Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 8:25 pm
You are in luck - I have been bad and I have chosen to write over actually doing university work!
The day of the summit had arrived. The Royals had been using their time by practicing the foursquare and learning how to use it properly. Liz was still freezing everybody out. It wasn’t just Michael although he got the worst of it. She refused to speak to Maria, Kyle or Alex too. They were hurt by her rejection but didn’t push her.
Liz had spent her time with the Royal scribes and lawyers trying to put her plan into action. She had a strange sense of power. She knew that the summit was approaching but she persevered relentlessly. She refused to be afraid. This would be the first time she had seen Kivar since his attack.
She knew that he had never intended to kill her, just scare her. It had worked for a while but Liz eventually saw it as a sign of weakness. Kivar obviously needed the information she had so much that he would be willing to walk away from the throne. Not that he needed it.
She had done a lot more digging and had discovered more disturbing facts. She had found more pictures of Kivar’s relatives and the similarity left no room to doubt that the pictures were all of the same man. Kivar was somehow able to come back from the dead or he was immortal.
Every picture had the same eyes, chin, nose and lips. Every line was the same. Every hair was identical. Kivar was a trold. He was an Ancient. What that meant Liz was still unsure of, but she knew that it was important.
The morning of the summit Michael awoke to find himself in an empty bed. His eyes scanned the room until they settled on the silhouette of Liz on the balcony. Breathing a sigh of relief Michael rose and walked out onto the balcony.
“You’re up early.” Michael commented gently.
“It’s an important day.” Liz replied. Her eyes were fixed on the horizon.
“I know that I am your least favourite person at the moment but I need you to stick close to me today.” Michael asked.
“Ok.” Liz replied. She had woken up with a feeling of dread in her stomach. Her feelings of strength and power had left her in the night.
Michael was a little surprised that Liz acquiesced so easily but he let it go. Letting her know that he was going for a shower, Michael walked away but left his eyes on Liz’s form.
Later that day Liz and Michael walked towards the highest tower in the palace. Michael had reasoned that there was only one entrance and exit. He had activated a device to prevent anyone using their powers and had fastened the device to the under side of the table in front of him.
Liz was fidgeting with the sleeve of her dress. Her eyes were cast downwards and she stayed uncharacteristically close to her husband’s side. A servant arrived at the top of the stairs to announce the arrival of Kivar and his entourage. Max nodded at the others and everyone assumed their designated seats. Liz sat to Michael’s left with Isabel on her right. Max had decided to display a united front and the group was seated alien next to human.
The tower was broad and light. The windows provided ample light and the vaulted ceiling added a regal touch to the proceedings. The table in the centre of the room was long and rectangular. Max was seated in the middle facing the door as the others fanned out beside him. It seemed as though they were all holding their breath as Kivar entered the room followed by his entourage.
With a curt nod to Max Kivar took his seat at the table with his four aides sitting beside him. Kivar’s eyes swept over the children at the other side of the table with a twinkle. Silence bounced off of the walls and echoed back into the room. Michael stiffened as he felt Liz place her small hand in his much larger one. Out of the corner of his eye he could see her chewing on her lip. He squeezed her hand tightly and looked across the table.
Something was not right.
“You requested this meeting Kivar, I assumed you had something to say.” Max began. His voice was low and serious but those who knew him heard the slight tremble.
“Naturally.” Kivar replied with a beaming grin. “Vilandra, how nice to see you again.”
“My name is Isabel.” She replied tightly.
“As you wish.” Kivar stated apologetically.
“What do you want?” Michael demanded.
“To negotiate.” Kivar answered with his smile still in place. “War is senseless.”
“Then surrender.” Michael shot back. Liz’s tense posture and cold hand were putting him on edge.
“What is your claim to the throne?” Alex asked.
“Ah. An Earthling.” Kivar stated. “I have been looking so forward to meeting all of you.”
“And why would that be?” Kyle asked.
“I have an interest in foreign cultures.” Kivar replied. “I find it a good quality in a leader to understand differences. Don’t you Max?”
“Yes.” Max replied cautiously. He didn’t want to be drawn into a trap or say something that he could regret later.
