***Destiney***

Destiney awoke to the sound of Rowl's heartbeat. She was still nestled in his arms. It was daylight, and the moons had dimmed. She laid still and reflected on her actions of the previous night. She felt only a slight inkling of guilt. The good that had come from her coupling with Rowl superceded the guilt. Rowl's hands brushed her buttocks. He was obviously awake. She lifted her gaze and met his grin with one of her own. She said, "Good morning, lover. Thank you for staying with me all night. It was the first time in weeks that I have awoken rested and cheerful. I would adore staying here all day, but I have a conference with the council. I can not go like this, so I must leave you and prepare myself."

"What is so important that the council needs a conference with the queen?" Rowl hoped to gain insight into King Siefer's plans for the colonies.

Destiney yawned and stood to dress. She replied, "King Siefer left behind instructions for the council and me. We are to work together dividing the spoils from our captured planets. We are to split them evenly between the capital, the villages, and the colonies. They must be ready for distribution upon the king's return. He wants to rule over every Milisarian fairly and equally. Today we divide the medicines and the ingredients to make more."

Rowl protested, "Why does the king think he can rule everyone equally? He cannot be everywhere at once. I have lived in the colonies and seen what happens when the king is absent. Chaos ensues. They would be better served if allowed to rule themselves. The kings of Milisaria have all been the same. They claim to care about the colonies, yet all they truly want is to be obeyed. The power and authority of the ruling class are misused. They conquer a planet, enslave its people, and take their assets and power away. It leaves them hopeless and uncaring."

Destiney argued, "My husband is not like that. He wants to share everything with his conquests. Those who are hungry will be fed. Those who are ill will be given medication. All will be taught to grow food, filter water, make medications from plant life, and defend themselves from those who fight against Milisaria."

Rowl scoffed, "Do you really think that the planets who grow food or make medicines want to learn to fight? Do you believe that warriors wish to dig gardens? What of planets that have no water? Their inhabitants learned eons ago how to survive drinking from the plants that grow beneath the sand. The king only wishes to force the colonies to become clones of one another. He wants them to fight for his right to rule over what should be free planets. Do you not see that the king wants to be worshipped? He should be asking each colony what it wants or needs. Instead, he is demanding that they change to meet his expectations."

Destiney was quiet. She could understand Rowl's misgivings. He made sense in a way. Was King Siefer wrong? She knew he truly wanted the best for the colonies. He did not want to harm them. Her husband had a good heart and believed that sharing equally with every planet would benefit their inhabitants. But, Rowl saw it differently. He had lived among the colonists for years. Did he recognize their needs better than the king? Were the Milisarians forcing the colonists to be clones of themselves? Should a warrior be allowed to remain a warrior and a farmer stay a farmer or should each become a little bit of both? Would learning to grow food weaken a warrior's fighting ability? Would learning to defend himself make a farmer violent? Destiney could see both sides.

After the conference, Destiney took Scyon to see Nexxa. She had hopes of discussing her divided mind with Alexis while the babies played. She had to keep her affair with Rowl a secret from her friend. She was aware that Alexis still did not like him and disapproved of Destiney spending so much time with him. It would be difficult to hide the clandestine relationship from her, for Alexis knew Destiney better than anyone.

The women drank tea and snacked on sweet cakes while they watched over the babies. Scyon tickled Nexxa's toes and elicited a smile from the tiny baby. Destiney proclaimed, "They will either be the best of friends or grow up and marry."

Alexis replied, "There is a third option. They may end up despising one another."

Destiney shook her curly head, "I refuse to believe that possibility. I simply will not allow it." She became solemn and asked, "Do you think that the king has made the right choice? Is sharing everything equally going to make each colony better or is it forcing them to become something they do not wish to be?"

Alexis looked surprised by the question. She replied, "I thought you agreed with King Siefer. Every species on every planet deserves to eat well, drink fresh water, have access to new technology, and defend their world. Why are you questioning it now?"

"I have heard another point of view that seems just as compelling. It has caused me to dwell on what the colonists really want rather than what we think they should want. Does a warrior want to grow food or will it weaken his fighting abilities? Does a farmer want to fight or build spaceships? Is it right to force our ways on them? Shouldn't we let them rule themselves and live as they please?" Destiney tried to make Alexis understand the concept.

Alexis had heard enough. She declared, "Teaching a warrior to grow food will give him confidence and allow his children to be healthier and stronger. Each new warrior will be stronger than the last. Technology can give him better weapons. A farmer can defend his crops from thieves and use technology to make them grow faster and contain more vitamins. He can be made aware of which crops he can use as medicines to save his children from illness. The king isn't trying to force them to be different. He is trying to let them be a better version of themselves."