Quest for Algernon - The Banishment of Zorba

Chapter 1. A Secret Well Kept

Brief Interruption

As she approached, she could hear light whispers and soft talk in her fathers' library just off the great hall. He and is guests sounded to be in deep discussion, as her father mostly always was. She turned the corner and stood briefly, this couldn't wait any longer. "Father," she said softly, stifling a tear, "we must have words immediately," Neitha spoke with a weak voice, glancing around the room from the doorway. Realizing there were too many there to hearken, she turned quickly to head back to her chambers where her secret has been slowly eating away at her conscience and destroying her silently.

All conversation stopped once her presence was known. Garan looked at his colleague
sitting staunchly across from him, sounding slightly irritated at the interruption, "Can it wait Nee..." finally looking to the doorway where Neitha stood, she had gone. Looking back to his, now captivated colleague, Garan cleared his throat "Will you excuse me for a moment?"

"Family is important," the man said with a thick, ancient accent, leaning back and
crossing his arms, trying to sound as if he was unaffected either way. Garan knew this was not the case, facetious was more like him. This man would give his beard to take Garan's seat as

Supreme Deity in the City of the Gods, and Garan knew that would mean devastation for all on Yoruba. Gozi Khan wanted. Everything. More leeway for his bidding, more support for his cause and most of all, more power. By any means, even if it meant destroying his own people's way of life to get it.

Garan stood then gave Gozi a poised nod, "I should not be long, please, make yourself comfortable," he said. With that, he turned and hurried through the door and along the same path as his daughter.

He couldn't afford to keep his guests waiting, particularly this one. They were discussing the feel of a growing evil in this realm, yet no one, not even Garan could feel this presence directly or foresee where it was coming from.

Some of Garan's colleagues want to put together a mass of chariots as a precaution and ride out to the reaches of Galaxy Nooth to seek out this threat. Garan knows that idea came directly from Gozi and has discerned it wouldn't be wise to leave his planet defenseless. You see, while he and his league of chariots were away, Gozi would attempt to gain authority over Arist'ocracy Hall, and take his seat by force.

xxx

Knowing her father would follow, Neitha advanced pace down the corridor and up the
stairs toward the tower garden, her lace-hollow neck scarf whisked in the wind of her step and trailed several kribits behind her. Anxiety quaked throughout her body. She shook in disbelief as she climbed the round staircase as hastily as she could. What she had witnessed was a monstrosity! How will she ever tell him all that has come to pass? She decided she'd show him rather than tell him.

She headed through her quarters and out the garden door. She passed the marvels that garnished her garden, as if there were nothing there, soon disappearing into the outer edge. Memories flooded her mind by the time she reached the far corner. She had to warn Deyo before her father arrived and possibly say goodbye, forever...

xxx

Garan crossed the threshold of Neitha's chambers and stepped into the room. He tread slowly, taking it all in. Still in a hurry to catch up to Neitha, the decor gave him
pause. It had been years since he'd visited his daughter on this wing. This room was almost unrecognizable from last he remembered. To the right and left were vast spaces warmly decorated to the liking of royalty. Large comfortable seating on both sides and garnished with fresh Brimflowers from the meadows of Weigo just outside the city. Sheer veils wafted in the drift of the gentle breeze whisking through the room from the open patio doors. The sitting and
garden areas were just on the other side of the open patio doors and the scent of fresh cut flowers and grass carried throughout the chamber. Grand mirrors on both sides of the room were nothing short of regal with the splendid detail of esteemed Arist'ocratic engravings.