The Palace.
~King Wealene and Kie~
"Go bring the retarded fool!"
Wealene barked an order at Jaith who hurried away, out of the Palace. He took a turn at the left side of the palace building and turned at the end of that block. He strode towards the wooden gate behind the Palace building into the lone garden where all hideous pits and hides were located. Pits which held the dark secrets of the king's pasts.
There was a pit which contained several wild animals that fed on themselves whenever the king refused to provide them meals. And one of the numerous pits held the skulls of all the people he had ordered killed with tags of their names hanging over them. Including the bones of the great Soothsayer, Ama et Azholophased.
"Fools, rise."
Jaith called, getting to Kie's and the pale faced's pit. He had grabbed a gallon of water and had turned in into the pit as soon as he got there.
"Pray to the gods that Wealene spare your lives."
"Can you say that to his face?"
The pale faced challenged Jaith. Jaith scorned,
"Do yourself a favor of telling him I said that, and see who he believes."
He threw down a rope and the pale faced grabbed it first. He was pulled out with it. Kie took the same turn and the both of them were out of the pit.
"You can do yourself a favor of running away. But know well that, to the North of this place is a rill choked on crocodiles, to the East is a disguised den of wild animals. Well, I'll leave you to find out what's to the West. Or you could follow me through the South back to your fate."
He pushed at their backs and they began to walk towards the wooden gate. No sooner than later, they made their way into the Palace. They could hear the clamoring and chatters of the people, coming out of the gate of the palace's fence; the king's building was surrounded by a mighty fence exclusive to only the royal family and guards. Guards were constantly positioned on the ramparts and would slaughter anyone straying within the building who has no royal tie.
"Can you hear that? They are cheering for your blood. Your heads on the platter."
Jaith shot as they walked through the aisle towards the throne. He was behind the two of them, nudging them forward, with his hand to the sheath of his sword, ready to draw if the need arises.
Kie turned sideways to him, without turning his neck, somewhat looking at the pale faced while his attention was on the Jaith behind,
"Worry about yourself and quit washing my nape with your saliva."
Jaith punched him in the nape and he trotted forward.
"His Greatness."
He bowed as he pushed both men to their knees.
"Get the princess, she should watch every hope of her being with this bozo dwindle before her eyes."
Jaith left to bring the princess in. Standing before the throne of the king to the left and right in no precise order were a group old men whom he had chosen as his advisers. They were just figureheads. On most cases, he would hurl their thoughts away and make do with whatever Jaith tells him, or whatever he though best himself.
"If I may speak, His Greatness."
The pale faced started as soon as Jaith left. Wealene tossed his head,
"Have a will to read before your death?!"
The pale faced shook his head roughly,
"No, His Greatness. It's about the man who just left."
Kie glared at him at that but the pale faced didn't care.
"The commander of my army you mean?"
The king asked, the pale nodded.
"He called you by your name at the pit. Which means nothing but a huge disrespect to your honor."
Kie turned to him and landed a fist in his face, which broke a couple cartilage in his nose. The guards hurried to Kie and restrained him.
Wealene stepped off the throne,
"And what do you want in return of this unnecessary loyalty?"
The pale faced made to move forward but the guards wouldn't him. Wealene got to him,
"But do I need to remind you that you don't get to ask for a right over your properties after your death? As you know, everyone condemned to die automatically passes his belongings and properties to the king for the benefit of the masses. If he has a wife and children, all become slaves in the palace. And bless the gods, several works are needed to be done."
The pale faced stuttered,
"Of course not, His Greatness. I wouldn't be stupid to ask for that. All I ask for is to touch the hem of the Princess' gown before I kiss the dust."
"You have it."
The king nodded as Kie struggled to move to him. But point in time, Jaith returned with the Princess, her maid, Samantha and few other guards who had been standing watch at her door.
Malisa made to run towards Kie who was stinking and covered in dried oil and some wet part of his body from the water. But she was restrained by the guards.
Kie looked towards her in contempt while Samantha glared at Kie. Kie gritted his teeth at Samantha who bulged her pupils at him in the come-do-your-worst manner.
