“And you trust Aragrad? The Red Prince couldn’t even bring himself to trust this man. Why should you?” questioned another councilor, preventing the Prime Minister from answering the previous rhetoric.
Menoich beamed a smile, “Who I appoint in positions does not concern the matters of the kingdom, especially in the state we are in now. Am I right, councilor?”
They all felt confused and backed down. The others only looked at each other. “Now, how are the outer regions?” he continued.
“Food supply is running low. Remolussium and Sein’Meguelisia are going to run low in a matter of weeks if this continues. We need to balance everything out.”
“Unrest is currently happening in Go’Renhor. They need additional reinforcements to quell any form of rally or rebellion.”
“And My Lord, why did you suddenly increase the gold mining from the mountains? Then you monopolized the delivery to Tamara?” the councilor asked. The Prime Minister only showed a grin.
“My council, I’ve increased gold refining for we deserve it,” he stood. “We need that gold for we are now the Golden Kingdom. We have always been called, the land of Green and Gold –, ” he explained once more when a councilman interrupted his speech.
“But this does not justify slowing production of food, Prime Minister! Stopping the distribution of food and gold will greatly affect our relations with them and the economy. And out of the three most important things my fellow councilmen just told you, you focused on the gold reserves?” a councilor pointed out.
Menoich got furious on his seat of what he heard. “This will spark suspicion with the other realms and can lead on a revolution against us.” The Prime Minister suddenly laughed. “There seems to be something funny that I am not aware of.”
“It’s because you worry too much, councilor. Sit and have a drink.” He signaled a servant to bring one but the councilor sat back quietly to his seat. “My friends, no one can bring us down. Even if they unite against us,” he smiled, gazing at his councilors. “No one can bring us to our knees, and you know why?” He sauntered across the room and all eyes followed his steps. “Because without us, they are doomed to fall. Xerxecia is back and we are their only defense against this threat—”
“That way of thinking is the exact same reason that led to the fall of the Trodonar Empire! We will suffer the same fate if we don’t stop now, Menoich!” the councilor shouted, angering the Prime Minister. He walked in front of him and roared.
“Do not address me by my name and my name alone, councilor!” Menoich burst as the council was left speechless. He breathed heavily, cleared his throat and tried to regain his composure. “No one will ever attempt to crush us, dear councilor. I assure you that.”
“Again, just like how the Trodonar Empire thought. Where are they now?” a councilor shot at Menoich. He clenched his fist to the arm rest.
“Everyone is exhausted. Go and rest. This meeting is over,” he said with a taut voice. Everyone stood and showed their paper-thin respect as they left.
One councilor stood last and said, “This was a mistake.” Then he turned and exited the room.
Menoich sat on the throne as he rubbed his forehead with Aragrad still inside. The door shut completely and now they were alone. Menoich ordered the remaining servants out of the throne room. Aragrad still stood firm and quietly observed him.
“This is bad. They are losing faith in me,” he murmured.
“Your Highness, you are under a lot of stress. I understand what you are doing. Keeping order in a state of calamity is no easy task. I’m sure King Madarick would have done the same in dealing with this kind of problem,” Aragrad said. “And My Liege, we have news.”
Menoich stood up and walked towards the window. The view was not that pleasing, as he saw only black skies and the raped city of Tamara. Aragrad followed, staring outside as well.
Menoich took a deep breath, “Where is the Princess now, General?” Menoich asked.
“As we speak, she is nearing the city and will be here by nightfall,” answered Aragrad.
“She might pose a problem,” said Menoich breathing heavily. Aragrad grabbed a glass of wine and handed it to Menoich. He drank and rubbed the wine glass with his fingers. “And the King is taking too long.”
“Should we lend a hand then, Your Highness?” he looked at the Prime Minister. He was slightly startled by that as his eyes widened.
“So what’s your plan, My Liege?” Aragrad asked. Menoich only answered with a grin, his eyes still staring blankly on to the cityscape. Aragrad knew what he meant.
