Mending The Broken Nights

Episode Three

" I'm not a piece of wood remember!. I have taken enough clients for now, I want to have my time to chill". She yelled at Bozz with a high voice. Bozz frowned his face , he quickly grabbed Nancy by her neck and slapped her aloud. Terry bounced on Bozz and hacked him down on the floor. Terry punched Bozz countless times on the ground before Tene quickly pulled Terry away from Bozz.. Bozz froze on the ground, unable to believe what had just happened to him. He stared terribly at Terry.

"I can't believe this, a mere woman hacked me down like a piece of wood?". Bozz thundered with traces of shock visible all over him. Bozz sharply got up and flew his right arm across Terry's neck. He grabbed Terry by the neck and hit him against the wall. Nancy shouted at Bozz angrily.

" let him go, you i***t!". Nancy screamed at Bozz. Tene picked up a bottle in readiness for an attack. Bozz paused for a while and turned towards Nancy confusedly.

"Did I hear you say, " him?". Bozz asked suspiciously. His eyebrow half raised, he looked deeply into Terry's face..

"Does it matter whether I call Terry " she or he?, let the fellow go now!".Nancy shouted at Bozz. Bozz finally released his grip on Terry's neck and drifted back. He looked sternly at both Terry and Tene and spat on the floor out of anguish.

"Bozz, leave now". Nancy ordered Bozz.

" Alright, I'm leaving you idiots alone". Bozz sneered at Terry and Tene exasperated and staggered towards the door. Tene, Terry and Nancy watched him as he opened the door and banged it behind him.

"I'm sorry for that, that's how he behaves whenever he has had too much of liquor". Nancy apologized in a low tone. Tene quickly cut in.

" its okay Nancy,you need not to do that. We even pity you and the way he treats his workers around here. That's the reason why you should accept our offer and get out of here as soon as possible". Tene added persuasively. Nancy offered them a a glass of whisky from the bar section of her room but Tene and Terry turned down the offer politely. As they headed towards the door to leave, Nancy stared at Terry closely, she blinked emotionally as Terry and Tene creaked the knob of the door and shut it right behind them. As she stood thoughtfully gazing vaguely into the thin air in her room, a sudden gun shots vibrated from the windows. Nancy dived to the floor of her room and laid flat on the floor. When the sound of the gun shots seemed to have eased off. She heaved a sigh of relief and gradually got up to notice that the left side of her glass window had cracked badly.

Two Days Later At Tagaria Palace

The early morning breeze made its way through the heavily guarded doors of the palace of Tagria. In the palace sat King Dan, the King of Tagaria kingdom with his Kinsman, Gab. King Dan, a man of about 92 years with brown fluffy hair and broad forehead. He talked slowly and walked around with the help of his aids.

"Haven't I told you to stop worrying over Duke, he will soon come to succeed you". Gab spoke softly as he pats king Dan's right arm. Gab, a man of about 78 years and had a bony cheek with dark eyes.

" is it when I'm dead that he will come back?. And besides, he is not even married at his age, I'm very much worried now". King Dan lamentated mournfully. His voice shivered as he tried to confide in Gab. Suddenly, the door of the palace threw open from the left wing of the palace, usually meant for members of the King's family. Russell walked in with a charming looking lady with a beautifully designed pink colored long gown. She radiated with beauty as she walked along side Russell. The sweet scent of the two visitors oozed from afar and the attention of the king quickly focused on the entrance of the visitors.

"Good morning my father, how are you doing this morning?". Russell greeted warmly. He glanced at Gab and waved his hands in salutation. Gab responded and offered Russell a seat near him. Russell turned down Gab's offer politely and sofly grabbed the pretty lady's arm close to him. King Dan stared speechlessly at both Russell and the young lady.

'I apologize for not telling you this earlier before now, the pretty lady beside me is my fiancée. She is the lady I want to marry and her name is Nancy from Heban". Russell said in a low and calm tone. He watched his father's reaction closely and tapped nervously on his wrist watch. King Dan swiftly looked at Gab in surprise, he remained speechless for a moment while staring at Nancy. After few moments of uncertainty in the air Russell turned towards Nancy.

