Page 24

24

Youth Without Youth

éLISA

‘ W e are the young guard. The next generation who rejected war and marauding for the sake of it.’

Phantasm’s boardroom was packed.

The fierce, giant, hulking forms of the Katánians warriors crowded one end.

At the centre sat Kainan, Riv, élisa and Killen.

On the other corner were the rest of the Sable team.

Kaxim, the Ka??m??r? Hawks’ spokesperson, paced the floor behind his men, his rumbling, sonorous voice conjuring up the scenes he painted as he told their story.

‘We only wanted peace and restoration as our world was dying. When we refused to maraud, the Kubaí ritual elders rejected our ways. Aligning with the King, they kicked us out of Katánē, banishing us from our home.’

‘Joining forces, the entirety of the Krypós guards and a good section of the K?str?l army took to the skies. We became wandering nomads until we had amassed enough resources to fight the King and the forces that remained loyal to him, most of them Hawk K?sts from the noble eyries. We’ve been waging our small rebellion for the last three years to wrest control of Katánopolis, also known as Kós, the planet’s capital and seat of power.’

‘How did you come to follow the Kíríga’s fleet to Pegasi?’ élisa asked.

‘We caught rumors of his search for the KiaMalkia , then a spy told us you’d been found. We kept a close eye on their convoy’s movements and followed the main flotilla when they all lit out of our territory.’

élisa sighed, her sadness evident on her face. ‘Your experience only confirms how thin-skinned and insecure my father was.’

Kaxim didn’t mince his words. ‘He was a tyrant. For decades, Tempest Light marginalized, robbed, and bullied our people and our neighboring planets, dashing their hopes for a safe, quiet existence. He squatted in Kós for years, ineffective, irrelevant, past his time. He only listened to the Kírorer?, the omens of potent power and prophecy as told to him by the witchers and curse placers.’

Kaxim’s second in charge, Kione, chimed in. ‘He hamstrung our future by blocking the efforts of Katánians’ younger, more energetic generation. He wielded vanity, control, and cruelty, which, along with fear, kept him on the throne. Obsessed with dominance and marauding, he and the ruling elders lurched us backward. Prideful, distracted by his fixation with the hawkstone, he missed all signs of our coming rebellion. This is why the Tempest Light’s attempts to find the KiaMalkia intensified. He needed the great lodestone to fend off our attacks and cement his power.’

Riv leaned in over the table. ‘What happens now? Seeing as Tempest Light’s death leaves you with a significant power vacuum.’

Kione sucked his teeth. ‘We need a King. If we don’t have a single figurehead to unite us, Katánē will devolve into sectarian and tribal war, which will further impoverish and marginalize our people.’

Kaxim turned to Killen. ‘There is only one leader that the army and most of the populace accept: the only one who wears the hawkstone. At this moment, that is you, Killen Sable. You are our King by virtue of your birthright. Will you step up to the task of wielding its power to unify our people?’

élisa and Riv exchanged glances, then turned to their son.

He was gazing far off through the viewport into the great beyond of stars, his expression calm and unperturbed.

‘You’ll accept me as your Kíríga with no prejudice?’ he rasped, turning his silver eyes to face the K?str?l hunters.

Kaxim inclined his head in a slight bow. ‘My entire squad and I have gone over the holo of how your soaring battle with Tempest Light played out. You’re an invincible defender and a worthy K?str?l Hawk Commander. You may need some training, which can be arranged. You also believe in our ideals for peace and for uniting our planet. Should we take your vision to our people, especially to the poor and marginalized K?sts, they’ll be persuaded of the same.’

élisa exclaimed, concern lurking in her lilac eyes. ‘What of the K??nerē, Kírkos, and K?rm?r?nt Eyries? These are the aristocratic, noble, and merchant houses and clans,’ she added for the Sable Riders’ sake. ‘They’ve always looked down on the K?str?l order, even though we rule Katánē. They’ll make life hell for Killen.’

Killen jerked a chin at his mother. ‘Given I slayed their mainstay, they might not be that easy to win over. However, seeing as many of them now flounder without leaders, as most fell on Devansi, I might be able to convince them with some canny thinking.’

élisa made noises of concern. ‘You have no idea, son, just how much Katánē is a hotbed of vultures and vipers competing for power. They’ve been waging their snide battles of betrayal, backstabbing, and attrition far longer than you can imagine.’

‘The majority who thought this way have just died in the offensive with the Sable and Pegasi fleet, haven’t they? Many were also the Old Guard, the Kubaí Kíama Council,’ Kione, the second Katánian rebel leader, stated.

