It wasn’t very long before he saw a small group of soldiers walking towards him with Aela and Rom in the middle of the party. Brude quickly urged his horse forward, then he jumped nimbly off his horse and strode straight towards Rom and placed his hands around Rom’s throat thrusting his head close to the prisoner.
‘Where is the true Sacred Sword? Where have you hidden it?’ yelled Brude in a rage. Just for good measure, he tightened his grip and gave Rom a violent shake.
‘I wouldn’t be too rough with Rom, if I were you,’ exclaimed Tua, sitting astride her horse.
Brude loosened his hold on Rom’s throat, and swung around to face Tua. ‘Where did you come from? I left you back at the Temple, where you belong. Stop interfering in my plans, you meddling woman,’ shouted Brude petulantly, stamping his feet abruptly, at the same time, stirring up a cloud of dust on the ground.
‘Really, Brude, you look ridiculous. You must keep a cool head and not act hastily on your emotions all the time. I wasn’t going to wait back at the Temple as I knew you would do something impulsive,’ loftily replied Tua.
‘Well, what do you think I should do now?’ exploded Brude.
‘I think you should take the prisoners back to the Temple and interrogate them separately, before taking any further action. Perhaps you can find out the truth from at least one of them,’ stated Tua.
Brude could see the logic in this advice, so he remounted his horse and gave the order for the party to continue to walk towards the Temple.
Once the group had reached the Temple, Tua ordered Aela and Rom to be taken to separate quarters.
‘Make sure they are given food and drink, a comfortable bed to rest on and are washed and clothed in new garments. Then bring them before Brude and myself this evening, in the throne room of the palace. Come Brude, we must go to your private quarters and I will let you know the secret plan that I have in mind for Aela and Rom. I think you will like what I have thought of for our entertainment later this evening,’ purred Tua in Brude’s ear.
Rom, was very despondent at the sudden turn of events, as he felt that he hadn’t got any further in his quest towards finding out the secret of the magical powers of the Sacred Sword. He sat at the table automatically eating the food placed before him, without any real appetite. Somehow he must escape from this situation, rescue Aela and retrace their steps so they could retrieve the Sacred Sword.
Just at that moment two servants entered the room, ‘It is time to bathe, so you can rest before the evening’s entertainment that Tua has organised for everyone. You and your girlfriend are the stars of the show’ said one of the servants.
‘What if I do not cooperate with you?’ Rom defiantly retorted.
‘We will bring in a number of guards and you will be forced to submit to our demands,’ replied one of the servants.
‘All right then, I will agree not to protest, so get on with what you have to do,’ sighed Rom.
Rom thought that something might come up that he could take advantage of, in order to regain his freedom. Aela was experiencing the same dark thoughts and she was ever watchful to see whether there was a chance that she could fool her captures and disappear forever. She wasn’t looking forward to being part of the proceedings of the evening, that Tua was organising for Brude’s amusement.
As the evening shadows began to lengthen the drums commenced beating, at first softly then gradually louder and louder inside the Temple of the Sun to summon the people to assemble in the main forecourt of the Temple. Gradually the main area became filled with excited men and women, impatient to find out what was the promised spectacle awaiting them.
But nothing appeared to be happening, so the crowd started to become restless and began to chant, ‘Brude, Brude, come out, show yourself now!’
Just as the crowd was reaching fever pitch, Brude suddenly appeared at the top of the steps directly in front of the main entrance of the Temple. The crowd acknowledged him with a roar of applause and he raised his hand in response. Then he gestured for them to be silent as he had an announcement to make. There was a sudden hush as everyone in the crowd waited expectantly for what Brude was going to say.
‘Thank you all for coming tonight. I have had my men recapture Rom and Aela. Rom who has stolen your Sacred Sword and hidden it away. Your leader Juno had a replica made to fool you all, and has had it hung in the inner sanctum. He has failed and has misled you as he did not want to admit that he could not protect your sacred magical emblem as he had promised you as the Keeper of the Sword.’
There was an inaudible gasp of surprise from the crowd and one man shouted out, ‘You are trying to trick us. Why should we believe you as our conqueror, rather than our true leader Juno?’
Then a roar of anger came from the crowd, and some started chanting, ‘Liar! Liar!’ over and over again.
Others threw their fists in the air, empathising their displeasure. ‘Bring Juno and Rom to us and we will demand answers from them ourselves.’
More voices in the crowd took up the cry. ‘We want Juno and Rom now.’
Brude was totally mortified at the sudden turn of events and he realised if he didn’t take quick action, the crowd would surge forwards and kill him on the spot. Brude turned towards the guards and shouted, ‘Bring in Juno and Rom immediately, before they kill me.’
The people at the front of the mob heard Brude give the order, they began to cheer and clap their hands. The rest of the crowd also took up the cheer, not really knowing why they were shouting, but it made them feel good anyhow. The noise was deafening and some started to stamp their feet as well, for good measure.
But when the guards appeared with Juno and Rom, their happiness was overflowing as Juno their leader was still alive.
‘Juno, Juno, praise to the gods you are still with us,’ some of the crowd yelled.
