Page 23 of Orange Sky
Nokin smiled while rubbing the crystal. It was warm to the touch and it resonates with them. I can feel the echoes. How intriguing.
“I remember Runax when we were summoned each time by the High Council. I think that is where you developed your high blood pressure.”
Runax grumbled. And he looked at me as if to say continue with my story.
“Yes, they were vague. However, a fortnight after entering the Crane, I saw a light from the sky. I knew it was a spaceship. We have many spaceships, even small vessels, entering our atmosphere but I knew this one was in distress so I went to investigate. A few distance away from the crash site, I saw the glowing crystal.” And that is it. I do not want to share the story of Brin yet. How I too found her in the crash site. The High Council said I will find what I was looking for. We believe the relic is a crystal of some sorts. And though the crystal looked blue and squarish, it is glowing as if it has a heart of its own.
“Where was Axad in all this episode?,” Runax inquired mildly though I know both are dying to hear the story of their one and only son. It is known that they wanted other sons because Axad is different yet they adore him to death. Unfortunately, for a Manasty, even having one child is a gift from the heavens. Many die without having a child to call their own.
“He has another mission but we will rendezvous soon.”
“Probably with that Coone,” Runax complained again.
I made a note to myself to not let Coone near the Blue Tribe. Axad is busy guarding the heir to the Purple throne. We were on that mission when the High Council called me and sent me on this solo mission.
Now I am conflicted. Could the female and the crystal be related? But Brin had many chances to inquire about the crystal if it was hers. Yet, she didn’t. So they are not related. However, she pointed out that she came from a blue planet. Our planet used to be blue as well. The Blue Tribe ruled it. But when it was mostly destroyed by too much industrialization, the High Council was formed from each tribe and soon, the powers of the Blue Tribe became lost. And the Purple Tribe thrived so much that half of the High Council came from the Purple Tribe.
If Axad’s parents will disown him if they knew his mission was to guard the Purple Tribe heir. His parents are hoping that it will be Axad that will bring back the glory to their tribe. One of their ancestors once foretold that the Blue Tribe will bring glory to the Manasties. And bringing glory, even through death, is precious and coveted as having a child.
“Tell him that he needs to come home for the Hunting Season,” Nokin said. He sat down on the other two seater sofa, Runax’s right side touching his left side from shoulder to thighs down to their bent legs.
It irritates me that I take note of this. Every time I see them, I see my parents or I crave the same. To find my mate and soon.
“I will tell him but there’s no guarantee.”
“He already missed the Feasting!,” Runax imploded.
Ah the feasting. Axad was sad when he missed it three months ago but we were in enemy territory. We couldn’t afford to go back to his tribe. Feasting as well as hunting seasons are seasons in the year when a member of a Blue Tribe will travel to great distances to go back. It is this tradition that makes the tribe stronger.
“I will tell him,” I simply said. I cannot guarantee what the future will hold for us. Now that we found this crystal. “And I need you to build me a container for this special crystal.”
Runax winced while Nokin looked seriously affronted.
“You want us to box this – this blue crystal from the ancestors?” Now it was Nokin who was shouting.
Runax sighed. “I was afraid you were going to askthat.”
Nokin looked at Runax. “You knew?”
“I had a feeling. Nokin, you must realize that though it looked like one of the long lost relics from our tribe, the High Council will use it for the better of our planet.”
Nokin looked shocked and a bit hurt. The Blue Tribe is the second most peaceful tribe on the planet. The most peaceful one, the White Tribe, were wiped out because they were too docile but they had the strongest crystals once. The Blue Tribe is known for their wisdom and gentleness. But they had a ruthlessness hidden under the surface that made them rule the planet once. For a millenia.
Nokin sighed after a tense moment. To cure our planet, the High Council is in the best position to find the solution. Nokin and Runax will continue to rule the Blue Tribe and hope that their one and only son will continue to rule it with a mate. The only reason they allowed Axad to leave is in the hopes he will find his true mate and go back. I couldn’t tell them that Axad doesn’t want to be tied up to just one mate. He wanted his freedom. He is more promiscuous than others. It is still a puzzle for us how he has such loving and loyal parents and then there is Axad.
Yet, I could not say the same for myself.
“Very well,” Nokin gently placed the crystal back to Runax’s hands. “Take it then. I do not want to grow too attached to it. But, I will inform Torno to deal with this personally.” He had a glint in his eyes when he looked at Runax then at me. He barely spared Brin a glance which was my intention. She needs to remain in the background until I am sure about her.
Torno is a highly respected Blue Tribe member. Though he is around my age, he is highly intelligent even at a young age. A prodigy. His parents were killed by a gang war and wanted to seek revenge. A hellion and a close friend of Axad, they realized they were both different. But what set them apart was when Axad’s parents started to compare him with Torno. Torno realized that he wanted to be in the High Council and decided not to play games anymore with Axad.
“I do not expect less,” I replied. “Axad told me to ask for the cube.”
Both Runax and Nokin turned to different shades of red.
Runax exploded from his seat. His right hand clutching the glowing crystal. In hindsight, I should have asked for the cube when the crystal is back in my hands.
“That imbecile. That good for nothing –“