“I want the throne.” Kivar stated. “And I have more claim than you do.”
“Oh really?” Tess shot across the table. “How do you figure that?”
“I am Antarian.” Kivar returned. “You are mostly human. I was born here, you were created in a laboratory. I can trace my line back generations, you barely know who you used to be. How can you possibly rule a planet you don’t understand?”
“It is my birth right and our destiny.” Max shot back through gritted teeth.
“No, it was Zan’s birth right. A name you no longer have any real connection to other than a few chromosomes.” Kivar relied coolly.
“So what do you expect?” Max demanded. “That we are just going to roll over and hand you the throne?”
“If I do not get what I want I will not hesitate to put all of you to the sword.” Kivar threatened.
Liz was under no illusion that that comment was not directed at her. Taking a deep breath and removing her hand from Michael’s, Liz looked Kivar straight in the eye.
“Are you ready to discuss the terms of your unconditional surrender?” She asked in a strong and unyielding voice.
All heads at the table turned to her in shock. She ignored them and kept her eyes locked on Kivar. He sat back in his chair and gazed at her with speculation.
“I’m listening.” He stated. His aides started to protest but Kivar silenced them with a wave of his hand.
Liz turned to the door and in perfect Antarian ordered the guard to allow a scribe to pass through. After the guard looked at Max for confirmation, Liz repeated her command in a more forceful tone. The guard complied and allowed a small man on the other side to enter. Liz nodded to the small man who returned the gesture and placed a long piece of parchment in front of Kivar and then retreated to the edges of the room.
“In front of you is a legal document outlining the conditions of your surrender.
You will officially renounce any claim you, or any member of your bloodline, has to the throne of Antar or any of the other planets in this alignment.
You will disband your Army and remove any generals (in a manner that you see fit) who could possibly challenge the authority of Max or Michael.
All of your lands will be turned over to the crown…”
Before she could continue one of Kivar’s aides began shouting across the table.
“You insolent little bitch. How dare you address the true King of Antar?”
“Sit down.” Liz demanded. She looked to Kivar for confirmation and he seconded her order. Turning to the disaffected aide she spoke slowly and powerfully. “I hold all of the cards in this negotiation. I hold the power. The sooner you understand that the easier it will be for you to accept what is going to happen.”
“And in return I get what?” Kivar asked.
“What you want.” Liz replied with a confident expression.
“And I am merely to believe that you have what I want?” Kivar questioned.
“My honour is above reproach.” Liz shot back. “My word can be trusted. At the bottom of the document is a clause that states if you are not entirely happy with the information you are given then the document is null and void. You have nothing to lose.”
“Agreed.” Kivar stated. “A pen please.”
Over the stuttering objections of his aides the scribe handed Kivar a pen. As Kivar perused the document Michael grabbed Liz by the hand and pulled her over to the side of the room.
“What the hell is going on?” He demanded in hushed tones.
“Not all of us have been spending our time so frivolously. I have been working on this for a while and I know what I am doing.” Liz shot back in annoyance.
“How do you know what he wants?” Michael asked.
“He told me.” Liz replied.
“It was him!” Michael stated in shock. It had taken a moment to settle in but Michael suddenly realised why Kivar seemed so familiar. “He tried to kill you and you are working for him?!?”
“I am not working for him I am merely trying to stop the blood shed.” Liz returned matching his hushed tones.
“I don’t believe this.” Michael muttered.
Liz walked away from him and returned to the table just in time to see Max sign the document and have it notarised. Liz stood behind her chair and placed her hands on the backrest.
“The answer.” Kivar asked expectantly.
“I have more than the answer.” Liz replied smugly. “I have the location.”
“The location to what?” Kivar asked uneasily.
“The pathway.” Liz returned. “I know who you are and I have pretty much figured out what it going on.”
Kivar looked up at Liz in awe. The others at the table were highly confused by the interaction between Liz and their enemy.
“Where is it?” Kivar asked in an excited voice.
