security on the planet, Ventillian ships flew up to intercept us and escort us in. When we landed in a secure zone, a stern voice came over the little ship’s radio transmission and started firing instructions at us.
“ You are to come out slowly with your hands in the air. You will surrender yourself to our officers with no resistance. I repeat—no resistance—or you will be fired upon.”
I turned in my seat and looked at Tigg’s grim face. “Welcome to Ventillia,” I said with a smile.
We stepped out of the craft as instructed. Tigg had the foresight to remove the deadly blade from his boot and left it behind on the ship. With our hands high, six heavily armed officers rushed up to meet us. They immediately conducted a search of our bodies with hand held scanners. Tigg watched me closely, seeming ready to jump to my aid if the need arrived. I winked at him despite the tremor of fear inside me.
Once satisfied we weren’t packing weapons, we were led toward a huge stone fortress I would best describe as a medieval castle plunked down in the middle of a desert. I’d seen pictures in history class of such structures, created several centuries before my time. We walked over an actual drawbridge that spanned a moat. I looked down as we crossed and searched the black water for signs of crocodiles. We were led into a courtyard, surrounded on all four sides by vast stone walls appearing ten or more stories high. Tigg loosed a low whistle and I knew he was impressed. So was I. It was like stepping back into time, right into history.
We came to a stop, surrounded by the soldiers, in the middle of the courtyard. Before us, set against the far wall, was a set of double doors, arched and made of sturdy wood. Iron rings acted as handles and two uniformed men who’d walked ahead were now pulling these apart. Once opened wide, we saw a tall, grandly dressed man revealed. He stood still in his magnificence and when every man present went down on one knee, Tigg and I did the same.
I’d told Tigg before our arrival that Ventillia, which was almost the same size as Earth, was divided into four kingdoms. We’d aimed our landing for the place my father had resided in. In his time here, the king had been Ayon, an old, but fair man, my father had told me. The man now striding grandly towards us, wearing the crown of kingship, was young. Ayon’s son perhaps?
He stopped before us and smiled. “Welcome to Malenea, first kingdom of Ventillia,” he said. Though his lips curled and his eyes twinkled as he assessed us, appearing genuine enough, I couldn’t help but feel the return of foreboding. Try as I might to dismiss it, it was there. I returned the king’s smile and forced away my wariness. Like it or not, here we were, and here we would stay until the time was right. It was the only place I knew to be safe from Clay.
Chapter 11
We were bid inside by invitation of the king. He led us through the high double doors, introducing himself as King Ranox, Old King Ayon’s son.
“My father died about three months ago,” he explained.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said. “Though I never had the privilege of meeting him, my father said he was a good man.”
He perked up at the mention of my father. “So your family was from Malenea?”
“Yes, my father was. He met my mother on Zenet. They were both scientists.” I thought it best to refrain from telling him my mother was from Earth.
He raised an eyebrow. “They were ?”
“Yes, they’re both dead.” I hoped the tone of my voice relayed that I didn’t want to discuss it further.
Being astute, King Ranox nodded delicately and let the matter alone. He led us down a winding stone passageway, a rash of guards following behind at a discrete distance. We passed many doors, all shut tight against our curious eyes until we entered a large room, one that I believe would be called the great hall.
Taking the exalted seat at a long wooden table upon a raised dais, the king
“ You are to come out slowly with your hands in the air. You will surrender yourself to our officers with no resistance. I repeat—no resistance—or you will be fired upon.”
I turned in my seat and looked at Tigg’s grim face. “Welcome to Ventillia,” I said with a smile.
We stepped out of the craft as instructed. Tigg had the foresight to remove the deadly blade from his boot and left it behind on the ship. With our hands high, six heavily armed officers rushed up to meet us. They immediately conducted a search of our bodies with hand held scanners. Tigg watched me closely, seeming ready to jump to my aid if the need arrived. I winked at him despite the tremor of fear inside me.
Once satisfied we weren’t packing weapons, we were led toward a huge stone fortress I would best describe as a medieval castle plunked down in the middle of a desert. I’d seen pictures in history class of such structures, created several centuries before my time. We walked over an actual drawbridge that spanned a moat. I looked down as we crossed and searched the black water for signs of crocodiles. We were led into a courtyard, surrounded on all four sides by vast stone walls appearing ten or more stories high. Tigg loosed a low whistle and I knew he was impressed. So was I. It was like stepping back into time, right into history.
We came to a stop, surrounded by the soldiers, in the middle of the courtyard. Before us, set against the far wall, was a set of double doors, arched and made of sturdy wood. Iron rings acted as handles and two uniformed men who’d walked ahead were now pulling these apart. Once opened wide, we saw a tall, grandly dressed man revealed. He stood still in his magnificence and when every man present went down on one knee, Tigg and I did the same.
I’d told Tigg before our arrival that Ventillia, which was almost the same size as Earth, was divided into four kingdoms. We’d aimed our landing for the place my father had resided in. In his time here, the king had been Ayon, an old, but fair man, my father had told me. The man now striding grandly towards us, wearing the crown of kingship, was young. Ayon’s son perhaps?
He stopped before us and smiled. “Welcome to Malenea, first kingdom of Ventillia,” he said. Though his lips curled and his eyes twinkled as he assessed us, appearing genuine enough, I couldn’t help but feel the return of foreboding. Try as I might to dismiss it, it was there. I returned the king’s smile and forced away my wariness. Like it or not, here we were, and here we would stay until the time was right. It was the only place I knew to be safe from Clay.
Chapter 11
We were bid inside by invitation of the king. He led us through the high double doors, introducing himself as King Ranox, Old King Ayon’s son.
“My father died about three months ago,” he explained.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said. “Though I never had the privilege of meeting him, my father said he was a good man.”
He perked up at the mention of my father. “So your family was from Malenea?”
“Yes, my father was. He met my mother on Zenet. They were both scientists.” I thought it best to refrain from telling him my mother was from Earth.
He raised an eyebrow. “They were ?”
“Yes, they’re both dead.” I hoped the tone of my voice relayed that I didn’t want to discuss it further.
Being astute, King Ranox nodded delicately and let the matter alone. He led us down a winding stone passageway, a rash of guards following behind at a discrete distance. We passed many doors, all shut tight against our curious eyes until we entered a large room, one that I believe would be called the great hall.
Taking the exalted seat at a long wooden table upon a raised dais, the king
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