away.
“Kyzudo is nothing but a child and we need a leader so choose a side before time runs out.” Merula announced as everyone gathered closer to both Syrugia’s and Merula’s groups, leaving me with a wide radius of empty space. I fell back onto all fours with my ears and tail lowered feeling defeated when Dabu raced over to me. Anger seethed through his clenched teeth as his long tail whipped through the air.
“This is all your fault! I told you to stay in your room while I try to calm the others but no you ran off to gloat about inheriting the kingdom. Now everyone is in a state of panic and our people are soon going to be divided. I knew the Death Stalkers would never leave Sanoka’s side unless they believed it was for the best, that your mother was going to leave our people without a leader. Do you know what have you done?”
“I am the reason our people are on the brink of a civil war. I never stood a chance of being the next leader. I am nothing like my mother and I could never replace her.”
Without Bounds
“I may not have stormed the palace to get Sanoka’s prized bracelet and she may not have bestowed it upon me in her final hour but it is mine. I am a commoner yet somehow I have come to possess our leader’s bracelet, which must be a sign I was meant to take her place. No, Kyzudo was not anywhere near my level of fighting ability, but that should only prove to you that she is too weak to lead us. She is nothing more than a privileged whelp not a future leader deserving of our respect.” Syrugia announced as those around her began yipping in agreement. I wanted to confront her for the sake of my honor but I knew there was no hope defeating her. She was twice my age and size. Also many of the people respected her boldness and her youth.
Her blue eyes were fierce and commanding rivaling only my mother’s. She stood tall on her hind legs with her dark tail constantly adjusting in order to keep her balance, towering over all who had gathered about her. She was all I needed to be as my mother’s successor, all that I am not.
I turned away to see Merula standing among the Death Stalkers. Her stormy grey eyes were void of all emotion like two polished stones set within her fearless face. Her stance was steady and well-practiced and her pale ears were pressed forward. Her black Death Stalkers” uniform formed a sharp contrast with her pale fur. Those closest to her wore the same uniform and just behind them my guards stood with their backs to me, their black sashes bore proudly about their chest. Those who had gathered looked up at her in awe and respect.
I looked down ashamed for I stood alone. No one believed I had what I took to lead them and the sad part is that I was not quite sure if I disagreed with them. I was not as strong as those who fearlessly go above ground to seek supplies, facing the constant threat of death, or even as strong as that commoner who defeated me. I was simply too young and weak to lead these people. Maybe they would be better off under another’s rule, maybe my mother was wrong.
“There is still hope of saving the leader! When I was above ground I heard that the humans have a cure for infections. All we have to do is send the Death Stalkers up to get it.” Dabu said as I looked up to see him walking between the two developing groups.
“We cannot risk losing the Death Stalkers at such a time. We need as much experience as we can get.” someone yelled as Dabu turned in the Death Stalkers direction desperate for their help.
“We have to save the leader if we can. We have to try.” Dabu said as Merula pulled back her ears, emotion leaking through her pale eyes.
“Dabu the cure you speak of could be anywhere. We are mapping the above world but our knowledge is still lacking so we cannot use it and we cannot go looking for this cure blindly. That would be too risky. The more time we spend above ground the greater the chance of being discovered. I can’t allow the Death Stalkers to look blindly for this cure even if it is for the leader. I am sorry Dabu.” Merula said as the other Death Stalkers dipped their head in agreement. Dabu pulled his large ears back then turned away without another word, saddened.
So there was a cure but I guess I might as well forget about it since the Death Stalkers were unwilling to do it. If they could not do it must beimpossible. There was no hope saving my mother so another leader still needed to be chosen because I was sure I could not take her place, the people would never accept me. Merula seemed like she would be a splendid leader, unlike me. Maybe my mother never considered her. Maybe I did not have to be the leader after all. I hurried back to the palace because I needed to speak with my mother.
I rushed into the palace to my mother’s door where I paused to nod to the servant watching over her before entering. I quickly made my way to her bedside as she weakly turned in my direction.
“Mother, are you should that I need to be the one to lead these people because there are others?” I said excitedly as she blinked slowly to silently convey her understanding.
“I know there are challengers of the royal family but they must not be allowed to prevail. You must be the solo leader or our people will suffer.” she stated bleakly as I stared at her confused.
“But the people do not believe that I am old enough to lead them and I am weaker than an average commoner of adult size. I do not stand a chance.” I pointed out as she glanced at me, her long fangs peeking from under her lips.
“I never said it would be easy.” she said as I pulled back my ears frustrated.
“But, why me? Merula is a member of the Death Stalkers and she is strong and capable. If you supported her I am sure the civil war could be aborted.” I stated hopefully but my mother seemed like she was already aware of this.
“That may be true but there are other reasons that she cannot be allowed to lead.” she said as I stare at her confused.
“What?” I asked.
“She is not a member of the royal family.” she stated calmly as I bare my fangs forgetting my place temporarily.
“So we are desperate and I am sure her bloodline will not hold back her strength.” I said angrily as mother blinked again slowly in agreement.
“I am not worried about neither her strength nor the readiness others will accept her.” Mother stated as I turned to her.
“Then what are you worried about?” I asked desperately.
“It would violate tradition and I cannot allow for that.” she said as I flicked my tail growling to myself.
“Mother, no offense but our tradition is stupid.” I yelled as she nodded slightly.
“Not all of them are and if she is crown leader then it would be easy for her to abolish all of our traditions. You on the other hand, cannot break even the smallest custom without public disapproval. She will be able to do whatever she likes.” Mom pointed out as I waited for her to continue.
“Like what? Why are traditions so important?” I prompted as Mom explained.
“It is traditional for the leader to live nowhere other than the palace and not to alter the size of the territory for doing so would directly harm the people either by cutting off food supplies or their housing. It is also traditional for the royal family to get only to surplus, which mind you is more than the commoners” share, but it prevents the leader from being greedy and starving its people. The leader must also lead the Death Stalkers so they would not be tempted to send them on missions that are far too dangerous that would leave our people defenseless yet the leader can only command the Death Stalkers, which has a set number of members, to discourage dictatorships and eliminate the catastrophic threat of military control over our small population. The leader can’t request things that are not needed for the public to avoid needless risks to the Death Stalkers. Even the tradition of walking on your hind legs in public is to remind the people that you are mortal and that it is their right to assassinate you if you are abandoning tradition. Traditions are rules, safeguards of the people to keep the leader in check so they know they have the right to overthrow their leader if they find it necessary but if Merula is declared the leader she will be free of tradition, she will be free to do whatever she likes with the people.”
“So if anyone other than me is chosen to lead then they would have the freedom to enslave our people and the people may fail to respond speedily because they have done away with tradition.”
“Yes our traditions maybe stupid as you put it but to get rid of all of them at once would put my people in danger and I will not allow for it.”
”You would oppose even Merula?”
“I would and for doing so I am sure to be banished and without my servants I would surely die.”
“So I have to defeat both Merula and Syrugia.”
“Yes but I believe that you can do it, that you are stronger than you think.”
“I need to clear my head.”
“Of course.” my mother said as I slipped out of her room where I saw Maya waiting by the door.
“Lady Kyzudo,” she said in greeting before entering as I decided to hang out in the hall in hopes of hearing whatever news she bore. She was the wisest among us so she must know some remedy that would cure my mother.
“Ah Maya it is good to see you.”
“Likewise, your Majesty,”
“Any ideas?”
“The salts that we use to preserve the meats maybe of some benefit but I fear it will not fully cure you.”
“That sounds like wonderful news.”
“Yes well I could not help but notice that your people’s loyalty is beginning to shift and I fear they are