"Marci, go inform the guards to let the people in into the square and tell the guards outside to set the pyres on fire. Show's about to begin. Jaith owes me a favor."
Marci, the second in command to Jaith hurried away to do as bade. Wealene to Jaith said,
"Tell me, Jaith. We have just few seconds. Do you want your tongue cut or your left wrist. But as a soldier, I'm sure you'd choose wisely."
Jaith stuttered, looking around, at almost all faces. There was a quick pity pacing Kie's indifferent gaze.
"His Greatness, what are you talking ab--"
Suddenly, Kie sprung to him feet, hitting the guards off as he made for Wealene and knocked him down, yelling,
"Fucking Wealene, I'll have your guts for killing my uncle."
Jaith rushed to the aid of the King and pushed Kie away. He tried helping the king up but the King pushed him away. Malisa gasped, her both palms over her mouth. She knew that that was the end of her impromptu one-sided love story.
The king stood up, raging like a wounded beast. His eyes red like a mad dog's, yet Kie Azholophased kept the indifferent face, trained by courage and pain.
The king rushed to him and planted punches in his face, blood spilling, his lips bursted. Wealene turned in rage to his daughter, pointing,
"Have you seen your groom? The groom for whose sake you wouldn't eat since yesterday. Your groom would kill your father."
He looked away,
"It's done! Take him out and have him beheaded with no rites. I meant for him to be the last, but he owes me no favor."
He barked as Kie was taken away. Malisa hurried to her father and fell on her knees,
"Make him your slave, father. Beat him to pulp, but do not behead him. He is --"
Wealene pushed her away and strutted away. The pale faced called at the king,
"His Greatness, you gave me your words."
Wealene halted and turned to the pale faced. He nodded as he walked to him. As he got to him, he put his left palm to the fellow's cheek,
"Of course."
But then he drew out the hunting knife in the side of one of the guards holding the pale faced, and drove it up the pale faced neck. Making him choke on it. He fell down dead.
"Now I'll have to wash again."
Wealene grunted and walked away as the guards cleaned the mess.
After few moments, King Wealene stepped out to the chatters and bickers of the public. He was standing at an elevated porch with borders on its three sides. Malisa was standing away from him, looking through the window of the Palace. Another pyre was already burning the corpse of the pale faced.
Kie was already kneeling on the elevated pyre, his head on the arranged logs. There was a square-like spot at the front of the palace which housed such event.
"With no further ado, I'll have his head. Then we can talk about the offense of a man who wants his king dead!"
No sooner he was done speaking than a wailing voice interrupted,
"You will kill our son, Wealene? You will?"
That was Mara's, Kie's mother. But Wealene shot,
"Guards, restrain that mad woman. Her type shouldn't be in the street."
And at those words, he signalled the sword bearer who raised up his word and brought it down. But he missed.
A thick darkness enveloped the square and palace. Suddenly, there came a screeching from the distance in the clouds. And in the twitch of an eye, there appeared a flying creature towards the square, a woman, with the head and wings of a dragon.
Just like the wind would pass, did the creature swoop into the midst of the Pyre and picked up Kie. And away, she left with him.
The crowd gasped and gathering scattered.
