Chapter Two
On the other side of the castle surrounded by gold, jewels and pearluim sat Detis. Smirking as she fingered the gold goblet containing wazzle, she sat looking at all her wealth placed on the table before her. The tongue-lashing she had received from Saturna made her angry and she was fuming at the utter gall of the child. Rolling the stem of the cup between her index finger and thumb she knew when her new plans were complete, she would have to pay well to keep them a secret from the Zardites.
"Hete!" she hissed at the furry dwarf-like creature at her feet.
"Yes My Princess?" he replied, startled at her outburst.
"Queen! I’m your Queen!" she bellowed. Standing up Detis kicked him away from her. "Don't ever forget that again," she demanded, "or you shall regret being given life!"
Hete slithered cautiously forward on his stomach and kissed her feet. "I shall not forget, My Queen."
"Good, because I have new plans and I may need a little help," snickered Detis as she began to laugh, an evil, destructive, horrible laugh which filled the room making the already cowering Hete shiver nervously on the floor.
Scribbling something on a thin piece of gold leaf paper, she leaned over and pushed a box towards Hete. "Take this gift and note to our little Saturna. Give it only to her and open your ears, you ugly thing. I pay you to listen and report back to me. And stay away from any Urites. I know you’re a Kievil and I’m sure they have no powers over you, but we can’t be careful enough."
Hete cautiously took the box and paper from the now distracted Detis, and hastily hurried from the room. His legs were thick and short with clawed webbed feet, but he was able to move very quickly down the darkened castle hallways. Known as tree-dwellers, because of the long talon-like claws on their toes and fingers, Kievils could climb trees. However, it did not accurately describe them as a race. Kievils lived below the ground, sometimes among overgrown tree roots, but more often in dirt hollows they dug themselves, deep under the sandstone mounds in the shadowy forest. They didn’t usually eat the fruits or nuts borne on the vast number of trees growing around them, but preferred grubs, worms and insects of the earth, especially the ones they found in decaying wood.
Considered a low-life species of the planet, Kievils were only tolerated by the Zardites. This made it difficult for a Kievil to get true employment. Most of them made their livings by doing the deplorable deeds on the planet, but since they had almost no conscience, were not very intelligent, and lived basically to survive, they didn’t understand when they were hired by shady inhabitants to do an illegal activity. Therefore when caught by the authorities, Kievils were always confused as to why they were sent to prison.
Blending into the shadows of the castle walls, Hete hurried towards the royal chambers. The closer he came to Saturna’s quarters, the more frequently he ran into Urite servants and Zardite guards. Pushing himself into nooks and crannies at every turn, he was determined not to be seen until the last moment. He had made it. Before him stood the Zardite guards in front of the gold door, a massive piece of intimidating art work. Made from the gold mined in the most northern part of the planet, it cast a bluish hue on the surrounding walls and gave the corridor a threatening, surreal look which frightened Hete. The sentries in their royal red uniforms were positioned on either side of the door and stood there unmoving as though they were made of stone.
Feeling very nervous Hete glanced around to make sure no one was behind him, and then stepped out of his hiding place for a moment to see the writing engraved in the center of the door. He thought the writing might be instructions on how to approach the Queen. Detis hadn’t told him about the guards, and he was unsure of what to say to them now that he was here. To Hete’s dismay the writing in the middle of the door was not instructions as he had hoped, but the names of every ruling King of the Solar System. His eyes finally rested on the last name Queen Saturna and he found himself mesmerized with the two very fat sapphires set in curves of the large “S” of her name.
Unexpectedly the door began to open, and Hete already skittish, immediately reacted by diving back into the concealed corner from which he had come. His big green eyes watched Gondee walk into the corridor, sniff the air, and then looked straight in his direction.
Although Hete tried to push himself closer to the wall, it was impossible to remain hidden, so instead he jumped up and casually said, "Gondee, it has been some time since we have seen each other. You’re looking well."
"Hete, you do not belong in this part of the castle. What evil doings are you up to today?" asked Gondee, critically.
"Oh how Urites judge my race. I have changed my ways now that I’m employed by the royal family and today I have a gift from the Queen, I mean from Princess Detis, to our new Queen."
"Fine, give it to me," said Gondee, holding out his hand.
