Chapter 37 - Royal Tour
The Season of the New Sun had begun. Within two days, the zekon had thawed as the sun burnt off the covering of clouds. The trees and plants growing around the ancient temple sprouted new leaves and new grass had begun to form a film of green over the soil.
Tymos and Kryslie, who had been quiet and thoughtful since their night vigil, felt the vibrancy of the new life fill them when they walked out of the Temple. Overshadowing the sense of new life were the memories of the scenes of devastation. They had shared some of their vigil experience with the Elders, and those wise and brilliant men and women would consider the warning inherent in the described scenes.
Some of the Elders had already foreseen the war that would come. From those earlier visions, plans and protections were developed and these were already being implemented. These new visions, coming directly from the Guardians of Peace, revealed the full scope of the future.
Standing at the top of the Temple’s front steps, looking down over the burgeoning garden, seeing the potential for new life, both Tymos and Kryslie felt the memories of desolation recede. They could not shake the vision, even though the Elders had explained that what they had seen was not an absolute, inescapable future. The Guardians had sent the images as a warning of what might happen if they did not prepare, and to ease their concern, the full details of the defence plans were revealed to them. At that time, neither of them had seen a weakness. All that could be done, was being done by the relevantly trained people. Still, they felt that they were meant to be doing something more.
Elder Tymori had advised, “Stay open to the wisdom of the Guardians. Keep learning about Tymorea; keep experiencing aspects still new to you.”
Kryslie met her brother’s eyes as they removed the simple sandals they had used in the temple. With a quick glance, Tymos drew her attention to the city of Dira, spread out like a three-D map to the east of the temple hill. It was lit by the rising sun, and even so early, their eyes could see people moving along the streets. She suddenly felt that was where she needed to be. They had learnt so much history during their three weeks with the Elders, now they needed to learn about the common people, who depended on the Royals for protection.
She felt the urge to run down the hill, barefoot as she was, to begin their future role. She felt her twin’s mental sigh, and his passing thought of how juvenile such an action would look. With a sigh of her own, she picked up her pack, and followed after her father and the six Elders who were also heading for Dira.
At the outer boundary of the extensive Temple gardens, the guards and servants who had spent the season of Storms in the city, waited to accompany them back along the kilometre of road to the city.
Tymos and Kryslie were delighted to see their friends Jonko and Keleb with the group, and put aside their more serious musings. Summarising their time in the temple as being enlightening, they asked about their younger brother and how he was progressing.
After assuring them that Llaimos was fine and that Stenn had nominated himself Llaimos’s mentor, Jonko mentioned the return of Zacary.
“He was badly treated, but is recovering,” Keleb added after Jonko’s recital of known facts. “However, I can’t really get to like him. Stenn flat out doesn’t trust him, but he admits that was from before. He hasn’t anything new to say against him.”
“Trauma can change people,” Tymos suggested. “I’ll see what I think when we get back.”
“Good idea,” Keleb agreed, but Jonko said, “We should give him a chance.”
What Kryslie was going to say was interrupted by Tymorous, who had finished listening to his attendant.
“When we reach Dira, we will need to prepare for the first of our official engagements,” Tymoros advised. “Your attendants have your formal robes. You will be being presented to the City councillors, important merchants and some of the leading artisans. After the initial formalities, I will have you with me at the meetings arranged to discuss matters of importance. This will give you an understanding of the role of the Governors, mine, especially.”
He went on to explain what he expected of them, and when he was finished, Tymos and Kryslie had too little time to continue their conversation with their friends.
It was not until the late afternoon of their third day in the city that they had time to exchange more news with their friends. They met in the private courtyard of the manor house vacated for the use of the High King and his entourage.
Keleb scrutinised Kryslie as she sat on a low ornamental garden wall. “You seem older,” he commented.
“Maybe I am,” Kryslie decided as she thought on the past weeks. “I have learnt so much.” She allowed her own senses to study her friend. “You have changed too.”
“I feel…different…and the same,” Keleb admitted, trying to describe the subtle change within himself. “Perhaps it is more accurate to say that my priorities have changed. Is it true that you and Tymos wanted Jon and I to join you?”
“Yes, we thought you needed to experience the wider world too,” Kryslie did not mention the subtle differences she had felt after leaving the Royal Estate. She wondered if her friends had sensed them too.
