Universal Creativity 2 | Page 16

“Princess, with Queen Laxur we do not even know if that is true anymore. They may not be caring for the people at all. There have been rumors about what she orders and does, as well as her army.”

Princess Asora looked at her cousin with a look of concern.

“Can this be true?” Asora questioned Dominius. All he did in response was shrug his shoulders.

“It is a corrupt empire which does not worship as we do and they tax them to death, work them to death or so they say. Why would we give up an Elfish world?” Turkin pointed out.

Admiral Yane stepped out of the shadows and walked to the throne, standing beside Jeia. “I am concerned about what Duke Jeia has said about military hardware or software being in Darkcon control. This is dangerous. They have already had a day to study the material.”

Hmm. He had a point, though the technology that her sister had was Human and therefore above the level of the Utopian comprehension. This definitely was worth a surgical strike to get the materials back.

She gripped the arms of her chair. The difficulty was that the Grand Utopian Kingdom would be devastated. If Laxur had handguns and rifles they may have more impressive weapons in their arsenal. They were still hundreds of years behind the Humans but decades ahead of the Kingdom.

Yane pushed the issue knowing what Asora was thinking and understanding the danger. “The more time they have, the further the Utopians fall behind. We cannot send in the Utopian army to fight with what we have. If we cannot have the Humans fight, give me the chance to negotiate with the Humans for more useful weapons. Then we can attempt to retake Carlon.”

The Puro or the oldest religious leader and an old wrinkled Elf dressed in a black robe decorated with gold, was quick to protest, “What you say is blasphemy. We do not require assistance from the Humans.”

Yane, who was the first admiral who was Human, took offense. “Then you condemn us for nothing more than prejudice of the old way of thinking. The Humans are not the enemy. It is time to think of the future.” He looked around the great hall. “Will you go to war with one hand tied behind your back because of ridiculous notions of your old ways?”

Asora knew the admiral was right and spoke up, “Admiral Yane is correct. The army and navy as it is will not be able to withstand a confrontation. The Darkcons have projectile weapons, decades ahead of our military. I have decided. I only pray that the Humans will be persuaded to help.”

“If you, Yane and I go to Countess Marien I am sure that she will.” Jeia excitedly says. “This will not be like Ceti-Delphi where my family died and the Grand Utopian Kingdom did nothing except the Humans who tried to intervene. I know the Countess will see reason as she did with Ceti-Delphi. It will prove that you being on the throne will be different for our people.”

“It is worth a try.” Asora nodded. “And before you protest again Puro Aga, remember your place.” She hissed.

The court gasped and turned between the old Elf and the young Human/Angel hybrid assert herself. Asora trembled inwardly knowing she was in danger, that if the Puro dissented she could be in trouble but then again so would be Aga.

She could replace him. It would cause unrest in the Kingdom but if she must, she must.

Her determination must have gotten through to the Puro and he bowed his head with his arms outstretched in a gesture of compliance.