waved behind me like a ribbon excited by the moving air about ground. My ears were flattened as if to add to my speed and my mouth was partly opened as I took in as much air as I could. My pack pulled at my shoulders but I would not slow, I was too close for that.
My mind raced ahead to my people. Our society maybe stable enough to endure for countless generations but that did not make it any less flawed. I was my duty to change the ways of my people to prevent this from ever happening again. I need to devise a way for my people to choose a leader if the appointed one falls ill without waging war. I need to make sure no leader is excluded from following the safeguards that protect my people, even when certain traditions must be violated. I need to make sure that one who is under qualified is not forced to lead when more experienced individuals are willing. There must be order even when the leader is lost. I must change our society for the better or something of this nature is bound to occur in the future. I must fight to create a better world while I am still alive, while I still have a chance.
I slowed when I saw a bright light down the tunnel. I was home I thought when I saw two of my people facing one another with bared fangs. One wore a black rag tied around her upper arm and the other wore a rag dyed red around her waist.
“You should be ashamed of yourself for supporting Merula. She does not represent the people. She represents the old ways, which must be done away with.” The one with red sash stated.
“She is strong and she will lead us well. The Death Stalkers have a great respect for her skills and trust her leadership. She will be as good as a leader as any of us can hope for.”
“She is practically royalty but Syrugia is one of us. See this red band represents the sashes the leader wears. Everyone who supports Syrugia bears them because it reminds us that anyone of us can lead. Under Syrugia we all have a voice.”
“There will be a war and the Death Stalkers and the royal guards have already chosen their sides. Merula will win because she is backed by the strongest fighters. I will not be killed in this war defending the losing side. I have a family plus Sanoka was close to Merula so maybe she will be as good a leader as her. This band represents the strength of the Death Stalkers and the bracelet Sanoka use to wear.”
“So it represents the bracelet that Syrugia stole from her, the one now with Sanoka’s lost daughter,”
“This bracelet represents Sanoka’s strong leadership and we need strength in times like these.”
“The people need change and when faced with all of us even the mighty Death Stalkers and royal guards will fall.”
“The people are divided.”
“The people are afraid of change but Sanoka is getting weaker and her daughter must be dead by now. They side with Merula only because she reminds them of Sanoka but I want things to change.”
“But they won’t,”
“Then I will fight until knowledge of the future is lost to me and all that exists is the infinite hopeful ignorance of oblivion.”
“I guess that is your choice but I say it is a foolish one,”
“At least I have the strength to move on. I would not be surprised if you were still waiting for Kyzudo to return,”
“Well if she was then she shall not be disappointed.” I said stepping out of the shadows as they both turned to me.
“Wait, are you Kyzudo?” one of them asked as I nodded.
“I am and I came here to change everything for the better.” I announced then hurried off toward the palace. “But I haven’t much time,”
I ran to the palace where a group of royal servants had gathered. They were all looking toward the central light. I could see that many had gathered there to hear Syrugia and Merula speak I assume.
“I tried to stop her but she ignored my advice and rushed off to make a mess of things. The Death Stalkers maybe protecting her but she is going too far. If the infection does not kill her then one of her challengers surely will.”
“I have already started planning her funeral but when she dies the war will surely commence. We have to choose sides soon because many of Sanoka’s most loyal subjects are beginning given up on her health.”
She won’t last long if she insists on constantly challenging Merula and Syrugia because soon we may have to stop treating her in fear of being marked as their enemies.”
I looked at the central light. My mother was going to fight for her people but she would only anger Syrugia and Merula. If I did not hurry she was going to die with or without the cure and I could not let that happen.
I left my pack in front of the palace then I ran to the central light with my mother’s blade gripped firmly in my jaws. My teeth dug into the wooden handle as my legs flashed in a blur of motion. My blue eyes seemed to be set ablaze.
I ran down the middle of the neatly separated crowd when I saw my mother standing before the lit dome by Syrugia and Merula.
