Galaxy Crystal Chpt 13&14

Galaxy Crystal: A Forgotten Life
by Catherine Framke

Chapter 13

The day continued after they left Drake at his home. The land was rich with the colors of spring. Flowers that grew within the forest spread out in every break of the trees; trees that flourished and hid the trail they rode. The heat of the sun beat down on them like a threat that would not end. Especially for a girl from Washington, where the heat was never hotter then a ninety degrees it was a killer. The shade from the trees helped a little, but the sweat was still dripping off her forehead.

After they stopped for a bite to eat, she slipped off the cloak even when Jalee gave her a discouraging look. Sara did not care, she was just glad she was finally comfortable. Star also gave her a look that meant she did not like the idea. Nobody could understand why she hated being so wrapped up in clothes. It might not be appropriate, but she was comfortable and that was all that mattered. She laid the cloak behind her saddle and got on Star. Before they started, Sara had this strange sensation behind her like a tingling on the back of her neck. When she turned to look nobody was there.

Sara rode up to Jalee as they started to go. For some strange reason she felt like she was being followed. It made her curious if Jalee felt it as well, but was afraid to ask. If there was someone following them, she did not want them to hear her mention it. For her sake and Jalee’s it would be best to wait until they were far enough away from their shadow to speak about it. Sara has learned that the best way to catch a follower was to wait for them to reveal themselves to her. It was best to wait and be prepared. At least Sara hoped it would be best.

Only a few things scared Sara and the biggest is the unknown. No matter how many times she kept telling herself that there was probably nothing there the more worried she became that there was. So as her and Jalee crossed the bridge she turned Star and looked into the darkness of the trees. There were no shadows, and no indication that anything was there, but a dark brush to her left drew her attention. There was a small clearing before the creek, where the river began, but behind that, there was nothing but forest, except that patch of bushes.

Sara heard Jalee come up next to her. Star was hurling herself in that direction, but Sara kept her still. Jalee stared off in the same direction. Sara guessed he was trying to see what she saw. It would not surprise her if he did not see or feel it as she did. She was positive that Drake would have known what she was feeling. Some how though she knew Jalee did not, but she did not know why.

“What do you see?” Jalee whispered in her ear. Sara closed her eyes and took a deep breath in. The shadow would have to be small because the brush was not that large. It was definitely walking on two legs or it would have beaten them to the bridge to ambush. Sara’s guess would have had to been a Gnome if they existed. There could only be one of them, or she would have seen them too. It could be a scout trying to find a weakness among the two of them. Then go back and tell the other, yes that had to be the only answer.

“It’s a Gnome scout, I think. He knows I see him. It has been tracking us since noon. They will attack with in the next day or two, now that Drake is gone they do not see us as a threat. I don’t know how I know that.” Sara tuned Star around and went across the bridge. Jalee followed her but his eyes kept darting behind them just in case Sara was wrong. She was not though, Sara knew it, she did not know how she knew it, but she did.

Jalee rode up beside her as he began to talk, Sara did not look at him. “It’s this place. People who have amnesia still know the basic skills learned growing up. When you were nine years old you asked Drake to teach you how to fight, track, and other skills to survive. Considering your inherited gifts are based off of nature this place would make them stronger, that’s how you knew something was following us, he was disturbing the natural balance around you.” Sara turned and looked at him as they reached a clearing out of the woods. They told her there would be a place where there were grassy hills before they reached the dark forest.

Though everything Jalee said made her question a lot of what she witnessed, Sara decided to wait until a time would represent itself better. She felt that if she pursued him now with her questions she would not get an answer. It seemed the answers to her questions are going to have to wait for the right moment. Yet what he said confused her, the origins of the crystals were unknown to everyone, but that was different from the kind of gifts Jalee said.

Still Sara did not say anything as Jalee took the lead through the fields. There had been no doubt in her mind, from the moment she met him that he knew more then he was saying. If she was Saraquine, which she is starting to believe she is, then Jalee was the key to everything. A strange attraction toward him both frightened and confused her. She had to face facts though; Brandon was her boyfriend and she would return with him. Jalee was just helping her get them back that was all! Nevertheless, there was still something about him that made her feel comfortable, but it is only for this moment that she has these feelings. Before she knows it, she will be at home with her boyfriend enjoying a peaceful walk home from school

It took them a few hours to reach a point where they could even see the dark forest and by that time, they were walking the horses. After all, horses were alive like them and Sara was definitely not light enough to ride Star all day, the poor creature would be dead by the time they got to the dark castle. Jalee mentioned they would camp on the edge of the forest; it would be safer then in the forest. Vacunay might not have frozen her own creatures, and they were in her territory now.

