"Someone better explain to me, real fast, why my son is in handcuffs!" LaStirk was red-faced and furious. Her right hand gripped her battle sword so tight that her knuckles blanched. Her tail hovered menacingly over her left shoulder and her eyes were wide as she stared at Marley, bloodied, naked, with his hands cuffed behind his back but breathing. An aid handed her a data pad with the official report, she snatched it from him and stared daggers at him as he shuffled off. She sneered as glanced around the room of men who were actively avoiding eye contact before reading the report. She quickly read over the data pad and made a disgusted face before dashing it to the ground. "Absolute bullshit. You want me to believe after uncovering a plot to kill my son, that the ones who have been completely docile for twenty years, kidnaped and brainwashed the Crown Prince. Then you, who not too long ago, raised an entire city, went to negotiate "peacefully" only for Marley, who hated fighting and skipped training, to attack you and your men. Men who are all former special operations soldiers. Not only that, he killed two and incapacitated a third before you could take him down. This is the story you want me to believe?"
Greyson looked incredulous. "Of course it is! Mother, that is what happened. Marley has gone native! I always knew he would betray us all one day! He is going to lead the slaves in rebellion against us!"
"Gone native?" Latstirk shouted back. "He is native! At the same time, he's the most loyal Rednasi here! You expect me to believe that he just woke up one morning and decided to betray everything he knows? I think it's more likely that you are trying to set him up. You're so desperate to inherit the throne that you made up this wild story to get him out of the way!"
"You always did take his side Mother"
"His side? We haven't heard his side because you have him naked and unconscious on the floor!" LaStirk turned to a guard standing off to the side. "Wake him up."
While all of this was happening, Marley's body lay limp on the floor. His mind, however, was having a conversation that would change the course of his life forever.
Marley opened his eyes and slowly rose to his feet. He looked around and found himself in a serene, lush, green forest. He had no idea where he was or how long he had been out. The sunlight shone through tall dark brown trees and felt wonderful on his skin. Under his feet was the thickest, softest grass he had ever felt. It didn't even make a sound as he began to walk. He looked down, noticing for the first time he was naked. He reached up and stretched his tired muscles as his skin seemed to shine in the sun. He walked slowly taking in his surroundings, feeling at peace for the first time in the longest time. He soon heard the sound of running water and headed towards it. As he approached the bank of a large creek, he noticed a woman sitting on the opposite bank. She was stunning. She had a youthful face and long dreads that reached her thighs covering her ample breast. She leaned back on her hands and hung her feet in the water, seemingly enjoying herself. The bright smile she displayed as Marly approached reminded him so much of Omnira, except the woman was bright blue from head to toe and gave off a light bright enough to be noticeable in the daytime sun.
When she spoke, her voice was soft, crisp, clear, and seemed to come from everywhere. "My chosen son, it is good to see you. I have been waiting for you."
Marley lowered himself down and sat on his knees. He had an idea of who this was, but he asked anyway. "You seem to know me, but who are you? And why are you waiting for me?"
She looked at him lovingly. "We have met before, I am Azaacar, the spirit of nature, and I have something very important to tell you."
Marley nodded, recalling the meeting inside Raeni's tent before Greyson's attack. "Before that, I must ask, as powerful as you are, why did you not step in? Why did you not protect your people when the Rednasi attacked? How could you stand by and allow them to suffer slavery for so long?"
Azaacar laid her head back letting the sun rays caress her face as a single tear rolled down her cheek. "I wish I could have done something. Direct action is not my role. I control the primal energies of this world. I am the custodian of balance. Many have asked that I flood cities or send bearcat stampedes to vanquish the invaders, but I cannot. It is not my role. What I can do, what I have done is empower individuals with primal energy that they may fend for themselves. Your ancestor, King Ray, was one of these people. I empowered him and his people, and they in turn, taught others to tap into the energy. He was a man or war that brought about generations of peace. That peace caused the generations that followed to forget my ways, save a few individuals. That is why, despite my warnings, my children fell victim to these wicked invaders. That is why they need you."
Marley was conflicted. In his mind he was Rednasi through and through. It was everything he knew. At the same time, he could not deny the connection he felt to Azaccar and her natives, even before meeting and spending time with them. Since meeting them they had all shown him more kindness than he had ever felt with the Rednasi. His mother treated him like a tool to be sharpened. His brother was jealous of him and treated him like an obstacle in his way. The court showed him nothing but contempt, and the overseers that were meant to train him were as shady as one could be. The Children of Azaacar were good people, after all these years, with everything that had been taken from them, not only did they serve the kingdom faithfully, but they somehow managed to smile through it all. Marley studied his hands as he thought of his birth mother. She had given him up to save her people. His adopted mother used her people as a means to an end. He clenched his fist as he made them glow. This power that he relied on his whole life belonged to this planet. He belonged to this planet. These are his people. This was their planet and it had been stolen from them. He had been stolen from them. The time had come for everything to return where it belonged. Everything, and everyone.
