The emperor's lineage

The chosen one

OCEANS P.o.v

Sitting in the far corner,all I think of is the afterlife,I hope It would be different from all of this,that the suffering,pain,hunger,thirst… would end.i look up to see the gates opening,kia’s marching in with whips, ready to beat the others like they do everyday.I get up from my spot and push down the rag I had on .it had billions of holes in it,but it was the only one I had.Seeing the others awake from the whipping,we fall in line like any other day,but deep down we all know today was different. I could hear the silent sobs from some of the other girls.We were marched to the open fields, where we were to wait for the mistresses and masters to come.With our heads bowed,I heard the whip sound,I knew it was trouble,but no one dared to look.I heard the dragging of feet’s and I looked sideways only to see the body of one of the girls.she was dead………..before I could break out of my shock,the horn was blown,we all fall to the ground,shivering in fear.No one dared to look the masters in the eye,we were accustomed to staring at their feets.Their skin was radiant as though the sun cast its emblem on them.

The head master’s carriage was in front while the rest of his family which included the mistresses,his children,and lastly we the slaves followed with the kai’s marched sharply after casting their firm shadows on us.I stole glances at some of the slaves in the dungeon,looking hopeless as was the rest of us too.Whilst they looked into the cloud awaiting their fate, ours was sealed……….we were to be given to the emperor as gifts.You would think that we were to become servants but in our case it was different cause we all knew from what the masters told us few days ago that we were been offered to the gods as sacrilege. Once every year,at the time when the sun was at the highest point,thirty slaves were offered to the gods as remembrance of the dead emperors.

After what seems like forever,I could hear the sounds coming from the festivals been held by the villagers,I knew it was almost time. The roads was filled with people from different villages across the kingdom.it was a happy moment for them due to the believe that once the offering is done,the gods will bestow on the emperor’s clan more power,grace,wealth,abundant harvest, which in turn will favor the villagers. On getting to the gates of the palace,we halted while the head master and his family went to pay homage to the emperor and his clan and showing off his gifts,after which we were taken to the dungeon.We were welcomed by the oracles who gave us better clothes ,bathe us in pool with leaves in it,then added somethings to our face.Some of the girls were still sobbing but I already accepted my fate and I thought the tears was of no use at the moment. We were been beautified for our death,some part of the whole process irritated me,but I was hoping that maybe if we die in beautiful clothes we were given maybe the gods will let us in the haven….but like I said I hope………

We were all asked to stand in the line again as we were been lead out to the pits where the offering takes place,with over 10 oracles following us we were lined up in pits and the gates was shut.it was hollow,but one could see the sun shining, the rotten smell of decay filled the air, and the heat.The high priestess came in,and the whole pit was silent,even the sobs had died down,I guess the girls had also accepted their fate as I have.The priest went around looking at us,one after the other.she kept moving until she was in my line of vision, I couldn’t help but look into her eyes.it was magnificent, her eyes held the blue color in perfect shade,her glowing face, the dimples,the scent coming off her,it was all perfect,I figured that’s what you get from been chosen by the gods to be their voice. Only a few like the priest and the emperor and some of his clan have the power to see the gods.it was truly a blessing.I was pulled out of my daze when I felt a hands under my arm pulling me away, I was confused but couldn’t say a word.I looked back at the other slaves standing in the pits,we all have our stories and we might not be friends but we all grew up together in the athen.I was dragged down a hallway, and several more before I was pushed through a door.

“Sit”,the guard said

I looked behind me and saw the room was richly decorated with chairs and curtains like that of the masters house in the athen,i sat on the ground as I was used to doing at the athen,you would have to be from the masters family to sit on the chairs.What just happened, I didn’t do anything,ha!i just wanted the suffering to end,but now this,only the gods knows what will happen now, what if I was taken back to athen.I would die first before returning to the god ridden place. I felt a lone tear running down my cheek,I was really tired of been strong……

  I felt a shadow cast across the wall and saw the high priestess walk in,with a smile.I wasn’t sure what to make of it, whether to be scared,shocked ,all in all I was confused,then she looked me in the eyes and said;

“you’ve been chosen”

And at that moment I knew I was in trouble!

Theseus  P.O.V

I hate the rain,I couldn’t put my mind to it but every time it rains,I just get in a moody and foul mood.it was the day of the fallen,the day we had to pay homage to the previous emperors, as a remembrance for us all. Its been a while since I had been present for such event, but for some reason unknown to me my father had insisted my presence for this one.I had given him different excuses but he had insisted on it, something about wanting his whole clan together for this.We were known as the emperor’s clan.The most feared and favored kingdom in the realm.I am the second son of the emperor, my brother Alexandros was older by three years.I had other sisters too, whiny little snakes who would do anything to get in fathers favor as would their mothers.

The trumpets was blown signaling the beginning of the festival.I  just wish this day would end soon,very soon.I left the window to get ready.My garment embroiled from tiny, shiny piece of gold was laid out by the servants.it fitted perfectly as it was meant to.

