Read Saturna and the Battle for Zard Page 15


  Chapter Nine

  With her black cloak over her head and covering her purple gown, Detis blended in with the early evening darkness. Walking quickly towards the outer wall of the castle, she stopped and looked around, seeing no one else, she entered an old shed. Hete stood up abruptly as she came inside the darkened shack.

  “Hete is he here?” she growled as her eyes became accustomed to the dark.

  “Yes, I’m here Princess Detis. How can I be of service to you?” replied Thor, bowing gracefully considering his size.

  Thor seemed like a giant and his form occupied most of the rear space of the shed. Detis paused before she spoke wondering if Thor was a pure Veectoreze. Never had she seen such a large inhabitant on Veectors. It was one thing to engage a Kievil, such stupid little creatures, and another thing to make a mistake with some of the more intelligent beings. She couldn’t afford to have her plan uncovered.

  “Are you a true Veectoreze, Thor?” she asked suspiciously.

  “I am,” he replied.

  “Then you my friend are the key to peace and freedom in the kingdom. Now we haven’t much time so listen very, very carefully. We have uncovered a plot. If successful it would change the influence, power and position which Veectors, your planet, has in the Solar System. Now although I cannot go into details, we have discovered Anton is to head the army that will eventually destroy your planet. Because you’re to fight him tonight in the last competition, it has been decided you must render him forever helpless, by let us say, a fatal blow to the head.”

  “To even jester a blow to the head is forbidden. You know this. Why, pray tell me, would you a Zardite be concerned for my planet?” asked Thor skeptically.

  Pointing a finger at him Detis replied, “How dare you, a commoner address me in such a manner. The elders of your planet and I have met and I’ve been chosen to deal with the situation.”

  “And what situation is that, Princess Detis? Shouldn’t the Queen be dealing with the elders of Veectors?” questioned Thor.

  “You idiot, Saturna is a child, Queen only in name, I’ve been selected as regent. So don’t insult me again! The fact I’m here in person should prove I want peace in our kingdom. There is trouble brewing in our Solar System and we must do away with any inhabitant who stands in the way of peace. Anton is a well-known insurgent. Take care of him and all of this is yours.” Removing a large, red, leather purse from under her gown Detis opened it to show fifty gold coins. “Do we have your loyalty?” she asked.

  This was more money than Thor would make in his lifetime. “If what you say is true, you have my loyalty. However I’d like to discuss it first with one of the elders.”

  Detis threw the bag of gold at Thor’s feet.

  “There’s no time. You fight within the hour. Don’t fail us and the friends of Veectors will give you another bag when the deed is done.” Turning abruptly Detis left.

  Thor watched Detis leave the forest path and turn towards the castle with Hete quickly running behind her. Fingering the bag of gold he was unsure of what to do. If only he could discuss the situation with one of the elders. He didn’t like Detis and felt he couldn’t trust her, yet if what she said was true…