Realm of Wolves

The 3rd Prince

Four guards lead me through a dark tunnel lighted by torches. The two guards that led the way held a rope connected to my neck and wrists. The two guards to the rear held ropes connected to my waist and ankles. 

Sacrifice my ass. I am being led to an execution I’m sure as hell being treated worse than a death row inmate. I have been here less than 48 hours and no one thought to offer me a cup of water or even some scraps of bread. I’m going to die in a foreign world, on an empty stomach, surrounded by people who think that it’s okay to kill random girls to appease gods they don’t even know how to talk to.

As we got closer to the arena I could hear the loud chatter of people. Up ahead I can see Queen Minthe waiting in front of large wooden double doors decorated with gold trimmings and purple jewels. She wore a long shiny skirt held together by a braided rope cord that hung precariously on her hips more gold cords held together two pieces of triangle shaped cloth that barely covers her under boob. Around her shoulders sat a shimmery pure white hooded cloak.

“Let’s get the ceremony started” She smiled triumphantly. She pulled out a bejeweled dagger and with the sharp tip of the blade teased the area of my neck where my jugular vein pulsed rapidly. “Do not struggle, this will be quick and painless I promise you that. But if you cause a scene or make a commotion I will bleed you out slowly and painfully. Do I make myself clear?”

I carefully nod my head.

“Good” The Queen said putting her blade away. 

In slow motion the doors open and I am lead to a raised dais. I half expected a sacrificial alter where I was going to be forced to lay on my back, wrists and ankles tied to the four corners of the altar. The Queen would preached over my body for five maybe ten minuets, before slicing my throat open releasing my soul to the heavens. It gave me a little comfort to think that my soul eventually would find its way  back to my mother. Even in a different world we are all connected by space and time and the black sea known as the universe.  

My captors tore away at my clothes to reveal my neck and chest. Alarmed by the sudden change of events I fell to me knees in an attempt to cover myself up. Unaware or uncaring of my desire to not reveal my breasts to the world my captors manhandled me to my feet and secured me to the pole.

The Queen stood next to me she had a gold scepter in her hand. She waved it around as she spoke words to the crowd making them jump up in excitement and anticipation. I looked to the seated audience hoping that maybe I see a random friendly face in the crowd. All I see is mash up of drunken faces screaming to end my life.

“Welcome my King Edric Zeeve, Welcome Crown Prince Arsenio Zeeve it pleases me greatly to see that you are well enough to attend the ceremony, Welcome 2nd Prince Amell Zeeve, and Welcome 3rd Prince Asai Zeeve.”

I brought my eyes from the random blurry faces of the crowd to look at the royalty of this realm. The King sat in the center on an ornate chair. To his right I assume is the crown prince and to his left I assume is his the other two sons. All four of them sat silently as the Queen continued her speech about fertility and bountiful crops.

Maybe they deserve the curse the Queen is about to cast on them. They are all just sitting there compliant and letting her do this nonsense. Maybe their kingdom needs a boy king to rule so that they can learn their lesson. 

A slight breeze blew around me rustling my hair and cooling my already hot skin. It was in a strange way comforting. The queen grabbed the back of my hair and pulled back exposing my neck and life vein.

“And now I send this untainted maiden to you our great earth deity Serberus and pray for an abundance of crops to last us the winter, the fertility of our men women and beasts, and good fortune for the coming season.”

I closed my eyes. This is it I am about to die.

“Ahhh!! What is the meaning of this?” The Queen screeched “Who dares interrupt the sacrificial ceremony?”

My eyes flew open at the commotion. An empty cup of liquid laid at the feet of the Queen. Her cloak soaked in the red liquid, the bejeweled dagger laid a few feet away. My heart surged with hope.   

“I apologize Queen mother but it would be a great sin if I sat here and let this ceremony continue.”

“Third Prince Asai” The Queen spat with venom “It was stupid of me to think that you would sit through this ceremony quietly”

The Queen released my head as she stepped forward anger radiating from her being. She must really hate this man. Good she deserves every misfortune this universe has to give her. I rolled my neck to see who this third prince is, my heart nearly fell out of my chest. The guy from the garden?

“Your tribute looks familiar I just want to get a closer look.” Prince Asai said as he stepped up onto the dais.

“Son what are you talking about?” The king asked 

Prince Asai moved closer and closer to me. So close his nose is now touching mine. “Do you remember me little Dove?”

I c****d my head to the side what game is this man playing?

“What games are you playing?” The Queen screeched speaking the question we all want to know.

“I met this girl yesterday morning in the garden of Yesinia. She was quite distraught about something and you know me I have a weakness for distressed maidens.”

“Brother don’t tell me you…” One of the princes begun to ask 

“Yes, dear brother my charms after all are legendary. After calming the girl down I…” He cleared his throat “We had a little tumble among the rose bushes.”

“You lie!” The Queen screamed “My king…?”

“And how do you know mother you didn’t apprehend this girl till later in the afternoon. If the guards hadn’t come around when they did scaring her back into a frenzy I would have taken her back to my domain.” 

The Queen gritted her teeth “You lie this is a lie!”

“Ask her then” Asai said simply. Turning back to me he mouthed, me or death choose quickly.

“Girl!” The King bellowed from his chair “Is what my son saying true?”

I gave the third prince a side ways glance then looked up at the angry red faced Queen. The wind blew around me before jumping to circle the prince next to me. The Prince smiled a knowing smile at the breeze before turning a glance to me. I don’t know his intentions but it’s clear that I’m not going to die by his hands.

“Yes” I said “It is the truth”

The King rubbed his temple in annoyance. “Since purity is a requirement to be a maiden sacrifice to the earth god Serberus I’m afraid the girl won’t be able to fulfill her duties.”

“However we can’t let a gift from the gods go to waste so I will take her into my house.”Asai said jovially clapping his hands as if he just won the grand prize.

“This is unacceptable Asai!” The Queen yelled at the prince as he cut the ropes from around my wrists and ankles.

The prince swept me off my feet and draped me over his shoulders. “I apologize mother. I recognize that I have taken away a valuable gift even if I did so unknowingly it’s still an unforgivable act. I’ll donate 30 percent of my spring crop and beast harvest to the temple of water as payment.”

“No!” The Queen gritted her teeth “I demand a trial!”

“Enough!”

The King stood up from his chair and descended his platform his two other sons behind him.

“My love my luna, Asai is a known womanizer but he is an honorable man he would not have knowingly sullied this girl. His offered payment is more than enough.”

“Thank you father” Asai bowed. A lot more gracefully than I though he would since I am still quietly draped over his shoulder.

Asai stepped around his father to leave blowing kisses to the women in the audience. I gagged maybe I should have taken my chances with death.