From the leaders, Nokul Bidhansor and Damal had died fighting. Aylan quickly puts a hand on Jeem’s shoulder. Jeem patted his friend’s hand to assure that he was alright. Though his eyes were tearful. “I need to go to my mother. She needs me right now.” Jeem walked into the tower as Laam shook his head in approval.
After a while, the Stonemen and the baboon army gathered on one side of the Mathagor. Aylan and King Laam walked to them. Laam knew about Aylan’s ability to speak to the animals. So, he signaled his friend to be the interpreter and addressed the baboons. “I can’t express my feeling, how much my people and I are grateful to you. And, I am cordially sorry for your loss.”
The baboon leader spoke out. Aylan translated to the king. “It was our duty to help the friends. Although it is painful to lose our kin, we have joined the battle knowing the consequences.”
Both the friends were astonished to hear such a reply. Aylan told them to take some rest before they head back to the kingdom of Ratar Gul. They agreed with him.
They had the same kind of conversation with Prince Mathuray and his soldiers, except for they wanted to stay with the Ashlandians until they assure their victory. And it was King Pathuray’s order to do so.
At the beginning of the afternoon, King Laam rode to the city along with the remaining soldiers and the Stonemen.
Chapter Twenty-One
From the balcony of the castle, King Khuli and Lord Brirar had witnessed how the Kajlas soldiers were being slaughtered by the Ashalandian force. King Khuli went inside to let his mother know, but she already had assumed the adverse situation and had summoned the apprentice Dainees to get the Urontos ready and walked to the Queen’s tower to bring her sisters. King Khuli approached her about halfway to the tower.
“Mother,” he called her. “Have you heard the news? The Ashlandians would attack the city at any moment.” He looked devastated and wanted to hear something positive that comforts him.
“No, but I had guessed it,” Chaya replied, did not bother to stop or look at her son. Her face looked paler, and eyes were redder than the day before. Her total condition wasn’t a Queen mother-like anymore. Her body gesture clearly shown her son that he may get lost.
However, King Khuli wasn’t in any condition to realize that. He kept asking his mother like a little child. “Mother, please tell me something. I don’t know what to do.” He grabbed Chaya’s hand to stop.
Chaya moved her hands, but stopped and looked back to her son. “Why don’t you ask your advisor? You had been ignoring his advice deliberately. Now you must pay for this.” She continued walking.
“Where are you going?” King Khuli asked.
“I’m going to take your aunties to find a safer place until you deal with this situation.”
“There is nothing left to deal with, mother. The way they had defeated the Kajlas, our soldiers will not get a chance to stand in front of them. Now either you help me with your damori or take me with you where you’re going.”
“Sorry, but I can’t do any of that. We still haven’t gained the power back, and the Urontos wouldn’t let you ride on their back. So, you’ll have to deal with the situation by yourself.” Chaya disappeared into the dark corridor. Leaving her stranded son behind.
It took a few moments for King Khuli to realize about his mother’s selfishness. She had used her husband to get into the safe place and then killed him as he didn’t help her out. Then controlled her son for his whole life and made him what he is now and built a safe haven for her Dainees. Now then, the situation had changed, and he was no longer able to protect her, she had just abandoned him. King Khuli stood in his position for a few moments and then walked back to the castle with random steps.
As he came out of the Queen Mother’s room, Lord Brirar approached him. He looked very anxious. “My King,” he said. “The enemies would attack the city at any moment. The Kajlas had given up and boarding of the ships. And seeing this, the Midney soldiers had decided to surrender.”
“What do I do, Lord Brirar?” King Khuli asked in a mechanical voice. “You were always right, so you tell me what I am doing now?”
Lord Brirar understood the king’s condition. He had grown up in a safe and tension free place. Lord Brirar himself was with him from the day he took over the throne, and since his father made a truce with Emperor Namdar, King Khuli didn’t face such kind of unfavorable situations. Doesn’t matter how brutal he is in nature.
