Kiya

Kiya


As the transport ship lifted off Kiya felt cold and alone. She had never seen King Triphon cry before and it broke her heart. She looked out the window and could see the crowd all trying to regain the festive mood of only a few moments ago. Father and I both reached out to her and assured her that we would stay with her till late in the night when she falls asleep. I could feel her crying, but I knew she would have a wonderful life on Zhetascha.
When the transport reached the moon Kiya got out and decided to go for a short walk while the ship was being refueled. The moon is a beautiful place and if father had known that Atrilos would continue down his path of destruction, he would never have sent him there. The vacation spot that both planets used to enjoy has been made unsafe for anyone who is loyal to my father. Only the trade station is kept somewhat safe. Kiya walked around the edge of the station and thought of her new title and all that it will entail. A shutter of fear raked her body and she began to cry. Father and I reached to her at the same time and held her close, filling her mind with reassurance and courage. She was prepared, she will be the answer, and she will succeed. As her confidence began to gain power Daqu appeared in her path. He stepped forward and told her she had nothing to fear, not today anyway. Kiya asked him how he was and what he had been up to. The
laugh he let out was one of hate, and contempt. He told her that she shouldn’t worry about the past, only the future, and that she would be seeing a lot more of him now that
King Triphon isn’t standing guard anymore. Father flooded Daqu’s mind with a reprimand he didn’t bother to hide from anyone. The shame Daqu felt caused him to tremble and run away, but I knew his heart was set hard against Kiya and it would be a long rough road for her. We encouraged her to get back on the ship and to stay in her compartment till she reached Zhetascha. She did as we asked and soon she had lifted off the moon and began the final leg of her journey.
When they reached the landing platform on Zhetascha, Kiya was dismayed at what she saw. Standing around the platform were masses from all five elemental groups, but there was a clear dividing line between each type. When the ship got closer to the platform she realized that there were walls between each set, high enough so that they could not see the other elementals. Everyone was focused on her transport as it landed and a hush fell over the crowd as she made her way to the door. Father and I joined her mind as she stepped out and looked around. We could read her thoughts and realized that she was going to start making changes right away, and that she had no qualms about doing exactly what she had been created to do. Pride flooded me and father and Kiya let us know she wanted us to stay close, but she felt strong and capable so not to worry.
The Master Governor stepped forward and gave Kiya a dignified bow before introducing her to the five elemental governors standing behind him. They each stepped forward and introduced themselves in a way that made Kiya realize they each felt supremely above the others present. Jerome was the Master Governor and he was also an earth master, so when the earth elemental governor introduced himself it was with an air of secret power.
Father had thoroughly prepared Kiya for what she would be facing, but to see it live and in action shocked her. Every time a new Master Governor is elected, the power shifts to the element he or she represents, so right now earth elementals are enjoying the benefits of having preferential treatment and they are not shy about shoving it in the faces of those who are not in the same privileged position. This is the core of the problem and why she was brought into existence, and it has to stop or this world will never have peace.
Jerome turned to the crowd facing the section Kiya knew had to be the earth masters, and introduces her to them, cheers went up from the whole assemblage but she was never actually introduced around the full circle of the platform, only to the one section preferred by the Master Governor. He began to make a speech that fed into the idea of the superior position of the earth element and how Kiya, Mistress of Microcosm would help them to achieve the dreams of every earth elemental on Zhetascha. She stood behind him and listened while watching the masters all the way around the platform, murmurs could be heard from each section and she knew it has to stop, right now. She raised her hands and caused the earth to move under them all, flowers began to sprout everywhere, at the same time she brought a halo of fire that was spinning slowly above them all. Silence swept over them as she made rain pour from the fiery halo, and three small tornadoes began to pull all of the rain inside them where they could funnel it down and dump the water away from the crowd. All the while she sent energy waves through the crowd that caused them all to tingle and their hair to stand on end. She continued the manipulation of the elements until father told her she had their full and undivided attention.
Kiya stepped in front of Jerome and began to walk the full circle of the platform, making eye contact with as many of the crowd who were brave enough to return her gaze. Jerome cleared his throat and began to speak again, but Kiya hushed him. He looked indignant and started to remind her of who she was speaking to when Kiya interrupted the master and told him his services were no longer needed. It was an uncharacteristic move on her part, but one she had to make. Father and I could feel her begin to regret the blunt statement, so we forced our own feelings of pride, love and agreement to overpower any uncertainty in her so that she could continue making her purpose known.
