Songs of fire and light

Chapter 2: a fool’s errand

~3rd pov~

Leon rode the horse through the woods, over the dusty roads, and did not stop. Whished past villages, leaving its citizens left to wonder why their prince and hound were in such a rush. Not far behind rode Sergius. Yelling, pleading for his response, but knew what his friend wanted. He wanted to protect him as he always does. 

In the distance, one could spot the large castle of the king, identical to his own, only bigger. Leon horse thundered across the pebble stones and came to a sudden stop. His rider leaped off to rush inside with an entourage of confused guards hot in tail.

Evander slipped from the throne room, after taking note of the commotion. Away from where the king’s deep voice made itself known. Panic twisted the old man’s face, desperate for their return for their own turf. “My young lord, I beg of you, please let what has to be done, be done. Do not intervene. Please, do not act foolishly.”

Leon seized by the massive wooden entrance to the throne room. His eyes found his mentor, an ever so slight hint of amusement teased his sharp features. “My dear Evander, have you already forgotten?” His amusement grew at the sight of the horrid answer he received. Evander shook his head, wanting the youth to jest. A cruel trick, as any other the young prince enjoyed plague his underlings with.

 “I am the prince of fools. Now get out from my sight.” With that, he opened the doors en left the trembling old man outside. 

Young eyes met old, turning both father and son silent. Which lasted for the king a sheer fleeting moment. A pleased smile spread across his features. Not of a man expected to have fathered his first thirty-seven years ago. Due the Kelila’s bloodline of demonlords, awarded longevity amongst other things. Unlike his senior siblings, Leon carried his father’s features. The same cold grey eyes, able to strike one with fear by a single glance. Deep reddish-brown hair and tanned skin. 

“My boy, how delightful it is of you to spare some time for your father.” The king’s loud laughter rumbled off the high stone walls. “Come here and watch your father rule judgment upon these foolish hoodlums.” Leon obeyed and crossed the large hall in wide strides, taking a stand beside his father. Sergius and Evander, after gaining up with a collect composure, nearby. Weary of the prince his next move. 

All eyes fell upon the hoodlums kneeled before the king. Beaten, their already poor man’s clothing even more shredded than before. A storm raged within their eyes, fighting for one emotion’s reign. Betrayal, anger, and rage. Sadness, fear, and regret surged through, never attaining a winner. Veered from king to son and back again. 

Leon held his quaking hands clasped behind his back. People he once viewed friends glared back at him. Hate clear in their minds. 

Jean and his sister Jane. Who’ll take care of the little ones now she’s here? Or were they brought in as well? Beside her, the other children near his age were in place. With on the end the cause of their trouble, Reiner. 

Another familiar soldier held him down, Yaghen pushed his peer down. Arm death locked, twisted and turned against the assault. General Valen stood proud and broad back. A display of fatherly gratification for his most favored apprentice’s catch. 

The king urged his chancellor to continue. “These pests are guilty of pillaging his highness carriages. Seized their cargo and causing physical harm to two of his fitness royal guards during the act. With no more than his bare fists.”  beside the man stood two guards. Their face blackened, and limbs wrapped in cloth. Fires of hatred aimed at the spirit full hoodlum at the end. 

Without meaning, a slight smirk set place. Impressive, the prince found. 

“A crime that equals an act against the crown punishable by death.”  the word rolled off the man’s tongue as a delicacy. Relishing at the moment.

Leon bit back that bile threatening to spill at the sight of the fat aristocrat. He loathed nobles with bottomless pockets, lack of honor and too privileged. A parasite, leach that has wiggled his way from war by use of his forked tongue. 

Serpents hide in every nook and cranny inside any castles walls. Ready to strike when their leader detected too weak for ruling in their deceitful eyes. 

Leon observed with knitted brow. Such nonsense. Their only mistake, trusting that foolish monkey. Reiner met his gaze. A near animalistic snarl twisted his face. His body hunched, seated unlike the others on his hands and feet, ready to lash out. He surely comes off as a monkey in such a ridiculous pose. The young prince, as his father, had the notion to tribute those beneath them with a nickname of his choosing. I must admit, beating two armed guards with nothing but one’s bare hands is impressive. 

A wicked smile slipped over his features, sending a cold shiver over Reiner. The young rebel could already feel the roughness of the noose around his neck. Cut off his vast air supply, ensuring the end of his short existence. 

“Shall we conduct their punishment this instant, sure?” The chancellor implored. 

Theodric did not hide his disinterest, too occupied, enjoying his own luxurious pleasure. Savor some fine wine and grapes, a thick slice of cheese aside. Before these poor starving youths’ eyes without reverence. “Fine, get them out of sight.”  

The guards marched towards them, dragged them on their feet and out the door. Before a loud voice rang out, “stop, not a foot further!” All scrutiny fell on the young prince. Stated between the hoodlums, his former friends, and father, their judge. The chancellor gawked. Uncertainty filled his mind. leaving the jester standing as a fish out of water. That matched his idiotic colorful clothing, garnished by too much unnecessary posh.  

