The man shifted in his chair as he cleared his throat. “Well, it seems to me…”
Donovan prompted him, “Speak up man. I can hardly hear you.”
Number 4 tried again. “Well, it seems to me that there is a problem.”
Donovan yelled, “A big problem!”
He pointed to Joseph. “Listen up!”
He motioned for Number 4 to continue. The man said, “Yes, as I was saying, in the corresponding coordinate on the game map a conflict has just begun. As we speak, it is escalating and the Zhufeybiyates have called for our help.”
Donovan stood and motioned for them to follow. He headed for the Passageway. He whispered to Joseph, “Son, you’re gonna have to change into something else. You look ridiculous.” Joseph didn’t respond.
Once they reached the other side of the Passageway, Donovan ordered Number 4 to contact Non and have him meet them at the auction house immediately. The man went in the opposite direction to follow through with Donovan’s command. Joseph followed his father to the auction house. When they entered the conference room, Donovan strode to a keypad and punched in a code. When he saw lights shine from the floor, he entered a second code. A square area in the floor dropped and slid open, revealing a stairway to the basement war room. When the two men reached the open area, Donovan began giving some background information. Non soon walked down the stairway. He tried to be inconspicuous, but Joseph knew he was being assessed.
As Non hurried toward them, Donovan said, “He looks ridiculous, doesn’t he?”
Non grunted, careful of the politics involved with an answer to that question. He began giving Donovan a detailed report of what was happening at the conflict and what he had recommended to both of the tribes involved.
Donovan stopped and looked at him. “Did they listen?”
“Not to my knowledge. Productivity has come to a complete halt.”
Donovan growled, “What are the names of the two involved in this dispute?”
Non said, “Kalore and Gracxon.”
Donovan repeated the second name, “Gracxon?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve had problems with him before. Time to take care of this, once and for all.
“Non, get the military game pieces that we will need for this encounter.”
Donovan went to get dressed, leaving Joseph standing alone. When he returned, Donovan was wearing black warrior armor. He ordered Joseph to get changed. Joseph went into the room and changed into the same type of black armor his father was wearing.
When Joseph came out, Donovan said, “Now they’ll take you seriously.”
The room had already been transformed to the planet setting. Only Donovan and Joseph were there, ready for action. Donovan was holding two military game pieces in his hand. He handed one to Joseph. They placed the game pieces in a concealed pocket within the body armor.
Donovan warned Joseph, “Keep your mouth shut.”
When the father and son walked into the crowd, the fighting ceased and there was silence. Both men stood, facing the opposing groups. Donovan took out his sword, and faster than the eye could capture the act, settled the conflict by eliminating Gracxon. There was a moment of silence before the shock wore off. As soon as it did, a shrill battle cry rang out from the crowd. Suddenly a war began among the strongest and most skillful warriors.
Joseph drew his weapon and felt the surge of adrenaline flow through his veins, giving him endless stamina to fight. He fought deftly using his choice of weapon. Each time he struck a warrior, he felt the pressure to release control of his will to the entity that wanted to claim him. Joseph resisted the urge to relinquish his consciousness.
He had brief moments during the battle in which to watch his father as he fought skillfully with the enemy. It seemed as if Donovan was going through the motions of someone that Joseph didn’t remotely recognize. He had never thought of his father as a physically dangerous fighter. Joseph had no knowledge of Donovan having any sort of elite training in any type of discipline, whether physical or in weaponry, other than the use of guns. What he witnessed, confirmed his own knowledge of his father’s raw ruthlessness. As Joseph continued to watch, Donovan took on four warriors. He wielded a sword in one hand and an ax in the other. Donovan would jab and whack, jab and whack his victims as if he was more machine than man. The warm wet blood ran and spewed on to anyone nearby.
In an instant, something dark snapped and was unleashed within Joseph while he watched his father’s technique. It was as if the boundaries of civilization’s laws were suddenly dissolved and forsaken. The crude, untamed and barbarous acts in another world would be punishable, but here they were the absolute law. The actions sent a very clear unmistakable message of who was in charge.
When the last opposing warrior was left standing on one leg begging for endless darkness, Donovan refused to grant it to him. He told the warriors to keep their blades from the injured man; afraid he would inflict a fatal wound to himself.
Donovan faced the lone warrior and commanded, “You will return to your people and tell them what has occurred here. Inform them that they will be punished. The punishment is to be banishment.”
The warrior was in excruciating pain; one of his legs was broken with an open fracture. The defeated warrior looked at the bloody carnage before him, wishing for the same fate as his fellow tribesmen. He asked a question, hoping for retribution to be inflicted on him for asking the question, “Will we not be granted something for our labor?”
The answer was a simple, “No.”
The disappointed warrior limped away to the jeers of the Zhufeybiyates who remained alive. In the distance he heard the chanting, “Hail Suzerain! Hail Suzerain! Hail Suzerain!”
