ARTHODON AND THE FOUR DRAGONS

CHAPTER 4: THE JUDGMENT BETWEEN TRUTHS AND LIES

The Arthodon mourns to the death of their beloved Head Seer of Encanta. The four Kingdoms are still shock to what happens. No one attest to saw or witnessed the incident so Arthodon conclude it was a planned murder to hide something from them. Arthodon held a ceremony in honor of Jabino and buried him near the temple.

Their search for the witch still continues and their hunches for her to be the main convict grow stronger and firmer. But what is her main goal is still mysterious.

The trial of the two babies, the son of Queen Lian and the daughter of Clanis and Dani, begins, held in the judgment hall of Encanta. The four kings of Arthodon gather in Encanta to lead the hearing; sitting in each chair, forming a trapezoid-like arrangement and the accused in the middle of them.

Four sentinels standing inside the hall at the door and two outside the room behind it. Valmino, the late Head Seer’s right hand, scribe and messenger, sitting at the east side of the hall with table to write what will happen, words that will be said and evidence that will be presented at the court to be filed and kept at the Temple’s library as part of the history.

“My Kings, it is obvious that the half-breed daughter of theseee t.. two..,  ” King Jeron pauses and points to Dani and Clanis with ridicule, the continues, “is the one reffered to in the prophecy that will bring darkness and chaos”

“I agree, Your Majesties”, said King Ramiro, he continues, “It was foretold long before by King Arth (the first king of Arthodon) that inter-races bear adversities. *pause* that’s why it’s forbidden.”

“But I don’t see any relation of the past incidents to this young family…” said King Alfiro, thinking.

“Clearly the witch is their accomplice; they want to hide the truth so they kill the Head Seer.” King Jeron attacks the couple with this accuse.

Clanis hugs tighter her daughter, said “Your Highnesses, we know nothing of that crime. We do not know the witch, please!!”

“We are innocent, please believe us.” Dani begs, hugging his family.

“King Euri, what do you think?” King Alfiro asked, notices the King of Aldron is in deep thought.

“I just thought, what is the connection of Queen Lian’s disappearance to this family?” King Euri perceives.

 King Ramiro and King Alfiro nod.

“Just like what I said, they are the witch’s accomplice” King Jeron repeats.

“I mean, given, this child is the darkness, why do they have to abduct the Queen? If…..” King Euri explains

“…if in the first place the Queen is not yet pregnant that time.” King Alfiro realizes looking at Queen Lian holding her son. Lian look to the King of Eferio confuse.

“And I am either, your Majesties” Clanis said then look at her husband.

“Don’t think” King Jeron wags his head, “Don’t make my son the villan!!” his voice raise.

“No! *pause* There’s a possibility that the witch curse the queen of Desteon” King Euri speculates while looking deeply in the air.

“No, no, it can’t be” Queen Lian finally said terrifyingly.

“That’s it; you believe that my wife and my son were cursed.” King Jeron said with anger.

“We’re just looking in any angle of the situation King Jeron” explain King Euri

“How come my son be the darkness if I am not yet pregnant that time I was cursed?” asked Queen Lian confuse but with determination.

“The witch made you a vessel” King Ramiro suddenly said, all eyes are on him

“In.. iiiin.. any case, mine was cursed or not, still, their child is a half blood and must be punished!” Queen Lian said; her words sounds-like “I am not the only one here who will look bad”.

Dani and Clanis suddenly feel more frightened for they don’t know what will happen next.

“My Kings, to help us decide we must first wait and look for the one whom the dragons consecrate to be the next seer.” King Euri suggests. They were silenced and think. All nodded.

“For a time, both of the children will be observed and kept AND PROTECTED, the prince at Desteon’s and..” he pauses, look at the scared guest and then he continue, “I am afraid you will stay here.” King Alfiro declared.

The couple don’t know what to say, and look each other, hugging their baby.

The meeting adjourned.

******

In Rutheos, at the west garden of the kingdom, you will hear a sound of strike of wood and voices of two young brothers playing wooden sword, fighting. “Cassius, your brother is too young for that” their mother, Queen Elvie, smile.

“Mother, we’re just playing” Prince Rasse said, look at his older brother. “Practicing” said Prince Cassius correcting his brother, hitting lightly Rasse’ sword.

