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Blood on the throne EPISODE 57 – SHADOWS OF BETRAYAL
⸻SCENE 1 – THE GOD HE OBEYSThe village was just beginning to stir, a slow awakening of life beneath the pale morning sky. Thin trails of smoke curled from the mud-brick huts, the scent of burning firewood mixing with damp earth from last night’s rain. Women crouched near their homes, fanning weak flames to life, their soft murmurs blending with the occasional bark of a restless dog. Children, barefoot and half-dressed, chased each other through the narrow paths, their laughter a stark contrast to the exhaustion on their parents’ faces.Among them, Zafar walked with slow, deliberate steps.Every movement sent jolts of pain through his ribs, his arms felt like lead, and his face ached with a dull throb that refused to fade. The bruises from yesterday’s training had deepened overnight, staining his skin in hues of purple and red. He gritted his teeth, pushing past it. Pain was a companion he had long since accepted.Ahead, outside his hut, Jagaban sat on a wooden stool, sharpening a da
Blood on the throne EPISODE 58 – BLOOD AND ASHES.
⸻SCENE 1 – THE NIGHT OF RECKONINGThe night was thick with silence, but beneath its calm surface, something dark and merciless stirred.The king’s warriors moved like shadows through the sleeping kingdom, their eyes sharp, their hands ready to drag men from their beds into the unforgiving arms of justice. The torches in their grip flickered in the night breeze, casting wild, grotesque shadows against mudbrick walls as they stormed through the streets.The people—those who still clung to their illusions of safety—stood in doorways, peeking through windows, whispering hurried prayers to the gods as they watched their former leaders being ripped from their homes, one by one.And so it began.CHIEF ADEWALE – THE FIRST TO FALLThe guards broke down his doors, splintering wood and sending a sharp echo through the air. Inside, Adewale scrambled from his bed, reaching for the dagger hidden beneath his pillow. But it was useless.A steel-toed boot crashed into his chest, pinning him against t
Blood on the throne EPISODE 59 – GHOSTS OF THE PAST.
⸻SCENE 1 – SHADOWS IN THE MARKETThe market was alive with the scent of fresh bread, the sharp tang of dried fish, and the sweet fragrance of ripe mangoes stacked in neat pyramids. The noise of traders haggling, children laughing, and the rhythmic beat of drums in the distance filled the air like an ever-present song of life.Jagaban moved with ease through his stall, arranging bags of dried herbs, sharpening the edges of handcrafted knives, ensuring everything was in order before the day’s business began.Then—“Long time no see, master.”Jagaban’s hand froze over a basket of spices.That voice.Calm, yet sharp. A whisper from the past, rising like a ghost from the grave.Slowly, he lifted his gaze.Standing before him was Crow.His face was leaner, his frame broader, his posture different. Age had settled into his features, carving lines of wisdom and suffering across his skin. But his eyes… his eyes had not changed. The same dark gaze that once stared down enemies without flinchin
Blood on the throne EPISODE 60 – A KINGDOM’S CURSE
⸻SCENE 1 – THE FIGHT FOR PRIDEThe late afternoon sun burned a deep gold, casting long shadows over the training ground. Dust rose in thick clouds as bare feet shifted over the earth.The marketplace beyond the arena buzzed with distant life—traders shouting, children laughing, the smell of roasted maize and palm wine hanging in the air. But here, within this circle of warriors and spectators, there was only silence.All eyes were on Zafar.And Gideon.The crowd remembered their last fight. The way Zafar had been knocked down, humiliated. But today, the young warrior stood with calm precision, his stance different, his body controlled.Even Gideon sensed it.He rolled his shoulders, stepping forward with a smirk. “Back for another loss, Zafar?”Zafar said nothing.He simply took his stance.Jagaban’s voice echoed in his mind:“Strength is knowing when to strike. Power is knowing when to hold back.”The fight began.Gideon struck first—a heavy right hook, aiming to overpower.Zafar wa
Blood on the throne EPISODE 61 – THE WEIGHT OF TRUTH
