“Time’s up.” Nor stepped in front of Kal and signalled to the nearest soldier. “You,” he commanded. “You are to do this.”
The soldier walked to a position ten yards from the wall where Kal stood.
Just one soldier? That was really surprising, making one soldier carry the burden. And was it a North or a South soldier? After all, Nor didn’t have enough time to weed out the bad ones. Or did he handpick them to follow him since the coup started?
The soldier raised his rifle.
You know, I did not expect that you’d actually go through with it, but I wasn’t 100% sure that he wouldn’t still get shot. There could have been some panacea hidden away to revive him. Or it could be a fatal blow after all. Authors are known to do such things once in a while
That wasn’t mentioned before, was it? Was she able to hide it under her potato sack?
When Dav and his family arrived back, they would be greeted by the aroma of warm, freshly-baked puddings. As they ate, they would tell her what had transpired at the Extraordinary Report.
“And then-” Dav took another bite of his pudding. “-the soldier took aim and shot.” Another piece of pudding vanished without trace. “Good puddings today, wife. But the most curious thing happened. C4 moved after the shot was fired and the deposed Supreme Ruler still lives. So, any beverage left?”
Dav didn’t think so. Dav said if the Regal Nobles had any feelings at all, they were certainly not expended on their wives.
But Eb couldn’t help but hope ... hope the Supreme Ruler had found someone he cared for.
Someone who cared for him.
Those three lines say so much about the life of the common folk on Krypton. And about their misconceptions about the life of nobility.
The years of peace had mellowed her parents - so much so, they had accepted her marriage to Dav and had allowed the Northside boy to live in their home.
That line, too. The realities of a life of hardship certainly can bring the important things into focus. But can you imagine that classic scene from countless US comedies where the father welcomes his daughter’s date into his home, holding, cleaning, etc, his shotgun, getting played out in NK?
Eb remembered the speculation that he had been kept in hiatus all the years since Krypton to guarantee his safety. She remembered the still-lingering stories that his time in hiatus had rendered him unintelligent and aloof.
Oh, so Nor tried the hiatus first, then?
And compassion.
And a genuine desire to communicate.
A sharp rap sounded on her door, shattering the peace of the lonely farmhouse.
Eb opened the door.
And stood, face to face with the Supreme Ruler of New Krypton.
*sputters*
He stepped back to allow his companion – the alien woman - to enter first. She closed the door and stared, dumbstruck.
Yeah, I get that. Why on Krypton would the Supreme Ruler let the woman go in first? Unless it’s a habit to make sure no booby traps were hidden inside.
“I have been deposed as the Supreme Ruler by Lord Nor.”
Eb felt the fear and dread grip her stomach. Lord Nor. New Krypton was now ruled by a Southside despot. Dav and his family were Northside. The baby she carried would be Northside. And with Nor, there would be no mercy – of that she was sure.
Yeah, they’d probably drag the whore carrying the half-breed bastard out onto the streets to skin her alive.
“I offered my life,” the Supreme Ruler - *former* Supreme Ruler - said. “They will be searching for me.”
A loud, angry bang shook the door. Before she had time to fully contemplate the consequences of her forwardness, Eb grabbed the Supreme Ruler’s arm and hustled him and the woman into her and Dav’s lean-to.
I think we’ve found an investigative reporter for the staff of the Daily Krypton.
“What are they saying?”
“She said something like she is south from birth until death.”
Kal groaned.
Lois sprung from his chest. “What’s wrong?” she hissed.
His arms pulled her closer again. “That’s the Oath of the South. If she is loyal to the South, we are not safe here.”
:rolleyes:
“This is a Northside family ... you would hide a Northside outlaw.”
“I am Southside,” Eb proclaimed with quiet pride. “My husband and brother-in-law are not here. I would not permit a Northside vagabond to enter this house while I am here alone.”
“But you married a Northside man,” he accused with contempt.
“The marriage was forced upon me by the judgment of the Sup ... former Supreme Ruler. It was not my choice.”
I didn’t know lying was taught in kindergarten on New Krypton
and awwww
“I didn’t need to,” Lois said. “I can hear his limp.”
*g*
Corrina, that was an awesome part and I can’t wait to waking up tomorrow to part 30. Uh-huh. /taps foot/
Michael
) But I am starting to wonder whether they might be forced to relocate to another planet ... maybe one with a yellow sun?
