The window shields of the shuttle folded in, and the glorious marakian desert spread before them. Kana and Rolt stood in awe and gazed at the shimmering orange landscape of their home world. Kana had to close her eyes to prevent tears from falling. Her heart filled with such longing that she could hardly contain it. Unfortunately, they didn’t have time to fully appreciate what they’d missed these last 53 years away. Until they made their report to the World-Bearer Cole, their long diplomatic assignment would not be officially over. So, immediately after the shuttle’s doors opened, Kana and Rolt made their way to world-bearer Cole’s throne room.

In the years they’d been away, nothing had changed. The throne room was a cylindrical space with large windows and no ceiling, which allowed sunlight to enter unobstructed. The few walls were made of Sphran, a material so bright that the room looked like it was glowing from all the reflected sunlight. Cole sat as languidly as ever upon his throne at the center of the room. He always had an ease about him that only those with true power could exude. He smiled and sat up as he saw them.

“Oh, this is perfect timing,” He said to elder Jenjik.

“No! No, no, no… Cole, they just came back….” Jenjik said, shaking his head. “I haven’t seen my daughter and son-in-law in over 50 years. At least let me give them a hug before you send them off on another mission.”

Kana and Rolt glanced at each other in confusion but said nothing until they arrived before the throne.

“Greetings to the bearer of the World-Marks,” Kana said in greeting to Cole. “I would like to say it’s wonderful to see you again after so long, but I see that you are still doing everything in your power to send my father to an early grave,” Kana said. Rolt and her gave nods of respect to Cole.

“I can assure you that regardless of anything I do, he will live much longer than me,” Cole said with a smile and returned the nod. “Welcome home.”

“I certainly hope not…I’m old enough as is,” Jenjik murmured. “Come, my daughter,” he said, enveloping Kana in a tight hug. His thin arms wrapped around her with all their strength, and Kana felt her heart wrench. They’d been joking about it, but his age really was starting to show, and the 53 years they’d been away now seemed much longer.

“It’s been too long, dad.” She hugged him tighter. He pat her back, then turned to Rolt.

“As silent as ever, Rolt. Come here!”

Rolt leaned down to hug him, then stood up straighter, lifting her father’s feet off the floor slightly, causing Kana and Cole to burst out in laughter.

“It’s good to see you, Raman Jenjik,” Rolt said as he placed her father back on the ground.

“It is good to see you as well, my dear boy,” Jenjik said and adjusted his robes. Kana and Cole laughed harder as her father’s cheeks reddened slightly.

“So, my illustrious world-bearer, we came to give our mission report, but it seems you have something else in mind. what do you want us to do?” Kana asked, returning to the subject at hand.

Cole smiled and leaned back. “Well, since hugs are now out of the way…A leviathan graule spawned in the Ralon Canyon a couple hours ago and has already attacked some of the Heart Tribe’s towns. It needs to be taken care of.” He made a slicing motion with his hand, then gave a gentle smile. “Of course, you don’t really have to go. I was already sending for Jalin.”

Kana glanced at Rolt, and he nodded. She turned back to Cole and bowed her head slightly. “No, we’d be happy to. What better way to celebrate our homecoming than with the horns of a Leviathan? Besides, we’ve been away for so long, it will be a joy to walk through the Ralon canyon.”

“Wonderful. What do you say, Rolt? Should we plan a banquet tonight in celebration of your return and slaying of the leviathan?”

“Not today,” Rolt answered with a small smile.

Cole lifted a brow. “Tomorrow then?”

Rolt nodded.

“Tomorrow it is,” he said, green eyes twinkling mischievously. “Alright, have fun on your… walk.”

“Be safe,” Jenjik added as Rolt and Kana made their way out.

*continued in part 2 ( post character limit)