COTN House of Karen Part 3

2. Homecoming 

Once Kiring saw her children had settled down, she looked up to the skies. Its getting dark and its also time to find shelter. Stand before her is the cone shaped tower; the place have not changed much since she last saw it. No one is allowed her except the invited and Councilors. The former are the selected few for their skills or knowledge. Jarek was one with the two qualities; he was also a sorcerer. He was once an apprentice of Artoo before he come back to assume the position of Councilor. Kiring also more of Jarek; he was one who once saved her when she fell off the tower due to carelessness. Kiring remembered that day.

The child was six and she is chasing the magical beetle she created at the Tower while her mother is now in conference. It flew past him and into a dark corner hoping to evade its captor. Kiring jumped into the dark corner without realizing that there is no wall behind. She fell through the corner into open space at the height of over ten Man' height and then she felt her fall slowing down. She looked up and saw the hand of someone holding her from falling, but its not any hand. Its an elongated hand of the elf named Jarek, holding her from falling to her death. Jarek pulled her up and back to the level to console her.

"Child, do not tell the others of what you saw today. This is our little secret." It was one secret that she did not revealed.

"Who are you?" Kiring turned to see a person approaching her. He is dressed as a Councilor; the same blue robe but this one is showing signs of wear and tear. "Kiring, is that you? I remember your eye and smile."

"Hello, Jarek. I had come back to my home." She ran towards the once familiar face. He held her and then realized her missing limb and her change in looks. He looked at her and then at the skies.

"Please come in. Its safer there." Jarek led her into the Tower.

It took them the whole night of talking to bring each other up to date. By then, Jarek had stood up and now holding the sword given back to him by Kiring.

"Stand back....... Kiring. You are a Serpent Queen, and that is unacceptable to the House. Kiring, how can you betray your kind?" Jarek held the sword tighter in his hand. "The Serpents killed many of our people and also caused the death of your mother."

:Do not mentioned my mother. Your....My kind murdered her for her commitment to fight the war. We..... The Serpents lose the war then, but the House is not willing to pardon the leader whom they execute. Now don't asked me of my loyalty. It never changed at all. I am always loyal to my mother." Kiring stepped away to looked at her surrounding.

Jarek had occupied the hall which used to be the Main Hall for the Councilors. He had moved the settings to be his own chamber with piles of refreshments and also some weapons. She spied something else; a red silky gown hidden behind some scrolls. Jarek saw her looking at it and he made no attempt to hide it.

"Where did you get that?" Kiring walked towards the scrolls and retrieve the gown.

"Its not what you think....." Jarek reached for the gown but Kiring would not give it up. "More to it, this can be any gown."

"True, but you need not be so secretive on one gown. I never said it was mine or.....mother's but you are so possessive towards it." Kiring glared at him and sensed something is amiss. Its her new serpent traits.

"Fight no more. She needs to know the truth." Kiring remember that voice well.

The figure walked out form a hidden doorway. She is older but she is still as beautiful as before. She is dressed in a plain frock on her frail body as her limbs are not bound by shackles.

"Hello Kiring."

"Hello Mother, or shall I called you Queen Mother. How many of us are there? You planned it all since then. Neppy told me during the trip here that she met Grandmother. I used to tell her a lot of tales about you. She told me you are like me. You also told her there are others like me." Kiring walked towards her mother and then she stopped. She glanced out of the wall opening to look at the lake. She remembered her twins out there.

"She got jealous of Meppy because you took care of Meppy more than her. You always took sides then and still now. I had to tell Neppy to forgive and love Meppy. They are twins although they fight a lot. When did you choose sides?" Kiring' eyes are showing tears again.

"When I fell in love with Set then; your father was Set. No, not the one you love but the one before yours. Once they ascend the throne, they are called Seti or Seti. Like us, we are the chosen brides of Set. We exist to breed for them."