Chapter 11: Chapter 11

Richard reached the campsite without any incidents on the

way. The trees and the small flowering plants gave him

place to pass without stopping as the news that the queen

agreed to make Richard the King had already

communicated to them…

Richard went to the cave in the summit and sat to think

things over! When Re came to him, he told him he would

meet him later and he needed some time to plan.

Re left and surprisingly he felt guilty of burdening him

with more responsibilities but all the beings would accept

only him as their King not anyone else…. Least of all any

one of them Reans!

Richard was thinking of what the queen told about the

aquatic beings! They had all evolved from human and they

might listen to reason… so what reasons he could give and

to bring them under one umbrella!!

The queen mentioned the alien invaders and he could use

it as a lever to push them… But he has to meet the

leader… what was he called …Cynig , Yes he must make

plans to meet him. He knew he could not go underwater

but all these beings were amphibious and they could come

over here. But first he has to wait for them to make the

first move!

It came sooner than he expected. Zo came flying and told

him Victon the Aatian has brought a message from Cynig

and they wanted to see him!

Richard immediately walked down to the campsite where

he could see the Orb parked in the periphery and Victon

stood nearby… Re and Ro were with him talking …When

Victon saw him he came forward to meet him… He

walked almost like humans except for a slight uneven gait

because of the folded flippers. His blue hair was flying in

the soft breeze and his skin looked like gold. He looked so

dramatic that Richard stopped to admire him. When he

met his red eyes, he knew Victon was amused to see his

open admiration…

Richard smiled and walked forward with his hand

stretched and Victon did the same and they shook hands!

Richard, ‘Victon, good to see you so soon! I am sure you

have come with the good news!’

The other Reans came around them and Victon looked at

all of them and turned to look at Richard, ‘ Our Cynig

wanted to meet you today…’

‘So why didn’t you bring him? Obviously I cannot come

there as I am not an aquatic being!’

Victon laughed, ‘Why in your place you have never heard

of any transport to travel underwater! We have a special

transport for transporting land dwellers! But we have not

used it till now as we did not have a reason to transport

anyone! You will be the first one to visit our underwater

capital Stad! There are many more cities but we are

visiting only Stad where Cynig dwells’

Richard was confused, ‘ but you know there is no other

land beings other than plants, so why do you have a

transport for land dwellers?’

Victon replied, ‘you must ask this question to our Cynig,

Now shall we go?’

‘Could Re come with us?; Richard asked tentatively!

Victon agreed and he asked them to board the Orb which

was bigger than the one they saw previously. There were

two seats in the front and two seats at the back.

Richard picked Re and placed him inside and Zo came

forward too. He lifted him to place him beside Re and

climbed into the orb and sat beside Victon in the front.

Richard thought that it was the helicopter of Arda . It lifted

noiselessly and flew towards the beach and landed on a

big rock that was half immersed in water

Victon asked them to go out and wait and Richard climbed

out and helped both Re and Zo. Richard was wearing only

a fibre sarong that was made by the Reans and the link as

he wanted to preserve his original dress. Re and Zo were

wearing similar sarong and their link was shining in the

golden Alpha light!

Victon came out of the orb, ‘Stad is very close to the

beach but other cities spread over the entire water body!

Here is your transport’

A transparent golden bubble rose out of the water! There

was no one inside but yet it floated towards the rock and

docked near the platform at the base of the rock. Victon

showed them the steps that led to the platform down.

Victon climbed down the steps and Richard picked both

Re and Zo and followed Victon.

Zo’s natural interest in any machines made him very

curious to see a vehicle that had no visible machines! He

could see only a bubble and a small adapter like structure

embedded on the top of the bubble.

Victon clapped his hands and the bubble’s door opened

and he told them to go in and Richard bent slightly and

stepped in with both the Reans. Zo immediately touched

the transparent wall of the bubble to find out the material

used. It was clod to touch and felt like metal… He was

excited to see a metal that was transparent and hard!

