Zein: The Prophecy Read online

  The Changeling stretched its legs and then changed to a bear, then a gazelle, a common boar, a weinder and then a Timitu bird, which was no higher than Kabel’s shin and had one leg with three toes. The Changeling unleashed massive wings and then launched itself into the sky and quickly disappeared towards the horizon.

  Nothing had been said during all this. Kabel shrugged his shoulders and with the group now feeling hunger pains hitting their stomachs they set off to the Fair Tavern.

  Chapter 6

  Fair Tavern

  The Fair Tavern was vast. It was the largest of the beer tents. Gigantic chandeliers hung from the roof, ready and waiting for dusk to arrive. Inside the huge doors over fifty rows of tables were laid out side by side with copious amounts of hola beer, hop beer and Mee wine scattered on the tables as the serving staff carried fresh beer in huge glasses, four at a time, to the waiting hordes of thirsty Fair-goers. There was food a-plenty with weinder beast ribs, lamb cutlets, baon curls and every other meat you could think of, whether from Zein or from the Underworld.

  The atmosphere was lively and cool, a welcoming relief from the mid afternoon sun outside seemingly burning through the Ozone Shield and bathing the weary revellers in never ending sunlight. The cool interior allowed the Zeinonians to relax, cool down and celebrate.

  Kabel saw a free table and ran to grab it before anyone else could claim it. The others followed. With a groan Malkin sat down.

  ‘What’s the matter?’ Kabel asked concerned.

  ‘Just old age lad, slowing me down.’ Malkin grimaced as he rubbed a sore calf.

  ‘What were you doing there? You could have got yourself killed,’ Delilah said.

  Drogan grunted his confirmation of this view before grabbing a handful of chiplets from a bowl on the table and then tucking into some weinder beast ribs.

  ‘The poor animal was being ill-treated. I just decided to do something about it,’ he said. ‘I thought I did pretty well?’ he added questioningly.

  ‘Not bad, bro, not bad, but I still think you are a bloody fool.’ Drogan spoke with weinder rib meat sticking out of his mouth.

  ‘There speaks the learned Village Council Recorder,’ Kabel mocked. Drogan saw the funny side and playfully punched him. Drogan, although he found Kabel to be irritatingly tall and handsome so all the girls liked him, was generally fond of his adopted brother. He had been surprised when Kabel had turned up at the Council meeting and made his claim for probation Achiever status but proud when he was successful.

  ‘Well, I think you were lucky they did not blast you to pieces,’ Delilah said, pouting disapprovingly.

  Kabel smiled and didn’t answer. The food and drink flowed and dancing started with the local Fair band, Asylum, striking a traditional Zein dance that saw men separate from the women and then dance in groups before coming together as the snappy music beat increased. Music was something which the Zeinonians loved above all other pastimes. From an early age all were taught a large number of different instruments; there was the trupetdoor, which was a long tube-like instrument which provided a deep bass sound, then there was the viola, a small delightful stringed instrument that gave high pleasant sounds, like a human harp. Then there was the Roth flute, a wind instrument made from the horn of one of the fiercest creatures on the grasslands. Its haunting melodies floated through the air. That was Kabel’s favourite and one he was very skilled at. Maggia had bought him one when he was a child and he still had it tucked into his tunic. When he was restless or unhappy he would place it to his lips and play. He could express his sadness in the soft, delicate music and afterwards he would be more relaxed and philosophical. The Asylum band used a mixture of these instruments to provide a light and cheerful song that just got your feet tapping.

  Drogan saw his female mate and went to ask her to dance and a brave soul came to ask Delilah. She gratefully accepted with a blush creeping up her cheeks. Kabel and Malkin both nursed a glass of hola beer in their large hands, watching the dancing.

  ‘I heard the animal talk,’ Kabel said turning to face Malkin.

  Here it comes, Malkin thought. He knew that at some point he would need to tell Kabel of his past and how to develop and manage his special skills. In all his wildest dreams he didn’t think this would be at the Federation Fair, surrounded by people dancing and while he was holding a beer. Malkin sighed wearily. Once told there was no going back. Today would be the turning point in Kabel’s life. For him there was little choice - he had his duty.

