Chapter 30
Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2006 9:52 pm
Chapter 30
The coronation the following day was a lot like Max would picture in some fairy tale. He was garbed in royal robes the color of deep purple and trimmed in gold as was Alex. Zan, Ava, and Boone wore similar robes but they were trimmed silver. Serena, Kate, Jack, and Sawyer wore traditional clothing consisting of loose pants and tunic, all of bright colors.
They stood on a platform type balcony above the gathered people. Larek and his wife stood beside Max and Alex while Rajan and several guards stood further behind them. Max didn’t like having Rajan at his back but he couldn’t protest without reason. The actually ceremony was brief with Larek presiding over it. Max couldn’t stop the weight on his shoulders becoming heavier as his crown was placed on his head.
Ava and Zan were introduced and welcomed with a cheer. Then Boone was brought forward. Though the people cheered Max could hear that it was more forced. He took hold of Boone’s hand in support for himself and his lover. Ava, standing next to Max, took his hand then used her other to grab Zan’s. Once the four were connected by touch a shining silver light radiated around them making the crowd gasp in awe. Such a sight had not been seen since the original Zan had been crowned and stood with Rath, Ava, and Vilondra on this very platform. This proved to the people of Antar that the Royal Four were back in power on Antar. They did not see the disapproving look coming from behind.
Serena, Kate, Jack, and Sawyer stepped forward and swore their allegiance to Antar and to the King. They bowed on one knee to show their servitude to Max in respect. Larek had quickly gone over all that would happen the night before so everyone would understand their positions and what was expected of them.
As Max looked out over the people…his people, he could feel their discord. Many didn’t like the fact that humans were there. They felt anger and dislike for those Max brought with him…along with ill feelings toward him and the other hybrids.
“I don’t understand.” Max said loudly, his voice sounding across the air so that even the farthest person in the back could hear him. This got the people’s attention and the voices settled and faces turned to him.
“You wanted the blood of your precious Zan back on the throne, did you not?” Max looked out. “Yet you stand there and I can see that there are those out there that would rather I not stand here. I feel from some of you that I am not fit to take the throne.”
His words drew gasps from the crowd as many realized that he had the ‘sight’, but many still doubted.
“You don’t like that I have human blood running through my veins. You don’t like that I brought a human as my Consort, or even that I brought humans to live among us. My son, the heir to the throne of Antar, has human blood...and you fear it. You feel as if he…we are inferior. I see it in your faces…I hear it in your thoughts.” There were murmurs of voices throughout the crowd, people both agreeing and disagreeing.
“You may not like it, but it was your scientists who created me, in turn creating my son for he is of the blood of the original Queen Ava and myself. It were these same scientists who sent eight of us to Earth so that we may be safe and grow until the time came for us to return to you and free you from harm and destruction. It was my mother, your Queen Mother, who gave you hope. Who sacrificed her own life to make sure we were sent to safety.”
Max stepped forward closer to the railing and looked out at the people, his hands braced on the cool stone.
“You think you know about humans. You think that they are weak, that they are not intelligent. But I’m here to tell you that it’s not true. Yes, they can be ignorant, but that’s not stupidity. And no, they don’t have the abilities that we do, but they have other weapons which they can protect their loved ones…or kill their enemies.
“My sister and I were raised by humans. Two beings that loved us unconditionally as we loved them. We also trusted our lives and gave our hearts to humans who loved us back for who we are…what we are.”
He paused in his speech feeling a shift in emotions among the people, but there were still those that doubted.
“You think that humans killed my sister and my General, the reason they are not standing by my side. Or that their duplicates are not standing by Zan and Ava’s side.”
His fingers curled around the stone and gripped it tight.
“It was not humans that killed my family. They did not kill the only parents we knew. They did not kill my wife or my lover along with others I cared deeply for. No, it was Khivar that killed them…and it was I who ended his killing spree. It was I that took his life. I, who took back the crown of Antar to make it a safe place once more. I, who brought my son here, to be raised from which he was born and is his home. I, who will try to bring peace and happiness back to the land.
“We are not weak because we are half human. These humans I bring with me, my family, are not weak. Do not be like the many we left behind. Do not make my son grow up where he feels unsafe or unwanted. If I wanted that, we would have stayed on Earth.”
Max stood straighter and his grip loosened as emotions of the crowd shifted more as the people realized that their discord came from fear.
“I am not Khivar, nor will I be like the Zan you remember, but I will try to bring Antar back to its glory. But I can only do that with your support.”
A great cheer rose from the crowd and Max knew that he truly touched most of the people, but he knew there were still many out there that didn’t want him on the throne. Larek had told him as much.
“Damn it man. If this was a presidential race, I’d vote for you.” Zan said softly as he stood next to Max.
Max gave him quick smirk. “Do you think it would be completely rude if I vomited right here?”
Zan chuckled and realized how much Max hated speaking in front of crowds and how hard this had been for him. “Just hold it back a few minutes longer and you can ralph all you want.”
