CHAPTER 24 – THE FAMILY COUNSELOR
Mitakahn woke up in a jolt, but was not terribly startled, a cold sweat culminating on his neck, the smell of morning dew under his nose. He had something on his mind. Some fleeting memory from his deep sleep. “Carbon Terra!” He scrambles for a place to write down the words. Instead, he picked up the Mandrake chronicle and found it under the canine kingdom machinations. There was quite a bit about it, pages worth, so much so that Mitakahn did not have enough time to read it now. So, he took the parchment of his family tree and stuck it in the chronicle as a bookmark. Although he could not see it, he could feel that certain cerulean something simmering in his eyes. He was getting used to these dreadful dreams. Whatever was in his eyes put itself out, but this time he felt it. He was gaining control from within the dream. Now there was some form of light at the end of a dark tunnel. As much as he was gaining control of his dreams, he was losing control in reality. Today was his trial.
He was getting dressed in proper attire for the court when he looked into the mirror. Mitakahn noticed that not only was the cut on his chin gone, but his beard had fully grown back in. He thought of his father for a moment, and then relinquished the idea of reminiscing.
There was a knock at the door. He rubbed his furry chin. It was Anilithion, “Father wants to see you downstairs, in the throne room.”
Mitakahn followed Anilithion downstairs to where Anilithyìstad and Galastad were waiting for him. Galastad was the lead representative and ambassador of the Lion Kingdom in the Senate at Crucifire Plains. Theomitus met Galastad through his marriage. In their dealings with the eight kingdoms and the Republic Theomitus became very fond of Galastad and saw him as not only an equal but a confidant. Galastad craved more than his kingdom could provide and thus relocated his family to one of the largest cities in the world, naturally following in the footsteps of his own father, the Metuchen representative in the Senate.
Galastad was an averagely tall man, with an average build, and a look indistinctive of any other Borigini. The only attribute of Galastad which stood out amongst his rough and tumble kin was his keen sense of conversation and law and his button nose. He was King Theomitus’ attorney and chosen representative for the Senate, which said a lot about his character. The cousins parted ways, Anilithion walked back to the spiral staircase, and Mitakahn entered the throne room.
“What is he doing here?” scorned Mitakahn as he no longer felt any compassion for politicians.
“He has agreed to help us, Mitakahn, and defend you at your hearing. He has long been the most loyal senator to the throne,” argued Anilithyìstad.
“I don’t need his help,” Mitakahn coldly said as he turned around and started to walk out of the room.
“Mitakahn… wait!” yelled Anilithyìstad, but he got no reaction from Mitakahn.
“I believe you,” said Galastad bluntly.
Mitakahn stopped dead in his tracks. He turned around with a skeptical look on his face, ready to at least hear what Galastad had to say.
“I was a loyal subject of your father’s even when I didn’t have to be. I have royal blood running through my own veins, but it makes no difference. I remain loyal to you and your family. Did you know that your father visited me in Crucifire Plains during his final quest? He told me grave times were coming and gave me the tools to secure your future. He all but said he would pass, and a power grab would follow. If you believe that danger is coming to this kingdom, then I trust your intuition as I did your father’s. Your family has long been the guardians of the Pride, and I refuse to neglect that truth. I have faith in you Mitakahn,” confessed Galastad.
“Well…be all that as it may, you’re going to need a better opening argument to keep us out of the dungeons,” Mitakahn mildly joked.
“Good, now let’s get down to business, cousin” Anilithyìstad and Galastad went on with deliberations over the upcoming case. They began to put together a case against the allegations that were brought on by the senators and congressmen.
“They made a point about the named heir bylaw.”
“That has always been a troublesome law.”
“They told him his dreams were, ‘false prophecies’ and ‘blasphemous’.”
Anilithyìstad and Galastad tried to figure out a way to keep Mitakahn from being wrongfully prosecuted.
“This is not going to be easy,” Galastad went on to explain, “…they are bureaucrats, and will stop at nothing to dissolve the monarchy and add the Lion Nation into the Senate. They see it as inevitable. A natural course. I spend a lot of time down at Crucifire, in the Senate, they talk about every nation being integrated into the Republic so matter-of-factly. It’s frightening. I’ve also heard rumors of the governor’s ties with the golden syndicate. And worst of all, Demeter sees this all as a play for power, an opportunity to put his plans into effect.”
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“Plans?”
“Yes. This is a very vulnerable time. Demeter thinks that by condemning Mitakahn in Axion’s absence, stripping the monarchy will be a breeze. By doing so, Demeter will make himself the leading authoritative figure in the nation aside from the senate. I know what you’re thinking, but the Senate is so far away that complete rule of a kingdom cannot be left up to them. Only the important decisions would go to the Senate, everything else… Demeter would be the king of.”