  ‘That is not a surprise to me, of course. I have protected you all these years, hoping that you will have as a normal life as possible. However, you do have that talent to understand the non-spoken word, whether it is a thought from a Changeling or from a Zein. You have the power, as did your father and your grandfather before.’

  ‘You knew my father?’ Kabel asked, surprised. He knew Malkin was more than he said as there were always rumours in the village but he hadn’t linked him to his biological father. A whole number of questions invaded his mind.

  ‘Yes, he was a brave man and I served him for many a year and before him I served as a young soldier for your grandfather.’

  ‘What was my father like?’ Kabel edged forward eager for the knowledge.

  ‘He was a great man, cared deeply about you and the Zein people and had this dream of a New World and a new start,’ said Malkin reflectively and then took a sip of his beer.

  Kabel remembered something the Changeling said. ‘The creature referred to me as a Royal Blackstone but I thought that was the royal bloodline that was wiped out in the Quadrant Wars along with the Tyther Clan bloodline?’ Kabel asked.

  Malkin stared at Kabel, trying to control his emotions. He placed an arm on his shoulder, ‘Kabel, you are a Royal Blackstone, one of the last of the royal bloodline. There are others back in Zein but here,’ Malkin waved his arm around the Fair Tavern to symbolise the Earth Colony, ‘you are the most senior, after your father’s brother. For my part, I am also part of the Blackstone Clan, sworn to serve the royal household. Those seckles you used are your father’s.’ Kabel’s eyes widened in surprise, Malkin’s eyes twinkled. ‘Yes, those coordinates did not simply slip out of my pocket. I was hoping that the draw of the seckles to their rightful owner would be too much. Obviously that happened and today just proved you are the rightful owner.’

  Kabel’s mouth dropped open in surprise. The seckles were his father’s! His hand went inside his tunic and touched the elaborate designs. His fingers traced the contours of the weapon, willing a connection.

  ‘Just think,’ he said, ‘my father held these in his hands.’ He remembered all the history lessons on the royal families. Blackstone had for many centuries been the most powerful, taking over from the Malacca Clan, which had caused much resentment and many conflicts. The Blackstone Clan led the first pre-emptive assault in the First Xonian War on foreign soil when the vicious Xonians had threatened to invade Zein, driven by their desire for zinithium. In that war the Blackstones, who at that time had no command of the magics, fought with tremendous bravery and leadership against extraordinary odds. Many had died but Zein had been successful and the Blackstone name was written into Zein history.

  Peace had not lasted long when the Second Xonian War started. A newly built Xonian armada had raided the offshore planets of Zein and killed or enslaved all who lived there, including a considerable number of the peaceful and skilled Oneerions on Skegus. In desperation Zein had sought and called upon the deep magics that resided in the depths of their own planet and were latent in all Zeinonians. The Blackstone Clan found they were the foremost at manipulating the magics. The magics were both mentally and physically driven: mentally, the ability to see into the future and read unsaid thoughts, physically, the attributes of unique strength, agility, body protection and speed.

  Harnessing these powers, Zein successfully rebuffed the armada and freed the outlying planets and peace reigned for over fifty years until the Pod conflicts happened.

&nbs
p; Kabel realised immediately that he had a number of the attributes and cursed loudly that he hadn’t recognised them in himself…but why should he have? It was only recently he had heard others’ thoughts and, yes, he had been strong and quick but he just thought he was a good athlete.

  Malkin saw the internal processing of this news.

  ‘Although I worshipped your father and grandfather it is said that they became too immersed in the magics, sometimes losing sight of the other royal families or threats in front of them,’ Malkin said. ‘One of those oversights was your uncle.’

  ‘Zylar!’

  ‘Yes. Egan Blackstone was his rightful name but of all the Blackstones’ he was the one who delved the deepest in the magics and your father noticed it too late. He tried to control it but eventually he had to cast him out. Something which I fear Egan did not take well.’ Malkin paused. ‘I have to tell you that he killed you mother, who tried to protect you and your twin sister, Belina. Fortunately I was able to rescue you but I could not save your sister.’

