Chapter 8
Kalos the Beckoning
“I want you to look everywhere for them.” Kalos growled, sitting down harshly in his throne. The night sky was now beginning to set and his shadow from the flickering flame of the fire place was towering over the entire room. “Everywhere, do you understand? Every nook and cranny, behind every rock, on top of every mountain.” Kalos then threw a pouch filled with silver coins at Zodner's head. Zodner nearly fell over trying to catch them. “Do not come back until you have them in your dirty, cruddy palms.” The minions nervously nodded. Kalos casually waved them away. “Now leave me.”
Zodner and Semp bowed and stumbled over each other trying to get away from the Emperor's throne. After being dismissed into the night, Zodner and Semp eagerly barged out of the Savage Kingdom atop of their black horses, trampling over marigolds as they traveled through the nearly deserted Ferocities. They needed to know if the slaves had retreated back to the lower burrells of the city. All of the old huts and homes, in which the slaves were seized 10 years ago, were now dilapidated and withering away. Holding their torches, they checked every home and alley. Every basement, old blacksmiths work shacks and even the old market stands with rotted fruits and vegetables.
“They must have left Ferocities completely, Semp” Zodner proclaimed as he surveyed the dark vacant atmosphere, “because it can't possibly be this hard to find those pigs.”
“I know, but they are very puzzling people. I mean did you see how they fought back?” Semp acknowledged, his nose completely black from being broken.
“Yes. It's like they trained their whole lives.” The two minions trailed the lower burrells one last time to be sure of its emptiness. Only the rats and gnats inhabited that portion of the land, and the entire lower burrell was completely deserted. “Either way we must find them, fore if we don't the Emperor will do us great harm” Zodner warned. Semp rolled his eyes and scoffed at the comment.
“You of all people should know that very well” Zodner teased, pinching Semp's nose. Semp let out a scream of pain as he pushed Zodner's hand away. His horse became startled and quickly bolted away, carrying Semp on it. Zodner laughed at the amusing sight of Semp screaming for help while bouncing uncontrollably on the frightened horse. “Wait for me, Semp! Wait for me!” He cackled, chasing after them.
Meanwhile Kalos sat in his dark throne room, overlooking the tower. He stroked Noire, as he sat somberly on his throne. He could see gray rain clouds begin to bellow in. He sat there with both sadness and determination in his heart. He watched as the blood began to dry on the Boulder Guillotine.
“This isn't over, Crystaline” He growled to himself. “Your daughter is as good as dead.” He switched his eyes to the vertical portal that peacefully vibrated up and down from the sky to the earth, it’s beautiful enticing light illuminating the whole kingdom. An overwhelming feeling of defeat had gotten to him and he couldn't stand to look at it anymore. He threw his metal cup at the door and shattered the glass. By now the dark gray clouds had begun to drizzle with rain. He stormed upstairs to his cold isolated bedroom, Noire quickly slithering behind him.
Grandelyn Page 9