“Can we use any of this at the trial?” asked Anilithyìstad.
“I doubt it. It is all speculation. Demeter is a very clever man. I have no doubt that he will be prepared for such an accusation.”
“What about Axion?”
“Axion has no official power until he takes the throne. Honestly, the council will take any opportunity they can to loop him in. That would save them a lot of time and trouble. It is ultimately Axion they’re after. Sadly, Mitakahn is just a pawn.”
“They’re using the prince as bait. So as long as Axion stays in the mountains they have nothing to get him on.”
“Correct,” Galastad furthered, “Axion has to be very careful from now on, one false move…and it could mean the collapse of the kingdom.”
Mitakahn felt a rush of nerves come over him. It was as if a wave of unexplainable emotion hit him, forcing him to leave. Mitakahn excused himself to the hallway.
With concern written all over his face, Anilithyìstad said, “It is a good thing you are here, Galastad. Poor boys, first having to deal with their father’s untimely death, and now this...”
“I know. I regret being at the Senate for so long, I can’t believe things have gotten this bad. What poison has invaded our kingdom?”
“You really see this as your home now, don’t you? And yet your wife and kids stay in the city never learning the truth of their family.”
“Now is not the time, cousin. Tamaronek and I have had many long talks about the well-being of our progeny. Galaxian, Wickham, and Jaqel will find their way home to the motherland shores, walk with the stallions of our ancestors, and have their own wisdom to show for it. For now, we must focus on the matter at hand.”
“I agree.”
It seemed whether told by the dreams or brought on by the dreams, that doom was inevitable. He wanted to blame his vivid imagination for cooking up such a deadly hoax. But he knew the feelings he had towards his dreams were real. His convoluted mind was throwing around blame and reason to the point of dizziness, but deep in his heart, he still knew what was sincere. Mitakahn closed his eyes and gave all his attention to his heart.
First, he concentrated on breathing. He felt his chest pumping and flexing. He thought about the blood moving throughout his body. He imagined the liquid life running through his veins. He pictured the glowing veins releasing the light in its entirety upon his body. He watched as his sight faded from black to grey. And then, grey to shining, bewildering white. White was described as the absence of color. But, to Mitakahn he looked at what could only be described as the infusion of every color in the spectrum, pure light. His demons were cast away. He no longer thought of the injustice that ruled his life. From the light he saw a simple landscape: blue sky, a sharp sun, reflecting grass on both sides, and a strong, promising road in the center.
Mitakahn opened his eyes. The brightness dimmed down and focused back on the dark filtered reality he was living in. It was clear now, for Mitakahn. This was all meant to happen. He would be put on trial for his premonitions and the outcome would ultimately lead him to where he needed to go.
Mitakahn, Anilithyìstad and Galastad came down the spiraling staircase having wrapped up the pre-hearing meeting. There waiting for Mitakahn at the entrance was Cel’a. She was standing guard, but he could see something deeper. The Commander was conflicted, and he knew exactly why. So Mitakahn decided to take the burden off one of Zepathorum’s best champions. He greeted her with a hug and told her, “Do not worry about my fate. We must both do what’s best for the kingdom. This house is all that matters. Keep my mother safe.” He released the commander who was being uncharacteristically quiet. She bowed to Mitakahn and a tear rolling down her cheek glinted the daylight directly into Mitakahn’s eye.
“Mitakahn, it is almost time…” said Anilithyìstad.
Mitakahn answered, “I am ready.”
“May I have a minute alone with the boy?” Galastad asked Anilithyìstad before taking Mitakahn aside. “Now then…tell me everything you have uncovered about the dreams…”
Queen Adyána was still punishing herself with the bereavement of her husband. That and what little responsibility she had left as queen regent took up all of her time. In the large scale of what could be considered the definition of ruling a kingdom, the word little could go as far to say she was only really in charge of addressing the needs of Zepathorum City.
A whole city of subjects requiring the crown’s allocation of charity and protection. With every single service she provided this foreign kingdom she has come to call home it came with a reminder of Theomitus, the only real reason she was here. Over the years she developed more reasons to stay in the north, mainly two sons and good friends like the Casterosi and the Adoras. With Axion remaining in the mountains there did not seem to be any change in her responsibilities as sovereign in sight. According to Galastad, Adyána faced the same threat as Axion if they testified, guilty by association. By counselor's advice and sheer reluctance, she would not attend the trial.