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The location. Fendiq. Royal Palace.
“We have an agreement..” Lelanora smiled. “As Protectorate, of course I will permit trade “ She paused, looked across at Princess Isabellani of the Jogarth. “An exclusive agreement between our two races”
“You will ensure that I have no problems with garrisoning my troops on Fendiq.” “I will make arrangements for accommodation and of course all necessary requirements including entertainment provided for them.” “You will also guarantee that nothing will happen to the brat.
Though I am pleased, that she will NOT, take the throne of Fendiq I am not disposed towards seeing any harm befall her. “ Isabellani nodded. “Providing she remains secure on Orias and does nothing, to interfere with my plans, you have my word.”
The Jogarth were at war. The Fendiq planets, were ideally placed to provide them with all the resources they needed to continue their war in that section of the galaxies.
KaColfra ? Who had been the King of Fendiq, was no more. Rumour existed, regarding his demise. Nothing could be proved one way or another, as to his death. Accidents happened in the ‘Qiverse’. The various factions at war continuously battled it out, for territories and supremacy. Life in general was cheap. The news of his demise was brought to Cistera by Lelanora.
So he was dead. There was an heir. His daughter Cistera.. Her accession to the throne was delayed.
Some subterfuge? Would she ever become Queen ? The right age to be sent away, to the Kets Akademy.
Out of the way of other activities; that would ultimately seal her fate. On her return, she became a prisoner though no one ever, mentioned the word, ‘prisoner’ on Orias.. Lelanora was her guardian not her jailer.
Isabellani and Cistera had history. Kets from the Royal houses across the galaxies attend the ‘Akademy’ should their parents so decree and they’re accepted; to learn life skills. Tolerance, strategy, survival and courage. Isabellani had spent time at the Akademy, much to her disgust, at the same time Cistera and Soniette from the adjacent Bexes Planets had. Neither of them liked Isabellani. She was unstable, if not downright psychotic at times !
A Ket with a sometimes, out of control, over the top temper. An aggravating desire, to simply wind others up, or provoke them, had gained her a reputation as a Ket to avoid. Cistera winning the coveted Akademy Trophy, had left Isabellani fuming. However hard she had bribed, connived, contrived and cheated to win, that brat had won it ! Thus it was not hard to see why Lelanora with a desire to replace Cistera had the full support of Isabellani.
On returning from the Akademy, Cistera was informed of her father’s demise. In battle with honours of course! After the grieving period and the burial, Cistera was forced to leave the administration and other necessities, re governing the home planets of Fendiq in the hands of Lelanora.
So how had Lelanora secured her on Orias? The bio implant weapon, Cistera was gifted with, was something that had of course, been given a lot of thought upon by Lelanora. Thanks to one of her Scieste’s a plant extract, had been found, that limited the weapons use, to the point of making it almost muted.
Getting Cistera to take the carefully prepared extract, was not difficult. That morning, Cistera had felt ill. The morning gruel had been laced with a drug compound, to cause her to lose her sense of balance, resulting in a fall. Treated with the extract and minus the drug that had caused her problems, she soon recovered her strength.
The pretence persisted, that she had to keep taking the extract, after the original drug compound, had been administered, on several other occasions, with the same imbalance. Once Cistera had been totally convinced, that she had to take the extract, or suffer the consequences? The necessity on Lelanora’s part, to inflict further use of the drug compound on her; stopped.
The last part of her plan worked a treat. The stress of her father’s death and the realization, that she had such a burden to take on, re the responsibilities of state? Were the underlying causes for her problems. Until she was 18, it would be wise for her to spend time in a secure environment. Orias was the destination that had been arranged for by her guardian. It would allow her, to be free for some time, of a lot of her stress. Cistera had no reason, to suspect Lelanora’s allegiance to her, or her trust in return.
Lets face it, she had been one of KaColfra’s most trusted advisers ? However when it came to handing back power to Cistera? That is when things turned for the worst. Cistera was sent, to be held, obviously unknown to her, indefinitely, on the nearby moon, of Fendiq; Orias.
Excuses to those, wishing answers as to why, Cistera had not taken up her role, as the rightful heir, were more than forthcoming. There would be delays, accusations and imprisonment for those who Lelanora saw as a threat!
Soniette from Bexes, had been acutely aware, that something was wrong. She tried to contact Cistera, but her attempts were successfully blocked, on each occasion, thanks to the wiles of those protecting their own interests, including Isabellani.
Secured on Orias, Cistera knew nothing, of what was happening in the worlds outside. They did not want her to know, they kept their hands on the reins and whilst she had, the freedoms to move around the residence she had been given, they monitored her every move.
That is, from the first year or two. As time wore on, things changed. What never changed, was her imprisonment of sorts, If the term ‘Thown away the key’ springs to mind, then the truth is probably close to that. Some were persuaded, some were reluctant, some simply forgot she ever existed.
The Jogarth Imperium Princess, Isabellani continued her wars, killing, raiding, pillaging, plundering wherever and whenever they coudl. More slaves and a continued alliance with the Urowq.
Those who’s worlds, with Isabellani’s help; they invaded. Enslaved by them, they had little interest in culture or being friends with any race, they despised the Jogarth, but did Isabellani’s bidding simply because it suited their desire, to whore, gamble and drink their way across the galaxies. To Isabellani? They were worse than fodder, totally; expendable.
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