The King and the Fallen Star

I could hear loud clanging of blades,slicing sounds which were accompanied by screams. Loud marching sounds and the reflection of blazing torches from outside. I was in my room,on the bed,clutching the sheets to my chest as I was horrified by the terrifying noises. I had just woken up from sleep but when I looked outside,I could see the darkness which told of the night. Suddenly,father barged into my room and Mum was behind him. “Quick! Come with me,Gwen. Come now.” He said. I could see the panic in his face and he was sweating all over. I quickly left the bed,scurrying to where he stood. Father held my arm,he led me out of the room,swiftly walking down the corridor to get to the stairs. “Are you sure she will be safe in there Richard?” Mother asked,she was panicking “Yes Layla.I don’t know why he is here but I smell trouble. We have to make sure she is out of his sight.” Father replied. I was confused,I would glance from father to mother as they spoke and when we got into the study,father moved to the shelf that stood close to a broad window. He pulled a lever and then,the shelf slowly moved to the side on its own accord. Father turned to face me,grabbing my shoulders and he was staring into my eyes. “Whatever it is,Whatever sound you hear,do not make a single noise. Stay here till everywhere is calm and safe. Okay?” He said. I nodded. Father kissed my forehead,he then said, “I love you,my heiress.” I was perplexed and I was staring at him with outward confusion. He opened an enclosure on the wall,it looked like a hidden chest but it had holes in it,he then helped me get into it and slowly,he closed it. The shelf rattled as it moved to stay in its initial position,covering the spot I was hiding in. Through the shutter,I watched Dad and Mum move away from the shelf. They were about walking to the exit door when suddenly,it flung open and a very tall,burly man moved into the study. Three men moved in from behind him and I gasped on recognizing him as he did come to buy gun powder from Dad. But during his visits,Dad would ask me to stay in my room. Being very curious,I would stealthily walk to the room father always does his trades in and I would peep through the curtains,watching as the man would trade gold with dad in exchange for guns and gun powder. This time,it didn’t look like he came to trade. His stance was menacingly terrifying and he was holding a curved bladed sword in his hand which was covered in blood. This man was so tall that it was frightening. His skin was tanned of brownish hue,his hair was in a headdress,a turban to be specific. He was wearing a pale-red toga that hung from his left shoulder,going across his eccentric powerful chest, displaying his right arm; a thick bicep that had a gold bracelet worn around it and an elaborate golden bracelet on his forearm. He was wearing gold earrings on both ears,some gold necklaces and amulets hung on his neck and he was wearing brown roomy pants with woven sandals on his feet. “Long time no see,Richard. You thought you could hide away from me?” He said. Mother hid behind father,she was shivering as they both took slow steps backward in retreat. “Prince Farhad... wh-what a pleasant surprise. Did you... are you here to trade with me?” Father said,trembling.The man laughed,so did the men behind him. One of his men moved away from him,glancing about the place surreptitiously as though he was in search of something. “Trade? You know exactly why I am here,Richard...” I was surprised that his English was fluent,although his accent was evident. “Or do you wish to play dumb?” He asked. “I-I-I do not understand,Prince Farhad. We are business partners. You always come here to trade with me most of the times but right now,I am surprised that you and your men are killing my workers and you—“ “Pathetic. Kneel.” Farhad commanded,a scowl was on his face. Father and mother quickly went down on their knees,I could see their bodies trembling as he rounded them slowly whilst clutching his sword. Suddenly,he grabs mother's arm and he yanks her up,bringing her close to himself. Her body was pressed against his and he was staring down at her in an awkward way. “You have a very beautiful wife,Richard. She is really beautiful with mysterious golden hair and blue eyes.” Farhad said,lustfully. Father swiftly rose to his feet,but Farhad’s men quickly restrained him. They put him down on his knees and they held his arms firmly as father struggled to break free from their hold. “Leave my wife alone,Farhad! You have no right to touch her in whatever manner!!” Father yelled. Farhad glanced at Father and he smirked, “Really?” I saw the devious grin on his face and I instantly knew what he had in mind. “Please,Farhad. Don’t touch my wife,she is innocent. She is just a common woman.” Father said,I could sense the panic in his voice. “Oh...” Farhad c****d a brow at him, “...so you do know the crime you have committed? Yet,you were acting as though you were dumb.” “I do not know what you are talking about.” Father said. Farhad returns his gaze to Mother,I see as a smile slowly crept on his lips and in one swift movement,he pulls mother towards the broad,burnished study desk and he slams her back on it. “No!!!” Father yelled. I watched as Farhad tore off the Victorian skirt that was about mother’s waist. Mother fought to free herself,but her strength was nothing compared to his own. He grabbed her wrists with one hand,pulling it up above her head and then,pinning it down on the table. “Let go of me!”Mother yelled. “Woman... you really can’t dictate for me.” Farhad said,sneering at her. “Let her go,Farhad! Please!!” Father pleaded. “You want me to let go of a spy?” Farhad asked. He pulled the toga off his body with one hand and he was loosening the knot that held his pants to his waist. “Farhad... please... listen to me—“ “Writing letters to your queen and telling her everything about my people is something that cannot be forgiven,Richard. My people and I have been good to you...” He took out his—I quickly looked away,scared and I began to tremble. “What more do you white men want? Our lands for your own bidding?? You want to subject us into slavery???” Farhad asked. “No! No! That’s not true,Farhad.” Father said,his voice was laced with tears. “I read all your letters,Richard...” I heard my mother whimper. I returned my gaze to them and I flinched when I saw that he was already... he was already assaulting her. “I heard the white women of the west are worth the try... delicious and juicy... I should also do this to your Queen.” He smiled. I watched in horror. A single tear trickled down my cheek and my hands quivered. He was manhandled my mother and he didn’t bother to listen to her.‘What a vile animal!’ I screamed in my head,my fists were clenched. Father struggled,but the men held him still. Farhad’s body seemed to pause as I heard him grunt. He scoffed and then,he withdrew from her,adjusting his pants. The third man came closer,clutching mother’s hair,he then pulled her off the table and to the ground. Farhad picked up his sword from the table,he then moved,standing beside mother as she was kneeling on the ground and facing father. “I will send my greetings to your queen my own way as I await her troupe of soldiers. But I can’t just offer her only gold...” Before I could blink an eye,his blade moved swiftly in a blur and... SLICE! Mother’s head was separated from her body,it fell to the ground. pleas,her cries and her protests.