" Nancy, meet my father, King Dan". Russell added, robbing his pams softly at Nancy's back. Nancy smiled and cleared her voice shyly.

"Good morning your highness, how are you doing?" Nancy greeted naïvely. Her voice shivering under her breath, she tried to comport herself by adjusting and readjusting her position intermittently.

"I'm fine my dear, you are actually welcome…., Well you may have a seat". King Dan replied warmly with traces of smiles on his cheek. Nancy walked shyly towards the right wing of the palace and sat quietly on of the exotic palace chairs. She glanced at every furniture in the palace with admiration and finally returned her attention towards king Dan and Russell. Russell sat directly beside his father, in between Gab and his father.He took a deep breath and stared at Gab for a moment.

" Dad, I decided to present her to you in readiness to what we discussed few days ago privately in your room". Russell chipped in quickly. King Dan yawned quietly and looked thoughtfully at Russell.

"Yes, I remembered and I'm happy you also feel as concerned as I am, but what if Duke comes back?, he will not feel happy at all". King Dan replied confusedly, his mood dampened a bit at the mention of Duke.

" Dad, I thought we had already agreed on this, should we start it over again?. Duke, has no interest in this throne. He has made up his mind to live his life abroad. It is obvious that he is not coming back home, so why wait for him?".Russell spoke assuredly. He poked his nose nervously while monitoring his father's reaction. King Dan paused for a while and stared rigorously at Nancy. Gab lowered his face towards King Dan's ears and whispered some words into his ears. King Dan noddded his head after the short whispering.

"And who really is she?, is she from a royal family?". King Dan asked curiously while staring at Nancy.

" Not quite dad, but she is from a decent home in Heban province, though her parents are late but they are good people of integrity and class'. Russell replied convincingly. King Dan turned towards Gab and whispered into his ears. Russell threw his right arms across Nancy's waist and they exchanged few moments of romantic kisses and smiles in front of the king and Gab. King Dan immediately got distracted and watched the romantic display of love between his son and his fiancee, Nancy.

"Your highness, if I should say, I would rather advice you to disregard these young chaps and their romantic drama and follow due process in order to avoid confusion tomorrow". Gab whispered into Dan's ears.

" But can't you see that they love each other so much…cant you see?". Dan whispered back. He fixed his eyes on Russell's continuous carcasses on Nancy's body.

"Don't be deceived your highness". Gab whispered persuasively

" Russell is my son just like Duke, since Duke is not interested then I will crown Russell the king of Tagaria. He has demonstrated to me a high sense of maturity and responsibility, I shall then grant him his request, and that is my decision!". King Dan whispered back. He widened his eyes and cleared his throat. Gab's countenance automatically changed, his crest fallen and he watched the unfolding events with dismay.

"I have decided to grant you your heart desire my beloved son, Russell. You shall take over me in four seasons from now and you and your queen-to-be shall reign over Tagaria kingdom. Your engagement ceremony will be scheduled afterwards". King Dan declared in a deep masculine voice before Russell and Nancy. As soon as king Dan declared that, Russell's countenance drastically changed. Smiles streamed through his cheek. His eyes glowed with joy and happiness. Russell jumped up from his chair and gave his father a loving huge and a peck before everyone in the palace. Gab watched with despair and folded his arms tightly.

" Dad, thank you so much. I feel highly honoured inside of me, and I promise not to disappoint you if I become king".Russell said joyfully. King Dan signaled Nancy to come forward. Nancy stepped forward from her chair and walked timidly to the king. King Dan stretched his hand and asked Russell and Nancy to stretch forth their right hands and place them on top of his. King Dan joined the two hands of the two lovers together and altered some words of blessings according to Tagarian tradition. Just then, the palace door slammed open unexpectedly, and a tall heavily built young man with fierce eyes and broad shoulders stepped in and stood motionless at the door. He wore a black jacket with a dark purple face cap. His scent was kind of familiar but highly pungent. At the sight of the intruder, Russell's jaw dropped with shock.