The door shut and Victon did not come with them..Richard

was alarmed to see this and tried to open the door but he

couldn’t!

The bubble started sinking into the water and completely

immersed. The air was fresh inside and Zo understood the

adapter is the air purifier and the bubble was being

manoeuvred by a remote and an engine that were kept

elsewhere! He marvelled at the thought!

He told the same to Richard, ‘I have an idea to make these

vehicles as land vehicles!

I have been studying several prototypes and nothing

excited me! This idea is perfect!’

Richard was happy that he thought of bringing them

along!

The underwater scenes were like a fairytale world! The

colourful fish that swam past them through the aquatic

plants gave a kaleidoscopic effect!

The stunning coral reefs were like a huge fort and the

bubble skirted around the reefs and entered the fort

through a small opening in the coral reefs! It was strange

that he couldn’t see any other normal aquatic animals but

for the corals! Perhaps the coral was not the result of

evolution but the aliens must have brought them!

Richard couldn’t take his eyes off from the scene outside!

They had obviously entered the Capital city Stad as they

could see huge castles, roads, round buildings, strange

vehicles, male and female creatures who resembled Victon

and many more strange things!

The Alpha light was very dim and the entire city was lit

with some peculiar lights!

The bubble took a turn and what they saw in front of them

was such an awesome sight and it would remain with them

for long!

A huge castle was lit like a Christmas tree and shining

like a jewel! The turrets of the castles were of different

colours and shone so brightly that they could not see it for

long! The whole castle was made of the transparent

material and they could see the ambiance of the castle

from outside too! Many Aatians were standing in front of

the castle and admiring it!

The bubble floated past the Aatians and entered through a

gate which opened to let the bubble in and again closed…

The bubble finally reached a platform where Victon was

waiting.

Victon had taken his amphibious orb and waited for them.

The bubble came and docked and Richard was thinking

how they would survive without air! The door opened and

he stepped out with the Reans, but to his amazement the

bubble was wedged to a tunnel where Victon was

standing. It was just like land and fresh air and a peculiar

fragrance filled them!

Victon said, ‘Welcome to Cynig’s palace of Aqua Arda!’

Few more Aatians came forward and they had brought

their robes made of the similar rainbow material. They

were asked to wear them and the robes were like water

flowing on them.. so soft, thin , reflected the light into

multicolour but yet opaque and fitted them perfectly!

Richard looked really regal as the robe gave him poise!

Victon admired them along with other Aatians , ‘Come let

us go and meet our Cynig and all the courtiers!’

Richard felt strangely exhilarated as if he was meant to do

this! But the Reans were quite apprehensive but couldn’t

find the reason.

Re , ‘ Richard be wise as we have not studied them

enough’

Victon heard partially and said, ‘ Did you say something?

Don’t worry… we are kind beings’

Richard did not hear anything.. He was busy admiring the

castle… They were still in the outer tunnel and the water

glinted in the light. The tunnel ended in a huge hall looked

like a King’s court... The interior was decorated so

grandly… The numerous lights reflected on the fish scales

like glitters that covered the furniture which was arranged

in half circles of gallery! He really wanted to touch one of

the furniture to see the glitters that shone like small lights

reflecting all the colours! He had never seen that kind of

opulence and grandeur on Earth!

He looked up to see the raised platform at the centre of the

half circle! The throne was made of sparkling red ruby and

sure to be a single stone! There were seats on either side

which were deep blue stones..Richard was sure they were

sapphire…the single stones were cut to reflect the light the

maximum! The backdrop was the moving water and few

strange beings swimming leisurely!

He almost did not notice the figure sitting on the throne.

He concentrated on the figure on the throne, as he was led

to the centre stage.

Victon climbed the few steps and knelt in front of the

Cynig! Richard was taken aback as the King looked

exactly like a human…unlike the other Aatians! taller than

others, with fair skin like glass, blue eyes and dark hair.

