The Horizon Hour

Lemh

Lehm, a land filled with gold and enormous riches; is a true haven for its citizens – at least for the upper class. While the Rich bask in wealth and enjoy all that Lehm has to offer, the tale of the poor is different story to tell; one with abject destitution. This land built on a thoroughly monarchical system of government was the birthplace of Julius. Julius’ parents were foreigners who moved into Lehm to seek refuge during a war thirteen years earlier. With nowhere else to go, they made the slums of Lehm their new home.

Julius would run and play in the streets while his father goes to the city to mine. Mining was the permitted and somewhat befitting job for poor foreigner as the citizens of Lehm were xenophobic by every sense of it. Still, Julius’ father was unbothered. He was actually happy because all that mattered to his young mind was the happiness and well-being of his parents.

‘What a nice day it is, Jerry!’

‘Indeed it is,' Jerry replied, on his way to mine as he met Julius’ father.

‘Hey Jerry. I heard the big man is coming around today to see how we doing.’

‘Really? So the high and mighty has finally decided to grace us with his presence,’ Jerry replied sarcastically. ‘Took him long enough.’

‘Hahaha. Calm down now Jerry. This ain't like the last time. I heard this one is special. I think we are getting a raise.’

‘Are you serious? Don't go about giving this old man false hopes now. But I ain't complaining. The extra cash will go a long way.’

‘Yes, Jerry, it will. Tomorrow's Julius' birthday and I wanna give him something special.’

‘Are you serious?!’ Jerry exclaimed in shock.

‘Yep and I've planned on giving it to him...’

‘What!' Jerry exclaimed. The atmosphere around them became tense. ‘I see you've finally decided but why now?’ Jerry asked with a serious look in his face.

‘He's old enough to know the truth, to know everything. Also, I heard they are already on the move. It may be earlier than we expect.

‘Alright, all of you get busy. Those crystals ain't gonna mine themselves,' the head miner shouted. ‘Chop, chop, men. Let's make sure we do a good job before Sir Benjamin gets here. Jerry!’ the head miner called out.

‘Right here,’ he answered, with an axe over his shoulder, raising his right hand up with a gloomy face.

‘Oh. There you are. Why the long face? Did Patricia kick you in the balls again?’ the whole crew burst into laughter.

‘Ha ha ha. Very funny Clint, but what can I say? Can't blame a man for wanting a pretty woman like Patricia in his life’, Jerry replied with a humorous tone and a cheerful smile.

‘True, but we'll see how long those ball sacks of yours lasts.’ The crew erupted in laughter.

‘Alrighty, then Jerry. You and your crew take the eastern cave, Ezekiel, the west, Evans you go round the other entrance round back,’ said Clint, standing in front of the entrance as he assigned each crew their various locations. ‘Alright men, let's get to work.’

'Yeah!' The whole crew shouted with excitement. They were about three hundred men including Julius's father who was under Clint's leadership.

"Don't you dare leave without me. We ain't don talking yet’, Jerry said to Julius' father as he turned and walked to meet his crewmen.

‘I'm home!’ Julius' father announced as he walked into his house – a small house with a room and sitting room with the kitchen that was constructed using woods and some scrap iron by Julius's dad, out back. Margaret was the only one at home. She was in the kitchen preparing dinner when Julius' dad walked in.

'Hey hon, I'm home.’

'Welcome back honey’, Margret said still cooking, without raising her head.

'Hmmm, it smells delicious. You’re preparing my favorite, yes? Julius's dad asked teasingly to get her attention.

'No, not really', she replied with a frown on her face.

‘Oh, come on Margret. Don't tell you're still angry about what I told last night. You knew this day would come.’

'I knew it would come!’ Margret voice was full of anger and frustration. 'He's just a child. Laying so much burden on him at his age is not right. He doesn't deserve it.' Tears rolled down her cheeks.

'I know but we have no choice. That's the only way.' Julius' dad walked towards her, wiped her tears and hugged her.

‘Dad, why is mum crying?’ Julius innocently asked, standing at the entrance, sweating profusely. Margret quickly wiped her tears and whipped out a smile, hoping that Julius did not hear their conversation.

'It's nothing dear. It's smoke from the stove. You know how much it hurts my eyes.'

'That's why you should let me do the cooking mum or at least let me help you.' Julius hopped down the ledge and walked towards his mom. His dad was still anxious as to whether or not Julius had heard them. 'Where have you been young man?' He tried to take control of the situation.

