"Paradox (story 2): The Backward Journey (Chapter 6)" by Steven P. Love

Chapter 6

         As the warming rays of the rising sun bathed Obsidyanna in a golden glow she awakened with a sense of great anticipation. Even though there was still an hour before the appointed meeting time with Jahnus Obsidyanna could not help but feel anxious and as she dressed. After fastening the final buttons on her skirt she looked into her Vanity mirror and took a deep breath to calm herself before heading out.

         When Obsidyanna arrived at Jahnus’s suite she promptly touched the door chime. She could hear the short duration tone through the door but there was no answer from within.

         Concerned, Obsidyanna touched the intercom button.

         “Jahnus…are you awake?”

         Again there was no answer.

         With growing concern Obsidyanna over-rode the lock and cautiously opened the door. As she cautiously entered it did not take her long to realize that Jahnus was simply not there.

         Obsidyanna sighed with perplexity.

         “Where did you go off to,” she pondered aloud.

         “Remarkable….your society went from a simple agrarian culture to exploring Space in just a couple of hundred years,” Jahnus told Trekell admiringly as they sat across from each other on Trekell’s balcony. “Your grandfather must have been a brilliant leader.”

         “He was very progressive for his time. The reforms he made became the foundation for our society,” Trekell stated with an expression of pride as he took a sip of Tea. Trekell gestured toward the Tea Pot on the table between them. “Care for some Herbal Tea, Jahnus.”

         “No thank you, Majesty,” Jahnus replied respectfully.

         “Please…I’ve never liked that title,” Trekell said. “Call me Arvon.”

         “I’ll remember that…Arvon,” Jahnus acknowledged with a grin.

         Suddenly, Obsidyanna walked unexpectedly onto the balcony. She appeared winded, as if she had been running.

         “There you are,” she said to Jahnus between breaths. “I’ve been looking all over for you. I was about to call out the guards to start a search of the Palace.”

         “I couldn’t sleep,” Jahnus stated while glancing back at Obsidyanna. “You’re father was kind enough to have a chat with me to pass the time.”

         “Talking nice about me, I hope,” Obsidyanna grinned smugly as she sat down to catch her breath.

         Trekell chuckled at his daughter’s presumption. “I was just telling Jahnus about the cultural and political reforms your Great Grandfather made.”

         “I actually found it very educational,” Jahnus told her. “Especially the part about how your Great Grandfather introduced democracy into the Kingdom.”

         “He was very proud of that accomplishment,” Trekell affirmed as he stirred some sugar into his Tea.

         Obsidyanna smirked at Trekell and shook her head.

         “Tell me, father, have you ever wondered if the Royal Family will eventually become obsolete,” Obsidyanna asked hypothetically.

         “No…but I’ll pity that day if it should ever come within my lifetime,” Trekell said as he took another sip of his tea.

         Obsidyanna turned to Jahnus with anticipation. “I hope you’re now ready for your tour. After all, we were supposed to meet over an hour ago.”

         Jahnus chuckled as he stood up. “Sorry about that, Princess…I forgot about the time.” He then extended his hand to Obsidyanna. “Shall we go then?”

         Obsidyanna gleefully took Jahnus’s hand.

         “Just a moment,” Trekell requested as he also stood up. “I have four Guards waiting to escort the two of you. They’ll meet both of you at the main gate.”

         “Why four,” Obsidyanna asked with concern in her voice. “I would think that two should be sufficient.”

         “Anticipating some trouble,” Jahnus asked.

         “I don’t know for certain,” Trekell admitted. “But after last night’s video broadcast of your interview with the Journalists there have been rumors that some of the more religiously devout are not very happy with your presence here.”

         Jahnus chuckled. “What would they have against me?”

         “It’s quite simple, really,” Trekell said. “They view you as an alien influence and a threat to their beliefs.”

         Obsidyanna scoffed. “The fanatics have always been a problem for us. They would rather we all go back a million years and live like our cave dwelling Lizard ancestors.”