“Then I must thank you. It has given me the chance to explore my affinity to animals. Until now, I had only been near the carriage horses. They are noble creatures, strong, confident, trained and used to us weak humans.”
Kryslie smiled, realising that she had sensed something similar from the creatures, but her mind had too many other things to dwell on.
“We came here by the beam,” Keleb explained. “But on calmer days during the past week, we rode out into the country. Jonko too, and some of the attendants of course. Eonic, a cousin of Governor Xyron, came with us and taught us a lot about the botany and biology of this area. Jonko already knew a lot about the plants, but when we stopped for him to discuss some aspect of botany or cultivation with Eonic, I found the wild creatures coming up to me. They weren’t afraid and it was almost as if they thought I was one of them. I felt that I could almost understand their thoughts and emotions, which are simple thoughts compared to our own.”
Kryslie placed her hand on Keleb’s arm, keeping his attention. “You have a special gift, and you need to cherish it and learn to use it. I am glad you have that chance.”
Keleb nodded. “Kryslie, you know how I never wanted to be a warrior like Jon,” he suddenly blurted. “I now know that I have reason to want to fight. I asked Jon to coach me since we have been here. Do you know why?”
“Yes,” Kryslie told him. “I too will fight with everything I have to protect this world. It is going to come to that. Tymos and I are beginning to see what we are, and we will need both you with your affinity to animals and Jonko’s knowledge of plants. You two are our interpreters of changes to the natural aura, and will fight at our side.”
Tymos and Jonko emerged from the house in time to hear Kryslie’s comment. It had the force of a prophecy.
“We will all fight together,” Tymos confirmed.
“What use is a sword to a plant?” Jonko asked softly.
“A plough share is another kind of blade,” Tymos said. “And there is more than one way to fight a battle.”
“How do you mean?” Jonko asked.
“Kryslie and I have discovered that we can draw on the aura, call it an energy field if you like, to enhance our abilities. We couldn’t do it back on the estate, because the power grid blocks us. We think you will be able to do that too. We agree that it can’t be a coincidence that you, an extremely capable fighter, have an affinity for growing things. Clear your mind and I will show you something.”
Jonko obeyed, and into his mind came an odd glowing picture. It was like a three dimensional representation on a computer screen. He heard Tymos say, “Look around, and watch when I draw on the aura.”
The lines of the glowing imaged moved closer to Tymos, but most noticeable was the brightening glow around Tymos’s feet, and the new fine lines flowing like spider threads towards Tymos from the trees and plants.
“Oh, my…” Jonko said, awed. The he blinked and his eyes returned to seeing only the physical world.
“Krys and I can see the lines of power that are the natural aura and they are as bright as the sun on still water. Not all of the lines affect the plants, but the life of the plants is linked to it. And in time, Jon, you will be able to manipulate the aura and affect the plants,” Tymos insisted.
Jonko chose not to express his disbelief. Keleb was looking curiously at his friend’s awed expression.
“What happened?” Keleb asked.
“I showed him the energy form of the plants and ground,” Tymos said aloud, but added mentally to Kryslie, “You might be able to show him the energy shape of the animals. He is not so receptive to me, but you have more empathy.”
Kryslie nodded faintly and offered, “Kel, come with me to the stables, I will try to show you something.”
Keleb looked confused for a moment, but then agreed. “Okay.”
At the stables, Kryslie took Keleb’s hand, as touching made mental contact easier. “Animals and people have their own energy shape. Clear your mind…”
Kryslie knew when Keleb began to see what she saw with her mind rather than her eyes.
“It is like a glowing after image of a bright light, but within that glow there are lines of greater intensity,” Keleb said. The image faded. “Can I do that? See those lines?”
“ Now you know what there is to see, concentrate on the creature and imagine the aura filling it. It may take you a little while to learn how to draw on the aura, but keep trying and practicing.”
Kryslie watched the concentration on Keleb’s face.
“I can’t do it,” he said, discouraged.
“You are trying too hard. Did you know that when you use your transmitter, you are drawing on the aura to charge it?”
“Huh?” Keleb blurted. “What do you mean?”