The king’s gaze turned colder than ice, finding his son’s defying glare. An open challenge for control left unspoken by both. “Tell, my son, why should this scum not be left unpunished for their crimes against the crown?”  The corner of his mouth twitched, a silent sign of his father’s knowledge. The sly old man knew of his ties with the youngsters and their daily escapades. He foresaw it all 

Leon held his ground. “My dear king, father,” he spoke in jest.  “Do you not find it foolish to abolish such valid strength during such dire times as ours? One small, unnourished boy against two well-fed trained guards.” A jolt of satisfaction coursed through by the sound of Reiner activated growl from behind. The boy most likely has figured out where he aims for. “Should we not enlist such men and have them pay their debts in strength other than a useless death?” 

King Theodric molded over the proposal. His cold gaze shifted from one child to another. His hands clenched the entire time, irritated that he could find no objection and ordered the children to serve amongst Valen’s youths.  Outsmarted by the prince of fools, he stormed from the throne room leaving his son behind who collapse in fear. Never before had he stood up against his father’s judgment. Aware he will pay for this someday, probably sooner than he expected. 

~Leon pov~

Time went on and when I felt the man had forgotten, he announced something I never wanted. Marriage. 

Golden locks, brighter than a summer’s sun, curled and twirled around her round vacant head. A puffy green lace dress, with an over-wide skirt along with a low cleavage that has nothing to expose. The girl, now called my wife, is without all. Even a twig carries more curve than this unpleasant creature. A face perfect, molded after a doll. Void from any emotion, mere something to view and hold. Nothing more, never able to speak over two phrases before her head hurts. Galia is her name, a daughter of a king from the middle lands. One of too many pretentious girls and voracious sons. 

By age fourteen, my father thought it time to grant me this perfect vessel for my future heirs. Yet today we stand, two years expired, and I’d rather turn myself eunuch than bed this damaged doll. A being that spends her days serving her own selfish desires. Troubling the staff with her outrageous demands. And throws another of her famous rages when not complied to a full to her enjoyment. Which with her high demands never ensues. 

My only blessing is my eastern raven. I hired her as a spy after another attempt on my life. A gift from my eldest brother Andronico, the crown prince who soon will take father’s crown. Yet the lout finds me a threat to his future reign. Why I do not know, I have no desire to be king and rule. It’s a waste of time, I prefer on filling my days more with knowledge than these useless wars. One after another, never will it stop. I wish for something different for my future spawn. 

Helene was banished from her family after she failed to assassinate me in order for my brother. So I welcomed her in my own. Not as a wife which I preferred, granted to that vile creature that holds the honor, no, as my loving concubine. 

How can something that roams into the shadows be my only light in this labyrinth of betrayal and deceit? 

There she rests beside me in my silken bedding. The first glints of sunlight grace her bare skin, radiating a golden glow over the delicate flesh. Her long black hair spread wide over the cushions beside me and her tender lips slightly parted as she takes calm breaths of sleep. Her long delicate lashes keep her eyes closed, depriving me from viewing the most perfect set of hazel orbs.

A knock on the door draws me from my pleasant awakening. “Were better be under attack or ill have your head for this, Sergius.”  I snarled, he knows not to disturb my comfort for trivial issues. When compared to my beloved raven, all fades. 

He clears his throat behind the door before answering. “We are my lord. A small group of orcs sighted entering our borders. It would be well-advised we wipe them out before they reach any village.” 

Orcs... Those vile beings of darkness are becoming bolder each passing day. Is there no end to their mindless affronts? I groan, removing myself from my warm cozy bed. “Ready the men. I’ll be down soon with my orders.” 

“Yes, my lord.” I hear his muttered reply before the sound of his boots fade into the morning light. 

A soft hand finds my own before I rise. A smile finds way on my grim outlines. “Do you wish for my company during your hunt, my Lord?” 

“No, stay in bed and rest.” My smile broadens. “You will have much need for it once I return.”

If only she could hear the filthy thought that arouse my mind with her cast as the main character. Or has she no need, does she already knows how deep my affection for her grows. 

“As you wish, my lord.” She smiled such a wonderful smile, hiding into the covers of our lovers’ nest. My hand slips down the covers, my dry lips meet her soft ones. The tip of my fingers find their motive. A small delicate bump on her once flat stomach. My heir swells there. Save within its mother’s womb. Inside my precious concubine rather than that vile creature called my wife. 

“Perhaps my men can wait some more. Patience, after all, they say, is a virtue.” 

~

Soldiers dressed in black armor and red linen stand in line, awaiting their lord’s orders. Spears in hand, swords ready for a swift draw. A soft muttering between them of things they should hold back. 