         “Why don’t you just expel them from the city if they’re such a big problem,” Jahnus asked bluntly.

         “That’s easier said than done when you live in a free and open society,” Trekell admitted with a sigh. “The Guards will keep any protestors at a distance.”

         Obsidyanna sighed in reluctant agreement.

         She then gave her father a farewell kiss on the cheek before leaving with Jahnus to begin their tour.

         As they proceeded down the main corridor they encountered Minister Vodan with his granddaughter in hand.

         “Prime Minister Vodan, how are you this morning,” Obsidyanna asked happily.

         “Just wonderful, my Princess. I was just on my way to meet with your father,” Vodan said with a smile. He then turned to shake Jahnus’s hand. “Glorious morning, isn’t it?”

         “Just fine, Minister,” Jahnus replied with a smile. He then noticed little Lylithia staring up at him. Jahnus smiled at her.

         The little girl then ran over and wrapped her arms around a surprised Jahnus’s legs. Both Obsidyanna and Vodan appeared amused as Jahnus took the little girl into his arms.

         “And how are you feeling this morning, little one,” Jahnus asked jovially.

         “Grandpa says you’re here to save us from the Plague,” Lylithia blurted out with a wide eyed expression of childish innocence.

         Jahnus chuckled with embarrassment as he glanced over at an anxious Vodan and a hopeful Obsidyanna.

         “Well…I’m certainly going to try,” Jahnus told her short of an absolute promise.

         “Are you the Maker’s Avatar,” Lylithia asked with innocent bluntness.

         Suddenly, as Jahnus was looking into Lylithia’s naïve red eyes a darkness seemed to enshroud her. Her face then began to distort as if going through some kind metamorphosis. The face of the innocent girl was replaced by that of an angry adult Vekolth woman with coppery feathered hair. Suddenly she snarled causing Jahnus to flinch.

         “Are you okay,” Lylithia asked as Jahnus blinked his eyes several times and appeared unsettled by the experience.

         “I think we’ve taken enough of Jahnus’s time, Lylithia,” Obsidyanna interrupted as she took the little girl from an obviously disturbed Jahnus and returned her to Vodan.

         “It was nice to see you again, Minister,” Obsidyanna said as the Minister gave her a courteous nod.

         Vodan then turned to Jahnus. “I will always be in your debt for saving my granddaughter.” Vodan gave Jahnus the same respectful nod and then continued on his original path down the corridor with Lylithia in hand. Before getting too far away little Lylithia looked back and gave Jahnus a friendly wave good-bye.

         Obsidyanna then turned to Jahnus with an anxious expression. “What happened? You seemed kind of freaked out for a moment.”

         “I’m not sure,” Jahnus replied as he watched Lylithia and the Minister disappear into a side corridor. “For a second I thought I saw…another face.”

         “A face,” Obsidyanna asked with concern in her voice. “Could it have been another vision?”

         “I’m not certain,” Jahnus confessed with a sigh.

         Obsidyanna put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

         As they turned to continue their walk through the corridor Obsidyanna decided that there would be one last stop along the way.

         “Before we leave I want you to meet someone else,” she told him with an eager smile.

         Madame Madera’s hands trembled nervously as she stuffed several Karrotos Leaves into her mouth. She closed her eyes with an expression of bliss as the medicinal leaves calmed her jitters.

         Madera’s brief moment of calm was interrupted by a knock on her office door. Her eyes popped open just in time to see Obsidyanna cautiously enter.

         “Your door wasn’t locked so I thought I would peek in on you,” Obsidyanna said nervously. “I hope I’m not interrupting any lessons.”

         “Ah…no,” Madera said as she hastily opened her desk drawer and shoved the little box of Karrotos Leaves inside. After closing the desk drawer Madera then put her hands together on the desktop and looked solemnly into Obsidyanna’s eyes. “My next pupil is not expected for another hour. How can I advise you, Princess?”