“What I said. The only difference is that there is no power grid out here like there is at the palace. The grid there is like a storage battery, and you tap into that…it makes it easier for those with less power. Most people there find it harder to draw on the aura directly.”
“But…”
“Okay, to focus, try holding your transmitter and trying to see the power shape,” Kryslie suggested.
Keleb followed her directions, looking down at his transmitter until it charged and then looked at the horse.
“How did I …”
Kryslie grinned. “Tymos and I did a bit of digging in the archives. The transmitter units act as a booster and a focus for a natural ability.”
“But…we can’t use transmitters out here.”
“You can, Father confirmed it. On the estate, they restrict our units to stop students going off the estate. Plus they have added a protective shield around the place. Anyway, you can transmit out here, if the unit is charged. In fact, Tymos and I can sense the aura more strongly out here than on the estate.”
“I will take your word on that,” Keleb said, finding a grin. “If you are free tomorrow, why don’t you ride out with us and look around? Maybe we can practice transmitting with no one looking.”
“I would like that,” Kryslie admitted. She passed the idea to her brother mentally, and received back an image of four riders surrounded by a retinue of guards. She sighed to herself and saw his wry grin.
The Royal Tour progressed; travelling by coach along a curving, sometimes zigzag route stopping for a day or two at various towns and smaller villages between Dira and Reva.
At the smaller centres of population, Tymos mingled with the lower class commoners for the first time. Not that they hadn’t met commoners before, but the ones invited to the events at the palace were usually the higher ranked ones, like City Councillors and wealthy merchants and their families. Now they met farmers, tradespeople, herdsmen, bakers, and even children.
Tymoros had engagements that kept him busy, but when Tymos and Kryslie were not required, he gave them permission to mingle with the people. They were usually instantly recognised by their formal attire and their dark red hair, which was a characteristic of the High King’s line, as well as by the contingent of guards around them.
Jonko and Keleb were able to move with greater freedom, and they spoke to the local people and later brought some of them to talk to Tymos and Kryslie. All had strange and disturbing stories to tell and it became clear that the aliens were getting bolder, and actually approaching and infiltrating the centres of population. They believed they were unsuspected, but they were betraying their actions to the observant locals. The aliens were looking at everything and getting everywhere.
A similar picture reached them in each town and village, and the stories were becoming disturbing in their frequency. Dutifully, Tymos passed the knowledge on to Tymoros, who in turn relayed it to Reslic. It was now obvious that the aliens were present in greater numbers than anyone had realised.
During a quiet moment alone together, Tymos shared with Kryslie the stirrings of a premonition. “The aliens must surely be intending to act soon. They have not dared to come near us, knowing we can identify them.”
“They fear us,” Kryslie decided. “We almost overcame the leader of the intruders, when we were merely children.”
“Yes, that one knows who we are,” Tymos agreed. “I do not think he wants us to remain free. Surely, he knows we are travelling away from the estate. He will have to act before we reach the Farmlands City.”
“I want to know more about those aliens,” Kryslie said.
“They are not the ones we must fight,” Tymos reminded her.
“But they might lead us to those who are our target,” Kryslie suggested. “The first need in any war is for information. The aliens are learning about Tymoreans, we must learn about them.”
“They are not discovering everything,” Tymos corrected. “But I agree. We must be prepared.”
As the Royal tour approached Reva, the amount of foot and cart traffic on the road grew thicker.
“Father, where is everyone going?” Kryslie asked as their carriage passed carts that had pulled off the road to let them pass.
“Judging by the laden carts, I would say these are farmers coming into the city to sell some excess produce while they are here to answer the census.”
Instead of asking what a census was, Tymos and Kryslie sorted through the information coming into their minds from either memory, or bequeathed knowledge.
“I remember now,” Kryslie thought at her twin, with a heavy touch of irony.
Tymos thought back, “Now that they are not making us forget.” Aloud, he said carefully, “I hope our accommodation was booked.” He was grinning as he said it.
He looked at Tymoros as he said it and saw an answering smile.
“Oh, I think I have rank enough to be sure of a bed,” he responded to the teasing. “I am not sure about lower ranked Royals such as mere Princes.”
Kryslie realised something and shared it with Tymos. “He liked you teasing him! I think it has been a very long time since anyone dared.”