Reiner the once hoodlum, ripe for execution stands straight and proud beside another youngster he now near dare call friend. Yaghen, general Valen’s favorite, given the honor of serving amongst the guard of third prince Caius. Requested by the man himself. A man they admire for his compassion for poor and regular people. His sense for adventure and guts to follow his own whims. 

My loyal monkey and pup. 

Both stand still, amongst silent whispers of laughing tales. 

“Have you heard of the spirit of the enchanted forest?”

“No, what if it?”

“They say if you capture the spirit of the forbidden forest that she will grant you one wish.”

“That would be nice.”

“I hear she carries the face of an angel with the body of a whore.” One of the older men jests.” She would have to be even more beautiful than the lady with feathers up her snatch.”

“I doubt shed let the likes of you have a go.” Another slaps onto his back.

“Wich one?”

“Neither.” The men laugh. 

“I wouldn’t mind granted any wish I desire.” A younger one with dreams of his own spoke in a soft voice. Likely hoping to reach no one’s ears. Unfortunate, his remark breaks all laughter, marking him a target. 

“Oh, yeah? What would a poor sod as yourself wish for?” One soldier mocked, his vocals loud above any other, ordering the whispers cease. “Which sad dupe would believe many things of wish-granting spirit, fairer than lady Galia?”

“I do.” One voice silenced any other. Stands above all. The man veered around, gulping any objection the fool might hold. There stood I, a scowl evident on my sculpted face. My golden cape dance in a gust of wind, steps that never falter as I meet the man. 

I challenge the man to say more. Once the man rejects when he shuts his mouth, and steps back in line. We get back to our task at hand. “Now, let’s hunt some orc.” My cold gaze never wavers from the arrogant loudmouth. it might be possible a place might vacate before next twilight.

~

I observed my men from my horse. Sergius beside me on his own. A few paces below the mountain from a small battalion slaughters the intruding group of orcs. Wandering pests of the 7 kings of despair. Set loose in the world with their only cause to wreak havoc amongst other realms. They riddle the world with them, hiding in the shadows, waiting to strike. Yet to recover from their last grand loss. 

Their reach grows each passing day. Curse those famed kings and their greed. Ever slow, no rush behind their charge. seeming enjoying our constant struggle. 

It all began near two thousand years ago. First one rose, followed by six more. Erasing all light from this world. Slow and painful, they claim the world for their own pit of darkness. To rule it all on their own. Their creatures of calamity taunt the lands, leaving behind a trail of death and misery in their wake. 

That's when the last lady of the light fought her last battle. Perished in the king's defeat. Neither mortal not immortal know if the kings still breathe. Some say they hide in the far North and await their full strength. Others say the stories are just that, fantasies. 

When I was just a child, I met a wizard in my fathers counsel. His name a gaint memory. Yet his warning edged deep inside my mind. The kings still live, growing stronger each moon. Try lay and wait for the time it right and most favorable. Until then they send creatures of death beyond their realm. Corrupt kings and servants, alike, their minds and draws them to the darkness. 

Orcs being just the tip of the mountain of filth they force in our lands. 

Elves, humans, dwarfs and other beings that dwell this world, suffer the looming darkness of the north. Named long ago the sorcerers of the North, the northern kings. That is where it began. Festering, invading their means south, east and west. A looming shadow that never allows us an easy breath. In the shades they lie and wait, idling for the perfect moment for that final gust of victory. For what I pray never come. 

Their vile corpses litter the grass. Black-skinned split open by force and sword. Their cursed black blood seeps free, watering the land beneath. Orcs are vile creatures. Teeth rotten and sharp, never aligned, made for the shredding of flesh. Minds filled with death and torture they inflict upon innocent souls. They feel no mercy, no regret for their crimes, for their victims. Or the hardship their actions left behind. Instead, they relish in it more than anyone should. 

From a blind spot jumps a sudden notion. 

“Sergius, have you heard about a certain spirit of a forbidden forest?” I asked, my interests piqued. Things beyond the norm are not unusual in this world. Myself being a demon lord with a wolf made of darkness. But ghosts, that grant wishes...

I heard many tales of this spirit and her wrath. Beauty that knows no rival, knowledge beyond the seeing eye and wisdom that has even the wisest of scholars squirm. All of them spell an early death for those foolish enough to enter her domain. A forbidden forest in a distant nation beyond my span. 

Oh, how I would love to claim that wicked spirit. By the gods, I can not hold my grin at bay. 

Sergius squirms in his saddle, knowing me and my whims too well after being by my side for such a long time. “Yes, I heard all foolish enough to look upon her are all cast under her spell and never seen again.” A knowing glance with the word foolish, he knows my attention been peeked.

I scoff at that. “If they are never seen again, how does one know of her spells and trickery?” When my remark lingers in silence, my smirk seems even wider. “I think I want to see this beautiful spirit for myself. I am the prince of fools after all.”  

How much fun would be that? To have a spirit under my control. Left to my fickle whims.