranger can’t heal him. I need to speak to Tẽra.” Lakisha said.
“I will let Tẽra know when she comes out.” Joe replied.
“Why won’t you let me see her?” Lakisha was becoming hysterical.
“Tẽra is now queen, no one can just run in while she is dressing.”
Lakisha decided to start yelling.
“Tẽra, Tẽra, Its James.”
Joe grabbed her and covered her mouth then locked on her neck until she passed out and slid to the floor. Joe rolled her out of the doorway.
Tẽra finished dressing. It was not easy getting dressed in the clothes of the queen. Her soft pink dress neatly decorated with frills flowed to the floor.
Tẽra opened her door.
“Is she dead?” Tẽra asked seeing Lakisha.
“No, she was making a seen. She says James is purple. She was disrespecting your place as queen and intended to go into your chambers.”
“Are you able to carry her?” Tẽra asked.
“Maybe but the guard in the hall should be able to.” Joe said.
Tẽra asked the guard to bring Lakisha to her room. She saw James, he had a fever and the purple spots were getting bigger.
“We need the wizard or someone with magic.” Spice said.
“Magic?” Tẽra said.
“Yes, Ranger cannot heal him. He can just keep him alive longer.”
“Isn’t Ranger’s healing ability magic?” Tẽra asked.
“No! Not at all.” Ranger said.
“How do we find the wizard or a person with magic?”
“The seventh first born of seven first born. Only they have magic and only a trained one can heal him. Counteraction the magic that is killing him.”
“Great!” Tẽra said sarcastically.
“How do we find a trained seventh first born?”
No one knew how to find a trained man of magic.
Tẽra was called as another ambassador arrived.
“Keep him alive. Please.” Tẽra said.
Ranger was not strong enough to heal James again so soon.
Tẽra greeted Irania a Mystic healer there to represent the Mystic healers in the Peace talks.
A servant took her to her room, but she asked if Ranger was in the castle and if so, may she speak with him?
So, the servant took her to Ranger.
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After some persuading, she agreed to heal James and sit the first day of the peace conference out.
Ranger sent a letter to his tribe asking all of them to please come to the castle. He hoped that if more than one tried to heal him that they might be able to.
Tẽra greeted Victoria the baroness of the Jeku region.
“My old friend, what are you getting at? I could hardly believe the invitation. So, I came, I simply must see what you are really up to.”
“I have decided I want peace. I want to honor my father’s memory.” She replied.
“Oh my! You are serious.”
Victoria eyed her.
“You look different. I can’t put my finger on it, but you look different.”
Victoria added.
“If you change your beautiful mind. I will happily supply you with men to feed to your beautiful beasts. I did love how they ate them so neatly.” Victoria looked delighted.
Keimoni came to join Tẽra in her greeting of the ambassadors.
“Who is Victoria?” Tẽra asked.
Hodge who was so plain no one noticed him spoke up.
“Your partner in death. She loves to kill and see suffering just as much as the old you.” He politely answered.
“Hodge, what other traditions do I need to know? And do I have any other friends?”
“Only Victoria could entertain you with her violence. Also, an execution would usually start off such an event.”
“A peace conference started with death?” Tẽra was bewildered.
“Yes, to show that all enemies of the queen die.”
Tẽra sighed.
Her job NEVER got easier.
Keimoni felt a little left out. So, he tried to say something that would make him valuable again.
“My queen, have a breakfast for your guests, stall time before sitting in the throne room, where everyone will present their gifts. Then you start a new tradition of exotic foods.”
Tẽra liked this idea.
“Then they can watch the dance Natrica has prepared. A new tradition.” Keimoni suggested.
Tẽra felt better. Even smiled.
As she was leaving Griffith arrived.
Tẽra greeted and he was shown to her room.
Xoma told the guards.
“Some of our gifts for the queen are coming on a wagon, two girls and two boys. Please have them brought to me upon arriving.”
When they arrived.
“Viola?” Tẽra said.
“Hi.”
“Your sister Fiona is here in the castle.”
“That is good news. Thank you.” Viola said “Thank you for hiding away for a day. You saved that little boy’s life.” Viola told Tẽra.
