"We did all this for nothing!"
Miles away in a stern and functional space, illuminated by the warm glow of late afternoon sun streaming through the windows. People stood clad in almost the same attire.
The seriousness of the situation was completely contrasting with the warmth of the setting sun. The scenery already lured most of them to look through the windows of what they all call the conference room. All wishing yo be out with theirs families.
Since urgent matters called their attention most sighed while others stood stoic bemused by what was happening.
" Not necessarily. "
Calmly, someone voice rose from the end of the table having all their attention. The infamous Leigh Robertson, the woman may have been of a beautiful body and all but they had all wondered how, her husband put up in a daily life with her.
Though most amongst them knew the most important principle of life was, toughness is the shield of lions. If you are not one, you become one's food. It does not mean there is no softness present, there are only for the loved ones.
Knowing what they all thought of her, Leigh eyes wondered around the table taking in the general agitation that was felt around the room, her eyes stopped on the general who was all ears.
" Arthur Zurrow may be out of the equation, but there are still plenty of fishes in the sea. The proof will be given to Queen Katiandra to keep her son's image untarnished by his father's scandal."
"We know he'll do better than his father. More collaboration, and no need for her to threaten us anymore." Ambassador Robertson continued after his wife earning a nod from the man.
"Indeed. This is a reminder of the unseen forces at work. Better to believe in God than be sorry later." One officer commented seriously his brows twisted.
"Yes, dear. No one needs to get their hands dirty. The universe took care of it for us." Sighing the general look out mumbling something the look back at officer in charge of the operation.
"What was the code red about?"
"Soldiers saw what happened. Our moles were the ones there when it all happened. They abandoned him to his fate. Clever men... the bastard didn't know the basics. You don't treat people who protect you like trash."
Everyone shook their heads in agreement, reflecting on how it was truly the first rule, in general life.
"What's next, General?"
"I believe some changes will be made from now on."
In agreement, they all nodded, some exiting the conference room. The general, clad in his sharp military uniform, stood by the window for a moment before turning and gathering his belongings to head home.
The others, all dressed in business suits, began to file out after him.
Picking up a particular paper, he pondered it, looking at the cost it would have incurred.
Relieved that unnecessary resources weren't used, he exhaled and headed out. As he closed the door behind him, he could only wish for justice to be that easy for the world to get rid of nuisances like Arthur.
~~~~~~~~~~
Later that same day in Porys, the car carrying Katiandra finally arrived in front of the Oracle's house. As if expecting her, the woman stood on the porch, a wide smile on her face as Katiandra emerged from the car.
"Queen Katiandra," the Oracle greeted, her voice laced with amusement. "An unexpected visit. You don't grace my doorstep often."
Katiandra doing her best to not arched her eyebrow, ascended the porch steps and followed the woman, who dispensed with formalities. Entering the house, Katiandra calmly trailed behind as the Oracle led her towards the kitchen.
Through a large window on the far side of the surprisingly cozy living room, Katiandra glimpsed a young woman meditating with a man. Noticing Katiandra's gaze, the Oracle nodded.
"That's Shatear, you already know, with my granddaughter, Tala. She still needs some training."
Katiandra, relieved for the answer she hadn't dared to ask, shook her head, her eyes flitting to the woman she knew as Alesha. Katiandra hadn't bothered learning about Alesha's origins, for the woman had been around since before any of them were even born.
Taking a seat in a spotless chair in the kitchen, the imposing woman folded her arms on the table, unconcerned with decorum. As her gaze wandered, she became aware of the inviting aroma in the room.
Tea steamed in a kettle that had just ceased to whistle, and a plate of fresh cupcakes sat on the table. The Oracle bustled around the room, gathering items that seemed to have been prepared in anticipation of Katiandra's visit.
The now former Queen realized Alesha had been expecting her. Katiandra leaned back in her chair, her right hand on her thigh and her left palm flat on the table. She waited patiently as the Oracle finished preparing the tea, pouring a cup and placing it in front of her along with a plate of cupcakes.
Deciding to follow the flow she sipped the tea slowly, not particularly focusing on it. Her eyes darted towards Alesha, who seemed content to remain silent for the time being.
Finally, as the woman's crystal green eyes fluttered shut for a moment, the other waited for them to reopen filled with a new resolve which rejoice the Oracle, as she was fixated on her.
Seeing the Oracle whose eyes were shining had no intention to say anything for a long time. Kept indulging in sipping her tea slowly not really feeling like it, she waited for the answers she could provide for her. Though her determination kept growing
"What happened? Why? Most importantly how?"
"Hmm, your head is a turmoil of thoughts. I see. "
The Oracle pure gaze rested in hers for a while, the way they shone like the orbs of a newborn child could have startled her if she had not been used already to that intensity in Lorelei's gaze. It was uncanny how much in this very moment she could see much of Lorelei in the woman in front of her. By the way she was taking all her time to respond sipping her own tea like there were no bother in the world.
for a long moment silence stretched between them, making katiandra relaxed, her anxiety dissipating by the minute.
"Someone had to pay the price." Breaking the silence by her words he Oracle was soon face with the Queen inquisitive stare, she wanted answers her informations did not provided.
Placing her half drinken cup of tea on the table, the tiny woman posture mimicked her opponent's as she leaned into her seat, her blank but calm face reflecting thoughtfulness.
"I was not around the royal family for decades. I never performed the moon week ceremony for the only reason that the soil was too corrupted. Then you came along, that set things in motion, allowing new age to begin. "
Nodding her head to noone in particular the Oracle's had her gaze lost in the nothingness for a moment then looked back at her guest firmly.