He tried to see the legs but the elaborate stone studded

robe covered his legs.

There were no one seated on the dais with him. One of the

Aatians asked them to wait as Victon knelt. The Cynig did

not take the eyes off Richard. Richard looked just like him

except his eyes were black but otherwise he resembled the

Cynig!

Re and Zo came forward stood on the first step and the

King’s eyes moved on to them and he smiled.

‘Victon, introduce them to the audience and make them be

seated beside me!’… The Cynig’s voice boomed across

the hall which must have at least hundred plus beings

seated! Victon straightened up, ‘Greetings Cynig! We

have some additions to the land dwellers of Arda. The

Earthling Richard is here!’

Richard climbed the steps and looked at the audience and

waved at them.. There was an audible gasp from the

audience and Victon directed him to be seated at the right

side of the sapphire seat!

Victon again addressed the audience, ‘The Earthling

Richard has accompanied few beings from an unknown

exoplanet! Their leaders are here with us! Re and Zo’

Re and Zo looked like a miniature Richard as they thought

it was prudent to look like him instead of their colourful

appearance.

The audience went wild seeing the cute little beings!

Victon directed them to the left of the seats and they had

to jump to sit on the seat…

The King asked Richard, ‘you have come to stay and we

welcome you all! What is your plan to establish your

Kingdom? I am sure you asked to meet me to discuss the

same’

Richard stood up and bowed to him. He came forward to

speak, he who had never ever addressed any group even in

his school days, was ready to speak! His confidence level

increased as he thought of the consequence of failing to

implement the peace treaty!

‘Greetings to my fellow beings of the planet of Arda! The

Reans have come to stay and establish a peaceful realm for

themselves. They do not want to fight with anyone to get

what they want! They will be extremely useful addition as

their technological knowledge and skills are embedded in

their DNA, their life constituents and the knowledge is

passed on to the next generation through their DNA…so

the knowledge never dies !’ he saw a hand going up and

he stopped his speech!

One of the Aatians who sat in the front row stood up!, ‘ we

don’t want to hear anything about the Reans! They don’t

even know from where they had come and obviously

nomads! But we want to know your plan! What are you

going to do?’

Richard was annoyed and that gave him the courage and

conviction, ‘I will stand between the land beings and you,

aquatic beings and I will do my utmost to protect the

Reans!..’

He was interrupted by another, ‘you are alone and what do

you propose to protect these tiny beings?’

Richard replied to him, ‘There is no need to protect them

physically as they are capable of protecting themselves!’

they all laughed at it so much it took some time to become

silent. He continued as if he did not hear them!

‘But I will be there as an advisor, as a guardian and as

long as I am alive I will be their staunch supporter!’

Suddenly there was a commotion as the Reans were not

there in their seat! They disappeared when the audience

laughed at them! Victon ran near their seat to see if they

had fallen down!

The Aatian who was mocking at them was floating above

their heads! He was shouting and screaming. The Cynig

stood with an incredulous expression!

The floating Aatian fell down with a bang… Richard felt

something being sprayed on him and to his surprise all of

them staggered in front of him…

The Cynig too felt the spray… and he moved away but he

was almost drenched with the spray!

All the others in the court fell down unconscious….

The Cynig was very furious and scared and he ran to

Richard’s side! Richard could see that he had legs and not

flippers!

What is happening? If anything happens to my courtiers, I

will see that no one goes out of Stad. I will personally kill

you’

He felt his crown being snatched and thrown down! As he

was looking at the crown with fear, it slowly floated in

front of his face…

The King stood beside Richard and tried to take the

floating crown… After few seconds, the crown landed on

his head with a thud!

Now, the King was truly frightened and asked, ‘what do

you want? We underestimated them I think! Well, let us

know your demands!’

Richard stated very clearly, ‘Declare me as your Arda’s

King for both the land and water! We have come here with

the peace treaty and I want you to agree to the peace treaty

unconditionally!’

