The Tides of the Flow
an excerpt

Natasha stood amongst the ranks of Imperial soldiers lining the platform leading to the palace. Every soldier of every position stood motionlessly, staring ahead, chin slightly raised, hands behind their backs, toes of their boots slightly touching the silken carpet spread out for Empress Selima, Resplendent of the throne. Each soldier’s uniform, a brown suit bordered with gold threaded lining, was neatly pressed, medals and symbols of their achievements perfectly straightened on their bosoms. Trumpets blared and drums boomed as the Empress exited her ship at the end of the hovering platform. The woman stepped down from the ramp that opened from the starboard, and descended amongst the brigade, smoothing her dress crafted solely of polished moldavite. The troops saluted. However, Natasha joined a few seconds behind the rest. She was too distracted by the woman’s beauty, with her night brown hair wrapped with sparkling brocades of chiffon. Her face was flawless with her perfectly formed lips, brilliantly applied pale make-up, and gorgeous green eyes. It took Natasha awhile before she realized her mouth was dropped in silent awe. She snapped her jaw shut and turned her face to stone.
Following the Empress was another woman, not quite as endearing, with an oddly shaped nose. Her black hair, tied in an intricate braid woven with strands of shimmering star diamonds, bobbed up-and-down on the billowy back of her indigo starsilk dress. She bore a face of frustration, her eyebrows sunken, fiery eyes fixed firmly on Selima, clashing with her prissy, regal gait. Telanna. The Ascendant. The woman destined to possess the throne. It seemed natural that there would be underlying tension between her and the Empress.
The gates of the palace swung open, revealing a tall priestess that swept out onto the platform. She smiled as she gathered her filmy pink robes in her hands and approached the two women.
“It is an honor to welcome you back, Your Majesty,” the priestess said sweetly, tipping into a soft bow, “I am happy to report there were no disturbances while you were away.”
“Good,” Selima said, ripping her gloves from her hands, “It’s about time there was nothing to report in this Empire.” Once removed, she threw her gloves back at Telanna, expecting her to catch them. Breaking her stride, Telanna nearly lunged for the gloves, grabbing them in mid air before they hit the ground. The Ascendant sniffed. “Ah, I see you have the new regiments lined up for my arrival,” Selima continued, “I’m delighted to see my servants so wonderfully trained.” Selima chuckled as she began walking along the ranks, hands behind her back. She stopped at a couple young men, examining them head-to-toe, smiling.
Natasha could barely refrain from shaking as the Empress approached her. A swell of fear, excitement, glee, and nervousness befell her. The Empress! Right in front of her! The very reason she joined the Imperial Space Academy!
Selima stepped in front of her, bearing a blank look. She stopped and turned towards her. “At ease, soldier,” Selima snapped.
Immediately Natasha rested her shoulders and slouched slightly. She smiled broadly. “Yes, Milady?”
A slap came across her face. “I said ‘At ease,’ soldier! I DID NOT give you permission to speak!” Selima scoffed as Natasha cupped her reddened cheek. “Who do you think you are?”
Natasha looked her straight in the eye. “I’m so sorry, Your M—“
Another slap. Natasha shrieked.
“Again, I didn’t give you permission to speak!” Selima shouted, “You have much to learn before you are to enter the walls of my palace, child.” Selima’s anger lifted and she cracked a devious smile. “Now, you have permission to speak.”
“I’m so, so sorry, Milady,” Natasha said, holding back tears, “I meant no disrespect, I promise.”
“Hush. I know, child,” she said calmly, “I want to know why you are here. What is a young woman like you doing amongst the ranks of the most powerful army in the world?”
Natasha stared at her for a moment and said, “To honor, serve, and protect you, Milady.” She gagged on a tear.
“A good answer,” Selima said, chuckling, “Perhaps I’m being a bit too hasty with you.” The Empress stepped back, closed her eyes, and began shaking, as if focusing on something in her mind. The Flow. The ultimate energy, the force keeping the seven islands suspended above the abyss. Natasha began to feel the twinge in her cheek start to fade as a soothing force, like a soft, cool hand caressed her face. The pain was...gone. Natasha stared at the woman, eyes widened. “T—thank you, Milady.”
“Of course, child,” Selima said, opening her eyes, “I will keep a watchful eye on you. What is your name?”
“Natasha. Natasha Bardsley.”