Just as Liz was about to answer a cold blade pressed against her throat. Her eyes widened as she saw the shocked expressions on everybody’s faces. She didn’t need to turn around to see who her attacker was. The perfume gave it away…
The day of the summit had arrived. The Royals had been using their time by practicing the foursquare and learning how to use it properly. Liz was still freezing everybody out. It wasn’t just Michael although he got the worst of it. She refused to speak to Maria, Kyle or Alex too. They were hurt by her rejection but didn’t push her.
Liz had spent her time with the Royal scribes and lawyers trying to put her plan into action. She had a strange sense of power. She knew that the summit was approaching but she persevered relentlessly. She refused to be afraid. This would be the first time she had seen Kivar since his attack.
She knew that he had never intended to kill her, just scare her. It had worked for a while but Liz eventually saw it as a sign of weakness. Kivar obviously needed the information she had so much that he would be willing to walk away from the throne. Not that he needed it.
She had done a lot more digging and had discovered more disturbing facts. She had found more pictures of Kivar’s relatives and the similarity left no room to doubt that the pictures were all of the same man. Kivar was somehow able to come back from the dead or he was immortal.
Every picture had the same eyes, chin, nose and lips. Every line was the same. Every hair was identical. Kivar was a trold. He was an Ancient. What that meant Liz was still unsure of, but she knew that it was important.
The morning of the summit Michael awoke to find himself in an empty bed. His eyes scanned the room until they settled on the silhouette of Liz on the balcony. Breathing a sigh of relief Michael rose and walked out onto the balcony.
“You’re up early.” Michael commented gently.
“It’s an important day.” Liz replied. Her eyes were fixed on the horizon.
“I know that I am your least favourite person at the moment but I need you to stick close to me today.” Michael asked.
“Ok.” Liz replied. She had woken up with a feeling of dread in her stomach. Her feelings of strength and power had left her in the night.
Michael was a little surprised that Liz acquiesced so easily but he let it go. Letting her know that he was going for a shower, Michael walked away but left his eyes on Liz’s form.
Later that day Liz and Michael walked towards the highest tower in the palace. Michael had reasoned that there was only one entrance and exit. He had activated a device to prevent anyone using their powers and had fastened the device to the under side of the table in front of him.
Liz was fidgeting with the sleeve of her dress. Her eyes were cast downwards and she stayed uncharacteristically close to her husband’s side. A servant arrived at the top of the stairs to announce the arrival of Kivar and his entourage. Max nodded at the others and everyone assumed their designated seats. Liz sat to Michael’s left with Isabel on her right. Max had decided to display a united front and the group was seated alien next to human.
The tower was broad and light. The windows provided ample light and the vaulted ceiling added a regal touch to the proceedings. The table in the centre of the room was long and rectangular. Max was seated in the middle facing the door as the others fanned out beside him. It seemed as though they were all holding their breath as Kivar entered the room followed by his entourage.
With a curt nod to Max Kivar took his seat at the table with his four aides sitting beside him. Kivar’s eyes swept over the children at the other side of the table with a twinkle. Silence bounced off of the walls and echoed back into the room. Michael stiffened as he felt Liz place her small hand in his much larger one. Out of the corner of his eye he could see her chewing on her lip. He squeezed her hand tightly and looked across the table.
Something was not right.
“You requested this meeting Kivar, I assumed you had something to say.” Max began. His voice was low and serious but those who knew him heard the slight tremble.
“Naturally.” Kivar replied with a beaming grin. “Vilandra, how nice to see you again.”
“My name is Isabel.” She replied tightly.
“As you wish.” Kivar stated apologetically.
“What do you want?” Michael demanded.
“To negotiate.” Kivar answered with his smile still in place. “War is senseless.”
“Then surrender.” Michael shot back. Liz’s tense posture and cold hand were putting him on edge.
“What is your claim to the throne?” Alex asked.
“Ah. An Earthling.” Kivar stated. “I have been looking so forward to meeting all of you.”
“And why would that be?” Kyle asked.
“I have an interest in foreign cultures.” Kivar replied. “I find it a good quality in a leader to understand differences. Don’t you Max?”
“Yes.” Max replied cautiously. He didn’t want to be drawn into a trap or say something that he could regret later.
