A Bantling Prince

It was a warm morning, the sun had not yet broken over the horizon. Bathed in starlight the figure of a boy leaned against the railing on the veranda, eyes searching the distance. Soft blue skin glowed under the long blue hair whipping about wildly in the breeze, despite being shaved on the sides. Almond shaped brown eyes, dotted by flecks of gold that sparkled as they caught the light. High cheekbones that trailed gracefully into a pointed chin. A flat narrow nose with a curved tip made up the rest of his regal face.

His name is Curore, a half Pyxan, half Phajnoir, the first of his kind, and found lacking in both respects. Thin with a narrow build like his father, only devoid the wings. As for his mother, their similarities ended at skin and hair color. All forgivable flaws, his real shortcoming, the one that couldn be overlooked, his lack of telepathic abilities.

Phajnoirs, Crajacks, different planets but of the same family, the two species had been breeding for centuries. Known throughout the universe for a few things: their hulking barrelling size, their ruthless fighting tactics, and their powerful telepathic abilities.

What wasn common knowledge is that not all Phajnoirs and Crajacks possessed telepathy. All telepaths are promoted to positions of power and authority. While those like Curore were programmed to do only menial tasks, little more than slaves of society.

Curore felt the weight of that destiny every time he came up wanting. He was such a disgrace, hed been sent to live in the Crajacken wilderness with only his guardian called Pjerro. Pjerro, his mothers cousin and Crown Prince of Crajack was often gone for extended periods of time tending to Crajacken business. At such times Curore was truly alone, times like these.

Starring out into the distance the heavy grasslands and sparse trees were just starting to teem with life as the first morning rays took their place. Curore was distracted by another sound, not the kind picked up by your ears. A sound that resonated from a deep place in his mind.

Over the sounds of the savannah he heard a small voice. It was not desperate, or pleading, just consistent. Calling him to the Capital, asking for his help. For weeks now he had hardly slept, as the voice grew louder each day, each night.

Alone and isolated he had been unsure of how to deal with this new development. The calm, persistent urges, I need your help, Im in the Capitol, come to me. As the sleepless days and nights stretched on he had to do something.

Curore had decided, today he would journey to the Capital, to seek an audience with the King. He would accept whatever punishment he receives for arriving at the palace without summons. Because all phones and technology run off of telepathy, the one skill he did not have, without his guardian Pjerro, he truly was stranded leaving this his only recourse.

Curore gathered in a small knapsack the things he would need to traverse the open plains. A map, some dried meat, a water skein. Wearing no more than a plain loincloth, he brushed and plaited his hair, tied an amulet around his neck, this particular one would help him determine what was poison and what was not. He strapped a knife to each arm, and exited the lodge that had long been his home.

In the cool morning light he let out a howl, long and low like a trumpet, with a short yip at the end. He did this several times till silver creatures slunk his way returning his call. Leucerrn, white snouts with rows of sharp teeth, a black stripe going right between the eyes. Tall spikey mane starting between their pricked round ears, traveling down their necks. Long forelegs with powerful shoulders, giving it strength to carry three times its body weight. Covered in silver fur speckled by black dots making it blend easily into the tall silver grass of the savannah.

The pack slowly approached Curore who calmly spoke in Phajnoir to the beasts. They sniffed the air and answered back with a deep gutteral tone. He reached out to pet one, scratching it behind the ear and under the chin. It let out a high pitched giggle, and the others pounced also wanting to be scratched. He scratched and petted the beasts all whilst chiding them in Phajnoir, telling them it was urgent he go to the Capitol, and they must make haste now before the hottest part of the day.

The animals responded in their way before one let him climb upon his back. Off they went, following the sun, he rode the back of one, but the others came along, whooping and hollering at his sides. He too let out the occasional whoop in agreement, as they crossed the countryside.

~

*Your Majesty* Jevettes assistant Javaie called, *Curore has just arrived in Capitol.* Jevette who was already on his way to the dungeon stopped in his tracks. Due to the possession of his son and heir Crown Prince Pjerro he had completely forgotten about Pjerros ward Curore, left to fend for himself at a lodge on the outskirts of civilization. With Pjerro be ensorcelled, Curore was now his responsibility until a new guardian is assigned.

Jevette didn really have time for this, but Curore was a good bantling, and his sons ward, lest he could do was greet him. *Doctor, I will not be joining you to check on Pjerro this afternoon. Submit an update on his condition.* He ordered, then replied to his assistant, *Have him wait in my office, Im on my way.* *One more thing sire, Curore rode in on the back of a Leucerrn.* The assistant informed. *He convinced a Leucerrn to bring him to the Capitol?* He asked. *Actually the whole pack escorted him.*

Curore traversed the continent alongside a Leucerrn pack, he mused. *Im on my way. ” He said to his assistant as he headed back twords his office pondering this news. Luecerrns were sentient in their own right, marvelous beasts, it was once believed Crajacks had evolved from them. While befriending them wasn unheard of in the past, modern days it was unusual.

Before the unification of Crajack, when they were but silly tribes warring with each other, his tribe would often make pacts with Luecerrns. The animals had played a crucial role in the unification.

Jevette entered the office, at well over seven feet tall he towered over the bantling. Built like a rock everything about him was massive, head, neck, shoulders, his long white mane tightly braided down his back. Against the cleanly shaved sides of his head stood tall pointed ears. A long white beard grew from his square jaw. Sharp tusks sticking out of his forward bottom lip. An ornate circlet sat on his heavy low brow. A large gold hoop pierced the center of his wide flat nose. Bright blue almond shaped eyes seemed to glower at him as he made his way to his chair.