⸻SCENE 1 – A BOY LOST IN HIS OWN WORLDThe morning sun bled across the sky, casting warm hues over the quiet village. Birds chirped, merchants set up their stalls, and the distant sound of children laughing filled the air. Life continued. But for Zafar, the world felt still.He lay on his mat, eyes open but unfocused, staring at the ceiling of their small home. His mind was a battlefield, echoes of last night’s revelation crashing into one another.“Your father was a king… killed on the day of his coronation… your uncle wanted me dead too…”The words haunted him. The truth had unraveled everything he thought he knew. He wasn’t just some ordinary boy. He was the son of a fallen king.His fists clenched. His heart pounded.He had always known there was something different about his mother—how she always avoided talking about the past, how she looked at him sometimes like she was holding back a lifetime of pain. Now he understood.But what was he supposed to do with this truth? He was o
Blood on the throne EPISODE 62 – THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE
⸻SCENE 1 – A BOY LOST IN HIS THOUGHTSThe village had settled into its usual rhythm. The sun rose, casting golden light across the land, painting the mud huts and dusty roads in warmth. Women moved between stalls in the market, bargaining in loud voices, while children ran barefoot, playing without a care.But Zafar’s world was still.For days, he had not stepped foot in Jagaban’s training ground. He had not exchanged words with his mother. He had existed in silence, obeying when she sent him on errands but never speaking, never lingering. He was there, yet absent.Each morning, he woke up before the village stirred, taking his wooden sword to the empty clearing near the river, swinging it tirelessly. Striking. Defending. Attacking. Over and over again.Not out of discipline. Not out of love for the craft.But because if he stopped, the thoughts would consume him.Your father was a king… murdered on the day of his coronation…The words echoed in his skull like a curse.One evening, s
Blood on the throne EPISODE 63 – THE WEIGHT OF SECRETS
⸻SCENE 1 – A MOTHER’S UNENDING WORRYThe village pulsed with life—merchants shouting out prices, children weaving through the crowd with careless laughter, and the distant sound of drums marking the midday trade. Elya’s stall sat at the edge of the market, a small but steady business. Dried herbs, medicinal roots, and carefully bundled spices were laid out in neat rows.She should have been focused on her work, but her mind was elsewhere, as it often was.It had been months since she last saw Delani. Months since she last heard anything about Amara.She had no way of knowing if her daughter-in-law was safe. And worse, her other daughters in the palace—what had become of them? Did they even remember her?She squeezed a bundle of herbs so tightly in her hand that the leaves crumbled.A sudden voice startled her.“Aren’t you going to sell, or are you giving these away for free?”She looked up sharply, meeting the impatient eyes of a buyer.Forcing a smile, she quickly attended to him, b
Blood on the throne EPISODE 64 – SEEDS OF BETRAYAL
⸻SCENE 1 – ZAFAR’S DETERMINATION GROWSThe training ground was alive with movement.Sweat and dust mixed in the air as boys swung wooden swords, their muscles straining with effort. The sun hung high, casting long shadows on the packed dirt. The rhythmic clash of weapons filled the air, accompanied by the occasional sharp grunt of pain or frustration.At the center of it all, Jagaban stood tall, arms folded, his gaze sharp and unreadable. Crow stood a few feet away, his usual smirk absent—his eyes, however, were restless, flicking toward Zafar every few moments.Zafar trained harder than ever before.He moved with a new kind of intensity—his strikes were faster, his footwork more precise, his body pushing itself beyond exhaustion. He wasn’t just learning anymore. He was chasing something, as if trying to fill a void he didn’t fully understand.Jagaban watched him carefully, the ghost of the past lingering in his mind.“Again,” Jagaban ordered, voice calm but firm.Zafar gritted his t
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EPISODE 79 – SHADOWS IN THE SILENCE
