Aragorn and the Phoenix of Caspian (ENGLISH)

Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

“Where had you really been yesterday?” Azrael asked Yosef. “How did the prince find you?”

People were crowded in the market because of the discounts set by vendors. Discounts and markdown happens when the palace was approaching a celebration, And days from now, the palace is going to celebrate the festival of the first king of Caspian. It happened in the first snow in the palace. They celebrate it because that king was the one who created actions to separate the palace of Caspian from the other palaces nearby. The first king was considered a history and a legend. Nights became colder and it only means that winter is approaching.

Winter happens once a year in Caspian. Unlike other palaces, it only happens for at least three days and at most two weeks in the palace. They have a better climate compare to other palaces. And what’s fun on approaching winter were the discounts happening in the market.

“I told you, I got lost in the forest.”

“No more than that? Or had you been into a magical place? Did you see the phoenix or a group of rebels?”

“If that happened, I’m dead by now,” Yosef promised Sphyra and Prince Aragorn not to tell anyone about the phoenix. He should be mindful and not tell about the phoenix to other people or else their lives would be at risk. “Look at here. There were cheap bowls, spoons, forks, and plates. We can use it in the hut.”

Azrael followed Yosef who rushed to the crowd of people. The stall was selling wooden bowls, spoons, plates, and other things that were for dining. At a young age, he didn’t expect Yosef to enjoy these kinds of things.

“We don’t need them, Yosef. Let’s go now and look for something else. I heard that the bread and gems in here were cheap. Let's go there.”

Aragorn, Hideo, and Leo were separated from Azrael and Yosef. Aragorn was in front of the two. Leo and Hideo were like bodyguards to him who wouldn’t let anyone hurt the prince at an inch. They saw a stall of books which were from a very far palace since their palace didn’t have a press to print out books. Aragorn loves stories, both fantasy and reality-based. He approached the vendor to check on the books.

“I never thought books would be available in our market,” Leo asked. He also checked the books if there’s a book about the military.

On the other hand, Hideo stayed in his place. He wasn’t interested in reading. He’ll do other hobbies and enjoy himself rather than reading.

The books were worn out, but still readable. Pages were tanned and the paperback cover seemed scratched. It was understandable since these books were shipped out from afar palace. It's a good thing it reached the palace of Aragorn.

“Beautiful-looking gentlemen you buy books now. These were printed from the western part of the landmass where our palace is also located. It was ship out from the palace to palace so the price was high. I only bought best sellers from the nearby palace to sell them to the citizens of Caspian.”

Caspian was located in the eastern part of their landmass and if it was from the western, then it was shipped from a far country.

“Your Highness, check this out.” The female vendor showed him a book that was the same size as the usual paper used in the palace. “This is a forbidden love story about two people who can’t love each other. I have a copy of it and I cried like a baby.”

“Uh, apologies but I don’t read love stories. Do you have any about war or government?”

“Yes, Your Highness.” The woman looked on the pile of books to look out for something that the prince will like. While waiting for the woman, Aragorn along with Leo and Hideo roamed their eyes to the citizens buying around the market. A couple arguing caught their eye. They can’t hear what they were talking about but the woman seemed scared of the guy and the man was shouting at the woman.

“Couple problems,” Leo commented.

“It can be jealousy or something bigger than that,” Hideo seconded.

Aragorn paid for the books that the woman had specially chosen for him. They were a mixture of war, political, and fantasy books about dragons and other creatures from the other palace. Every palace has its myth and the phoenix was the one in their palace. After getting his books, he looked once again at the couple arguing. His whole body yanked when the man slapped the woman to the ground. In a second, Aragorn walked to the couple, Leo and Hideo followed. Azrael and Yosef also saw the scene and Prince Aragorn so they stopped what they were doing to check what’s happening in there.

“What’s happening here?” Aragorn asked. The man, who looks older than him, with long hair, and rough skin, stares at him as if he wasn’t a prince.

“It isn’t your job to ask but I’ll answer you,” he said and he sounded drunk. “This young and low-lying concubine has a relationship with a man who’s also in this market. I paid a high price for her in her family but she’s having a relationship with another guy.”

“Where’s the other guy?” Aragorn asked.

“That’s not true! The man I had talked to earlier was my childhood friend. When he bought me from my family, I was fifteen at that time and was loyal to him even though her wife had died because of his own hand. I didn’t have the freedom to escape from him. My family already sold me and if I came back, they’ll turn me to him aga—” The man cut her off by kicking her face.

“This is our matter and you don’t have to make decisions for us.” He grabbed the woman’s arms and was about to pull her when Aragorn had spoken.