“I am Kiya, Mistress of Microcosm, and today we begin fresh. The prejudices of the past are exactly that, the past, and that is where they shall stay. I, as I just demonstrated in a small display, am master of all elements and not only can, but will speak equally for all. I am not an elected official so I owe no one any favors. I have a life station here and this wonderful planet will have peace, you will have rest and most of all you will have global pride. My first official act as Mistress of Microcosm shall be this; these walls that are separating you here shall come down.” Everyone stood in stunned confusion. Kiya continued, “I would prefer it if you take the barriers down for yourselves, but make no mistake I will do it myself if I have to.” No one wanted to be the first to make this bold move so Kiya instructed everyone to step away from the barriers and then she asked, in a way that left no room for refusal, for the earth masters to slowly lower the barriers into the ground. The earth crowd looked to their governor for his approval, which he gave grudgingly and slowly the walls were swallowed up by the earth under them.
Kiya stood on the platform and allowed the absolute astonishment to give way to uneasy whispers. Each group tried very hard not to look at the others. Kiya had to smile as she remembered the dances she used to attend with Daqu and I,; the boys and girls all standing around trying not to look at each other, yet wanting very badly to be noticed. I reminded her of the first dance father let her attend with me; Daqu had stayed home because girls were still full of kooties as far as he was concerned. She had wanted to dance with a certain boy named Poth and had tried to look more mature by taking extra time with her long curly hair. She did dance with Poth that night but it hadn’t been until she took the first step and asked him to take the floor; he asked her for every dance after that. I touched her mind with the warm thought and told her she had again taken the first step now let’s wait and see if they will dance.
Kiya then told them that they were free to go but that she wanted them all to come back at first light; they had a lot of work to do. The crowd dispersed with a hushed reserve that made Kiya uncomfortable, still her resolve stood firm in her heart. She asked each of the Elemental Governors to come to her home in time for the day’s last meal and they could chat over hot food and cold drinks. As they stepped off the platform each governor showed off his talents in very impressive displays of control. Kiya wanted to enjoy the show but father broke into her mind and told her that they weren’t showing off for her, they were trying to intimidate each other. This childishness being acted out in front of her by the “leaders” of the planet was more then Kiya could take. She produced a huge lightening strike that stood in the midst of them; the noise it made as well as the light emitting from it caught everyone off guard. They all stopped their showboating and walked away, each one with an air of indignation.
Kiya was shown to her temporary home. It was very nice and completely sufficient but lacked anything that would make it feel welcoming in any way. She began the task of unpacking her things, a job she was encouraged to let her servants do, but she chose to do herself. As she reached in one of the pockets of her satchel her heart began to warm and hurt at the same time. She found a small packet of leaves wrapped in thin vines. Kiya wiped a tear from her face as she opened it to find Whimling Berry seeds. Nip, her favorite little Whimling had given her the seeds so Kiya wouldn’t forget her. Kiya took one seed out and placed it on the window sill and watched it sprout, grow, flower and bear fruit all in less time then one would normally take to eat a handful of berries. The sweet smell of the fruit made her feel very warm and happy. I looked at father as we shared the moment with her and father smiled as I placed a picture of Nip vividly in her mind. I told her that after she left Ryzald the Whimlings all started trying to sing a little farewell song they had made up, but kept forgetting the words and the tune so they finally decided to just dance, before long everyone was happy again. Father blocked others from following her mind, so he and I were the only ones who knew what all had happened since she left. She was glad to know that the carnival hadn’t been ruined by her departure.
When the governor arrived at her home she greeted them herself at the door. They looked surprised that she would perform such a mundane task and felt that she a bit too common to be taken seriously. They all waited in the enter hall until the last governor showed up and then she lead them into a large room with a massive round table in the center. There were six identical chairs. She then asked them each their age, working from oldest to youngest she told them to choose a seat, this would be there permanent perch until new governors were elected, then she would find a different way to choose the seating assignments. She sat down in the last open chair and began. “For tonight we will proceed around the table starting at my immediate right. Next time it will be to my left and then in a zigzag pattern all over the table.” With each word the volume of her voice rose until she was speaking loud enough to make them all very uncomfortable. She took a deep breath and let her words hang heavy in the air for a few moments before she proceeded. To her right sat the water governor. Kiya looked directly at him and asked him to tell the others a little bit about himself. He and the others looked dumbfounded. He said that he thought they were there to discuss how to improve the day-to-day lives of the people of Zhetascha, not sit around visiting and sipping tea. So Kiya asked him directly if he had any children, how many and what are there ages?
