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Chapter Fourteen

Zark

The next morning, I was preparing to start my rounds of the day when I heard a series of short vibrations on the ground just outside the podhouse. I had visitors. I slid the shutters aside and looked out the window to see a messenger of the King walking up my path. He had two others with him.

I put down the bread pan I was holding and quickly walked out the door.

“Hvit’zark, we need to speak to you at once,” Zedron said. He cocked his head at the door, meaning to get inside my podhouse.

“My woman is resting inside. You and your men will not wake her.” I pointed to a spot by the tree and the three messengers followed me there. “So, why are you here so early this morning?”

“Your Majesty and the Prince sent us,” Zedron replied, handing me a sealed message.

I frowned, fearing the worse.“Where are they?”

“Don’t worry. They’re fine. Neither could leave their posts as they have guests in the meeting hall. The Aurraks are here. You may have already heard.”

“Yes, I’ve heard. What message did King Crencik send for me?”

“They’re in the final stages of trading with the ambassador. Your Majesty would like to know if you will accompany the commander they brought with them to the outer lands. They wish to view it. They’re not that many of them. Just two dozen I believe.”

“For what reason do they wish to view our lands?”

Zedron cleared his throat. “He did not tell me directly. Perhaps you should read his note. But, there are talks that they’ve offered up their architects to help us with environmentally-stable construction of shelter on the new settlement.”

I rubbed my chin and looked off in the distance at the top of the hill where the King was certain to be holding meetings with ambassador at this very moment.

“Hmmm. I wonder what they have traded to come to such an agreement.”

“The Aurraks wish to mine our crystals, of course. However, they are the greatest builders in all of the galaxy. We do need their expertise, don’t you think?”

Truthfully, if the King had come to this decision, I trusted his wisdom. There was no way I would refuse.

“Give me some time to gather some more scouts to go along with us.”

“Shall I return tomorrow to retrieve your answer and the status?” he asked.

I nodded.

When I parted from the scouts, I broke the seal from the note.

‘Hvit’zark, son of Braddlk,

By this time, you will have reunited with your mate after an unnecessary lengthy separation. I know that sooner or later I will have word that you will be a father. You’ve questioned my prophesies before and I am sure you will continue to question them in the future. You are your father’s son after all. At least we can agree on one thing now-your destiny involves more than you think. Your new mate will convince you of that and I’m sure she’ll do a better job of it than I have.

As for the matter at hand, I need your help. I need someone to spearhead this new project. I need a leader who will question everything. You’ve found workable land for us to settle on and now it is only fair that I offer you healthy compensation. You will need a bigger podhouse for your future family. Thus, you will need more land. Accept my gift of land of the equivalent of three lots on the new settlement and direct funding from me for the podhouse of your choice.

You are running out of time and space, brave son of Braddlk.

In good faith,

Your Majesty, Crencik’

My fingers were tremblingby the time I finished reading the note. As I thought back to everything that had transpired over the last few months, I had no reason to doubt the King. And I had no doubts that Freya would be my lifelong mate.

I entered the podhouse to find Freya still asleep on the bed, curled up under the blankets. She tossed twice and whimpered before finally settled down and, seemingly, drifting off into a deeper slumber.

I continued to prepare breakfast quietly so as not to wake her. I was have way through mixing the ingredients for our breakfast bread, when I heard her mumbling something incoherently.