The Destiny of Amalah (8 page)

People made friends and socialised and ate and drank and they truly were thankful for what they had. Oh how I miss those days, those celebrations, the warm summer skies alight with fireworks which highlighted the two million or so people milling around the city for fleeting seconds before they exploded into brighter coloured light and then turned into nothing. The food was also amazing, at one end of the city there was the smell of aromatic meats and savoury dishes and you could almost taste the smell, and at the other end of Amalah the smell of vanilla and sugar and everything sweet drifted through the air and for my senses it was heaven.

I remember seeing the people elegantly dancing at the palace balls or jigging merrily in the city streets and hearing singing from voices that were truly magical and mystical and a gift from the gods, they really were celebrations to remember. Such events took much time to prepare and Amara was largely responsible for it but now she was so used to arranging them that things had continued to go flawlessly well during her reign.

Looking back at how things were then, many of you may wonder how things came to be the way they are today. There are those among you who regard this as the age of Kali, a time where mankind becomes quarrelsome and engages in constant conflict and ignorance but it will pass. While others say that it is simply human behaviour and that by nature you are quarrelsome and seek conflict. Those of you who say that are not entirely wrong but you are not entirely right either, but you should always remember the three things that make your world as unpredictable as it is; good, evil and freewill: and that is how this story came to be.

Chapter 6

Years passed and the children that I speak of had begun to come in to their own. It started with seven young children, siblings and friends between them, five boys and two girls. The princesses Amara and Ellora. Amara was eight and Ellora five. Amara was destined to be the Empress and although she was a fun loving child, she developed a serious nature because unlike the rest of the children – she – knew something of her destiny.

Ellora was a cute and bubbly child who smiled readily and her big brown eyes could soften the hardest of hearts. The two sisters were close, both in their relationship and looks, both had the light brown skin that was the middle ground of their ebony father Kai and ivory skinned mother Elana. The princesses both had jet-black hair that went the length of their shoulders; Amara’s hair was long and straight while Ellora’s was curly.

Their personalities were pleasant and grounded and it was clear to see that Kai and Elana were raising them well. Among the other children the girls’ held no title, they were simply Amara and Ellora and that is how both of them liked it.

Then there were Garrick’s children, Rakan and Kalon. The boys shared the same ages as the princesses. Rakan was eight and Kalon was five. The two brothers both had inherited most of their features from their mother. They both had: fair skin, jet-black hair, striking faces and sharp oval piercing blue eyes. With their father, they shared his aquiline nose, strong jaw lines and generous lips.

Unlike the princesses, the brothers’ personalities were at times a stark contrast to each other; Rakan was highly intelligent, easy going and the most secure of all the children. He possessed a great sense of self and confidence that was highly unusual in a child of his age.

Kalon was also an incredibly astute child on one hand but on the other, he could be quite the introvert. Kalon was always comfortable around his family and friends often shy around strangers. Kalon preferred to just listen while in the company of others rather than talk; he could be incredibly sweet and affectionate but the child had a temper which often surfaced when goaded or tired and at times he had a tendency to be acutely effusive, a trait that would abate later in life but not completely dissipate, luckily he was rarely tired or goaded and the other children understood him, and for the most part they had no desire to tease him.

Then there was Kenaz, son of an ambassador. He was a tall and lean black boy, tall for his age and taller than the rest of the boys in the group. Kenaz would tell jokes and stories and have the other children giggling and laughing for what seemed to be hours on end and he was also quick witted enough to amuse adults.

Kenaz was a strong child but with that strength, came great gentleness and it was he, who the children often looked to for leadership or making decisions among them, sometimes he would make a decision but most of the time he let the group work things out among themselves.

Waldon was the son of local farmers. He was almost as tall as Kenaz and just as strong, which was surprising considering his slight frame. He too was quick witted and he and Kenaz were firm friends within the group.

Waldon was fair skinned with brown hair and of all the children in the group. Waldon was the mediator and peacemaker on the few occasions when there was a fight or disagreement among them.

Finally there was Rufus, the most intelligent of them all, the others were clever but Rufus was exceptionally so and he had a razor sharp wit. Rufus often possessed an insight that was way beyond his years. He had a dry sense of humour and the child was also acidly sarcastic, so much so that even adults chose to steer clear from his tongue lest they be made to feel younger and smaller than he.

The seven children were the best of friends and inseparable. They played together adventured together and were in and out of the palace or each other’s houses. Although Ellora and Kalon were three years younger than the rest of the group they shared the same classroom with the others in the east wing of the palace.

I watched as those children studied in the classroom, their heads filling with knowledge each day, they were all inquisitive and bright children and their teacher loved them all dearly. She was proud of them for they continually surpassed her expectations and they were all well behaved too.

It was strange to look upon them in those days and know that one day they would all fulfil a destiny, a destiny which was far from their imagination and one that neither I, nor the gods, saw coming. They were all so unsure of the future, but one thing was for certain they were all linked to each other, their lives inextricably woven. Those children I watched working in the classroom and playing on the hills, back then they had no idea what was to come: Amara, Ellora, Rakan, Kalon, Kenaz, Rufus and Waldon had no idea that the fate of the world, would one day rest in their hands.

When Amara turned twelve Kai and Elana knew it was time for them to teach her the ways of an Empress.

‘From now on Amara, you must learn what your destiny entails,’ Kai told her. ‘I know you would rather be out playing with your friends but from now on my child, your duties must com first. You will be Empress of the nine nations one day and you must be ready to bear that mantle.’

Amara duly left her sister and the boys to learn the way of an Empress and from then on her parents and their friends schooled her. Kai, Elana and Michael taught her the royal duties, politics and the way of the World Council and Garrick and Häkan, taught her the way of the Guard.