"Oh no, I must give it to her myself and besides I’d like to pay my respects. You cannot decide who sees Queen Saturna, I know Gondee. If she refuses me, I shall go," exclaimed Hete, sticking out his chest with new found confidence. He felt important in his jet black uniform with gold piping.
"Well then, let me touch the gift, I must feel it with my auri." Putting his hands on the box Gondee sensed no harm. "I shall communicate your wishes, please wait here." Turning around Gondee returned to the inner chamber.
Saturna was sitting at her father’s desk and looked up when Gondee reentered. Dressed in an emerald green gown with diamonds at her neck and holding a jeweled gold pen in her hand, she looked like a queen. Before words were spoken, Saturna sensed his concern through her auri.
"A gift has arrived from Detis brought by Hete the trouble-maker. I feel we should send him away, My Queen."
Saturna contemplated what Gondee said and remembered her last encounter with Detis.
"Do you think Detis is trying to make amends?"
"I feel she is trying to appease you, make you relax, let down your guard and then like a viper she shall strike. We must be very cautious."
"Gondee I love you like a father, but you are being too overprotective. I thank you for your wisdom, but more than anything I want peace in my kingdom. I will see Hete."
"As you wish, My Queen," replied Gondee, turning to make the arrangements.
When the gold door opened for the second time it was Hete who approached Saturna. "My Queen, My Queen," he muttered as he continually bowed while walking towards her. Reaching the front of the desk he sank to his knees as Saturna rose.
"Oh how beautiful and kind you are, My Queen, I wish to serve you in any way I can."
"Please rise," Saturna said as she walked around the desk towards him. Instead of rising, Hete slithered forward and attempted to kiss her feet, trying to please her.
"Hete," she commanded, "I will not have anyone groveling at my feet. Rise and state your business."
Surprised she didn’t like this posturing Hete stood up and dramatically brushed off his new uniform. "Princess Detis has sent you a gift." He extended the box and note and grinned pleasantly at the beautiful, young Queen. "Shall I wait for a reply?"
"Yes, please be seated while you wait," answered Saturna, motioning with her hand towards a chair.
Hete hiked himself onto the plush, royal blue, firm-backed chair that Saturna had indicated, but looked awkward with his furry feet dangling about two feet from the ground. He swung his legs back and forth trying to look relaxed, and occasionally looked up innocently to see if there was anything to report back to Detis. He had been immensely impressed with the wealth he knew Detis possessed, but it was nothing compared to the wealth in this room alone. His imagination began to run wild and Hete envisioned Detis throwing gold and jewels his way when she became Queen. I’ll be rich he thought and in his excitement he lost all sense of time and place.
Saturna returned to her desk and opened the pretty box. Inside she found a small silver heart-shaped locket. Silver was extremely costly and a rarity on Za
rd, and Saturna wondered how Detis had obtained such an object. She noticed a tiny clasp and upon touching it, the locket sprung open revealing a single strand of hair lying on a bed of red satin. She analyzed it for a few minutes before closing the locket and replacing it in the box. With that being done, she read the note.
My Darling Saturna,
Please except this token gift as a symbol of my love and concern for you. It was given to me by your father on the night we wed and the lock of hair belonged to him. It is something I cherish with all my heart and therefore a most meaningful present. Let me extend my hand to you as my Queen.
Your loving stepmother,
Detis
Maybe I’ve misjudged Detis, she thought, feeling badly about her unkind opinion. Looking into my heart I did have feelings of jealously when she became my father’s wife. Now Detis is my family and I must make amends, doing as my father requested of me. With that decision, Saturna picked up her pen and when she reached for a piece of paper was startled when it floated across the desk and into her hand. She had been told of her father’s gift of transcendental experiences, but had never witnessed it. Had she inherited her father’s gift at his passing? Trying again, she attempted to move an ornament on the desk, but was unsuccessful. “Another part of me to uncover and polish,” she whispered sighing. Returning to the task at hand, Saturna wrote:
Dearest Detis,
I am honored and touched to receive your gift and note. It is I who must extend my hand to you and welcome you to remain part of the royal family. Please sit at my side tomorrow during the celebrations and remembrances of my father.
Sincerely,
Saturna
Saturna folded the note in half and was about to call out to Hete, but noticed as she glanced up, the small cuddly dwarf had fallen fast asleep in the chair. Amused, she silently walked over and gently placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Hete?" she called softly.
