Richard sat at the centre table which was larger than the
others and only two seats were arranged opposite to each!
Reans were wearing some colourful attire some of which
looked familiar! He smiled at the thought as he knew the
dresses must have belonged to the village kids!
This is the first time he has seen them in modern dresses
otherwise they would be seen only in the banana fibre
sarong or just a long tunic.
They really looked like dolls and were busy in allocating
the places. In every small table two males and two females
were seated. The other bigger tables also had four seats
and Victon told them the exact numbers of guests and
thanks to the plants there were sufficient numbers of tables
and stools. They had stacked the extras somewhere
nearby…
The music was heard to the whole area and the plants were
mesmerised to hear the melodious music.
The orbs were seen and Richard got up to receive the
guests and the Reans too stood up… The orbs landed on
the periphery of the other side of the lake. Richard walked
to the decorated arched entrance to the dinner setting. The
music was highly suitable for the occasion as it sounded
like the Royal march… The King Cynig came first and the
other Aatians followed him in a procession. The King’s
robe caught the lights and it looked as if the rainbow itself
was walking!
The shimmering material was similar to that of the fish
scales but only several times brighter!
There were around fifteen or so and there were no
females! Richard was really surprised that no females
were brought to the dinner…
He took few steps to receive the King and they both shook
hand. Re asked them to be seated but the Cynig said, ‘let
us wait for others to join us’
The ruf Buddyone came wagging its flippers and stood on
its flippers to bow to the Cynig.
The Cynig was not surprised to see it as he was already
told about its presence. He petted the Ruf and it swelled
with pride. It followed him everywhere with such devotion
…
They did not wait for long as they could see the orbs
descending… All the Aatians except the King went near
the orbs to bring the remaining guests!
The female Aatians were so elaborately dressed. The inner
gown and the outer robe were woven with some shining
gems. They glittered as they walked … diamonds,
emeralds, rubies, sapphires …each one had different gems
.
.. The blue hair and their golden skin looked amazingly
beautiful. Their striking features were their dark ruby like
eyes as they glittered competing with the gems!
Only their gait was unattractive as they all had flippers and
they walked erect with the bent flippers just like Victon.
But yet they all looked regal…
The Cynig was speechless seeing the beautiful
arrangements! He kept on asking how they could
transform the place like a paradise… he was surprised to
see the lights and he asked, ‘How do you burn the lights
without any fuel? We use the gas that is extracted from the
undersea polymetallic nodules.’
Richard said, ‘one of the advantages of the peace treaty is
that we could share the knowledge… You will know
everything dear King... You should have brought your
queen too!’
The Cynig was silent for some time, ‘you need to know
many things about us as we must yet to know things about
your Reans… But this is the time to enjoy… The novelty
of this dinner alone would keep us excited for another
Arda’s revolution around the Alpha…’
Richard thought of the term Arda’s revolution and what a
perfect explanation for one year!
The Cynig sat on the tree trunk with a cushion placed on
it… he appreciated the table setting and kept on looKing
around like a child and asked several questions about
everything.
Richard could see all the Reans seated and he thought he
should tell them to start serving… But then he saw drones
carrying something and slowly moving and one of the
drones hovered near Richard and he could see the bowls of
soups and some vegetable salad for starters were neatly
arranged on a wooden tray. He took them and placed them
in front of the King first and then for himself…
Zo’s voice was as melodious as the music, ‘Let us thank
our creator and have our dinner!’
There was silence except for the hushed voices of few…
The dinner went on as course after course was served with
precision. The Cynig had never tasted anything like the
grilled items and he kept on asking if it was the same sea
food that was sent to them…
Richard was amused to see the King eating so heartily and
he drank the fruits brew as if there was no tomorrow!
They all had a good time eating and drinking but most of
them ended up tipsy. The Aatians started dancing and
making merry and the Reans joined them. But the Aatians
were tripped on the Reans and they all had a good laugh!
The King became so morose and he started lamenting
about the loneliness and how the life was not his choice…
Richard did not want to pry some secrets from him which
would make him feel bad later. So he changed the topic
and asked if he knew any song …at that he stated singing
at the top of his voice and everyone became quite! He
really sang well and all stood around him to listen!
When he finished singing all clapped and Victon said that
they never knew he could sing so well…Once again the
applause reached the hills and echoed!
Finally the Cynig said, ‘you have proved that you were
superior to us at least in arranging a dinner in this short
time… We will remember this for a long time to come.
Thank you for a memorable night!’
He hugged Richard, ‘You are going to be the great King
of Arda! King Richard the great!’ Everyone cheered so
loudly the mountains echoed the cheer!
He went down to shake hands with Re. The Reans
cheered and the female Aatians gave strings of gems as
present to all the female Reans…
The King mentioned the plants and their contribution and
to everyone’s surprise, he went near the prop root that was
hanging and kissed it!
The queen’s voice boomed, ‘ Good to see you Robert’s
descendent…we will make Arda better than our
motherland Earth as now the prediction has come true…
Richard is here’
The Cynig agreed, ‘well said mother! I take my leave
now’
Richard wanted to ask many things but he thought it was
not the right time and decided to go and meet the King
shortly.
The Cynig petted the Ruf that was following him silently
since he arrived, ‘ do you want to come with me?’
The Ruf hesitated briefly and said, ‘My loyalty is given to
Richard who rescued me… But thank you… You are my
hero’ He smiled at it kindly…
The bonhomie continued until the Cynig got into his Orb
and others too followed. The Reans and the plants stood
watching the orbs taking off!
Richard felt at peace and thanked his creator for the first
successful party!
The plants came forward and congratulated for the success
of the party.
Richard thanked everyone and asked them to rest and to
come the next day to clear the campsite.
The plants hopped off from there leaving only the Reans.
Richard looked at them, ‘I am very proud of you all… the
menu and the taste were impeccable. Let us clap for Te
and his team!’
Te silently acknowledged the appreciation …They decided
to clear the area the next day and retired for the night!
The party established Richard as King Richard the
great of Arda without any doubt!
*
****