I am a young woman on the very brink of adulthood. Just a short while ago I was in high school, wondering what I wanted to do with my life, fearing that I may not be good at anything in particular. Troubled by uncertainty yet inspired by the numerous possibilities that surely awaited me, I turned to writing. I sat on my bed, with my old laptop propped on one of my textbooks, in the dead of night. My mind whirled with fantastic ideas just waiting to be fully realized. I found a love of creating hypothetical realities centered around my hope of one day living a life which would offer me a good deal of autonomy and self-satisfaction.
Often finding myself confused and alone in my publishing efforts, I would eagerly seek out others for advice but my issues often seemed like fabricated problems, simply being an extension of a hobby that only I seemed to see any practical value in. Tired of my hopes being met with indifference, I usually keep many of my ideas to myself, though in doing so I have become somewhat isolated. Rarely do my ideas cross with others’, rarely do I feel the need to express myself on topics that demand very little of my interest. A meaningful connection is very rare indeed yet through my efforts to share my books my true ideas are slowly revealed and I regain my voice.
The Table of Contents
Part 1-What Lies Beyond the Shadows
Part 2-Emerging from the Shadow of a Great Leader
Part 3-The Land of my Enemies
Part 4-A Dangerous Assumption
Part 5- Daily Tragedies
Part 6-The Dawn of a New Era
What Lies Beyond the Shadows
I yawned flexing my long tail then jumped from my thick plush bedding made of fluff encased in fabric. My bare feet landed lightly on the cool floor as I arched my back to the ceiling feeling my vertebra shifting into place. I stood erect though it felt odd and unnatural with my forepaws dangling uselessly at my sides. I swiveled my left ear outward as I released a gust of air through my nostrils, in an amused gesture. I did not need to behave like a princess in the privacy of my own room I thought before I pounced back onto my bed. I landed heavily in the sinking mass but quickly sat upright with my tail wrapped around me as I stared out toward the large glass dome where the heated copper wire glowed as a powerful electric current coursed through it. There was a soft meow as I turned to see a sand colored cat strolling toward me.
“Kiza,” I exclaimed as the cat leap onto my bed pressing its body against me as I stoked its back. Its throat vibrated with contentment as I looked to the other side of the large room where there were two glass bowls. I looked down at the striped cat that raised its head to stare at me questioningly.
“Kiza what would you like to eat this morning? Do you want tuna or a pigeon? ” I asked noticing the cat stopped at the word pigeon.
“Do you want a flaky bone filled fish,” I began as Kiza rubbed her face against my arm.
“Or the plump juicy flesh of a bird?” I continued as Kiza pulled away, looking at me with what I believe to be distaste.
“Fine I guess today you will have the tuna. Tuna must simply be your favorite.” I stated as Kiza continued purring, tickling my chin with the tip of her tail.
“Come on let’s get some tuna.” I said as Kiza leap down gracefully before glancing over her shoulder. I landed beside the cat a few seconds later then led the way to the two glass bowls. I rose onto my hind legs then grasped the bowl and placed it on the floor in front of Kiza.
I sat on the floor with my long legs stretched out as I watched Kiza eagerly snap up the fish, devouring them, head and all. I waved my tail in a wide arched pleased I was allowed to keep Kiza for cats were a sign of royalty since they offered no benefit yet needed to be provided for. I was glad I was the leader’s daughter if it meant being able to keep Kiza as a pet.
Kiza looked toward the door then meowed loudly in greeting before my mother entered. Her cream colored fur was hidden under her black Death Stalkers uniform leaving only her black tail and feet exposed. Her large black ears were alert as always and her blue eyes were cold like those of any warrior. She stood upright which is a sign of both vulnerability and strength. An inch or so below her elbow she wore a complex black band with a black scorpion forever frozen within a hulk of hard plastic. It was the band the human was wearing when he killed my father on one of the Death Stalkers’ many missions. My mother killed the human single handedly and kept the bracelet in remembrance of my father. There was a good reason why the group was called the Death Stalkers and my mother was their fearless leader.
