-
Solva is not a native Biomtrean. In fact he does not know where he comes from. The only thing he remembers from his early life is that fateful day when Leekam, the previous ruler of the Ocean Region, found him on Kadur.
The Ocean Region is famous for its beauty and ability to put the troubled mind at ease with its landscape. But in the days leading up to Leekam finding Solva, the ruler found no comfort in his domain. His wife Poseida had recently passed away. Leekam’s heart was mourning but he knew his wife would want him to move on and fulfill his duty to the realm. So he went on a mission with a handful of soldiers to investigate an attack made on Kadur, one of Biomtrea’s neighboring planets. During the investigation the unit came across an abandoned village. Signs showed that the inhabitants were carried off. Those who opposed were killed. Suddenly a whimpering noise was heard from a blanket covered cart in the midst of the village. Carefully Leekam ventured toward the cart and removed the blanket. To everyone’s surprise the contents of the cart was a small eleven year old boy. He stared with wild eyes, darting from soldier to soldier, shaking in fear and uncertainty. The soldier’s tried to coax the child out of the cart but it only made him pull further away. Finally Leekam came towards the cart, kneeled on the ground with his hand outstretched and waited. The boy stared for a long time, every so often making tiny movements to the back end of the cart. Then he came completely out. He was thin, had leather colored skin, and only a ragged clothe tied around his waist for clothing. Leekam got up, removed his cloak and put it around the boy slowly so he would not get scared. He then ushered the boy into his ship. After the soldiers finished searching the area they all travel on the ship to the city of Juloa, Kadur’s capital.
It turns out that Kadur was attacked but not by outside forces. A government official, Ersyu, wanted to create a rift between the chieftains that made up the planet’s council government. If he got the members to mistrust each other and cause inward fighting the people would lose confidence in a council government and vote for a “one man” leadership. At least that was his plan. He did not count on Biomtrea to send a ruler to check on their neighbor and discover his plot. With Ersyu arrested and the council members briefed on this would be take over, Leekam asked the members whether they recognized the boy he found. None of them did. As a matter of fact the leaders assured Leekam that the boy was not even a Kaduron. The members did offer to take the boy but Leekam turned down the offer (much to his men’s surprise). So he took the boy with him to Tui Island in the Ocean Region. The ruler made the orphan, whom he named Shula, his personal servant and put his wife’s handmaiden, Jeroa, over the boy’s education.
Solva, who was not called this at the time, was completely perplexed. This strange man had taken him into his home, given him new clothes, a lady who taught him things he never knew and food &drink. All of this was for him? He was a servant! It had to be a dream. Solva decided to remain on his guard and continue to be seen and not heard yet obedient to what his new master told him to do. But as time went by something happened to him. He fell in love. With Jeroa, the soldiers who accompanied his master the day he was found, and the island itself. Yes, he even enjoyed serving his master but he made sure to keep his emotions transparent when he served Leekam.
But Leekam was patient. He knew how important it was to give the child space to soak everything in. While he told others that Shula was his servant Jeroa could plainly see that he was becoming attached to the boy. She would be passing by when she saw her master watching her pupil exploring from a nearby window or on the balcony. And it was true. A small part of Leekam considered Shula is son and not just a personal servant. This was made clear when his nephew Medius was mistreating Shula. They two preteens were play fighting with boa staffs when Shula managed to get a lucky hit at Medius. Instead of letting it go Medius became more violent with his strikes, putting bruises on Shula in the progress. Just before he landed a blow that would have landed Shula in the water, Leekam grabbed Medius’ boa. His nephew tried to explain himself but Leekam would not listen stating that he saw the whole incident and was ashamed at Medius’ poor sportsmanship. As Medius walked back to the palace sulking Leekam complemented Shula on defending himself. He just needed more technique. From then on master and servant were connected by their appreciation of the boa staff. As they trained and interacted with each other Leekam and Shula’s relationship grew. At times one taught the other things about themselves that they did not realize or want to face. The two had a way of understanding each other without speech.
The other rulers and their families found it easy to think of Shula as a member of the family as well (except for Medius). And at long last Shula found himself truly trusting in his new family. At a formal dinner Shula presented his boa skills with weapthym dancers from across the realm. When the performance was complete and he was seated Leekam made an announce .The heir to the Ocean Region throne of Biomtrea would be none other than his servant, Shula. Well you can imagine the surprise on everyone’s faces, especially Shula’s. But there was not a bigger applause given that night than to this young man. As the dinner progressed, a guest asked the new prince his name. Just as Leekam was going to explain that the boy did not speak, Shula answered the guest’s question.
“Solva. I call myself Solva.”
Since that dinner Solva is what the orphan has been called ever since.
He may not know his past or where he comes, but Solva could care less. Ocean Region is his home. Leekam, Jeroa, the Biomtrean rulers, their offspring, and his friends are his family. What more could he want.
- Title: The Orphan Heir
- Artist: dorcas93
- Description: This is just a character biography I wrote for a story I began writing on in middle school but never finished. I hope you enjoy.
- Date: 12/08/2012
- Tags: orphan heir
- Report Post