Prologue One: Dream Of The Golden Angel

Shahiyra, Queen and wife to King Zarkon, rushed to her son's bedside as he cried out her name."mama!"

"I'm here, little prince! What's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?

"No mama. I dreamed about the gold lady again. She wore a necklace just like yours and she was sad too." Lotor pointed to the marriage choker around Shahiyra's neck."why was she sad, mama?"

"I don't know, D'aavid." his mother said, using her name for him.

"The lady didn't always stay sad, she smiled at me and said she love me.I don't like girls, mama, but she was ok with me. She's so pretty,like you." Lotor replied with a yawn.

His mother smiled with love at the five year old child. Marveling at his innocence, she did not want to say he was possibly dreaming of a future mate. She had dreamed of Zarkon long before they met, never realizing he was in her future. Her family had that ability, though she never let her husband know of this.

"My little prince, you must go to sleep now. What did call me here for?"

"Jus' wanted t'say I love you and good nigh' mama...."Lotor was already drifting off to sleep.

Shahiyra kissed her son on his forehead and smoothed back his silver-white hair (so like hers!) and wondered how long she could protect him from the monster that was his father. She didn't know - she just didn't know.

Prologue Two:Eclipse Of The Sun

Prince Lotor looked out of one of the large dormer windows in his mother's room and saw the first of his father Zarkon's entourage approach the building. He knew he was supposed to be making preparations in his appearance for one of his father's rare visits,but he was fascinated by all his father's slaves,concubines and his Court that were behind the massive golden throne that was being carried high in the air.

The life he led with his mother,Queen Shahiya and his small sister Zimereon on Shahiya's home planet of Aden was relatively quiet and uneventful between his father's visits,butwhen his father came, it was always with pomp and ceremony.

Aware of the time, Lotor turned away from the window and gazed at his reflection in the large mirror to make sure he was presentable to his father. His light blue skin and white hair were adequate-no smudges or dirt from playtime! His black and silver uniform with his father's insignia was perfect down to the last button. His father would be pleased.

"Lotor!" a voice from the hall interrupted his inspection. It was his mother.

"Hurry,your father Zarkon is here! You know we must not be late to meet him." Shahiyra said with a grimace.

Lotor knew his mother did not like his father. She never did or said anything to make that known to him,but he knew just the same.

His mother was beautiful,her blue eyes fiery,her silver-white hair bound in a simple chingon. She was dressed in her "Court" dress, black velvet with silver lining,it too had the insignia of Zarkon.(It seemed everyone from the slave on up,bore this mark of ownership) Shahiyra detested the dress,wearing it only when Zarkon came to visit. She also wore her marriage choker, a symbol of her marriage (or ownership as she liked to call it)to Zarkon. It was made of the finest gold to be had on Zarkon's planet of Doom. The priceless jewels embedded in its surface were from one of his conquered planets known for it's stunning gems.She always wore this piece of jewelry,hating what it represented but knowing that she could not remove it, for the clasp was keyed only to her husband's fingertips

. "Mother,you are coming too,aren't you?" Lotor asked. "Of course,why wouldn't I? You know your father demands it of both of us." Shahiyra replied, striding quickly down the hallway with her son.

"It is just-well, I am nervous about being presented to him." His mother looked at him kindly and said,"You have nothing to be afraid of. You've practiced enough in front of me, haven't you? You're perfect! Don't be afraid of your father. Remember what I have told you.Never show your father you are not afraid of him or anything else. Fear is his ally. He crushes you with it."

"I will not be afraid, Mother. I will make you proud."

"That is all I ask,Lotor. Remember you are my son too." his mother replied.

By this time,they had reached the wide doors that led to his father's throne room. They were escorted in by one of the members of his father's Court. "Queen Shahiyra Alana and Crown Prince Lotor Lessat!" announced the Court official,startling Lotor momentarily. He wasn't used to all this ceremony! His mother led him with a gentle nudge to the foot of the stairs leading to his father's throne. Red velvet carpet lined the 20 golden stairs leading up to his throne. No one could climb those stairsteps without King Zarkon's permission - to do so,would mean death-this included family members.