“I say you use a disguise and escape from the city as they consider only you to responsible for everything. I’ve to stay behind to make sure our own soldiers don’t take the advantage to loot the castle. I’ll surrender to them on behalf of you.” He looked at King Khuli’s dissatisfied face. So he explained further. “Don’t worry about it, my King. We may have to leave the kingdom for now, but soon we’ll return to regain what is ours.”
The idea of escaping from the city gave the king goosebumps. He had never come out of his comfort zone and did not know about how to live on his own. Though he always wanted to spend his life experimenting with his discoveries, where no royal duty or a mother who would interrupt him. Thinking of this, King Khuli felt delighted and decided to escape. “I’ll do it.”
“Good,” Lord Brirar said. He was happy that the King has listened to him at last and not being stubborn. In fact, he wasn’t going to guard the castle. He’d surrender to the Ashalandians, accusing the king of every and each evil-doing to create a safe escape for himself. And once he can get away from Ashaland, he had no intention to come back to serve this stubborn and arrogant king. Instead, he would reunite with his family and go to Sarrandhar to serve an even greater power, Emperor Namdar. If he wishes to get this land back, as Ashaland had a great geographical value, from where Emperor Namdar wanted to extend his empire to far north. “I”m going to arrange everything.” He attempted to walk.
“No,” King Khuli stopped his advisor. “I want to go by myself to make it easier for me. I’ll meet you in Sarrandhar, doesn’t matter how long it takes.”
Lord Brirar struggled to control his reaction. King Khuli’s lone journey meant a definite suicidal attempt, which was a great favor him. However, if he makes it to Sarrandhar, then he’s going to be in trouble. He sighed. There was nothing he could do at that moment. “As you wish, my King. But, please try to keep in touch by sending a message to Sarrandhar. I’ll inform them that I’m expecting some news from you,” he said, as he grabbed King Khuli’s hands firmly, to show him how much he cared for him. “And you know how to get out of the castle?” As King Khuli shook his head, Lord Brirar walked down to the outer house. He had plenty things to do.
King Khuli stood at the same place for a few moments, looking around the castle. The very place where he was born and grew up. He tried to find any regrets deep inside his heart, but the joy of freedom had taken over it. He took a deep breath and walked to his quarters. A servant came with a big sack. He had no idea what was going on. King Khuli waved at him to leave and opened the sack. There were some ordinary clothes, a water sack, some dry foods, money, a small pot of ointment and an empty sack for his accessories. He changed his clothes and put on the new ones for the first time in his life. He felt a bit uncomfortable, but at the same time, he felt a heavy burden had just fallen from his shoulder.
His father once showed him a secret door from the basement right underneath his bedroom, which he had been using as his experiment room. The door had opened to a tunnel, which had ended somewhere near to the gate-tower. He smiled, thinking of him going to emerge near the people who were trying to kill him. King Khuli checked his disguise in the mirror. It looked perfect. His sharp chin was covered by the tail of the turban. The ointment he applied, had given him a less bright complexion. No one could tell that it was the mighty king of Ashaland.
“So long, King Khuli,” he said to himself, looking at the mirror. “The kingship was never your thing. You belong to somewhere else.” He took the sack and went down to the experiment room. Looking around the ro
om, he stopped a sigh. He had to leave all these things that he had been working on. Hold on, he thought. I can’t take these things, but no problem taking my parchments. He poured all important ones in the sack and opened the secret door.
***
Cro had come out from the tower and volunteered to scout the city. He returned to Aylan with good news. Aylan informed King Laam, and they rode into the city.
The Ashalandians had expected some resistance from the Midneys, but instead, the gate was wide open. As they entered the city, they saw the main road was totally empty and the end of the road, where it divided into two ways, Lord Brirar was waiting for them on a horse. The soldiers stood behind him, keeping their swords in scabbards.
