The Self Exile

27: The Self Exile

After Emperor Egher reassigned Leeh Xamai to the North Pole Obelisk, Prince Emmer followed him there so he could also remain as the Prince's personal guard. He tagged along his wife Princess Theba Xai, carrying with them their son, their child still developing in the Embryonic Tank.

The Prince believed that Leeh Xamai was being reassigned for a reason which his father won't tell him. This caused Emmer to support Leeh Xamai even more. However, this decision made Prince Emmer apprehensive about the security of the Emperor at the Tetrahedral Palace, where Zebedee now stayed too. He was worried that the Emperor was vulnerable without his trusted Chief of Imperial Guards by his side. It doesn't necessarily mean Leeh Samireh isn't trustworthy for the Emperor has also known him far longer than even Emmer's age.

As Prince Emmer and Princess Theba Xai bid farewell to the grand halls of the Tetrahedral Palace, their hearts were laden with a mix of anticipation and uneasiness.

As they got out of the huge doorway, they see the wind-rider waiting for them. The enormous wind-rider is an aircraft designed for Xavenon journey as a slow but a sure way of traveling like one is traveling in the halls of the Palace, yet still inside a vehicle. The Emperor and the Empress weren't around when they left. It's never a Mekholi way to stay sentimental for long.

Following Emperor Egher's decision, Prince Emmer's trusted advisor and personal guard went ahead to the remote North Pole Obelisk on a much faster military vehicle. It is inevitable for the Prince to join him there.

While the wind-rider rose to fly, Emmer and Theba has to make sure that their son, still growing in a vertical, clear tank would not encounter much vibrations as it could stress the fetus inside so they spent most of their time with it. After a time, the vehicle started vibrating wildly so Emmer had to use his mind to partially control the vehicle (a Mekholian ability enhanced after the Memory Transfer or Sharing) to lessen the vibration. In this mind though, he asked the pilot, a Courier like Lah Farai and Lah Ribheg. He's Lah Dakadek, a Courier known for his strength, responded to his mental call – "Majestic One, I am sorry but I might have over pushed a certain button here. I haven't flown this vehicle for a long time."

"What do you mean pressing a button? This vehicle is also mind-controlled, by your Circlet, and pre-programmed to travel as smoothly as possible."

"I was curious, Master. I am sorry I dabbled on some control buttons. I may need to be punished…"

"You don't have to resort to that. Have someone with you," ordered the Prince.

"I have a co-pilot, your Highness,"

Emmer scanned some mental signature around Lah Dakadek. Yes, there he is. His mental signature is very faint, almost like a dying creature, like when he discovered Zebedee.

"Rooh Rinai? Aren't you supposed to be curating or cleaning the Palace treasures and the Sacred Books?"

The creature answered to his mental query, "I was assigned specifically by Rooh Zivel. He gave me specific instructions to guide Rah Dakadek."

"But he's a Courier and you're a Curator. How did that happen? Anyway, whatever instructions he had, forget that and I'll commandeer you where I sit," ordered Emmer.

"They might get nervous of your ability to use their eyes," Theba reminded Emmer.

"They don't know that. We'll be okay." Emmer looked at Theba with full assurance.

As their voyage progresses Prince Emmer still couldn't shake off his growing concerns about the true safety of the Emperor at the Tetrahedral Palace, is this precognizance? He shouldn't be thinking that way in the first place. The absence of Leeh Xamai, his father's long-standing Head Guardian, and the arrival of Leeh Samireh, a newcomer to the Palace, an Aleggon like Xamai, doubts began to gnaw at him. The once tightly knit security network felt vulnerable. This left the prince uneasy about the safety of his Father, the Mekholi Family and the stability of the Palace.

It took two earth-days for Prince Emmer and Princess Theba Xai to arrive at the North Pole Obelisk. As they disembark from the huge wind-rider, automatically surrounded by a throng of mixed Lexai and Aleggon Security, they were welcomed by the existing Security unit there as well as the community that developed there. By getting out of the huge vehicle, they were greeted by the austere beauty of the icy landscape of an island hosting the Obelisk although from a distance other mountains and island dot around the island that hosts the Obelisk. It towers at exactly 90th-degree latitude.

One cannot deny the presence of the huge structure there. The Obelisk stood tall and proud, its ancient structure witnessed the secrets of ages past. Emmer's new 'home' is also part of the Royalty's ancient summer residence anyway and is as heavily guarded as the Palace itself. Except that the Summer residence is a much smaller palace.