Reva was still two days ride away, but the senior guard spoke to Tymoros when they stopped for the lunch break.
“Sire, with all these people on the road, should we stop and camp as we have been? I do not feel comfortable with having so many unknown people around.”
“Do you think we are too lofty to share the conditions these commonfolk must endure?” Tymoros asked mildly, as he stood next to the carriage.
“No Sire. It is not that. Your loyal subjects, such as my colleagues, and myself have been enjoined to ensure the safety of yourself and your heirs. Your other loyal subjects, which include most of the commonfolk sharing this road, are not our fear. It is the non-loyal subjects or others that concern me.”
Tymoros understood the distinction. “What do you propose?”
His children lost interest in the domestic arrangements when Tymos spotted a familiar face amongst the farm folk and villagers trudging along the road.
“Krys. That looks like one of the children we met,” he nudged his sister.
“Where?” She looked in the direction he was pointing.
“Gone!” Tymos muttered. “He spotted the coaches and wriggled back into the crowd.”
The crowd of walkers had slowed to gawk at the Royal carriages, but did not venture past the ring of watching guards.
“I’d go and try to find them if we hadn’t been told to stay here,” Tymos said. “I still would, except I agree with father’s reasons.”
“So do I,” Krys agreed. “Even though we can’t be sure we haven’t already been spotted by an alien observer. After all, we are hardly inconspicuous and we have managed to stroll around every town we have stopped at. What about Jon and Kel – they could look for us.”
“No, they haven’t met them,” Tymos sighed.
“Well, we know they are heading to Reva. Once we get there we can get Jon and Kel to look, or we can once our official appointments are over,” Kryslie considered, then she asked, “Is there a reason why you are so interested? Tarri, maybe?”
Tymos gave her a disgusted look. “Tarri, yes, but not for the reason you are implying. I would like to know if her mother got better.”
“Fair enough, but she is a nice sensible girl. She would make a good consort,” Kryslie continued to tease.
The reply was an un-gentlemanly snort. “I have seen enough of boring official functions and meetings on this short trip to last a lifetime. I will happily step aside and let Llaimos become High King after father, may he live for a long time yet.”
Morin and Delia approached the coach, accompanied by two guards.
“The privacy tent is set up if you need to use it,” Delia said primly.
“And a tent for you to eat in,” Morin added.
“Good,” Tymos announced. “I need to stretch my legs. I have not done so much sitting still that I can remember.”
“I am sure His Excellency will check you haven’t gone soft, as soon as you return, Prince Tymos,” Morin assured his charge with a perfectly respectful voice.
Tymos groaned. “Maybe I won’t go back.”
Delia, knowing Tymos was jesting, did not add a comment.
That night, they travelled late and detoured off the road to the farmstead of a former Peace Corps man. During the meal provided by the travelling party, Tymos and Kryslie listened to more reports of disturbing incidents. The man had his own informants out amongst the local farmers. Their inner certainty that the aliens would act soon, intensified. Just as they knew, with the certainty equal of a direct vision from the guardians, that the alien they encountered – wanted them. And these aliens were responsible for the deaths of their father’s other children. Why, they did not know.
Both Tymos and Kryslie did not intend to let the alien get them easily. If he did succeed in taking them, they wanted him to underestimate them, and they would escape. They would take with them knowledge about the aliens.
The following day, they left early, travelled into the night, and kept travelling until they reached Reva, where they were the guests of the mayor of the city. Fortunately, he lived in a walled off manor and the crowds of excited commoners only had a quick view of the carriages.
The city was full of visitors from the surrounding towns, and had been ever since the census was announced. People from the closer towns and villages came first, completed their information and departed. They were replaced by people coming from more distant places.
However, since the arrival of the High King, the people were staying in the hope of seeing the king and his heirs. They might never have another chance.
Two full days of official duties followed by formal dinners and arranged entertainments was more than enough for Tymos and Kryslie. Tymoros excused them from the third day’s agenda, giving them tacit permission to mingle inconspicuously amongst the common people.
During the first two days, they had worn their formal outfits, sometimes gold and silver, other times the red or purple and gold. At each formal appearance, they wore the simple coronets of Heir Designates and were always just out of reach of the common people. For their excursion on the third day, they reverted to their simpler brown travelling robes, and wore hooded capes of similar design to the ordinary folk, to hide the startling dark auburn of their hair. Their guards and attendants wore similar over-capes to hide their formal livery. Jonko and Keleb already blended into the crowds for their hair was light brown like the commoners, and they did not need to dress formally.
