The Forbidden Demon Of Tapelis

Celebrations

King Arkda was not bothered about the news he received. He sent out some messenger to the crowd to tell them, every one, one is welcome to his celebration of the kingdom. The ceremony was going to be the welcome to a new era he claimed.

King Arkda aimed to make the event so special, his message to the people was "on the day of the ceremony, no one was allowed to go to work they were all invited with their families as well. The ceremony became the talk of Tapelis, everyone was talking about the celebration that was going to be held in the Garden of Heart. The people were all glad to get a break and they were all excited to spend that day celebrating with their families in the presence of the royal family.

As the conversation in the kingdom shifted from war to celebrations all the generals and chief commander congratulated the King for the wise strategy.

"Make sure we all are ready once the war horn sounds," King Arkda said.

"Yes your Majesty, we'll all be ready," the chief commander said.

"If love, peace, and joy reigns in the heart then victory over any obstacle are certain. But if pain, anger, and frustration burdens the heart then one has lost without even fighting because the outcome of the said obstacle wouldn't change or heal such feeling" King Arkda stated and the generals and the chief commander were in awe of his wisdom. "General Kora'o, we'll have your wedding before the war as well so speak to your fiance, let's all go into this war with fresh and fighting energy."

"I understand" General Kora'o said.

"I'll come to all the military zones and speak to the soldiers and we'll further discuss our strategy and progress," King Arkda said. "For now I'll help the Queen with the preparation for the ceremony in the Garden of Heart."

"I thought it was Dougao garden?" general Barnil asked.

"Same here," the other generals and the chief commander said.

"Yeah, I thought the same too but I met the owners of the garden and I know the founder, I was told his story and it was so inspiring. He named it the 'Garden of Heart' and am making sure we all call it the name he chose, it's special" King Arkda said.

"Oh, that's great, it's a beautiful name," general Barnil said.

"We all have to get busy so thanks for coming to visit me on short notice," King Arkda said.

The generals went back to their different zones. King Arkda saw Queen Liya had everything under control so he decided to take a break and he went to his private chambers to look at his gear. He walked into his armoury and took out his sword, shield, and armour. Then he cleaned the armour, sword, and shield in a ritualistic manner, with a piece of rag he soaked in water. three times on each item was the count, he then dried them with another piece of clothing he had beside him to his left as he kneeled. After the cleansing he tried the armour on and looked into a mirror, he had never thought he would have to wear them again cause he hated fighting wars. He held his sword and shield then and slashed around as he took a stance.

People went to check out the Garden of Heart as they got the message, when they got there they were in awe of its beauty. The caretaker was welcoming, as the news spread about the garden in the market. The caretaker, Jamil, his brothers, and sisters came to join him as they got less busy showing the people their way around. They all split up as some went back to the farm the others stayed showing the visitors their way around while they waited for the decoration team to appear.

Queen Liya came with the decoration team to the garden, everyone present was sent home as the garden was been prepared for the ceremony. Queen Liya hired all the help they needed and left some guards to watch over them and pay them once each task was done. In time the garden was looking ready for the ceremony in the next two days.

Queen Liya spoke to the performers and she got the King's favourite performer Lady Mariana. Other performers were present, including dance groups, and comedy. She wanted to make it a family day where everyone old and young would have a great time. Toys and other amazing souvenirs were to be handed to kids and valuable homely items were to be given to adults.

The chefs in the palace were aware of the ceremony and the head chef had briefed the others about the other caterers that were going to be present at the event. They were ready to make their best meals for everyone present. The Queen spoke to the palace farmers and they stocked up the inventory for the chefs. The Queen picked a spot for the chef and other caterers for the ceremony, they were all located at the entrance where they were going to be seen by all.

As the preparations were going according to plan, Queen Liya decided to take a break to rest as well. She had a shower and had her lunch, she was exhausted from the preparations she looked in the mirror and caressed her stomach then laid down to rest.

King Arkda went to all the military zones to speak to the soldiers to motivate them for the war and also to invite them and their families to the ceremony that was going to be held in the Garden of Heart. The soldiers were all so excited they were given a break and were celebrating with their families at the same time. King Arkda visited the headquarter later on with the chief commander, general Lamit, Barnil, and Vernon accompanying him as they had to discuss war strategy. He shared the same information with the soldiers in the headquarter and the same excitement continued.

“Am glad to see all the troops excited, can’t wait for the ceremony?” King Arkda said as they were all in the tent. “Our spy in Dangari said they are preparing for war, is our road beast ready for a test run?”

“I told the blacksmiths we need the road beast for the war once the horn is sounded, he said when they are ready he’ll let us know that he wants to give us the weapons in perfect shape and condition,” the chief commander said. “It seems we would have to start the battle without them and introduce them as special weapons later.”

