Raven & The Angel

Chapter 20 - The Truth

The room was silent. Ma had her head bowed as she wiped the tears from her face. Penfold had frozen mid-chew and his eyes darted from Ma, to Harper and finally rested on Raven. She was as pale as death and sitting back in her chair, her mouth shaping words but nothing coherent coming out.

"Wha... Who?... I... But..." Raven rambled.
"Darling..." Harper held her hand tightly. "This is a shock... to all of us. I knew that Ma was really your grandmother, but I had no idea about the rest. She bought you to me and asked if I would raise you as my own. I was desperate for a child and we knew I would never have one of my own, so I jumped at the chance to have such a beautiful and lovable daughter. I know this is such a lot to take in and you have every right to be angry with Ma and angry that you have been kept in the dark, but just for a moment, try and put yourself in Ma's place right now. She has just learnt that her daughter is dying and her grandson has been killed. Raven, Ma is in shock too..."

Raven's head felt as though it was about to explode, as everything that Ma had told her jumbled around and jockeyed for a space for her to even think about it. Ma was really her grandmother.  Her mother wasn't really her mother. Her real mother was dying - in space. She had a brother but he was dead. Aliens were standing outside in the village square.  She was an...

"Oh my god... I'm an alien?"
"Raven, no you're not.  Well... technically, you're approximately three quarters alien, but the human gene is much stronger which is why you look like, well, human..." Ma corrected, but then hesitated realising she probably wasn't helping.  She quickly pulled herself together, embarrassed that she had let her emotions get the better of her.  "But what I'm trying to say is your roots are here on earth and this is where you have spent almost your whole life.  Yes, your father is Savonian, but..."
"Wait - my father? Is he alive?" Raven asked. "And, I have a mother - well a-another mother" she corrected, glancing at Harper. "A mother who is dying... We have to do something! Ma, you can cure her can't you?"
"Now wait a minute Raven" Harper began "Your parents made a decision a long time ago to put you under the protection of M... your grandmother and there is nothing we can do to help them. For goodness sake, they are on another planet!" she scowled at Ma, urging her to talk some sense into Raven and to take control of the situation, like she normally did.
"Your mother is right Raven, there is nothing you can do - your home and family is here.  I will go to Savon. I must try and save my daughter, even if The Dune feels it's too late. While Jade is still alive, then there is still hope." Ma looked a little brighter having made the decision.
"Bleat..." said Penfold.

Remembering what Ma had told them about the goat, Raven immediately said "What did Penfold say?"
"Um... nothing" said Ma, not looking Raven in the eye.
"Bleat!" he said again looking up at Ma and stomping his hoof on the wooden floor.
"Okay!" Ma hissed. "Raven, The Dune needs to speak to you. You probably realise by now, what he his going to ask. You are the only remaining bloodline of The Reef... But, my darling girl, please don't make any hasty decisions. I'm so sorry - this is all so much for you to take in and it's all my fault. I should have told you everything years ago. I should have trusted that you would be able to accept the truth. But Raven, you have no duty to uphold. The Savonians, including your mother, agreed that you would be spared the dangers of the rebel attacks and you wouldn't become heir as you were not the first born. Your brother River was to be the new Leader, but now he has been killed, they want you to lead the Realm - but that's just impossible and I won't lose you as well..." Ma broke down in tears again.

After sitting in silence for a while, Raven stood up. "I want to speak to The Dune."