Zaiyoz

Chapter 4

I just celebrated my seventeenth birthday a few days ago. I was still euphoric about it as my mother taught me more magic spells, charms, chants and potions. Every year, specifically on my birthday, I gained more knowledge from her aside from the magicians in the palace, as they’re my gift from her. The last spell she taught me was how to use my winds as sharp weapons. Before, I had no idea it could be used that way. I only knew and instinctively that I could use them as my transportation or destroy in such a manner. But weapons? Like it was a sharp object? Not until my mother taught me how. I discovered I must be imaginative how to use my powers. They were always there at my disposal. Nonetheless, my mother—Empress Vinra—always reminded me to use them as necessary and for the good of all, not for any selfish reasons. That was when I discovered I had four different winds in me.

In my home, the five main palaces were built in a circular shape and were attached to each other either by ground roofed pathways or elevated walkways mainly on the third floor of each one. At the center was my mother’s palace and the four other palaces faced each direction—the east, west, south and north. All of it was in the center of the royal grounds with high walls that surrounded it with only two main gates in the south and in the north. Other buildings were for the guards, maids, infirmary, kitchen, stocks for food and drinks, magicians, arsenal, library and others. In the west side of the palace grounds was where the guards trained, where I also trained how to fight with or without weapons. Meanwhile, the vast area in the east was used for gardening and growing different vegetables and fruits. There were even domesticated animals raised for our food source. There, a natural spring was where we took our water from, which was near the mini-forest. Hence, our servants seldom go out to buy our needs.

I checked my white immaculate silk robe and boots as I followed the concrete pathway with roof toward my father’s palace, where his throne room was also located. My mother’s throne room and palace was separate just like mine and my younger sister’s. There were only two of us siblings—I thought I couldn’t be luckier. I loved Arotti, who was five years younger than me. She was devious at times but I adored her very much.

I touched my small sapphire crown that was firmly placed atop my head. My long straight light brown hair was loose and reached up to my shoulders. I thought I already looked good before I’d face my father for a morning greeting before we would go all eat together at his dining hall. About this time, I was sure my mother was already with him. I was just not sure about my sister. She was usually late because she always wakes up late. I was sure she was up all night reading books about magic, chants, spells and potions. She said she would surpass me in no time. I could only chuckle at the thought.

My four loyal guards followed me, with their head Shamaro in front of me. His sheathed sword swung on his side as he walked. His blue-green robe and boots looked neat and he had his white long hair in a flawless braid. He was always tidy, more than anyone. And to think he was just a couple years older than me, he was indeed a very skillful warrior assigned to protect me.

I breathed in the fresh summer air. It was so good and the floral scent filled the surroundings. Not far from where we walked to the right was the vast flower garden of different flowers like irises, orchids, roses, narcissi, ambrosias and some rare flowers that could only be found in the east called kamihlo and others I couldn’t name. The kamihlo was my mother’s favorite among the flowers in the garden. The species had five elongated double petals of purple and white colors with small bright yellow leaves that would turn into blood red in the winter. Once these flowers bloomed, they never wilt unless taken out of the ground and they give off more sweet fragrance during the night than day.

All the flowers’ colors were in a riot of pink, purple, red, maroon, orange, blue, gold, green, white and yellow. The garden was tended well by my mother’s palace maids. To our left was a man-made pond with water lilies of white, red, blue, magenta and green. A couple of blue swans glided smoothly in the water while small red birds flew up in the sky in a circular formation. Some remained on the trees beyond the pond, chirping lively. For all I knew, they called out their mates.

I thought it was one of the most beautiful mornings in my entire life. I was thankful to the deities I was alive and lucky to be born in this royal family. My mother was very kind and my father ruled with power and righteousness. I couldn’t ask for more. Maybe except for my sister—who was my little female version—to be more responsible while growing up.

Suddenly, I heard one of my four winds whisper, “Danger.” It was Azajji that always warned me of danger and could act as my shield.

Across the pond, I saw my sister smirking and hurling the water lilies in my direction. The guards were alerted when I raised my hand. Their swords were unsheathed, and those lilies that were not blown away by my wind splattered right on my guards’ robes. Well, except for Shamaro who was fast to dodge, cutting one flower before it could land on him.

Arotti’s tinkling voice was heard as she laughed at the now soiled robed guards. They shook off the lilies that stained their clothing, sighing as they sheathed their swords back.

“That wasn’t funny, Arotti! You know they have to be clean before entering Father’s palace!”

“That’s the idea, Adhi Vowen! You’ll certainly get scolded if your guards are not with you!” she retorted, laughing. Her maids and guards behind her could only hang their heads in chagrin for her immaturity.

My brows furrowed. “Grow up, Arotti!” I said in a hard tone.

“Oh, I am growing up! My telekinetic powers are stronger, Adhi,” she said proudly while calling me ‘big brother,’ shaking her loose light brown curls that were past her shoulders.

I almost rolled my eyes. I signaled the guards to go back to their quarters to change their uniform. I knew they would send another three of them to replace them temporarily.

I took another few steps with Shamaro and she did the same trick while her maids and guards paraded behind her. I lazily blocked her attack with my wind Azajji’s power. I didn’t want to use my wind weapon Javvi or Allotho, the destroyer, against my sister.

I continued to walk, ignoring her childish game. For sure, our parents were already in the throne room waiting for us by now.

As we continued to walk in parallel, she picked up pebbles or stones on the pathway through her telekinesis. I had no power such as hers. But I could control the wind and fire at the same time. As for the fire, which I named Lihva, I seldom used it since it was more destructive. And I would definitely not use Lihva against my beloved sister Arotti.

She giggled when one little pebble got past Azajji, hitting me in the temple.

We were close to the entrance of Father’s palace. There were many guards around the dome-like palace with a cone top, decorated by rubies and gold, which glimmered in the morning sun.

“Come on, brother! Why don’t you fight back?” she provoked, sticking out her tongue, and then simpered.

“No, I won’t,” I said with a bored tone, scratching the part where I was hit. There was a little blood but not bad. I used Livha to heal it, which awed my sister.

She pouted afterward, crossing her arms as she stomped her feet. I was forced to stare at her.

“What now? Here we are.” I gestured at the two huge double doors that were closed. The two guards already started to open them so that we could enter the throne room.

“Why do you have more powers than I do, Adhi Vowen?” Her mouth twisted while she pouted it. “I want Livha, too!”

“Are we talking about that again? Didn’t Mother tell you why I don’t even have your telekinetic powers? You can do everything with just your mind or a wave of your hand, Arotti.” My voice cooed her, trying to pacify her. “You can make or do anything with it. You can bend, take, create, destroy and do everything you want with it. I personally think it’s great! You can use it to people and things. What’s wrong with your powers, huh?”

I summoned Livha, creating a green circle of flames just above my hand. I was oblivious to the two huge open doors of the throne room being wide open.

“Now this, Livha is never gentle with anyone. So you can’t just say you want it.”

“But Livha takes different forms and colors. I want your fire!”

Before I could even control my fire, Arotti used her telekinesis to rally Livha.