REJECTED SAVIOUR

TWO

FIRE-CITY

♤ ♤ ♤

The morning was bright and the sun was at its peak with its rays radiating and causing all forms of iridescence on the crowd of people that were standing together, facing a notice board. The market was noisy as usual but this time around, it was not with the yells of traders calling for customers but with the noise of people arguing and discussing a topic that seemed so interesting that it sent many traders to lock their stalls despite having this amount of people on ground, lurking around.

It was by that time Carim and his friends just arrived at the market square to sell some of his mother's jewellery which she didn't need anymore. His friends had volunteered to come with him since they had nothing doing and Carim had accepted their help with open arms. Baim was about cracking another joke when they sighted the people around the notice board so they quickly walked towards the crowd, curious to know what news had been pasted. It was not unusual for the fireites to see important news being pasted on the general notice board at the market square. It was the law, so Carim and his friends couldn't wait to read what the king was up to again.

Just as Carim suspected, it was about the contest and he buried his fingers into his hair and pulled at the dark brownish strands in frustration. The thought of the contest had bothered him so much the previous night and he had prayed it never happened, but here it was, on the notice board, meaning it was going to be carried out with immediate effect - in a week time - just as written on the board.

He quickly turned away from the crowd and walked quickly to the shade he had chosen as his own to sell pieces of stuff for his mother. His friends were still straining their necks to get a better view of the board especially Baim who was quite short in contrast to others. It took a while before they noticed he had walked away and in no time, they had encircled him, chatting excitedly about the one thing Carim never wanted to hear.

"We should all go. Who knows, one of us might win the contest and get married to that mysterious princess whom we have never seen." Baim's brown eyes shone in excitement. His long auburn hair and bulky body bounced as he sought approval from the faces of his friends.

"You're right. Besides, I heard she is very beautiful and fair for she rarely comes out of her room." Zuda added. He was a lean man with lean muscles and his long black hair was tied up in a ponytail. He was a fine man who paid extra attention to every part of his body. His fingernails were well-trimmed and one of his ears was adorned with a diamond ring. His beauty drew the attention of people - especially the ladies - to the group as they stared longer look than should be expected.

"I wonder why she doesn't want to marry a Prince though," Po said thoughtfully. The cool morning breeze blowing stands of his short silver hair to his eyes.

"Well, it's good. Isn't it? An opportunity for us to live in the palace. To be treated like royalty than the harsh life we've been living all our lives." Baim replied once again, picking a pebble and throwing it up in the air. The pebble remained in the air for a while before slowly landing on the ground.

"This will be the first time such a thing is happening in Fire-City. King Bawka will be the first to marry his daughter out to a commoner. Don't you think that will invoke the wrath of the Fire god?" Po asked suddenly, making the others go silent for a while as each got absorbed in their thoughts.

Carim who had been watching them all along voiced out, using Po's words as a cue to speak his mind and make them see reasons with him.

"I don't think we should go for that contest. We all know the king. He isn't a person to give out his daughter's hands to a common man. He is very pompous. He will never stoop to that extent. I think he's planning something." He said more to himself than to any of them. He needed that conviction so he would stop beating himself so much about not having to participate.

"That's rubbish. Why will a king plan evil against his subjects?" Baim objected.

"Well, what about the Fire god?" Zuda prompted.

"I'm not going for this. I have my sweet Linda with me. I don't need the princess." Po replied stretching his hands and legs.

"I'm not going also." Carim agreed reluctantly and the rest turned to him in amusement.

"I can understand Po. He has a girl whom he wants to get married to, but you?" Baim teased as they all laughed except Carim whose face was stoic.

"Well, the princess is of a high standard. You know I've never liked anything of high quality." Carim sighed.

"Good for you both. I'm in. This is a chance to be king. What do you say Zud?" Baim asked.

"Well, I'm in too. Opportunity comes but once." Zuda accepted.

Carim looked at them. He wanted to go too. He couldn't bear the thought of his princess getting married to another man. Just mere thinking about it made him so enraged. Even when it might be risky to participate, he still wanted to give it a try. He felt like this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. He sighed heavily, reminding himself that the princess knew her father better than him. Besides, she had solely asked him not to go. He loved and respected her opinion. Perhaps, he should convince his friends to see reasons with him and if they continue to prove stubborn, he would have to leave them to their fate.