King of The Land

Act 4 - Finale

Zayden sighed, and took a deep breath. He closed his eyes shut, and he could hear the sound of the calm rivers in his village running, children playing and hear the harmony but more than anything he felt . . . peace. He knew that by accomplishing what he did, someone would be bound to use it in order to garner the village some supplies. Reputation, after all, was everything.

“So, you have anything you want to say before I kill you?” Aligus said.

“No. Go ahead,” Zayden said, as he opened both of his arms welcoming the idea of death, which got the crowd to stand on their feet. Never did they see such a thing.

Aligus stared, and eyed him down. He swallowed. “You would die so happily? Are you an i***t?” he asked. Though he insulted, he was sincere in his question. Never did he meet a man so willing to throw his life away.

“I would, knowing that my family and village will be able to use my death in order to prepare for the coming winter. Children will not starve, wives will not weep that they cannot feed their families, how can I not accept death under those terms?” Zayden replied, his face wore a gentle smile which kindled and woke something in everyone's heart on that day.

And it was then, when princess Nura stood. “Stop the fight,” she commanded.

The advisors looked at each other, unaware of what to do, surely she didn't mean to disrupt the entire purpose of the tournament.

“Stop the fight I tell you!” she yelled. Her enthusiasm cut through their doubts, and one of the guards blew a horn that echoed in the minds of all.

Aligus, dropped his sword upon hearing the horn, he thought that perhaps the Princess felt bad for Zayden, and that she would crown him King without spilling his blood, he kept thinking that as the royal guards entered the arena, and completely surrounded both him and Zayden.

The horn blew yet again, and the Princess made slow but sure steps down towards both men. She stood before Zayden and smiled.

“Your words inspire, as would a King's,” she said. “You were willing to sacrifice your life, for the benefit of others and if that is not a trait I want in a husband, then I do not know what is. So, Zayden, allow me to ask this of you: would you be so kind as to accept my hand in marriage?” she asked.

Nimrud accompanied her, and he gave her a dagger that was covered in gold. It was a royal symbol for the King, and upon taking that dagger, Zayden would become the King of the lands.

Zayden could not believe what had just happened, his eyes bewildered and he searched deep within his heart for the right words to say.

“Oh, give me a break . . .” Aligus cried, up until now he was witnessing what was rightfully his just be taken like that, and he did not like it, not one bit.

He took a dagger that he hid within his boots, and he threw it at the Princess, before he reached for one of the guard's swords, he tried to s***h as many as he could but was overpowered very shortly. The guards subdued him, and held him in custody.

But upon further inspection, the dagger, had pierced the Princess's skull. She laid on the ground lifeless and blue. They all stood there in horror, their hearts began to race up.

The crowd began to shout in agony, they had just witnessed one of the most brutal events ever, and if that was not enough, it was followed by the assassination of their royal princess. They were lost, as were the guards.

But then, Nimrud approached Nura's body, and took the royal dagger from her, and approached Zayden, he stood right before him, and bowed as he presented the dagger to him. “I hereby, ask you to assume the mantle of King, and pass judgment . . . on this criminal,” he said, though he kept bowing, almost trying to hide his face.

Zayden looked at the royal dagger long and hard, and then rolled his eyes towards Aligus, who was bitter and shouting.

Zayden turned, and faced the crowd. “Good people of the Kingdom. I am one of you, and I came only to support my village,” he paused to catch his breath. His gaze caught Nura's body for a moment, but he quickly turned again.

“If I am to accept this, then I will begin by swearing an oath to you right here and now: I will always, be after what benefits you. I will work tirelessly, and strive only for your sake," he added.

Zayden then rolled his eyes towards Aligus and frowned. “But so long as I, am your King, I will always uphold justice. And as such . . .” he stopped shortly, before picking the royal dagger that was presented, he pointed it at Aligus. “I hereby, sentence you to death.”