Fiction:Betrayal

Oct 8 2816 night
The air feels dense... the sky is dark and shadowy and snowflakes are falling slowly to the ground. It's really cold here but i am glad that i finally step on solid soil after 2 months of travelling from Carcaus to Giouron. It's been only 19 years from the time that this planet was colonized and yet the city is still small but growing. I've never been into one of the colonies. I always took the royal spaceship just for small trips around home but this far away travel was something new. Father, emperor Achrion insisted on visiting the colony. In three days the colony will be celebrating its 19th anniversary and a royal presence would increase the loyalty of the benivods. The city was so different from home. Dark coloured houses with metalic exterior gave a twisted look to the scenery. After i got out of my spaceship, male benivod approached me.

"My lord. I am so glad to see you here at our humble colony. Come follow me." he said and after greeting him i followed him to the main plaza of the city. The city itself was really small and no roads were built yet. The plaza was in front of the mayor's house. There were no plants or trees around, only rocks and soil. When i reached the plaza there was a small crowd of benivods awaiting for me. -Welcome to Giouron my lord. I am Mayor Nerkadi. I am glad to have you here with us few days before our anniversary. the mayor said while bowing down with the rest of the crowd -It's an honor meeting you Nerkadi. And it's an honor accepting me here at the colony for your anniversary. -Come with me my lord. You will need to rest after this long journey. He said and after i smiled at him the crowd left and we went towards one of the houses next to the mayor's house. The house was small and dark coloured like all the other houses. The atmosphere was really cold even inside of the house, so taking off my fur cape was not an option. Nerkadi led me to my room, which was a really small place with a bed, a fireplace (like most of the rooms) and some books and other decoratios around. -Have a nice sleep my lord. Tommorow morning we will be waiting you downstairs at the dinning room, he said and after a thanked him he left. I needed so much to take a nap. My feet were hurting me and my head was about to explode. The bed was not as comfortable as the one i had back home but it was enough to take some rest.

Oct 9 2816. 13:00
Rays of light softly touched my face waking me up from my long sleep. I had been sleeping for plenty of hours but i still felt a bit tired. After rubbing my eyes and yawning, i got up and wore my clothes again.Despite the night i reached in Giouron the atmoshpere was realy cold, today it was a little bit warmer. After getting ready, i went downstairs. "The dinning room" i thought. That is where the mayor will wait for me. The smells comming out of the dinning room were making my stomach make weird sounds. It smelled delicious and baked food. As soon as i opened the room's door, i saw the Mayor sitting around a table with plates of food and bottles of drink -Prince Vinidius!At last you are awake.We have been waiting for you. Come sit my lord, Nerkadi said with a smile in his face -I Appologize for being late. I was truly tired, i said while i approached the table and sat. -No need to apologize my lord.You were in space for two months. When i first came here i slept for one day! the female benivod next to me said laughing. -This is my wife Merkia and this is my son Nukdak, the mayor said and soon after the two benivods bowed. -It's an honor meeting your family. Merkia,like the rest of the family, was wearing a big fur cape covering most parts of her body. Her hair were somewhat sort and her face looked young even though she was 44 years old. Nukdak was a fine looking young benivod with a big hat on his head and a smile on his face. The table was filled with plates of fruits from Carcaus, fish and meat from giouron and some eggs, while there was also three bottles of the famous purple wine from back home. -We don't have much to offer my lord. Besides some animals and minerals Giouron is an almost barren planet.But we get some supplies from Carcaus once in a while... i don't know what we would do without the empire... Nerkadi said with a saddened voice. -How many benivods are there in Giouron Mayor? -Around 1000. We are a small community my lord. The enviroment is harsh and developement is difficult. We provide the capital with yellow spices and some minerals and in return the capital gives us supplies. But things have changed my lord. The population has grown and we are not provided with enough supplies. My people barely make it every year and there are already some small rebel groups that try make the colony break free from the empire.... That is the true reason why you are here. -Yes.. father told me that he didn't just sent me for the anniversary.I will speak with my father about your problem. We will send more supplies as you wish -These are great news my lord, but we need a more permanent solution. Giving more supplies just helps for onlya small amount of time, Merkia said -You are right. The planet is almost barren but i could send some seeds from the capital. We could plant seeds here to help the planet and you. It is the least we can do to help our loyal citizens. -Thank you my lord!You bring warmth into this cold harsh place. Let's drink to our beloved prince. To prince Vinidius!, he said and we drunk some of the purple wine. The taste wasn't as good as the wine back home but it was still prety tasty. -So mayor. What are the plans for the anniversary? -Like every year we will have dances, fireworks and a feast but this year that you are here we will also like you to give a speech -Will do. The benivods of Giouron must not lose hope. The Empire is standing beside them. The hours went by as we were discusing many different matters about Giouron and aboout Carcaus and the Empire. Nerkadi was one of the first benivods that stepped on giouron so he had many stories to tell about survival and the city's construction. Eventually the mayor and his wifehad to go ,due to work, so i was left with Nukdak. He hadn't spoken at all during the feast so it was a chance to speak with him too now. -So how old are you Nukdak? -I am 18 years old.. -18? So you were born here? -Yes. I have been here whole my life... Noone loves this place as i do. They all want to go back to the capital but this is our home now...this is our land. -Yes.I love home too you know. My wife and children await me back there and i haven't seen them for 2 months.. -You must miss them a lot.. -Yes..they are everything for me.. -Well... we can go outside of the city at the observatory and see Carcaus.. will that help? -Sure it will! i said laughing and soon we left the house and went to the small cliff next to the city, where the observatory was located. The sun was down and the weather was again cold and snowy. The observatory was a small building where scientists could send signals to Carcaus and observe the stars. -Come!Here is the telescope. take a look, Nukdak said enthousiasticly. After i smilled at him i approached the telescope and looked through it. Giouron and Caracus were neighbouring planets so i could see the planet clearly. The view of carcaus filled me with fascination. The planet was huge and green and i could outline some of the cities borders... I wish i could she my love though.. -thank you so much for taking me here Nukdak. It means a lot -It's nothing... just please don't let Giouron collapse.. -I will do all i can.. -Thank you..

