Chapter 2

(Vanishing of the Rȏgmüdian Heir)

© Mark Fairchild, 2005, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

Yana sat in the carriage, waiting impatiently for the journey to resume. She understood the need for the horses to be changed, for their much-needed rest, but they were so close to home. It was now a matter of hours before she could be at her dying father's side. It did not matter at all to her that she would inherit a throne once he died. That was just the way of the world. She was concerned about him: was he suffering, or was he resting, were courtiers and counselors letting him focus on dying well or pestering him with the innumerable petty details of government? These and other concerns swarmed about her mind as the strobe-like flashes of lightning illuminated her features through the carriage window.

The driver had asked to stop at the way station in Sai, a public house called Alfie's, until the storm abated, but she insisted on continuing the journey, even in this storm, so they stopped only long enough to change the team. After about half an hour, during which Yana and entourage rested themselves in the way station, they were on their way once again.

At the edge of town, a man waved them down, and told the irritated driver, “I hear tell the Bierood bbridge is out. You might want to take another route.” The harried driver thought a moment before replying, “OK, thanks, friend. Could you do me a favor and let the way station know?”

The stranger replied, “They will know.”

These three words that, unknown to anyone at the time, would result in a civil war, remold the unfolding of history for untold kingdoms, nations, and planets, bring down the mighty and raise up the unsuspecting. Why? Because the driver thought the stranger meant he would inform the way station, whereas the stranger actually meant he was sure someone else would if they had not already.

So it was that Yana's carriage turned north to parallel the Bierood Creek for about ten miles, while the storm washed out its tracks, and leaving the rest of the universe thinking they had traveled on to Sai via the Bierood Creek bridge.

They did indeed ford the Bierood ten miles ahead, but instead of heading back to Sai, they took back roads to the Escovian Portal, a second fateful choice. It was a choice intended to save time and get Yana to her father's side as quickly as possible.

As they rushed along the poorly maintained roads, now awash in heavy rain, Yana tried to sleep, but she could only think about all of the incidents in her life at home, trivial at the time, but now looming large in the history of her heart.

A guild also plagued her. She should have been there, but had chosen instead to indulge in Earthing, a term used by Escovians for traveling to Earth. In Yana's case her object was slumming. Now the result might be that she would never see her father alive again. She had already lost her mother, and she could not bear to let slip this last generational tie.

Kisthae, who in Terran terms might best be called Yana's lady in waiting, said “I am nervous, my lady.”

In fact she did not speak. An emotional image of a crushing death appeared in Yana's mind, an image that had, for want of a better word, the flavor of Kisthae's mind. For the sake of human clarity, however, verbal translations of Escovian “speech” will be employed here.

“Why?” said Yana.

“The carriage is rocking so. We are rushing on too fast.”

“Seconds could make all the difference, Kisthae. I must get to my father as soon as possible.”

“But would it not be better to arrive in one piece?”

“You worry too much. We will be fine.”

“Yes, m'lady.”

“But . . .”

“Hush now, Kisthae, much weighs on my mind.”

“Yes, m'lady.”

It was just then that a bolt of lightning struck the coach, killing the driver and two horses instantly. The front carriage wheels twisted and dug into the mud even as it struck the falling horses flipping onto them and literally bouncing off them. When next it landed, the wooden vehicle shattered, scattering the luggage, seats, wheels, and the bodies of the passengers over an area of some twenty feet.

Virtually everyone landed on a rock outcropping that crushed their heads and mangled their bodies. Yana was fortunate. She landed in a patch of mud among the rocks that cushioned the blow slightly while causing her to only suffer a glancing blow as she slid across the mud/rock patch.

But the blow was bad enough anyway. She found herself airborne, with brief streaks of light from both the lightning and its reflection on wet surfaces creating a visual confusion. Wetness infused itself onto her, and then she lost consciousness as she struck the mud patch.

***

Lorraine and Lora were two sisters from a farm near Sai. They were 17 and 15 respectively. Young enough to still want to explore the landscape after the previous night's rain. They both had a slightly more than healthy curiosity and were quite happy to sneak away from home, and chores, to indulge it. Both had a healthy physique, bestowed on them by regular farm work. Lorraine had a slightly more sturdy build than did her dainty younger sister. Both were beautiful, but Lora seemed more so because of her more flirtatious nature. Both had auburn hair. Lorraine was 5 foot 9 inches tall, and Lora was some three inches shorter. Lora wore her hair free and long. Lorraine kept her shorter, though still long, and kept it imprisoned in a pony tail.