élisa was unconvinced. ‘Their wives and children remain. Trust me, vengeance will be all that consumes them, and it’ll be directed at Killen for slaying the Kíríga. The Kurogí, the curse witchers, are serpents also waiting to strike. So too are The K?n?d?r, the ridge top clans and their stubborn headmen, the wild desert tribes, and let’s not forget the wandering spirits. How about the K?sts, the noble families of those who died in the skies over Devansi? What of them? Will they fold and accept Killen, a half-Katánian, as their King?’

Kaxim exchanged looks with his K?str?l cronies, then sliced his eyes to Killen, giving him an apologetic twist of his lips.

‘ Nada . They will not,’ Killen confirmed with a sigh, conceding his mother’s point. ‘I’ll share my ideals in a way that makes them listen. I’ll also not spare the sword and my koya if they take advantage of my unorthodox approach. Then, I’ll need great cunning to persuade them that I am the rightful heir. By doing the opposite of what they’re expecting from a King.’

Kaxim’s brow furrowed as his fellow warriors stirred behind him. ‘What do you mean?’

Kainan shifted in his seat and leaned forward. ‘He means he’ll position himself as a counter-revolutionary to undo what had been done. I approve of your approach, Killen, because I’ve pulled that move myself. It’ll work, but it’ll take balls of steel.’

Killen flashed a smile at the Sable Group’s leader. ‘I think I’ve got ‘em, khosi . I’ll need to make a stir. Maybe even create a righteous storm. It’ll provide the basis for unity, creating a ripple effect throughout society til the conflict within Katánē has been reconciled.’

He crossed his arms across his chest and flicked his eyes back to the starry expanse outside. ‘Don’t get me wrong. If I could hand over this mantle, I would. But I cannot. It is mine to bear. Whether I like it or not, my calling is to become their anti-hero, the counter Kíríga and contra crown.’

For a moment, silence dominated the room until Kaxim stood and, with a sharp salute, bowed in acceptance. His fellow K?str?l warriors followed suit.

‘We’re the Kain?s Hunters, the new rebels. Why wouldn’t we back a subversive, arrogant, yet at its essence, a uniting approach?’

Killen twisted his lips as he said the words. ‘True, I may sound aggressive and gutsy in my aspirations, but rest assured, it is not I but the hawkstone driving this purpose. You may find that I’ll be a reluctant King, for this was not my dream, but this is my destiny, and I’m coming to terms with it. That said, I’ll be uncommon in my approach. It’s what the planet needs, I believe.’

He nailed the pair of Krypós warriors and the K?str?l hawks behind them with an exacting gaze designed to cut through their hearts and intentions. ‘Will you embrace my unconventional ways and support me without a doubt if and when I come with you to Katánē?’

Kaxim raised his chin in a show of support. ‘We shall. Be prepared to battle many forces before you are ratified and crowned, but we will remain with you until the end.’

Killen tapped his hawkstone, rising and reaching a hand to seal the deal with Kaxim. ‘There’s nothing more to be said. Katánē has no choice but to tangle with me then.’

The room fell silent for a beat as both men shook hands.

élisa squeezed Riv’s arm and shot him a look of pride mixed in with trepidation.

Riv stood to his feet. ‘Killen, your parents endorse your ball-busting plan. Not that you needed our approval. Shall we drink to that?’

The room let out a collective affirmation.

The K?str?l warriors rose, followed by Kainan and the rest of the Riders.

Mirage bustled around, handing out tumblers and pouring out tots of whiskey.

Riv turned to his woman. ‘How do you seal a deal on Katánē?’

She sliced her eyes at their new friends. ‘The warriors speak the blessing over the Kíríga In Waiting.’

Riv nodded towards Kaxim. ‘Over to you.’

The imposing warrior lifted his full tumbler into the air with such gusto that some amber liquid splashed out of the vessel.

‘May the libation we share bless us all

May it tie us in blood, iron, and loyalty to our King

May it give reverence, respect, and recognition to our ancestors

Whose shoulders we stand on, and our elders’ shadows we walk in.

May it bring peace, for the liquid we drink has no enemies.

May it honor the past so that we may learn from it.

May it freshen the road our ancestors traveled to be here with us today.

May it nourish the continuity of life, to purify and to sustain our souls

May it be a tribute to our hosts, on whose hallowed ship we stand in

May it uphold the birthplace of the great Katánē civilization

May it bless the unborn, our future leaders, our future heroes and heroines

May it continue the struggle to be a free, proud, and productive people,

May it bless those who will not let our legacy and our efforts for progress die.

May all who agree with this blessing say BARAKA!’

The warriors repeated the last word with such enthusiasm that the ship vibrated under their feet.

They iterated it three more times, with the Riders joining in.

