The Boy with No Name (Part 1 of 'A Tale of People and Apples' Trilogy)

Chapter 23: The Tribes of Gaiathal

34 years ago.

Immediately after the Alva children had gained control of the Ring after Samuel's reign was over, making one of the apple eaters a leader was obvious. The Alva's had very different ideas of how to govern, however, and they agreed that the entire planet should not be under the control of one person like Samuel was for so long.

Then and there, they devised five sections within the Ring that each of them would govern. The Alva's created platforms for how they were going to rule, and the people that they expected to follow them.

From the command centre of Nighthawk, on a platform that extended into the masses, the invincible children gave their pitch.

Aimos was first. He called upon people who were compassionate. Who hated war, but would use it if necessary to protect themselves from evil. He wanted people who were open and transparent. He vowed he would be open with them, but he demanded reciprocity. He asked for those who were resolute. Who knew right from wrong, and would never fear standing up for these values. Aimos was wise, and told his potential followers he would lead, but have a cabinet of elected individuals that he would go through before he made any provincial decisions. Their words: compassionate, open, resolute.

Next was Panza. She called for people who were passionate, who were in touch with all of the ranges of emotions humans were so used to that were stripped away during Samuel's regime. She encouraged them to be strong and vulnerable, spontaneous yet stable. She said to the people that the Trees had given her the power she had, and that they should be devoted and spiritual to the Trees that saved them. She would lead, but she promised the people they would try to understand what the Seven Trees commanded, and that they would follow. They had to be believers, believers of something greater than themselves. Their words: passionate, spiritual, attentive.

Aaron wanted the bold, the gregarious, the assertive. Whoever followed him would pursue happiness, and he would help them as best he could. Aaron reverted to democracy that had failed the people on the previous planet, but vowed to always remain as a military general keeping a close eye on the democratically elected leaders. He vowed to be accepting of the people who chose to not follow him for his siblings, respecting their free choices and this natural diversity. Their words: free, assertive, bold.

Nik wanted complete trust in his leadership, the most forgiving, the most thoughtful, and the humblest. The people that would give the shirt from their backs to each other but have absolute faith that their leader would do what is right. He promised complete equality, and that discipline and knowledge would breed prosperity and a paradise. Their words: wise, trusting, disciplined.

Last was Lleyton. His speech was the most impassioned, and angered Panza. He demanded loyalty, bravery, and conscientiousness. But he did not demand these things for himself. He demanded these things for each other. He promised if they were willing to die for him, he would be willing to die for them, and keep them safe forever. He vowed the strongest military and isolation from his siblings. After his speech, he told his siblings that what he thought the people needed most right now was to be among those like themselves. He promised he would stay close with his siblings but would not will this upon his people. Their words: loyal, brave, conscientious.

Before the people had a chance to choose their leaders, the Alva's radio buzzed. It was the lost kidnapped children that Felix had released. They frantically let them into the walls and told them their father had released them.

The kidnapped children, having been missing almost their whole lives, were devastated to learn their parents had been killed in the War Within the Ring. The only family they had were the children they were in a glass cage with. They held onto each other tightly.