“I want the throne.” Kivar stated. “And I have more claim than you do.”
“Oh really?” Tess shot across the table. “How do you figure that?”
“I am Antarian.” Kivar returned. “You are mostly human. I was born here, you were created in a laboratory. I can trace my line back generations, you barely know who you used to be. How can you possibly rule a planet you don’t understand?”
“It is my birth right and our destiny.” Max shot back through gritted teeth.
“No, it was Zan’s birth right. A name you no longer have any real connection to other than a few chromosomes.” Kivar relied coolly.
“So what do you expect?” Max demanded. “That we are just going to roll over and hand you the throne?”
“If I do not get what I want I will not hesitate to put all of you to the sword.” Kivar threatened.
Liz was under no illusion that that comment was not directed at her. Taking a deep breath and removing her hand from Michael’s, Liz looked Kivar straight in the eye.
“Are you ready to discuss the terms of your unconditional surrender?” She asked in a strong and unyielding voice.
All heads at the table turned to her in shock. She ignored them and kept her eyes locked on Kivar. He sat back in his chair and gazed at her with speculation.
“I’m listening.” He stated. His aides started to protest but Kivar silenced them with a wave of his hand.
Liz turned to the door and in perfect Antarian ordered the guard to allow a scribe to pass through. After the guard looked at Max for confirmation, Liz repeated her command in a more forceful tone. The guard complied and allowed a small man on the other side to enter. Liz nodded to the small man who returned the gesture and placed a long piece of parchment in front of Kivar and then retreated to the edges of the room.
“In front of you is a legal document outlining the conditions of your surrender.
You will officially renounce any claim you, or any member of your bloodline, has to the throne of Antar or any of the other planets in this alignment.
You will disband your Army and remove any generals (in a manner that you see fit) who could possibly challenge the authority of Max or Michael.
All of your lands will be turned over to the crown…”
Before she could continue one of Kivar’s aides began shouting across the table.
“You insolent little bitch. How dare you address the true King of Antar?”
“Sit down.” Liz demanded. She looked to Kivar for confirmation and he seconded her order. Turning to the disaffected aide she spoke slowly and powerfully. “I hold all of the cards in this negotiation. I hold the power. The sooner you understand that the easier it will be for you to accept what is going to happen.”
“And in return I get what?” Kivar asked.
“What you want.” Liz replied with a confident expression.
“And I am merely to believe that you have what I want?” Kivar questioned.
“My honour is above reproach.” Liz shot back. “My word can be trusted. At the bottom of the document is a clause that states if you are not entirely happy with the information you are given then the document is null and void. You have nothing to lose.”
“Agreed.” Kivar stated. “A pen please.”
Over the stuttering objections of his aides the scribe handed Kivar a pen. As Kivar perused the document Michael grabbed Liz by the hand and pulled her over to the side of the room.
“What the hell is going on?” He demanded in hushed tones.
“Not all of us have been spending our time so frivolously. I have been working on this for a while and I know what I am doing.” Liz shot back in annoyance.
“How do you know what he wants?” Michael asked.
“He told me.” Liz replied.
“It was him!” Michael stated in shock. It had taken a moment to settle in but Michael suddenly realised why Kivar seemed so familiar. “He tried to kill you and you are working for him?!?”
“I am not working for him I am merely trying to stop the blood shed.” Liz returned matching his hushed tones.
“I don’t believe this.” Michael muttered.
Liz walked away from him and returned to the table just in time to see Max sign the document and have it notarised. Liz stood behind her chair and placed her hands on the backrest.
“The answer.” Kivar asked expectantly.
“I have more than the answer.” Liz replied smugly. “I have the location.”
“The location to what?” Kivar asked uneasily.
“The pathway.” Liz returned. “I know who you are and I have pretty much figured out what it going on.”
Kivar looked up at Liz in awe. The others at the table were highly confused by the interaction between Liz and their enemy.
“Where is it?” Kivar asked in an excited voice.
Just as Liz was about to answer a cold blade pressed against her throat. Her eyes widened as she saw the shocked expressions on everybody’s faces. She didn’t need to turn around to see who her attacker was. The perfume gave it away…