Oct 10 2816.
The city was really lively today. Everyone was running around to make preparations for the celebrations tommorow. Loud noises and beautifull smells filled the cold snowy air around me. I woke up early today to help in the preparations. Nerkadi told me that i didn't have to but i really wanted to be helpfull. The celebration would take place in the suburbs of the city. A large stage was being built there and many tables were prepared for the feast. -Tommorow will be a great day. I was always fascinated by the celebrations of the anniversary! ,Nukdak told me happily -I am fascinated too.It's my first time in the anniversary!, i said laughing. Nukdak was a really good kid. His passion about his home, his love for his family and his happy personality really made me feel warmth and in a friendly enviroment. We both got up early and helped in the preparations.Carying around wood planks, helping in the construction and having some fun while doing these things. -Thank you for helping in the construction my lord... It means a lot.. -It's Vinidius for you kid. I am glad i could help you, i said smilling. the hours went by and eventually the constuction was finished by night. After the mayor showed me the position i should take for my speech and practiced some dances and other stuff with the other colonists, we went back home. Even though i have been here for only two days, i already feel relaxed,away from the stress of th capital. Nukdak came with me back home. I felt prety lonely in this planet and he was a good company. We spent most of the night talking about our lives and our homes and our loved ones.. We both had so many stories and telling most of them made me feel realy comfortable at this place.Eventually we fell asleep.We needed to rest after all. Tommorow is going to be a long day