The solitary warrior wept and cried out in pain to Panphilos, pleading for justice for the anguish inflicted on his people. He was aware of the trail of blood he left in the dirt. The warrior dared any creature to attack him. He’d kill it with his bare hands in order to survive then eat its flesh. The lone man was now determined to live in order to tell his people the truth of what had happened. He drew from his inner spirit, the strength it took for him to conquer each measurement of ground toward his tribe. He used his aching arms to drag himself from the thorns of the brush as he emerged from the wilderness. The warrior screamed to no one at all, and to anyone that might hear his agony, as he fought the excruciating burning, throbbing pain that pulsed through his body. He swore that vengeance would be his to claim. Once he saw, through the sweat that dripped into his eyes, that someone was coming for him, the warrior slipped into unconsciousness.
**********
Donovan walked over to Kalore. The man threw himself on the ground at Donovan’s feet. Donovan looked down at him and used his bloody sword to swipe the man’s ribs as a warning.
He commanded, “Get up!” Kalore stood but did not look Donovan in the eye; instead he kept his eyes on the ground.
Donovan stretched out his arm that held the sword and scanned the crowd. He pointed his sword toward a man he knew to be brave and loyal. “Here is your new leader.” No one dared to defy his edict. “You will burn the dead then resume the work of both tribes until production is caught up. Only after the lost work is made up, shall you rest for whatever length of time is left in the night. There shall be no time off for rest other than sleep, because of this man, until next week.” Then Donovan walked away. Joseph followed. As the two men continued to walk, they could hear Kalore scream as the men began stoning him. Donovan never looked back.
Once Donovan ended the game, he placed their games pieces in a safe. He started walking toward the shower area to take off his bloody armor. Joseph stripped off his body armor and threw it on a bench. He suddenly collapsed onto the floor. Donovan shook his head as he kept walking.
Joseph awoke to cold water spraying over his body from a hose. Donovan said, “You’ll either get up or drown.”
Joseph shook his head in an attempt to make sense of what was going on. Once he re
alized what was happening, he scrambled to his feet and headed for the shower. Joseph took a long hot shower trying to comprehend what he had witnessed within the game. He’d witnessed killings before but this was different. This was a massive bloody slaughtering. He tried to sort out the differences; to understand why this weighed on him and the others didn’t. Joseph decided before he ended the shower that there was no difference. He turned off the water and picked up a towel to dry off. He looked at his clothes that were in a pile, considering his options. He decided in the scheme of things, nothing really mattered any more. He put the clothes on then walked out to where his father was waiting. They walked silently back to their own offices.
Chapter 10
The next morning everyone in the Jones’ house woke refreshed, ready for the adventure that was ahead. They met in the kitchen and ate breakfast. When breakfast was finished, they waited in the office for the others to arrive. Just like clockwork, at exactly 7:00 a.m. the others walked through the Passageway. They sat, talked and waited, not knowing what to expect.
When the Passageway changed color, Anthony said, “Mr. Jones, I believe we have company.”
Carson went through the Passageway and brought back the entourage sent by the queen. Everything they carried was wrapped in beautiful packages. Natalie walked over to see what had been delivered. Each package was labeled with the name of someone in the group.
Natalie put a hand over her open mouth and said, “These are almost too pretty to open.”
The attendants lined up. They each called out the name of the person they were responsible to help get ready for the occasion. Each person had one attendant, except Caroline who had two. All of the assistants had supply boxes and an outfit for their guest, except one of Caroline’s who carried a single ornate box.
Bev showed the attendants, who would help the ladies, to the rooms upstairs. Natalie and Caroline had never been in the rooms above the office. The rooms were more than adequate, with two full bathrooms for them to begin getting ready for the big event. The attendants helped the girls by applying their makeup and styling their hair. Then once their hair and makeup was approved, the assistants helped the ladies dress. One of the attendants opened the remaining box and adorned the ladies with jewelry that complemented their dresses. The coronet Al had chosen earlier was placed on Caroline’s head.
The gentlemen were already finished and waiting for the ladies in the office. As the women walked down the stairway, Charles looked at Caroline with a smile and said, “You look absolutely beautiful.”
The attendants then once again lined up as the head attendant announced it was time for them to attend the coronation. Carson had set up the Marble Track on the folding table. Caroline carefully placed the marble that Carson gave her into first angel’s pitcher. The angel bowed releasing the marble onto the track. As the marble rolled to the first cherub the Passageway opened. A breeze and the sounds of the Whispering Forest filled the office. Once the way was made clear, one by one they all followed Caroline through the Passageway.
It was a beautiful day in the kingdom. The clearing was breathtaking with all of the wildflowers in bloom. Airabelle and Airasten were set free to fly wherever they chose.
Beside the path were men standing, holding the reins of magnificent saddled horses, and a golden coach accompanied with a team of seven horses. One of the queen’s mounted officers held a banner, which he handed to another man standing beside his horse. He dismounted his horse and went to greet the visitors. He told the guests that the ladies would be riding in the coach and the gentlemen would be riding horseback. He escorted the ladies to the vehicle. The coachman then helped the ladies into the coach. The officer directed Charles, Carson, Anthony, Dimitrios and Wayland to their horses. He requested that they mount and wait for instructions. The queen’s officer remounted his horse. The extra man returned the banner to the queen’s officer then walked to the coach and stood on the step at the back. Once everyone was settled, the queen’s officer gave the men instructions to follow the coach to their destination. He then gave the coachman the orders to follow him to their destination.
