Dreamscape Continued2...

Father said he would send the things she asked for only if she would recite the magic words he had taught us as children. She giggled in the same tone and voice she had as a child and said she was too grown up for that. Father looked sternly at her and cocked one eye brow, a gesture he did to try and look serious but we always thought it only succeeded in making him look silly. She dutifully cleared her throat and in a voice that sounded far younger then her years she said the words;

Dreams are real
Fantasies live
The favor I ask
Only love can give

With that a battalion of Whimlings came tumbling out of the woods and began preparing to accompany the elemental soldiers Kiya had called from the revelry of the carnival. Father had known all along the true purpose of her visit so he had the Trovelians getting ready from the first time he heard Kiya’s voice in his head this morning. They were ready to go within a few minutes of being called. The happy clicking sounds the Whimlings were making were a comfort to us as we wished them all well and a speedy return.
It was soon after the boisterous group left for the moon that the sky turned dark and a humming sound came from the sky that never failed to send chills up my spine. Like a bad dream the Hoard came swooping down and began eating our beautiful park. Father summoned everyone who remained in the park to help fight them off. The only defense were have against the insects are the ploxen, fire breathing little creatures most of our citizens keep as pets. As everyone started encouraging their ploxen to flame father returned to the castle to get in touch with our allies, the Kaytons.
The evil little bugs continued to eat the park and everything in their way. When anyone would approach they would link together to make massive soldiers and beasts to fight us off. It wasn’t until the Kaytons showed up that we started to push them back. The huge robots that the Kaytons have learned to use as extensions of the shriveled and weak bodies are an impressive sight. When they come to fight the Hoard they always bring the flame throwing robots that are the only known weapon against the destructive bugs. Soon the Hoard began to separate and go back into the sky where there hive ship waits to pick them up. We thanked the Kaytons and ask them to stay for the rest of the carnival, but they must get back home. We have never understood how the Kaytons come to our planet, or how they leave, they simply walk out into the wood and are gone before we know it.
After the buzzing of the Hoard was finally gone from my ears I heard my father’s thoughts in head; he needs help. I began running back toward the castle and spotted him on the path. I had never seen my father weak or unable to stand, fear swept through my body and paralyzed me. My thoughts reached out to the healer in the castle, he appeared so quickly I knew father must have summoned him first. The healer soon discovered what the problem was; one of the Hoards had stung father. We knew that they could sting, but had never even dreamed that one of us; especially our king would be allergic. Now he lay there, unable to move or even catch his breath.
As my mind raced trying to search everyone’s minds at once to see if anyone had an idea of how to help father, Atrilos appeared. At first I thought he had come to help, after all he had been my father’s friend a long time ago, but I was very wrong. He stood there looking at the mighty King Triphon lying helpless as a newborn Whimling and I felt not even a flicker of compassion from him. He was smug as he looked at me and gave a voice to all the fears I had in my heart and mind; as well as the fears of the whole planet. How could I rule in my father’s places? What will happen to the alliances we enjoy if they find out King Triphon isn’t ruler of Ryzald anymore? Can anyone really trust me, Leyloni, to do the right thing? Who is Leyloni to rule?
I gently cast my arm out and stopped time for all but Atrilos and I and then paralyzed him with a thick cloud of black smoke. I hated the fact that I was shaking as I told him to go from this wonderful fantasy world he wants to destroy and never to return. I assured him that my father would be well again and that he would pay for coming back here. I pushed though the barrier with my staff and held him there while I evaporated the smoke and brought time back to normal. Atrilos was taken back to his ship and everyone sighed with relief as we watched him return to him home on the moon.
I couldn’t blame them for how they felt, I had the same concerns Atrilos had just voiced, but as the kings only child it is not only my right, but also my duty to rule. If only Atrilos hadn’t kidnapped me that day not so very long ago? Why did Daqu have to align himself with my father’s only personal enemy? Why did this have to happen? As I stood there watching the healers trying to pull the poison from my father’s neck I reached for Kiya who had just reached the moon. I felt her sadness and knew that my father is as important her as he is to me, I touched her mind with the image of father bouncing across the lake earlier, and it felt good to share a giggle with her and to feel her genuine love for father as well as myself. She asked if he should return to Ryzald, but I told her to stay there and I would try to reach Daqu and get him to cooperate with the thawing process. I would reach to her if she needed to be here. I knew the work would be good for her and it would help to keep her mind off the situation with father.
Finally father was stable enough to be moved to the castle and made comfortable in his bed. This is where I stand now, looking out the window of his chamber. On a normal night, the fire nymphs would be out playing in the darkness, but not tonight. I am not sure if it is the protesters who have kept them away or if they too are protesting me by not showing up. In his brief moments of consciousness father reassures that everything will be all right, but there is no conviction in his heart. The creatures of this planet have always loved me, as a princess, as the daughter of their beloved king, but not as Queen of Ryzald. The kidnapping had only deepened their concerns about me, I have to prove myself.
“Oh father, please get better.”
The fires outside get brighter as more wood is added and I realize I cannot give up. I hope beyond all else that father will survive, and I know that the fires outside are evidence of the love he has earned from his subjects. But I stand ready to protect my heritage and willing to pick up the baton of control, even if I must fight for my right to rule.