Oct 11 2816. Midday
The first rays of light sneaked through my window. "Today is the big day" i told my self. It's not only about the anniversary... it's about giving hope to these people and retaining their loyalty to the empire. I woke Nukdak up and after we ate some breakfast, we went to the suburbs of the city, at the celebrations area. The crowd was already gathering up. Benivods from all over the town, bringing food and drinks, came to the place. Converastions, cheers,music and laughing filled the air. The curtains were still closed at the staged and i couldn't see the mayor anywhere. As soon as we reached,with Nukdak,we took a seat at one of the tables near the stage. Benivods were dancing and singing and many young ones were running around the tables playing. A female benivod approached as the moment we sat. -I can't believe you are here! I never thought i would see you from close. Come my lord! Have some food. Today is a historical moment. No other royal has joined us for our celebrations! , she said filled with enthusiasm. -It's my honor being here, i said smilling and after i drunk a glass of wine with her, she left. -They are really excited for your presence here you know.No one ever expected to see a royal, Nukdak said while taking a bite from the meat that was in the table. -Yes. I can see that my friend! ,i said laughing. After a few moments we heard a loud noise and the curtains opened. Behind them, Mayor Nerkadi and his wife were standing at a pedestal. Cheers erupted throught the crowd and afte Nerkadi waved back at them, the crowd got silent. -Fellow Benivods! Today is the great day! Today before 19 years exactly, we stepped here and conquered this world. Today before 19 years, we made a promise! A promise of a lively city in this place. A promise of benivodian supremacy over this barren world! A promise of a peacefull and safe society! I stand here before you and the watchfull eye of the gods, tellinng you that our promise came true. We stand united over hardships, we face our difficulties with a smile, we laugh at danger and we love... we love our nation, our families, our fellow benivods and we love this planet we call home... So come my fellow benivods!! Let us rejoice and celebrate for the day that all started! Let us rejoice...FOR GIOURON!! , the mayor said passionately and cheers and applauds erupted once again in the crowd. After that he went behind the stage as traditional dances from Carcaus started taking place in the scene. Group of benivod dancers started dancing the traditional dances from home and soon many citizens joined them on stage. Laughing, drinking, eating and games all around the place made me feel like home. The hours went by as dances, singing and theatrical representation of the first landing took place. Eventually it was time for me to go to the stage. The dances stopped and the mayor came back to the stage -It is a truly magnifiscent day my fellow benivods... Today we also have some special guest with as. Please give a warm welcome to Prince Vinidius! , he said and i went to the pedestal at the middle of the stage. -Today is a day for celebration. Before 19 years five brave benivods came to this land and valiantly fought hardships and beast in order for us to claim this place as home. I know that things lately haven't been going as planned. I know that survival has becomed more difficult in Giouron but don't despair. I promise you that the empire will stand at your side for everything you need. For you are citizens of the empire too and you deserve more than enough. So let us celebrate today. Let us celebrate the day Giouron was colonized and the day that the empire stands besides the colony once again! Cheers started once again in the crowd and after i shaked hands with the mayor and his family i approached the stairs to get of the stage. My way though was interupted by a masked benivod. Who was he? Was he a part of the theatrical play? -Death to the empire! , the benivod shouted angrily and aimed at me with a laser gun. everything happened so quickly... I saw an intense light and then i felt a strong pain piercing through my body. A shout of pain slipped through my lips. Suddenly i started feeling dizzy. Everything started becoming slower and slower. I could hear screaming around me and benivods running... I couldn't stand at my feet anymore... i couldn't feel my body. Everything started getting darker and darker... only one image appeared on me, that of Nukdak holding me and screaming for help, and then everything was lost into the abyss of darkness............

