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had lead-colored skin and small glittering eyes. He was dull and good for his army, nothing more. He never would rise past captaincy; he was too stupid to be trusted, the king thought. He wondered briefly whether he should award him a governorship on one of the isolated planets located thousands of miles away, just to separate him from his father. Drakko saw trouble brewing behind those angry eyes.
    “ The Elements were given to the Darracians to guard for the well-being of all the species on the planet. The Quyroos have evolved. They have schools and hospitals. They are building cities now. They are no longer primitive, and…” Drakko’s face was inches from his nephew’s, his voice menacing but quiet. “…they share our planet. They should have a say in the Moon Council.”
    The Darracian Moon Council met during the moon’s third phase in order to discuss planetary events. Both Quyroo groups, the Tree Dwellers and Bottom Dwellers, had long been excluded from any decisions. Of late the Tree Dwellers had made strong overtures to work constructively with the Darracians. They controlled the sap from the cathedral-like forests, which dripped from the trees and eventually formed the randam crystals. These minerals powered the fuel that kept the Darracians’ floating city airborne. The Tree Dwellers knew the ancient techniques to gather the sap and the secret formula to transform it into valuable fuel. In exchange for the crystals, they wanted a say in the government of the planet. It had been a hot topic, with the entire population divided. Drakko was leaning toward allowing them a seat on the council.
    It’s an abomination , Staf thought angrily. Darracians had ruled the planet for eternity. The Quyroos were tree people, incapable of rational discourse. They were beneath the Darracians on every count, subpar, barely coherent, and now his own brother was entertaining allowing them a say in the council. What next? His thoughts raced through his head. Perhaps he’ll appoint one of them as a grand mestor.
    “ And…?” the king asked, noting Staf was seething with anger.
    “ And,” Staf responded, flustered, “I told you last month that we should have destroyed the eastern provinces when they first rebelled.” He punched a gloved hand into his large fist.
    “ Appealed, applied, asked…” Drakko corrected. “They have used legal channels to ask for a voice.”
    “ It smacks of revolution, Your Highness. Rebellion must be rooted out. We cannot let them attend. Next they’ll demand a vote.”
    “ Who knows?” the king said with a laugh. “They may share our city in the clouds one day.”
    “ You are soft, brother,” Staf whispered fiercely.
    “ You are hard. Soft bends and is resilient; hard breaks. Hard cannot bend. Times are changing, Staf. The winds of the spirits have brought change.”
    “ You speak like a Planta.” V’sair felt the heat of his uncle’s narrowed gaze. “You must root out insubordination. That has always been the Darracian way.”
    “ Who knows, Staf? Perhaps your son will marry a Quyroo,” the king said with a grin, as he turned his back on his brother to join V’sair.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 5
     
    Reminda stood in the alcove with the red -skinned girl, appraising her. “You held your tongue.” She smiled with approval.
    Tulani dipped her head and replied softly , “I know Your Highness is well aware of how much salve she has.” She was rewarded by the queen’s musical laugh.
    Reminda saw the smile in the girl’s eyes. “You like my son?” she slyly asked.
    “ Who does not admire Prince V’sair?” she answered coolly.
    She was a smooth one, Reminda observed. She had seen the attraction, had watched those dark star -shaped eyes soften when the prince entered the room.
    While the girl was young, Reminda knew instinct drove her. Of all her servants, Tulani was her favorite—strong, smart, and the granddaughter of the Quyroo priestess, Bobbien. She had yet to