The Fire and The Storm - The Nexus of Kellaran #2 novel Chapter 36

Part 7

“I am not the leader of the world, and you don’t have to be either.” Mark patiently insisted. “We’ll be just as proud of you if you decide to just live here like we do now for as long as you want. But knowing you two, I imagine you’ll want to do more than that.”

“Of course we will.” Helemia giggled. “Karzog says that it’s his honorable duty to follow the example of greatness that his parents have set, and I guess we’ve kinda picked that up from him.”

“I still find it hard to believe in the outside world.” Reggie revealed with a smile and a shake of his head. “I mean, I know intellectually that it all has to be true; it’s impossible that everyone in the settlement could all have the same false memories, and the knowledge we got from the Sylvan is consistent with what we’ve learned here. I know that you’re the ruler of Serminak, and that Povon and Kragorram actually run that continent for you from day to day, and that as Key To The Just Alliance, you’re the senior advisor to every government in the world. That you and Mother co-rule these islands and Hilia and a bunch of other little properties, and that the two of you are considered key to the coming nexus of the world, and crucial to the future of everyone. That Alilia here rules the forest elves as Princess of The People of Life, and Grandfather Yazadril is Prince of The High People and First Commander of all the world’s armies, and Reen is really a Prince of Sming, and second in line to be Emperor there.

“But I tell you, even knowing all that, I still don’t really believe it, emotionally. I don’t even really believe in the time-bubble. I guess I probably won’t until we leave here and I see it all for myself. It all just seems too incredible. To me, you’re just our parents, and we’re just settlers on an island in the middle of nowhere.”

“Ha, I believe it, and I can’t wait to get out of here and see it all!” Helemia laughed. “And you are so the leader of the world, Father, everyone here agrees with it. And they’re all sure that everyone else out in the world does too, even if you’re not choosing to exercise any authority right now. You’re not the ruler of the world, but you are the leader, at least until everyone thinks there’s someone better to listen to.”

“And if you check our memories for the occasion when he became leader of the world,” Talia directed, “You’ll find that he achieved it with two speeches that he gave at the founding meeting of The Assembly of The Just Alliance. It was his speaking ability that was crucial that day, along with brilliant and original thinking. Not his power, not his psionics, not his might, but his speaking, and the sound of it was just as important as the words he said; the artistry of his tone and rhythm and cadence and delivery added greatly to the persuasiveness of what he was saying. That should tell you that if you choose to not learn to speak physically, you’ll be giving up a valuable and perhaps crucial ability.”

“Wow. That’s a very good point. I never thought of that.” Reggie admitted.

“Yah, me too.” Helemia nodded. “All right, we’ll start working on it, but not here, or anywhere where anyone could hear us, even accidentally. We’ll do it out by the goat shed.”

“Yah, I sound like an idiot when I try to talk, and I hate that.” Reggie agreed.

“I’m sure you sound like adorable little babies, which is what you are!” Talia smiled as she reached over and ruffled his hair a bit.

“Not in any of the ways that really matter, we’re not.” Helemia insisted.