"In more way than most could believe, Arthur was the son of the prophecy who had to terminate the royal curse in zurrow blood line. All because he married an Anãda, a chosen one. Your exceptional abilities not come from your humans ancestors. Not it all come from God will. It was the only way for them to want you. For them your blood was more blue than Arthur's."
"They saw your potential and believed they could redeem the family by taking you in," Alesha explained. "It was a way to force our hand. They knew from your birth, as did your parents, that the marriage was preordained. You were chosen to carry the seed of a new era for Porys. You were never truly his, were you?"
Katiandra raised an eyebrow, a single line etching across her forehead despite her hundreds of years. The Oracle gently placed her teacup on the table without a sound after another sip, then gestured towards the plate of cupcakes in front of Katiandra.
"Have some," Alesha urged. "It's important to keep your energy up. Don't hesitate."
Katiandra took a heart-shaped cupcake, surprised by its delightful flavor. It was actually her favorite. She devoured the third one Alesha offered and slowly sipped the deep red local juice, which resembled blood but was made from native fruits.
Sated, she rinsed her mouth with water. The thought that she was being served by a seemingly poor woman in a house some might consider a peasant's dwelling never crossed her mind. Despite its simplicity, the house exuded a sense of comfort that Katiandra found strangely familiar.
The Oracle's genuine humility was likely the source of the house's welcoming aura.
Still fixated on Alesha's initial revelation, Katiandra elegantly wiped her mouth, savoring the last crumbs of the cupcakes before taking a final sip of water. With a satisfied sigh, she placed her napkin on the table beside the cutlery and met Alesha's gaze.
"What was the price to pay?" she inquired.
Alesha tilted her head, her eyes twinkling as she assessed Katiandra's ability to handle the truth.
"Tell me, please," Katiandra pressed.
Moving her mouth downward knowing what will follow her knowing the true Alesha's eyes took her in one last time before sighing giving up.
"You heard the phrase - 'your heart is secured,' " Alesha said taking in katia nod. "Now you understand its meaning. Though perhaps you already suspected."
Deeply frowning at the woman's parable the former Queen shook her head, completely in denial, the Oracle internally thought while the frantic movement kept going until she posed looking at her sceptically.
"How?" Katiandra's worry intensified. She suspected Lorelei was somehow involved. After all, she recognized the phrase from her books.
All the Oracle could see like it was still happening there, in plain day, was a tin figure, pleading with the divine from her bedroom imploring the commander of the army of Angels to intervene.
Days in that vision bled into nights, fueled by the young woman's will and love.
It saddened Alesha to think that humans believed long-distance love was doomed. True love transcended distance, time, even lifetimes. That she knew for certain.
Each soul concerned just knew when they find it.
The problem is not finding it, no, that is one lie spread in human nature, the most important is to do whatever it is that make your presence on Earth valuable, then love comes to keep all thing balanced, stable.
Even amidst a sea of suitable suitors, the young woman in her vision did not give in to none of them even to the one named Micheala who persisted the most. Others of her kind had fall guided by theirs bodies needs. Sadly because they were not focused on their lives goals.
Lorelei acknowledged none of them, for a well made interface did not reveal a person's essence. Many had paid the price for trusting appearances over substance.
Throughout the young woman meditative moments, there is one thing the slim figure kept repeating like a mantra. " keep her safe. Keep her heart secure. " Exhaustion sometimes lulling her to sleep.
------------â-------
"Oracle-" The Oracle's arched eyebrow as she came out of her space head, silenced Katiandra as she looked at her expectantly waiting for something, Understanding the almost impatient poise woman breathed out giving in.
"Alesha, please, how?"
The Old soul silent for a moment, amused by Katiandra's unspoken question, hummed. It had been a long time since someone had called her by her name.
"You haven't mentioned your loved ones lately." Like she was talking about the weather of the day she eluded what was asked to her.
The weirdness of the statement took the dominant woman in front of her by surprise, as she pondered a moment what it was all about.
Soon enough surprise was replaced by a myriads of emotions ever displayed on
someone of her status face. Eventhough uncommon it showed she had a heart, that was still beating for a reason.
On a self defensive reflex Katiandra nearly leaped to her feet ready to run for the safety of her family. Looking at the Oracle with a pale but completely blank face she held her hands in fists while questioning her with a demanding tone of voice.
"They're safe, aren't they?"
The Oracle's weird hum in response resonated with an underlying meaning.
Panic surged through Katiandra as understanding dawned. The Oracle, ever amazed by love's power, sighed.
"Sit back," she instructed firmly. "I said 'had to,' past tense. No need to panic."
Reassured, Katiandra ran her fingers through her reddish-brown hair, heart beating faster images of her lover's face invading her mind.
"She's okay? I need to know."
The Oracle tilted her head, at the use of pronoun wondering were the poise woman all Porys adored had gone. Taking pity of her she nodded in agreement. The relief that flooded the Queen face had the old soul rethinking about all the predicaments of love.
Its power render the strongest soldier into a mess of fear, but it was still beautiful because its presence make its owners stronger each time it happen to be real love.
Soulmate bound represent raw energy for the Seed. As a guardian of light she knew it, that is why she felt sorry toward the woman holding her still roaring heart, Alesha reprimanded herself for messing with her feelings. She did not deserved it.
"She is in good shape now."
"Now? She was n-- what happened to her? You promis..."
"I do. Worry not. It is a bit long to tell --- okay if you are not in a hurry... Umm"
Going on with katiandra body language urging her to tell her the true with her hands and nods, the Oracle closed her eyes scooting her chair near katiandra's. Images already flickering through her mind, a sight unseen by any human technology.
Rather than narrating it to her expectant audience, she took a hold of her guest soft hands in hers hurling a surprise katia in her system.