Sara ate her dinner next to the fire as the sun began to set. The night brought on a chill that forced her to slip on her cloak. Technically, she had no choice; the moment she shivered Star had pulled it off her back and dropped it on Sara’s head. For a horse, Sara noticed, she was big on modesty and very intelligent. It was probably because it was a Protectors horse and knew that a Protector should be modest. It did not bother her much it was actually cute and made her feel special.

The night was beautiful in the valley almost perfect. She could not imagine anything dark about it; the only problem was the forest to her left maybe fifteen feet away. Sara tried to ignore it, but it was a constant reminder of what laid ahead of them. Jalee was watching her from where she sat across the fire. It was hard to see him with the flames between them and Sar had no moon for light, but Sara noticed that his hair was loose across his face. Every time she looked over at him, he would turn his head. Sara knew that it was the perfect time to ask him, but his answer scared her more then asking.

“What’s on your mind?” Sara laughed and looked up at Jalee from the fire. She had a lot on her mind and had no idea how to get most of it out. The best, she thought would be to go backwards and then dig. Even if all her questions were about him, at least the ones that bothered her most were. He was the only mystery she was curious to solve and she would no matter what he thought.

“Before you mentioned something about ‘inherited gifts,’ humans don’t inherit gifts like that on Earth; I understand the crystal has power. I’m very confused about that, I have no gifts, and even if I did I’d have no way of knowing how to use them.” Jalee began to laugh a little from across the fire. Sara some how felt stupid and unsure about herself; it did not feel good. The urge she got was to hide her face and lay down where he could not see her.

“I’m sorry, it’s a bad inner joke…you wouldn’t remember.” Jalee bent his head in a moment of sorrow, then got up and walked around the fire. Sara was unusually excited when he sat next to her; her insides were pounding from head to toe. There was this controllable sensation to reach up and touch him. “From what I understand,” he began to talk, “The second High Protector’s father was one of the aliens that attacked the Galaxy. Those aliens had unusual gifts that no one could ever explain. Some could kill with a thought, summon demons, and those that helped us were Elementals. Your Great Great Great Great Great Grandfather was an elemental from another Galaxy.”

Sara turned her head and looked down. The first High Protector’s husband was from another Galaxy. What is an elemental? That was completely unheard of by anyone on Earth. “What is an elemental?”

“The elementals came shortly after the invaders. The invaders came here to take the Galaxy over. From what the elementals told us they were collecting Galaxy’s for their master who had hopes of running the cosmos. The elementals came here to stop them. They had told us that they had been following them at every step, some Galaxy’s gave their lives over, and others fought back. The elementals were there for us if we wanted to fight. As you can see we fought.” Jalee smiled for a second, but then it disappeared.

“Okay, so the elementals were to good guys.” Jalee nodded his head again. “I am guessing that the High Protector met the elemental during the war. They married and had a kid which started the whole like of Protectors from the day forward.”

Jalee exhaled biting his lip. He looked a little short on words. “Not exactly, ever since the other planets began to meet and form relationships there was a very specific rule. This rule made it that other species could not mate, or marry each other. At the time, the High Protector was not the High Protector she was a soldier just like everyone else. It wasn’t until the end of the war that she was appointed as High Protector.”

Sara nodded her head remembering hearing someone tell her about the war and the establishment of the Galaxy Kingdom. “Well the High Protector’s elemental died during the war. When the Galaxy Kingdom was established and she was elected, as High Protector was when she found out she was pregnant and knew whom the father was. The problem was no one was allowed to do such things, so the government hid the facts and the information was lost, except for the direct line of descendents.”

Sara thought about it, believed that it was possible, and could happen. It wouldn’t be the first time she had heard about a government cover up. As far as Sara was concerned on Earth there was always a constant government cover up. “I don’t understand. What does this all have to do with me?” Jalee reached for her hand flipping it upwards.