“Kyzudo I am going with the Death Stalkers to replace the worn parts of the generator, so behave yourself in my absence.” she said as I nodded.
“I guess I will see you later.” I said as she left, obviously in a hurry. I got up then followed her. I raced down the hall but paused when I saw the Death Stalkers gathered around her.
“Kyzudo stand up straight. You are my daughter so behave like it.” Mom said as I unsteadily rose onto my hind legs.
“Are you ready to go your majesty?” asked one of the Death Stalkers bowing low with his ears lowered and his face practically touching the floor.
“Yes lead the way.” Mom answered then followed the dark clothed group using all four of her feet, as lithe and nimble as I ever hoped to be.
I turned away but paused when I saw Maya standing by the doorway. Maya was my mother’s adviser and one of the most intelligent of my kind. She understood everything about our society and even knew a few things about the humans” vast amount of technology.
“Maya can I ask you something?” I asked as Maya slowly turned my way, her green eyes skillfully concealing her annoyance as her bronze tail froze in an effort to hide her emotions.
“Yes Lady Kyzudo,” she said respectfully being forced to look up since I was still standing upright like my mother instructed.
“You are the wisest and the most intelligent of our kind why is that so?” I asked as she rigidly bowed in gratitude.
“I am honored that you believe this to be true…” Maya began but I cut her off for I was truly curious why some were raised up in our society for possessing certain qualities while others were ignored. Was Maya simply born with superior intellectual abilities while others were not? Was I born a princess because I possess the qualities of a leader, of my mother?
“Yes but why are you so wise?” I continued as Maya looked up at me curiously though kept her head bowed and her tail grounded.
“All have the ability to gather data and form generalizations but in my opinion one who is thought to be intelligent is simply the one who understands when a generalization should be made.”
“Um explain.”
“The foolish gather data without ever drawing a conclusion yet the naïve draw conclusions before enough data is gathered therefore the intelligent understand that all facts cannot be known and that data without meaning is not worth gathering. That is what it means to be intelligent nothing more.”
“Um thanks uh could I come with you to the workshop.”
“Of course Lady Kyzudo but I hope for your mother’s sake that you do not choose to run off, again.”
“I cannot promise you that my interests will not drift or that my body will resist its call.”
“Of course, I will gather your guards then we can prepare to leave.” Maya said as I nodded “Oh and it would be inappropriate for royalty to be in public without a robe. Her majesty would disapprove if you insisted on leaving without it.”
“Fine, I will get dressed.” I said flicking my tailed in annoyance before awkwardly walking back to my room wit
h my front paws outstretched in an effort to steady myself.
When I got to my room I went to my closet where a silk black robe hung on a polished golden hook. I unhooked it then slipped it over my head fighting to get my ears through. I pulled my arms through the holes on the side then let the gown fall to my feet. I removed an elegant sash from another hook then tied it about my waist.
I walked over the full length mirror to look at myself. The loose fitting fabric hid all but my bare feet, the tip of my tail, my hands and my head. The only cream colored fur was located around my face. My blue eyes shown like gems in contrast to the black, I looked like an awkward less intimidating version of my mother. I stuck out my tongue in distaste when Kiza meowed by the door. I looked up to see my four usual guards.
“I am ready so let’s go.” I said as they nodded then led the way to the door. Maya joined me as the guards surrounded us. I looked around for it felt odd towering over the others dressed in my ridiculous robe. This all felt unnecessary since I am sure many of these cream and black furred guards must be my relatives.
We marched upholding society’s silly traditions. The guards formed a perfect square about Maya and me. Their long tails were raised and their ears were pricked. Their vigilant green eyes scanned the area and all sported the traditional black scarves, which were wrapped around their necks and upper torsos as a sign of their societal role as royal