  Malkin looked down to the floor, ashamed at his failure, the memories of the incredible battle and flight he had endured to save Kabel. He could still see, as if it was yesterday, the haunted look on Lady Blackstone’s face as a photon shot caught her in the back as she held Belina.

  Lady Blackstone had been in one of the Southern Quadrant villages with a squad of the Royal Guard for protection. She was visiting wounded civilians and soldiers from the war. All of a sudden there had been an almighty explosion and a regiment of Zylar’s Ilsid had entered the barracks with the objective to kill everyone.

  Malkin had arrived in the portal shortly after the fighting broke out on instruction from Lord Blackstone to bring his wife and children home. Lord Blackstone’s vision had been vague; however, it was sufficiently clear that he could sense his family were in danger. Malkin had led the resistance and for a time his ferociousness and sheer size and skill pushed the Ilsid back. It was something which could not last, the Ilsid were just too strong and too many, and when he saw Zylar at the forefront of the attackers he had acted. He had scooped up Kabel and shouted to Lady Blackstone to pick up Belina and run for the transportation portal.

  They had reached the room and the operator was feeding in the coordinates to the Royal Palace that Malkin was shouting at him. One determined Ilsid soldier pushed through the Blackstone Royal Guard defence and fired a shot which caught Lady Blackstone in the back. She collapsed still holding Belina. Malkin still remembered the scream of rage from Egan as he saw his sister-in-law slain and as Zylar killed the soldier with a swipe of his seckle, Malkin was swallowed up by the portal as he held Kabel to him. It was shortly after this escape that the full force of the Eastern Quadrant army unleashed its power at the Southern Quadrant Royal Palace.

  ‘I am pretty sure that Egan didn’t want to kill your mother. I think he loved her and wanted her to himself,’ Malkin informed Kabel. Kabel wasn’t listening. He was remembering his dream. The girl with the blonde hair…no, it can’t be…could it?

  ‘I don’t think my sister is dead,’ spluttered Kabel as he spilt the beer down his front. He then told Malkin his dream, describing the girl in detail. Malkin listened astonished.

  He grabbed Kabel’s hands, ‘My boy, my boy, you have just made me a happy man. That sounds just like a picture of your mother when she was younger. Belina survived. Egan must be keeping her prisoner in the Eastern Quadrant.’

  ‘I will free her.’ Kabel’s jaw tightened and Malkin saw the same determination he had seen in his father and grandfather before him. Remembering Logan’s warning: ‘We will rescue her, Kabel, but you can’t face your uncle. He will kill you.’

  Kabel knew Malkin spoke the truth – Zylar was a freak of nature and he would be mad to take him on, but that didn’t lessen his determination.

  By Tucan, he had another sister…by blood!

  ‘What is your real name?’ Kabel asked, calming his excitement as he felt the tell-tale surge of power beginning to tremble through his body.

  ‘Malkin, General Malkin,’ was the reply.

  Kabel was amazed.

  ‘The General Malkin….the same General Malkin that had led the Fringe Wars?’ asked Kabel in complete awe. He was sitting in the presence of one of the finest warriors that had ever existed. The Zein history books were full of his exploits. Kabel could not quell the excitement he felt. His hands were shaking. Malkin saw and placed his gnarled left hand onto both Kabel’s hands.

  ‘You can’t tell the others.’ Drogan and Delilah were coming back both with broad smiles from the dancing. Kabel agreed.

  ‘No one asked you to dance, Kabel? Must be those big feet you’ve got.’ Drogan laughed at his own joke and Kabel, seeing the funny side and quickly controlling his astonishment at his Teacher’s real identity, laughed with him, helping him to dispel some of the adrenalin.

  ‘Do you think the Changeling will come back?’ Delilah asked Malkin.

  ‘The beast is very loyal, especially to those that aid it. He will be back,’ Malkin replied. Kabel had many other questions and had to rein in his curiosity with his brother and sister present. He was a Blackstone of the royal bloodline. He couldn’t believe it. Then he realised that in the excitement he hadn’t eaten, and he was now very hungry. He ordered a massive plate of weinder ribs, which dripped with a sweet and sticky spicy sauce. Soon he was immersed in the ribs, watching the merriment in the Fair Tavern. The questions could be saved for later.