Lotor and Shahiyra kneeled at the foot of the stairs showing the proper obedience to their lord and king. There they waited,heads slightly bowed. After what seemed like an eternity to Lotor, his father finally spoke. " You may rise and speak,my lady wife,my son."

With this command,they arose as one,fluidly and gracefully. No clumsiness allowed here.thought Lotor.

He faced his father and looked at him for the first time in at least three years. His father had not changed much. His light-complected blue-green face showed no amusement,his yellow cat's eyes surveyed his wife and son with the air of detached boredom. He wore his gold crown on his massive head and also wore black and silver robes. Over his robe, he wore a blood red toga which only he could wear - Red being the color of the reigning king.

Lotor also noted his witch (or concubine?) Ch'enuya(later known as Hagar),was standing at Zarkon's right side,smug in her position. Ch'enuya was beautiful,with dark chestnut hair and green eyes. She knew the ways of magic and had just recently embarked on the study of black magic--at the request of her lover Zarkon. She looked at Shahiyra arrogantly and thought, Silly fool! I will soon take your place and you can do nothing to stop it!

Shahiyra, to Lotor's delight,lifted her chin proudly and gazed directly at Ch'enuya,thus beating down the witch's challenging gaze. His mother then looked directly at her husband and said,"My lord Zarkon,I now present your son and heir,Lotor to you. He is 10 years old and is of age to greet you in obedience."

She said this in formal court langauge,of which Lotor knew was a joke to his mother-they both thought it was silly to use such language,but his father demanded this ancient custom.

"Lotor,you may come forward." his father replied,pointing his heavy gold scepter at him. This is it! thought Lotor. He proceeded up to his father's throne and when he reached the top to face his father,he bowed and said formally, "My lord,my king,and my honored father, I,Lotor,your subject and your heir respectfully present myself to you."

An eon seemed to pass as Lotor waited for his father's approval or his condemnation. "You may face me,my son and heir,I approve of your presentation." his father said. With that,Lotor looked up,not daring to show his happiness.

I did it! it was perfect! He liked it!. Lotor thought.

He was not suprised though, to see no expression on his father's face. He knew from his mother that his father did not express emotions in public. "My son,you may be excused from my presence.However,stay close by,for I have a matter to discuss with your mother that concerns your future."

"Yes,Father." Lotor replied,and once again bowed to his father,turned and went down the stairs back to where his mother still stood,beautiful and serene.

"My Queen.."Zarkon said curtly."I am here to take my son. Now that he is of age, he will be sent to the Drule Empire Academy for military training. See that he is ready by the end of this day." his father said,emotionlessly.

Lotor was taken aback.He always knew that someday he would go with his father,but now? Military training? He had been tutored since he was three years of age,educated by the finest teachers Aden had to offer. He was also instructed in the arts of defense in which he excelled. His mother, to counterbalance everything,taught him the Warrior's Code of Honor,and the art of chivalry.She gave him insights on good and evil in the universe and the important role he would someday play.His father couldn't really mean it!Unlike Lotor,Shariyra tensed. She knew that someday this would happen. Her son,who she had grown to love dearly,taken away from her forever.

It's too soon! He too young for the harshness of the Drule Academy!she thought desperately. Her desperation turned to anger,then to rage!

Z'aale has taken enough! He took me, forced me into this cursed marriage and he murdered our first-born simply for being a girl-child! Now he wishes to take my son and make him into an unfeeling machine like himself! I will not surrender D'aavid to him!

Although her thoughts were murderous,Shahiyra remained calm and replied,"My lord,I beg your pardon,but isn't Lotor too young for the Drule Academy? Perhaps in a season or two would be better?"

Zarkon looked incredulously at his wife. He expected "Yes,my lord,it shall be done" or "As you desire,my lord",but not this resistance from her. He would allow her question him this once,for she was a loyal wife.