“The palace of Caspian doesn’t allow any violence to anyone unless she’s a rebel or she killed someone in the royal family. If she cheated on you, she’ll be a servant for ten years. You hurt and humiliated her in front of the crowd of people in the market. If that’s the case, you’re going to become a servant which was lower than your concubine’s current status. You’ll serve like a rat in the palace without any salary for ten years of your life.”

The man faced him back and flexed his built body. He was ready to punch the face of Aragorn or kick him until he died.

“Who are you to brag the rules to me?”

“That’s an additional twenty years. Thirty years of being a rat in total,” Leo added. “Punch him or kill him and you’re going to die right now.”

“Who he is exactly?” the man asked with fear to know the identity of the man he disrespected.

“He’s Aragorn, the crowned prince of Caspian.”

The man fell on the ground, bowed, and plead with the prince. “Apologies, Your Highness. Let this pass and I won’t do it again.”

“Do you think you can fool the crowned prince of Caspian?” Leo asked again.

“Leo and Hideo, arrest him,” Aragorn stated. The man pleaded by hugging his legs but Hideo and Leo pulled him away from the prince. They’re going to bring him to prison for the punishment. He can’t let him pass. He can’t tolerate him hurting a woman. He saw Yosef and Azrael nearby. The woman was still sitting on the ground, hurt after the guy created violence on her. “Azrael, take care of her. Bring her home.”

“Your Highness, I don’t have a home. I don’t want to go back to my mother and father. If I’m going to come back to them, they’re going to sell me again or they may kill me because the guy who bought me was brought to prison because of me. Let me be your servant, Your Highness, or anyone your friends. I promise I’ll do my best to serve you just don’t sell me again or bring me back to my parents.”

Aragorn stopped for a moment. The royal palace had already a lot of servants and he thought it didn’t need another one. The hut. Sometimes they forgot to clean the hut. Sometimes they forgot to cook in the hut. Aragorn smiled after coming up with a great decision.

“Azrael, bring her to the hut. Give her food and let her take a rest. Yosef, come with me.”

“I’ll do what you wish, Your Highness,” Azrael said and bowed to the prince. He helped the woman to stand up and walk. She can walk but her face that was kicked hurts.

Azrael walked beside the woman. He was silent while walking and he thought he’s going insane. He can’t keep his mouth shut for a long time. A long period means more than a minute. He felt he was in hell and was a force to shut down himself

The prince did a great decision, he chose to help the woman, and punish that bastard. The woman was sniffing her tears while walking. She didn’t stop crying. Azrael didn’t know if the woman is crying because she was humiliated or because she missed the bastard. Either way around, Azrael must break the silence.

“What’s your name?” Wow, an awkward way to break the silence. He sounded that he’s going to initiate a flirt on her. He didn’t want to sound p*****t because he’s not that kind of person. He’s not a p*****t and will never be a p*****t. He’s loud but never a p*****t.

“Z-Zonia.” Her voice was shivering, but it was clear and it sounded like a piece of music. “T-Thank you for h-helping me. I thought I’m going to die earlier.”

“You won’t die. Right people will go on the right track. That bastard deserves the punishment. He even deserves to die. Why are you still crying? The bastard will be punished for thirty years and he cannot survive that punishment. You’re now free and you said you’ll be the paid servant of the prince. I’ll bring you to our hut. Since we’re all guys, we rarely clean and cook. Adding you to the group will be a great help on cooking. Stop crying. We’re all good guys and we won’t grope you or hurt you. A prince is a nice man. He was just training in this place. He wanted to be better, but he’s good. Stop crying now, Zonia.” Azrael’s words were bullets from a machine gun. He’d always wanted to talk and not stop talking.

“Tears of joy. After seven years of being with him, being a victim of parents who wanted wealth, being a woman with no dignity, I am now free. A servant is better than being a concubine.”

“I thought being a concubine is better because you’re going to earn money and home.”

“That’s not the case and that’s not what I wanted. I was left alone in a small space like a pig. He only wanted me in his bed. Most of the concubines and wives were enemies, but I and his wife were friends, allies. He killed her and left their children alone. I know it will also be my end game but you helped me. Thank you, thank you. I can’t extend my gratitude to you and your companions.”

“You don’t have to thank us infinitely. Living in a prison-like home sucks. At least you’re now free from that bastard. You’ll enjoy the foods we have in the hut. No, we’ll enjoy the food that you’re going to cook. I wish you’re a great cook.”

“I’ll try my best to cook great foods for the five of you. This is my way of appreciating your help. This is my way of thanking you for freeing me from that monster.”

Azrael stopped. The hut is now in front of them. “We’re here and welcome to your new home, Zonia.”