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Chapter 47 Katrina stepped out of the red wing to see Chalee-Siri and her new companion sitting on the grass. He was whispering into her ear and she giggled. “I seem to be interrupting,” Katrina announced. “Oh, Katrina. We were waiting for you,” Chalee-Siri stood abruptly, wiping herself off and looking guilty, as the male Caminee leaned back on his elbows. “Xenritha is coming back.” “What? When?” “Father said to expect him tomorrow.” “But it is at least a three day journey. Why did Cha-Lee not tell me?” “He and mother are both very upset with you. They refuse to tell me why.” “I let your mother get to me. They know a very important secret now. Xenritha will not be happy either,” Katrina sighed. “I know better than to let Siri’s words bother me. The words were out of my mouth before I realized what I was saying?” “Katrina?” Again she sighed then sat, facing the pair, and waved for her friend to resume her own seat. “Shortly before my father’s death he saw fit to punish me and two men that served him. One, a Dark Jedi named Alvis Ker, had been pestering him for my ownership. Another, one he trusted far more, had actually gone against an order and concealed something from my father, saving my life and earning himself a great punishment. I was given in slavery to the first and in marriage to the second.” Chalee-Siri gasped. “Your father must have been very powerful to arrange a marriage to a Dark Jedi,” the male Caminee, San-Rae, said, awed. “Of course he was,” Katrina looked at Chalee-Siri, confused. “He was the Emperor.” San-Rae fell into a coughing fit. Chalee-Siri patted his back and spoke softly to him. Katrina moved to feed the chirping Olvecks. They came to her in hunger and friendship, anticipating the coming harvest as well as their dinner. “I had heard that the Emperor had sired children, but most believe it to be a simple rumor. It is true?” “Unless I am now a figment of your imagination.” “Amazing. You must have been very young when he died. To be married at such an age…” “You should not have hid this from the Tri,” Chalee-Siri said sternly. “I fear for his life. He is believed dead and in safe because of that. He is not a threat now, but I do not know how to convince Cha-Lee and Xenritha of that.” “Katrina, who is this man?” “He has used two names, maybe more. Skywalker was the first but Vader is more notorious.” “Katrina,” Chalee-Siri gasped. “Vazigo…” “I know. I have seen Vazigo D’Ong’s death. But he is no longer a threat to Zanespots.” “No wonder Xenritha is rushing home. What are you going to do?” “What can I do? I’ll wait for Xenritha and Cha-Lee’s wrath and weather it. From there? From there to an Armageddon.” Katrina sighed. “In me against them, I don’t think I am likely to win.” “I-We can’t help you,” Chalee-Siri said slowly. “You have to,” Katrina looked at her, alarmed. “You promised.” “You can’t ask me to go against my parents, Katrina. You can’t. I won’t, not in this. You are protecting a murder!” “No!” “I think of you as my first true friend and respect you as a member of the Tri, but I can not side with you.” Chalee-Siri and San-Rae stood and walked away, both reluctant and hesitant in every movement. Katrina did not call them back or watch them go. She knew and understood the difficult position they were in. With a sigh she leaned over the Olveck Pen. “It’s going to be just you all and me for awhile. A lot of lonely days ahead.” |
