To all,
Due to the interest in this series, here is Chapter 23.
My apologies for the delay in submitting Chapters 22 and 23. It seems Covid created a backlog and then I found many more grammatical errors, so I pulled them out of line which caused further delay.
Also, who would have thunk, that coming out of a pandemic would be so much work...jeeze.
For those of us with passion, dealing in the human norm of bureaucracy can be maddening. But it seems to be the norm for all human societies that evolve beyond the hunter-gatherer stage.
Us explorers, artists, and adventurers, only hope to leave an acknowledged 'smudge' on history. We do hope that 'smudge' is fantastic, no matter what it is, and looks amazing 100 years from now.
Any aliens, real or imagined, are purely a construct of my twisted and warped mind.
I thank everyone so much for reading my stories and hopefully enjoying them.
As we play in this year of 2021, please stay safe and sane.
Part 23
***
"Good we are all here. There are two stories I am going to tell. Depending on your reactions, I am either sending apologies to your brother and father or you will understand my point of view and agree to abide by my rules."
"The first story is an ancient one from my home world. It's called the 'Sword of Damocles'. In the story, in a long-ago kingdom, a king sat on his throne. One of the court people made a comment in a middle of dinner that a King's life was grand and easy. The King thought for a moment and then said, "tomorrow you shall be king for a day. We shall have a daylong feast so you can enjoy your day as the King." Drew was trying to hold his temper, and part of him wanted to just raise and drop the blade and be done with this creature.
"On the appointed day, this man took his place on the throne started to drink and be merry. He caught the real King smiling and looking up. When he looked up, he found the King's great two-handed sword balanced above his head," Drew paused and leaned forward to whisper, pressing the blade down harder and making the Queen gasp and whimper from the pain. 'Just like the one I hold to your neck at this moment my "queen."'
Drew had to rethink where he was in the story, "so where was I, oh yes, so this great sword is tied to a beam above this man's head with just one hair from the queen's mane. The man tried to jump out of the throne but was slammed back into the seat by the real king." Drew paused to let all of creatures on the patio visualize his story.
"Then the king, one hand holding the pretend king in the throne, turned to all of the members of his court to explain. 'This is how I live each day. With the fear of a traitor, or the fear of another king wanting my kingdom. This sword represents all of those that covet my throne.'
"And that is the ancient story, but I have my own version of it." Drew stated and then looked in the eyes of those standing and then looked down at the pitiful queen still weeping into the void beyond.
"My version includes the following: the sword represents envy and deceit. But the sword also represents all of creatures, species, and hideous aliens I am responsible for. If I do not lead with honor, duty and with my whole heart, then the sword should slide through me so another may lead. Because the kingdom or empire is NOT me. It's all those HIDEOUS creatures that count on me to protect them."
He reached down with his free hand and grabbed her mane and jerked her head up. "Look at the lights "Queen" each of these lights represents thousands of HIDEOIUS creatures depending on us to lead them." He paused with her to lean closer, "Do you see all the lights? DO YOU?" he screamed until she shook her head in affirmation.
"They struggle each day for life. They struggle for their families. It's our responsibility to make it better for them each day." He paused again knowing he was at his limit.
He pulled her back from the edge and let her slump at the wall. He tapped the blade on the ground in front of him.
"I promised a second story, but really it's an object lesion. Shield your minds from me. You my queen are supposed to be the strongest, so protect yourself." And he walked right into their minds with no trouble or work.
All of them screamed and tried to shield and cover their eyes, as if that would help.
He looked down at them without pity but with empathy. "I could be anywhere and do that. My daughter, whom you have met is as strong as I am and let me know how weak you were. I can walk in anytime and know your deepest secrets." He paused wondering if he should continue.
"I know what you feel about me and my hybrid human life. But you carry our children now." There were gasps from all the females present except for Kitten. She just yawned. Just more cubs to protect and play with.
"But how do you know?" squeaked the Queen.
"That scholar you insulted when he came to provide you with a post mating check- up confirmed it. His name is Eddie, and he is like a brother to me." Drew paused, "No, more than a brother. You could not look past the title of 'scholar' to understand the trust and love I have for him." Drew paused again because he felt the anger, or plain frustration, building up again.
"You have the title of 'Queen' now for your people. But unless there is some magical change, there will be no other mating between us. Please remember that titles are just that a 'title'. It has no weight with me. Lady Target is twice the Queen you will ever be and carried no real title. The people of this world gave her the title of 'Lady' out of love."
Drew turned to go away but said over his shoulder "There are no slaves on this world or any world I rule. Dahlia is free and I will fulfill my promise and mate with her tonight if she so wishes. I am still obligated to mate with the other handmaidens if they wish."
Drew turned to look at all three handmaidens that were sort of gathered, "All of you are free to choose to mate or not mate with this 'hideous alien'. It is completely your free choice."
Drew half turned back and started to walk away followed by Dahlia and Kitten.
"Dahlia, you will stay with me!" the princess queen mentally shouted out.