Servant for the Alien Primal

Chapter 1

Xilian

“Admit it,” she says, her eyes twinkling.

“I will do no such thing,” I reply, only half in jest. My sister, though I love her dearly, has a tendency to take a joke too far sometimes. At least, farther than is good for her.

“Poo. You should have seen your face. Someone might almost think that you cared for me.”

“They would be right.”

Were it not for her sparkling eyes and wide smile, she would look like she were made of glass. The stark angles of her thin and high cheekbones are made even more harsh in the dim light of her bedroom. 

Her hair, the color of spun golden floss, breaks like tributaries across her pillow, blending in with the pale pallor of her skin. Blue circles hide under her eyes, a sign of her ongoing fatigue.

Once again, I am sitting vigil at her bedside. Once again, I am a worried wreck, summoned here by a servant.

For reasons that are still unclear to me, my sister Zalyra, has been relegated to her bed. Her health is fragile and she needs constant supervision. But what ails her seems to be a mystery for the ages.

Only her bright spirit keeps her from fading completely into the bedclothes.

“Imagine that,” she muses. “The King of the Trembling Range actually cares for his kid sister. Don’t let any sneaky Skuyr hear that or they’ll ruin you!” 

Just in time, I stop my hand from reaching out to tussle her hair. With my big hand, I might almost break her. 

Something that would shatter me completely, I think.

It’s strange to contemplate and a main reason she brings it up all the time. As King of the Trembling Mountain Range, you’d think I wouldn’t have time for Zalyra, or Zal (as I call her), a twelve year old troublemaker of a princess.

And it’s true. I’m a busy king. My days are full. But, for some reason, we have a deep connection and I try to carve out time everyday to see her. 

Her recent illness has only added to my resolve. That and trying to find out what I can do to help her. A cure is out there. But a cure for what?

“Let them! I have no problem admitting that you are my sister. And only a pain in my side…sometimes. Besides, it all keeps me humble,” I say, smiling crookedly at her.

“Mmm, need to step up my game. I’m only annoying sometimes?” She reaches out to swat my arm. I move to dodge it when suddenly her face turns even paler (something I didn’t think possible) and her eyes roll back in her head. Her jaw clenches as her body goes taut beneath her thin blanket.

Though these episodes are becoming more frequent, I never get used to how much they shock me. Reaching out, I grip her hand, stroking her palm.

“Shhh, shhh. Breathe. It will soon pass,” I whisper, wishing I could take this pain on for her. I would gladly experience it if only to take it away from her.

There is no doubt, these episodes are increasing and seem to be getting more intense. Two days ago, they started, causing her current bed rest. I have ordered she is not to be disturbed or moved until we can get to the bottom of it.

My trust in my medical staff is not exactly encouraging. They have yet to provide real relief in any meaningful way.

“Breathe….just breathe” I continue to murmur, hoping it helps give her a lifeline of some kind.

Just then, her mouth goes slack and she passes out. Her head lolls to the side on her pillow and her whole body seems to disappear even more into the soft bedding.

“Fetch Pydon! Now!” My voice makes the walls of her sickroom tremble. I would never normally dream of raising my voice in such a manner but Zal’s fainting spell has unnerved me completely.

Several agonizing moments go by before I hear the tell-tale shuffling gait of Pydon. Reputed to be the best medical mind in the Range, I have yet to be impressed with him.

“Another one, eh?” 

His voice, like that of a cracking twig, sets my teeth on edge. His aging body ambles into the room, his craggy horns unkempt under his mane of shaggy hair. 

Crudely, he takes up my sister’s wrist and checks her life-beat with his crystal sensor. He sucks on his teeth while doing so. It seems we have interrupted him at dinner.

Resisting the urge to slap his smug face, I reply, “Yes. They seem to be getting worse. I need answers. Now.”

The doctor’s eyes flick up to me and for a moment, I see the contempt lying there.

Just for a moment. I think he still knows I’m King.

He quickly masks his true face and responds with the applied patience.

“Indeed, Sire. Let me take a further look.”

“Do so.”

With that, I stand up and begin to pace the sick room. I need to do something with my feelings of anger, frustration and yes…a deep feeling of helplessness.

I would gladly do anything to help Zal be the fun and free twelve year old she deserves to be. If only we could find out what ails her…

Several minutes lumber by. Pydon, pulling various instruments, and vials out of his cracked and worn bag made of some indeterminate animal skin.

Nothing seems forthcoming. Pydon appears no closer to a solution or to waking her up.

“She is stable but I will let her rest for now,” he croaks at me, seemingly reading my thoughts.

“And?” I bark.

“And I need more time,” he says, almost as an afterthought. He turns back to her and continues his ministrations.

Frustrated, I bang out of the sickroom and hurl myself down the hallway to the closest balcony.

Throwing open the shutters, the dark expanse of my palace, Grayglass Aerie, roll out before me, losing its contours in the darkness.

Fresh night air resets me for a brief moment. But I need more.

My wings, held tight against my back, but always at the ready, instantly unfurl.

Flying will help. It will clear the head.

With a mighty leap, I launch over the balcony, my wings catching the nearest gust of wind.

Pumping hard, I ascend quickly, letting the air assault my lungs. When I can’t stand it any longer, I level off, letting the crags and forests of the Trembling Range - my home and kingdom - do their best to impress me.

The terrain is rough and unpredictable - a quality I love in nature but not in my doctors. Though the view below me helps calm a little, my next resolution helps me more.

A new doctor must be found. I’ll do whatever it takes.

I let the winds take me further, the night swallowing my worries.