Sapphire eyes

PLANET ETESSIA

The air in the town of Mojabah was not still anymore, it was a force of its own, a grumbly giant, roaring and spitting darkness. It tossed and turned the southern town in a whirlpool of hot wind and dust. The honeyed sky had witnessed this destruction many a times, but this was not an ordinary sandstorm.

As far as sight permitted, no standing building was visible except The Highland. Luckily for the inhabitants of Mojabah, the storm was always foreseen. The mystery of this prediction had the superiors and intellectuals scratching their heads.

Each time, on the day of disaster, a frenzied shriek would bellow from The Highland, the place where the brightest minds of Mojabah lived. Among them resided their highest authority, Mojabah itself. She was a force to be reckoned with and yet the kindest of them all.

The first time it happened, she was among the masses before anyone else, a look of deep worry in her eyes. Her gray skin radiated warmth. Beside her stood Roshi. Undaunted by Mojabah's towering proximity, one that made others keep a respectful distance, Roshi was often found wrapped in her arms.

The town people at that time were not particularly keen on keeping forest creatures as pets, so Roshi was still a sight of amazement for them.

After the third storm, a conference was held in The Highland. It was presided by the selected scholars, authorities and representatives from each town.

The meeting room was larger than any building in the town. The stone walls stretched towards the sky supporting a thick glass ceiling.

Mojabah looked towards the anxious crowd. She sat at the far end of the room in an elated chair, Roshi wiggling his tail in her lap. His musky blue fur glimmered in the dazzling lights of conference room. His little paws were lightly as he had just learnt to fly, but his eyes shone bright like Sapphires.

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Peyers, the town representative looked grim. He had been in countless of these meetings, he knew what was this meeting actually for.It wasn't so much a briefing on the recent disaster as it was a means to cover for something bigger.

When he found out, his initial response was to ignore it. He asked his staff, that had brought the information, to bury the evidence and mantain discretion. They seemed to have managed that very well but he no longer could.

The truth, no matter how frightening, needed to be addressed.

He was well aware of the consequences of this decision, but he decided to move forth with it. As a town representative he had made any difficult decisions and bore their results. Little did he knew he wouldn't live long enough for that this time.

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Detached from the qualms of town people, Dayam sat comfortably in his new home in Mojabbah. He had done a good job, nobody recognised him. There was not even a flitting rumor of him being here.

This land had a sense of peace despite the destruction. He was no stranger to chaos. This place, the capital of one of the most powerful states in Etessia, was the only place he wanted to be now. The only place that wasn't under his reign yet.

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'Ma'am', Peyers said. He could sense the lack of reverence in his tone, he wondered if she did too.

'Yes,' she turned to her. Even at a distance he could feel her studying him. She could make you feel insubstantial just by being there.

'I have a request,' Peyers said.

'Speak clearly and be direct,' she said.

You should see her among the masses, Peyers thought.

For the first time he could see through her, cold in the office but a spirit of warmth and kindness out there.

'If you know of the culprit behind these disaster, you should inform us, he paused ,'before it's too late.'

'What do you mean?' she said. Not even a flinch, Peyers noticed.

'You asked me to be direct so I will be,' Peyers said, 'You have to turn Roshi in ma'am.'

'And why is that?', she said. 'Are you suggesting he had something to do with all this? Roshi? A lowly creature.'

'We are afraid it's only a disguise. He could be from enemy territory.'

'I suggest you leave as soon as possib-'

'-We traced the frequency of that sound, no creature is capable of achieving it in the highlands.At least none of our kind,' Peyers said, 'except Roshi.'

There. That was all he had to say.

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As he laid there on a stone cold surface, his eyes drowning his own blood, Peyers heard parts of conversation between two people.

Perhaps they were the soldiers who had killed him. Perhaps they were the angels of life and death, debating whether to take him or away or spare him a chance. With great difficulty, he raised his hand and wiped some of the blood.

He found himself lying on a marble floor, stained with blood. A familiar towering figure knelt beside him. Mojabah.

Even breathing his last breaths he recognised her. Her slender hands were clenched, dripping blood.

'Why..' he managed to ask.

She didn't look at him or maybe didn't hear him. He tried again and still didn't get a response.

Then he looked at her and saw it, her eyes shone like Sapphires as if in a trance. She was kneeling and whispering, 'I killed him, Master.'

Who was she talking to? Peyers thought. He didn't long enough to find out.

The answer stood right there, but he couldn't see it.

A furry winged creature stood on the other side of the marble room, smiling down at Mojabah. He looked satisfied. His eyes shone like sapphires too.

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The last state, the last ruler, kneeling in front of him. She didn't know him yet. He had occupied every part of her mind and thoughts but she didn't know him yet. But, she soon will. As will the people of Mojabah.

And they did too, as they welcomed their new ruler, Dayam.

They welcomed him, on their knees, heads bent, sapphire eyes.

Peyers family was there too, in the last row.

The town never had any other storm of that nature. Not even a warning shriek.

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