| "The Adventures of Kat and Clara" Part XVII: Second Thoughts The trip was only minutes underway, and already Kat, Clara, and Salem seemed to be loving every second. It was a perfect day for sailing; there was barely a cloud in the sky and the sun was brighter than ever at midday. Captain Hermione stood on the bow of the ship, calmly admiring the beauty of the sea as the Covenant drifted slowly through the waves. Kat walked over to her from the port side. "Thank you again, captain," she said, "for taking us aboard your ship." Hermione turned her head, her face still as expressionless as ever. "Oh, Kat," she said, "it is my pleasure." Then she paused, and turned her head back to the front of the ship. "By the way, Kat, you and your friends may relax yourselves for a while if you like." Kat was a little daunted by the lack of emotion displayed by the captain. "Oh, but it's nice up here, ma'am," Kat said. "I've never been on a ship before, to tell you the truth. Neither have Clara or Salem." Hermione was stunned; she turned around quickly to face Kat. "Are you serious?" she asked. "Never? Then how exactly were you able to get to Trillan in the first place?" Kat was a little intimidated. "Well, captain," Kat began, slowly, "during our travels, we had encountered a band of nudists who gave to us--" Hermione blinked in disbelief. "Wait," she said. "Did you just say you met nudists?" "Yes, ma'am, I did. Now, they had given to us a possession of theirs, a special flying machine." "A flying machine?!?" Hermione crowed. "That's preposterous! I've never heard anything like that in my life." "I am telling you the truth, captain," Kat insisted. "They gave it to us, and we flew here." Hermione raised her right hand to her forehead. "I never actually learned where you were from, Kat," she said. "Where were you born, exactly?" "Clara and I are from Lamuth, on the Plains of Clay," Kat said, "and Salem is from the Valley of Fate." Hermione's eyes widened. "You come from places Trillanians only rarely visit!" she exclaimed. "Moreover, you lived in a township that historically hated Trillanians; are you aware that your town was founded by Trillanian rebels? It's no wonder I cannot understand you three at all." Kat was disturbed. "What do you not understand, captain?" she asked. "I must tell you," Hermioned said. "For as much I have traveled in my young life, never once have I ever been that far eastward. Maybe that's where your unconventional method of dealing with your Guardianhood comes from." "'Unconventional'??" Kat asked, confused. "What do you mean by that?" Hermione finally turned completely around. "I mean to say," she continued, "that while you may be Guardians, you will never know true Guardianhood -- because you are not a native Trillanian." Kat was visibly outraged. "What kind of person are you?" Kat shouted, throwing up her arms. Hermione's face again turned expressionless. "I will be honest with you," she said. "When I was home in Trillan, such as with the last few weeks, I had noticed you and your friends in passing. Things occurred to me about the three of you, like how quick you are to walk freely amongst the commoners instead of paying closer attention to King Jervin and Queen Ophelia. Need I remind you that although she was rescued by you, she still may be in danger?" "Now, wait just one moment, captain!" Kat shouted. "We did just as we were instructed. And please be aware that we have pledged allegiance to King Jervin, and in return he gave us citizenship and favor. But it is my opinion that the Trillanian people are just as impor--" "Your king and queen come before all others in Trillan!" Hermione snapped. Kat was horribly upset. "What kind of upbringing did you have, exactly, captain?" she asked. "I am the eldest of seven children in my family, and the heir to this ship," Hermione said, lowering her voice. "Our upbringing was very strict and focused on a strict value system. We were taught time and time again to hold the importance of Trillan above all others, including people like you who are given special treatment because you were able to save a life." "Now you're being unreasonable!" Kat shouted. "If you recall, we saved your queen! And King Jervin put us up to it because he had faith in us. If you have no appreciation for such acts, I suggest you complain about it -- as loudly as you have been -- to King Jervin....Just explain something to me, captain -- is it in your blood to be an elitist?" "It is, indeed," Hermione answered. "I am a pure-blooded Trillanian, and I am proud of my nationality, my religion, and my heritage. I will die on Trillanian soil or aboard the Covenant, under the Trillanian banner, and I will not die in vain. And I would rather die in vain than have my life be saved by Lamuthian vagabonds." At that moment, Kat was about to retort the comment, but Clara came running over. "Is there a problem, captain?" she asked. "I thought I heard a shout." Hermione spoke up before Kat could. "No, Guardian Clara," she said. "There is no problem. Feel free to make yourself comfortable aboard my ship; out here there are no such distractions." "Thank you, ma'am," Clara said. She then walked away, returning to her quarters. "Why did you just do that, captain?" Kat asked. "Because there really is no problem here," Hermione insisted. "Once we reach the Crystal Shores, I'll give you back your belongings. Then you can find your own way home. Now, excuse me -- I must be left alone." Kat was angry, and clenched her fists tightly as Hermione wandered off, back to her quarters. I suppose I was wrong, she said. Maybe not all Trillanians are friendly people. Back to Stories Back to "TAOK&C" Back to Home |