“Ok, let's hope it's ready when they come knocking, if not we'll begin without it," King Arkda said. "I hope we all are ready as well."

"Yes, we are always ready and our troops are ready as well we can't lose" general Kora'o said.

"I'm afraid I have bad news from our spies in Dangari," the chief commander said.

"What is it?" King Arkda responded.

"I heard King Kramus's troops are larger than ever and they would outnumber our army" The chief commander stated.

"You know numbers don't matter, and Kramus snatches kids out of their families all in the name of conquest. We don't have to worry I tell you" King Arkda said. "What we need to worry about is the ceremony and Kora'o wedding. Am sure we all are prepared for battle."

"You are right," general Kora'o said.

"Trust me, I know we'll be victorious, for centuries Tapelis hasn't lost an all-out battle and this wouldn't change now," King Arkda said. "Once the ceremony is done we'll go and fortify ourselves before battle, please be ready."

"Yeah, we'll all be," the general said.

"For now let's go and prepare we celebrate in two days," King Arkda said.

After their conversation, King Arkda left the military headquarters and was accompanied by the chief commander, General Lamit, Vernon, and Barnil, they were all headed to different destinations. The generals were on their way to their different military zone to speak to the troops about their days off to prepare for the ceremony while King Arkda was on his way to the palace.

The road to the palace was less busy unlike usual, the marketplace was not filled up and the majority of workers had stayed home to prepare for the ceremony. Mostly tailors, farmers, and traders were out attending to their trade, and due to the ceremony, they had more customers coming to their stalls.

The palace was busy as well, the staff ran around preparing for the ceremony they had all the items and resources ready for the ceremony and were taking in more as the farmers were bringing in more products. King Arkda came in and prepared himself for the night as he planned a date with Queen Liya.

In the evening, King Arkda noticed Queen Liya was dressed in a red gown, and white heels with silver shine on it, her lips were as red as strawberry and her smile caught his attention immediately although he was surprised because he hadn't told her about the date yet.

"You look so beautiful tonight" King Arkda whispered in her ears in their chambers. "I'm surprised."

"Thanks a lot, but why are you surprised?" Queen Liya blushed.

"It feels as though you read my mind," King Arkda said.

"How?" Queen Liya asked.

"I want to take you out on a date, and you are dressed perfectly for it," King Arkda said.

"Now?" Queen Liya asked again.

"Yes right now, let's go the chariot is waiting," King Arkda said.

King Arkda held Queen Liya's left hand as they walked out of the palace to the chariot. Romance filled the air as the chariot rode slowly out of the palace gate.

"Where are we headed to?" Queen Liya said with a smile and a blush on her face.

"It's a surprise, and it's very beautiful," King Arkda said.

"Let me guess," Queen Liya said.

"Ok," King Arkda said.

"The Garden of Hearts" Queen Liya stated.

"How did you know this, see you read my mind," King Arkda said.

"I know you are so romantic and you know how much I love flowers and also that was the only place I had in mind," Queen Liya said as she smiled and hugged Arkda. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, I can't wait for all our worries to be over," King Arkda said.

"If by worries you mean the war, I'm certain Tapelis will be victorious," Queen Liya said. "I prayed and I know my prayers have been answered."

"I know that as well," King Arkda rubbed on Liya's baby bump and they both smiled and kissed.

They arrived at the Garden of Hearts and were welcomed by their a chef. They were directed to their table covered in pink cloth and surrounded by peonies Queen Liya's favourite flowers gushed as she saw them and on the table was a vase of roses.

"Wow!, you outdid yourself here" Queen Liya exclaimed as she looked around once more. "This is so beautiful."

"Wait till you see the food," King Arkda said.

"Wow, more surprises I never would have thought of this" Queen Liya said.

"With me, you never know what to expect," King Arkda said.

"I must ask, how did you put this together?" Queen Liya stated.

"Jamil, the caretaker did he put all this together he brought the chef that will be attending to us tonight," King Arkda said.

"Wow, this is so beautiful" Queen Liya stated. "Remember our first date."

"Yeah it was so amazing," King Arkda said.

"I guess, but I was so shy on that first date, I feel it was because you were a prince," Queen Liya said.

"Hahahaha, I noticed that but remember as soon as I held your hand you stopped shaking and it was just beautiful" King Arkda chuckled.

"Yeah, I hate that I remember but it was," Queen Liya said.

King Arkda held her hands and they both stood and hugged and then kissed but were interrupted by the chef as he brought their food. The table was soon filled with different exotic dishes like pork pie, lobster, chicken soup, with spinach on the side, cheese corn, and the trademark Tapelis special which was sold on the streets but they haven't tried before.

They sat down and had their dinner while discussing their past and when they first met. When they were done they walked to the chariot holding hands and hugged each other as the chariot sunk into darkness.