Jevette wore a beautifully embroidered wrap skirt about his hips, the rest of his body was bare save for his jewelry. Armbands, rings, a wesekh about his neck. His skin was still a lovely bluish grey, though the fur on his back, arms and legs had all turned white.

He motioned to Curore to sit, *Apologies, an urgent matter involving Pjerro came up, I should have sent for you immediately. An oversight on my part.* Curore who had taken a chair across from him was covered in dirt and grime after the long journey. *Im told you arrived in the company of a Leucerrn pack, in his reports Pjerro never mentioned your taming Luecerrn.*

”He didn know, ” Curore admitted ”I only spent time with them when he was away working. ” The embarrassed bantling began to explain. *Because you were lonely.* Curore nodded, his face flushed. ”I read in my studies how early tribes used to communicate with them. I wanted to give it a try. ” *How do you communicate with them?*

He became more flushed, ”I tried telepathy at first but … you know… then I spoke to them in Phajnoir. They picked up on it pretty quick and replied. It didn take long for me to understand what they were saying. Now I use a combination of Phajnoir and barks. ”

*And you convinced them to accompany you to the Palace?* Curore was becoming more visibly uncomfortable under that harsh gaze. ”Actually it was their idea to return to the Capitol, I may have confided in them. Id only made the journey once and wasn confident in find the way alone. They offered to show me the way. ”

Jevette studied him intently, only child of the Phajnoir Princess Pjre and the Pyxan King Sorenelle. Due to a very messy custody battle hed been sent to Crajack until programming, after which the boy could decide which world hed like to be heir to.

Programming comes after a Crajack or Phajnoir has reached full maturity, the neurosurgery prepared them for their place in society. Curores surgery had been delayed as he had lacked any significant telepathic abilities. In the hope they might be latent due to his mixed blood, Jevette had sent Curore to the lodge, where he could work on his abilities outside of the public eye.

Pjerros reports had been less then encouraging, and the absence of the Crown Prince at court was challenging. He had already been considering have Curore programmed just so hed be out of his hair. But learning to communicating with Luecerrns was no small feat, perhaps he had been right after all.

*Why exactly did you come to the Capitol then?* Jevette finally asked Curore took a deep breath worried the King might think him crazy, like his mother. ”Ive been hearing things, a call, it stared at night but now I hear it always. Louder and louder, a voice in my mind, calling me to the Capitol, asking for help. ”

*What kind of voice, is it like my thought-speak?* ”Similar, but deeper, like they are my own thoughts calling out. ” Jevette mused this over, it could be Pjerro calling out to him. But it was exceedingly rare to use telepathy over long distances, and both parties needed to be equally gifted. Could this be a sign that hed been right all along. He needed to run some tests.

*It was good of you to come, well get cleaned up, try to rest.* Javier entered the space with the servant to whom he would be entrusted. Javier stayed behind as the two left knowing his father wished to speak with him.

*Congratulations* Jevette started *while Pjerro is incapacitated you will fullfil all his duties, including the guardianship of Curore.* *Yes sire* *Ill need a new assistant drop off a list of qualified replacements before sundown.* *Yes sire* *And send for your brother Caliguay.* *Sire?*

Javier was taken by surprise, Caliguay was both Jevettes first son, and first child. He was originally expected to be named Crown Prince until Pjerro beat him out for the position. Now Caliguay headed up the military what could Jevette possibly want with him? *Be quick about it*

Jevette wasn kept waiting, Caliguay had dark indigo skin which looked even darker again his pale blue mane, this he wore in several long braids down his back. Small for a Crajack, with a narrower build. He had a thin face with a pointed chin, no tusks, his almond shaped eyes were two different colors, one blue, one brown. His calm cool demeanor seemed to chill the very air about him.

*You sent for me father* *Your cousin Curore arrived in town today, he rode in on the back of a luecerrn, track the pack down and bring them to me.* *If they do not come willingly?* *No harm is to come to them, I would just like to have a conversation.* *Yes father.*

*I have another task, one I would like you to handle personally.* Jevette began, *I want and audit of all of Curores records, every test hes ever received done again compared to the original.* *What exactly am I looking for father?* Caliguay asked sending a chill down his spine. Jevette could see the wheels in his mind turning trying to piece the puzzle together.

Thats why hed been chosen for the job, Jevette didn want to suspect Pjerro of keeping things from him. But the business with the Luecerrns and the voice was nagging at him. *Im looking for an independent report on the bantling.* *Understood father.* *I want a full report by the end of the week.* *Yes father*

~

The bathroom was supported by tall white pillars. A the glass ceiling flooded the space with natural light. He felt the smooth cool abolone tile under his bare feet. The center of the room had a large square tub sunken into the floor, it was filled with flower petals, the steam rising of the water. The servents took his loincloth, and wiped him down with damp cloths before inviting him to step into the bath.

He felt vulnerable nude before an audience. It had been long since he had servants or slaves to clean and dress him. He tried to push those feelings aside as the warm fragrant water caressed him. The servants joined him washing his face and hair. Scrubbing his body, cleaning under his long pointed nails, and behind his ears.

When the were satisfied they helped him out of the tub, drying him with fluffy towels, and rubbing fragment oil on every inch of his bare body. His hair was brushed and plaited down his back, the sides of his head shaved clean once again. A thin wrap, tied about his waist and he was ready for bed.

It was a comfortable room, a fireplace on one end with two comfortable chairs facing it. A large bed with wooden posts and a curtain that could be drawn. A vanity with a mirror, a trunk at the foot of his bed. A large wardrobe in one corner. Tall thin windows that did not open as he tested them. Fluffy down pillows, and soft fur blankets. He climbed into the bed, but just as hed expected could not sleep. The calls in his mind louder than ever before, unrelenting.