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31_days2010-09-15 10:32 pm
sazuki-reda.livejournal.com) wrote in 31_days2010-09-15 10:32 pm
[Sept 15] [Original] Craving Freedom
Title: Craving Freedom
Series: Original
Day/Theme: Sept 15 - "tremble like a flower"
Rating: PG
A/N: A different clip from the same story used in yesterday's post. I love working on this one. :D
Year 2962: Zoran
l—Jake—l
He stood before the Emperor, confused and nervous. His red and black uniform, complete with a single slave stripe of silver around the shirt sleeves, was still wet from blood and sweat. His straight black hair was soaked against his scalp and forehead. Mother had told him how his hair was long enough for the warrior style of their people, but the Zoranians would, of course, never let him dabble in such a thing.
Beside him, with a thick, many-teethed whip in hand, stood his Zoranian master: Venz-xarl. His master was also in uniform, but his was more blue than red and covered in stripes of different colors indicating social rank, military rank, and other things. The Zoranian’s scaly blue hands were clasped together behind his back, which was straight and tall before the Emperor.
Jake wasn’t sure what to do in the silence, so he concentrated on keeping his hands by his side, trying to keep his feet still and his breathing calm. As much as he wanted to cause a scene, to show his defiance, his lack of a broken soul could very well deny him his right to the only weapon allowed to Humans.
He stared at the katana, the sword sitting sheathed across the Emperor’s knees. It was black and silver: the colors of the slave belongings here on Zoran. Though colors of darkness, the slave sword was being held by the great Zoranian Emperor. It had to mean that Jake was getting his weapon tonight – it had to. But…it was four years early.
Like all Zoranian protocols, the ones dealing with slaves and weaponry had never been challenged, never been broken. All Human males were given a single sword at the age of ten. The katana, Jake knew, had come from the Human home planet; it had been found in homes, abandoned in display cases, meant to keep and wonder at, never use. Now it was a slave’s only weapon – a sense of false security, maybe, but mostly used to prove that the Zoranians did not fear old Human weapons. Of course, swords had become obsolete against the guns, lasers, and plasma weapons of the Space Age. Some said it was given and used as a point of mockery, a statement that the Zoranian was far more technologically advanced – and thus, more civilized. Perhaps they had a point. After all, Dheru warriors, Jake’s ancestors, had still been fighting with swords when the Zoranians invaded.
Paul explained this ceremony to me. First the Emperor, katana on his lap, asked questions of your master…
“Is the slave in question obedient, Captain Venz-xarl?” The deep, scratchy voice alerted Jake to his current position, standing in front of the Zoranian Emperor, council members surrounding the center walkway.
“Observe his obedience, Your Grace.” Venz-xarl responded. Jake nearly jumped when the tip of his master’s whip touched his shoulder. “Kneel, boy.”
He gulped, hesitating. Normally, he would stand firm, force a beating, showing his defiance. But this was the all-important weapon ceremony. It was probably his one chance to have a weapon, a sword, and if…when…he escaped, he would need something to fight back with. So, shoving his defiance to the side, Jake fell to his knees, hands on the smooth marble floor.
I have to do this.
“Is the slave in question trustworthy, Captain Venz-xarl?”
Trustworthy? How am I supposed to prove that one?
Thankfully, Jake did not have to respond or act. Neither did his master, Venz-xarl. A single Zoranian stepped forward from the left line of council members. His uniform was a dark violet criss-crossing against shades of indigo, creating a sickening likeness to the color-changing scales of Ban-xark’s particular ancestral tribe. Even without knowing the Zoranian by his skin, dark purple eyes, and uniform, any Human who paid attention would recognize the three golden bands wrapped by emerald beads. Ban-xark, Core Commander, had become the new Conqueror when Venz-xarl stepped down. More than likely, anything this Zoranian said now would have been planned or bribed between the two Conquerors.
“Your Grace, I stand to speak for the slave in question,” Ban-xark stated only continuing once the Emperor nodded. “Although his choice of words can be brash at times – I suppose it is an inbred Human fault – he has never once told a lie as far as I am aware.”
Jake could feel the sweat trickling down his face, burning his eyes. Though the tiles below his hands and knees were a welcome coolness, the position alone was beginning to sting.