         “I presume you saw the Video Broadcast yesterday,” Obsidyanna asked trying to sound casual about the event.

         “Yes….I saw that farce of an interview,” Madera scoffed skeptically. “I was not fooled. I’ve seen better make-up on the actors of those distasteful stage plays they trod out at the theaters every week.” Madera then shook her finger at Obsidyanna. “If you ask me, your father’s Chief Scientist made a fool of himself by proposing that absurd theory that this…Jahnus…could be from our future. It is just not possible, I say. The story of Jahnus is nothing but a myth.”

         Obsidyanna smiled smugly at her Tutor.

         “You may want to get some more of your Karrotos leaves ready, Madame Madera,” Obsidyanna advised. “I think you might need them.”

         Obsidyanna then opened the door all the way.

         Madera’s eyes widened and her mouth gaped open in shock as Jahnus casually walked into her office. As she slowly stood up from her desk Jahnus smiled and gave her a courteous bow of respect.

         “I’m pleased to meet you, Madame Madera,” Jahnus said as he extended his hand toward her. “The Princess has told me that you’re quite the skeptic.”

         Madera appeared frozen with fright. Suddenly, she grimaced and collapsed to the floor.

        Obsidyanna gasped in horror as she realized what she had inadvertently done.

         Jahnus immediately knelt down and felt her neck. “There’s no pulse,” he said in a desperate voice.

         “Jahnus…please help her,” Obsidyanna pleaded desperately.

         Jahnus took a breath and placed his hand gently on her upper chest. There was a brief glow from his hand and then Madera gasped for breath and revived.

         Obsidyanna sighed with relief. “Thank the Maker!”

         Madera’s eyes fluttered open and looked over at a relieved Jahnus. “What happened to me?”

         “Your heart stopped,” Jahnus explained. “Fortunately it was not difficult to restart.”

         As they helped Madera to her feet she reached over and gently touched the side of Jahnus’s face with enormous gratitude and awe in her eyes.

         “Is what Doctor Avra says about you true,” Madera asked nervously. “Are you…from our future? Are you what we will become one day?”

         Jahnus took Madera’s hand and held it to comfort her.

         “I honestly don’t know,” Jahnus told her in a solemn tone.

         “Well…I suppose that the polite thing to do is thank you…Jahnus. Thank you for saving this old teacher’s life,” Madera told Jahnus with a quivering smile. She then looked at Obsidyanna with an expression of embarrassment. “Maybe I should take those Journalists more seriously from now on.”

         “Are you sure that you’re all right,” Obsidyanna asked as she placed a concerned hand on Madera’s shoulder. “I could call Doctor Avra. It was my fault that you almost died. I should not have startled you like that.”

         “No,” Madera said tersely. “I won’t be poked and prodded like one of his lab animals. I feel…fine. Let’s just keep this little incident between us.”

         Obsidyanna nodded respectfully in agreement.

         As Obsidyanna and Jahnus turned to leave Madera made one last statement; “I look forward to our next tutorial session, Princess.”

         Obsidyanna and Jahnus stopped in the doorway and turned back toward Madera.

         “Perhaps you’ll be able to teach me something next time,” Madera offered.

         Obsidyanna smiled with a sense of vindication. “Have a nice day, Madame Madera.”

         After the door closed behind them Obsidyanna noticed that Jahnus was scowling and moving his mouth in a strange way, as if expressing distaste about something.

         “What’s wrong,” she asked curiously.

         “I don’t know,” Jahnus confessed. “There’s this weird taste in my mouth. It started after I revived Madera.”

         Obsidyanna giggled. “I’ve told Madera that those Karrotos Leaves are bad for her.”

         Obsidyanna reached into her front skirt pocket and pulled out a small foil wrapped cube and handed it to Jahnus.

         “What’s this,” Jahnus asked.

         “It’s sweetened gum from the Juju Tree,” Obsidyanna told him. “When I was sick I would chew on this to get rid of the foul aftertaste of Doctor Avra’s medicines. I always keep a few with me.”

