Raven & The Angel

Chapter 10 - Rebels In The Realm

Quietly, Dune began to explain everything to Ma.

Their people's leader was dying - the news had shocked Ma when Dune spoke of it, Raven could see it even from where she hid. Ma had bowed her head and for a moment had looked like an old lady again. The leader's heir had been killed defending their realm (realm? puzzled Raven).  This fact seemed to have shaken Ma even more. Her face was grey, her expression full of pain and sorrow. Raven wondered how these events from some far off place full of weirdos who talk funny, could mean so much to her and even more puzzling, how Ma even knew them.

Dune continued. With their leader fading quickly they needed a new heir, otherwise their 'realm' would be overthrown by the rebels. He is certain that their leader's sudden illness is a result of rebel infiltration - someone had been able to get close enough to the leader to inflict some poison or disease that there is no cure for.  Ma stopped him there.

"What do you mean, no cure?  Surely there is something?  Let me try...' began Ma.
"The Angelina, it's no use. We have tried everything, including the medicines you taught us to prepare. Even The Leader, who you know is just as gifted as you, has tried new formulas and mixture combinations but nothing works. The Leader is very weak now."  Dune bowed his head.

"No." said Ma simply, without Dune evening asking her anything.
"But, The Angelina, there's no other way!" Dune pleaded.
"No The Dune. What you're asking is impossible."
"Why? With a new heir the rebels cannot overthrow us. Even they respect that law.  But if we don't have an heir, then the law states that another can be elected from a different bloodline.  The rebel leader will rally support and guarantee his own success.  If he becomes The Leader he will stop our traditional ways, the ways of learning and evolving as we have done for millennia - it will be an end to any peaceful communication with other lif..."
"You ask too much Dune!" Ma quickly interrupted.  "Vows were made. You had your leader and your heir. That was a huge sacrifice, but The Leader accepted their destiny willingly. You vowed that would be an end to it and that you'd never return, let alone ask this of me, of us..." Ma's voice faltered as a single tear ran down her cheek.
"The question must be asked The Angelina and it must be asked by me - the future of our realm depends on it. We will not leave until I have an answer from The Angel" Dune finished. His tone was gentle but firm.
"Well good luck with that" Ma attempted to scoff, but she knew that she couldn't avoid where this was going. "The Angel has no clue about you, the realm, it's leader or anything else. Nor does The Angel have any idea who they really are. So, how the hell do you think you are going to explain that little lot and then follow it with, '...So, if you'd like to come with us and give up your life here to lead a realm of people a full week's journey away, we'd really appreciate it...' ?"
"What?" Dune was shocked. " Why have you kept this knowledge and heritage from The Angel? It is their birthright.  They should have been taught everything about our realm, our culture and their own family!"
"Easy for you to assume The Dune!" Ma was angry with him and his insensitivity to the sacrifices she had made. "Your people took so much and vowed you would never ask anything more.   This was NOT  supposed to be The Angel's birthright!  So I wanted to protect what I had left, all that was dear to me. I never thought it would come to this..."
"Nor did I" sighed Dune "To lose the heir and our leader was unimaginable back then... But now I have to at least try and protect our people until the threat of the rebel leader is over.  He is older now and when he does eventually pass, his followers are not strong or passionate enough to carry out his legacy and a new bloodline from a traditional and peaceful candidate will be found.  If The Angel refuses their destiny, we shall return alone and let fate decide. If  accepted, then we will be saved.  Now let me speak to her."

Penfold stopped chewing. He looked from Ma to Dune before turning to exactly where Raven was hiding in the shadows.  He trotted straight up behind her and took a little charge, before head-butting her into the light.