Because of the uncomfortable pain, Jake’s mind shifted into a daze before he could pull away from the automatic reaction he had built. He began to wonder about his mother, hoping she would be home tonight instead of his father. Though the family room was never full of happiness, at least his mother didn’t ignore him, like his father, or shy away, like his brother…
“Now, Jake Reed, slave of Captain Venz-xarl, proclaim your oath to the Empire so that all may hear.” The voice came from the Emperor, who now stood right in front of him. The sword tip on his shoulder had been responsible for breaking him away from his daydreams. “Proclaim your loyalty, first Human of Zoran.”
That’s right. I was the first Human to be born here. The first to feel no loyalty to another home, or to know another way of life. What else is there for me to believe in but their Truth?
Jake licked his lips. His hands trembled as he stretched the fingers out flat. His legs tingled with pain.
No. I mustn’t let them change me; I mustn’t let them win. Their Truth calls for obedience, honesty, and loyalty. I will give them none, but I will make them think I am tame. Mother said to show defiance, but first I need a weapon.
Keeping his head down, calming his breathing, and closing his eyes, Jake began to recite the ceremonial oath that Paul – his brother – had secretly taught him. “Glory be to the Emperor, the one true god above all other false gods. I pledge my obedience to those that stand before me, but above all to you, great Emperor. I promise to fulfill all duties with honesty on my lips and integrity in my works. Forever and always, I will remain faithful and loyal; I will be like a slave to the Empire, following your rule, for the Truth is all we have.”
There was silence.
No applause. No cheers. No congratulations. The Emperor simply ordered Jake to rise, sheathed the katana, and dropped it at his feet. Of course, a Zoranian Emperor would never lower himself so far as to personally hand out a slave’s reward.
So, I really do have it early. I wonder if they realize I was lying.
After picking up his new sword, Jake risked a glance over his shoulder. Venz-xarl would not look at him. “Go home, Jake. The night is yours. But tomorrow is mine.”
With a quick forced bow of respect, Jake scampered away, trying not to let his run seem like a cowardly flee.
Venz-xarl knows I lied. I have to escape this. I have to be free. If only gods did exist; I would ask for help. But all I have is myself, so that is what I will believe in. I will believe in myself…and I will be free.
Series: Original
Day/Theme: Sept 15 - "tremble like a flower"
Rating: PG
A/N: A different clip from the same story used in yesterday's post. I love working on this one. :D
Year 2962: Zoran
l—Jake—l
He stood before the Emperor, confused and nervous. His red and black uniform, complete with a single slave stripe of silver around the shirt sleeves, was still wet from blood and sweat. His straight black hair was soaked against his scalp and forehead. Mother had told him how his hair was long enough for the warrior style of their people, but the Zoranians would, of course, never let him dabble in such a thing.
Beside him, with a thick, many-teethed whip in hand, stood his Zoranian master: Venz-xarl. His master was also in uniform, but his was more blue than red and covered in stripes of different colors indicating social rank, military rank, and other things. The Zoranian’s scaly blue hands were clasped together behind his back, which was straight and tall before the Emperor.
Jake wasn’t sure what to do in the silence, so he concentrated on keeping his hands by his side, trying to keep his feet still and his breathing calm. As much as he wanted to cause a scene, to show his defiance, his lack of a broken soul could very well deny him his right to the only weapon allowed to Humans.
He stared at the katana, the sword sitting sheathed across the Emperor’s knees. It was black and silver: the colors of the slave belongings here on Zoran. Though colors of darkness, the slave sword was being held by the great Zoranian Emperor. It had to mean that Jake was getting his weapon tonight – it had to. But…it was four years early.
Like all Zoranian protocols, the ones dealing with slaves and weaponry had never been challenged, never been broken. All Human males were given a single sword at the age of ten. The katana, Jake knew, had come from the Human home planet; it had been found in homes, abandoned in display cases, meant to keep and wonder at, never use. Now it was a slave’s only weapon – a sense of false security, maybe, but mostly used to prove that the Zoranians did not fear old Human weapons. Of course, swords had become obsolete against the guns, lasers, and plasma weapons of the Space Age. Some said it was given and used as a point of mockery, a statement that the Zoranian was far more technologically advanced – and thus, more civilized. Perhaps they had a point. After all, Dheru warriors, Jake’s ancestors, had still been fighting with swords when the Zoranians invaded.