“My wife and I have four children, all accomplished water masters, the two oldest are twin boys, they are in there twenty seventh turn. Next is our girl, she is in her twenty fifth turn and the youngest is a boy who just reached his third turn.” the water master replied.
Kiya smiled and commented that based on the age difference the youngest must have been quite a surprise. He grinned in a very disarming way and said that the boy was both a surprise and a blessing. The two talked for several minutes about his family, a subject that the master obviously loved talk about. Then Kiya asked him to state the greatest concern of the water masters. He looked around the room as if he had forgotten that the others were present until that moment and stated simply that the water masters were fine, just fine. Kiya told he that she knew that the water elementals were fine and that they would continue to fine for generations to come. She also let him know that as the Mistress of Microcosm it was her responsibility to make sure that they were more then simply fine. She turned to address the rest of the room.
“Each of your societies is fine. Is that all you want or can envision for yourselves and your children? I was created to make this world, your world, better. Fine will not do. As long as there is so much tension and prejudice between the elements you will never have peace. Gentlemen for the sake of everyone that you love and elements you have mastered, we have got to do better then fine. Now please, I ask you again, what is the biggest concern of your element?” Kiya asked as she turned here full attention back to the water master, who now looked a bit ashamed.
“We feel like we are the clean up crew for all the other elements.” He said without taking his eyes off Kiya. The others started to voice their disagreements and there anger that he would make such an outrageous and completely unfounded statement to the Mistress of Microcosm. But Kiya silenced them and encouraged the master to continue. “Our biggest complaint is against the earth masters.” He stated with dignified resolve. “When ever one of them decides create a personal island for the day or wants make a land bride to reach an existing land mass, they give no consideration to where the water must go. So we get angry calls from others who want us to fix the flooding. This is a small example of how inconsiderate the land masters truly are.” Before any response could be voiced by the land governor, Kiya told everyone that there will be no editorializing, she only wants to hear the problems so that they can be fixed. She then asked the water governor to think of a master who he feels could put on a display of what he water masters do, so that the other elementals could have a fuller appreciation for his element. The governor stated he would give it some thought. The focus of the discussion moved to the energy governor and Kiya moved around the table asking identical questions to each.
As the evening progressed Kiya was pleased to see some of the knee-jerk responses of anger and defense change to thoughtful silence. Father and I stayed with Kiya and we both agreed that the five governors were willing to at least give her ideas for peace and understanding a try.
When she finished questioning the last governor; a young energy master who she found out was newly married, she went back around the table asking each for their recommendation of a outstanding master who could showcase their element. She then told them that they could leave but thought it would be a nice gesture of good faith if they touched palms before they go. They looked at her with question on their faces. She explained that each element has their own motion for greeting each other and for saying good bye, touching palms is to be the planet wide salutation and she told them that she wanted for them to start using it right away and teaching it to the others of their given element. They all stood up and performed the new gesture a bit stiffly but father assured her that they were each trying very hard to adapt. They each touched her palm as they filed out and she was pleased to note that they didn’t seem to be competing for position in the line to exit.
After they had all gone she sat down heavily in her chair and started making a list of everything she would need to have prepared for the exhibition of talents. She then divided the list into five parts and had five messengers deliver the sealed parchments to each governor. Kiya felt that if all the elements worked on the display, they just might enjoy it more. She also wanted for them to realize that they could work together to make good things happen. She then gathered the used dished and goblet’s from around the table, walk back to the scullery and thanked the cooks for such a nice meal. As she started to leave the room curiosity got the better of her and she asked them each what elements they had mastered. She was both surprised and pleased to hear that all five elements were represented here and that they worked together beautifully.
Kiya walked back to her sleep chamber and as she walked she invited father and I to come to the exhibition. When she entered her room she saw the Whimling Berry bush still growing on her windowsill and before she could ask, father assured her that we would bring Nip along as well. She smiled and picked a berry from the bush, popped it in her mouth and wished us both a good night. Before I left her mind I pressed my palm against hers and told her she was very clever to create such a simple thing that will eventually bring unity to her planet. Kiya thanked me and asked if I thought she had earned a button, I gave her a strong hug and told her she had earned a bag full.
The next morning started very early for Kiya. She had made a list the night before of the outstanding masters from each element. She now sat at the large round table, eating fruit from her berry bush as she composed five letters, inviting the masters to her home and giving a brief explanation of why she wanted for them to come. She sealed them the same way she would seal every private communication from this day forward. When she sent them out she made sure that the runners were sent to different elemental masters then the one they belonged to. The Master Governor had always kept servants from all the elements so the there would be no appearance of favoritism, but they had always been used to deal only with their own element, she could see that the runners were a bit nervous about the new arraignment but none of them questioned her.
