Star Storm

Chapter One

In Space

Kael had spent his whole life in space, and he was starting to get bored of it.

Planets, spaceships, and moons were an everyday sight. Stars, beautiful though they were, had become a nuisance to him, there uneven light frustrating during the darker hours. The sound of nothing but the whoosh of shuttles passing by sent him to sleep at night. Space was a funny place, so crammed with wonderful things yet so empty at the same time.

Born under the setting star of T'ol, Prince Kael Galtionie had been gifted a good start in life. T'ol was the guardian star, the granter of safe passage through the systems. His birth under the constellation was a sign he was going to be a great king.

The Prince of Uterca sat back. He cocked his head, inspecting the last power tank he had adapted. Inside the glass chamber particles of electricity shot back and forth, the tiny cells casting a hazy glow over Kael's skin.

Cautiously he bit his lip and flipped a switch. The tank's particles changed from blue to white as they reactivated. Behind him the engine of the generator churned, coming back to life. Kael glanced out the only window in the tiny room to find the garden lights illuminated for the first time in weeks.

"What a smart boy."

At the sound of his sister's chirp voice, Kael turned. Nona stood in the doorway with her hands on her hips, a bright smile on her face. Unlike Kael, she had inherited their father's red hair and golden skin.

"Close the door!" He got to his feet quickly and ushered her further into the room. He did not miss her eye-roll at the sheets of paper covering the floor. Nona kicked aside a few of his pencils as she surveyed the room.

She was wearing a red satin dress – one their mother would most certainly not approve of – and had tied a matching ribbon in her hair. A pair of heavy earrings chimed quietly when she rolled her neck. Her outfit screamed for attention while Keal's begged to be ignored. He wore a simple pale tunic tucked into his pants and white boots. If it was practical, Kael was more than willing to wear it. If it was loud and overly expensive, Nona would snatch it with her long-nailed fingers.

"Calm down, no one is going to find us here. This is the," she paused and screwed up her face, "lower quarters of the palace."

"What do you mean find us?"

"Come on, don't pretend those stupid Nor people are fun to hang out with."

Kael sighed and started packing his tools away. "Mother is going to explode when neither of us turns up."

Queen Telion Galitonie insisted her two children attended the Assembly of Nor in preparation for their later career. Although Kael did not detest listening to other city's ambassadors, he did find a great many things more interesting - such as the broken power generator he had just finished patching up.

The Assembly was the only political gathering of its size. A member of each of the cities would present reports of their economy and standing and any other relevant information they desired. Trade deals were the main concern of the Assembly, but often other issues such as city boundaries would crop up.

While the other cities of space were happy to have ambassadors attend the Assembly on behalf of their kings and queens, Telion insisted she had no need for messengers. Uterca was the biggest and the best, she always said, therefore its queen had no reason to hide behind pawns.

As not much happened during these meetings other than petty arguments, Kael and his sister had made a simple deal. Kael would sit through every second gathering and Nona would have the afternoon to herself. In return, Nona would attend the meetings he did not.