C H A P T E R F O U R
It didn't take long for every warrior in the Shad'Tuns to hear about Nola's new status as reigning queen of Terra.
"Like every Commander, when one of a House dies, her soul is reincarnated into a newborn." Ace translated Hoover's recited words to the say to the vessie's while all of them sat in their bunks. Westley had his head leant against the wall and his eyes shut as he heard each and every word coming from her mouth. "Until the newborn is of age, their second acts as commander. The same goes for the queen, but there is no acting queen like a commander has for a second."
Ace glanced over at King and quickly averted her gaze. She inhaled, "There are seven Houses in Terra, each having a Commander, Commander Enoch being the only male."
"Why is he the only guy?" Westley recognized Abel's voice ask.
"To our people, a woman is the superior of the race, for a woman births a warrior and a warrior fights and dies for their people." Ace answered proudly.
"So, Enoch was reincarnated into a guy?" Westley's eyes opened as he saw Harley sitting at the foot of his bed, asking her question.
Ace nodded. "Sort of, you get the idea. Back to what I was saying, there are seven Houses, and twelve clans; Terra being only one clan."
"Wait, so you're saying Terra isn't just what's on the planet?" Ansiedad asked.
Ace chuckled. "No, sweetheart, although Terra is very large and it takes about less than a week to travel to the farthest House on foot, we are just one of the twelve."
"What are the other Houses?" Westley raised his hand.
"Right, there is House Staanguard, which is Shadow Lands, commander Enoch and reigning queen Nola. House Cloak, which is Maun, about several weeks ago word got out that Abigail had made an alliance with the Vessel."
Whispers among the vessie's immersed in around the bunks.
"Did you know about this?" Harley asked Westley.
He shrugged. "How could I?"
"The Vessel, House Arnold, as you know. Once the Vessel crash landed Enoch had leniently allowed Chancellor some of our land and spoken with the other Houses to create a seventh House specifically for your people."
"They are not my people." Westley scowled under his breath as he fidgeted with the bracelet in his hand. He'd founded it in his backpack; he knew it had come from his sister.
"House Tyfonas, Westlands, they are very old-fashioned; they do everything by tradition and are the most elegant of the Terra people. Underland, House Gorgona - only House to have two ondines, since their souls are entwined - the Underlanders are a result of the human experiment trials several thousand years ago, by Maun, mythologically wise they are known as undines."
"Wait," Harley paused. "You mean mermaids exist?"
"Yes, but once become completely dry their tails started to deteriorate. The scales remain on their legs. But they strictly only go on land to conceive or for the commanders' case, attend Council meetings." Ace explained. "Now, the Badlands are very different to say the least. The mountains surrounding their territory is known as the Wastelands, its where very few villagers live - they don't belong to a House. Badlanders speak Sondiv, which like our Trigedasleng, it's only their peoples' language. Theirs is House Mason, and I've personally never met their Control but from what I hear she's...something. And lastly, Woodlands. House Glaser, they are the most evolved people of any House in Terra, even above the Underlanders and of any of the twelve clans due to their abilities to perform witchcraft."