Kie's Hut."Shamaica?"Kie queried, staring blankly at the dragon-woman who had just transformed before him. It hadn't been more than few minutes since they arrived at his mother's hut, wrapped around her handful bosom.Shamaica was his long-time admirer in whom he took no delight. He had never taking a delight in any lady in all his life.Charlene Shamaica (Kie's stalker) was a blond. 5"5, thick and curvy, oblong face, silver eyes, button nose, and soft medium lips. She loved Kie so genuinely and would do anything to make him hers, even being a terror to several other ladies who would not take love as war. No matter how many times she was rejected by him, she kept giving it her best. Everyone who claimed to love Kie was her worst enemy, a nightmare to her. And she wouldn't back down unless she goes down.She used to be very ugly and without focus, a seamstress kicked about like some balls by almost every one who hired her. But one summer, she disa
Few Days Later.~King Wealene~"If I may, His Greatness."Jaith pulled the curtain of the inner chamber of the King. King Wealene looked to his side in bed, surrounding by a bevy of naked ladies. He sat up, as one of the ladies trailed her hand down his chest, towards his stomach. He ogled her suddenly as she took the warning.As soon as the ladies paved way for him to see Jaithz he found his words,"Do not tell me you've brought a bad news yet again?"Jaith took few steps in and crashed before the king,"Far from it, His Greatness."Wealene pushed further in the bed and sat at the edge,"Bring him in then."Jaith thrusted his face to the floor."I thought so."The king scorned. Jaith looked up,"We have where he lives. He lives in a cave. The third batch of men has been sent, they are there at the moment. Even men worked through the night in cold and terror.""If you have nothing fruit
That Evening.~Kie Azholophased~"Hey Handsome."Shamaica teased him from the hanging cage next to his.The both of them had been brought to the palace straight and King Wealene had had the best of Kie... having him flogged severally by the captain of his guards, Jaith.And twas evening already, the time for judgement to be passed on the both of them. And all the people were gathered in the square, the gaurds stationed, the princess at the upper porch staring at Kie who was held up in a drooping cage.Everyone was awaiting the arrival of King Wealene, who would pass the judgement.The wooden cage in which the two of them were locked had iron doors. Kie's hands were tied as well as his legs. He could hardly move in peace in the tiny cage, tossed by the crashing wind, let alone break himself free.And of all the pains and rage he was plying through, Shamaica had just gone out of the mark and line to tease him. The hell!"Y
Same.~Kie~"Where's she?"He stopped walking for a little while, looking around him hurriedly. He knew he didn't have the luxury of that time. He knew the guards were still on him and could catch up with him anytime and any moment."The dungeon."He thought he heard someone say that to him. But it didn't matter. He hurried in the direction of the dungeon. He knew the path by heart even though it was once he had visited it."Mother?"He called as soon as he got to mouth of the pit, staring through the bars of rage beaten by wants, into the cold slightly gloomy pit."Are you there, mother? If you're there let me know please."He went on his knees, throwing his face into the bars to look into the far end of the pit. Then suddenly, he heard a movement in the pit. And soon, the silhouette first, then the frame of his mother came to view."What have they done to you mother. I will have the head of that foolish Wealene.
On a Path. The Next Day.~Malisa and Samantha~"It's rather contemplative how His Greatness looked away from the nuances of that insolent hostler."Samantha took a stray off the topic, taking a slight gaze at the princess who was riding beside her on a horse. They were taking the early morning stroll as usual, and the path to which they were headed led to the final hut at the outskirt of the village, Kie's Hut."What say do we have over the wills of the gods?"Malisa came on, taking a quick glance at her. Then looked to the front,"My father, the king, could seem harsh and tough and ruthless. Which all best suit him. But he does have regards for the gods. And he wouldn't go out of his way to insult or ridicule their words."Samantha was quiet for a while, but responded eventually,"But what would you do with the hostler. He sure is so dumb not to acknowledge the feelings of the only and the most beautiful princess in all the wo
Few moments Later.~Kie and Mara~"Have you come to your senses yet?"Mara called, leaning on the back window of the hut. She was in the hut, but looking through the window at Kie, who was at the back of the hut trimming the hoofs of Talia, his horse.He allowed the distraction and looked up from the last hoof to his mother's face, poking out independently out of the window as though it had no neck supporting it."Depends on your definition of sense mother."He looked back at the hoof too quickly, hitting the handle of the narrow blade which looked like a modern chisel. Only that twas rustier and hardly plain. But it did cut through the hoof, sliding off the hard keratin.After that push, he took a pause and said to his mother again,"If getting married to that wench is what you call sense, I'd rather be senseless."His mother scoffed,"You call the princess of the land a wench? Do you know what would happen if We