Scene 1 – A Rift Between Master and StudentKarmora’s night was alive with quiet sounds—the rustling of trees, the distant murmurs of late-night traders, the occasional bark of a stray hound. The sky stretched vast and dark, speckled with stars that barely outshone the flickering lanterns of the village. The streets were calm, but the air carried the weight of something unresolved.Jagaban stood at the edge of the path leading to Amara’s hut. His gaze was fixed ahead, watching as Zafar approached from the riverbank. The young warrior’s form was shrouded in exhaustion—his shoulders heavy, his sword dragging just slightly in his grip.But his eyes were sharp.He saw Jagaban. He knew he was there.And yet, he walked past without a word.Jagaban exhaled, then followed. His steps were slow, deliberate, as if giving Zafar a chance to acknowledge him. But the boy never did.Near the hut, Zafar halted. He didn’t turn around, but his hands clenched into fists.“What do you want?” His voice was
Episode 78 – Shadows of the Past
Scene 1 – Karmora Prepares for WarThe streets of Karmora carried a different kind of energy now. The usual buzz of merchants and craftsmen still filled the air, but beneath it, there was tension—an unspoken awareness that change was coming.Word had spread. Whispers in the taverns, quiet conversations in shadowed alleys—Jagaban was moving again.Inside his quarters, Jagaban sat at a wooden table, a dim lantern casting his silhouette against the walls. His hands, rough and scarred from years of war, traced an old map of Karmora and its surrounding lands. Small markings—some new, some from battles long past—covered its surface.He picked up a quill and began writing.Names. Locations. Call signs.Allies who had once stood beside him. Some had disappeared into the wind, some had sworn never to return to war. But war had returned to them.Crow entered without knocking, carrying a scroll under his arm. He tossed it onto the table. “Loans,” he muttered, as if the word alone left a bad tast
Episode 77: BLOODLINES REUNITED
Scene 1 – The Arrival of an Old SoulThe outskirts of Karmora were quieter at dawn, the night’s cold mist still clinging to the narrow streets. Merchants stirred in their stalls, setting out fruits, spices, and silks as early buyers shuffled past, their voices hushed. Horses whinnied in the distance, and the faint clang of a blacksmith’s hammer rang out, shaping iron under the rising sun.Wrapped in a hooded cloak, Elya moved through the crowd with careful steps, her heart pounding harder than her worn boots against the cobbled ground. Delani walked beside her, scanning the area like a hawk, ensuring they weren’t being followed.“This city breathes differently,” Elya murmured, taking in the rugged stone walls, the bustling markets, the lingering scent of roasted meat and damp earth.Delani smirked. “Karmora’s built on its people. They keep it alive, for better or worse.”Scene 1 – The Arrival of an Old Soul Elya’s grip tightened around the strap of the satchel slung over her shoulder
EPISODE 76:WHISPER IN THE SHADOWS
Scene 1 – Darius Tightens His Grip (The Hunt for Amara Grows Ruthless)The great hall of Otharion was colder than usual, despite the torches burning in the sconces. The air was thick, heavy with the scent of wax and burning wood, but even that did not mask the stench of blood that had been spilled just moments before.A noble’s lifeless body lay sprawled at the foot of the throne, his throat cut cleanly—a warning.Darius sat above it all, his expression carved from stone. He did not blink. He did not waver.Shakur stood at his side, as always, his face unreadable. The court was silent, nobles and commanders alike afraid to meet the king’s gaze.Finally, Darius spoke. His voice was calm, but laced with venom. “Double the spies again.”No one moved.Shakur cleared his throat. “They are already stretched across the lands, my king. Another expansion will leave us—”Darius turned his sharp eyes to him. “Are you questioning me, Shakur?”A beat of silence. Then Shakur bowed his head slightly
Episode 75: THE STORMS APPROACH
Scene 1 – Unseen ShadowsThe air in Karmora was still that night, but Crow felt it—the shift, the disturbance.From his perch on the watchtower, he scanned the distant outskirts, his eyes narrowing as he caught unfamiliar movements. The figures moved carefully, avoiding torchlight, their steps calculated.They weren’t ordinary men.Mercenaries? No. Spies.And not just any spies—they moved like royal operatives, trained to observe, to blend in.Crow’s fingers tapped against the hilt of his blade.He turned sharply, descending the watchtower with swift purpose. Jagaban needed to know.Crow didn’t hesitate. He descended swiftly, weaving through the narrow pathways until he reached Jagaban’s quarters.Inside, Jagaban sat at his desk, sharpening a dagger. He didn’t look up, but he knew.“You saw something,” he muttered.Crow exhaled, folding his arms. “Not something. Someone. Multiple. Spies.”Jagaban’s hands stilled for a brief moment.“Otharion?”Crow nodded. “Most likely. They’re statio