The Cynig nodded his head, ‘We wanted the same but on

our condition.. So let us listen to yours and if anything to

be changed, we will discuss… But I agree to you to be our

King!’

There was a sudden change in the courtiers, they all got up

at the same time and picked themselves and sat ! The

Reans were sitting in their seat meekly! The Cynig

looked at them and approached them a little cautiously and

the courtiers were talking loudly. The King raised his hand

and the court fell silent! The Reans stood on their seat

when the King came closer to them!

The King extended his hand and Re too extended his tiny

hand …they shook their hands amid a thunderous

applause!

He shook his hand with Zo and then came to the centre of

the dais… called Richard to come near him…

When Richard stood next to the Cynig, both looked so

similar… The King raised Richard’s right hand, ‘The King

Of Arda!!’

Everyone stood up including the Reans and clapped their

hands…

‘Hail, King of Arda! They replied…

But Richard still felt little suspicious of his sudden change

and asked him softly. The Cynig smiled broadly said in a

very low voice, ‘Alien invaders!’

Richard understood everything. The queen agreed for the

peace treaty immediately and now here the King had

already made up his mind to shift the responsibilities

because of the alien invaders! So they must have

encountered some invaders in recent time for them to be

so scared. But no one told them anything about it even

though the queen mentioned this as one of the reasons!

But one of the Aatians asked the King, ‘ Hail Cynig …

But what happened to us just now? What was the invisible

force that made us incapacitated?’

The Cynig announced loudly, ‘It was just a demonstration

of their skills and I appreciate their technical knowledge!

They may teach us in the long run! They have come here

with a peace treaty! Let us listen to their conditions!’

Richard came forward, ‘the first one is very simple, live

and let live. The plants were not happy with your raids to

their silo as they store grains only to continue their future

generation and not to consume like us! If you want

something from them you can ask and get it in exchange

with something from you… Nothing will be taken from

the land free of cost…’

e waited for some objection to come from someone but

none was there, so he continued…

‘We are going to construct our city and we need your

assistance and protection from you…’

Victon asked, ‘If we help you, what would you give in

turn?’

Re stood up on his seat and he spoke loudly, ‘we will

train your security force with our technology and we will

fight with any intruders along with you provided our King

Richard allows us’

No one laughed as the demonstration has helped

establishing his status!

The Cynig stood up and asked Richard and Re to be seated

and looked at all his courtiers, ‘We have been waiting for

some intelligent ally on land...now we have them so it is

the celebration time!’

Re came near Richard and he picked him up... Re said,

shall we invite them to our campsite for a simple

celebration?’

Richard raised his voice, ‘We invite all of you to our

temporary campsite for a celebration … lunch or dinner ...

tomorrow!’

The Cynig , ‘yes let us go for dinner and celebrate as we

have never done before!’

The audience erupted with merriment!

The Reans bowed to the Cynig and Richard waved at all of

them once again. Victon came forward to escort them and

they followed him. The entire courtiers including the

Cynig were standing as they walked in the middle of the

aisle!

Victon, ‘You can go back in the same bubble but I have

asked to fix another route so that you could enjoy the

scene! I will meet you to check your preparation for the

dinner as the Cynig has never gone anywhere’

Re said, ‘we are honoured and don’t worry we will prepare

a feast fit for a King!’

Richard was amused to hear the confidence in Re’s voice.

He hoped he knew what he had to do!

They got into the bubble as before and it floated gently

away from the tunnel…

They saw an enclosure of fish… it must be the fish farm!

Suddenly the bubble was stopped and they could see a

gigantic creature blocking its way… Richard understood

this must be the whale. He looked up through the bubble

and the gentle giant had an eye contact with Richard… He

had goosebumps but amazingly it pushed the bubble so

gently and moved out of the way!

They reached the beach without further incidents! Victon

was waiting with his orb to drop them in the campsite!

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