         Jahnus chuckled as he opened the little treat. “Thanks.”

         When they emerged into the Palace main hall the four guards Trekell had assigned stood at attention just inside the open gateway to the Courtyard, two on each side. As disciplined soldiers they did not look directly at Obsidyanna or Jahnus. But when Jahnus and Obsidyanna moved into the atrium of the gateway the guards immediately stepped into their positions, two in front and two behind.

         Obsidyanna sighed. “I wish they weren’t necessary.”

         “I’m sure you’re father knows what’s best,” Jahnus concluded as he glanced at the guards’ expressionless faces.

         Over the course of several hours Obsidyanna, Jahnus and their security escorts walked the streets of Vanadis visiting many public landmarks as well as multiple market places where merchants happily offered Jahnus samples of food and other merchandise. Although Jahnus had no money to speak of some merchants felt that his mere presence in their stores with the Princess was payment enough, especially since he and the Princess were followed by curiosity seekers who promptly spent their money to the delight of the merchants.

         As they continued their walk along the main boulevard Jahnus noticed what appeared to be emergency vehicles coming and going from a tall white building. It had a symbol above the main entrance of a scorpion, a spider and a snake inside an inverted triangle.

         “Is that one of your hospitals,” Jahnus asked curiously.

         “Yes,” Obsidyanna replied. “It’s actually the largest with our most advanced medical diagnostic equipment. The doctors in there have dedicated themselves to solving the mystery of the Plague.”

         “Have they had any success,” Jahnus asked as they all stopped walking and stood in front of the main entrance.

         “No,” Obsidyanna answered grimly. “More people fall to it everyday with no end in sight. If an answer isn’t found we could be looking at our eventual extinction.”

         Jahnus turned to Obsidyanna with a revelation. “I healed you of this Plague. Maybe Vodan was right. Perhaps I am here to save your people.”

         Obsidyanna smiled in agreement.

         “I’m no theoretician in time travel,” Obsidyanna confessed. “But if Doctor Avra is right and you are from our distant future then perhaps you are here to save us…and perhaps save your future as well.”

         “As far as time paradoxes go it’s the most plausible explanation I’ve heard since I first awakened on Avra’s exam table,” Jahnus surmised with a smile.

         As Jahnus and the Princess came through the main entrance of the Hospital they were met by a casually dressed Vekolth man. He limped along with a cane in obvious discomfort. But his expression was not that of a person looking to be healed. His was that of a steely eyed skeptic.

         “I’m Doctor Grekar,” he said in a business like tone. “I’m the hospital administrator.”

         “Greetings, Doctor,” Obsidyanna said with a smile. She then turned and gestured at Jahnus, who also smiled with anticipation. “This is….”

         “I know the name he’s being called by,” Grekar interjected as he glared at Jahnus. “My questions are; what are you, and what do you want in exchange for these miracles I’ve heard you’ve been performing?”

         Jahnus appeared confused by Grekar’s accusing attitude.

         “There’s no need to be rude, Doctor,” Obsidyanna said with obvious irritation in her voice. “Jahnus is only here to help.”

         “Really,” Grekar asked sarcastically. “From what I can see he’s not even a Vekolth, let alone a Doctor.”

         “Surely you must have seen the video broadcast of Doctor Avra testifying….”

         “Please forgive my insolence, Princess,” Grekar interrupted. “But I don’t believe any of the dribble spouted by our liberal media.”

         Jahnus chuckled in response.

         “Did I say something funny,” Grekar asked Jahnus with a sarcastic grin.

         “Are you accusing Doctor Avra of lying,” Obsidyanna asked angrily.

         “Not at all,” Grekar replied smugly. “I’m saying that he’s an idiot.”

         “HOW DARE YOU….” Obsidyanna exploded. But Grekar did not give her a chance to finish her verbal outrage.

         “Please, Princess…. all the doctors in this city know that Avra can’t hold a candle to me when it comes to the Medical Arts,” Grekar stated arrogantly.