Africa. Kingdom of the God-king.~Xerxes II~"Hail the God-king"A dwarf man with bounty beards called in the large hall and everyone present in the hall echoed,"Hail."And as though no words were spoken, the activities in the hall went back to normal.The throne hall of the God-king was very enormous and its height, unprecedented. The palace wall cast in gold were built so loftily that its roof was almost a mirage. And twas built such way because of the elevated throne of the God-king.His throne, which was at the end of the throne hall to the North, was three feet above the floor. He had made such throne for himself to observe the activities of his subjects from the heights. Like God in heaven does!Few metres away from his throne, in the throne hall, before him, there were several sexual activities and local musicians playing lyre and harps like the Israelites would do to appreciate God.His deep immortal eyes straye
Celebration. Wealene's Palace. Agranah~Royalties~"Bathias, the bard."At the call of Jaith, Bathias the bald bard, kinky, stout, white long drooping beards with stray curls, dressed in a while linen garment which covered his waist, but left a strap up his chest to be connected to another at his back. Leaving his chest and back bare. Stepped into the ring of fire which ought to emphasize what dramatic direction his literary presentation would take. He bowed slightly and started his ritual humming before the words would flow.It's the gathering of the Kings. An occasion that takes place three times a year in Agranah. Mostly centering on the kingdoms yet to pay their taxes, new developments they've learnt from other nations outside the walls of Agranah and its sister kingdoms. Like they had once learnt from a kingdom called Frankia and had built a rampart to take the form of such defense system that had kept the remote kingdom standing.But this tim
The Arena. "Now that the King has been crowned and the Queens have been celebrated, it's now time to have the games. But first, we'd be starting with blood and gores... let all the women take caution now. If you cannot contain the emotions, you won't be held against your will to remain seated. But if surely you have nothing to fear, I shall then call in the gladiator!!!"Hannibal took a pause, looking away from the crowd who occupied the arena to every corner of its length. He looked at his back, at Kie who was elegantly dressed as a king, the gold crown sitting majestically upon his head. Beside him to the right was Malisa and to the left was Sam. The parents were behind them; that particular elevated spot of the arena had been consecrated for the royalty and family. Kie nodded him to continue and he did. "By the order of the great king of Agranah, Kie Azholophased, I thereby introduce to you the great terror of the men of the East, a bea
Through the woods of Agranah. "What if Malisa figures out that the both of us disappear a day before the coronation? Don't you think she'll have a lot of reasons to be jumpy?"Kie took a glance at Samantha whose horse was going gently beside his. She smiled at him,"Are you saying that she would think that we absconded again?"He nodded looking away,"Definitely. It's quite the thing to think about. And to think of it, we found our way back to each other after that sex. Now I know what I want and who I truly love.""And who's that?"She teased, intentionally avoiding his gaze. He chuckled and made his horse stop. He climbed off it and walked to hers which had stopped too. He got to her and turned her on the horse. He turned her to face himself then buried his face in her stomach. "Of course you, Samantha. You are the one I love genuinely."He looked up at her, his face soft and reflectiv
On a boat. A lagoon. "So I convinced her. She surely believed me."Shamaica said to Amani who was standing very close to the edge of the boat on the other end. Naturally, the boat should tilt and fall over but 'twas mysteriously stable on the water. You could call that magic. "Why do you make it sound like you have done something evil. All you did was tell the witch the truth. If I was a third party, I would think that you have an ulterior motive."Amani turned to her and the boat shook. Shamaica was seated at the extreme end, on a plank connected to both ends of the boat; six other planks like that made rows of seven seats. "Sorry, master. That wasn't the intention."Shamaica apologized. Amani huffed, then started walking back to her, jumping from one seat to the other till she got to the middle. "Why do you call master? It's reasonable to think that you chose to become my disciple in order to cultivate your p