“And the Princess?”
“It is all taken care of. Just call two more Phalanxes that you surely trust,” he ordered, patted Aragrad by the shoulder.
Aragrad looked at the hand and slowly followed to Menoich’s face. He too smiled deviously and Menoich retracted his hand quickly from his shoulder.
“I shall look into the ranks now, My Liege.” Aragrad bowed down with Menoich looking down at him. He was pleased and walked towards.
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In the Plains of Tamara, a scout was dashing towards the city along with a child on his back, Matty. The scout found him along the road side, both of them soaked from the heavy rain. The scout’s sight was turning against him as he didn’t rest the whole way.
They ran the remaining stretch of the road near the outskirts of Tamara. The scout was breathing heavily as he fought against his own, tired body. He struggled to walk the remaining mile, to make it to the city and deliver the message that would shock everyone and deter the remaining sanity of the council and the Prime Minister.
The scout dashed, his sweat trickling on his forehead. The dust trailed behind them. Struggling to continue, they were spotted by the guards at the enormous city gates. The guard quickly signaled the gates to be opened and slowly the enormous gates creaked loudly.
The scout was relieved to see the enormous gates opening. He made more speed, excited and thankful. But the horse gave in and tripped from exhaustion. They rolled to the ground and the child was thrown off, luckily on a much softer ground. The guards dashed to head for the collapsed scout.
The scout rested his eyes, finally taking his much awaited rest. The guards soon reached them and quickly lifted the scout on one of the horses. They grabbed the sleeping child, putting him on the other horse. They enter the city and the gates closed behind them. They quickly headed for the guard quarters of Tamara. They left the child on a shaded part of the building and continued on their route.
The scout was slightly conscious already. He could smell the burning essence of metal and gold and he could hear constant clanging of blades and nonstop hoof stomps in the city. He felt dizzy, afraid that he was hallucinating or whether everything was real. He couldn’t be sure. He thought his mind was playing tricks on him again. On their way to the city, he saw lots of children and gasped when he saw what the group of children were holding – materials for metal works instead of holding books. He eyed the children but fell asleep once more to rest.
The scout was conscious but only saw darkness as he closed his eyes. He felt that they’ve entered the second block that surrounded the city. All military buildings were in this block, along with the Imperial Granary, Imperial Sciences and Academia, the Trasidar Head Templus, and the Imperial Military Commus, which they were headed to. The second block protected the royal palace beyond it. Its high walls stood ominously with its gates always open and only closed when necessary.
The horse stopped and he opened his eyes. The guard pulled him down and untied several packs from the horse. He was too tired and remained motionless.
The other guard came to help him and put his arms around their shoulder and dragged him inside the guard quarters. They proceed to the head scout on the second floor of the building where everyone awaited their arrival. They turned left and slowly the scout’s eyes opened.
On the other side of the room sat the head scout covered in tremendous paper work on his t
able. The head scout stopped and looked at them as they brought him closer.
They placed him on a chair, stepped back and waited the head scout’s orders. Another guard entered with more papers and handed it to him. He ordered to fetch them some water and he followed with haste. He waived his hand, ordering the other two to leave. They saluted and left the room quietly.
The head scout stood up and read the papers, his eyes moving between the papers and the exhausted scout. The guard finally arrived with the water and left the room. He poured some water on the glass then pushed it gently towards the scout.
“Here, son, have a drink. You need it,” the head scout said. The scout set his sights towards the big pitcher of water instead of the glass. He grabbed it and drank it hungrily. He breathed heavily as he gasped in between gulps. He put the pitcher down, drained. The head scout’s composure did not waver until the scout grabbed the glass of water and poured it on his head.
The head scout rang the little bell on his table side and the doors open once more. “Fetch me some more water, and bring more this time.” He looked at the papers then stood up.
“So your name is Alias No’yoran. Am I correct scout?” the head scout asked.