Episode 74-SHADOW IN MOTION
⸻Scene 1 – Delani Returns to VhadirThe streets of Vhadir were still alive even as the sun began to set. Merchants packed up their goods, mothers called their children inside, and the distant sound of blacksmiths hammering iron filled the air. The scent of roasted meat and fresh bread lingered as people moved about, finishing their day.Through the bustling roads, Delani rode in, his horse covered in dust from the long journey back from Karmora. His face was hardened with exhaustion, but his mind was sharp. He had seen enough to be certain.He didn’t waste time. He made his way through the narrow alleys, past small homes and wooden huts, until he reached the familiar path leading to Elya’s home.Elya stood outside, her hands covered in flour from making dough. Her face, though aged, held a quiet strength. The years had worn her, but they had not broken her. Her once smooth skin now carried lines of grief, her eyes held the weight of a mother who had lost everything. She no longer bot
EPISODE 73 – SHADOWS OF POWER
⸻SCENE 1 – THE KING’S COURTThe grand hall of Otharion was a sight of magnificence and fear. Golden chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, their dim glow casting elongated shadows over the polished marble floor. Tall pillars, carved with ancient symbols, loomed over the gathering like silent watchers of history. A long table stretched across the room, where nobles sat in their designated places, whispering among themselves as they awaited the king’s presence.At the head of the table, Darius sat like an immovable force, dressed in royal black and gold, his dark eyes scanning the room with cold indifference. To his right sat Shakur, ever loyal, yet brooding. To his left, Queen Morenike, her hands folded elegantly on the table, masking whatever thoughts stirred beneath her composed exterior.The hall was full today—every noble of importance had gathered. The murmurs grew louder, not out of eagerness, but out of caution. The topic at hand was dangerous.Marriage.A senior noble, an old
EPISODE 72 – WHISPERS IN THE SHADOWS
⸻SCENE 1 – DELANI’S WATCHFUL EYESKarmora was alive with movement, as it always was at dusk. The air carried the rich scent of roasted meat and burning firewood. Merchants closed their stalls while the last buyers of the day haggled for lower prices. Children ran barefoot across the dusty streets, their laughter echoing against the mud-brick walls of the huts. The occasional clang of a blacksmith’s hammer rang from the distance, mixing with the distant howl of a restless dog.But Delani wasn’t paying attention to any of that.Seated at the far end of an open-air tavern, his hood drawn low, he watched the hut across the narrow street—Amara’s hut. The flickering torchlight outside cast shadows against its walls. Inside, he could see their figures moving.Zafar stood at the doorway, speaking with his mother. His posture was relaxed, but even in casual conversation, the way he moved told Delani everything he needed to know. The boy was no ordinary young man. He carried himself with power
EPISODE 71 – SHADOWS AND STORMS
⸻SCENE 1 – A WATCHFUL EYEThe night sky loomed over Karmora, thick with restless clouds. The village, once alive with chatter and trade, had begun to settle into a hush. The scent of rain lingered in the air, a promise of the storm that brewed above.Faint lantern lights flickered from huts, casting warm glows onto the damp earth. Mothers ushered their children inside, merchants hurried to secure their stalls, and lone wanderers quickened their pace before the heavens opened.From the shadows of a narrow alley, Delani stood, his gaze fixed ahead. His posture was still, unreadable, like a hunter observing prey.Across the open space, near the outskirts of the village, he saw them—Amara and Zafar.The boy stood beside his mother, his hands resting at his sides as she murmured something to him. Though Delani couldn’t hear their words, he could see the way she looked at the young man—with both love and quiet sorrow.So… this is him?The lost heir.The rain started as a whisper, cool drop