“The second High Protector was able to use her father’s gifts. She was the one that ended all wars against the aliens and established the High Council to help her rule over the Galaxy. The magic allowed her to do what ever she wished; it was so powerful that no one dared to question her. Unlike some, though she used it for good. No body to this day has ever been able to control it like her. The use of this magic was so great that when she had her daughter the magic imprinted itself upon generations to come. Since then only women were born among the Protectors family of this Galaxy Kingdom. Some ancestors used it for great good to help the people. Others used it for great evil. Every time a generation uses it, it gets stronger.” Sara listened, but he was softly caressing her hand and the lines on it. “The magic of an ancient race has left its mark on you Sara.”

Her head lifted and she looked into his eyes. The hand he held closed around his and they sat there looking at each other. Sara felt so many emotions that she was not sure which one was his. There was this uncontrollable urge to hold onto him for as long as possible before he pulled himself away from her again. She would break away at the cold and angry Jalee. “Who is my father?” Sara had to say something, anything to keep her mind off what he was doing to her hand.

“High Protector Violette’s husband left before you were born. You told me once that your grandmother betrothed them. It was rumored that she had met a man once on her travels when she was a child. The two were supposed to be in love, but your mother married your father instead. He never got over being second to your mother. After she was pregnant with you, he left. They say he has a mistress and another family.” Sara always thought that her real family would be a family. It hurt to think her mother had raised her by herself.

“Well that answers that question.” She looked into his eyes and he squeezed her hand. With his other hand, he reached up and tucked a hair behind her ear. Once again, he captivated her. Sara couldn’t stop looking into his eyes. His eyes suddenly shifted across her face. Her heart raced with anticipation, but nothing happened. “Who are you really?” Jalee looked down at his hand and back up at her. “I can’t help but feel this uncontrollable sensation when I’m around you, I don’t understand it.”

“I’m just an old friend,” he brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it softly, “High Protector!” He let go of her hand and moved back to his seat. His posture and attitude scared her, but also made her excited. Sara felt like he was playing a game with her and she did not know the rules. For a moment when he was talking, she saw him smiling, but it quickly faded away. Something inside her insisted he was not to be trusted, but her heart and mind told her she must.

Sara lay down on the ground wrapped up in her cloak. She reached up and touched the short sword next to her. She would not tell Jalee, but the Gnomes were waiting for them in the dark forest. Whether they had plans to attack them or not was still unknown, but they were there watching her with every attention of making themselves known. She guessed there were about ten of them, quite insulting indeed.

Time quickens when Sara drifts off from the real world to the dream world. Dreams always started the same way, with deep white fog covering her sight. She begins to run someone is behind her. There is no escape she cannot see or hear them, but they are there watching her following her every move. Up ahead she sees a clearing they are all different, and they never last long. Eventually the fog takes over and she is running again. This time would be different, she ran into the clearing, which led her into a little room.

The room was no doubt a girl’s room, very proper with a bookshelf and chest of toys. It was a mess, so the person who lived in it spent a lot of time on their own. The sleeping figure in the bed was tossing and turning from one side to the other. The sound of tears was strong from underneath the cover. Sara noticed though that the child was not sleeping, but upset.

Finally, as Sara reached the girl she realized that she was the girl tossing and turning. Her mother would kill him, it could not be right. There had to be something she could do, some way to let the war end. She had to do something anything to keep the ones she loved safe from harm. Only if she knew a way it started, but no one ever talked about it at least not to her. The High Council ignores her and her mother was never around. The only person that she knew was one of them.

Nothing made since she was happy, at least she had someone to trust and count on and he had to be that. There was nothing left to count on she was completely alone. Sara could never go out and see him again. She would never know what it would be like to have a true friend again. Solitude just like it was seven years ago before she met him, before she ran off into the woods. Before she disobeyed her mother and ran away from her guard. They would all kill him if they found out who he truly was. Then she would never forgive herself.

No, she would never do that. He was the only person that did not treat her like a little porcelain doll. The only person that made her feel like a real teenager. Nobody ever cared about her the way he did or treated her that way. It was not right for anyone to be treated in such a way. Never being around kids her age or knowing what it was like to feel like another kid. He gave Sara what she needed most a friend like him, someone to talk to and to play with.

It was settled she would not see him again, as long as she knew he was safe. As long as they never saw each other, again life would go on. Attend her classes, hide in her room, and have tea with her cousin. Sara would marry whom her mother wanted. She would never disobey what they wanted her to do as long as he was safe nothing mattered to her. Sara would live happy as long as he lived.