Alias only answered with a nod.
“So you are assigned at the gate city of Melgrace and your position there was First Scout Lieutenant,” he said and again Alias responded with a nod. “Did you know that I can only think of two reasons why you are here?” he asked Alias as he sat down.
Alias looked back and leaned forward when a guard entered the room with two more pitchers.
“Since you’re still not answering, son, I’m going to tell you what those reasons could be.” He approached Alias and sat on the table.
He lifted his finger and said, “One, is that you were ordered here by your superior to report directly to me.” The head guard lifts up his ring finger, “And two, is highly doubtful.” He retracted his hands and walked behind Alias, “Is that the city was destroyed. So, which one is it?” he asked with a rather neutral face.
Alias asked for a glass of water and the guard handed him one. He drank it and put the glass down. He looked to the other guard near the window. “Could you please open that window,” he asked the guard.
The guard looked at the head scout who had nodded to him, then he opened the window.
“The reason why I’m here requires a proof of not only one,” Alias said. “But two.”
“So I guess the proof is your scout owl, am I correct Lieutenant?” he asked.
Alias responded with a nod.
“So where is your owl, Lieutenant?” he asked again. Alias didn’t answer and simply stared outside. The head scout hid his frustration as he looked outside as well.
There they saw a small glitter of pinkish maroon, approaching with great speed. It was his owl.
“Why is your owl not with you?” he asked Alias.
Alias only sat there and took another drink of water before he answered.
“I sent it back to take images.”
“Images of what, Lieutenant?”
He still did not answer.
The owl slowed down as it entered the room, landing on the window, drenched.
“Can you close the window now?” Alias said which the guards followed obligingly.
“What is this? Hurry up for I am losing my patience,” said the head scout.
Alias petted the owl by the neck and then he whispered, “Show them.”
The owl hovered in the office. The owl showed the destruction in Melgrace.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Just south of the walled metropolis, just outside the dense forest of Tamara, a carriage was escorted by four Royal Mounted Phalanxes. The carriage was gold and green and its doors bore the emblem of the royal family. It was heading towards the city through the small savannah. Inside was Princess Tamara Lluch.
She gazed outside the carriage windows and noticed the black clouds slowly swallowing the sky. She did not understand what was happening. It had not rained in the region yet the clouds were black as charcoal. This was the first time she saw something like it.
“Halt,” the Princess ordered. She hurried outside the carriage, her fine brown elegant hair blew out as the gust of wind suddenly blustered.
She looked up and to her shock was horrified to gaze upon the black clouds. She looked in every direction and it was the same. She looked everywhere, walked in every direction only to see the same black cloud.
She saw one of the royal Phalanxes only looking forward. She was irritated and stared at the Phalanx. When the Phalanx moved his head and looked straight to the princess, Tamara pointed upwards several times before the Phalanx finally looked up. He was shocked to see the darkened skies.
One of her guards went to her side. He looked down on the princess and hesitated to talk as she was pre-occupied. The princess stared toward the other guard.
“My Princess, it is best if you go inside the carriage. It is not wise to be wandering around with an unfavorable weather like this,” the guard said, she nodded.
The princess walked forward in front of the frightened horses. She rubbed their heads to calm them down as a small black flake dropped on its head. She reached for it but it crumbled with the air. She looked up again and more black flakes rained on their carriage.
She asked herself, “What is happening?” Trembling at the unwanted scene that was happening before her eyes. She looked at the ground as more black flakes dropped on the road.
“Let’s move, now,” she commanded and the driver whipped the horses. They moved in haste to the capital city. As the royal palace slowly rose at the horizon, the dark cloud revealed where it came from.
End of chapter XV
XVI: ILLUMINATION
KAIRA WAS FAST ASLEEP EARLY that morning. The whiff of cool air was suddenly replaced by a very tasty smoke. The very fine and delicious musk of meat being cooked filled her nose. She thought she was dreaming so she ignored it. She remembered the small boar that she brought. It wasn’t much, but it tasted as good.
