Chapter 9

Raylon

‘Diplomacy Hall’

‘King’s palace’

‘Five Kingdoms’

Six hours we have sat at this table, speaking of terms for peace, and we have not decided on a single matter yet.

I was one undecided vote away from killing everyone in the room and letting the war rage on. That seemed simpler than the endless back and forth with the negotiators and the Ful People.

For a species as advanced as the Fuls, diplomacy seemed like a foreign concept.

My brother left several hours ago, and as the next in command, it was up to me to decide on a peace between us.

I was tired, hungry, and desperately needed the sun’s warmth on my face. I had not seen it from the ground in eight months. Sitting in this room, I felt I would never see it again.

Hynlam, the leader of the Ful people, argued that we started the fight, and we should pay for meddling in their business.

The king’s negotiators argued that we had defended our borders when the battle got too close. The endless back and forth of blame was driving me crazy.

“Enough!” I finally called out. “A peace will be decided in this moment, or we return to war! Hynlam, your people waged a war dangerously close to the kingdom.

“We involved ourselves in business that was not ours. But I will not sit here a moment longer listening to a group of fools pass blame around the table.

“This war ends today, or it ends when the last ship falls. Make your choice, and begin speaking of terms, not of blame!”

Hynlam glared at me and looked around the table at his advisors as well as mine. “Very well, Raylon. What terms do you offer?”

~Finally, we were getting somewhere.~

“Your people will return to your homes, and you will call back your fleet. We will submit to a ceasefire. You will be granted safe passage to return to your world.

“From this day forth we will no longer involve ourselves in the dealings of your world, but your people will not be permitted in the kingdom.

“You stay away from us, and we will stay away from you. Do you find this fair?”

Hynlam thought about this for a moment, and said, “Your terms are fair. I will request a trade before we part. I am in need of Raxelium. You mine it in the colonies.

“Our ships use this to travel through wormholes. The battle has depleted our supply, and we cannot return. For the Raxelium, we offer access to our collective knowledge.

“We will download it to your computers and be on our way.”

“You offer the vastness of all your knowledge so freely?”

“Knowledge is for all. It should not be a tool to bargain with, nor should it be used maliciously. Our knowledge is free to anyone who desires it.

“Our scholars travel the far reaches of the universe collecting it, so that it may be available to anyone who requires it.”

Hynlam’s voice sounded serious. This was something he valued above all else.

“Very well. Then we have a bargain. Once you leave our borders, you will not be permitted back in. In return, we will not interfere with your world.

“I will ensure the Raxelium is delivered to your ships as soon as it is ready.

“Once you receive it, you will grant us access to your collective knowledge, and be on your way, safely, out of our galaxy. Are these the terms we agree upon?”

~Please agree, I wish for this day to end already.~

Hynlam turned to his people and spoke in a language I did not understand. I ground my teeth, waiting for the answer.

He finally turned back to me. “Your terms are acceptable. We have peace,” he said.

I smiled wide beneath my mask. At long last.

Once the Ful people were gone from the palace, I found my brother in the garden, listening to his daughter read to him.

I paused for a moment behind a tree to listen to the sweet voice of Tomlee as she read her father one of the oldest stories in the kingdom.

“Uncle!” a small boy’s voice called to me from above.

Azmurtas was laying on the branch, high in the tree, also listening to his sister read.

He climbed down, and as he got close, he called for me to catch him, then leaped off a branch into my arms.

I caught the boy, and when his arms wrapped around my neck, my body relaxed.

Zasrus stood and came to me, asking, “Brother, how did it go?”

I placed the boy on the ground, and we walked slowly toward the tall trees in the far end of the gardens.

“Well. We have agreed to peace. They have asked for Raxelium in exchange for access to their collective knowledge.

“They have also agreed to stay out of the kingdom, as long as we do not interfere in their business.

“I assured them they will be granted safe passage home once the Raxelium is delivered and the knowledge downloaded.”

My brother stopped me and turned to me. “Excellent work, brother.” His smile faded and he said, “Let me see your face, Raylon.”

I commanded my mask to move off my face and met his eyes.

He looked at the long marks on my face. “You have done so much for me, brother. You risked your life to save our father and me the day your face was marked.

“You have always stood by my side, despite my shortcomings, and I trust no one like I do you. You gave me your throne, you gave me Mystasar, and you gave me unfaltering loyalty.

“There is nothing I will ever be able to do to repay you for all that you have given up for me and my children.

“Know this, Raylon. If you ever want anything, it is yours. That is a promise from brother to brother.”

“I have everything I need. I have a home, I have a family, and I have you. I do not need anything else,” I said.

There was one thing I craved more than anything, but this was not something my brother could give me.

“Very well. The offer stands, till the day I die. That is a promise from your king.” He smiled, and we made our way back to the bench, and to Tomlee and her story.