Karlandra

Author: Katana
E-mail: rose_tat@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: I only own Karlandra and the assassin.
Spoilers: None that I know of.
Rating: G.
Distrubution: If you want it take it, but please tell me.
Feedback: That's what keeps me writing.


The halls echoed with confusion as the assassin made his way towards his goal. The distraction had been a success. The fort was in confusion and the main focus was on the attack on the south wall. The people of Antar were such fools. His disguise, although bearly adequate, was enough in the confusion that overtook the fort like the virus that was the Antarian race plagued the face of this planet that would soon belong to the superior ones. The prince would be in his war chamber as his sister and second issued orders and commands. Maybe his bride would be there also. That would be quite a prize. Maybe he would be able to kill them both but the young prince was his primary target. He did not expect to escape alive, he had no wish to. His actions would go down in history, he would be a hero and his daughter would be protected because of it. By excepting this suicide mission he had allowed his daughter entrance into the highest ranks of society. He did not believe for a moment that he would fail.

She watched as her love and prince retreated into the war chamber. Their love was both forbidden and unspoken but she knew that she would gladly give her life for him. Most thought of her as just a servant girl but she was much more than that. She had been the prince's eyes and ears on many an occasion. She had weeded out many a spy among them. She listened to idle chat and reported the feelings of the common people. She kept him in touch with the masses, something that was important for any great leader. Sadly it was her reports to him, as she tended to her servant-girl duties, that had brought about the arranged marriage. The people needed something to bring them hope, to inspire them and the marriage had united the planet. He was not happy. She could see it in his eyes as she waited on him at meal times. She could see it in his movements as the four laid plans in the war chamber. She was scribe and messenger. Servant and agent. She knew him with the intimacy that only one who's live has been devoted to service may know. She had taken the vows of the high order so that she may be closer to him. Those of her order never took a mate and were therefore not considered a threat in close service to members of the opposite gender. And although she loved him she knew that she would never speak of it except maybe with her dying breath. That she would never act on it. Nor would he, she guessed that her love was returned but she could never be sure. His manner was always so kind and considerate. Unlike his self-centered bride he treated people of all rank with the same kindness and respect. He valued life and even mourned the death of his enemies for he knew that they were just following orders. She noticed the figure moving towards the war chamber and suspicion filled her. In a moment of clairvoyance she knew what she had to do.

She rushed through the secret passages taking the fastest route she knew, she burst through the secret entrance to the war chamber startling the prince and the handful of commanders that were gathered in the room. The prince turned to her in shock and concern but before he could utter a sound the main door had burst open revealing his would-be assassin. Before she could think she had crossed the short distance to place her slight body as a shield before his own. She felt the deadly blast of power strike her body and she crumpled to the floor. Moments later one of the commanders leveled the attacker to the ground. She was bearly clinging to consciousness as she felt the prince kneel down beside her.

"Karlandra, Karlandra look at me." His voice was gentle, pleading. She slowly forced her eyes open. She felt him place his strong hand over her wounded stomach and try to from a connection. Suddenly realizing his intent she jerked away.

"No," Her voice was bearly a whisper. "You need your strength and I am beyond saving."

"Karlandra."

She touched his cheek gently. "Sweet prince, sweet Zan, it's my time. You have to let me go."

A single tear rolled down his hansom cheek. "Where ever your soul flies mine will follow. I promise you that." The room was in confusion now and nobody heard his words but her. "I love you, I always have. You are my soul's one and only mate."

She fought the loosing battle for consciousness. A tear slipped down her face and he gently brushed it away. "I have always loved you also."

"What ever earth your soul lands on, mine will follow. Although a million suns may try to keep us apart I will find you. That I promise." Her eyes had fluttered shut but she heard him none the less. He kissed her gently on her forehead and held her close as her dying breath left her body. He stayed like that, cradling her broken body until the gentle touch of his second's hand brought him back to the world around him. Reluctantly he allowed his friend to remove her from his embrace. The second, his sister's betroved, removed his cloak and placed it gently over Karlandra's dead body. Prince Zan watched in amazement, he had never seen his friend be so gentle. Just then his sister and his bride rushed into the chamber.

"Zan! Zan my love, are you alright?"

The prince nodded mutely. He stood awkwardly in his bride's embrace. He turned towards his second with pleading eyes. "See that she is buried with the respect she deserves."

"Of course."

"What! Zan are you insane. We have no room to bury a servant girl, let her be cremated like the rest!"

The prince turned to his bride with angry eyes. He fought to regain his composure. When he spoke his voice was cold and sharp. "She died protecting me. She took the blow that was meant for me. Surely that counts for something! She is a hero and should be treated with the respect that she deserves." He held his bride's gaze in order to avoid his sister and friends knowing looks. Unable to take the steal and disappointment of his gaze she looked away. The second gently gathered Karlandra's small form in his arms and nodded to his prince and friend.

"I will see that she is given a true burial."

"Good."

His sister touched his shoulder gently. "Zan, are you alright?"

"Yes Vilandra, or at least I will be." [Just not in this life.] He thought sadly to himself. [I will find you again my love, and when I do I'll never let you go. Destiny and duty be damned.]


Max Evans stood nervously at the door of the bus. It was his first day at West Roswell Elementary and the new faces frightened him. He stood there searching the sea of strangers until his eyes finally settled upon a dark-hard girl. She turned to look at him and as her doe eyes meet his hazel ones there was a moment of recognition. Somehow he knew that he had found what he had been searching for. She smiled at him and the action lightened his heart. His sister tugged on his arm urging him towards the school building and the moment was lost. Yet some part of him knew beyond a doubt that they belonged together. The connection had been formed and nothing would ever break it. [Karlandra.] The part of his soul that understood called. [I promised you that I would follow you across the stars and I have. I will not lose you again.]

The End.