Paul explained this ceremony to me. First the Emperor, katana on his lap, asked questions of your master…
“Is the slave in question obedient, Captain Venz-xarl?” The deep, scratchy voice alerted Jake to his current position, standing in front of the Zoranian Emperor, council members surrounding the center walkway.
“Observe his obedience, Your Grace.” Venz-xarl responded. Jake nearly jumped when the tip of his master’s whip touched his shoulder. “Kneel, boy.”
He gulped, hesitating. Normally, he would stand firm, force a beating, showing his defiance. But this was the all-important weapon ceremony. It was probably his one chance to have a weapon, a sword, and if…when…he escaped, he would need something to fight back with. So, shoving his defiance to the side, Jake fell to his knees, hands on the smooth marble floor.
I have to do this.
“Is the slave in question trustworthy, Captain Venz-xarl?”
Trustworthy? How am I supposed to prove that one?
Thankfully, Jake did not have to respond or act. Neither did his master, Venz-xarl. A single Zoranian stepped forward from the left line of council members. His uniform was a dark violet criss-crossing against shades of indigo, creating a sickening likeness to the color-changing scales of Ban-xark’s particular ancestral tribe. Even without knowing the Zoranian by his skin, dark purple eyes, and uniform, any Human who paid attention would recognize the three golden bands wrapped by emerald beads. Ban-xark, Core Commander, had become the new Conqueror when Venz-xarl stepped down. More than likely, anything this Zoranian said now would have been planned or bribed between the two Conquerors.
“Your Grace, I stand to speak for the slave in question,” Ban-xark stated only continuing once the Emperor nodded. “Although his choice of words can be brash at times – I suppose it is an inbred Human fault – he has never once told a lie as far as I am aware.”
Jake could feel the sweat trickling down his face, burning his eyes. Though the tiles below his hands and knees were a welcome coolness, the position alone was beginning to sting.
Because of the uncomfortable pain, Jake’s mind shifted into a daze before he could pull away from the automatic reaction he had built. He began to wonder about his mother, hoping she would be home tonight instead of his father. Though the family room was never full of happiness, at least his mother didn’t ignore him, like his father, or shy away, like his brother…
“Now, Jake Reed, slave of Captain Venz-xarl, proclaim your oath to the Empire so that all may hear.” The voice came from the Emperor, who now stood right in front of him. The sword tip on his shoulder had been responsible for breaking him away from his daydreams. “Proclaim your loyalty, first Human of Zoran.”
That’s right. I was the first Human to be born here. The first to feel no loyalty to another home, or to know another way of life. What else is there for me to believe in but their Truth?
Jake licked his lips. His hands trembled as he stretched the fingers out flat. His legs tingled with pain.
No. I mustn’t let them change me; I mustn’t let them win. Their Truth calls for obedience, honesty, and loyalty. I will give them none, but I will make them think I am tame. Mother said to show defiance, but first I need a weapon.
Keeping his head down, calming his breathing, and closing his eyes, Jake began to recite the ceremonial oath that Paul – his brother – had secretly taught him. “Glory be to the Emperor, the one true god above all other false gods. I pledge my obedience to those that stand before me, but above all to you, great Emperor. I promise to fulfill all duties with honesty on my lips and integrity in my works. Forever and always, I will remain faithful and loyal; I will be like a slave to the Empire, following your rule, for the Truth is all we have.”
There was silence.
No applause. No cheers. No congratulations. The Emperor simply ordered Jake to rise, sheathed the katana, and dropped it at his feet. Of course, a Zoranian Emperor would never lower himself so far as to personally hand out a slave’s reward.
So, I really do have it early. I wonder if they realize I was lying.
After picking up his new sword, Jake risked a glance over his shoulder. Venz-xarl would not look at him. “Go home, Jake. The night is yours. But tomorrow is mine.”
With a quick forced bow of respect, Jake scampered away, trying not to let his run seem like a cowardly flee.
Venz-xarl knows I lied. I have to escape this. I have to be free. If only gods did exist; I would ask for help. But all I have is myself, so that is what I will believe in. I will believe in myself…and I will be free.