When Summons Echo

Chapter 2

As the sun peaked over the horizon of the great plains in the Kingdom of Glafric. The cool wind of the early morning chilled the servants and guards that stood waiting for the royal family. The prestige

carriages, already laden with luggage, also awaiting the royal family. The horses

stomping their hooves impatiently.

At last the doors to the Main Nest Palace, opened

and the King and Queen descended the stairs.

Their long coats trailing down the steps as they walked, their heads wrapped in colourful cloth in place of their eagle winged crowns. The Queen turned around at the bottom of the stairs as the King was assisted into the carriage.

Watching the doors as the children exited the palace and bounded down the steps.

Her eye catching the heir to her husband's throne, Prince Daskalos. She did her best to smile as their eyes met.

All she could think about when she saw him, was

that he was the one to take her late sons place and the king was more fond of his mother then he could ever be of her. She turned and joined the king in their carriage.

Daskalos was a young lad still. His white hair was combed back and plaited along the sides. His travelling clothes were a bit big for him and hung loosely on his thin frame. He was too young to become King. Only being the age of 14 he observed as his father ruled, learning how to be a king. It was announced that he was the heir to the Glafric throne. Although he never felt it was secure. Daskalos walked with his personal guard, holding his head high as he knew the days of being a child were far behind him and his father's heavy crown would soon become his.

Daskalos entered into his new carriage. His face falling into one of longing as his siblings got into the carriages behind him. Now that he was the Crowned Prince, he had to behave like it. He could no longer enjoy childish games with the other children of the heirloom. Even the games he most enjoyed on the long carriage rides to Kemaki for Phoexmuss. Daskalos leaned back against the carriage chair sighing as he stared out of the window. His personal guard didn't need to ask him what was wrong as he sat down into the carriage closing the door. He only looked at the young prince with concern and said nothing.

The carriages at long last come to stop at the Alkem Transport Centre. Daskalos admired the different carriages stationed there as royals from all over Meddashia had arrived to go to Kemaki. Alkem officials walked down the line of carriages taking everyone's names, ages and titles, as well as a hefty fee, for it was not just royals at the transport centre, but all manner of class that could afford such a luxury.

When an official came to Dasklos' carriage, he was ready to write as they spoke.

"Name, age and title." The official said as he glanced up over his glasses. The personal guard gave his details to the official, "Gerock, 24 and personal guard to his majesty's heir Prince Dasklos of Glafric." as well as Daskalos'. Daskalos watched four firgures that were almost blending in with the line; a middle aged woman, a teenager boy and two young children. The woman picked up the youngest, had one last check around and then they all sprinted towards an open portal on her command. The alkem guards noticed them as they raced past.

They dropped their leger books grabbing out their blood-weapon powder, shouting after them, they rubbed the powder into their hands. "Hey stop!" "HALT!" Drawing out different weapons out of thin air. However, the woman and kids only looked back and carried on sprinting towards the open portal. The woman clung to her little boy tightly as the neared to the large swirling light-blue portal. She shut her eyes and vanished through the portal, her other two children not far behind. Without warning the young girl swung around wielding a purple edge glowing blood weapon; a small dagger like sword. She fiercely stood her ground as her older brother ran on.

He looked back to see his little sister attacking an official as he blocks the sudden attack. He shouted her name terrified for her, "Ryenaè! Get back!". Her brother slid in just in time and pushed the official off balance on to his back. The officials blade cutting him accidentally across his shoulder. He cried out in pain. Without hesitating he whisked Ryenaè into his arms and ran through the portal. Dasklos marveled curiously at the scene. He turned to his personal guard, Gerock as he spoke, who had also witnessed parts of the commotion. "It is difficult to travel all the way to Kemaki on foot with younglings. With the toll for portal travel so high, I am not surprised she risked it."

"What happens if they get caught?" Daskalos asked as he sat properly back in his seat. Gerock looked solemn as he admitted, "If they were caught or found, the kids will be taken away from her and she will be sentenced to a labour camp till the portal fee for all of them is paid. Not everyone lasts there, though."

Gerock looked out of the window as the officials reported to the head official that joined them by the portal. "They will be especially interested in that alkem girl. Vi-Kimishay Ciray had decreed that all elite ranking alkem must be brought to the Alkem Academy she built, no matter their age."

Gerock leaned back in his seat looking at Daskloas as the carriage slowly began to move. "It is rumored that the great Handryx himself is training the recruits at her reverent-high lady's request." Dasklos leaned back as well watching out the window as they neared their portal. "I hope that family wont be caught. Is not there something we could do, Gerock?"

Gerock smiled and shrugged, amused at the young Prince's kind, innocent nature. "I guess we will see my Prince. Maybe we can find them at Kemaki or inform our reverent-high lady of the matter. She may act faster then us."