She disregarded the smell and squirmed softly before she got another whiff of it. She jolted up. The smell was real. She looked around to find Evangeline, Ravaen, Sevidon and Glaivel were all missing. She went outside and to her delight she saw another boar, but this time it was bigger — so huge that she couldn’t help but tear up at the glorious feast that she would be indulging soon.
Evangeline was focused to cook the boar right while Ravaen fanned the flames, much to his disgust.
“I flew several days for a very dangerous mission and I end up doing this? Disgraceful,” Ravaen complained.
“Yeah, yeah. Disgrace and whatnot, the other one has not arrived yet so keep fanning the flames. We need to cook this evenly,” Sevidon said.
Ravaen grunted, “Will he even come? I mean, the time given us before we head to Tamara is almost up. I’m guessing they declined. They are too pissed at the Trasidians.”
“No. I have a feeling they will answer the call. Just be patient,” Evangeline said as she walked towards the other side. “And besides, I know you want to taste meat again. You weren’t able to eat the boar Kaira got last time, right?”
“Well, because you knocked her out. So we let her eat almost all of it for her to regain her strength faster,” Ravaen protested.
“And it worked! Thanks Evangeline!” Kaira shouted as she gave Evangeline a hug that made her laugh. “And you keep fanning the flames. I don’t want my meat to be undercooked.” She grinned at Ravaen, adding salt to his annoyance.
“Hey guys! I found some fruits to go with the boar,” said an unfamiliar voice. Kaira looked around and found another man slightly darker skinned than the rest. Sevidon walked towards this man.
“Hey, Evangeline. Who is he?” Kaira whispered to Evangeline, her finger pointed at the stranger.
“Oh, that’s Graveloth. From the Iron Kingdom.” Evangeline slowly pushed Kaira’s arm down. “And pointing is impolite.”
“Says who?” she asked.
“Says my parents.” Evangeline smiled at her and walked around the boar again. “Go introduce yourself.”
Kaira just stood there, took a deep breath and walked towards the two who went to the boar.
“Hi, I am Princess Kaira Lamenreise of the Middle Kingdom. You must be the Kra’en Prince. I didn’t even know they had a prince,” Kaira said.
Sevidon laughed while Graveloth slowly grabbed and shook Kaira’s hand. “I’m not the Kra’en Prince. But yes, my name is Graveloth Demio, blacksmith, fugitive — well, former fugitive,” he said then went ahead and handed the herbs and fruits he got from the forest to Evangeline.
Kaira’s face crunched, perplexed of the criminal in their presence.
“It’s a long story which we will save for later. We need to finish our breakfast,” Sevidon said as he laughed at Kaira’s reaction.
“That was embarrassing,” she whispered to Sevidon. “Why didn’t you stop me?”
“I wanted to see your reaction,” Sevidon said.
“Where’s Glaivel?” Sevidon pointed at the roof and there she saw him, sitting and taking guard. “What is he doing there? Won’t he eat? It’s almost ready I think,” Kaira asked.
Sevidon sighed and handed some more herbs to Evangeline. “I don’t know. But he will.”
“By the way, Graveloth. Did Evangeline knock you out too?” she asked. Evangeline stared daggers at her as she shook her head.
“No, why?” he answered, much to Kaira’s surprise.
“That’s unfair! Almost all of us got whipped!” she shouted then looked at Evangeline. “Was it because he’s Kra’en? Was that it?”
“What? No! Sevidon found him, not me! And thank god he did. I’m tired of knocking people out,” Evangeline said.
“That is so unfair,” Kaira said then she laughed.
“Well blame the Venis Elf. Not me,” Evangeline said as she beamed too. Graveloth was confused and looked at Kaira, to which she shook Nothing.
“So why won’t Glaivel help?” asked Kaira.
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