“Natasha,” Selima breathed, “I am glad to have met you.” She grinned and turned towards the Ascendant. “Telanna!” The Empress clapped her hands. “Come. We must be briefed on the happenings while we were away!”
Telanna sighed and rolled her eyes. “Yes, Selima.”
The two women joined next to each other and began following the priestess up the palace steps. Selima glanced back at Natasha, cracking an entrancing smile. Natasha stared in bewilderment, stroking her cheek as the palace doors closed behind them...

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Empress Selima pushed the doors of her sitting room open and swept towards the circle of chairs set before a tall window overlooking the city. Fleets of airships soared through the cloudy sky, creating soft whirs and sputters that whispered through the air. Selima settled into a red velvet chair, studded with astro-rubies and diamonds, smoothing her moldavite gown over the sharp curvature of the upholstery. She waited for Telanna and Nicolette, the priestess, to settle in the chairs beside her, before pouring herself a cup of tea.
“I think you will find that tea to be absolutely delightful, Milady,” Nicolette said, face still beaming, “it contains honey...oh, and clover! They’re becoming increasingly rare, even on the fourth ring planet.”
Selima blew on it and sipped it daintily. She sat for a moment smacking and licking her lips before staring down at her cup with a grimace. She placed the saucer on the table and glared at Nicolette.
“Is there...lemon...in this tea?” Selima asked.
Nicolette met her gaze, swallowing deeply. “I—uh---well, I think there may be a squeeze or two in there, yes.”
Without a word, Selima rose from her chair, with an awkward, forced smile on her face. She walked towards Nicolette’s chair and loomed above the priestess. “I’m sorry. Did you say there was, indeed, lemon in my tea?” The Empress cocked her head slightly, glaring at Nicolette intensely.
“Yes, I believe so,” Nicolette said, eyes darting away from Selima’s gaze. Telanna watched the Empress with a look of horror spread across her face. Selima tipped her cup over Nicolette’s lap, sending the boiling beverage on the priestess’ ornate robe. Nicolette shrieked in pain.
“I HATE LEMON!” Selima screamed. She threw the cup across the room and grabbed the teapot from the coffee table, smashing it on the ground.
Nicolette thrashed desperately at her skirts trying to tear away the tea-stained fabric, tears streaming down her face. “I’m so sorry, Empress Selima! It’ll never happen again, I swear by the Flow itself!” She crumbled to the ground, weeping bitterly.
“Get up,” Selima said with a scoff, reaching to the floor and grabbing a lock of Nicolette’s golden hair, forcing her to her to feet to look into her eyes. “Eat through the pain, like the sworn servant of my Empire you are.” Nicolette sniveled, trying to restrain her tears. “Don’t ever—EVER—put lemon juice in my tea again.” The Empress released the priestess’ hair and threw her towards her seat. “Sit down!” Nicolette complied.
“Now, let’s get down to business. I want to know every detail of my Cabinet’s meetings, down to the last punctuation mark of every last sentence. Also, I want an in depth report from the seven planets in the interplanetary rings. Give it all to me, matters of peasantry, agricultural, uprisings, and the like. I want to know what has happened while I’ve been away.” She shot a glare at Nicolette as she sat whimpering in her chair, nearly choking back the remaining pain.
“What about your mission, Milady?” Nicolette croaked. “Was it a success?”
Selima stared at her for a moment, but then replied:
“No. It was another failure. The source of the Flow remains an enigma.”
“Where there any new developments? Clues even?”
“There was one thing,” Selima said with a deep breath, “A mysterious stream of energy emanating from the base of a remote island, between the main and the first island. My scholars believe it to be the result of some experiment being conducted without my consent.”
Nicolette paused. “More Archaeologists? Do you think more rebels are tampering with the Flow?”
“I don’t know,” Selima said, walking towards the window, hands behind her back. “Whatever it is, I will put an end to it. I cannot have my Empire destroyed by the hands of eccentric scientists and their unquenchable thirst for knowledge. The Flow belongs to me, and know one else!”
“Yes, Milady,” Nicolette said, “how do you want the church to proceed?”
Selima turned from the window. “No, this is not the church’s matter. I want my new regiments to investigate this matter.” A grin grew on her face. “We will annihilate the dissenters. Soon they will learn not to violate that which belongs to their Empress.” Selima snickered as she walked across the room and exited, followed swiftly by Nicolette and Telanna, who met each other with equally nervous and unsure looks on their faces...