When she saw the sun coming up over the horizon, she hurried out of her home and made her way back to the landing platform. The whole population was to be there at first light and she was already running late. When she got near Kiya noticed that, while the walls were still down, the segregation was still very pronounced. She made her way to the platform and walked up the steps with a clear determination that no one could fail to recognize. She walked around the edge of the platform and as she did she asked how many of them had heard about the new gesture for greeting one another. Several from each element had already been informed of the new motion, so Kiya asked them all to mount the floor to demonstrate the greeting. As they made their way through the crowds
Kiya explained that the greetings of the different types was only punctuating the differences in them and would never help to bring unity to Zhetascha, so the new greeting is to be implemented right away. Her volunteers finally reached to stage and she instructed them to stand in pairs around the edge so everyone could see. There happened to be an uneven number from each element so some of them were a bit horrified to find that they would have to demonstrate the greeting with a different class. They were told to show everyone the greeting and then to walk around the floor and greet all of the other volunteers in the same manner. It was a very awkward exercise but they all got through it and left the platform.
“How many of you would like to get back to your jobs and normal lives for today?” Kiya asked. They all raised their hands. “ I have one request to make of you, I want for all of the energy and fire masters to walk in a circle around the platform to your right. Water, earth and air walk to your left and each master you pass I want for you to greet in the new Zhetaschan way.” She heard a murmurs of protest so she said, “I realize that I said that this is a request, but in reality it is the only way you will be allowed to leave. This can take only few shakes, or it can take several turns but I promise you, no one is leaving until you do what I have instructed, so please begin.”
In what looked like a stiff military arraignment the masters did as she asked. Kiya then told them that even when greeting others of their own element they were to us the new Zhetaschan greeting. She also told them that she understood how difficult it would be for them to break down a lifetime of prejudice and preconceived stereotypes, but that she was sure they would all rise to the occasion. They were dismissed and she felt very good about what had just happened.
I broke into her thoughts and let her know I had been watching her. She said she knew I was there because she heard me laugh at the looks on the faces of the original volunteers who had to pair up with those out side their element. I told her I was sorry but she had to admit the scene was priceless. We both giggled a bit and then I felt some of the weight come back to her shoulders. “This is such a mess Leyloni. How can they all be so narrow-minded? They all have such beautiful abilities and yet they can see only that they are different, not how truly wonderful each is in their own right.” Kiya said with tears in her voice.
“You are making more progress then you realize Kiya. The vast majority of the masters had never even seen a master from another element until you brought those walls down. Father and I both could feel their genuine surprise when they realized that the other elementals look basically the same as themselves. That was a huge step in the right direction. And today, to actually make physical contact with the other elements was a monumental moment for them all.” I told Kiya while allowing my pride to overflow.
When Kiya arrived back at her house, there was a very distinguished looking man sitting on her front step.
“Hello Mistress, my name is Lars. I am the water master you sent for.” Kiya instantly liked this man. In many ways he reminded her of King Triphon and she was sure that they would become good friends. “Hello Lars, you may can me Kiya.” The twinkle in his eyes told her that he liked her as well. She invited him to come in the house but he suggested they take a walk instead. He wanted to show her some of the things he had in mind for the exhibition and they were better enjoyed outside. As they walked Kiya told Lars of her years on Ryzald. In turn Lars told Kiya of his years as a water master on Zhetascha. He also told her some of his thoughts on the trouble between the elements. He was very insightful and she could detect no ill will as he expounded on the tensions. Lars assured Kiya that the exhibition was, in his opinion, a brilliant stroke of genius on her part and as soon as he read her letter he was eager to help in any way he possibly could.
They came to a large clearing with a small stream running through the far corner. Lars looked around for a place for Kiya to sit. She gave a small giggle as she caused a tree to grow right behind her, in the perfect shape of a chair complete with a footrest. She sat down pretending not to notice the look on Lars face. It was a look the shouted “Show
Off” But Kiya knew that he was only teasing her much the same way as Triphon had done throughout her childhood.