'I was with the gang playing then I came back in when I saw you hugging mum with tears in her eyes.'

'So what were you and the gang up to today? I hope you guys didn't go after granny Nene's dog again?’ he asked with a pleasant smile, very relieved that Julius didn’t overhear them.

'Wait, what?! Dad! Were you spying on us again?'

'So, you guys did go after the dog.’

's**t, I just told you, didn't I?' Julius rubbed the back of his head with his left hand like he always did whenever he was caught in a lie.

'Julius, my boy, you’ve got a lot to learn,' his dad chuckled and patted his head.

'Just be a good boy’, he said while walking towards the house. 'Oh, and help your mum while she's in the kitchen. That food smells delicious.'

'Yes, Captain.’ Julius grinned. ‘Dad? Uncle Jerry is around. He came looking for you. He said he had something important to discuss.'

'Tch...that old rascal', His dad muttered. Julius helped his mother prepare dinner after his dad went to meet Jerry

°°°°°°

‘My king, the preparations are ready.’

'Is that so? What about him? Is he here yet?’

'No, my king. One of the soldiers said he went to the town w***e’s house', the soldier responded.

'That little...'

'That little what, James?' A voice came from the back of king James’ thrones. Apparently he has been there the whole time. ‘Now, now, James, you don't wanna hurt my feelings, do you?’ I only went to town to explore the beautiful ladies of this city and my, my, they are the most beautiful I've feasted my eyes upon in years.' James talked mimicking a child claiming to be innocent after being caught doing something mischievous as he jumped round the throne room in excitement. Suddenly, he stopped the mimicry and had a serious look on his face. His eyes glowed deep red in the dark shadowy corner of the throne room hiding half of his face.

'Oh and I saw him too with a few other traitors who are yet to die by my hand.' The aura that emanated from him made the soldier and King James so scared that the soldier passed out and king James fell on his throne unable to bring himself to say anything.

'Tomorrow will be a glorious day for the sound of death will be heard across Lehm', he declared then gave a sinister laugh.

King James is the King of Lehm. 

°°°°°°

'Happy Birthday, son!'

Julius woke up to his mom and dad singing birthday songs to him. It was a beautiful moment. This, to him, was the best birthday gift anyone could offer, for he wanted nothing more than to enjoy every day to the fullest with his family.

'My little rascal is finally 10 years old. Julius my boy is now a man.' Julius' dad said while pretending to wipe fake tears from his face.

'Oh, come on dad. You don't have to be dramatic every time.' Julius smirked.

'Happy Birthday to you, Julius', his mum kissed his right cheek and wrapped a grey hand knitted scarf across his neck.

'Thanks, mum. I promise to cherish this forever.'

'The gift I'm gonna give you is gonna blow your mind, Julius. Literally.'

'Whoa dad, you don't have to go all out. I got many birthdays ahead and besides we need the money to survive.'

'Don't worry, the big man came to the mine yesterday and we all got paid three times our wages and we'll be paid the same today. Besides, my gift is worth more than money can buy. Trust me. But I'll have to go get it. I'll be back in a few minutes.' Julius’ dad started towards the door.

'But dad, it's still midnight can't we wait till it's dawn?'

'No, Julius. This can't wait' he went through the door.

'Dad sure is in a hurry, mum.'

'Yes, he sure is,' Margaret replied exasperatedly. Julius noticed the tone and turned to see her facial expression.

'Mum? What's wrong?'

'Nothing son. It’s just that your dad and I were up all night waiting to wish you a happy birthday. I’m sleepy.' Margaret faked a yawn. Julius reflexively did too.

'But mum, it wasn't necessary. You guys should have waited till it’s morning.'

'We only wanted to show you how much we love you, Julius. I'm okay. Now let's wait for your dad together. Im sure he’ll be here soon.' She sat on Julius' bed and held him real close; like a mother who had just reunited with her child she had lost a long time and wouldn't let him go.

'Margret! Margret!!'

They heard a distant voice calling her name. The voice was laden with distress. She had a bd feeling about it.

‘Margret!’ the voice called again.

Margret help Julius off the bed and quickly told Julius to run outside to the kitchen. Then she went to the door to see who it was. It was her husband running towards the house.

'We are under attack. They've found us out', he shouted.