         “I’ll have you know that Doctor Avra is the foremost authority on matters of science in my father’s Court,” Obsidyanna countered angrily.

         “Avra may hold doctorates in genetics, bio-chemistry and theoretical physics, but that does not make him a Medical Doctor,” Grekar charged. “Your father may have appointed him as the Kingdom’s Chief Scientist out of some sense of mistaken loyalty or friendship but in my opinion Avra has no business running the Palace Infirmary. That honor should have been mine.” Grekar then looked at Jahnus with contempt. “You can go peddle your miracles someplace else. This hospital has a ‘no soliciting’ policy.” Grekar then turned and started to limp away.

         Obsidyanna was incensed at Grekar’s arrogance.

         “I could have you removed as this hospital’s administrator,” Obsidyanna threatened.

         “Not likely,” Grekar retorted without looking back.

         “Aren’t you at least curious about me,” Jahnus asked. “You did say that you wanted to know what I am.”

         Grekar stopped and glared at Jahnus.

         “You’re right,” Grekar grudgingly concurred as he slowly limped back toward Jahnus and Obsidyanna. “I am curious.”

         “Then what’s your problem with me,” Jahnus asked while staring challengingly into Grekar’s eyes.

         “It’s simple, really,” Grekar said as he came right up to Jahnus only inches from his face. “I don’t believe in gods, miracles or what ever else is spewed from our liberal media elite. So…how can I believe that you’re anything other than an alien with some kind of hidden agenda of your own?”

         “Surely you must have read Doctor Avra’s report,” Obsidyanna asked. “Jahnus is genetically….”

         “I read it,” Grekar interrupted while staring into Jahnus’s unwavering eyes. “But from a medical standpoint I highly doubt its veracity.”

         “Perhaps you should perform your own exam of me,” Jahnus proposed. “Or better yet, perhaps I could heal that leg of yours. I imagine that it must give you a great deal of pain.”

         “I like my leg the way it is. The pain gives me an excuse to be arrogant and cranky.” Grekar then smiled smugly as if struck by an epiphany. “Come with me. I’ll give you a real patient to show me your bag of tricks on.” Grekar then started to limp away. Obsidyanna and Jahnus glanced at each other in surprise of Grekar’s reversal of attitude as they followed him down the hospital corridor.

         Grekar led them to a room in the intensive care section of the Hospital. Through the open door they could see a young woman lying in a bed connected to a convolution of tubes and sensors. The sound of a Ventilator filled the room like some kind of breathing monster.

         “Well, here’s your patient,” Grekar egged on. “Show me your god-like powers.”

         Obsidyanna sighed with disgust at Grekar’s blatant disrespect.

         “What’s wrong with her,” Jahnus asked as he looked upon the woman.

         “Everything,” Grekar stated nonchalantly. “She is suffering from complete systemic failure as a result of the Plague. She’s been in a coma for over a week now. The Ventilator is the only thing keeping her from completely keeling over.” Grekar then grinned at Jahnus. “I was considering starting a betting pool on when she’ll expire. Care to make a wager?”

         Jahnus did not respond to Grekar’s snide humor. He went over to the woman’s side and slowly pulled down the bed sheet exposing her bare chest. Jahnus placed one hand on the woman’s forehead and the other on her chest between her breasts. Jahnus then closed his eyes and appeared to be mentally concentrating.

         Suddenly Grekar’s eyes widened with stunned surprise as a soft sun-like glow radiated from Jahnus’s hands and spread across the woman’s body like a wave. After a few seconds she started to cough and awaken from her long coma.

         “Impressive,” Grekar remarked in a more subdued voice.

         Obsidyanna was smug with vindication. “Do you believe in miracles now, Doctor?”

         “Not quite yet, Princess,” Grekar countered with a smug grin of his own. He went over and pressed a button on a control panel near the patient’s bed. Two Nurses came into the room a few moments later.

         “I need a full battery of tests on this patient,” Grekar instructed.