I walked out of my chambers and made my way to the golden room, where the festival was to take place.i cursed when I saw the large number of people present. I hated been around this people,the ministers, the chiefs,the masters and mistresses and the remaining of our glorious clan.They would all gather together,dine,laugh,merry together for hours unending while in deep down they are all plotting their various ways to end themselves. Thats why I stay far from them all, even against my father’s wish.

I walked in graciously and the whole place was silent,as expected.No one dared to look me in the eyes,I could see the smirk on my father’s face,I knew he loved it when everyone feared his son.My reputation precede me.I walked to the throne  bowed slightly,then take my seat at the right side seat by my father’s throne.

“they fear you son, just as it should be’ ,says my father

“that’s their choice father”,they are all a bunch of cowards,god forsaking backbiting rats

“true,son very much so”,he chuckled

The festival began,with the ministers paying homage to the emperors clan and giving gifts as if the emperors clan doesn’t already have all that. Next came the entertainers.it was boring and I was starting to get angry for I consider all of this a waste of time.Then the tribute to the ancestors,……father got up first and made his way outside with lamp,my brother went next,and I followed.Once outside we all held up our lamps up.The emperor’s clan are all blessed with powers from the gods,as the first ones to be created, this powers have been passed down for centuries.

Father moved his hands over the lamp,and it was lit,Alexandros did the same,and I did too.It was a sign that the ancestors were present there,at that moment.I could hear the people down at the palace grounds cheering, clapping. Father had a smile on his face,same as Alexandros ,but I just looked around expressionless.

I  saw father turn his face to me I knew it was to comment about my face and how I was scaring his people,but then I felt empty, my lamp was out,the fire had died.i was shocked as was my father,this had never happened before.I dropped the lamp and went back befuddled. What could have happened, why was my lamp out. I heard father dismissing the minister giving them order to join the people and continue the festival.I turned back in time to see a smirk on Alexandros face but it was gone once he saw me glaring at him.He knew better than to dare me.

I made my way to my seat,father was siting at his throne already.i knew his next line of action is to summon the high priestess. But to my surprise,she walked in immediately as though she had been summoned. She bowed lowly to my father,who just waved it off.

“I was just about to summon you,I guess you already know of what happened,

“yes,my liege,,she replied ,now on her knees

“what make you of this,it is unheard of!,

“true,my liege,but earlier on a vision was revealed to me,whilst I was in the pits performing the rites,

“speak!,Father ordered,

“Bring her in”the head priestess said

We all looked perplexed, even my nuisance of a brother,waiting  only to see the girl who was been brought in.She looked to be at the verge of womanhood,her green eyes were bright even though she looked as though she had been dragged through a war,her black hair had a bit of red at the root,her plump lips,her lashes were long and mesmerizing. She was indeed a beauty. She bowed immediately,I guess she must have just noticed the throne and everyone else.

“what does she have to do with the lamp”…I asked getting impatient…..

“patience,son,patience,we all know kara’s vision are never wrong and they have never been revealed without a reason.

The high priestess got up and walked to the girl who still seem frightened. She brought her to stand in front of my father.

“she’s been chosen,my liege,”

“chosen!?”,I heard Alexandros ask from his seat,

“yes,chosen to continue the lineage of the emperor’s clan”

I chuckled in my seat,cause we all know it was impossible, she couldn’t survive a day in the palace not to think of having a child here.it was no news that the emperor’s clan was a disaster and a place of crazy people.

“so am to bed her then”,asked Alexandros,

Of course the nuisance would agree to this, since I didn’t find their drama relevant, I got up dusted my garment. I bowed slightly and made my way out of the golden palace. I had just pass the high priestess when she said,

“no,my prince,not you but the dragon king Theseus”

I stopped and glared at her making my way to her,but father called me before I got to her,

“Theseus,get back in your seat,It seems this concerns you afterall,”

I did but I was still glaring at the witch as I often call her.”now tell me,why I would bring myself to be a part of your stunts, little witch,”

“I have spoken of my vision,dragon king….heed my words,this will be the mother of your children,she has been chosen by the gods”

“what madness!”

“son,control yourself”

“kara,you may take your leave now.”

I could feel the anger radiating off me already,my hands were in a fist ready to break someone,I knew my  father would only make the situation worse.knowing him to always follow kara’s vision,he was not to blame,the last time we all didn’t we ended up losing my lily,my mother.

“son,you have to take her with you”,I turn to look at him

“father,I don’t want her”

“remember the last time we ignored the words from the vision,what happened,how much loss we suffered”,I lost your mother,I would hate to lose you too,son you don’t have to marry her,just take her with you to your kingdom and see from there,you heard her yourself,this is about our lineage.

I knew it was hopeless arguing with my father,so I agreed.

“Let’s go…….I walked out of the golden gates with the girl[I don’t even know her name],but I was not the only one angry,Alexandros was too.If only they all know what my plan was……..