Lars walked forward a few steps and began his display. As he gazed in the direction of the stream Kiya watched as he lifted the water right out of the riverbed. He then changed its coarse to flow right over Kiya and himself. Kiya looked up at the water and was excited to see water creatures swimming. Lars was careful not to change the ultimate coarse of the stream, so the section he was playing with seemed to be tethered at both ends. The effect was one of a large rope swinging around the field. Lars pushed the water up very high over their heads and created a beautiful waterfall that roared and foamed that the bottom. Kiya was impressed by the whole scene and thanked Lars for not allowing the water to splash her. Lars continued his show by letting the water from the fall pool about five feet off the ground. Soon there was a large lake that nearly filled the area of the clearing. Kiya got up out of her chair and crawled under the water. She motioned for Lars to join her. When they had gone about thirty feel or so, Kiya laid down on her back, Lars did the same a few feet away and they stay that way for a long time. All sorts of water creatures could be seen in the water and Kiya asked Lars to identify them as they swam passed.
When they finally made there way back out from under the water, the sun was high in the sky and Kiya realized she was hungry. The water master returned the water to the riverbed. When he turned back to Kiya he was pleased to see she had made another chair for him and between the two chairs stood a bush covered with several types of fruit. They ate their fill while they discussed what he has just done. Kiya ask the old master if he would have the power to create a lake that would cover the whole population at the exhibition.
She wanted for everyone to have to chance to see the wonders in the water that she had just seen. He told her he would need help so Kiya asked in a shy voice if he would allow her the privilege of helping him. He of course agreed, but it was decided right then that no one would be told of her help. She was trying to help the elements appreciate and respect one another and her help might be viewed bias on her part. It could also detract from the awesome show, making it a display of her power not the masters.
They started the walk back to Kiya’s home and she told Lars that the bush and chairs would be there for him anytime he wanted to use them. He thanked her and said that there were some cynical old friends of his that he couldn’t wait to show them to. Kiya just smiled and suddenly realized she was a bit home sick for father and I. Her pain touched me so I joined her for a few moments and we exchanged a brief mental chat. She told me about Lars and how much like father he is. I was glad to know she had someone she could perhaps talk to as she had with father her entire life. I told her she should trust the man walking beside her. He has no prejudice in him. With that she said I left her mind and went to tell father all that she had said, although I knew he had heard every word.
Most of the walk was spent in a companionable silence that both of them were comfortable with. When they reached the house Lars said good-bye and disappeared into the woods beside her home. Kiya entered the house and walked straight to the scullery.
She asked the cook what she had in mind for dinner and was happy to hear that fresh bread was on the menu along with hot vegetable and pie for desert. It was with her mouth watering a bit that she heard a knock at the door. She answered it before the servants could react, something they would just have to get used to. Standing at the door was the earth master she had sent for.
“I was here at the appointed time but you were gone. I wasn’t aware that the time was to be flexible.” He stated with no humor in his voice. Kiya apologized and said simply that her previous appointment had run a bit long. She reached for me and asked me to stay close in her mind. I immediately could feel his dislike for Kiya and knew that it was rooted in the fact that she had dismissed the Master Governor, an earth master. I told Kiya he would be much harder to deal with then Lars had been, so to stay on her toes.
Kiya lead the way to a sitting area that over looked a large courtyard with high stonewalls all around. As they sat in chairs facing each other Kiya ask him what his name is. He told her that his name is Kilmur O’det. Kiya extended her palm to the master and said that he could call her Kiya. In return the Kilmur O’det touched her palm and said that she could call him Earth Master, or if no one else is present simply Master. Then he looked at the courtyard and commented on what a drab place it is. I could feel Kiya trying to restrain herself and whispered to her heart how simply awful it would be if a small rain cloud just happened to appear over his head and got his majesty all wet. Kiya smiled at my words, but the earth master thought she was smiling at his rude remarks so set out to make sure she didn’t smile for long by unleashing a tirade against her that would have sent me running for cover. Not Kiya, she sat with a look of patient indulgence on her face and simply refused to allow this master to hurt her in any way. She commented to me that at least she could be grateful to Daqu for her thick skin.
When he had finished saying all the hateful things he had on his mind Kiya asked him what he thought the solution to his grievances would be. The master looked a bit caught off guard. He stated it wasn’t his responsibility to fix the problems, only to make sure that the earth elementals were treated fairly by the Mistress of Microcosm. Kiya corrected him by stating in a very matter of fact way that his only true responsibility was to grow food to feed the planet. He also was being given the privilege of showcasing his element, something that she was actually far better qualified to do. But she wanted to let him help out a bit.