“Neither of you can rule in my place. My only successor is my daughter Kyzudo. There can be no other. The ruler must be of royal blood.” my mother said proudly. She was leaning heavily on her remaining blade. Her robes were wrinkled and her eyes had lost their fire.
“Kyzudo is dead but we can’t wait for you to realize that.” Syrugia yelled as her followers yipped in agreement.
“She will return,” my mother said confidently.
”You are weakening Sanoka and someone must take your place. Your daughter is not an option.” Merula said boldly as my mother turned to her.
“I respect you Merula as a warrior but I will never support you as a leader.” she said fearlessly when Merula rushed over to her snarling, raised on her hind legs. She stood over my mother with her tail raised high so it peeked over her shoulder. Her cream and white fur stood on end as she looked down at my mother with her steely grey eyes.
“Kyzudo is dead. Someone must lead the people.” Merula stated firmly as my mother looked up at her with cold defiant eyes.
“But I rather it not be you,” she said when Merula whipped her tail behind her as she bared her teeth.
“You fool!” Merula yelled when the Death Stalkers rushed in front of my mother.
“Sanoka is ill. She is no threat to you.” Dabu explained.
”Fine but she better learn her place.” Merula snarled as she turned away.
“Ha look at the royals squabbling for power. It is barbaric but we are more advanced than that. We should abandon tradition and allow anyone to rule.” Syrugia said as her followers formed an uproar of yipping
“No, I will not allow it.” my mother growled as Syrugia turned to her.
“Allow? I don’t need your permission.” Syrugia continued as my mother raised her blade then pointed it at Syrugia’s throat. The toes of her injured leg were hovering an inch or so off the ground as she balanced herself on one leg.
“I will not allow for you to do away with tradition because that is all the people have.” she said as Syrugia flicked her dark brown tail.
“There will be no more classes. Anyone can be the next leader. I offer freedom”
“No one can be allowed to have complete power or the others will suffer. Our traditions protect the people’s rights.” Mom stated as Syrugia began to circle her with her blue eyes following her every move.
“We should set our own rules. We don’t have to listen to you anymore.” Syrugia yelled as she pounced toward my mother, causing her to lose her balance. The blade fell from her hand as the Death Stalkers fought to defend her which caused Syrugia’s followers to rush forward. The followers of Merula quickly joined in the fray to fend to off Syrugia’s supporters. This was just the beginning of a bloody war.
“I am coming Mom!” I yelled as I ran pass the crowd on my hind legs with my blade raised. Many people stopped to watch me in a state of wonderment and confusion.
I pushed my way through the mass of people wrestling each other with exposed fangs inching toward the other’s throat. The Death Stalkers were now widely spread as they tried to restore peace. Syrugia was battling my moth
er who was faring well even though she was unarmed and was forced to limp about. Her movements were fast and left Syrugia dazed but the tables were turned when she found my mother’s blade. She swung it wildly as my mother backed away.
“Leave my mother alone!” I yelled catching her blade mid sweep with my own. The metal blades met with a clang that echoed through the hollow chamber. With both hands I pushed her blade aside then I raised my blade to her chest but she backed away circling then swung her blade at my head. I sidestepped then cut her side with a clean well executed swipe. Blood oozed from the wound as her blade toppled from her hand. She fell to the ground as I turned to my mother.
“Mom, are you okay?” I asked as she eyes lit up with pride.
“I am now, Kyzudo, I am now,” she said as everyone stopped to look at us.
“Is that Kyzudo?” they asked each other as they gathered around not wanting to fight their friends and neighbors any longer.
“Kyzudo, you are alive,” Dabu stated as I nodded.
“And I have my mother’s cure. It is back at the palace. Everything is going to be alright now?” I stated as my mother waved her tail in a wide arch.
“Yeah I think so,” she answered as the people slowly began cheering, unsure as first but rapidly gaining certainty. I had proven myself worthy of being their leader. My newfound honor and bloodline insisted that I must take my mother’s place as the only rightful heir to the throne. No one would dare question my right due to my age or