“You still need to explain that.” Tẽra said.
A guard wanted to take them, but Viola stayed with Tẽra.
Zazo was guarding Tẽra and Joe was left to babysit Lakisha as she made her unconscious.
So, the confused Rider, Viv and Jacob joined their mother and told her of Viola’s friendliness with the queen. Which confirmed what Viola had told them about the queen not being the queen. They had not really believed it, after all who can walk in and pretend to be the queen without getting caught?
“In short there is a thousand gold coin bounty for your head. The man responsible for putting out the bounty is Griffith.” Viola told Tẽra.
“Griffith as in the man I just welcomed?”
“Yes, that one.”
Tẽra was not impressed but sometimes having a wolf close was better than afar and that wolf still thought his secret was safe. But now Tẽra was aware.
Rachael came out and found Tẽra talking to Viola.
“You are back.” Rachael said surprised.
“How are you doing?” Viola asked “The last time I saw you, you were not well.”
“My brand has healed mostly. Fiona is here in the castle with her new boyfriend.” Rachael continued,
“I came to speak to Tẽra, last night I met a woman from earth. She is wearing the most ridicules wig I have ever seen. But from earth. Maybe there are still others lost out there that haven’t found their way to the castle?”
“A woman from earth?” Tẽra asked “Are you sure?”
“Yes, Keimoni kissed her, did his thing on her and yes, she is from earth. She is with a guy named Shane also from earth. They came with the Dragon Riders.”
Tẽra found this interesting.
She went and started the new tradition of food instead of an execution. Everyone was taken to eat first and they liked this after their traveling.
“Thank you all for coming. I know it is only the brave who have come. I am starting a new tradition for all peace talks in the future. We will open our negotiations after eating delicacies from all over. So, please sit and enjoy the food.” Tẽra announced.
Keimoni had done a great job. He had chosen food from earth that he got from Natrica and Jessica. Even if they didn’t like it, it was different and memorable. Tẽra was impressed. Crackers with cheese. Scones, jams, fruit, cream and even ice cream, honey still a blue color, and toast with fried eggs. Earth food. The servants had learnt how to make some of these things already as Tẽra has requested it, or her foreign friends.
“Well done, Keimoni.” Tẽra congratulated.
“Why didn’t you tell me about the earth women?” Tẽra promptly asked afterwards.
“My queen I was going...” he began.
“You did good today. But do not kiss anyone again without my say so.” Tẽra said firmly.
“Yes, my queen. Do you want to know what I learnt about her?” he asked.
“Not right now, but later.” Tẽra said.
Everyone was surprised that Tẽra had a Viden in her keep. Yair was very surprised that Keimoni still had his head.
Yair told Drake.
“That is Keimoni a disgraced Viden who kissed Jessica last night.”
Then after eating everyone went to the entertaining hall. Natrica was excited as she gave the signal.
“Please be seated. The show shall begin.” Keimoni said to them.
Then the show began. Servants and those who ate at the queen’s table danced together as equals. Everyone looked so graceful as they performed their dance. Pairs moved across the floor with beautiful, strange clothes. It was indeed something new. The royals and ambassadors had planned to throw Tẽra off by arriving early or just on time. As well as throwing her off with their small army. But the new traditions were throwing them off. They had no idea what was coming next.
After Natrica’s show ended. They went to the throne room, where they presented their gift to the queen.
Victoria was first, she gave Tẽra a silver tray with a head on it. The head was a few days old and really stank. Flies had stared to eat it.
“Whose head is that?” Tẽra asked trying not to show her disgust.
“It is your enemy the boy who stole a bera from your garden. We found him and did our duty.” Victoria was delighted with herself.
Tẽra told the man receiving the gifts.
“Please have the head buried. Then get rid of that silver tray.”
Ranger was next.
He stood before Tẽra and gave her orange goo in a bottle.
“For your sick.”
Tẽra gave him a nod of approval.
Then Drake stepped forward. He presented the queen with jewels that had their own light.
“Jewels from the mount of the birth of dragons.” Drake said.
Tẽra gave him the nod of approval.
Then Nix of the Tskhali. He gave Tẽra food. Fish and veg from his village.
