Fated Demise: Quenderian Wars

Royal Dinner

I ambled straight to the castle's great hall with Artem and witnessed the servants as they carried the dishes which were about to be served.

"Father."

"Not now, Factor."

A variety of food and delicacies were there with their enormous amounts. I could see a tasty dish covered in a sauce that no one could discern that was a prawn. Well, no one except me. There was also a roasted piglet at the center of the table.

Nonetheless, it was, as we considered it to be, just an ordinary dinner.

Maids stood still behind every chair like rocks waiting only to be moved by their master - the weather.

One! Two! Three!

And there Artem sat beside King Darryn who was at the end of the wooden table and he sat in the opposite of Queen Meirah who was also seated beside the king.

I sat at the other end and talked not much.

Duty, then, obliged me to speak.

"Father, there's something I need to tell you about Aurore and Grockhaven", I said.

"Let them worry about their own problems. I at least deserve a peaceful dinner, don't I?" the king replied.

I nodded. It's important as life and death but I guess it could wait at least after we've had our dinner.

"Mother, how are the armies of yours?" Artem asked.

"Oh, the Darlings of War?" she answered a question and tucked her hair at the back of her ear.

"A lot had left and joined the rebels. Their number is increasing at an alarming rate. What should we do about this, dear?" she asked the king.

She spoke those words so calmly as if nothing bothers her at all. The smell of her cologne complemented her ever-radiating grace.

The king had not answered her yet.

I looked at her, cleared my throat, and also asked: "But what do you think should we do about it, mother?"

"I think we should assemble a special troop that would find and identify the rebels. We should also alarm the public about the existing threat."

At last, King Darryn responded, "You should have just taken them to the Elders before they could have rebelled. After all, you have great power in such matters."

"It doesn't work that way, dear. I can't see the future. I only see the heart's intent", mother explained herself.

"Alright, I will discuss everything with the Elders. Rebels and their foolish ambitions. Fighting for the wrong cause. No one can rebel against the crown", Darryn laughed with pride.

"Anyone who poses even the slightest threat should be dealt with", I insisted.

The king did not hear me and mother remained in silence.

I already knew what their responses would be and it was good to have my guesses right.

Aeque Jiun interrupted "Will Ron Velier also face the results of the arguments and fights he made with the sons of the Elders?"

Nothing had changed, Jiun still loved to tease her brother.

I looked at Ron and he smiled madly for his sister's confession. It was the most usual smile that everyone else wears - the smile of irony, I thought.

He bowed his head and murmured, "It's misleading and inappropriate to say, Jiun."

She clears herself "What I'm saying is that you should stop having skirmishes with those people for you may be in great trouble, young man."

He raised back his head and said sarcastically "Okay, princess."

Queen Meirah said "Good, so shall we continue and enjoy our dinner, everybody?"

We continued the feast-like dinner and more food was served until the father asked Artem "How about you Artem?"

I was a little disappointed but I continued having my meal feeling bothered, and drank a glass of wine.

I continued to ask him "The King's right, brother, what happened when you suddenly disappeared?"

He answered, "I was just about to tell you. A rather bizarre thing has happened."

"I fought these spirit creatures called the Chasers and had a battle against them and their allies. I had triumphed over them through the help of the gods who sent their angel when I was too weak and helpless to fight anymore."

"The first angel seen in the last century. Tell the Chronicler of what you saw. I will initiate a meeting with the other kingdoms and discuss this matter also, at once."

"She warned me about someone - Azazel. A demon."

"Son, demons have no authority in the mortal realm. Perhaps you misunderstood the angel. Demons can be symbols of sufferings, calamities, wars, and even injustice."

"Not quite, father. I spoke with Azazel."

"Even if what you're saying is indeed true, we should let the gods handle matters that we clearly have no power over. The priests are the instruments of the gods. It's their job to worry about that."

Artem nodded.

"You never cease to amaze me, my son. I can see great things coming your way but I think you are more needed here. I could offer you a seat on the board of elders. Make you a master of something."

Artem spoke nothing.

Another issue I happened to be witnessing, then.

I bit my lip, exhaled, and said no word yet shockingly mother whispered to me "Jealousy is knocking in your heart, don't let it rule over."

I didn't feel jealous. I was anxious, or so I thought.

I looked at Artem and he looked back as if he was about to say something to me and then he said to King Darryn "The angel also confirmed that several Quenderians works for Azazel."

Father stared at me, appointed me with his fork, and ordered "Factor, you must launch an investigation. Find answers and put an end to this. Send my regards to the four kings. You can bring 20 men and ask our mage to give you transport."