         As the nurses pushed the bewildered patient’s bed out the door Grekar then looked at Jahnus, who seemed fatigued. “You don’t look too good.”

         “I’m just a little tired,” Jahnus said while grasping the bridge of his nose as if trying to shake off a headache.

         “Apparently bringing back the dead and near dead takes a lot out of you, doesn’t it,” Grekar surmised. “How did you recover the last time?”

         “I just got better,” Jahnus told Grekar. But then Jahnus recalled the circumstances of the last healing he performed. “Come to think of it…I was in the sunlight the last time.”

         “Of course,” Grekar smirked with realization. “I knew you were no God.”

         “But you saw how he healed that woman,” Obsidyanna jumped in. “He must be the Maker’s Avatar.”

         “What we witnessed my dear Princess was a simple transfer of energy, not a divine act,” Grekar explained in a tone of cold logic. He then looked into Jahnus’s eyes. “You used your own life energy to heal my patient, but it drained you, didn’t it?”

         “I don’t know for certain what the process is,” Jahnus said. “I just know that when I heal someone I feel weak afterwards.”

         “I’m willing to bet that if you took a stroll in the mid-day sun you’ll recharge whatever battery gives you your power.” Grekar grinned. “Are you game for a little science experiment?”

         Jahnus and Obsidyanna looked at each other with curious expressions and then turned back to Grekar.

         “What kind of experiment,” Obsidyanna asked with an expression of trepidation.

         “Let’s just say that for a long time I’ve had this theory about the city’s power source but haven’t had the means to test my theory until now,” Grekar replied in a cryptic tone while smiling at Jahnus. “You may give me the proof I need.”

         As the three of them approached the Hospital’s main entrance they could hear what sounded like a major commotion just outside.

         “What’s going on,” Obsidyanna asked as they hurried their pace.

         “I haven’t the faintest idea,” Grekar admitted as he hobbled along in an effort to keep up.

         When they emerged through the main entrance Obsidyanna was aghast to see a crowd of Vekolth apparently fighting with each other. Some were yelling obscenities and carrying signs of distasteful epithets about Jahnus while others were obviously trying to defend Jahnus’s perceived honor.

         “I don’t think the home team is doing too well,” Grekar quipped while they watched the four guards trying to keep the two groups from bashing each other with clubs and rocks.

         “STOP,” Obsidyanna yelled out at the top of her lungs.

         It took a few seconds but the yelling and fighting did cease as the two groups turned to face their Princess with Jahnus standing just behind her next to Grekar.

         “What in the name of the Maker is going on here,” Obsidyanna yelled to the crowd.

         “They were insulting the Royal Family and Jahnus,” an older man yelled while pointing an accusing finger at the other group of Vekolth.

         “The sacred scrolls state that Jahnus was the first Vekolth,” a young man yelled back. “That is not the real Jahnus. It is some kind of thing come here to corrupt the purity of the Vekolth.” The young man then stepped out in front of his group and pointed at Obsidyanna angrily. “And you soil yourself by just being in its presence.”

         Obsidyanna was clearly infuriated. “There is nothing in the Scrolls that says Jahnus looks like a Vekolth,” she yelled back.

         “BLASPHEMER,” the young man screamed.

         Suddenly, a rock flew out from the angry crowd and struck Obsidyanna’s head. She cried out in pain as blood flowed down the side of her face. Jahnus immediately grabbed Obsidyanna as she staggered backwards.

         They all looked on in horror as the crowd erupted into a full riot. The guards did the best they could but were quickly overpowered by the angry mob of religious zealots.

         Having run out of patience and fearing that more people could be injured Jahnus decided to act. He handed Obsidyanna back to Grekar and stepped out in front of the riotous crowd.

         “ENOUGH,” Jahnus yelled in a booming voice that seemed to reverberate unnaturally loud.

         The crowd once again ceased their hostilities and looked at Jahnus in awe.

