CORONATION OF THE THIRD FORCE

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

After accomplishing the first part of my mission last night, I lay on my bed in the wee hours of the morning to recall all that has happened and a smile played on my face, a smile of satisfaction as I pictured all the nobles in their last moments watching their sons die before their deaths. It gives me satisfaction because they all admitted guilt, but as is usual of man, shifting blame to the one who isn’t present to defend himself. They all blamed the king but the king didn’t force them to, they willingly allied against the innocent for their personal-interest to feed their ambitions. I have not yet fashioned a means of which the king will die for there is yet time, not until I have conquered my enemies, those who mock the unknown, Princes Radia and Bosakia.

One week later, after the uproar created by the sudden and simultaneous deaths of the nobles has died down, with my father commending me for my foresight when I hinted to him a few days ago that this evil will pass away soon, and it did, and he has, as he said he will do, swiftly filled the vacant positions of the deceased nobles, so towards late evening, while reclining on a swinging chair in the open space of my quarters I was invited to the palace chambers were deliberation is held by the king and his nobles. I appeared in my princely attire, a white flowing robe reaching to my knees, an equally free-flowing trouser and gold plaited footwear and a sheathed sword. On getting there I found all the nobles seated and soon my father walked in accompanied by his wife. 

I knew that what comes next is my trip to the magic academy and I thought it is the first topic to handle in this meeting but to my disappointment, it was first the introduction of the new nobles and other kingdom matters which in all I was less interested but sat through it all. The ten nobles were duly introduced to join the two that survived the death plague visited upon the noble clan and you could see the joy in their faces when the king congratulated them for coming out of that evil attack. A man whose heart is good will always have the biggest smile on his face, and I felicitated with them, those who refuse injustice against the innocent. My father began to say after their introduction,

‘Our kingdom has survived a plague, for whatsoever targets the leaders of a kingdom targets the people too. But we thank the spirits who intervened to deliver us. My son, Prince Jokhara, when I was under pressure to invite foreign powers to help us told me, do not bring us more shame, for this thing will pass away soon. He was right, his words have come to pass.’ he paused midway and continued.

‘But I assure you, this not the end of evil, evil has always existed and will continue to exist. As you are aware, my nobles, the greatest evil looms over us, and our neighboring kingdoms. We seek how to fight as one to confront our common enemy, an enemy so mighty that has served to unite once warring kingdoms to stand as one. In the next few days, my noble son, who has offered himself to represent our kingdom in the greatest combat challenge will be leaving for the magic academy where his powers will be horned and strengthen.’  He walks to where I sat, took my hands, and said,

‘My son, tell my nobles why you are the best to represent us so that we can release the secret powers of the Water and Snow into your hands that will aid you in the challenge besides all that you possess in your arsenal.’

Alluring temptation, very tempting to begin to boast, and soon pride will spill my secrets to this contemptible king of a man, I resisted it with resolve. I have to tell them lies of my imaginary tours to the kingdom of the Sun and Wind, and how I spied on the two Princes to learn about their powers.

‘It is destiny, father. What destiny has thrust on us we can no more thrust away willingly either for weakness or for the privilege. I heard the mocking of the rival princes and I felt the shame it brings to our kingdom and I said to myself, I will be made the way there are made, and more I will be. So I left and here I am. I am equipped to face my rivals, and to the magic world I go but be assured, your prince is ready to make our kingdom proud’, I said and I was loudly applauded by all.

‘Great is your wisdom, my son’, the king said, ‘and great shall be your victory. As you leave my son for your study of magic, the three kingdoms shall be meeting to receive the combat code system that shall be delivered to us. And as of now, we know not how it operates, but it shall spell out the nature and system of your battle for the crown. The nobles will be initiated into their roles and together we will deliver to you on your return the powers of water and snow.’

Soon, an elaborate dinner was rolled out to entertain the new nobles and we had a feast making the last day I will dine with the king and his council of nobles. I stayed behind, after all, have gone, and my father, mother, and I had a little chat before I left for my quarters. Everybody is now happy, calm has returned to the kingdom and all wait for the conquering of their more powerful enemy, the aliens of Ileac kingdom. They understand also that it takes the victor of the combat challenge to lead the fight against the aliens and the kingdom whose prince emerges victorious will reign over all other kingdoms and my people, though, still in doubt of my abilities to deliver in the combat wishes earnestly that I will be the victor. But their sentiments will neither affect me to prove myself to them nor reveal the extent of my readiness. All they have is their doubts and all I have is my secrets.

In the middle of the night, my grandfather who has guided me through all my experiences with his voice appeared in my bedroom in person and sat looking at a sleeping me, however, soon I woke transformed into a wolf in reaction to that invasion from the spirit.

‘It is I, go back’, he said and I recognized that guiding voice and I went back to my human form. He was tall, reaching a height of about six feet, curly all white hairs, deep blue eyes, long nose, and chin in a bony frame of body. He sat quietly watching me and I spoke first and said,

‘Father, is all well?’

‘It is well, son. You are about to go to the magic academy, you don’t need much to study there; you are already magic in yourself. You shall go there to study your opponents. Your life depends on that.’

‘I don’t understand, father.’

‘No, you do. Your body is your magic; you must convert it to vengeful purposes. The better you work it, the more you discover the abilities inherent. Prince Radia and Bosakia will be with you in the academy. Radia is powerful than Bosakia, but underrate neither of them. Your mission there is to learn whatever they learn, but study their abilities as much as you can.’

‘I am to appear the normal Jokhara they know…’

‘Yes, that is still you. Allow them to mock and scorn, but study them, even push them, get them angry and they will spill their secrets especially Bosakia. His arrogance will destroy him and Radia his concealed pride. ‘

‘The code system will be delivered to our three kingdoms by the Iglobins where the three kingdoms share boundary and the mechanics will be determined by the contestants when they start. The rest is your life. You either have it or lose it. Do not underestimate your opponents; it is a grave mistake humans make. Fight them with all your life. I will visit you once in the academy’.

He was gone and I did not sleep again. Was there more to my body that I have not put into the use? Going to the academy will bring out more of me and I will stay the course and search out my enemies and finally destroy them. The time has come and I Prince Jokhara, the Third Force, I am ready for the combat for the glory of the great Ithaca,