Kilmur O’det sat in a miserable silence for a few moments and then asked what she had in mind for him to do at the exhibition. She told him that he should try to find a way to let the other elementals see how wonderful the earth is. And what a joy he and the other earth masters find in controlling it. She motioned to the courtyard and said, “As you mentioned earlier this courtyard is a very drab place. Show me what you can do.” I told her that he wasn’t used to anyone standing up to his meanness and that he was really at a loss as to how to react to her now. Kiya encouraged him to use his imagination and to make her a beautiful place where she would be proud to bring the masters and governors for the extensive meetings they would need to have as they worked to fix the problems of Zhetascha.
He started by encouraging whatever seeds were existing in the soil to grow. We were both disappointed find that mostly weeds grew out of the bare ground. He excused himself and said he needed to go get a few seed and to take a look around at what things were nearby that he could bring to the courtyard. Kiya followed him to the door and asked it he wanted any help. But he looked a bit nervous and said he could work faster alone.
Kiya went to the kitchen and asked the cook to bring cold drinks and maybe a light snake to the sitting room off the courtyard. Then she ran to her room and took out the packet of Whimling Berry seeds. She dropped several in her hands. She wrapped the packet back, just as Nip had given it to her and hurried back to the sitting room.
The earth master returned shortly after the refreshments were delivered. He gratefully accepted the goblet of cold Murjec she offered him. Kiya was beginning to miss the sweeter drinks served on Ryzald, but Murjec has enough spicy bite to it, that she is sure she will learn to love it. She and the master sat in silence as they nibbled in dried fruit and nuts. He was studying the courtyard and I told Kiya that he had found a number of beautiful rocks and saplings just outside in the woods. He was deciding were to place them. Kiya showed him the seeds she wanted in the garden and asked if they would fit his plans. He looked a bit embarrassed as he took the seeds from her. He held one in his hand and made it grow. Kiya could see that he was well pleased with the appearance of the bush. When it bloomed he smiled broadly at Kiya. He stopped and asked her where she had come across such an enchanting plant. She told him about Ryzald and the Whimlings. From her seat Kiya made the plant continue its cycle so the master could taste a berries. He loved them, and had eaten most of the berries off the bush before he realized he was in fact being very rude.
“I am sorry Mistress, the berries were so good I wasn’t thinking about my manners.” He said with a stiff little bow. He then turned back to the courtyard and started a breath taking process. In his capable hands the garden came to life. Plants and vines were growing. Trees and bushes were sprouting leaves and flowers, even fruit. The Whimling Berry bushes were plants in a loose circle as a kind of centerpiece where he hoped I would install a fountain. Within a very short period of time my drab dirt courtyard was a lush garden. I was very pleased as I watched him focus beyond the walls and soon large stones would seem to grow from the earth. This was a masterpiece of his talent and I told him to prepare to perform a similar task on exhibition day.
“Earth Master, thank you for giving me such a wonderful garden.” Kiya said with real gratitude. “I am sure a display like this will bring respect to the earth elementals, and eventually peace to our beautiful world.
The master looked up and then back at his hands. “Please Mistress, call me Kilmur.” Kiya smiled and extended her palm to him, “Only if you will call me Kiya.”
They touched palms and he got up to leave. Kiya reached down to the table between them and picked up a Whimling Berry seed. She stepped forward, took his hand and placed the seed in his palm. “Enjoy.” she told him. He gave her a rather timid smile and walked out the front door of her home.
I reached to Kiya and told her that she had truly touched the ornery master. She looked out over the courtyard and sighed with happiness. Walking around the new garden she paused in front of the ring of Whimling Berry bushes and picked a berry while she contemplated what kind of fountain she should place there. It would have to be something that would reflect her desire to bring about unity. Kiya planned to have a fountain made that would somehow reflect all the elements and display them as equals. I suggested making a committee, one from each element, to plan the centerpiece. She giggled and jokingly said that I must have read her mind.
Kiya had been so wrapped up in her own thoughts that she didn’t notice that she had been joined in the garden by an old woman. The woman seemed very nervous as she introduced herself as Marla. Kiya knew that Marla had been the recommended energy master. She extended her palm to the older woman and said simply, “I’m Kiya.” Marla touched her palm and took the seat that Kiya indicated at the edge of the garden. Marla said that she didn’t know why she had been requested for such a task as the exhibition display. She began to show Kiya a few ideas she had for her part of show, and Kiya was quite impressed with the seemingly effortless control this frail looking women demonstrated. The beauty of the lights and the sparkling explosions were a moving tribute to years of mastery. Kiya jumped as she felt a warm wave of heat run up her back then shoot straight up over her head where is dissipated in crackling bits of energy. The women worked with precision and dignity, but Kiya could detect no joy in her accomplishments. I broke into Kiya’s thoughts to tell her the women had a closely guarded secret. She thanked the master for coming so well prepared. Marla once again sat down and looked around the garden in silence.
