Prologue:
a young Aralukia is studying with her zenthi teacher, she is learning about politics and the relationship between the empire and the council. The lesson is interrupted by her father returning from his latest crusade, he gives her gifts and lets her climb up on his shoulder, they look up at the inhabited moons visible at night, and he proclaims that she will one day rule over them all…
Aralukia stares through the hologram with apathy, her teacher, a zenthi from the inner council is going on and on over some treaty. The minute details of which are very hard to focus on. Her dataslate becomes fuzzy, she rolls onto her back, lush with carpets thrown over the gigantic steps of the ziggurat, the tranquil sounds of a fountain in the far corner of the courtyard. From her position she could see the bustling capital below and the space elevator beyond, the night sky twinkling with so many moving lights.
Her teacher, Councilor assistant Lana’vit Oria, gently asks for her attention, the young princess sighs frustrated and reiterates a point.
Oria understands the princess’ frustration and begins to go over the study material in a way the princess would find more engading.
Just as the councilor suggests and alternative a joyus and thunderous presence interrupts the lesson.Aralukia’s wings spread out wide and she zooms across the floor, leaping into her fathers out stretched arms. He calls her his ‘favourite little squirmy’ and she perches herself atop his shoulders.
Oria welcomes him tentatively, almost cowering and vanishing in his presence, Aralukia is happy about this, her father always makes the problems in her life seem distant.
She asks him how his crusade went, he laughs reminding her it wasnt a crusade, “we dont get to have those any more’ but rather was just quelling a minor upstart, a rogue prince stealing royal larvae, “terrible business,”
“You wouldnt let anyone steal me would you?”
“My soft one, i would never let anyone take you, and if they managed, i’d burn planets to get you back,”
“Metaphorically, sire?” Oria trembled
“Figuratively and Literally!” He boasted, tickling the button of Aralukias feet, “but we needn’t worry, Aralukia is stronger than any would-be marauder,”
“One day, you will be too big to sit on my shoulders, dare i hope you will be larger than me,”
“Father…”
“And when that day comes, you will stand above, and behold the empire before you,”
He raised two hands to the sky, two planets and their accompanying moons lined up perfectly in his cupped hands. Aralukia mimicked the motion, holding the planets in her own grasp.
“One day,” she whispered with reverence and care “I, will hold the empire…”