"It might be difficult to do that now. Thimony seized control over Grockhaven after his father died. I was just to tell you that they raided Aurore."

"That bastard of a kid. He is no king. Starting a war he cannot finish."

"What should we do now, father?" Artem asked.

I added, "Thimony and the armies of Grockhaven have succeeded and Lord Franklin asked for assistance. I shall start my investigation there."

In that very night, as always, I felt what I had to feel, and it's for me to guess what it was.

My eyes hid from his, nodded, and I said: "I'll do the best I can, my king. I won't be needing any men or our mage. I shall ride my horse to Scy Fortress with Artem."

"However you wish to go. Son, would it kill you to call me father?" he began to raise his voice.

I still didn't place my sight on his face and replied: "No, father. But as I've said, I will arrive there first thing tomorrow."

Ron searched for my pulse, felt it, and said: "Right, he won't die."

I was abandoned by my self for he could not bear the awkwardness I then endured.

Father continued the conversation "Come on, Jiun. Tell me some good news. Something less depressing, will you?"

"I'm cursed", she answered and said "I cannot manage to meet another man to court me, there are just too many of them. I can't even go out of the kingdom to experience my quests because they keep on following me. And, to add, I have only a few guards."

"Are you sure they do not wish you any harm?" I made certain.

"What do you mean, Factor?", Artem asked.

"I'm sorry, but I couldn't help but think about Jiun's safety. The ones who are stalking her could be sent by the rebels. What if she gets hurt?" I elucidated.

"She won't be hurt", Ron assured, "I will be by her side always."

"Uhm, alright. I don't need anyone's protection", Jiun insisted.

"How is that good news? Gods, I wanna hear something funny."

Mother looked at him.

"I'm sure it's just nothing but for your safety, I will assign more guards to look after you", the king had spoken.

At that time, I didn't think he was adorable. I worried about their safety given the situations we were experiencing. Even so, I chose not to worry and trusted that they won't be harmed.

Mother chuckled and said: "Is it my fault that the gods granted me the wishes I had asked them?"

"Mother!" she was annoyed and I smiled.

"Lower your tone, honey", Queen Meirah responded.

I did not know why, but I was distracted by how Artem, like a beast, devoured what's on his plate so I placed two of my eyes on him and smiled to disturb him.

"What now, Factorem?" he asked and I simply answered, "The angel must have also warned you about food being your demon, right?"

Everybody laughed and indeed, he was disturbed but continued to eat, but this time slower. I dragged myself back and felt a bit better. I stared at Artem while he was eating.

"Son... Son... Factor!" the queen caught my attention. "Now, what's on your mind?" she queried for my thoughts.

I faced her and stopped staring at Artem and spoke "Nothing, mother."

The lie I kept telling others and even myself.

King Darryn again asked a question for Ron "Ron, son, you're fun. Make your father smile" and added, "Did you win against the Elders' sons?"

He smiled arrogantly and bragged "Why wouldn't I?"

They looked at each other and laughed aloud.

Their laughter was gradually ending and my father looked at me when it finally stopped.

He said: "Factor, what about you? What's that cut wound on your face?"

"Father?" I clarified.

"You've been playing with w****s again?" he laughed as if my life was ridiculous.

Finally, I thought. I was about to open my lips, raise my tongue, and share what I'd been thinking and feeling but we heard a cough and looked at each other.

Another cough was heard. It was Artem and he was turning red. He vomited what he'd eaten so they quickly reached for him.

My mind told me that I needed to continue or, at least, start sharing something but I could not help but smell the prawn he ate and concluded that that's what made him sick.

I said: "He ate prawn."

The maids know how it poisons him. I wonder who cooked it.

The last time Artem ate prawns, he got poisoned. His lips, face, tongue, and throat had swollen. He even experienced difficulty in breathing, nausea, and uncontrolled bowels. And that night, he would and had experienced those already.

I was amazed he hadn't fainted yet.

Mother rushed to Artem and she collided with the maid that carried more dishes.

They didn't mind the plates that were falling onto the floor; all of them carried him to his bed leaving only the eldest son at the table.

At that time, a scene turned out to be a metaphor. My soul was the plates falling onto the floor and I could not do anything to retrieve them.

They were working fast, called for aid, and gave him a cure.

And I said to myself "I just slew a spy last night who was about to assassinate you, Father, and gave me this wound."

I could still remember his last words, "Mightiest of all, yes the mightiest he is that kills a thousand yet spares one, still. Passion stronger than all Earth's men. Never flees, never damaged, never rests even."