Brude was regretting the fact, that he had not killed Juno with his own sword when he first took him prisoner. He was also aware that he was fast losing control of the situation and once the crowd realised their strength in numbers, they could easily attack him and his guards.
He tried to shout above the noise of the crowd, but no one was listening to him as they were completely carried away with their basic emotions. Brude had a sudden idea and gave the signal for the giant gong to be struck. This had an instant effect as the massive sound reverberated through the Temple.
The people gradually stopped shouting, clapping and stamping their feet, the general noise became more subdued and order was soon restored once more.
The crowd were now ready to listen to Brude again, ‘Come citizens, listen to what I have to say to you. Guards bring Juno further forward and make him kneel before his people and explain to them the truth about the disappearance of the Sacred Sword from the inner sanctum and how a replica being substituted in its place.’
Another loud roar was heard from the mass, but this time it was soon lost in the crowd as the people were impatient to hear Juno’s answer.
The pressure was now on Juno and all eyes were on him.
‘I deny the accusation completely from my old enemy Brude. He is always lying about something and plotting to gain more power over everyone. My people, you know I have always your interests in my heart.’ He placed both his hands over his heart in a grand manner and lowered his head humbly towards his chest at the same time.
The crowd start cheering again, ‘Juno our saviour, our saviour!’
Brude was now beside himself with rage as he was not getting his own way. He raised his hand for silence, and much to his own surprise the crowd immediately quietened down.
‘Tomorrow at dawn everyone is to assemble again at the Temple and this time the real truth will come out for once and all. Take the prisoners back to their cells,’ yelled Brude. He then angrily strode back into the Temple, as Juno and Rom were led away by the guards.
By now Brude had completely lost his cool, as he walking back towards his private quarters.
‘I will kill Juno
with my bare hands. How dare he lie to his people. But wait, it was Tua who told me that Juno had the replica made of the Sacred Sword. That confounded woman could be lying to me, after all she is the High Priestess of the Temple of the Sun. She is very ambitious, why should I believe her explanation. Life is too complicated. I shouldn’t trust anyone and just follow my own cunning instincts.’
He continued to talk to himself, at times muttering incoherently, then shouting out what he would do to any traitor who had double crossed him.
By the time he had reached his destination he was completely livid with rage over the change of events. In the meantime Tua had heard from one of the servants what had happened at the top of the Temple steps, so she was mentally preparing herself for his tirade.
On seeing Tua, Brude yelled at her in anger, ‘You have been lying to me about Juno. You want to have all the power and glory in your own hands. You treacherous woman. I should run my sword through your body now.’
‘If you do that, you will have no one to support you.’ retorted Tua. ‘You will stand alone. I have influence amongst Juno’s people still. You have no one, kill me if you wish. Everyone will turn on you and your cause will be lost. I have a better plan to make Rom reveal where he has hidden the true Sword. Then the people will find out, what a liar Juno is about the true facts about the replica Sword. You can have him executed before his people at your leisure. It is up to you.’
Tua turned her back on Brude all the time holding her breath, waiting for the lethal blow from Brude’s sword to be plunged through her body. There was a heavy pause and a deadly silence. She slowly turned around, to see Brude kneeling on the floor with his head on his chest and his hands over his eyes, muttering to himself.
‘It is all too hard. I do not know what to believe.’
‘Come, get up immediately. We have much to do before dawn,’ exclaimed Tua.
With these words Brude slowly got to his feet and allowed himself to be led away by Tua, who whispered in his ear, ‘Now this is what I suggest you do.’
Aela was very rudely awakened by two servant women. ‘Come, you must dress quickly, as we have orders to take you to the inner sanctum of the Temple.’
‘What if I refuse?’ Aela defiantly retorted.
‘We will hold you down and dress you anyway, and we will not be gentle with you.’
Aela realised she was in a difficult position and tossed her head in disgust. ‘All right. I will dress myself.’
So with little enthusiasm she slowly put on the beautiful long flowing gown, encrusted with diamonds and pearls across the bodice in the shape of the rising sun. There were further diamonds placed on the material, cascading in a swirling fashion down the long skirt. The whole ensemble had a dramatic impact, especially when Aela moved her body and limbs.
‘Just as I thought, I knew the gown would look splendid on you,’ Tua triumphantly exclaimed as she swept into the room.
Aela looked directly at Tua. ‘Why are you making me wear this dress?’
‘You my dear, are going to be the centre of a huge ceremony,’ purred Tua. ‘The first human sacrifice to our Sun God, Luno.’
Aela was completely horrified, ‘No, you can’t do this to me,’ she shrieked.
‘Guards, take her to Temple, now. You do not have any choice in the matter. Do not think of escaping. If you do, Rom will be killed immediately’ spat out Tua.
Her mind in a turmoil, Aela was led away by the guards.
‘Now I must deal with Rom. I do not think he will be too difficult to handle. Men are so easy to trick and be manipulated especially by women. They are so simple, how they think and act,’ laughed Tua as she left the room.
Rom was also being prepared for the ceremony, as he was dressed by the servants. But unlike Aela he did not ask any questions. Rom was deep in his own thoughts as he desperately searched for a way to escape without raising any suspicions from his capturers about his intentions.