Oct 11 2816
The atmoshpere is filled with beautifull scents from the flowers of the royal garden. The sun is shining and a warm breeze flows through the green plants and flowers, making them soflty dance to its rythm. I always found peace here... even from the first day i came i loved this beautifull garden. Today is the day of the Giouron anniversary.. i wonder how Vinidiu's is doing... It's been a long time since i last saw him. The laugh of my children Reikdon and Carderelia drove me out of my thoughts. I brought them here to play. The royal garden is an excellent place for them to be. They can't speak yet but i can see the happiness through their eyes. They love it here. -They are the most adorable kids i have ever seen my lady, Lady Maera said. She was the daughter of one of the councill's members and as i was once, she was a lady in waiting. Her face was young and innocent. Her hair long and beautifull. She also loved the royal garden so she was also here, smelling the flowers and taking care of them. -Yes..yes they are. Reikdon looks a lot like his father. -Did you have any news from the prince? -No, not yet.Today is the celebration and communications through planets haven't been mastered in carcaus yet. But i suppose i will see him in two months time. Anyway. You are councilman's Burdin daughter.Right? -Yes my lady. Maera of house Caerlko at you service, she said while bowing a little. -How long have you been here? -It's been a month since i turned into 18 and came here my lady.My father is looking for a good match for me at the court. -Yes,yes. I know how lord Burdin is trying to marry you off. He was preparing you for Vinidius if i remember correct? -My father had plans my lady... But now you are the prince's wife. -Yes i know. He wasn't really happy about it. -Lady Erasminia. May I interupt? I have to take my daughter to her chambers, Lord Burdin said coming through the garden's door.I could feel his eyes piercing through my soul.My marriage to the prince ruinned his plans for his daughter becoming the next queen after all. He looked angrily at me. -Do you need my authorisation ,ser Burdin, to do so?,i said ironically -No my lady. I don't take orders from you.I am just being polite. Come Maera! Walk, he said angrily and both of them left. Poor girl... her father was only manipulating her to achieve his goals...lost in my thoughts and the time i spent while playing with my children, i hadn't realised how the hours went by. It was almost night and my children had to be into their chambers to eat and be tutored. The emperor was always strict about it. They were only one year old...Yet he insisted on tutoring them from this young age. Without wasting any time, i took them both to their chambers. The royal chambers of the children were nice room. A golden statue, the comfortable royal bed, a chest to keep the toys and a bookcase with some flowers were decorating the room. Princess Marcillia and Achrion were already here. I could sense the emperor's anger. -You were late! , he shouted at me -Apologies my lord. I got carried away in the garden. -I don't want your excuses! Just don't do it again... Marcillia, my little pearl, escort Lady Erasminia to her chambers please. -Of course father., the princess told and we both left the room. Marcillia was always so spoiled and she followed her father's orders blindly.. but we somewhat get along in general. As soon as i closed the chamber door behind me, we started walking to the palace corridors towards my room. Of course i had no need of an escort but she would take me to my rooms anyway. -You angered father, she eventually said breaking the silence between us -Your father is mad at me from the moment i married your brother... He is just looking for reasons to show it to me. -Don't be silly. It's true that he doesn't like you but he doesn't do what he does on purpose.. -Yeah you are right..he imprisoned me when he learnt about your brother's proposal to me by mistake! How silly of me.., i said ironically -You don't have to be sassy alright? He is my father., Marcillia said with a small amount of anger coming out of her. -I am sorry Marcillia. I just have so many in my mind... and with your brother's absence i feel vunrelable... -It's fine... i am sorry too. I know my father didn't treat you well... Anyway.I Have to go back to father. Sleep well, she said as we reached my chamber and soon she left. Achrion never allowed my presence during the kids tutoring. He feared i would distract them... but truth be told after our relationships went sour, due to marrying his son in secret, he always tried to find a way to jostle me away from the court.

Oct 11 2816
The corridors of the palace were dark and silent. Golden columns and fire tirches were all around. I know father didn't treat Erasminia so well but her words made me upset. Erasminia's chamber wasn't far from the kid's royal chamber so i was back there in no time. The room was weirdly sillent. I knocked the door but i got no answer. -DAD!, i screamed while entering the room. I knew something was wrong! My father was lying unconscious on the kids bed. Without wasting any time i run towards the bed and tried to wake him up.It took some time but eventually he opened his eyes. With tears of relief i hugged him tightly -What happened to you? -My.. my little pearl.. I don't know... i just got dizzy while tutoring the kids and then everything went blur. -Oh father you scared me so much...Come.. Let's go to your chambers...You must need rest.. My heart couldn't stop beating fast. I could feel cold sweat running at my forehead... What just happened? After cathcing up my breath again i helped father get up and took him to his chamber. He didn't look very well... but he could just be tired. As soon as i put him in the bed i went back to the kids. They had no idea what happened. After all they were only one year old. I stayed with them for the night. Telling them stories and eventually putting them to bed

Oct 18 2816
It's been one week and father is still not fully well... Even though he can sense his weakness and he has fainted some times, he is too stuborn to see a doctor. Something is wrong and i know that something must be done... He was at his chambers today. He felt really weak and i was by his side to help him in anyway he needed. -You are getting worse father! -Oh my pearl...i am fine. I maybe old but i am stronger than most! -Just please let me bring a doctor. It's been a week since all this started and you aren't getting better... -Maybe my time has come.... -Don't be foolish father. I will call the royal doctor!I can't leave you like this. -Fine!Bring that old hag.. maybe she can be usefull for once!, he said coughing. -I will be back, i said and without waisting time i left the royal chamber and went down the hall. Perinia, the old royal doctor, had a room in the palace too. She was an excelent doctor and even though her skills are compared to none, my father's stubborness always blinded him toward her talent