They rode down the path. It was a lovely ride. The ladies were excited with anticipation and talked non-stop. The men on the other hand rarely spoke as they rode the thoroughbred horses. When they arrived at the bridge in front of Virgil’s log cabin, the men remained on the horses for instructions. The queen’s officer waited until the extra man came to take the banner from him. Then he dismounted his horse and opened the coach door to help Caroline and the other ladies exit the coach. Then he gave instructions for the men to dismount their horses.
Virgil and the Queen of England were standing on the opposite side of the bridge waiting for their guests. The queen looked regal dressed in her gown, jewelry and crown. A crowd had gathered to watch Caroline’s arrival. Once everyone stood together, they were given instructions to walk across the bridge following Caroline and Charles to where the queen stood with Virgil. Charles offered Caroline his arm as they walked together across the bridge to the monarch. As they stood in front of the queen, Caroline curtsied and Charles bowed.
The queen looked at Caroline with a smile. She spoke quietly and asked Caroline, “How were the preparations for your coronation?”
Caroline softly replied, “Your Majesty, everything was perfect, exactly like a fairy tale.”
The queen was noticeably pleased. “I am thankful this day has finally come. We have waited many years for your arrival. This is a day of thanksgiving and celebration for many reasons, which shall soon become known to all. Follow me.” She turned to walk toward the celebration, leaving Virgil and the guests to follow her lead.
The trumpeters announced the queen’s arrival. The crowd silently parted as she walked through the center of the celebration activities. The people smiled proudly at their queen as she passed by them. The guests looked around the area, as they followed the queen through the center of the festival. There were puppeteers, musicians, dancers, craftsmen and ladies setting out trays of food on tables. The queen stopped the progression when she neared a stage. Her assistant clapped her hands as a signal.
A page came over to where they stood, bowed to the queen then led the way for the Queen of England and Caroline to walk onto the ornate stage. The two ladies sat side by side in the row of chairs onstage. A larger audience gathered and the queen’s trumpeter signaled everyone to become silent. Her assistant asked everyone in Caroline’s group to come onstage and have a seat. As they sat down, Charles noticed an empty chair. The queen looked into the crowd. Cassia appeared and was escorted onstage to the empty chair. Dimitrios looked at her with a smile. She was beautiful. He reached over and took her hand. Two knights walked onstage to stand by the queen. One held a purple pillow with a crown setting on it and the other one held a bare purple pillow.
The Queen of England stood and spoke to her subjects from memory. “I am delighted to be in the Kingdom of the Last Dragon on this very day to commence the coronation of Queen Caroline.” The queen turned and asked Caroline to come forward to join her. The monarch then continued her speech. “From this day forward she shall be known to all as Queen Caroline of the Kingdom of the Last Dragon, the monarchy of this lovely kingdom. She is the rightful heir that my family has long waited for to return to this land and take their place on the throne. My royal ancestors vowed that they would protect this land. We have kept our vow and shall continue to protect this land under British protection for as long as we are needed. I now return this land into the monarchy’s capable hands. I wish this kingdom a flourishing beginning. From this day forward may every day in this land be filled with peace and prosperity. God Bless.”
She turned to the first knight who brought her the empty pillow. The queen took Caroline’s coronet off and placed it on the pillow. Then she turned to the second knight, took the sparkling crown off the pillow and placed it on Caroline’s head. Caroline looked majestic. The queen smiled to show she was pleased.
; The queen stated, “I, the Queen of England and deed holder of this great land, ask you, Caroline Grace Saunders, if you will on this very day before witnesses, promise to have integrity and to pursue decisions based on wisdom by following your conscience in order to make the best decisions in regard to issues of the people? Will you serve and protect the villagers of the Kingdom of the Last Dragon?”
Caroline stated, “I promise to do so.”
The queen asked, “Will you promise to do your best to rule over and restore lawfulness to this great land?”
“All of this I promise to do.”
The monarch then said, “I am pleased to present to you, Queen Caroline of The Kingdom of the Last Dragon. God save the Queen.”
The crowd repeated, “God save the Queen. Long live the Queen. May the Queen live forever.” The crowd cheered. The Queen of England’s knights exited the stage.
The queen then said, “Every kingdom must have knights in order to protect itself and its borders from being under attack. The knights must protect the women and families of the kingdom. A knight must also care for the land and be willing to work for the betterment of the people. A knight must swear an oath of allegiance to the monarchy.”
Then she announced, “Tonight I will be presenting the knights of the Kingdom of the Last Dragon with special weapons and equipment.”
The queen raised her hand to direct the audience to see the knights, who came out from the forest tree line on majestic white horses. One of them carried the old banner of the kingdom in his hand. The men looked as if being in front of the large audience dazed them as they rode to the front of the stage and lined up. She smiled as one of her knights directed them to the stage.
The queen said to the crowd, “I introduce to you the knights of the Kingdom of the Last Dragon.” The crowd cheered.
Return of the Clonsayee Page 5