All of them told her of the war that they had fought and won before she had even been born. Her heart had ached for Michael when she learned of his family’s fate. Amara had come to trust and respect Michael and she spent a lot of time in his company but she could see, that even when he smiled, sadness in his eyes often still remained.

As Kai, Elana and the others told her their stories, she was in awe of her parents and five friends for what they had accomplished. She often sought their counsel and always listened to their advice.

‘Always be honest always in your words and deeds,’ her mother would tell her.

‘Compassion and mercy always,’ said Michael. ‘Never ever lie. It is every man and woman’s undoing and you will never be trusted.’

‘Do things with a good heart and sound mind and you will not venture far wrong,’ advised Garrick.

‘Listen to advice,’ said Kai. ‘There is always going to be disagreement and a difference of opinion. But know this: always, the ultimate decision must be yours and yours alone.’

‘But how will I know that my decision is the right one?’ Amara asked.

Kai smiled: ‘A wise question indeed my daughter. You cannot always know that and you will make mistakes. I will say this though, you must trust yourself and to do that, you need honesty, integrity, compassion and be your own judge of character.’

At times it was difficult for Amara to take on the role that had been preordained for her; she was constantly surrounded by adults, she missed her sister and friends, and she missed doing childhood things and sometimes she would feel isolated, but for the most part, she took things in her stride and grew up very quickly.

Sometimes Amara would spend time with her sister and friends, but year after year, it became very clear that her path was going in a completely different direction to that of her sister and the five boys.

Sometimes, Amara tired of palace life, duties and responsibilities that she now had. Briefly she had tried to rebel but the rebellion soon came to an end when she saw it was futile. Eventually, the young Amara fully accepted and embraced her destiny and threw herself into her work and became engrossed with the affairs of court, the council and the world that was now hers and Ellora was left to grow up around the five boys.

Ellora missed her sister but she loved being around the five boys and as she was the only girl she was often the centre of attention, and the boys were very protective of her.

Häkan, Garrick and Kai would often spend time with the young friends. Garrick taught them all how to hunt, track and live off the land; while Kai and Häkan gave them weapons training and taught them how to use: swords, daggers and a bow and arrow; as well as teaching them hand-to-hand combat and various sports. Ellora showed promising skill as an archer; while Waldon, Kenaz and Rakan shone at swordsmanship and Kalon showed promise at hand-to-hand and tracking.

As they grew older, they would hunt, track through the forests of Amalah and sometimes venture into the other nations and live off the land, supervised by Garrick, or Häkan or Kai.

All of the adults were content now. Garrick and Häkan were still joint commanders of the Guard but peacetime meant they could spend their time with the children teaching them their ways. Kai was also content that his eldest daughter had taken her duties seriously and he was proud of his youngest daughter who was seemingly unflappable in the field and could hunt and track as well as the boys. What Ellora lacked in size in and strength, she was able to improvise and use common sense.

Kai was immensely thankful to have survived the war and live out his days with his children, wife and friends. As he watched the children grow up over the years, it reminded him of his own friendships that he had formed over the years with the people who were still in his life now.

Time passed quickly and Kai had soon reached his forty-sixth year. Rakan and Amara were fifteen and Kalon and Ellora were twelve. The years had been kind to Kai but the war years and the years of being an Emperor had taken their toll on him and for the first time in his life, Kai took to his bed due to illness.

Elana, the children and his friends grew worried as Kai deteriorated with each passing day. Just over a week had passed when the palace doctor examined Kai once again and then gave the news to an anxious: Elana, Häkan, Michael and Garrick.

‘Empress, I have grave news unfortunately,’ he began.

‘Tell me,’ she said in a whisper, as the tears began to well up in her eyes.

‘It is his heart Empress,’ the doctor said and Elana let out a sob and took hold of Häkan’s arm. ‘It is weakened beyond repair now and there is nothing anyone can do.’

‘No,’ Elana sobbed. ‘Kai – no.’

‘How long?’ Häkan asked.

‘A few hours,’ the doctor said softly. ‘A day at the most. I am sorry to have to bring you such news this day.’

Häkan held onto Elana as she cried for her husband and Michael stood looking forlornly at nowhere in particular as the weight of the doctors words hit him.

‘Garrick I…’ Michael began but the words failed him.

Garrick moved forward and grasped Michael’s shoulder: ‘I know my friend; this is a sad day for us all. Is there anything I can do for you?’

Michael shook his head: ‘No, thank you. We are going to have to be strong for Elana, Amara and Ellora,’ Michael moved over to Elana who was still holding onto Häkan and crying and he stroked her hair and gently placed his hand on her shoulder.

‘Elana,’ he said gently. ‘What can we do?’

‘Michael,’ Elana choked; ‘there’s nothing we can…’ and then she burst into tears again.

‘I know Empress,’ Häkan whispered. ‘I know.’

‘Elana, Häkan will take you to Amara’s room and stay with you,’ said Garrick, as he looked at Häkan, who nodded. ‘Michael, can you stay with Kai?’

‘Of course,’ said Michael.

‘I will find Amara and Ellora and bring them to you Elana,’ Garrick finished. ‘And then we can deal with everything else from there.’

‘Will you bring Thaddeus and Raynor here too?’ Häkan asked.

‘Of course,’ said Garrick.

Häkan led Elana away and Garrick went in search of Kai’s daughters. Michael watched them leave then he faced the door of Kai and Elana’s room, not wanting to walk through it. He did not want to see Kai on his deathbed. He, Garrick, Häkan and the others had never seen Kai so sick and it was a bitter pill to swallow to watch the man they called their friend, a man so full of life be reduced to what he had become.