Suddenly a hand was on her shoulder. Anyone that went into her room always knocked on her door and waited to enter. She was not completely delirious she would have heard someone enter into her room. The door was locked no one could enter in her room the adrenalin was running through her head but she could not move. Could one of them follow her home? She was running so fast but she was paying attention to everything else. They could kill her and then there would be nothing left. What was she going to do? Never disobeying what they wanted her to do as long as he was safe nothing mattered to her.
Chapter 14

Instinctively her hand swung backwards hitting something in the process. Sara’s eyes took a minute to adjust as she stared at the bundle on the ground a foot in front of her. It was not very often that she had ever been shocked or startled when she woke up, but for a moment, she had forgotten where she was. Now she knew that Jalee had woken her and the morning sun had just crept out of the hills. Sara looked down at Jalee lying on the ground holding his chin. She laughed and lay back down as he got up from the ground.

“I do believe that would be the second time you have hit me when I woke you up.” He was knelt down looking down at her as she lay there laughing. Sara could not stop laughing as he still sat there with his eye brows raised.

“Well maybe next time you won’t just grab my shoulder.” She said as she reached her hand up to get help up. Jalee grabbed it and went to help her up but he lost his balance and fell backwards. Sara fell with him landing on top of him looking down into his eyes.

Her body was cradled in between his legs and Jalee had a hold of her waist holding her from falling any more. Neither of them could move from where they were. His hand reached up and pushed her hair out of her face. He rolled her to her side and slipped her away from him. Sara felt a since of loss as he let go of her and did not want that feeling to go through her anymore. Without thinking for some reason, she reached over and kissed him softly on the lips. They both held the kiss for what felt like an eternity.

Sara felt like she was going to cry as he continued to kiss her back holding onto her head softly. Her eyes were closed and her body was against his body as he began to lean against her harder. Jalee’s kiss went through her like a knife in butter tearing her up inside as she wanted more. Sara did not know why she kissed him but she was glad he kissed her back. His lips were soft and rough all at the same time. She wanted to hold onto him just the way he was not changing anything about him.

Suddenly he pulled away from her turning his head and sitting up looking across the field in the opposite direction. Sara lay there not moving closing her eyes against the pain that he pulled away from her the way he did. She stood up and grabbed her sword strapping it to her waist as Jalee grabbed the rest of their stuff putting them together. Neither of them started to talk about what they did and neither of them would ever mention it out of respect for the other.

“Have a rough night sleep?” Jalee said as he handed her something to eat and a hairbrush. She shrugged her shoulders and reached her hand to feel her hair. “I figured you wouldn’t want to look like that. You were tossing and turning for the past hour.”

“Thanks!” Sara smiled as Jalee turned and packed up the last bag. She pulled her hair tie out and brushed it down. Her black locks were not as long as it use to, but does have more knots then it use too. Sara thought about putting her hair back up in a ponytail, but decided to pull it back. It was hard enough brushing her hair without a mirror, putting it up would have killed her arms.

With that done, she mounted Star. Then they started into the dark forest. As far as Sara could tell, there was no trail to see and the trees were packed in tight. When they entered, there would be no rest until they were clear. Which could take all day for all she knew? Spending the day riding through a dark unearthed forest was not what she had in mind but when Jalee started going Sara stayed right behind him.

They concentrated mostly on getting clear of the thick brush that started the dark forest. Sara decided to lean forward and miss the twigs that continued to smack her in the face as Star followed Jalee through the morning. When Sara finally decided to lift her head, the forest was clearer and she rode up next to Jalee. She reached over, handed him his brush, and smiled at him. Then Star started walking faster to get them away from each other.

At least Star knew what was good for her. The farther away from him, she was the best for all of them. Sara had kissed him because she wanted to know what it was like to touch him, and for him to touch her. Then he kissed her back, she felt him touch her lips back. It did not matter how long it was because she knew that he felt the same way she did. Even if he never kissed her, again, she had that moment and that was all that mattered to her.

“Protector!” Sara looked back and pulled on Stars reigns to slow her down. She looked into his eyes as they walked side by side together. “I was curious about these friends of yours that Vacunay kidnapped, who are they?”