It was an overwhelming moment for the Ashalandians. The elders had been to the city many years, and it has changed since then. And the majority of the young ones who didn’t have the permission to get past the main gate and could see only the tallest buildings behind the walls. They all kept looking around the city as if they wouldn’t want to miss an inch of it. The houses, gardens, roads and shops were something from the out of Duray for them. And right at this very moment, they had entered into it as the victors and free.
King Laam raised a hand to stop his force, signaled only Aylan to follow him. As neared, Lord Brirar walked his horse toward them. Looking at Aylan nervously. In return, Aylan gave him a smile.
“Oh triumphant, I, Lord Brirar declaring our surrender on behalf of the Midney nation, whose king escaped cowardly, leaving behind his faithful people, who had no choice but listen to his brutal and unethical orders. Please, accept our surrender and be merciful to us,” he said to King Laam.
Aylan could read his mind. This man didn’t mean half of his words, but couldn’t find any information about King Khuli, except for the idea of his escape. And he was going to join the Emperor Namdar soon. Aylan whispered this information to King Laam.
“Well, I, myself had the experience of your brutality. And like the others, I am aware of your actions, whether they were the direct order from Goran Khuli or not. But we, the children of Ashaland believe in mercy and forgiveness. So, I, King Laam, declare amnesty to the Midney and the Kajlas. Whoever wishes to stay in this kingdom with a clear intention, can live freely as a part of the people. And those who don’t, please leave within tomorrow by noon. As for the Kajlas, I would ask them to take land to go back to Chukataba. Those who have family here can go tomorrow. And, the soldiers will go by ground instead of ships. If I hear any mischief on the way home, I’d ride myself with the Stonemen and the baboon army and would show no mercy to them,” King Laam declared.
There was a mixed reaction from both the sides. The young Ashalandians were not ready to forgive their enemies, while the elder Ashalandians understood the King’s decision. It was indeed the most Ashalandian way to stop hostilities and hatred. His decision would have an effect on their enemy and would bring them closer as friends, who’d then fight for them willingly. And it worked. Half of the Midney civilians, who had opposed King Khuli’s decisions and had sympathy for the villagers, declared to stay. But the majority of the Midneys, who were not only faithful to the King Khuli but were arrogant enough to live under the Ashalandian king, wanted to leave.
Aylan led an army to escort the Kajlas outside the gate-tower along with the Stonemen. Prince Mathuray stayed by King Laam to make sure no Midneys try to take an advantage to attack the Ashlandians.
Lord Brirar had moved his assets at a good time and had nothing to waste his time. So he got on a ship that left Ashaland.
***
Goran Khuli arrived at the end of the tunnel. There was a metal door in front of him. He checked the latch, under the torch it was clear that the door was opened recently. Goran had no choice but to go ahead. So, he put his ear on the door to hear any noise on the other side. Being assured that no one was there, he pulled the latch and stepped on the stairs. He went up very carefully. Though he was scared of the enemy, he was enjoying the every bit of excitement. After all, whatever he had done as a king was for his excitement. As he stood at the trap door, he put his ear again to listen for any noise. And still, there was nothing. He could imagine where he was at that moment, but the silence from the other side puzzled him. Doesn’t matter what is outside, I’m going anyway, he thought.
As he slowly pushed the trap door and peeked out to see where he was, Goran Khuli found himself in an empty hall. He got into the room and looked around. The room was familiar to him. He came here before when he went to the deer hunting. He stepped out of the room and checked the long corridor. It was all empty too; but this time he heard the noise of some happy people. They were cheering and shouting to express their happiness. He was aware of the celebration. As he was about to walk to the outside, something caught on the corner of his eyes. He turned to the Mathagor. The was a big procession slowly coming this way.
Goran took a telescope from his sack and looked through them. It was the Kajlas, being escorted by the Stonemen under Aylan’s lead. He quickly put the glasses back into the sack and rushed outside the tower and looked for a feasible way of the Kajlas and walked in the opposite way. As he was well versed of their behaviors.
