Worlds Apart

This Drought

Kylo stood on the balcony of the grand hall of his palace. He took in the dreadful sight before him and didn't understand the meaning of what he was observing. Four florists and four landscapers; eight gardeners, and none of them could explain or offer a suggested theory as to why his land had gone barren. It wasn't just his land either. The village people had begun to make similar complaints. Vegetable rotting beneath the soil. Flowers struggling to blossom and bloom; withering petals, and that's even if the plants can get past the stage of stemming out of the ground. What he could only assume for now was a drought was spreading. Where there used to be trees that bore succulent fruits and exotic flowers, there were only naked trees. Leaves slowly but surely dying and fluttering to the ground, letting go of the branches that no longer provided sustenance. The grass was browning, patches were forming, exposing dried up, desolate soil. Even the fountains' water placed in the center of the garden's view, was drying up. It had to be turned off because the water becoming scarce.

"Penny for your thoughts, husband?" Syera's sweet voice penetrated Kylo's ears. A small smile appearing on his face, but stayed looking over the balcony. Syera stood leaned against the frame of the balcony door, studying Kylo. He deeply sighed, shaking his head at the view before him, "This 'drought' is affecting the entire planet. And even when it rains, nothing grows, in fact, it makes the lands worse under the heat of the sun." Syera walked to the banister of the balcony to stand beside her husband. She didn't respond right away and instead wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her free hand on his chest, tracing small circles with her fingers, and studying his face more closely.

Kylo looked at Syera, taking in her face, "What is it to be a king, if he cannot even fix... this?" He asked gesturing his hand across the scene of a dying garden. A garden which covered the length of this side of the palace and stretching even further out until the line of trees that led to the forest in their "backyard". Seeing his land with little to no life left, while also seeing and hearing that it's not only his region of Sularia makes it very clear that the problem is greater than him and completely out of his control.

"Well," Syera started, "When was the last time you visited your subjects? Just to give them hope, at least, during these unfortunate times..?" She empathetically eyed Kylo. She could sense that the world was quite literally weighing on his shoulders and as heavy as that is, she knew that even though this is drought is a cause of some panic for most or many, he had to remain still and reserved. Kylo grunted, "Just a few days ago when it started." He turned to Syera now, "I took a few guards in to town with me, visited some villages. Particularly the farmers to see if their fields were undergoing the same as ours." Kylo sighed through a pause. "Whatever the problem is, it's a planetary one."

Syera cupped her husband's face. "I'm sure whatever it is, I'm willing to bet it's temporary." She said hoping it would bring him some degree of comfort. After all, Syera is not originally from Suleria. Her home planet, Xeron, is in a different quadrant of their galaxy. The most she felt she could do was be as supportive as she can as Kylo's wife and queen. She's already assumed his s****l appetite of late was due to the stresses of all this, it's tremendously a lot for one man to carry, for anyone to carry. It's that much more difficult when one doesn't have the support needed to see them through difficult times such as this one happening now. Syera pulled Kylo's face to her's for a loving kiss, to which contently obliged, yet his mind was on the state of his planet. There was an imbalance that was effecting everyone and everything.

"The Dukes will be here in a few days to discuss and strategize measured that may need to be taken moving forward." Kylo said after breaking their kiss and making eye contact with his wife. He cupped her face. "In rhe meantime, you may need to contact your brother, Roan, for assistance and resources." Syera's face fell. Kylo knew all too well how she felt about her brother back on her home planet, where he ruled as king as well. "I understand your reservations with your brother, but, the issue at hand is greater than you and Roan's rivalry." Kylo and Syera's marriage was indeed arranged, but that did not stop their attraction to each other upon meeting the first time, and the more they got to know eachother, the more they fell in love. Their marriage was indeed arranged to build in alliance, Kylo and Syera also managed to build a companionship. Syera blinked at Kylo's words, taking in all that he said, and she knew he was right. As a queen she had to swallow her pride for the well being of the planet and its inhabitants. Syera had been married to Kylo for six long years. There was peace in the galaxy so no wars had to be fought or endured. Kylo, along with the Dukes in the three other regions have managed very well and successfully kept peace amongst the planet so there were civil wars. All in all, for the six years that Syera ruled by Kylo's side, all she's really had to do was meet and greet with the townspeople every now and again or offering advice to Kylo when he inquires her opinions on certain matters. So far, so good, she's done pretty well as a queen during times of just playing the part to look the part, but now, when the planets life source is at stake, she must decide what kind of queen she should choose to be. Kylo had spoiled the hell out of her, to which she was grateful and thoroughly enjoyed, for the most part she mostly got what she wanted. And now it was time and her turn to give back.

"My Roi." Kylo turned around to see one of his guards with a folded parchment in hand. He instinctively reached out to take it. "Thank you, Andre." He said with a curt nod. Andre bowed, "Your majeste." He left as quickly as he came.

Kylo unfolded the parchment and read: MY HUT! IMMEDIATELY! URGENT!

Syera knew not to hover important matters, but she was still curious to ask, "What is it Kylo? Is everything alright?" She looked up at her husband with a hint of worry on her face under furrowed brows. Kylo folded the parchment back up, he knew who it was from, but there was no detail provided for the reasons of this urgent meeting. He kissed Syera three times; a kiss on the forehead, a kiss on the cheek, and a lingering kiss on the lips. "That's what I am going to find out, sweetheart." He then lifted her chin so she could look up at him, and with a stoic face, "Contact Roan." He instructed her. The monotonous bass in his voice leaked nothing but seriousness. He often enjoyed the youthful, cute personality she exuded, and even doted on her 'damsel in distress' act when she didn't want to do certain things. Which, eventually, she ended up doing herself anyway. Today, however, while Kylo was preparing for conversations and meetings to figure out solutions, he figured the least she could do is talk to her brother. They may have their personal issues, but they're still family. Syera nodded without a word as she watched Kylo's exit.