“Well Christy is my best friend. We’ve known each other for ten years; she’s always been there for me, even when I didn’t need her.” Sara was looking at her hands as she talked. “When I first moved to Tacoma nobody would talk to me. I was an outsider from a big city that would turn their children against them. Christy was the troublemaker that turned everyone against them, so naturally she and I became friends,” Sara laughed as she looked up at Jalee and he stared at her. There was this hesitation when it came time to talk about Brandon. Sara felt guilty for having a boyfriend. They had kissed back there and she did not want him to think she was some kind of slut, but at the same time, she did not want to lie.

What about the other one that Vacunay took?” Sara looked at him and back down at Star. She wanted to tell him that he was just a close friend like Christy or even that it was Christy’s boyfriend not hers, but she still couldn’t do it. Sara knew that there was nothing going on with her and Jalee, he was older then her, but it felt like she was about to break his heart by telling him the truth, even if it was only a kiss!

“Brandon and I were friends at first. We met in middle school and got along okay. About a year ago, we started dating. We had our one year anniversary a few days ago.” She looked at him and saw how upset he was. With everything she was she wanted to take that pain away from him to reassure him that she didn’t feel anything for Brandon like she did with him. Sara wanted to yell at him that she felt something for him that she should feel with Brandon. “It never felt right though when he would hold my hand or put his arm around me. There had always been a part of me that wanted to push him away. I could never feel comfortable whenever he touched me. For some reason I felt someone else hold me instead of him.”

Jalee looked up at her; she glanced, but nothing else. She did not want to know the look he would be giving her. Whether it was sadness, relief, or happiness she could not take it from him. “Why didn’t you feel comfortable around him?” Sara looked up at him; he sat there staring at her intensely for an answer. “Do you remember anything?” Hope, that was what he wanted and yet fear pulled him back from her again.

“No, I don’t remember anything. I guess when Brandon and I got close I felt uncomfortable because I always felt like I have been waiting for someone else.” Sara looked up ahead or them when she caught the movement to her left. Jalee did not notice he was jumbled up with his own thoughts too see it. “Jalee the Gnomes have surrounded us.”

Jalee looked around the forest as Sara pulled out the short sword Drake had given her. He undid his cloak and dropped it on the horse behind him; Sara repeated the gesture. She watched as the Gnomes began appearing around them. Jalee held his sword in one hand and his horse’s reigns in the other. Sara knew what he was thinking because she had the same thoughts running through her own mind. If they ran through them, the Gnomes will cut at the horse’s feet and they would fall and could crush them. If they fought, they would have to dismount and cut them to shreds but that put them in danger. She knew Jalee did not want to risk her life.

The Gnomes were maybe three feet tall and wore armor. Their faces were wrinkled and thin. Their weapons were tiny swords and spears. They stood around the two of them waiting. There were maybe fifty of them, Sara knew they could take them, but Jalee would not want to endanger her life. They would have to stand and fight; there was no question about it. Jalee had not moved and the Gnome army was getting closer. Therefore, in desperation Sara got off Star.

What are you doing?” She sheathed her short sword and turned to him. Jalee was already off his horse and pushing her between him and the horses. “If they get a chance they will kill us. Gnomes are very tricky creatures that don’t like people going through their territory.”

“Are they allies to the Galaxy Kingdom or enemies?” She spat at him as if he was stupid. He stood still for a moment and then looked back at her. Their army had stopped proceeding. Jalee was still making up his mind when she saw a Gnome with Gold armor start walking toward them. Sara pushed Jalee aside and met the Gnome in the middle, she bowed her head in respect and the Gnome did as well. “May I ask what the reason for this ambush is?”

The Gnome smiled at her and then looked toward Jalee for a moment. Sara had no idea what she was doing, but knew she had to come up with something fast or both her and Jalee would be killed. “Madam you and your companion are trespassing on Gnome territory I must know what your business in this area is.”

Sara respectfully thought about the Gnome for a minute and knew that it would not matter to them who she was or what she was going. They had been testing her. “We are traveling to the dark castle to speak with Vacunay.” The Gnome went to reach for his sword and so did the others. “She has captured the Duchess and two of my friends, Vacunay requested an audience with me to see they are returned.”

The Gnome in gold let go of his sword and stared at her curiously almost to judge if she spoke the truth. Then stared back at Jalee, but Sara did not flinch or even look away. Her mind was on how fast she could reach for her sword if it was necessary to do so. The Gnome looked back at her and scowled unexpectedly, he did not like Jalee. “Who are you that the witch would ask for you?”