Tẽra gave him the nod of approval.
Then Autumn stepped forward. She presented Tẽra with knife. It had a handle made from ivory and the blade was black. It looked very sharp. A leather sheath was given with it.
Tẽra gave her the nod of approval.
Then Griffith stepped forward. He presented Tẽra with silk. A beautiful five meter roll of silk, with a beautiful pattern made from brilliant colors.
Tẽra gave him the nod of approval.
Then General Pan who had arrived late but was shown in presented his gift. A box of gold coins.
Tẽra gave him the nod of approval.
She saw him eye Zazo who was standing by her side.
Tẽra whispered to one of the guards.
“Bring me Joe please. Give her this.”
Tẽra passed him a note asking Joe to please come join her.
Then Barron Hill stepped forward. He presented Tẽra with coal. A ton of coal.
Tẽra gave him the nod of approval.
“Not everyone is here my queen?” Hodge said.
Then Zazo left her side and stood as the representative of the missing generals who had chosen him to be in their place.
Zazo presented a portrait of Tẽra with Otchulissa sitting on her lap.
Tẽra smiled and gave him the nod of approval.
Then Tẽra stood up. Zazo returned to her side. The leaders were unsure what to make of this.
“Thank you. Now we will go to discuss peace. Only one speaker, one guard and one advisor may enter and attend sitting at the peace table.”
Tẽra heard them complaining but she ignored it. She was not having a small army stand in her prepared hall of peace.
She went in and it was as she had wanted it. A massive round table was in the middle of the room. With three chairs for each tribe represented. One at the table, one directly behind and one on the side of both. Not behind the first chair nor directly next to it.
She heard the whispering and the general discontent about the situation.
Tẽra sat down. Zazo sat on the chair to her right. Joe sat behind her, and Keimoni sat on the 3rd chair behind her left shoulder.
General Nathan stood at the door making sure only three came in per region represented.
“What is the meaning of this?” Griffith demanded.
Tẽra gave him a ‘be silent’ look.
She looked around and noticed how so many chairs were still empty.
Once everyone was seated Tẽra stood up.
“I am making something clear before we begin. I have no memory of the past. I do not remember the things I am told I did. So, we are opening these talks of peace to honor my father’s memory. I have chosen a round table because here we have no rank, no one is more honored than another. I see many have not come and that is unfortunate, but we will proceed. Now we will have rules at this table.
1. There will be no interrupting. Each tribe will have a chance to speak, and this WILL be respected.
2. There will be no shouting or derogatory speech. We are aiming for peace. Talk like that is unproductive.
3. Any tribe representative may call for a break provided we have been in session without conclusion for some time.
4. The representative may change after a break but not during a session.
Now that this is clear we may open the floor to discussion.”
Hodge sat writing everything down and recording it, as was his job.
So, discussions began. Each tribe got to present what they wanted and how they felt oppressed. When it came to Victoria, she didn’t present her complains but rather asked Tẽra direct questions.
“Lost your memory? How?”
Keimoni advised that answer be given as others might be asking the same questions.
“I was told I was attacked here in my castle my pet tigers killed and I sustained a head injury that made me forget things. I am fortunate my guards scared off the attacker and a good physician tended to me.”
Victoria looked so disappointed.
“Well at least your like for cats of the hunt is still in there.” she said looking at Otchulissa.
“Is that a Di’Ilk?” Victoria asked.
“Yes, it is.”
“How did you get a cub and live to talk about it?” Victoria asked.
“Do you have a request for peace?” Tẽra asked redirecting the conversation.
“More slaves to work my mine.” She said.
“Noted.”
Tẽra moved on to the next.
It was clear that one day would not resolve the many issues and complaints.
Meanwhile Irania slept and James talked with Lakisha.
James told her of the good work he had done for the people. How good it felt and how maybe there was a place for them in Chayim.
Viola knocked on the door.
“Come in” James called.
“Hi.” Viola said “I just wanted to check on you.”
After talking with Lakisha and James. Viola went to find her sister.
Viola found Fiona talking with Natrica.
“Hey” Fiona said happy to see her “I went looking for you.”
“And I went looking for you.” Viola replied.