Settling into their new surroundings doesn't require much since he has been here many times. It's Theba that needs more time to settle. Later, Leeh Xamai joined them.

The prince found solace in being reunited with Leeh Xamai, his trusted confidant. Together, they will unravel the mysteries surrounding the policy changes of the Emperor while in the Obelisk and the real purpose in the grand tapestry of their realm.

There are challenges in this place though. It's cold, remote and resources aren't that many. There is this resolve that grew stronger in him after arriving. The safety of their only son and his future Empire is paramount, his own family.

Prince Emmer and Princess Theba Xai now at the Royal summer residence, wearing all the things needed to be more comfortable in such a cold place. They can see the North Pole Obelisk at any the vantage point from their residence, looming so lonely in a generally flat terrain with few pyramidal mountains.

Emmer and Theba couldn't help but feel uneasy about the situation at the Tetrahedral Palace and the sudden decision changes of the Emperor. They knew that they had to be vigilant to keep a close eye on the unfolding events.

The Prince eventually decided to find out whether Rooh Fizel's Imperial plan as Throne Ambassador has something to do with it. He wants to know the real reasons behind Rooh Fizel's plans because superficially, he even approved and had it amended as well. He himself has plans, especially for Hammada.

Amidst the apparent tranquility of a remote location, subtle whispers of uncertainty permeated the air as time passes and as they mingle with the security which has Lexais and other creatures. In one of the subtler stories around, Prince Emmer and Princess Theba Xai couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. They knew that their presence in the Obelisk went beyond mere coincidence. There were deeper ideas at play, intertwining their fates with the fate of the Leip Crystals, Rooh Fizel, and the stability of the Palace itself.

Weeks after the Royal couple left, at the Tetrahedral Palace, Emperor Egher summoned Leeh Samireh, a trusted and skilled Head Guardian, to his side. The Emperor conceived another grandiose idea — a gesture of goodwill and unity—by providing some select Kersians with the mind-evolving head-circlet that contained the precious Leip Crystals. These powerful crystals, with ability to unlock untapped potential and enlightenment, were considered sacred among Mekholis. Is this a way to preserve the delicate equilibrium between the inhabitants of the Tetrahedral Palace and those who sought enlightenment through the Leip Crystals?

Again, Prince Emmer and even Zebedee grew suspicious of this plan and wondered if it was related to Rooh Fizel's large-scale plans to visit the colonized planets. He knew that the Leip Crystals were powerful and could be used for both good and evil purposes.

Leeh Samireh, tasked with the important duty of delivering these head-circlets to Rooh Fizel and his followers, felt the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. Aware of the significance of the Leip Crystals and the potential they held to transform individuals, he understood the delicate balance of power at stake. The harmony between the Oinoskambs and the inhabitants of the Palace hung in the balance as this groundbreaking endeavor unfolded.

So, Leeh Samireh, arrived at the North Pole Obelisk with a group of Kersians who were joining Rooh Fizel. The Prince was apprehensive of the security of the Emperor at the Tetrahedral Palace, but he knew that the Emperor had made his decision and he would not question it.

The Emperor's decision to send Leeh Samireh to the Tetrahedral Palace did not brought some relief to Prince Emmer.

However, the Prince also learned that Zebedee joined Leeh Samireh's visit and that gave him an idea that Zebedee wants to talk with him, even if the latter's role in the Palace has since been expanded.

In a meeting with Leeh Samireh, Leeh Xamai and the Royal Princes, Leeh Samireh respectfully gave his report to the Prince of the plan to give Deu and Leip Circlets to the Throne Ambassador delegations involving some Kersians.

"May I respectfully remind our honorable Leeh Samireh, when you do have time to report back to the Emperor, Kersians are slightly immune to Leip Crystals, much like ancient humans – like Zebedee."

"Yes, your Splendor, but according to Our Emperor, the Palace is using the base Deu crystals just discovered from the planet Azulex. They have studied its properties and since its supply is larger than the Xavenon, it could potentially make more Circlets."

"Wait. Azulex has more Deu crystals? That's not possible. Its an artificial crystal with certain similarities to some things but Deu and Leip need Xai Crystals from Deocibus plants. Deocibus are artificial plants designed exclusively to grow on Xavenon. How did Azulex have a 'mine' for it?"

"I am afraid I do not have an answer for that, your Magnificence."