“My name is Sara Miller, but Vacunay believes I am Saraquine Marianne Parkern the forgotten daughter of High Protector Violette Parkern, who died fifty years ago.” The Gnome in front of her smiled and stared at her. Sara’s heart pounded fiercely as she waited for what the Gnome was going to say or do with the information. He started laughing fiercely pounding on his knees. She got a look of his eyes for a second and knew something was wrong with the situation.

“Come down to me then Protector, let me see for myself.” Sara did as he asked sitting on her knees at his level. The Gnome looked at her up and down. “I knew your mother child.” He said whispering her ear. “And I’ve got to tell you,” the next thing she knew it a sharp pain went in her stomach, “I didn’t like her very much.”

Sara looked down at her stomach and heard Jalee yelling toward her. She reached her sword and unsheathed it and cutting the Gnomes head off. “I don’t like you either.” Her breathing grew shallower as she fell to her side. The sword was still clutched in her hand as she watched the Gnomes run at her. Then the bigger set of feet fighting them off. Sara’s eyes got heavy as her body weakened. They were closed when she heard the voice telling her to open them, but she could not find the effort to move and slip away.

* * *

The dark walls of the tiny little cell room had sweat rolling down them. There were two wood flat boards on both sides of the cell and a tiny walk way. It was night out; at least Saroo-Kinay thought it was. The little cell had no windows and the only door was sealed tight with a lock and bars on the window. That must be where the air came in, she hoped. It must be though, because she was still alive after her long imprisonment.

Saroo-Kinay was in the corner of the room huddled up in her long gown. Her eyes were closed, but she was not sleeping. If she opened her eyes, the little cell would be real. As long as her eyes were closed then she was in a meadow with her little girl running around picking flowers. Her husband was holding her as they sit on the grass watching her daughter. Anything was better then being trapped in the evil witch’s castle waiting to die. It is a shame that she will never get to see her daughter grow up, get married, and have children of her own. Her little girl would live without a mother because of Vacunay, just like Saraquine.

There was reasoning in her mind that it was her cousin Saraquine’s fault, but she could not blame her. In the end, there was nothing her cousin could do to help her out of this situation. All she could do was being killed and Saroo-Kinay would never forgive herself. The Galaxy needed Violette’s only daughter to survive this war. The appearance of a child of her Aunt the High Protector would give the people hope once more. Hope was what everyone in the Galaxy needed even Saroo-Kinay.

Voices rose from down the hall as the Duchess opened her eyes looking at the little door. The cell scared her more then Vacunay did. Vacunay could kill her but this cell would suffocate her to death. She would pray to be killed rather then to deal with the little room she was stuck in. She laid her head on her knees bringing them closer to her. The cell felt like it was closing in on her. The voices got louder as she started breathing harder beginning to loose her sanity in the cell. Closing her eyes and dreaming was not working anymore. The damp walls and eerie sounds were creeping in on her.

Suddenly, Saroo-Kinay thought of Saraquine. A smile crept on her face. She was the only one that Saroo-Kinay really hated. Saraquine had everything she could ever want. She was betrothed to a very handsome titled young man. Saraquine was going to inherit the position as High Protector. With all that, she didn’t have to deal with the day-to-day problems of being a Protector.

She never understood why Saraquine didn’t accept who she was, Saroo-Kinay, Panoka, and Koona all did. They accepted who they were and lived their life. None of them ever complained about the hard-core training, or the constant threat of assassination. The three of them did what they knew needed to be done. Saraquine didn’t want it.

She had to be the one that ran off into the woods. Saraquine wanted to be like everyone else. They will never be like everyone else. The history of their family taught them that a long time ago. The only way they will be normal is if they were different people. The power they have is too strong to live as normal people.

It could be that the Galaxy crystal gave her what she wanted after all. Saroo-Kinay could see Saraquine living in a small village somewhere playing with children. She loved kids. Saroo-Kinay hoped that she was in a town where she could teach kids. Saraquine would make a good teacher.

It was more then just that. Saraquine would be able to have real friends and a real family to live with her. She would have the opportunity to fall in love, and have her family. It is true that she would make a good mother, one that would be there for her daughter, unlike her own.

