Saige

Chapter 4

The creatures reminded me vaguely of dragons that were built for passengers. The flying animal had a very broad back and huge wings. Its tail was flat and broad like its back. The creature had a four-person saddle secured to its back and had reigns around his face like a horse. It had teeth like a cow and an equally cow-like stupid look in its eye. It was obviously a domesticated species. Its call was always a low rumble followed with a honk. Kaiko and Nayla called the creature a ronx and it was named Jarp. Jarp seemed harmless enough, but I was still nervous about climbing aboard and taking off on his back. Kaiko, Nayla and I all easily fit on the ronx’s back. We all laid in our spots on the saddle and were harnessed in. Kaiko laid in the middle with the reins. We all remained silent for a long while and just listened to the flap of Jarp’s wings and the wind blowing.

            Kaiko looked over to the side his mother laid on and smiled. He looked to me, “Mother is asleep.”

            I couldn’t help but to crack a smile. Then, looking at the bracelet on my hand, I remembered something. “What is a deit animal and the Old Life and where are you taking me?”

            Kaiko’s green hair was blowing wildly in the wind. It added to the childish look he possessed when he laughed at me. “Slow down,” he chuckled, his white canine teeth curled up in a grin, “one question at a time.”

            “Where are you taking me?”

            “The center of Calamex, Vivreul.”

            “Why?”

            “You have to take the Citizenship Test.”

            “The what,” I questioned, then my tone became defiant. “Wait, I don’t want to become a citizen.”

            Kaiko smiled. “Become a citizen or die. That is the rule.”

            “That’s a ridiculous rule. What if you want to be part of another country?”

            “There are no other countries.”

            That bothered me. A whole planet under a single rule, how was that possible? The Earth was divided into over 190 countries. It was impossible to keep an entire world under single rule. Julius Caesar tried it. Napoleon tried it. Hitler tried it. No one succeeded. This world was not run by one man. It couldn’t be.

            Wait.

            What is if wasn’t run by a man.

            “Who is Annick?”

            Kaiko was startled by my question. “How do you know who that is?”

            “I don’t. I heard you mention the name.”

            Kaiko gave me a look, then continued. “Annick is the ruler of all peoples and creatures of Calamex. He contains a higher concentration of eya than any other creature on the planet. It is legend he was born from the Omnieya itself.  He is considered a god and he is very powerful. Annick was one of the founders of the Kingdom of Calamex. His soldiers are known as The Guard. Born from the depths of the planet’s volcanoes, they keep us safe from danger.”

            “Danger,” I asked. “Like what?”

            “Well, vicious beasts, unlawful citizens, rebels, and natives are usual dangers.”

            “Did you just say natives?”

            Kaiko shifted. “Yes, Annick believes that because the natives still live the Old Life, they are a threat to Calamex. They do not conform to the kingdom, so they are dangerous.”