As the room erupted in cheers and whiskey tumblers slammed down, élisa leaned over to her man. ‘The blessing has been spoken and is now set in stone. Those Hawk Hunters will fight to the death for Killen. They’ll even lend their koya to him during battle and sacrifice themselves for him. They cannot be averted from their cause.’

Riv raised an eyebrow. ‘I thought we Sablemen are staunch-devoted, but you Katánians are wild.’

His woman narrowed her lilac eyes that blazed with pride. ‘Our blood runs feral and fierce. Every morning, our enemies wake. They obsess about how they’ll out-soar our slowest K?str?ls. Yet they’ve no hope because the only alternative is death.’

‘I tremble in my mag boots.’

élisa poked him in the chest. ‘But you, Edenites, defeated a contingent of Katánē’s Hawks. Making you, in my eyes, the most formidable force in Pegasi.’

Riv grunted. ‘We were ensconced in our ships when we did so. I dare say we’d not survive a battle in person. You alone are a giant predator with chrome wings that can rebuff my lasers and talons sharper than obsidian that would cut through my meta suit.’

She gave him a coy look under her lashes. ‘You’ve nothing to fear, lover; you get a hard pass.’

His eyes smoldered, and he leaned in to growl into her ear. ‘Hard, you say, eh?’

She blushed and play-slapped his chest once more. ‘Cool down, Inomorati .’

‘Later?’ he chanced with a wistful turn of his lips.

She nodded with a half smile. ‘It’s a promise.’

It took longer and later than they’d hoped before they found themselves alone in Riv’s stateroom.

‘Hell, that was a long night.’

‘First time I’ve seen Killen let loose this much,’ élisa added with a laugh, followed by a cry as she slipped off her shoes.

Her toes hurt from all the dancing and carrying on they’d indulged in the last few hours.

After the libation, Mirage had organized a feast to be sent up from the galley.

More wine, whiskey, blessings, and toasts were shared.

The K?str?ls and Krypós warriors surprised the Riders by whipping out flutes, small drums, and cornets and launching into a series of rousing musical numbers that soon had the entire room on their feet.

Kaxim launched in song, his voice all at once peals of thunder and sweet music that resounded throughout the mighty craft. His notes were immortal, glorious yet unholy, as he interspersed his powerful, emotive expression with impudent, ribald jokes that had everyone in stitches.

The Katánians’ dancing, too, had been off the charts, wowing the Riders.

At one point, they’d taken off into flight, soaring out of the dining area and into Phantasm’s vast docking bay before rushing out the wide doors into Devansi’s skies.

They’d moved into formation around the ship and continued their aerial display while the Riders, élisa and Killen, stood in wonder on the edge of the hold.

Hours later, worn out, Riv tugged off his boots and eased out of his meta suit. ‘Do you think Killen has any idea what’s waiting for him?’

élisa shook her head. ‘I shared with him all I remembered of the old Kingdom. This new statehood he’s stepping into will be a vast difference. He’ll have much to contend with.’

‘However, if anyone can rise to the challenge, it’ll be him.’

Killen’s mother shared a wry smile. ‘He’s already charmed the die-hard Krypós and K?str?l Sāb?r Hawks, and I believe they’re the most powerful united group right now in Katánē.’

‘Speaking of uniting,’ Riv rasped, pulling élisa to his side. ‘I’ve been dreaming of this moment for hours now.’

She was down to her underwear by now, and before she reacted, he lifted her into his arms and marched into the head.

Their lips met, their bodies and their hearts ravenous for each other.

Riv molded to élisa to his hard, taut length. ‘I never imagined us here. With a son. My life has transformed beyond my wildest dreams, woman, and I have you to thank for it.’

élisa stroked his cheek. ‘You’re the one I should express my gratitude to. Your relentless search for me led us here, my silver hero. You’ve given me back myself, Riv. Without you, I was jaded, harder, and un-trusting. With you, I’m transported to how we used to be—in love, lost in its purest form. I am young and charged with flames. My heart awakened to hope. Your care takes me back to before our hearts were torn apart by time, distance, and circumstance. I love you so much.’

As her words left her lips, Riv dove down, seized her mouth, and united them in delirious and delicious harmony.

Two days later, while the giant cruiser leisurely returned to Eden II, Mirage organized a private dinner on one deserted end of Phantasm’s highest deck level.

It was also where a gigantic plex window dominated a hidden alcove. Making one feel as if they were in the centre of space, surrounded by 360 plex glass as the mighty ship powered through the galaxy.

The table was lit by candlelight and topped by the exquisite presentation of bouquets of fresh flowers from the hold, gold xentium candles around the perimeter, and a fine white linen tablecloth.

When Riv led élisa into the nook, she gasped at the beauty of the panorama outside and the decadent meal set out for them.

When she leaned forward to nab an oyster from a platter, her lover demurred.