All of it sounded nice, but Saraquine was a Protector. Being a Protector meant that she had power. Being a High Protector meant that she had very strong power. She was powerful, and no matter where she was, she cannot get rid of the power. As long as it existed inside of her, she cannot ignore it. Saraquine has Saroo-Kinay’s power of the elements, Panoka’s power of telekinesis, and Koona’s strength. Then the High Protector had the power to read minds. These were just the individual powers. They also had basic powers that are used instinctively.

Saroo-Kinay knew that Saraquine could never live a normal life. It didn’t matter how much Saroo-Kinay thought about it or wished for it, it would never happen. The four of them were connected in a way that meant they couldn’t ignore. Koona, Panoka, and Saroo-Kinay all could agree even though they thought Saraquine was dead, a part of them knew she was alive. Their three crystals were made from the Galaxy crystal.

Suddenly the window opened and she enclosed herself even farther. Her body ached with the gesture, still sore from the arrows that pierced her body. The door opened next and a soldier came in. Saroo-Kinay sat there not wanting to move before deciding she would rather go with them peacefully then be forced to go dragging behind. With all her might, she stood up body screaming at her as she braced herself on the wall and rose. Her knees and joints cracked while she slowly walked and faced the young soldier that would take her to Vacunay.

Saroo-Kinay hated him for being what he was, willingly serving such an evil being as Vacunay. The soldier did not scowl or smile just gestured her out of the cell and into the dark hallway. The Duchess’s heart broke and realized this was not fun for him either. She had always thought that the soldiers volunteered to join the army, but now doubts, that cut her deep. The men dieing did not wish to fight them, but were forced. The Galaxy Kingdom was killing loyal men, As loyal to them as the men that killed them. At least Saroo-Kinay hoped they were; the war would not last forever.

The soldier walked her down the narrow path of cell doors. There were Prisoners screaming inside, she could barely hold in her pain as she walked head held high down the dungeon. At the end was a door that led to a room. There was one door on the far right and three-stair cases one leading down and two heading up. In the middle was a long wooden table with matching chairs around it. At the far end of the table sat Vacunay with her staff in hand.

She watched as Vacunay sat there in her black cloak waiting for the Duchess to talk or run. Saroo-Kinay was not sure, but no matter what she would not do either. Her mind was made up to stand tall against those that wished to harm her. If she was going to be killed, there was no way she would be seen begging for her life like a weakling. Saroo-Kinay is a Protector and a Duchess. No one will ever be a whisper that she did not act otherwise. Goddess help her she will come back and haunt all of them.

“Fear not Duchess,” Vacunay stood up and walked toward her, “Your rescuers are on their way. The lovely Saraquine gladly fell for the bate. Of course I had to threaten her friends as well, but that isn’t your concern.” Saroo-Kinay‘s heart jumped, Vacunay will kill her and the others. Saraquine was Vacunay’s only weakness.

“I won’t let you kill her, you old witch!” She had no plan on yelling at her or even talking for that matter, but the words just came out like a bullet. “She’ll know of your trap and will find away out of it.”

Vacunay stopped walking and stood half way down the table. She laughed a little and then pointed behind her. “I plan on it, right sisters!” Saroo-Kinay froze as she realized for the first time that they were not alone in the room anymore. The Duchess slowly turned and saw the two women behind her. They were much younger then Vacunay, but there was no doubt that they were sisters. Their eyes looked just as evil and expectant to kill as Vacunay’s eyes.

“Right, Big sister!” All three laughed as the soldier grabbed Saroo-Kinay’s arm and dragged her back into the hallway. There are three of them; they’re going to attack Saraquine all at once and there was nothing she could do. Saraquine was going to walk right up to her own death and Saroo-Kinay had helped them do just that. The Galaxy’s only hope to end this war was going to be killed for her.

Saroo-Kinay looked at the soldier pulling her along down the hall. “Why are you doing this?” She pulled her arm away from the man. “You are going to let them kill Saraquine, the next High Protector. The woman who carries the Galaxy crystal, the Galaxy Kingdom’s only hope.”

The man did not look at her only stood there staring at the floor blankly. Saroo-Kinay grabbed her crystal wishing she had the power to read minds like Saraquine. There were some things that Saroo-Kinay cannot let happen and Saraquine’s death was one of them. “Why won’t you talk to me?” The man looked back up at her.

Saroo-Kinay knew that he was not brainwashed. If he were then she would not still be standing there. Suddenly She did the only thing that she could think of to do. Saroo-Kinay lifted her hand and slapped him. The man did not strike her back.