  The late afternoon turned into a pleasant evening and then the calls over the speakers told the different villages their time slots for transportation. Livescale’s name came up and the party picked themselves up from the empty beer glass strewn table and made their way to the main transportation room. As Kabel entered the transportation portal there was a flutter of wings and the Changeling flew in disguised as a robin and perched on his shoulder. Kabel and Delilah shared a smile.

  They funnelled into their nominated slot with the other Livescale residents and as the distorted vortex of blue light began to swim around the group, Malkin glanced into the waiting masses and saw the same two men whom he had threatened watching. His unease grew.

  Chapter 7

  Unwanted Visitors

  Over the next few weeks Malkin stepped up Kabel’s training. He taught him how to focus on a person’s thoughts as Kabel’s awareness of what people were thinking increased. Malkin taught him that to be able to read a person’s thoughts accurately he needed to be in direct eye contact with the person and needed to learn to shut out all other noises.

  Sometimes it was a little uncomfortable to learn what people thought of you. On more than one occasion, even though his relationship with Drogan had improved since the Federation Fair, he caught the resentment Drogan felt when he seemed to attract flirtatious looks from the girls in Livescale. Kabel purposely went out of his way to dispel this, with some success. He also learnt the art of blocking another’s thoughts to save embarrassment and for him not to be overwhelmed. His skill with the seckles increased greatly and his movement against Malkin was swift and agile. Malkin marvelled at the speed of movement, which even with his skills he could not block.

  The lessons also focused on control of the magics and in one rest period Malkin had wiped away the sweat induced by the hand to hand combat and looked out from beneath his still full head of hair at the hardly breathing Kabel.

  ‘Control is the key, Kabel. Lose control of these magics and they eat away at you and consume you,’ said Malkin. He had Kabel’s attention. ‘The Blackstones have always been the most powerful of the clans. History has shown that it is a fine line between use and misuse of the magics. The ability to use sparingly and with focus is the best way to use them.’

  ‘I understand,’ said Kabel, feeling the changes in his body as he adapted to the power he felt. He felt exhilarated when he used the magic and it quickly devoured his more natural energy, drawing him even deeper into the magics. It was a vicious circle that Kabel quickly r
ealised was not good for him.

  Malkin stood up. ‘Now you may not need a shower but I think I need a go in your Diffuser!’ Kabel laughed as his teacher walked off to the Wheatstones’ cottage.

  One fine summer day, some three weeks after the Fair, Kabel was lying back on the grass relaxing in Livescale Falls. The Falls were a fantastically developed code of the environmental package that each major village was able to programme when they created their duplication of life on Zein. The green water cascaded down the limestone cliffs into the waiting lake with the mangrove trees stretching impressively over the edge of the lake creating a canopy to protect from the Ozone Shield regulated sun. The wildlife created a crescendo of noise which made the Falls popular with not just the villagers but other visitors from outlying villages.

  Amazing.

  Kabel always marvelled at how the Elders could develop such an intricate replica of Zein life. It was so beautiful, from the sweeping fields of blue grass to the green clear skies and flowing rivers. In truth he knew it stemmed from the talented Tyther Clan Elders and recent updates had been stymied after the brutal conquering of their quadrant.

  His gaze rested on an enormous mangrove tree that grew on an island in the middle of the lake. A bridge stretched over the calm water to reach it. The tree was circled by a picket fence which was known as the Ring of Respect, and then circling this were a large number of picnic tables where families relaxed and enjoyed the programmed summer.

  On Zein there were three seasons: summer, winter and reflection. Reflection was a two month period out of the annual calendar where the planet’s vegetation erupted into life after the desolate winter had wiped out nearly all previous vegetation. It was like a switch. A barren land would suddenly release its spores, seeds and buried hatchlings and hibernating wildlife. Within a short period of time the land would become rich and fertile as the two suns baked the land and the moisture would set off tremendous thunderstorms. Reflection was the name given to this period as the Elders wanted there to be recognition of their good fortune that summer would always arrive. Then calmness would settle and the sun would shine for seven months with the odd rain shower retaining the freshness of the land. It was these months that Zeinonians enjoyed the most.