She saw houses being burnt as they were under attack from all corners. There was nowhere to run to in the chaotic mess. Then it happened...

'Noooooo!!' Julius' dad screamed. Margret was shot with two arrows. One pierced her stomach and the other her head. She fell to the ground, dead. Julius’ dad screamed as he raced to the house to hold her body, screaming in pain. Julius who head the raucous around rushed in.

'You have to get out of here. They came for you.' Jerry said.

'B...bu...but Jerry...Margret is..' he said with tears in eyes .

'Snap out of it! Your boy is right there. Both of you have to get out of here!' Jerry shouted at him. Julius’ dad looked up and saw Julius with tears streaming down his face. Julius didn't go to the kitchen like he was instructed. He stood by the backdoor which was a straight walk to the front door so he could have a clear view of everything. He held the scarf his mum had given him tight as he sobbed. His dad quickly grabbed him ran to the kitchen out back and kicked the cooking stove off. Then he laid Julius down and he put his hand inside the soil underneath where the stove was. It was surprisingly soft. Julius could not understand what was going on. It was a lot for him to process. From nowhere, a tunnel appeared. His dad grabbed him and put a silver bracelet with some encrypted writings round his arm.

'I’m sorry, Julius. There’s no time to explain everything. I know you're confused right now,' he said as he tore Julius’ clothes and drew an ancient seal on his chest.

'Dad? What going on? What are you doing, dad? What’s happening? Why is everywhere on fire?'

'Everything will be clear to you in the future my boy.' Julius’ dad finished drawing the seal and it started to glow on his chest. Julius coughed. He then slammed Julius chest, pushing him into the tunnel.

'I've put in a delay so you can have time to escape.'

'What are you talking about, dad? What's going on?'

'Julius listen to me'. Julius’ dad shouted to make him listen. 'Lehm is your enemy. From here on, do not trust anyone. The seal I've placed on you will reveal everything when the time is right. This tunnel will ensure you a safe passage out of the city.'

'Papa, I don't understand', Julius said with tears in his eyes.

'You’ll be fine Julius. Besides, I can't let Jerry and the others have all the fun beating up those soldiers', he grinned. 'As their commander, I can't leave them behind.'

'What are you talking about dad?' Julius pushed forward.

'Listen, Julius. Run. You have to run.'

'Then come with me, dad. I don’t understand all that is happening. I need you, dad.' Screams were getting louder and smoke filled the air.

'Remember this, my boy. You are Julius son of ...................' Then a strong wind pulled Julius into the tunnel.

'Papa!!!' He screamed as he was pulled farther in the tunnel.

'I'm sorry son but this is the only way', Julius’ father said as he sealed the entrance of the tunnel.

'Is he safe?' Jerry asked Julius's dad as he walked into the house.

'Yes, he is. 'Where are the others?'

'They are out there fighting. We've already lost some good men.'

'This was too soon. I'm gonna kill those bastards. They killed my wife' Julius declared with rage whilst punching a hole into the house.

'I know, but the men are still waiting for your orders', Jerry placed his right hand on Julius’ father’s left shoulder.

'I know.' He said solemnly. Jerry punched him in the face. Julius fell to the ground and for the first time saw Jerry's tearful eyes.

'This is no time to mourn or grieve. There are men out there dying, waiting for your orders. We have all lost a dear one. Their deaths will be worthless if we did nothing. What are your orders, captain?'

'Thanks, Jerry. I really needed that blow.' Jerry stretched his hand to help pull him up. 'Tell the men permission granted.' They both walked out of the house like beasts ready to devour anything that cross their path. And they were.

Julius had been pulled far deep into the tunnel. When he saw a faint light at the end of the tunnel, he walked towards the light. There was a raging river with so much pressure that could destroy a boat.

'Are you kidding me?!' Julius exclaimed, frustrated. He could not see a way out. He was beginning to feel hopeless. Then he saw a rope connecting the tunnel to the other end of the river. Julius made an attempt to cross. The only thing he could think of was his Father's words to him "run Julius, run"

He had made it halfway through when he felt a sharp pain in his chest. It felt as though his heart was being pulled out of his body. The pain was so unbearable that he didn't know when he let go of the rope and fell into the river. The turbulent current slammed him to a rock where he hit his head and lost consciousness. He was slammed from all directions by the current till he was carried down the waterfall.