~*~
After Larek finished a few other minor details of the coronation, he led Max and the others to the throne room where they would have a type of receiving line welcoming them back to Antar. Jack, Sawyer, and Kate opted to return to their rooms for the time while Serena stayed near Zan and Ava gladly watched over Alex.
It seemed to have taken hours as people floated through the room to pay their respects to their new King and the crowned Prince and Max couldn’t stop the sigh of relief when the crowd finally whittled to a few. He looked over at Ava who held his very sleepy son.
“Ava, it looks like we are about done here. Would you mind taking him to his room and laying him down?”
Ava gave him a smile. “I had forgotten what a boring chore this all was.” She stood and shifted Alex so his head rested on her shoulder. “I think I’ll stay with him and lay down for a while if you don’t mind.”
“It would be appreciated.”
“Did you want me to help?” Serena offered stepping away from Zan.
“No. Stay and enjoy some time with Zan if you can.” Ava said turning and carrying the young child out with a guard following.
Max looked to Larek. “Are we done yet?” He knew he sounded like a child but he was tired. He had to concentrate really hard to block all the emotions that rushed over him every time someone came near. He remembered how Kyle would leave for a few hours to find solitude, usually in the woods or in the desert where few, if any humans were. Max suddenly realized why Kyle had hated crowded places once he had received his powers. It took a lot to ignore what assaulted him. His head was starting to ache from it all.
“Just about, Majesty.” Larek said tightly as he looked to the door and his body straightened. Max saw the change in the man and knew it wasn’t good sign. He completely forgot to argue about Larek calling him Majesty.
Max turned to see where Larek gazed and watched a woman glide across the floor, her eyes locked with his. He could only focus on her eyes, black as midnight and streaks of silver streaming from the pupils. He could hear the swoosh of her flowing dress deep red in color but couldn’t tear his eyes to really look at it. Once she reached the platform that the throne resided, she kneeled before Max and lowered her head, only then breaking the eye contact.
“Majesty.” It was just one word but her voice was like a pleasing song to the ear.
“Larek?” It took Max much effort to say the name as he stared down at the kneeling figure. He felt unease radiating from Boone but he was unable to tear his eyes away to give his lover comfort. This woman’s presence screamed for his attention, drawing his focus only on her. Max didn’t like it. He felt compelled to watch her, to give him his attention…to be near her.
“Who is she?” Zan asked but he too watched the woman and didn’t turn toward Larek, entranced by this woman’s presence as Max. Neither Zan nor Max saw Serena and Boone exchange looks of concern at the way the men were acting toward her.
Larek sighed. “This is Keyanta. She is to be your bride.”
TBC...
The coronation the following day was a lot like Max would picture in some fairy tale. He was garbed in royal robes the color of deep purple and trimmed in gold as was Alex. Zan, Ava, and Boone wore similar robes but they were trimmed silver. Serena, Kate, Jack, and Sawyer wore traditional clothing consisting of loose pants and tunic, all of bright colors.
They stood on a platform type balcony above the gathered people. Larek and his wife stood beside Max and Alex while Rajan and several guards stood further behind them. Max didn’t like having Rajan at his back but he couldn’t protest without reason. The actually ceremony was brief with Larek presiding over it. Max couldn’t stop the weight on his shoulders becoming heavier as his crown was placed on his head.
Ava and Zan were introduced and welcomed with a cheer. Then Boone was brought forward. Though the people cheered Max could hear that it was more forced. He took hold of Boone’s hand in support for himself and his lover. Ava, standing next to Max, took his hand then used her other to grab Zan’s. Once the four were connected by touch a shining silver light radiated around them making the crowd gasp in awe. Such a sight had not been seen since the original Zan had been crowned and stood with Rath, Ava, and Vilondra on this very platform. This proved to the people of Antar that the Royal Four were back in power on Antar. They did not see the disapproving look coming from behind.
Serena, Kate, Jack, and Sawyer stepped forward and swore their allegiance to Antar and to the King. They bowed on one knee to show their servitude to Max in respect. Larek had quickly gone over all that would happen the night before so everyone would understand their positions and what was expected of them.
As Max looked out over the people…his people, he could feel their discord. Many didn’t like the fact that humans were there. They felt anger and dislike for those Max brought with him…along with ill feelings toward him and the other hybrids.
“I don’t understand.” Max said loudly, his voice sounding across the air so that even the farthest person in the back could hear him. This got the people’s attention and the voices settled and faces turned to him.
“You wanted the blood of your precious Zan back on the throne, did you not?” Max looked out. “Yet you stand there and I can see that there are those out there that would rather I not stand here. I feel from some of you that I am not fit to take the throne.”
His words drew gasps from the crowd as many realized that he had the ‘sight’, but many still doubted.
“You don’t like that I have human blood running through my veins. You don’t like that I brought a human as my Consort, or even that I brought humans to live among us. My son, the heir to the throne of Antar, has human blood...and you fear it. You feel as if he…we are inferior. I see it in your faces…I hear it in your thoughts.” There were murmurs of voices throughout the crowd, people both agreeing and disagreeing.