For that day, while they waited for Jonko and Keleb to bring the first of their contacts to speak with them, Tymos and Kryslie sat on a bench near the bakery and dairy stalls and listened to snatches of conversation as people moved around them. The subjects ranged from farmers talking about planting, herders discussing herd increases, city folk complaining of the crowds, children shouting in excitement because of the presence of the king, and being told off for racing between the legs of adults, and various snatches of gossip about people they had no knowledge of.
If they lowered their hoods, they would be an instant sensation, but that was not their intention. The people Jonko brought to meet them had important things to say, that needed to reach the ears of the Governors. Having a crowd of excited people all trying to talk to them, just to say that they had, was counter- productive.
The bench was near the centre of town, just down from the main square, but still in the midst of people. Word quickly spread that the king would be walking through the square to talk to anyone that had a need to speak to him. The crowds began to surge towards the far side of the square. Tymos and Kryslie had spoken to the last of the visitors Jonko had brought to them, and were considering going back to the mayor’s manor when Kryslie spotted Tarri again. She was walking towards the bakery, with an older woman on her arm, but trying to see who was exciting the crowd. She nudged Tymos and shrugged in the girl’s direction.
“I’ll bring them over,” Tymos said softly. He told their guards to stay where they were. He moved with a swordsman’s grace to avoid people passing in front of him, and not looking where they were going, and neared Tarri just as a man shoving past jostled the older woman off her feet. With effortless ease, he prevented the woman from falling, and sensed that she had twisted her ankle.
The old woman turned to thank him, but saw little more than the hooded face. Tarri, however, had seen the intense blue eyes and a glimpse of auburn hair. Her mouth opened in astonishment and closed again. She had enough sense to stay quiet, lest the crowd made her their focus.
Tymos met her eyes and grinned at her. “There is a seat not far away if your mother would like to rest her foot,” he suggested politely. “At the moment, everyone is trying to occupy the far side of the square.”
“My mother came out to see the High King Governor,” Tarri spoke softly. “But as you say, the crowd is too dense.”
As Tymos gently helped the woman to hobble along, he felt his own energy going into her. He did not understand it, but he hoped it would help her ankle to heal.
After helping the woman onto the bench and sending Delia for some refreshments, Tymos murmured, “Do you recall my sister, Kryslie?”
Tarri nodded, but her mother proved that she was not feeble minded. “Princess Kryslie? And you, young man, must be Prince Tymos. But what are you doing, wandering around on your own?”
Tymos chuckled. “Avoiding the crowds. We had enough of that yesterday. This way, we can talk to nice people, and find out their concerns. And, we are not exactly alone.”
The woman finally noticed Morin and the guards.
“We had the pleasure of meeting your children a few weeks ago. I heard then that you were ill. I am glad you have recovered.”
Tarri looked at him with a sheen of tears in her eyes. “You made her better, Pr…”
Tymos silenced her with a gesture and insisted, “Tymos.”
“Pr…Tymos,” she went on. “I don’t know how, but after I went home she started to recover. The doctor called it miraculous, because so many others died, and many more are even now, still weak and frail. It had to be you. After talking to you, I just knew she would get well.”
“I…am glad,” Tymos managed to say.
Kryslie saw Jonko approaching. She spoke quickly, “We are aware of the illnesses, and would like to hear more about yours. Delia, would you arrange for …”
“Leonie,” Tarri supplied.
“Leonie and her children to dine with us this evening?” Kryslie finished.
“But we don’t have anything to wear,” Tarri protested.
“No one will think less of you for that,” Tymos promised. “We don’t have any official engagements tonight. It will just be father, a few of the Elders and us. And please, we would like you to come.”
“We would be honoured,” Tarri managed to say politely. “I never guessed who you were when we met you.”
Kryslie met Jonko’s gaze and sensed he had an important message. Seeing Aldiv following him, she guessed they were being summoned, and she flicked a mental warning at her brother.
“Will you require assistance returning to your lodgings, Mistress Leonie?” Tymos en