The Call Of Destiny

Chapter 27

The Ballroom,
The Vessiye Palace,
Jeruvael,
Illearia.

                    ASCAR

       I hugged my mother after she placed the medallion around my neck. She was crying and I hated to see her cry because it usually made me shed tears too.

I wiped at my eyes telling myself this was not the place or time to weep.

My younger sisters; Zara and Vashi came over to hug me as well. I was the only boy, but Mama was pregnant again and Lija was sure that it would be another boy.

After awhile, my sisters and mother all went to mingle with friends and I stood alone examining my family's crest that hung from the necklace around my neck.

The necklace was made up of platinum and silver. Engraved on the pendant was my family's crest which consisted of a black panther and the bright purple Kelixa flowers that grew only in the Jehumem government house. The flowers had the ability to heal any ailment and it belonged to the Ezrin family.
No one else was allowed to grow them.

The Ezrin family had ruled Jehumem for centuries, there was no democracy here in Illearia.

Sharwan Malij's father had seemed to do away with the monarchy when the people revolted against his cruelty and highhandedness.
But the monarchy still remained, although he had abolished the titles to fool his simple minded subjects.

I looked across the room to see Tephinor discussing with the princess. It still angered me when I remembered how Vessiye had singled him out calling him "son of the soil". He could not hide his disgust at the fact that "a commoner" now stood in his ballroom with royalty.

I didn't know how I was going to stand anyone belittling Tephinor. For the Creator's sake he has more royalty in his blood than the rest of us four (royal youths) combined!

And now,after everything he had endured, he couldn't even get his mother's blessing.

I had to do something.

I looked across the room at mother Iconia sitting so peaceably in a chair as an idea formed in my mind.

                     ~
Timore was walking away as I approached, we greeted briefly and I went over to kiss mother Iconia's cheek, then she ran her hand through my dark brown curls. I smiled and sat facing her.

          "Long live my mother."

         "Peace unto your soul." She gave a weak smile.

          "What troubles you?"

          "I cannot hide anything from you, can I?"

         "What kind of son would I be, if I cannot tell when something bothers my mother?"

She leaned towards me. When she spoke next, her voice came out in a whisper.

              "I do not know if your friend lives."

              "Do you no longer sense him?"

              "I admit that Tephinor and I have always had that unique connection. I could always sense where he was and if he was in trouble. But now, I doubt my instincts."

            "Why is that mother? Your instincts never lie."

            "They lie now. I sense Tephinor in this room with us."

For a minute I couldn't breathe. How could I forget Mother Iconia's instincts. She was the one who had calmly assured us that her son hadn't died in Aphighia. And although we had doubted her, Tephinor had later shown up, injured but alive.
What can I say now?

           "It's because you miss him so much." I replied, hoping my voice sounded convincing enough.

She nodded in agreement.

          "Mama. That poor orphan boy with us has nobody to bless him."

          "I know. My heart aches for him. But there is nothing I can do."

         "But you can do something mother. You can bless him and Teph will be blessed also, wherever he is."

Iconia smiled, a real smile this time.

           "You're right my son. In Arivya, we believe that whoever blesses an orphan, has their dearest heart desire fulfilled. My greatest desire is for Teph to be safe wherever he is."
Mama Iconia was the only daughter of the King of Arivya and the land was ever dear to her.

         "I shall give him Teph's medallion also. The medallion will keep him safe and bring him favour as he journeys to a far off land. Teph would also be kept safe wherever he goes."

            "But Mama, Teph's medallion." I feigned disappointment.

              "Ascar, we can always have another medallion made when Teph comes home."

I pretended to contemplate this for awhile and shrugged reluctantly.

          "Alright mother. But we cannot do all this in front of Vessiye."

          "I know son. Get Asaph and meet me in the garden."
She instructed. Then gesturing to her servant girl who stood nearby to follow her, she took her leave.

Mission accomplished. Now let me just hope Teph won't bite off my head.

                      ~