A World of a Thousand Lights

Chapter Four

The empress, general, lieutenant, chief guard, and bother higher-ups, including Stormflare and Talina, sat around a high and large round table. The news of an imposter was frightening. Reports like this were rare. There had never been a break-in in any of the colonies.

"Are you sure we don't have any ideas who?-"

"We are sure, Elara," the general, Sagan, spoke with a glare. Leporis, the lieutenant, glared back. He was very protective of his mate.

Nova watched them as they started to bicker, not the friendly type that Stormflare and Talina do. She rubbed her head as she thought about the situation. So far, they believe that the imposter is Shengro due to Elder's vision. Another belief was that the imposter was a guard. Many new guards had come to the castle, either as actual guards or trainees. Echo said she worked with a few new ones in the weapon storage, but nothing seemed out of the blue. Also, the andusk festival starting soon meant that the colonies could be in danger as well. Nova looked back up at Sagan and Leporis with a glare before yelling out.

"Enough!"

The two stopped immediately and sat back in their chair, a gold glaze flashing across their eyes. Elara did the same with a startled expression, and even the others in the room seemed a bit frightened. Nova glared at her general as she sat up and crossed her arms on the table, her own eyes fading back to green from turning gold.

"The first thing we are going to do is lock down the castle to any who does not have a title. We may think that whoever is in the castle is a guard, but we cannot be sure. If anything comes up, we will alert the public. The possibility of the andusk festival not happening is high, but we will wait until further news reaches us. My brother will be working with Elara, Sagan, and Leporis to figure out who this imposter is. Any help is welcome,"

Whispers echoed around the room as Genafire spoke up. "What about the handmaidens and their supplies? Who will get those?"

This time, the voices around the room grew louder, but Nova silenced them with her left hand in the air.

"I have thought of a small group to go get the supplies, and I believe they will be fit to do so," Nova paused, allowing the others to prepare themselves to listen to her words.

"Mercedies because she is the chief doctor. Nerio, because of his connections with the handmaidens, and Techa because she is the chief handmaiden. Now, Talina, Stormflare, and I have plans to go to Acata, but we have decided to change the trip until tomorrow. Because of that, Leporis, Sagan, and Elara will be coming with us, including a few guards that will be their choice,"

The meeting finished with everyone leaving except Nova. She rested her head in her hands, thinking everything through. An imposter? Why would they send an imposter? The Shengro are fully aware that the colonies had several barriers to keep humans and their earth animals from entering, so why would they bother to send an imposter or a spy? Either way, it didn't matter. Imposter or spy, they still need to figure out who it is.

Nova pushed herself up, swimming away from the table, still lost in her thoughts. She is still debating whether it is a good idea for the public to stay unaware. Telling them could cause panic across the colonies, and they may lose trust in their empress. If she didn't tell them, though, they would challenge her place. The last thing she wanted was the colonies questioning her role.

She stopped swimming as that fearful thought raced inside her mind. Question her role? Her place in society? Not only would she let down her family, but all the colonies. Nova covered her face. How is this happening? For the past 4000 earth years, they have stayed safe. Until somehow, the current empress somehow allowed a Shengro spy into their castle. Thoughts ran rapidly through Nova's mind. How could she be so foolish? As she tried to pull herself together, Nova's gaze moved over to the window that faced the beautiful city.

What is best for them? Would they want to be kept in the dark? Nova stopped at that last thought. No. Nobody want's to be in the dark, even for their safety. Nova sighed and placed a hand on the window, not even for a second before a hand rested on her shoulder, causing her to jump away.

"I am so sorry, your greatness. You looked upset, so I wanted to ensure you're alright," It took a moment for Nova to see that it was the guard from the dining hall. He was a lot taller than she had thought, but he was trying to look after her.

"Yes, I am fine. Just deep in thought. Thank you...?" She paused and looked up at him as he lit up. His eyes almost glowed silver as he stared at her. She almost found it cute.

"Vieri. My name is Vieri," He replied, bowing. His accent was familiar, but none of which was uncommon to Nova. "I am from both Lessing and Puriria,"

That made more sense. Vieri's accent was a mix between Lessing and Puriria, but the accent still sounded off. It sounds almost unfamiliar to a Senilorian accent. Nova shook off these thoughts and held her hands in front of her. She was probably overthinking this, especially with the news that she had just received.

"Thank you, Vieri. Are you a newer guard? I don't think I have seen you before," Nova asked as they started to swim down the hall.

"I am a new guard here, but I have been a guard in Puriria for a while now," He explained as they continued their swim. Vieri smile quickly faded as another guard came by and lowered his head. The guard passed by without a second glance as Vieri lifted his head.

Nova tilted her head as she watched Vieri after she glanced at the guard. Vieri smiled and shook his head, explaining that he usually did that as a sign of respect to guards of higher standing. They discussed the current situation, Vieri saying that he is curious who the spy is.

Nova could understand what he meant. Everyone wants to know, but do they want to know? Or do they want to get them out as soon as possible? Not wanting to find out the identity, but this leaves another issue Nova will have to face.

Her people, they will want them dead. Execution is surprisingly common for senilorians. Not towards each other but to their enemies. After what they did to their planet, of course, they would want the Shengro dead. Nova didn't feel that she would be ready for that, though.

"You have no need to be afraid, your greatness. We, as your guards, will be here to protect you from the intruder," Vieri said as he opened a door for Nova to pass through. She didn't have the strength to tell him otherwise.

"Thank you, Vieri. I trust that my guards will,"

***

Soon Nova was in her room, once again. Alone. Like always. She debated whether she should bother Pharadox or Echo but decided it would be best to leave them. The empress swam towards her balcony as the cave ceiling lights became dimmer to signal the light cycle end and the star cycle to begin. A soft exhale escaped her gills as she relaxed her airways. Nova leaned her weight against the railing. Her eyes turned a neon blue as she began to sing her mother's lullaby. She stopped herself, pulling away from the wall as she shut the door behind herself. Her body slid down to the floor slowly. Her room was so dark it was hard to identify anything. Nova ran her hands through her hair, humming the tune of the song. It had been too much, and she almost used her abilities on her people.

She looked down at her hands as they started to shake. These abilities are becoming too much for her to handle. The feeling deep down grows with every passing cycle, waiting for her to show any sign of weakness. Then, they can take her. Make her lose control.

These powers that the royal family possesses had always confused her. They just had them and were never given a reason why.

After a moment or two, The empress finally picked herself up and exhaled steadily. She would not fall, nor would she allow anyone else to either. She moved to her bed, stripping out of her formal attire and into a soft blue shirt that she got off her bed. Techa most likely got it out for her earlier before dinner. The usual time. She moved under the thin sheets and stared at the window as she laid her head down.

Tomorrow she will leave for Acata. She will let the public know of the intruder. Inform them of the possible cancellation of the andusk celebration.

She can only hope that all goes well.