‘You certainly look very handsome, Rom. What a pity you have to be sacrificed for a greater cause,’ sighed Tua. ‘Well no matter. I have news for you. Brude is going to give you a chance to tell him where you have hidden the true Sacred Sword. If you do not reveal the scret place, Aela will be sacrificed to our sacred god, Luno.’
Rom lost his cool and lunged towards Tua in rage. The guards prevented him from reaching Tua and pinned his arms behind his back and at the same time forcing Rom to kneel on the floor before Tua.
‘That was not a very clever move on your part Rom. I thought you were smarter than that. But then one can be misguided in one’s assessment of the other person. I can never tell what you are thinking Rom, and that is very frustrating as well as intriguing,’ sighed Tua.
Rom had time to collect his thoughts. ‘As I have told you before, I do not know where the Sacred Sword is hidden. But I may know someone who can tell you where the Sword is located, but on condition you free Aela and myself, if I give you this information.’
Tua laughed loudly at this news. ‘I don’t believe a word you are saying, Rom, I have a much better idea. You are going to fight our champion, Thune. If you win, you and Aela can go free. But if you lose you have to tell me where the Sacred Sword is hidden and I will spare Aela’s life but not yours,’ Tua triumphantly stated.
Then a voice interrupted, ‘What do you mean, that you will spare Aela’s life and not Rom’s? I am the one who makes all the decisions around here, not you Tua,’ shouted Brude as he stormed into the room. ‘What have you been doing behind my back, woman.’
Brude glared at Tua and then turned towards the guards. ‘Release this man at once, you fools!’
The guards were only to happy to carry out Brude’s orders and immediately let go of Rom. Rom was then able to get to his feet very quickly and rubbed his arms with his hands vigorously, as they had been aching when the guards pinned them behind his back.
‘What do you think you are doing, taking over my position of authority. This is not the first time you have done this, Tua and my patience is fast running out with you. Everything you have suggested so far has come to nothing. I almost lost my life in front of the crowd just a short time ago. I achieved nothing in gaining the trust of the people, let alone their loyalty and support.’
Tua rounded on Brude and faced him squarely, ‘Well you didn’t have any better ideas. What big clever plans have you in mind Brude, to save the situation and turn the tide around into a victory,’ retorted Tua.
There was a heavy and deadly silence between the two, as they angrily glared at each other across the room.
All the time Rom was carefully watching the pair shouting at each other. His thoughts were, how to turn this situation into an advantage for himself. Then he had an idea.
‘How about when I fight Thune. People love a spectacle. If I win I will lead you to the person who knows where the Sacred Sword is hidden. If I am killed then the secret location is lost for ever.’
‘What do you mean, if you are killed. That is no answer to the problem!’ yelled Brude in disgust. ‘But wait. If you will not give me back the Sacred Sword, then nobody can have it.’
‘That is not good enough,’ uttered Tua. ‘The only way to find out the truth of the matter is to make sure that Rom defeats Thune and then he has to reveal the location of the Sword. You will have to be the victor Rom, otherwise Aela will die. So you have no choice in the matter.’
‘If that is the deal, I will defeat Thune on the condition that both Aela and I are released alive,’ coolly stated Rom.
There was a moments silence, then Brude nodded his head in agreement. ‘I will grant you both your freedom,’ sighed Brude.
Rom was quite pleased with the outcome. ‘Well I must go and prepare myself for the contest now,’ exclaimed Rom. His biggest worry was that Brude would change his mind all of a sudden before he was able to leave the room.
‘Guards take this man to the armoury and prepare him for the contest.’
With a sigh of relief Rom was taken away by
the guards.
‘You are such a fool Brude,’ shouted Tua. ‘How do you know that Rom will keep his end of the bargain.’
Brude lunged forward and grabbed Tua’s arm in an iron grip and thrust his face close to hers.
‘What better idea have you got at this moment. I don’t have to keep my word with Rom if I choose not to. I can change my mind at anytime as soon as I see a reason to do so and it is to my advantage. So woman, stop criticising me all the time, otherwise I will completely lose my patience with you and kill you with my sword. I must go now to prepare for the contest. There is much to do. You, woman keep out of my way!’
With these words Brude strode out of the room leaving Tua standing alone feeling very angry and perplexed that she no longer had the control of the situation.
‘Somehow I must gain my power back over Brude again,’ she muttered to herself.
Rom’s thoughts were in confusion as he was marched by the guards along a tunnel, to the armoury. He had heard of the champion Thune, but never seen him in action. Somehow he must win this contest, so at least there was a slim chance that himself and Aela may come out of this situation alive.
He didn’t trust Brude’s word, as he knew that Brude would change his mind in an instant, if he thought there was some advantage for him doing so. As for Tua, Rom recognised she was as changeable as Brude and she was always looking for some gain in any situation that was the best for her and her only.
One thing of which Rom was now very much aware, was that Brude and Tua were not in harmony with each other anymore and he must take advantage of this situation as much as possible. Also he must choose his weapons for the contest very carefully, so he had the upper hand over Thune.
Aela Page 19