“How did you find us?” asked her oldest son, while fending off his brother’s attacks.

“Yeah how did you find our hide out?” shout Prince Rasse looking at his mother, pointing his wooden sword to her.

“I am you’re your mother, of course I’ll know.” She said with smile, looking at her sons, ready to play.

“Maybe she’s a spy” declared Prince Cassius to his young comrade, “attack!!”

“yaaaaaaaah!!!” Prince Rasse shouts then run towards their mother. “You will not win to my young warrior” Prince Cassius boast. Queen Lian bent forward to ready for the attack, then grab the wooden sword and lift her son to tickle. They laugh.

“Come, your father wait for you for dinner” their mother said. While walking to the palace, Prince Cassius asked, “Mother, how’s prince Althios?”

“He’s alright, why you’re asking?” her mother wonder.

“Nothing, just… Are we allowed to visit him?”

“Of course, he’s your cousin.” Queen Elvia assure to them. Cassius smiles.

“We have a cousin?” Price Rasse asked then their mother smile, “Yeeyyy!!” he cheer loudly. Queen Elvia and Prince Cassius laugh.

******

*Evening*

Two days had passed since the trial, Dani and Clanis still worried in their stay in the temple. “Dani, what is this?” Clanis said holding a piece of paper then handed it to Dani after reading it.

“You must escape, I’m afraid you are not safe here.”

Written in an unnamed letter hidden under one of their plates. Dani after reading it run towards their room’s door then look outside to see who sent it them.

“Do you remember the face of the maid who gave us this dinner?” Dani asked his wife after closing the door and walks towards her.

“uhhhh” she nods, “It’s the same maid who always gave us our food and assist us.” She pauses and continues

“But what does this mean? Why would she do this?” Dani asked with confusion.

******

*Evening*

Another two days had passed; another letter came in the same place under their utensils with the same message.

“Dani” showing her husband the letter found.

 “You think we need to ask her and show her this?” Clanis asked

“No no, not yet, we are not sure if she really is the one giving us this” Dani explains.

“Must we tell this to the kings?” she asked again

“I don’t know, what if.., I don’t know” Dani’s words of frustration

******

*Morning, Another two days passed*

“Your Majesty” General Remos greets as soon as he enter the King’s throne hall

“You can speak” King Jeron said, lifting his hand

“Someone reported that there’s an elf, suddenly received a prophecy” the general relays. King Jeron looks surprise to the news; he straightened his back while sitting.

“Details” the king requires.

“He is one of the patients of our town’s public physician, south of Desteon. While he was waiting outside the infirmary, said the witnesses, the elf firmly stands and utters some words. After that he did not know what happened” the general continue to reports.

“What were the words he uttered?” the King asked in agitation.

“According to other patients, they said that he said ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, people of Arthodon, the dawn of darkness is now in our horizon. Do, what must be done to prevent the evil to cover the land. Hurry and take heed, the half-breed must be punished according to the first king’s law.’ ” the general reads the script given to him by the captain who investigates the event under the order of the head general.

“Bring him to me!” King Jeron ordered with excitement for his son must be proven innocent.

******

*Afternoon, the sun is not yet set, the same day*

In Encanta, Clanis immediately look for the letter under the utensils, “Dani” she shows another letter found.

“Wait” Dani said to the maid before she leaves the room, “what is this?” he shows it to the maid with fierce eyes.

The maid exhales, “If you want your child to live, you must trust me” she explains

“Why would we trust you?” Clanis said move closer to her husband

“Listen, the witch will do everything to kill your daughter” the maid said with certainty in her face.

“W.. why? How could you say that?” the worried mother said.

“You mu…” the maid stunned after hearing a great sound from the Kingdom’s trumpets declaring they found the new Head Seer.

******

In the three kingdoms, their guards saw the pillar of white smoke from Desteon Kingdom showing Arthodon they find the new seer. And their guards report it to their kings, respectively.

******

Then the maid back her eyes to the young couple, “If you want to leave this temple alive meet me at the back garden of the kitchen at the well, my brother will help us” said the maid

“W.. w.. wait, what’s happening?” Dani asked

“A new seer has found here at Desteon” the maid discloses

“So, that’s ..thats..ss good news” Clanis said

“Our daughter will be disproved guilty.” Dani said

“That’s also what I think but I heard the new seer prophesy that your daughter is the one who will bring darkness to Arthodon” the maid said, makes the couple shock and more confuse. “I know *nods* there’s something wrong. I will tell to you everything, just meet us there.” she concluded then leave the room.

