Saturna and the Battle for Zard

  Chapter Three

  Saturna awoke the next morning to fireworks. The sky was totally ablaze with color. Gold encrusted green, red, purple, and blue sparkles exploded against the darkened horizon. Standing at the window she watched space shuttles glow with each burst of light. Shuttle after shuttle approached, each one carrying inhabitants coming to pay their respect. The celebrations had begun. Today her father’s spirit would be released into the next world and she would be crowned Queen of the Solar System. Her heart pounded with excitement and fear, waves of emotional upheaval sweeping across her body.

  As she stood watching, a cold icy wind blew the curtains into the room and Saturna saw a slight blackness hovering in the breeze. The presence of evil seemed strong and Saturna shuddered. Looking up towards the other side of the castle she saw Detis eyeing her. Saturna waved, but there was no return of friendship. Finding this unnerving, Saturna looked back towards the arriving shuttles, and then up once more to see the remnants of black fog. The familiar warning signs of the past returned with a vengeance, and Saturna knew she must be cautious even though she wanted to believe Detis would not harm her.

  She remembered what a beautiful bride Detis had been, the most beautiful bride in the Solar System the inhabitants had said, even more beautiful than her own mother. This desperately hurt Saturna inside and although she longed to speak to her father about it, the right time had never come. And so, it had been Gondee who had told her it was untrue.

  “Detis is beautiful in a different way,” he had said, “Some inhabitants have only outer beauty, your mother was beautiful on the inside also.”

  Closing her eyes she became one with her auri "Gondee I need your strength and wisdom. My inner self begs me to cast Detis out of the kingdom. I feel torn between my true feeling and my father’s wishes on his death bed. Help me understand."

  "Saturna, I am one with you now and feel your sadness. Time will heal your soul and knowledge will heal your mind. Do not be fearful of Detis, for although she may be a challenge it’s one you are capable of handling. Now, Yuko has arrived and bids your welcome. I will meet with you when this emotional day has passed. Prepare yourself My Queen for the suttee is being readied and your crown sits at Yuko’s side.”

  Saturna opened her eyes and feeling calmer she said, "I’m the Queen of Zard and I won’t let my inhabitants down."

  It was time to bathe and dress for the celebrations. Four female servants as well as Maize presented her gown. Made of soft layers of royal blue chiffon with tiny, hand-sewn golden flowers woven throughout the bodice, the gown was sleeveless with a wide skirt, and nine foot train. Jewels had been carefully placed among the flowing layers and glistened with Saturna’s every movement. Embroidered into the train was the planet Zard, its moons, and Solar System. All of the nine planets had been cautiously placed in order of importance. The color and number of moons of each planet had been sewn with accuracy yet none out-shone the planet Zard, which was the largest and most beautiful of all the planets on the gown.

  In an oval glass case on the dressing table sat the sparkling sapphire and diamond earrings and matching necklace she would wear. Saturna had remembered seeing them once with Gondee. She had been about ten years old and wanted so much to try them on.

  Gondee had laughed and said, "You will wear them one day my little Princess, but do not wish for that day too soon for with it comes many responsibilities.” He had stroked her head and she hadn’t understood what he meant until this moment.

  Bathed, perfumed and now dressed in her gown, Saturna watched in the mirror as Maize place the last of the blue zacar flowers in her hair.

  "And now for the final touch," said Maize as she reached for the glass case. Carefully removing the earrings and necklace, she gently adorned Saturna. Bending over, Maize whispered, "Your mother and grandmother were extremely beautiful, but never have I seen a more exquisite female or queen. Have faith in yourself little Saturna, for we have faith in you."

  Standing up Saturna embraced her. "I feel tenderness for you I can’t describe. Thank you for your support and love." Placing a gentle kiss on Maize’s forehead and bowing to the other Urite servants, she walked towards the door catching a glimpse of her exquisite gown in the full-length mirror. She felt like a queen and was ready to accept the challenges of the kingdom.