Night. The King's chamber. Agranah. "I don't think this is the right thing to do."Kie was reluctant to walk to the bed. His back was pressed to the door. His eyes traveling across the room. The room was lit in red candles, the floor clothed in beautiful flowers. Kie needed no soothsayer to tell him those were the efforts of Malisa. And Malisa was already in bed, half-naked, her white night gown was transparent and revealed every sensitive part of her body; especially her hard and standing nipples. "What do you think, Sam?"Kie decided to look away from Mal. That was the only way to counter the arousal he was having. Sam on the other hand was still wearing her gown. Though her cleavages were revealed, but her dresses were at the peak of modesty. "I don't know. I'm not sure I can stand it."She walked away from the bed, beside which she had been standing, heading towards the door. Malisa slid
The Palace Garden. Agranah. "Why do I feel like we have to uproot all these flowers and replant new ones. The blood and sweat of the warriors seem to ridicule their efforts to grow."He walked around the garden, careful of the traps he'd once heard Wealene talk about. "But for a fact, one must agree that Wealene is quite the genius. How could he had thought of creating such deadly shortcuts and traps. He must have a lot of things going on in that thick head of his.""I bet you can't say that it to his face."A feminine voice came from behind him. He was familiar with the voice, and therefore found no reason to turn to her. "After all, he's the father of a woman you love."She added, advancing towards him. "Go away, I don't want to talk to you."She halted few steps away from him. He kept on walking towards the pit. She followed. As soon as he got to the pit, he stopped then looked into it. 'Twas
Within the Palace walls. The dining hall. "Now let's talk about the king's coronation feast."Elonaise proposed over breakfast. Everyone of them was gathered at the table. Only Hannibal was missing: he hadn't arrived from the island yet. "Can't it wait until we finish dining?"Wealene had made an exception. He seemed to be in a better state now. For all that there was, he was seated and had his usual expression stalking his face. "There's no kid here. Why should we do that? Or do you fear to choke on the meat?"Elonaise trolled. Wealene glared at him for a while. Mara looked from one end to the other. Kie was seated between his wives. Mara between the two men, each set opposite each other over the table. "Kie, when do you want the feast to be?"Kie who had been enjoying his meal, paused for a while, then looked up at his mother. He could feel the eyes of the rest heating up his face. He picked each of t
Through the neighborhood of Agranah. "Where are you taking me to?"Kie was impatient now, and he wouldn't move anymore. He had been keeping his calm all this while but now that they were past the arena and were walking through the plain towards the East, he'd decided to stop his horse. Samantha who was leading ahead of him didn't stop. She wasn't going to give in to his threat. She was now a different person. Ever since Kie placed her as a second choice. Twas quite a wonder that he decided to come with her after she told him that there was someone who wanted to speak with him. "You think I'm joking? I'm turning around now!"He pushed the threat further and then she stopped. She turned on her horse and called at him,"Don't be a sucker and catch up. We are almost there. What a bore you are!!!"She grunted and nudged her horse, turning away from him. "A bore?"He called on top of his vo
Towards the plains of Kattiput. "What kinda life is this?"Alanor panted, taking a break. He could see the plains of his land few steps ahead of him. He was on an unnamed spot between the woods behind and plains ahead.He resumed walking, his clothes dusty and dirty. His hair unkempt, face rough, lips cracked, shoes worn from the tiring journey. His heart was faint, but dropping dead or refusing to walk would do him nothing close to good. "Why are there no wandering warriors on patrol?"He remonstrated, advancing towards the plains. A realization dawned on him,"Even if many died in the war, but I left few back at home. Aren't they supposed to be worried about me?"He was now walking through the plains. "And there is no horse. What fate is this. Why do I fall into wrong hands over and over again."The view up ahead of him was blurry because of the hotness of the sun. He could hardly take a long s
Agranah. Wealene's Chamber. "How do you feel now, father?"Malisa helped her father up. She handed him the goblet filled with concoction. He took a long gulp of it, not allowing the bitter taste to ruin his motivation. "Like shit. But it's a relief that I won't die. Let that choad just wait till I recover, he would wish he didn't know me."He tried to lie back down, after handing the cup back to his daughter. She looked inside the cup,"There's still some portion left. It'll work together.""Malisa?"Wealene called, after getting comfortable. "Yes father?"His face housed a thin smile,"How about you be a good daughter and take the remaining portion for me."She rolled her eyes at him,"Why would I ? Was I the one who was bitten by the dick of a God?"She tried to laugh stealthily but he caught her. "So, now you're against your only father?"