*Early evening*

They again receive a secret message, saying “Now”. Promptly, Dani and Clanis get few things and secretly and quietly leave the room, with their daughter.

Silently and tense making their way to the kitchen’s back garden, while walking in a slightly dim hallway, someone grab their arm and pull them to a small room. “Shhhhhhs” a guard shows them sign by his finger to get silent. Then outside the room they hear guards walking. A moment later as soon as the guards are gone, the stranger said, “I am the maid’s brother, and she told me everything. I don’t know but I feel there’s something in your family so we need to do this” said the guard that help them, “Follow me” he continues.

Few moments, they reach the garden and saw the maid, “Thank you brother” she said to the soldier.

“You must hurry” the guard answers, then look to Clanis and Dani then to their baby, and smiles.

“You must escape, far away from here; the witch will kill you and your daughter” the kind maid said to them.

“why are you doing this?” Dani asked.

“I saw the witch killed the Head seer and heard that she curse the queen and use as a vessel for something.. something.. I don’t know what it is but I’m sure it’s corrupt” she explains more.

“You must go now!!” the guard said looking out for someone who might see them.

“But why you don’t tell it to the Kings?” Clanis asked, then the baby moved and makes a quite sound

“I’m not sure if King Jeron also knows it or if he’s part of it. Besides, I don’t see the witch’s face. And I fear that she will kill me if I talk” she continue to explains, “hurry” she said.

“Thank you” said Dani and Clanis.

“There’s a small secret passage behind that tree in the wall, go there, don’t stop and run. You will see a river then go south. Hide and never come back” the maid said.

As Dani and Clanis make a few steps, Clanis stops, look back to the maid and said, “What’s your name?”

“Klera” she smiles.

******

Having it known to the whole land, the next day, the four Kings of the land held an immediate assembly at encanta in relation to the newly found seer that was chosen and consecrated by the four guardian Dragons of this magical world, Arthodon.

Each four king’s right-hand man, as a wizard and an adviser to the kings, from their palaces, respectively, create a portal using their magical gems attached to their ring, which is made in powerful ancient and rare ore, for them to transport their King instantly in any place they know and if only needed.

“King Jeron have you already asses the alleged Head Seer?” king Ramiro asks wearing dark maroon robe with black and white underneath.

“Yes, my king. He’s name is Gorin, an elf, in southern town of Desteon kingdom. He’s sick and magically healed by the Dragons to be the Head Seer to carry out this sacred calling.” King Jeron proudly explains and signals the guard standing inside the hall’s door to let Gorin in.

“Your Majesties, greetings.” Gorin said respectfully then kneels. He is a typical elf, with thin stature and ordinary countenance.

“You may stand” King Alfiro said.

“Do you have any questions about your new callings” King Euri ask touching his long beard while looking in the elf attentively.

“None, my king, I am just a little perplex but I know I can do it. I promise I will study all my duties and magics. ” said Gorin, looking at the four kings then look down before he ends.

“Alright” King Alfiro said, “Valmino will be your right hand, scribe and messenger. If you need assistance or questions, he’s ready to help” he continues, and then looks to Valmino, raising his brows. Valmino answer back by nod and then look to Gorin and smile.

Few silence before King Ramiro breaks it, “Before we call on Dani, Clanis and Queen Lian, King Jeron, can you tell us the prophesy Gorin received.”

He nods and said, “Valmino” raises his hand to signal the temple’s messenger and scribe for the scroll. Swiftly, Valmino stands and walks beside Gorin and read the message out loud, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, people of Arthodon, the dawn of darkness is now in our horizon. Do, what must be done to prevent the evil to cover the land. Hurry and take heed, the half-breed must be punished according to the first king’s law.”

“My Kings, it is clearly declared, the half-blood child of a human and an elf is the darkness and will bring great havoc in Arthodon. We must do what is right, what is written in our law to kill the half-breed.” Said King Jeron who looks certain and firm in his stand and decision.

Silence covers the room and tension is obvious, as everyone thinks and ponders the words that have been heard before deciding totally. The kings look to each other then, “call them” said King Alfiro.