“You may not like it, but it was your scientists who created me, in turn creating my son for he is of the blood of the original Queen Ava and myself. It were these same scientists who sent eight of us to Earth so that we may be safe and grow until the time came for us to return to you and free you from harm and destruction. It was my mother, your Queen Mother, who gave you hope. Who sacrificed her own life to make sure we were sent to safety.”
Max stepped forward closer to the railing and looked out at the people, his hands braced on the cool stone.
“You think you know about humans. You think that they are weak, that they are not intelligent. But I’m here to tell you that it’s not true. Yes, they can be ignorant, but that’s not stupidity. And no, they don’t have the abilities that we do, but they have other weapons which they can protect their loved ones…or kill their enemies.
“My sister and I were raised by humans. Two beings that loved us unconditionally as we loved them. We also trusted our lives and gave our hearts to humans who loved us back for who we are…what we are.”
He paused in his speech feeling a shift in emotions among the people, but there were still those that doubted.
“You think that humans killed my sister and my General, the reason they are not standing by my side. Or that their duplicates are not standing by Zan and Ava’s side.”
His fingers curled around the stone and gripped it tight.
“It was not humans that killed my family. They did not kill the only parents we knew. They did not kill my wife or my lover along with others I cared deeply for. No, it was Khivar that killed them…and it was I who ended his killing spree. It was I that took his life. I, who took back the crown of Antar to make it a safe place once more. I, who brought my son here, to be raised from which he was born and is his home. I, who will try to bring peace and happiness back to the land.
“We are not weak because we are half human. These humans I bring with me, my family, are not weak. Do not be like the many we left behind. Do not make my son grow up where he feels unsafe or unwanted. If I wanted that, we would have stayed on Earth.”
Max stood straighter and his grip loosened as emotions of the crowd shifted more as the people realized that their discord came from fear.
“I am not Khivar, nor will I be like the Zan you remember, but I will try to bring Antar back to its glory. But I can only do that with your support.”
A great cheer rose from the crowd and Max knew that he truly touched most of the people, but he knew there were still many out there that didn’t want him on the throne. Larek had told him as much.
“Damn it man. If this was a presidential race, I’d vote for you.” Zan said softly as he stood next to Max.
Max gave him quick smirk. “Do you think it would be completely rude if I vomited right here?”
Zan chuckled and realized how much Max hated speaking in front of crowds and how hard this had been for him. “Just hold it back a few minutes longer and you can ralph all you want.”
~*~
After Larek finished a few other minor details of the coronation, he led Max and the others to the throne room where they would have a type of receiving line welcoming them back to Antar. Jack, Sawyer, and Kate opted to return to their rooms for the time while Serena stayed near Zan and Ava gladly watched over Alex.
It seemed to have taken hours as people floated through the room to pay their respects to their new King and the crowned Prince and Max couldn’t stop the sigh of relief when the crowd finally whittled to a few. He looked over at Ava who held his very sleepy son.
“Ava, it looks like we are about done here. Would you mind taking him to his room and laying him down?”
Ava gave him a smile. “I had forgotten what a boring chore this all was.” She stood and shifted Alex so his head rested on her shoulder. “I think I’ll stay with him and lay down for a while if you don’t mind.”
“It would be appreciated.”
“Did you want me to help?” Serena offered stepping away from Zan.
“No. Stay and enjoy some time with Zan if you can.” Ava said turning and carrying the young child out with a guard following.
Max looked to Larek. “Are we done yet?” He knew he sounded like a child but he was tired. He had to concentrate really hard to block all the emotions that rushed over him every time someone came near. He remembered how Kyle would leave for a few hours to find solitude, usually in the woods or in the desert where few, if any humans were. Max suddenly realized why Kyle had hated crowded places once he had received his powers. It took a lot to ignore what assaulted him. His head was starting to ache from it all.
“Just about, Majesty.” Larek said tightly as he looked to the door and his body straightened. Max saw the change in the man and knew it wasn’t good sign. He completely forgot to argue about Larek calling him Majesty.
Max turned to see where Larek gazed and watched a woman glide across the floor, her eyes locked with his. He could only focus on her eyes, black as midnight and streaks of silver streaming from the pupils. He could hear the swoosh of her flowing dress deep red in color but couldn’t tear his eyes to really look at it. Once she reached the platform that the throne resided, she kneeled before Max and lowered her head, only then breaking the eye contact.
“Majesty.” It was just one word but her voice was like a pleasing song to the ear.
“Larek?” It took Max much effort to say the name as he stared down at the kneeling figure. He felt unease radiating from Boone but he was unable to tear his eyes away to give his lover comfort. This woman’s presence screamed for his attention, drawing his focus only on her. Max didn’t like it. He felt compelled to watch her, to give him his attention…to be near her.
“Who is she?” Zan asked but he too watched the woman and didn’t turn toward Larek, entranced by this woman’s presence as Max. Neither Zan nor Max saw Serena and Boone exchange looks of concern at the way the men were acting toward her.
Larek sighed. “This is Keyanta. She is to be your bride.”
TBC...