Marley lifted his eyes to meet those of Azaacar. His voice was strong and resolute. "What do you need me to do?"
Her smile dropped and Azaacar sat up straight. "In a moment you will be awakened and questioned. Tell them the truth and you will be banished. Once that happens head north to the mountains. There you will find a man who is strong in my gifts, and he will teach you. Once you are ready return here and you will then have the strength needed to free our people"
At that moment Marley was dashed with ice cold water and he sputtered to his senses. He was helped to his knees, and he took in his surroundings. He was in the throne room, there were guards all around him, his brother and what was left of his cabal were behind him seething and staring daggers at him. LaStirk, his "mother" was standing over him as if waiting for something. He regarded her coolly, not sure what to do with all the emotions he had swirling around his mind. He looked her in the eyes for what he was certain was the first time in his life. When he spoke his voice was low, composed, and full of confidence, a far cry from the timid submissive he had always been.
"My Queen" his simple cold greeting surprised Lastirk. She looked at him up and down and saw no traces of the boy she had raised. Even in chains, he exuded a cool confidence. If she didn't know any better, she would say she saw defiance in his eyes. She recoiled and ordered his hands freed. She watched him as he stood to his feet, rubbing his wrists after the cuffs were removed. She caught the disdainful glance he shot his brother over his shoulder. Inwardly, she marveled at the complete transformation her son had made in such a short time. He didn't even bother trying to cover his naked body. She shook her head. Her boy had become a man, and this man might be a problem.
"Welcome home my son" she began carefully, there was the slightest wince, but otherwise no response. He kept his face blank, unreadable.
"Your brother says you were being held captive by the slave..." she began
"Is that what he told you?" he interrupted
"Is that not what happened?" She was surprised by the interruption as well as his tone. He was so cold.
"Not even close" he stated simply glancing over his shoulder again.
"Then please, enlighten us, son."
Marley took a breath then told his story starting from the bearcat attack. He left out his conversations with Raeni and Azaacar, but detailed the brutality of Greyson's attack. He even admitted to killing Greyson's men and his intent to kill his brother for what he had done. He kept his voice even as he spoke and made sure every word was clear. LaStirk was taken aback. Marly had always been a decent fighter, but he only ever did the bare minimum to win his fights. He would either dodge until his attackers were worn out or use his speed to move into an advantageous position to end the fight quickly. Above all he always showed his opponents mercy. To hear of his brutality today was absolutely shocking. Not to mention, the ones he dominated today were former special operations soldiers. To top it all off his actions were illegal, even as a prince of kingdom, opposing a member of the royal faction was considered treason. Defending the slaves was a crime. Killing Rednasi outside official challenges was frowned upon. His saving grace was, he had done all of this in self-defense, and Marley knew all this better than anyone in the room.
LaStirk spun, turning her back, and strode to her throne. She flopped down deep in thought. Greyson finally spoke up. "He has obviously turned against us, Mother. He must be punished!" Lastirk silenced him with a deadly stare. She rolled her eyes before she spoke.
"This is my judgement as Queen and Regent of Lastirk Prime" an attendant ran toward her with a data pad and took a knee, ready to record her words. "All of this started because of a conspiracy to end the life of the Crown Prince." Marley raised his eyebrows at this statement but quickly regained his composure. He wasn't surprised. "The overseers involved will be stripped of their positions and titles. Treason is punishable by death but considering their many years for faithful service I will instead give them life in the brig. Greyson, you and your unit are once again responsible for the destruction of a city under my control, as well as the lives of a great many slaves. For this your unit will be disbanded. Your lieutenants still fit for duty will return to the special operations unit effective immediately and demoted to the rank of sergeant." she pointed at the large rednasi that had been knocked out by Marley. "You, for daring to put your hands on my son, you are sentenced to death. Immediately" A guard stepped forward, drew his sword and sliced his head off at the neck in one smooth motion. The body sprayed blood as it fell to the ground and was dragged off. "Greyson, you will use your own funds to rebuild and restore the slave village to the state it was in before your attack, and you will oversee the construction yourself. The crown will supply any funding shortfalls you face once yours are depleted. Marley, you have opposed the royals, defended the slaves, and killed fellow Rednasi. The penalty for these actions is death, however, because your actions were made under duress and in self-defense, I will instead strip you of your status and title as Crown Prince and award them to your brother. Furthermore, you are hereby banished from the Kingdom forever. You have until sunset tomorrow to gather your belongings and leave. If you are ever caught inside the kingdom borders again, you will be executed on sight. That is all"
The room fell into a stunned silence as the group bowed and filed out of the room to carry out the queen's orders. Greyson hung his head but smiled to himself. This was not the outcome he envisioned but it was a win for him, nonetheless. He had lost men, he lost his unit, he had to spend his own money to rebuild some dirty slave village, but he was now the Crown Prince. He was next in line for the throne, and there was nothing his former brother could do to stand in his way anymore. Time for the next phase of his plan.