The portal loomed and swirled in bright turquoise blue mist as the carriage began to enter it. Gerock closed both windows with a dark curtain the blinding light protruding underneath.

Soon the light faded, giving way to natural sunlight. They had arrived at Kemaki.

***

Kemaki was flooded with people. Peasants and lower-class people pitched their tents where ever there was free space and at the permission of the Kimi who knew the wills and plans of their master Kimishay. The middle class and

upper class were given houses according to their rank. The royals were finishing being

unpacked from their magnificent carriages and into their small mansions.

Even merchants had come to the divine capital, seeing the days before and after Phoexmuss to be profitable. - It was forbidden to work or sell on the scared days of Phoexmuss, punishable by a cruel death for offending the gods. - Their voices echoing themselves as they did their best to sell spices and herbs. Cloth and trinkets, even festive music boxes and legendary tales. Dasklos manoeuvred around the houses and stalls with Gerock. As practically all of Meddashia was in Kemaki, they hide their

identity with hoods and scarfs to cover their

face as a precaution incase.

They emerged from the crowds and into the beating heart of Kemaki. The warm and cold marble colours of the temple sparkled in the mid day sun. The oval shape of the Kimishay Hall as its beige steps lead up to its circular double door. Walls of an extra building extended out from the back and a courtyard in the midst of it.

Being in the presence of these two buildings was like standing in the presence of the gods. Gerock and Daskalos marveled with awe at the sight before them.

Their attention was turned to a Kimi that had exited the hall. She observed them from the landing and then made her way quickly down the steps. She approached Daskalos and Gerock who bowed instinctively. Then rose to meet her

gaze as she spoke. "This part of Kemaki is closed off to the public until the Ceremony of Divinities. Unless you have an urgent appointment, I will have to ask you both to leave."

Gerock nodded looking down at the floor. He then confidently stood meeting the Kimi's gaze. "We have an urgent matter to inform Vi-Kimishay Ciray."

The Kimi began to turn to leave. "Unless an offering has been stolen or the gods have been angered by mortal kind, I do not think it is urgent. You both must leave, or I will have no other choice."

Dasklos watched her leave, feeling all his hope drain away. He glanced at Gerock who shook his head and then at the Kimi as she made her way back to the Kimishay Hall. "Its about an elite alkem! A violet rank." Dasklos blurted out before Gerock could stop him. The Kimi stopped and looked over her shoulder at him, "All elite alkem in Meddashia have been accounted

for. It is impossible that an elite of that power escaped my revernt-high lady. I have no time for these lies, I suggest you leave this

area before I force you to."

Gerock bowed on to one knee, "I apologise for my master's outburst, but he speaks the truth.

We only wanted to help a family in need,

knowing her high-reverence was in search

of elite alkems." The Kimi smiled and then bowed momentarily at her waist. "I will see what I can

do. Vi-Kimishay Ciray would wish to meet such a powerful alkem."

She led the two of them through a back entrance on the other side of the Kimishay quarters and into the courtyard. A beautiful garden full of life. Birds and small creatures watched them as they followed the Kimi. Fountains

and streams ran along the pathway as their neared a building bordering out into the courtyard. The Kimi entered, Gerock and

Daskalos following close behind. She closed the door behind them saying, "Wait here, while I have a few words with Vi-Kimishay Ciray.

The Kimi made her way up the steps and slipped into the room at the top. Vi-Kimishay Ciray was immersed in her documentation as she prepared for the new year, the year she was sure she will become High Kimishay. Kimi Taru cleared her throat as she

approached the desk. "Master Ciray,"

"Yes? Have you delivered my message to the divine head-priest or did you get sidetracked?" Ciray replied stiffly as she skimmed over the High Kimay's letter.

Kimi Taru master up her courage. "I met two civilians outside the hall who claim to know a violet rank alkem."

Ciray stopped what she was doing and let herself develop an interest in the information. "So why did the alkem not come themselves? Why send two servants in their place." Taru smiled wearily as she answered, "I believe that they are not formally acquainted with the young girl. They are also Prince Daskalos and his personal guard. They said that the girl's family entered into Kemaki with illegal use of a portal. They are mostly likely in hiding and in need of a higher assistance."

Ciray beamed as her Kimi explained the situation.

"How perfect. Our fortunes have been blessed. A visit from the Glafric heir and one of the most powerful alkem bloods is within our grasp." Ciray smiled to herself as she mulled over the situation and a plan formed in her mind. "How delicious." She finished, biting

the tip of her nail as she reclined in her chair.

"You may send them in..."

Taru nodded, leaving to summon his highness into her master's study. Ciray spoke up just before Taru exited the room, "Also, call High Kimay Sharwan here. It is better for us that we speak in person then over letter."

Before leaving Taru bowed slightly at the waist, "As you honour, my reverent-high lady."