‘Not yet beautiful. First things first.’

She stared into his eyes, devouring his handsome, chiseled features, which she was still getting used to again.

He still made her heart jump each time she set eyes on him, as she took every chance to drink him in, still in disbelief that they were together after almost a lifetime apart.

He pulled her gently to the verge of the plexiglass as Phantasm powered past an unusual solo star that winked at them.

Riv pointed it out, his lips turning up as he spoke. ‘That lone phenomenon is named XTC 846285. When I blasted by it no more than a month ago, it dipped in brightness and freakin’ fluttered its lashes at me. I got a premonition about you then. Somewhere deep inside me, I knew that somehow fate was leading me to something special and that my search for you was almost over.’

élisa set a hand above her beating heart, eyes fixed on him as he rasped the heartfelt words.

‘Just like that star refracts light in shards of prismatic glory across time and space, I want to surround your finger in a band of diamonds that will bind you forever to me. K’élisa Djan, how would you like it if both our names had Sable in them?’

When she gasped, her eyes misting over, he pressed on. ‘Will you do me the honor of being my wife by accepting my hand a second time?’

élisa choked back an exclamation as he bent his knees and produced a new jewel. This time, it was an oversized 10-carat, white diamond emerald-cut loop.

Her voice shook as she spoke. ‘ Naam , Riv, I will marry you.’

He slipped the ring on her finger, and her eyes clouded as tears fell.

Just then, a thought hit her. She pulled the chain around her neck out, with their original engagement band hanging off it, her finger hooked in the necklace.

‘What shall we -?’

Riv reached for it and held it for a significant time. ‘Keep it against your heart, my love, for it signifies what we had back then, which was precious. This new ring signifies our future. A reborn reality we’re about to create for ourselves. Both are still valid.’

élisa nodded as she took Riv’s beautiful face in her hands and leaned in for a sensual kiss.

As XTC 846285 kept throwing prisms of light over them, they indulged in their decadent dinner for two.

‘Mirage has gone all out,’ Riv murmured as he popped an oyster in élisa’s mouth.

‘What? You didn’t make all of this?’ his woman teased.

‘Best I can do are fluffy hotcakes and synna berry syrup,’ he quipped.

They laughed, remembering his cooking on the trail to the R?k House.

‘It was delicious, and you know what, I miss Ribau,’ élisa announced, ‘he was a great guy. I was starting to fall for him.’

‘ Fokk off.’

‘Hand on heart. He had a charm about him, a wit, and even though he wasn’t my type to start with, he became even more sexy as time passed.’

Riv gave élisa a warning glare. ‘Did he love you like I do? Hold you like I do? Rock you like I do?’

She muffled a laugh at his indignant face. ‘Only you would be jealous of you !’

His eyes narrowed even further. ‘Woman, I’m all you need. I have all the love you need and more. Now shut the fokk up and eat so I can soon show you what I mean.’

élisa laughed out loud, diving into the platters of caviar, finger lobster, and roast chicken. They finished their feast with fresh fruits, a chocolate soufflé, and a delicious creamy custard.

There was plenty of red and white wine on the table, so after dinner, they had a silent toast. Riv raised his glass to his lovely wife-to-be.

‘To you and us.’

élisa gave him a saucy smile. ‘And to the loving we’re about to share.’

Seconds later, she was in his arms as he strode across the Phantasm to his stateroom.

He threw her across the surface of his ready-made bed and pounced with a growl.

His hands roamed over her body, caressing her with abandon.

She moaned as Riv’s lips kissed her neck, and his fingers cupped her breast, licking and sucking the swelling tip of her breast.

‘I will never get enough of you,’ Riv murmured.

‘I never want you to.’

‘You are mine forever.’

élisa sighed, a contented smile on her face. ‘I am.’

‘And I love you, adore you, cherish you.’ He captured her mouth in a smooth, sinuous move.

Her hands gripped his shoulders tight. She kissed him back, her lips hard against his, hungry and demanding.

He held her to his heart, his soul wrapping itself around hers. Positioning himself over her, he entered her in one slick thrust.

With a soaring, overwhelming need, he worked his hips, wrecking his woman with such indulgence that élisa couldn’t hold back her ecstasy, a moan escaping her lips.

She gasped. ‘Oh, Riv.’

He carried through the storm of bliss, his soul immersing in hers as they combusted.

Later, élisa sighed, her muscles relaxing after their intense lovemaking. They lay in bed, naked, her head against his chest.

He tightened his muscled arms around her. ‘I never will give up our love, for there’s nothing better than loving you in this universe.’

She snuggled closer to his hard torso, feeling his heartbeat throb under her ear. ‘Tis true. Since we took this second chance, our joy has been complete.’