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"My son, have you taken leave of your senses? The choice has already been made for you. You can not
change what must be."
"I have changed it. And to one of my choosing not yours or the ruling authorities, as you well know."
"You can not do that?"
"Why? Because Myaculi objects and demands that I love her? I couldn't possibly love that witch or
accede to her being by my side for a lifetime as High Priestess? She can object all she wants. If you think
she's so great, you take her as your mate and leave me to my choice."
Ra Mu jumped to his feet and angrily shouted, You will honor my word."
"I will not honor your word! You can not force me to! Not in my lifetime and certainly not in yours. And
if you persist in this, I will no longer honor you."
"You will do as I command. And you will turn Trisha over to Myaculi, immediately."
"Ra Mu. I will do no such thing. Not now, not ever. You can't possibly be serious."
"Very serious. Trisha will join the ranks of the High Priestess hand maidens and learn to serve her."
"Myaculi is not High Priestess yet. And she never will be. No. I will not place Trisha is that woman's
clutches. I forbid it."
"Until my death, my word is Law."
"I can not and will not place Trisha's life in danger."
"You have my word Kan. Trisha will be safe, even in Myaculi's Court."
"That is no assurance. Your word no longer means anything to me. You don't know Myaculi. If you did,
you wouldn't do this."
"Myaculi has been disturbed because of your attentions to the Terrestrial. Now that she will no longer be
a problem, Myaculi will not harm her. You'll see."
"You do not listen. Myaculi will never be High Priestess. I will not relinquish Trisha. Not for you. Not for
anyone. And whether you believe it or not, Myaculi can not be trusted. She had already made an attempt
on Trisha's life, and you want me to place Trisha in her hands so that she can surreptitiously carry out her
plan in the confines of her lower chambers? No, I will not!"
"The question is mute. Either you deliver Trisha into Myaculi's care, or the lower priests will. In either
case I want Trisha in Myaculi's hands within the hour."
"Not only do you deny me the right to choose. You ask me to destroy that which I love. And you do so
in complete ignorance of the current situation, and without giving me time to soften the blow."
"I didn't intend to. You are making too much of this. Now go, my son, and obey my command. You will
see I am right."
An angry Kan shouted out, When have you ever been right where Myaculi is concerned? What does
Myaculi hold over you that you are so willing to submit to her demands so easily?"
"How dare you speak... he stopped abruptly and with a smile that was meant to ease the situation,
added, You are angry now and your words do not mean what they say. I forgive you my son. Now
obey me, and with a wave of his hand Ra Mu dismissed Kan.
But Kan was not to be denied. From this day forward and for all eternity, I am no longer son to you.
Kan angrily declared, as he turned and stormed out of the Chamber, down the long corridors, and out of
the Council Building, as a heart-broken, bewildered, and uncomprehending Ra Mu stared after him.
* * * *
Myaculi was waiting outside at the bottom of the steps of the impressive Council Chambers as Kan came
raging down them. She smiled triumphantly. I'll expect you to deliver Trisha to me within the hour."
"She'll be there. I won't forget this Myaculi, mark my words. You will pay for this. I have all I can do to
stop myself from destroying you, once and for all, right now where you stand. Hear me, and mark me
well, you will never as long as there is breathe in me be High Priestess of this land."
Kan pushed past Myaculi with such force that he accidentally caused her to crumble to the ground;
jumping into his vehicle he roared away leaving Myaculi stranded and alone.
"Come back here, she screamed over and over again as she pounded her fists on the ground. You
can't do this to me, I am the High Priestess!"
* * * *
Kan paced back and forth in the Dining Area, getting angrier and angrier with every step he took. While
he wondered how he was going to break the news to Trisha, she entered the room unobserved.
Startling him with her bright and cheerful greeting, she called out, Koaha-E, Kan."
Angrily, Kan whirled around only to see his beloved standing before him. His anger melted and he smiled
at her. Koaha-E, my love."
"Koaha-E, Trisha said again, wondering.
"What have you been up to?"
"Nothing much. Just looking around, waiting for you. How did your Command Performance go?"
"My what?"
"Command Performance. You know ... your audience with the Highest Priest of all."
"In a word? Disastrous."
"Why? What happened?"
A worried frown creased Kan's forehead before he spoke. Trisha, my love, there's only one way to say
it, so that's what I'm going to do."
"Okay. Go ahead. I'm listening."
"I've been ordered to personally deliver you over to Myaculi."
"Myaculi? Why?"
"To be one of her hand-maidens."
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