Awakening, Hete let himself slide to the floor and once there began to cry and wring his hands. “Forgive me, My Queen. Have pity on a lowly creature as myself. I’m old and tired. Please do not punish me for my weakness in sleep! Please, My Queen!"
Saturna sank to her knees and held his trembling hands for a few seconds. "Hete, control yourself. What kind of life have you had to talk of such things? I wouldn’t think to harm you. You’re one of my important inhabitants and a servant to a member of the royal family. Now please take this reply to Detis and afterwards should you need anything, you’ll call on Gondee,” she said kindly. “Do you understand my friend?”
Pulling in his quivering lower lip, Hete nodded and accepted Saturna’s extended hand to help him stand. He had never really experienced consideration or kindness in many years, especially not from a Zardite. His parents had died when he was young, and his sister and he separated by relatives. Six months later, as was tradition with male Kievils, Hete had been taken to the forest and left to fend for himself. Struggling to find food and shelter, he set up camp near the castle wall where he could find insects and grubs in and about the bricks. It was at this lucky location where he met Detis when she suddenly exited from a concealed doorway right above his resting place. Hete looked upon Detis’s beauty and was in awe--he had never seen such a lovely inhabitant. Being lonely and not knowing any better, Hete immediately began to tell Detis how beautiful she was. Fortunately, this was exactly what Detis needed and was not getting from her other servants, so she employed him on the spot as her personal servant. That was the day Hete’s life completely changed.
“Now take your leave my faithful servant," Saturna said cheerfully, giving him room to walk around her.
A feeling of warmth had sprung from Saturna’s hand and seemed to embrace him.
"Thank you, My Queen," he said feeling very happy as he walked from the room amazed at the kindness from a Zardite royal, which he could only compare to Detis.
Puzzled about Hete’s behavior, Saturna returned to the desk and tried to concentrate on the script before her. Yuko, the Peace Keeper was arriving tomorrow for the celebrations and she wished to be able to speak intelligently about the kingdom. Before her on the top of the desk lay maps and documents pertaining to Zard. Although the planet was relatively small, the task of learning all about it and the Solar System it ruled seemed enormous.
The Zardian Solar System consisted of nine planets and many moons which revolved around their sun star, Zetus. Every planet, as well as several of the moons in the Solar System held life and every inhabitant was capable of survival on another’s globe. The reason for this was the close proximity of the planets and the some-what similar atmospheric conditions. The main element that differentiated the planets from one another was the stage of evolution. Four of the planets, Zard, Veectors, Turnti and Jattee were well-advanced in culture much beyond the others. Eros and Unti were at least eighty years behind them in development and Zorrt, Thespa and Mevot were almost primitive. Although there were vast differences in life-styles and traditions on the individual planets, all were capable of space travel and lived in a peaceful kingdom ruled by Zard.
It was hard to imagine her father had taken care of so many things from this one room, she thought while surveying the suite. The royal chamber had the illusion of a large single room, but was really composed of many nooks and crannies. The suite was situated in a corner wing of the castle and had nine large windows on three sides, which offered morning and afternoon sun. There were several sitting areas, one in front of the office space for business, one in the middle of the room, and one near the somewhat private bedroom area. Although the interior walls were made of a gray-beige stone, the warm combination of blue and white fabrics made the area fresh and cozy.
Saturna looked behind her at the bookshelf lined with more than a hundred bound manuscripts. There were volumes and volumes of thick and colorful books which covered every aspect of the Solar System. She used to love to read the titles when she visited her father and now these books belonged to her. Turning around her eyes focused on the stack of books that Gondee had given her to read today.
“How depressing! There’s just too much information and so much to learn and I haven’t even gotten through three of them,” she said, slouching in the chair.
A sense of helplessness overcame her and putting down her pen she cradled her head in her arms. She would never be ready to start work tomorrow as the ruler of Zard even if she stayed up all night studying. Feeling discouraged, sad and lonely, Saturna twisted her head sideways and tried to continue reading while holding up one flap of the book, but she quickly became lost in her thoughts, and found herself secretly wishing that she was not the Queen.
She heard the gold door quietly opening and knew, before she saw Gondee, he had sensed her pain and had come to comfort her. Lifting her head she managed a small smile.
“I just can’t seem to focus on the information you say I must know for tomorrow. My mind keeps wandering.”
"You have done enough for today. Come, let us eat, Your Majesty. When the body weakens so does the spirit."