“You are indeed very skilled Marla. The display you just showed me was more then I expected. It will be just perfect for the exhibition.” Kiya said with real appreciation for the skill level of this tiny woman. “Thank you Mistress, I have little else to do these days besides hone my craft.” Marla stated with no hint of self-pity. “Do you not have any family?” Kiya asked with a bit more curiosity in her voice than she had intended. The energy master took a deep breath and sighed. She started kneading her hands in an agitated way. A tear was teetering at the corner of her eye and finally was pushed over the edge of her eye lid by a hard blink. “I lost my mate a few turns back. We were perfectly suited to each other and very much in love. Besides at my age I feel need to find a new mate.” She began to weigh her words more carefully at this point, so Kiya waited patiently as she worked up the strength to go on. “We had two children, a boy who died very young, we never did find out why he stopped breathing.” Her fragile voice trailed off as she remembered her beautiful baby boy. “For a long time after that we didn’t have another child. We were both too scared of revisiting the pain of losing our son. But eventually we wanted to experience some of the joy our friends found in raising their children. So our daughter was born. We pampered her and spoiled her rotten. Each day we spent with her was one to be cherished and we weren’t about to ruin even one day by making her unhappy in any way. She grew up with no thought of others, no regard for anyone but herself. Holt and I knew we had made a mistake with her, but by the time we realized how mean she was turning out, it was too late. Her physical beauty and manipulative charm got her out of a lot of trouble, not just with us but with others as well. Then she made a choice that ruined everything, in fact the stress and shock of her actions contributed to her fathers death.”
Kiya held her breath as the story was being told. Marla had suppressed her thoughts so far back that even I couldn’t see where her story was going. Father joined us as well and he waited with us to find out the long repressed secret. “One day our daughter brought home a fine looking male from Ryzald. He was very polite but for some reason Holt and I didn’t trust him. He was hiding something, but we had no idea what. It was about this same time that heard of King Triphon’s engagement to Mykah. We were so happy for Triphon. He had become good friends with Holt during his years in Zhetascha and we had always thought that he and Mykah was a pair. On the wedding day we couldn’t find our daughter. She had been acting strange and had begun staying away for days at a time.” Marla shook her head slowly as she considered how different things would be now if she and Holt had raised her with a bit firmer hand. “We left the planet without her. Holt said she was more then likely going to be at the wedding, everyone was, she would be on Ryzald when we got there. We searched for her but with no success. After the wedding the king through a party like none anyone had ever seen we continued to look for her but not even one person from either planet had seen her. Imagine our shock when she showed her face at the party on the arm of the handsome stranger we had met only a short time before. She was introduced as his wife. His wife!
Holt and I looked at each other at the same time and said his name. A name that we now recognized as Triphon’s best friend, Atrillos. Jorn, our beautiful daughter had married Atrillos?” Once again her voice trailed off and she started to cry. Kiya tried to approach her to offer her some gesture of comfort, but the old master had put a energy force field around herself. She didn’t want to be touched, so Kiya sat back down. “At that time we were surprised and there was an uneasy air surrounding the announcement, but it would take almost exactly one full turn for us to completely realize what a disastrous decision our Jorn had made. Later when Triphon exiled Atrillos, he was no longer welcomed on Zhetascha either. So Jorn lives on the moon with him. We, or should I now say only I, have never met our grand daughter Taliana. I’m sure you have heard of her Mistress, she and Daqu are quite close.” A chill ran through Kiya at the mention of her bothers name. “I haven’t met her yet Marla, but if she is with Daqu, I’m sure I will.”
“This is why I don’t understand why they chose me to represent our element. Our family name is more than a little tarnished.” She said with a heavy sigh. “I can only imagine you were suggested because of your skill. The Energy Governor must trust you to make all energy masters proud. Besides I don’t believe I could have been more impressed then I was at your demonstration.” Kiya was shaking inside as she spoke. Father had let a bit of his unresolved feelings toward Atrillos reach her before he remembered to shield his emotions. She had always known about Atrillos, but had never experienced father’s true feelings. He let Kiya know that his feelings were for only Atrillos and that he held nothing against Marla, Jorn or Taliana. She should trust this woman; her heart is broken but true. Without notice Marla stood up, extended her palm and left Kiya sitting in a heavy silence with father and myself.
