| Survival: Chapter Two, Part Two |
| The Jellicle stared back at him in disbelief, the entire royal familr of Janu was thought to have dies on the Day of Tears, the day they were put into slavery. Coras recovered enough to ask, "What do you want me to do?" Coras didn't dare ask why or how Siro knew this information about his lineage. It was a proven fact that the Pollicles were full of secrets. Siro however, was often on the Jellicles side. Something not many of the Pollicle nobles liked, but it certainly on won the hearts oh his peasants and slaves. the ones Coras knew were the most important. Siro looked into the eyes of the Jellicle. he knew he was holding his questions. Siro could also see something more about him... he could see the king he knew this Jellicle was deep inside. "The portal still exists Coras, son of Janer. Come with me." Siro walked over to the other window across the room. this window looked outover the palace gardens, still thriving and flourishing. As long as the Pollicles existed, this side of the planet would survive. the side that was dying was the Jellicles former Pride Lands. "Look boy, do you see those shrubs?" He pointed to a row of shruberythat had small delicate leaves and tiny hidden thorns. 'In a few vira they will start to bloom into the most beautiful flowers I have ever seen. Do you know what they are called?" Siro asked raising would be eyebrows. "Yes, I work n the gardens sire. I was told they are called Angena. The flowers are indeed beautiful and fragrant." Coras replies happy to be ona roll again. the mood rocks reflected white with specks of red, like shining opal. "Yes on Earth they are called roses, this kind English roses. They will bloom for several vira, they they will die out for the winter." Coras gave him a quizzical look in wonder. 'How could an Earth plant have gotten here?' Siro saw the wonderment in his eyes and by the slashing of his tail, followed by the color of the Rih stones. "Ask your question," Siro offered. "How did an Earth plant get here?" Coras asked. "It was brought here for Ara Belle. she missed it's scent. So Brai arranged for cuttings to be taken from soem of the shrubs. the life force of our planet caused the cuttings to grow roots in our rich water and soil before they ever would on Earth. Now as to why I mentioned them. I fell it is best to leave the welfare of the people inthe hands of their king. For me that is the Pollicles, and now that you are aware of it, you are the rightful leader of the Jellicles. Since the welfare of the people is left in the hands of their ruler so is their survival. You, my dear boy, are going to be the one to either save your people or lead them into extinction. Deuteronmy and Mistoffelees, poor lad...," Siro broke off in thought for a moment, thinking about the young tom and his pure white mate's loss, then he regained his train of thought, "... have located the portal and they have also located the dwelling of the one human who can either save or kill your people." The tom cringed at the heavy burden he could feel was being put upon him. "I will make a deal with you, jellicle. When she is brought, she'll be brought to you. If you can learn to love her, to be in love with her and earn her love in return by the time the last petal falls on the last Angena on both the Pack Lands and the Pride Lands, then I will set your people free and the lands of your ancestors will once be their home. I emphasize they will be free, and you and your Human- jellicle bride will be their rulers and your people will never be enslaved again. If not, then your people will remain slaves, the human will become a slave, and will be at the mercy of their masters and mistresses, the next succession of kings, and your race itself will be doomed to extinction for all time." Coras gasped that so much had been put upon. A young tom whom no one really noticed before was the last line of hope for his race. 'Can I do this?' he asked himself. "You are not to go to Earth with the retrieval party that will be sent. You will spend this time preparing your mind, heart and people for what lies ahead. Now go jellicel and remember, before the last petal falls on the last Angena." Siro said as he returned to his throne and summoned his guards. Coras out the hood back on and bowed his head. the guards grabbed him roughly. Siro called," Gentlemen, you are no longer permitted to man handle him like that. He is the future of his race." Siro said with a touch of irony, then added seriously," Handle him with care. take him to his chambers to rest and to think. he needs this time." Coras walked out ahead of the guards, and for the first time they realized he didn't walk in the usual humble style of a Jellicle around Pollicles with his head lowered, but high and proud' like a prince. |