Star Storm

Chapter Two

A Royal Escape

Panic surging through his veins, Kael squeezed through the crowd covering the southern streets and spun in a circle searching for Nona. Faces of strangers stared back at him, their skin tones mixed and features ranging from sharp to sponge-like. Some seemed to recognise him and waved, but most simply pushed by.

Finally, he noticed a blur of red by a small shop display. It seemed to take a lifetime to cross the sea of citizens that separated them. He burst out of the steam and caught Nona buying herself a beaded necklace.

"Looking a little lost there," she taunted. She flicked her finger, motioning for him to follow her further into the shopping district. Grudgingly he did, his feet dragging him further from the palace.

Shops and stalls selling all sorts of goods littered the side of the road. Clothes were Nona's main priority and she shot off without any second thoughts. Kael took his time following her, stopping by an electronic stand and buying himself a box of wires. He was always finding himself of need of spares these days.

The city was alive with energy, every street crammed with aliens and humans from across the galaxy hunting for bargains. A monstrous Yotee roared as it stomped down the road, those in front of the creature diving out his way.

"Gemstones, real ones," Nona said proudly when Kael reunited with her. Bags hung from her elbows and a new set of rings sparkled on her fingers. Kael had left her alone almost an hour and it seemed she had not waisted a moment of it. "What do you think? Sparkles are always a must-have."

"I think it's time we got something to eat." And headed back to the palace, he added silently. He passed several silver coins over to the gem seller and Nona joined him on the hunt for something sweet to sink their teeth into on the road which would lead them home.

Uterca's wide range of citizens brought with them an even wider range of food. The long street which Kael entered was lined with fruit and vegetables, wine, and meat from all over the galaxy. He brought a pickled apple for himself and Nona managed to sweet-talk the seller into giving her a healthy discount on an orange kiwi.

"Why must you always do that?" Kael sighed. He dropped two more coins into the seller's palm as Nona shrugged. The stranger bowed his head in thanks and Kael gave him a polite smile before moving on. He was painfully worried about his sister's behaviour getting her into trouble.

Upon reaching the bridge that connected the two parts of the city, Kael and Nona found themselves in the company of the royal guards. Myteor and two of his fellows greeted them and Kael gasped as he was slapped on the back by the big guard.

"Meeting's over," Myteor said. "The queen would like to see you in her study."

"Not me? Oh, what a pity," Nona gave Kael a small wave, sticking her tongue out as the guards guided her away from a group of excited citizens.

Defeated, Kael left his sister with Myteor and trudged home with two guards whose names he did not know. He doubted his mother would have sent Myteor to summon him for a polite conversation.

With heavy feet he climbed the palace steps, spacecrafts zooming overhead carrying deliveries for his household. He stopped to let a tourist take a picture, his smile for the camera genuine. The girl thanked him and rushed off to show her friends, bursting with happy energy.

Kael would never have the pleasure of knowing what it was like to be a tourist, to be let loose in a strange city to explore its wonders. As a Prince of Uterca he would only travel with the guards and only see the parts of the universe his duties required him to visit.