Narutay was walking the farmlands, waiting for the caravan. A guard was standing there watching.
“What news?” Narutay said. The guard looked at him and shook his head. The caravan was several days late. Narutay hated these raids; he desperately wanted a stronger alliance with the Piskal people, and he wanted to know if they could somehow get the magic back. The Piskalians used to be the order around the worlds, and they were the ones who gave way to the ways of the water. Many of the Master’s past have been from the Piskal people. The water favored them. Narutay wanted to harness that power. He wanted his people to advance.
“Your excellency, something is coming,” the guard said. Narutay looked up and saw the caravan coming back. It stopped, and the driver got out. He came up to Narutay, and he looked defeated.
“I’m sorry, your excellency, I don’t remember anything. I do not remember who took the goods,” the driver said. Narutay was disappointed and shook his head.
“It’s okay as long as you are safe, water be praised,” Narutay said. The driver tried to smile, but he knew he had failed. Narutay dismissed the guard and the driver and went to the garden. The garden was the place he felt like he could relax. He sat down on the bench and looked at the flowers. So many different colors embraced him, and the smells soothed his racing mind. He tried to figure out what was happening to the caravan. He was sure it was the Rhudons, but he had no proof. There were reports that some had been on their world hunting the Piskals, but he didn’t want to believe that. When Narutay was lost in thought, Shardoe walked up to him.
“Your excellency, sorry to disturb you, but I just came to report that the Rhudonians have left this world,” Shardoe said. It took a moment for Narutay to realize what was happening, and then he saw Shardoe. He smiled at him and beckoned him to join him.
“Do you see the beauty on our planet? It is strange, sometimes I feel like I miss it, and I have to sit and truly look to see the magnificent splendor that our planet brings. Do you think the Piskal could ever really call this home? I had seen their world many years ago, and it was remarkable. We dare not compare,” Narutay said, obviously aggravating Shardoe.
“Your excellency, please, can we get down to business?” Shardoe said. Narutay didn’t like that Shardoe was serious all the time; he liked casual talks.
“What business do you need to bring up Shardoe? Something about the Rhudons, correct?” Narutay said. Shardoe smiled his menacing smile and nodded.
“Yes, they have left our world. I think it just took some time for the treaty to come into play,” Shardoe said. Narutay was pleased.
“Good, we can lower security. Go tell the guards to stand down,” Narutay said, and with that, Shardoe bowed and left. Frayusha was waiting on the edge of the garden, waiting for their business to be done.
Frayusha was a beauty. Her purple skin had a lighter tone, and her hair was short and silver. Which was strange since no other Porpura had that color. She was the prize of the land; many men wanted her as a bride. Narutay was hesitant about who he wanted her to marry; there were many houses to choose from. Shardoe put his lot in, and Narutay was greatly considering it. She knew this and hated that plan. Shardoe looked at her and smiled, and she glared at him as he walked past her.
“My dear, I wish you would warm up to Shardoe; he has been family for years now. Why can’t you accept him?” Narutay said.
“Why haven’t you told him about the caravan raids? See, you don’t trust him all the way…deep down you know we shouldn’t trust him,” Frayusha said. Narutay didn’t know why he kept that hidden, but he thought maybe his daughter had been right about him.
“Please, let us not talk about politics. Can we just sit and enjoy each other's company?” Narutay said. Frayusha obliged; they sat in silence for some time just staring at the flowers. Finally, Frayusha was tired of the silence.
“I am going to spy on Shardoe and see what he’s really up to,” Frayusha said. This got a sigh from her father, and he shook his head.
“You see vipers everywhere, Frayusha, and I don’t think the next ruler should be this paranoid. You’ll start to see enemies in your own people. For instance, why do you think that the caravans are being attacked by the Piskals? It makes no sense,” Narutay said. Frayusha was annoyed.
“Their lord is a tyrant, for one. Why can’t you see that the people are rising up against him? It makes sense,” Frayusha said. Narutay didn’t know what to believe.
“Enough of this! The Rhudons have left this world, and now we’ll finally get some peace,” Narutay said. Frayusha huffed and walked away, leaving her father to his flowers.