5 Music For The Empress'

KERSIANS: A group of Kers creatures commissioned by the Emperor to serve the Imperial Family. There are three groups of Kersians based on their physical characteristics. The largest, most powerful but the least intelligent are the Oinoghreus. The Oinoghreus are assigned as the Imperial Force and Palace Guardians. The smallest, most numerous but most mobile - the Oinowe serve as Couriers and Star Sailors. The most intelligent, most adaptable but physically weakest Kersians are the Oinoskambs. Oinoskambs are assigned for common Palace tasks and social functions.

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Empress Q'ara Ia, the Emperor's wife is viewed with the same reverence as the Emperor and the Prince. Her words have the same authority as Egher, but her unobtrusive way of dispensing commands and authority is her biggest strength. To billions and billions of other subjects, she's considered the Mother, the Queen, or even the Goddess. Although Egher rules with strength, power and blind justice, she manages to put compassion and tenderness in an otherwise totally dictatorial regime of her husband. To everyone, she is the co-ruler of the Galactic Empire.

Much of her authority is concentrated in running the affairs of the Tetrahedral Palace. Her motherly voice is more often heard than Egher's powerful bass voice in the halls of the Palace. She sometimes assumes the throne whenever the Emperor is out to another planet.

When a large delegation of Lexai leaders from Andromeda's third arm visited planet Xavenon, she supervised the entertainment. The Palace musicians provided the musical entertainment.

"I believe you have practiced enough, Rooh Zivel. You may let your musicians rest for now. It is already late."

"As you wish, Madam."

Zivel gave quick gestures to the musicians and they quickly packed their instruments before leaving.

"You have done a good job in practicing them. The rehearsal that you did was perfect. You have done very well, Rooh Zivel."

"Thank you, My Lady. I am honored that you were pleased with the rehearsal."

He took a bow, before the Empress dismissed him.

After Rooh Zivel closed the door behind him. Empress Q'ara was left in the immense auditorium designed to accommodate only dignitaries of different worlds. She tried to picture the wonderful rehearsal in her mind, accommodating the music as well. It would be a nice entertainment, and a fitting time to announce an upcoming reorganization as well.

Although seemingly lost in the vividness of her imagination, she was distracted by a hauntingly beautiful strain of music that passed by her ear. The music is so weak that it disappears temporarily, caused by a passing volume of air, sending it in other directions. The garden is the most probable source of such music. But who would practice at this time?

Empress Q'ara was drawn to the source. She went out, seeking the ever increasing sound of music caused by a stringed instrument. A violin. The music is played not mechanically, but by heart, something that was never done before. A wonderful music indeed, expressed out of the inner depths of the being. But a violin? All musicians have rested, and no one's allowed to use the instruments without her permission or Zivel's permission.

The music is beautiful, perhaps even enchanting to her. She opened the immense door leading to the main garden, but there is no one. But the music is quite close. She approached one of the bushes until something moved. The music stopped.

"This is Empress Q'ara Ia. May I know the Kersian responsible for playing the stringed instrument at this time of the night?"

A moment passed, until someone emerged out of the bushes. An Oinoskamb Kersian, as expected. He bowed and but remained silent, waiting for the Empress to say something.

"Speak, my servant. What is your name?" Q'ara said.

"I am Rooh Fizel, a servant of the Most High Name of Xai."

The figure remained bowed, although Empress Q'ara noticed something peculiar in his arm, or whatever it is he is holding.

"Do not be afraid. Strengthen yourself. I have heard you play a wonderful music. From whom did you learn that music."

"If it would please My Highness, that I learned the music myself. That I composed the music from the depths of my heart."

"It is very wonderful. However, do you know that it is not proper for you to get any instrument without my consent?"

"I know it. My Lady."

"Then why did you take a stringed instrument. I will not get angry if you had asked for more practice time."

"But my Lady, I did not get any stringed instrument."

"Is that so? What instrument do you have with you?"

"I have none, your Highness."

"You do not have any musical instrument? How did you produce the beautiful music then?"

"If the Empress would allow me to come near, so I can show you."

"Very well."

Rooh Fizel approached and showed the 'instrument' to her. Q'ara looked at the instrument. It looks like a violin, but it amazed her that the violin is his arm as well. Then she realized that Oinoskambs can morph or change their shapes, their body or parts of their body. She immediately understood. Fizel morphed his arms in the shape of a violin. The only things he did not morph are the strings, which seemed like strands of hair. Possibly a thread or hair obtained somewhere in the garden.

"You are a very resourceful servant."

Q'ara came closer, so she can study the exquisitely imitated shape of an ancient instrument. A human invention, but nevertheless a work of art.

Empress Q'ara has never seen any Kersian invent a thing, but this one, may not necessarily be an invention, but the music he composed was nevertheless splendid. This is the first time as well that music affected her more than ever.

"Do you do this often?"

The Oinoskamb Kersian seemed afraid once more. Afraid that his confession might trigger a punishment. But he consoled himself that this is the Empress and not the Emperor. She deals differently.

"I do this every night, my Lady."

Q'ara motioned him to follow her to the nearby stone seats. After they seated, she continued.

"Would you like to play your music, just for me?"

The glow of the Kersian's eyes is unmistakable. Whatever is inside him exploded from the simple stimulus of the Queen's request.

"Do you really like me to play my music for you? Really?" Rooh Fizel asked, as if he is forcing himself to believe what he has just heard.

"I am the Empress of Andromeda. Whatever I say is something you must believe. Please, play some of your wonderful music to me."

It took awhile before Fizel realized that the Queen is serious. He took a seat, facing the Queen and bowed low to acknowledge her presence.

So Rooh Fizel played, using only strands of hair, his left arm served as the violin. Rooh himself felt lost in the tune of his music. The haunting music pervaded the air, with the Queen observing and listening as well. The beauty of his music touched several things in her heart as well. Music was never a strong point of Mekholis. Advanced as they were, many were added from the weaknesses of their human ancestors, but many were removed as well. Just as Mekholis advanced from the tragedies of human impulses, gone also was the creativity associated with these impulses, replaced mostly by things that would make them survive, and not by what would make them happy. Even then, deep within the recesses of her Mekholi brain still lurks the desire to express oneself, in one's own way. Only the overwhelming instinct for order and regularity hinders it from coming out.

Fizel played with an intensity that he had never done before, and it was slowly noticed by the Empress. The performance continued until she noticed that it is already late in the evening. She realized how truly remarkable that Fizel held her attention for quite a time. Egher might wonder where she is now, or if he already knows where she is, he might visit them there. The Empress waved her hand for Fizel to stop.

"I believe you can play for the Emperor as well. But for now, Fizel, I thank you for the beautiful music. It is a wonderful experience for me."

"I am truly honored that I made the Lady happy." He stood up before the Queen dismissed him.