Starfire

Scene 3: Evil Recollections

This is the most triumphant moment I've been looking forward to for years, thought Komand'r. Finally, my perfect sister is going to get exactly what's been coming to her.

Komand'r was in her quarters aboard the ship that Trogaar had provided for her. Now that Koriand'r was her slave, she could do whatever she wanted to do with her.

Never again will I have to live under my sister's shadow. Now it's her turn to suffer and endure the agony I have always wanted her to.

Thinking of Koriand'r going through slavery until her eventual death was pleasing, far more so than the other memories Komand'r shared with her sister. Prior to her banishment from Tamaran, Koriand'r had always been loved by the people. In contrast, everyone had treated Komand'r as if she were filth. She had had to endure mutterings about her from her own subjects. Finally, she had gone to her parents for explanation. She had been careful to make sure it had been on a day Koriand'r wasn't present.

After listening to their daughter, the emperor had been silent for quite some time, trying to think of the best way to explain things to Komand'r.

'I should have told you this years ago, Komand'r,' he had said at last. 'I am afraid that the day of your birth is marred by a terrible tragedy.'

'What tragedy?' Komand'r had demanded.

'Please, there is no need to raise your voice,' her mother had said. 'When you were born, we were attacked by the Citadel Empire. In the battle, the western city of Kysarr was destroyed. Thousands of people were killed. Ever since, survivors from the battle blame your birth for the attack.'

'What is more,' the emperor had said, 'you were also born with a terrible illness that prevented you from using our natural ability to fly. By the ancient laws of our people, we were forced to revoke your birthright to the throne.'

Komand'r had had tears in her eyes when she heard the news. At first they were from sorrow, but they quickly turned into tears of rage. She had always known about her inability to fly like every other Tamranian, like her sister. But this, that her birth was linked to the deaths of thousands of people, had been too much for her to cope with.

'So this is why I have spent all my life living with the hatred of our people. You allowed them to connect my birth with this disaster? They believe me responsible for that invasion? No wonder Koriand'r gets all the respect! She has never had to go through anything like that as I have!

'That should make me more worthy for the throne! Koriand'r knows nothing of suffering. She knows nothing of being a leader! She is only a fool, and the biggest mistake she ever made was being born!'

'Komand'r, that is a terrible thing to say,' her mother had said. 'This is why we have refrained from divulging this story to you. We have always known it would upset you, but never did we think you would become resentful toward your own sister.'

The emperor had sighed. 'You must go now, Komand'r. I am truly sorry for telling this to you, but do not think for an instant that we blame you for this. And most of all, do not take your anger out on your sister. She only wishes the best for you, just as we do.'

That conversation had changed Komand'r forever, and nothing good had come out of it. Far from bringing her comfort, the mild resentment she had felt for Koriand'r was only magnified.

Since that day, whenever she saw her sister flying joyfully throughout the city of Tamaran, Komand'r did nothing to stop people to see her scowl.What troubled her the most, though, was wondering whether Koriand'r knew this story? She doubted it. Perhaps if her parents did, then she might mildly understand why Komand'r was jealous of her.