“I got lost.” Fiona added.
“So, did I.” Viola said.
Fiona hugged her.
“Guess what?!”
“What?” Viola responded.
“Ranger and I are together and now I am looking for a great guy to woo Nikki. She has never had a boyfriend.”
“Lucky her.” Viola said half meaning it.
“What?” Fiona blurted.
“She needs love, a special someone to make her see in color.” Fiona said.
“Some people can see in color without a special someone giving them rose tinted glasses.”
“I have to agree with Viola.” Natrica said “Matchmaking is seldom appreciated and usually ends badly.”
“But if you help me, it will be great.” Fiona insisted.
“Nope, I am not getting involved. At all. Not even an opinion.” Viola replied.
“Natrica, you like love.” Fiona said.
“You planned that beautiful date for James and Kerri.”
“They liked each other. I just pointed them in the right direction.” Natrica responded.
Fiona gave her big puppy dog eyes.
“Pleeeezz.”
“Fine” Natrica said.
“I will help you plan a date. Only if she likes the guy. Not you like him. Nikki has to like him and I need to think she likes him too, not just you.” Natrica clarified.
Fiona grinned
“Awesomeness!”
Viola and Natrica introduced themselves. They had not yet met despite the common belief that all the earthlings had been introduced. Natrica showed Viola her studio that Tẽra had given her. Viola complemented the dance routine Natrica had created and had her students perform.
Rachael came into the dance studio.
“Guess you haven’t heard yet. There are others from earth here. They came with the Dragon Riders.”
“How do you know this?” Viola asked.
“I met them last night and Keimoni kissed her.”
“Let’s talk with her.” Viola said.
Rachael warned them.
“She is wearing a wig, the worst wig ever! I think something is wrong with her hair?”
“No one’s hair on this planet is nice.” Fiona said.
“Natrica and Joe have nice hair.” Rachael pointed out.
They all looked at Natrica’s hair. It was nice, beautiful, her golden blond hair was still silky, and it shined.
“Why is your hair looking so nice?” Fiona asked.
Natrica shrugged
“Diet, genetics.” she suggested conveniently leaving out the warm baths she was making use of.
Jessica paced up and down. Caelin just watched. Shane tried to ignore it and Pragya did ignore it.
“Why hasn’t she come with the queen?” Jessica asked.
“Maybe because the queen is busy… the peace conference.” Shane pointed out.
Then there was a knock on the door.
Shane opened the door.
Four women stood there.
“Can I help you?” Shane said in the queen’s vernacular.
“What?” Rachael asked.
“Can I help you?” Shane asked in English.
“Yes, we want to know about you. Where on earth are you from?”
“Come in, I am from Canada.” Jessica said.
“What do you do back home?” Fiona asked.
“I am a detective.”
Jessica looked at Shane waiting for him to answer for himself.
“I work as a doctor.” he answered.
“You are a doctor or you work as a doctor?” Rachael asked.
“My job is not my identity.”
Viola was impressed.
“Who are you and where are you from?” Jessica asked.
“I am Fiona I work for the U.S Air force. I am a pilot.”
“Rachael Ceronio-”
Jessica interrupted her
“As in Ceronio diamonds. How? You look different in person.”
Rachael scowled at her.
“It’s been a bit rough here.” She responded annoyed.
“I am Natrica Woods. I am from America.”
Natrica was tired of being judge for being a dancer. She loved dancing and having people make her feel bad about it was just not alright.
“I am Viola, and I am German.”
“From Germany?” Jessica asked.
“Yes, I am from Germany.”
“So why do you two look, like sisters.” Jessica asked.
No one had thought they were sister before. Viola had black hair that had a red shine when in the sun and Fiona was golden blond. Even though they both had blue eyes it was a different blue.
“How did you know that?” Rachael asked intrigued.
Jessica eyed them awaiting a reply.
“Our parents got divorced when we were really young, and I went with mom and Viola stayed with her dad. Full custody one child each.”
“That’s sad.” Natrica said.
“I am happy with my life.” Viola said.
“I have a great life.” Fiona said.
“Why are you wearing that stupid and really bad wig?” Rachael asked.