“That poor women.” Kiya said, her voice quivering.
The cook came out to the courtyard to tell Kiya her dinner was ready. She was lead into the dinning room where she found a perfectly set table, for one. “What is your name?” Kiya asked. “I am called Luca mistress.” The cook said with a bit of question in her voice. “Please Luca, call me Kiya. Have you and the others already eaten?” “No Miss, I mean Kiya, they are setting the table in the kitchen for us right now.” Luca stated. “Is there something you need for us to do before we eat?” “Yes there is Luca. Please set me a place in the kitchen as well. I hate to eat alone. Besides, I want to get to know the other members of this household, and for all of you to get to know me.” Kiya stated this while gathering up the flower arraignment that had been placed to the side of her plate.
When she walked into the kitchen she could feel a happy air of relaxation and companionship. She placed the flowers in the middle of the long narrow table and asked where she should sit. Kiya was pleased when another plate was placed on the table and she was told this would be her seat. The head of the table was occupied by a large fire Master, and Kiya was relieved when he showed no signs of giving her his chair. Father had never held himself above the others on Ryzald so he was pleased to see Kiya doing the same in her household. He did caution Kiya about maintaining a bit more of her
“Mistress of Microcosm” air when dealing with those outside her house. At least until some of the problems were solved.
Kiya sat and mostly listened as the others talked and joked with one another. Then one of the maids asked her to tell them about Ryzald and King Triphon. She spoke with excitement and loves about her home planet. It was easy to see that the others at the table were happy to have her in the group and that they would enjoy having her join them every night.
Everyone pitched in to clean up when the meal was done and Kiya was no exception. She dried dishes and told a funny story about a time when Nip had tried to bake a pie. They all laughed and were both surprised and delighted when father sent them an illusion of the sight and smell of the kitchen, with Nip standing in the middle covered in berry juice and batter.
There was a knock at the door and Kiya excused herself to go and meet with fire master she knew was the visitor at the door. When she opened the large door she saw two masters standing there, both with very indignant looks on their faces. “Gentlemen, please come in.” They stepped in the door and looked at Kiya. “Well, there seems to be a misunderstanding about the time of your appointments.” Kiya said with a laugh in her voice. “I think this will work out just fine though. Perhaps the two of you can show me your demonstrations together. She showed them to her courtyard and sat down in a chair next to the entrance. “Please” she said with a sweep of her hand toward the middle of the garden.
At first the two masters worked alone on separate sides of the courtyard. Kiya could see they were lost in their own display. When she would clap her hands or comment on something she enjoyed the other master would try to out do whatever had brought the reaction from her. Gradually however, as the displays got bigger and more grand, they began to cross over into each others space. As the two elements would collide, they would do their best to create something special in the chaos and it worked wonderfully.
Kiya marveled as a huge ball of fire was sucked up into a tornado the air master controlled, then laughed out loud as tiny flames came raining down from out of the top of the funnel. She could see that in spite of the tension that had started the visit, these two masters were enjoying the possibilities of putting their skills to use in a joint exhibition.
Before long they were laughing and discussing what they should try next. The resulting show was what Kiya hoped would be the first of many more breathtaking combinations; this would show others who watched the exhibition that the elements can work well together. While the masters worked out the details of their next “trick” Kiya ran to the kitchen and got a flask of wine and three goblets. It was easy to see as the masters worked together that this would be a friendship that would likely last the rest of their lives.
The masters finally sat down with Kiya and sat sipping wine in a comfortable silence. She knew they were both reliving some of the beautiful things they had created together. When she offered them each a bit more wine she looked deep in their eyes as she thanked them. The thank you was for, not only coming and doing the display, but for working together. Each in turn thanked her as well.’’
“The two of you will perform last at the exhibition. Just as you did today, I would like to see you work alone at first and then join your efforts. It will be a grand way to complete the show. Perhaps some of the other masters will feel inspired to join is as well.” She said with hope in her voice.
The three sat and talked for a long time trading stories and laughing till late in the night. When the two masters left Kiya let out a little whoop of joy that brought Marla running. The cook had only to look at Kiya’s face to see that there was nothing wrong, but in fact many things seemed too right.
In her room Kiya brushed her hair and thought about father and I, she hoped we had seen the success of the last meeting. I assured her that even though we both had been busy that evening, we had “watched” her with pride. I could feel the questions coming so I began telling her of the events of our evening, starting with a short battle we had with a small group of the Hoard. Kiya fell asleep before I had a chance to tell her that Daqu had come to Ryzald, testing the waters.