“You don’t understand who we are.” The man spoke lightly to her eyes still diverting away from her. “All of us have our reasons for being here. None of them is loyalty.”

Saroo-Kinay didn’t stop looking at him, her tears falling down her eyes. Something inside of her broke. “The soldiers are waiting for a time when are families are safe.” The man didn’t stop talking. “You, the Protectors, think it is so easy to just say you are not loyal to the Queen and leave it at that. If we left then our families are dead. If we stay they have a chance to live together as families should.”

Saroo-Kinay shook her head. It could not be true, there is always a way to get out of a bad situation. She wanted to puke, how could he call Vacunay a Queen. The Galaxy Kingdom elected their Queen every five years. It was the way of their people, no one should have that much power for to long. Not even the Protectors have that much power. All they do is protect the people.

“What do you think we are for soldier?” The man stared at her not moving. “The Protectors, do what we are supposed to do. We protect our people, even you. Even now we only want to protect all of you here, and free you from this horrible fate.”

“Protectors,” He looked at her glaring at her. He spit on the ground as if the word made him sick. “You know nothing about protecting the people you care about. All you do is walk around going to parties and training in arts you will never use. All of this is pointless. You live an easy life, one in which you never worked a day in your life. I am not faithful to Vacunay, but I cannot be loyal to four people who don’t know what living is really like.” Saroo-Kinay’s mouth dropped.

“How dare you?” Saroo-Kinay slapped him again. “Do you have any idea what it is like to live life like we do? Saraquine lost her mother, when she was sixteen years old. Before then her father left them to live his own life. Her whole life was in solitude living a lonely life with only her guard Drake. She lost her memories and for the past fifty years living in a strange world with false memories. Now Vacunay kidnaps me and some other people to bring her here, to kill her.

“Koona his mother basically ignored him because he is a man. Koona is the first man born in a Protectors family since the creation of the Galaxy Kingdom. She believed that she had done something wrong and didn’t deserve to pass the power of the crystal off. That was why she betrothed him to Saraquine hoping that with the Galaxy crystal will allow her lineage to keep going. Then Saraquine refused to marry him. After his father died, his mother wouldn’t see him.

“Panoka was ignored by the other Protectors. I don’t think that anyone noticed that we ignored her. She was distantly related to us and we didn’t need to come together. Panoka lived on the outside of our family learning to fight on her own. The only time we saw her was on a special occasion and even then, she never talked to us or knew who we were. She didn’t know we were the Protectors until she married Koona. She lived a life never knowing who she was.”

Saroo-Kinay started to cry her family has had so many problems just in the past generation. “I have lived with guilt for the past fifty years. I knew that Saraquine ran off, she did it every time we were together. I should have told my mother or my Aunt what she was doing, but I couldn’t. I felt that I owed her, because she had no friends. I didn’t do it though, and because of that, my Aunt died. I was there. I was the one that told my mom and Aunt that she was gone. If I hadn’t done that, she might still be alive. None of this might have turned out differently if I had only told them.”

The soldier stared at her looking sad. Saroo-Kinay didn’t say anything else. She started walking down the hall again wiping her tears off her face. She had never said any of that out loud before, and she couldn’t help, but wonder if there was a reason she just poured her soul out. There is a reason for everything Saroo-Kinay thought the Goddess taught them that.

The soldier shut the door behind her and she just stood there staring him in the eyes tears falling down her face. “I’m sorry, I really am!” She heard his whispers from behind the door.

Tears fell down her face as she continued to scream as loud as she could. There were only rare incidents that she had ever really screamed and it was usually out of frustration. She knew Saraquine had no memories and that coming for her was not one of the things Saraquine would have done lightly. Whomever that old witch had taken meant a lot to her, enough to die for. She could only hope Saraquine regains her memories before she gets to the castle. If she didn’t remember, everything will be lost forever.

Then she heard a creak from the door. Saroo-Kinay turned and looked at the door. She walked slowly to the door and with one of her fingers, the door pushed opened slightly. She gasped in disbelief. The soldier didn’t shut the door completely. He had left it open for her, he was letting her escape, without it being his fault. Saroo-Kinay stood there in disbelief.

Slowly Saroo-Kinay pushed the door completely open and looked out. She had noticed on her way out there was a guard placed at the end of the hall near the door. The dark hallway seemed to be darker this time through. Her life had always been strange, but this was very strange to her.