Borlosanti: Genesis

Part 10

Chapter 11

Alizarin's perspective

Alizarin was in his bird sanctuary feeding his birds. He looked at his hawk, extended his arm and smiled. The hawk flew up to him and perched itself on his arm. He fed it bird seeds from a bag on his hip.

Alizarin thought to himself, unlike humans, these birds are loyal. They have been this way since day one and that is why I love them. They have never betrayed me or used me, just so they can get what they want. They love me, unconditionally, no matter how powerful I am — unlike my good for nothing family — My brother Dayja is the worse of them all. Dayja pretended to be good and then he stole Novelle from me — Everyone has loved Dayja since his birth, because he is so powerful, but that will soon change... I will soon become the most powerful person in Borlosanti and then everyone will love, adore and serve me.

Alizarin stroked the hawk, put it back on its perch and extended his hand to his eagle. It flew to him and perched on his arm. Its talons gently pressed against his flesh.

He revelled in the fact that this was his peaceful place; where he could kick back, relax and think. There were no worries here for him... He remembered that his father loved birds. His father introduced him to them. They used to go to his father's bird sanctuary together. In his opinion, it was the only thing they shared between just them... The only time when either of his parents took time out from adoring the perfect Dayja to spend any time with him. He thought oh god! My parents. He was responsible for their deaths; in his rage his father's arch enemy Seriyah was able to manipulate him into betraying his own father — That was his one and only regret. If he could turn back time and not betray his father, he would — He had done so many evil things in his life, but according to him none of them topped that... He consoled himself with the fact that at least he killed Seriyah after Seriyah provided him with the tools he needed to get revenge on Dayja...

He walked up to the hawks nest. Three eggs were in the centre of it. Three baby hawks pushed their way out of the eggs. Alizarin smiled at them and then he smiled at their mother and put her back in her nest.

In his humble opinion, there was nothing like this. That was why he was present at the birth of each of the birds in his sanctuary.

He made his way back to the main hall and sat on his throne.

He thought, no it wasn't my fault, it was Dayja's. Their father would've still been alive, if it wasn't for Dayja. If Dayja never betrayed me by kissing Novelle, while I was getting caught, then Seriyah would never have been able to manipulate me.

Footsteps approached. He looked up, one of the red eyed minions approached the throne.

"Sorry to disturb you sire."

"There's no need to apologise."

"It's your sister in law, sire, she won't stop screaming out your name. She demands to speak to you."

"Demands! Nobody demands anything from me. Please bring her here."

The minion went away. A few moments later it returned with Etheria, and then it left.

Alizarin touched his fingertips together. "One of my loyal subjects told me that you've been screaming in your room, for hours. Please don't tell me that our service and hospitality is not up to your normal high standards... We aim to please, after all."

Etheria took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a second. "I'm not going to play mind games with you, Alizarin... I was calling your name, because I have a proposition for you."

"Oh, a proposal for me; this must be my lucky day... Pray tell me what your proposal is?"

Etheria said, "I want to kill Dayja for you. Let me kill him, instead of Potencia."