When the procession arrived at the tower, Aylan noticed Magoora was sniffing and looking around him at the same time. He tried to read Magoora’s mind and was surprised. The ex-commander was sniffing Goran Khuli’s smell. He was probably here just a few moments ago. As Magoora was hurried by a Stoneman, he walked ahead but kept looking inside the tower and gave a long glance to the big hall.
Aylan followed him for all these times. The Stonemen stayed in front of the gate, and Aylan went back inside. He walked straight into the hall and looked at the corner where the trap door was. As he thought, it was slightly open. That means Goran Khuli risked escaping, through this tunnel and the guards had given him a chance by leaving the hall to participate the celebration. There’s no point to confront them right now, he thought. Instead, he walked to upstairs to meet Master Dorian.
Master Dorian had his consciousness back and was resting in a guard room. When Aylan entered the room, he was sitting on the bed, holding a bowl of soup. Jeem’s mother and Ava were looking after him.
“Here you are, Aylan,” he welcomed him. “You have done it.” He reached out his right hand to Aylan.
Aylan holds the hand touched on both his cheeks to show respect. Then he did the same to Jeem’s mother and gave a smile to Ava. “Yes Master Dorian, we did it. But without your help, the result would have changed.” Aylan sat on a chair next to the bed as Master Dorian signed him to. The two women left the room for the master and his pupil.
“I know you have a question regarding my wizardry power,” he smiled. As Aylan nodded, he continued.
“All these years without any pupils gave me more than enough time to look into the King Burundas’s books. Actually, in one way, Goran had favored me by barring them from the school.” He paused to take a spoon full of soup. “Well, these books are written from his speeches and activities. I have found some common things in them and practiced. Soon, I have felt the power inside me but still needed some more time to prepare myself to face the evil. It wouldn’t be possible if you didn’t show up on time. And today, for the first time I have used the full force and realized how to control it. I can assure you that I’m not going to pass out again.” He laughed.
Aylan laughed too. Master Dorian looked much better than he saw for the first time at the monastery. He took the water sack off of his belt and reached out to his teacher. “Would you like to drink some of this water, please? I think the world still needs you.”
Master Dorian glanced at the water sack and shook his head. “I don’t need it anymore, son. This new power has given me extra strength to live. Unless somebody kills me, I can die whenever I want.” He looked at Aylan’s eyes. “But, I wouldn’t want to go against nature. If God wills, I’d be ready to meet him.”
There was nothing else to say after this. Aylan asked
him to stay resting and then left the room to go to the roof. At first, he glanced at the Mathagor. The soldiers were removing the dead bodies. The Kajlas didn’t want to take the responsibilities of their own dead soldiers. So, Aylan ordered their soldiers to bury them at a side of this vast field to show respect for the dead. Then he moved to the other side, faced to the outside of the gate-tower, and tried to assume the way that Goran Khuli had escaped.
“What are you looking for?” a feminine voice asked him from behind.
“Nothing,” Aylan replied and turned back to face Ava.
She was wearing a blue gown with white lining and a black shawl to cover her body and head from the cold air. She looked so beautiful that even a man like Aylan had to move his gaze to speak in a normal voice.
“Is there everything alright in the city?” Ava asked. She had something in her voice that Aylan had to look at eyes and read her mind. She was eager to know about her kind.
“Well, everything is under control. Soon King Laam would summon these people to return to their homes.” He described her the whole incident. “And the Dainees had flown, way before we had entered the city.”
Ava didn’t try to hide a deep breath that she was holding for a few moments. By now, she had realized that Aylan could read the mind. “That’s not good news, isn’t it?”
“No, obviously not,” Aylan smiled to see her reaction. “But I am more concerned about Goran Khuli, who escaped right under us. And probably is lost within those mountains, alone.” He pointed to the lightning mountain.
Ava shook her head. “It’s amusing how life changes within a few moments. Yesterday, who was the mighty king, today he has nothing but himself.” She looked at Aylan, “Are you going to chase him down?”
Son of The Prisonland (The Myth Shadow Trilogy Book 1) Page 22