THE KEEPERS RISE

Chapter 4 - Lessons Learned - Part 2

*Remember to click the play button to listen to the soundtrack as you read!*

Velda watched Rhea go to the table and pick up the Hyretica. "I always wonder how I managed to find someone like Alesteir," she said, spinning the staff thoughtfully. "He's brilliant, of course, but also obsessive about magic. It's his one and only pastime."

"Isn't that true for you too?" Velda asked.

"I have much more work to do than he does. Running a planet, even one as small as Myusaria, is not for the faint of heart. Alesteir is a big help, but I'm still the figurehead and I'm expected to do the important work."

"MepKing Alesteir seemed convinced that you were working on magic farther up in the tower," mentioned Cha.

"I do on occasion, but not today. There have been a few trade disputes between Aegemis and Faosoris, and I was needed to resolve the matter. It's a wonder this planet has been united as long as it has. It's been over 30 generations, more than 30,000 years."

"I had no idea Myusaria was that old," Velda mused. "What was it like before then?"

"There were smaller kingdoms typical of any emerging society, ruled by the strongest mages in the area, and lots of fighting between them. Enough war made the meps want a change, so they banded together and elected a central queen. That was MepQueen Ismela. The Council came soon after when we were recognized by the Gray Council."

"Is MepQueen Ismela your ancestor?"

"No, we have elected many families of royalty since then. But the first eight generations of MepQueens were all hereditary. The system worked until the eighth MepQueen died without any daughters to take her place. It took a few chaotic months to elect a new one in her absence."

Rhea paused to let Velda take it in. "Alesteir and I have decided against putting the planet through that again. You and Mortimer are officially our adopted children."

Velda was shaken by this, though she already knew it was true. She still couldn't fully grasp the gravity of what had happened that day. "That's really what happened, then?"

"Yes, as we have been unable to have any children ourselves."

"What will happen to Mortimer because of that?"

"Well, he's not female, but he'll stay royalty. He could become MepKing if he took a wife, and he has an easy way into the Council if he should so desire. Two Councilors still have no heirs willing to take their places in the future. I hope he will use this as an opportunity to pursue his own passions, whatever they may be. He's quite motivated."

Velda took the inevitable step to think about what her role would be. "I'm not sure I would be cut out for ruling a planet."

"Don't worry, there is more than enough time for you to think about it. You're nowhere near old enough, and I'll last a while yet."

"How old are you, anyway?" Velda asked.

Cha crossed its arms. "Velda, that was not a very polite thing to say to a mortal being."

MepQueen Rhea laughed. "It's fine, Chalchiuitl. Meps can get to be very old, we don't care about age as much as other species." She focused her attention on Velda. "I am 872."

"Wow. But you're right, you'll be ruling for a long time," said Velda.

Cha was blown away. "Humans only live for a hundred years at most. How is it that you take the long lifespan of the MepQueen so lightly?"