         “I’ve only been here a short time, and I know that some of you may not believe that I am the real Jahnus,” he stated in a sincere voice. “I don’t even know myself what I am! But that does not give any of you the excuse to throw civility aside.” He then gestured back at the Princess. “Look what happened! Your Princess was hurt by one of you! You should all be ashamed!”

         “Please forgive us,” an older man pleaded with an expression of remorse as he and the others of his group turned to leave.

         The other group that had started the riot also turned to leave, but they said nothing, only gave Jahnus glares of contempt. The young man who incited the riot remained behind, staring at Jahnus with an expression of profound hatred.

         Grekar and Obsidyanna came up behind Jahnus. He turned to see that Obsidyanna’s wound was still bleeding. While glaring at the angry man with disgust Jahnus placed his hand on Obsidyanna’s wound and healed it.

         “You don’t fool me,” the angry man growled at Jahnus. “You’re evil, and if it takes my last breath I’ll prove it.”

         “Judging by your current condition your last breath could be coming pretty soon,” Grekar stated sarcastically.

         Jahnus noticed that the man had tumor-like growths on his face, probably what Grekar was referring to.

         “I could heal you, if you’re willing to trust me,” Jahnus offered as he extended his hand to the man.

         “DON’T TOUCH ME,” the man screamed in terror as he turned and ran away.

         “Uh-huh,” Grekar remarked with surprise. “I bet that guy is great at Atheist parties.”

         “He had such hatred and terror in his eyes,” Obsidyanna said with pity in her eyes.

         “The religious fanatics always go nuts when confronted by something that’s not explained in their so-called sacred texts,” Grekar stated sarcastically. “Let’s go. Time’s a wasting.” He then turned leave. Obsidyanna and Jahnus followed.

         The devout young man who had dared to challenge the Princess openly ran for several city blocks before stopping to rest beside a trash dumpster in an alley. While leaning against a wall he slid down into a squat and sobbed.

         “Why do you cry,” asked a female voice that seemed to reverberate in the canyon-like alleyway.

         The young man was startled by the voice. He jumped to his feet and turned in a circle looking for the mysterious voice. Before completing the first turn he was shocked by the sudden appearance of a female Vekolth clad in a black lace-like dress with coppery head feathers and fiery red eyes smiling at him. It was as though she appeared from nowhere.

         “Why do you cry,” she asked again.

         “Who are you,” he asked her with an expression of both defiance and curiosity.

         “You first,” the woman asked with flirtatious eyes. “Why are you crying?”

         The young man sighed with resignation.

         “Someone hit the Princess with a rock during the protest,” the young man explained. “I didn’t do it but I am certain that they’ll blame me since I was the one who led the protest.”

         “What is your name, boy,” the woman asked as she came closer.

         “Jakor,” he replied in a calmer voice.

         “Tell me, Jakor, why were you protesting against the Princess,” the woman asked in a sultry voice as she gently caressed Jakor’s shoulder.

         Jakor became inflamed.

         “An alien is posing as Jahnus,” Jakor growled. “When I first heard of him it was like a dream come true. Many of us have been waiting for Jahnus’s return. But when I saw him I knew he could not be Jahnus. I could not stand by while the Princess consorted with this…this alien imposter, so I gathered together the other Believers. Our intent was to confront the Princess and try to persuade her to honor her betrothal to Prince Kupa of Xian and banish this…creature. But…it didn’t work out that way.”

         The red eyed woman smiled. “Tell me, Jakor, how would the Queen of Xian react if she knew that there was an alien usurper trying to take her son’s betrothed?”

         “She would be furious,” Jakor stated. “She would take it as an affront to the Treaty. She might even threaten war if this alien kept the Princess from fulfilling her duty as the betrothed of Kupa.”

         “Excellent,” the woman said with an almost maniacal expression.

         “Who are you,” Jakor asked again with more insistence in his voice.

         “Just someone who believes the same as you,” the woman answered cryptically.

         She then placed a hand on Jakor’s shoulder and both of them vanished in a column of fire.