“Oh um…” Jessica wasn’t sure what to say “I have red hair and Prince Drake would only bring me to the castle if I hid my hair. Apparently red hair means you are royalty and it’s gotten me into trouble before.” She answered.
“I have a dance class every morning early. Since you are not part of the peace talks would you like to join?” Natrica offered.
“Dance class? Like ballroom dancing?” Jessica asked.
“Ballroom, Latin, even some more modern styles.” Natrica answered.
“That would be awesome.” Jessica replied, “When do you hold the classes?”
“Normally early straight after eating but the peace talks have thrown it off a bit.”
“So, let’s do it now?” Jessica said.
“Really?” Rachael was surprised.
“Yes.” Jessica said, “Bring Pragya and let’s go dancing.”
Natrica grinned from ear to ear.
On the way to Natrica’s dance studio Jessica asked Rachael.
“When will I get to speak to the queen?”
Rachael sighed, “As soon as the queen has time. I have told her that you are from earth, and you want to speak with her.”
“Thank you!” Jessica was glad.
When they arrived at the dance studio they called for music. Since they had nothing else to do, they danced. Natrica laughed and taught them how to do a few basic steps in several styles of dance.
Some of the guards who also had nothing else to do came to see what the music was about. Finding beautiful women dancing was a pleasant surprise.
They were invited to join in and they eagerly did. Natrica paired them up. Male and female partners. Guards from all tribes and women, free and slaves danced together. They had so much fun. Barn dancing was easy and fun in large groups and this was a large group. So that was Natrica’s chosen style.
Caelin the guard assigned to protect Jessica even joined in to Jessica’s surprise.
James and Lakisha heard the fun and went to investigate. They too joined in. Nikki, Spice, Sugar and even Rosaleighm joined in the fun. Natrica looked at how everyone despite their rank or tribe, they had joined in, and it was great to see everyone getting along. Dance was a universal language that brought people together.
Then she had an idea. Maybe dance could be used to bridge gaps and Tẽra wouldn’t have to get married to a stranger.
It bothered Natrica that Tẽra was going to marry a stranger for peace and for them. She knew it was done in the olden days but in modern times there were better ways of achieving things. Natrica hoped that she had found one of those better ways with dancing.
Tẽra Trazzie tried to be fair, but it occurred to her that some just didn’t want peace. They wanted revenge on her. No matter what she suggested it wasn’t enough.
She listened as Griffith started his third round of speaking.
“How do we know you will honor your side? You have asked more of us in the promise of you giving us what is rightfully ours to start with.” He began “We all want to know, what will make you hold up your end?”
Tẽra stood up and addressed everyone.
“Would you feel more secure if a marriage bound me to my word?”
She looked at their faces, it looked like the idea sat well with them.
“Then I propose a marriage between myself and the Dragon Rider’s. I will marry the first prince and in this you will know I am held to my word.”
A gasp of silence filled the room. Everyone looked at Drake the first prince of the Dragon Rider’s.
Yair was surprised Drake’s bodyguard looked astonished.
A messenger came in. He whispered to Tẽra.
“Glisson of the Tskhali wants to represent the Lake Sky. He presented a skin of sweet wine.”
“Bring him in discreetly.” Tẽra replied.
Her whispers were the only sound as a room held its breath waiting for a reply.
Glisson was brought in quietly and seated.
Clearly, he had missed something.
Drake stood up.
“My queen I must consult with my family before I may answer you.”
“Then send a message to them. We will have a break to eat.” Tẽra said.
Tẽra was in the royal dining hall when Kerri–liana Jones walked in.
“You are alright? I have men looking for you. When James returned alone and ill, we were concerned for your safety.” Tẽra said all at once.
“I am fine. There is a woman in the dungeon claiming to be the real queen.” Kerri responded.
Tẽra face showed worry.
Tẽra kept her composure and excused herself from the meal. Then she fetched Hannah and went to the dungeon.
“What happened to James? Did he catch flu?” Kerri asked not really caring for the answer as they went towards the dungeon with Hannah in toe.
“No! he was taken by pirates and fed a magic elixir that turned him purple. We are looking for a way to cure him as the Mystic Healers can only prolong his life but not heal him.”