Stars Of Memory

Chapter 53

The sun has just risen the next day when Chiarina appears before Jīvitaya and Kysanden.

"The pod is returning."

Jīvitaya gives her a small smile. "Thank you, Chiarina."

"You're welcome, Lilaria."

Jīvitaya sends a quick mental message to her parents of the pod's return before she turns to Kysanden. "Are you ready?"

He nods grimly. "I have to be."

"I'll come with you."

Kysanden shakes his head at her, worry flitting across his face. "No, you don't know what he's like, and I don't want to put you in danger."

Jīvitaya glares at him. "Kys. I can take care of myself, and you need the moral support. Besides, the Pali will be there too."

He looks at her blankly. "Who?"

"I thought you knew the terminology. The Pali are the palace guards."

He sighs. "Fine, you can come. But if I tell you to go, if I think he is going to hurt you, you have to go. No arguing, then or now. That is my ultimatum."

Jīvitaya nods. It's better than him not letting her go at all. "I promise. Now let's go."

Jīvitaya leads the way to the field, being met by the Pali and her parents along the way. They arrive at the field just as the pod's doors hiss open and a small group steps out. The leader has piercing dark green eyes like Kysanden's and his face is set like stone. He introduces himself, his voice cold and cruel.

"I am King Taln of the Selemat people."

Jīvitaya's father speaks next. "Why are you here, Laial Taln."

Taln's eyes flash sharply, shards of anger appearing amongst the green of his irises. "I am a King, and you will address me with respect!"

Kysanden leans towards Jīvitaya and whispers into her ear. "My father's like this all the time, and he doesn't bother to learn the customs of other civilizations. And no one likes crossing him, he has a horrible temper."

Jīvitaya's father's voice holds a hint of irritation. "I addressed you as Laial because that is our word for King. As for respect, I am the Laial of La'Vi'Ai and I will give you the same respect you give to me and my people, which at the moment is very little."

Taln's face sets into a sneer and his eyes harden. He barks at Kysanden. "Did you think I had forgotten you, boy? You are to return to the fleet and your people at once."

Kysanden steps forward, almost imperceptibly shaking with anger. "I will not return, for several reasons. I have never been permitted to do anything for my people before, so there will be no harm towards them if I stay where I am. As well, I have witnessed the cruel and callous things you have done to many or given permission to do. I will not stand by it."

Jīvitaya steps up to Kysanden's side, placing her hand on his back to help calm him. Taln's eyes snap towards her. "Let me guess. You are the girl who has turned my son traitor."

He steps towards her menacingly and the Pali cross their staffs to block his path. Jīvitaya raises her chin as Kysanden responds, his voice scathing.

"Lilaria Jīvitaya did not make me a traitor to our people. I saw the horrors you were doing to her and chose to help her escape them. I am glad I made that choice and I will not stand by while you hurt more people."

Taln scoffs, glaring at Jīvitaya. "This is not the end of this."

Her father cuts in, his voice holding an edge of finality. "I say it is."

Taln whips around, returning to the pod. As it ascends, Jīvitaya lets out a sigh of relief, followed by Kysanden.

Then Kysanden frown. "He's not going to let this go, we were all disrespectful in his mind, and he will try to force me to leave with him."

Jīvitaya's mother nods. "So we must be wary. Do your people have any skills?"

"We are long-lived like the La'Vi, and anatomically we are moderately similar. Organs are in the same places, at least. But we don't have magic. Instead, we rely on technology like humans, and our technology is very advanced."

Jīvitaya frowns. "I could get through the ship quite easily, I forced the lock open with my own tech."

"Yes, but you have the power of technology, so that might affect it."

"Kys. It doesn't matter how I did it, what matters is that I can get through."

His eyes widen. "So you can stop them if they attack?!"

Jīvitaya laughs. "I'm sure I could find a way."

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Well we've met Kysanden's dad for the first time. He's an ignorant jerk. Tell me your thoughts down below and happy reading!

~Goddess of Fate, signing out.