Agnes Rock

The Past Part III

“I present unto you the future king of our Kingdom, crown Prince Darius.’’

This made all the people to cheer, obviously happy with the turnout of the event. Few months later Queen Mother Quela got a report about bandits sightings at the border of the kingdom. She instructed Prince Darius to sort it out and o should accompany him.

We changed into ordinary attires to avoid unnecessary attention. We moved about the border, when we grew tired of waiting Prince Darius insisted we go past the border into another kingdom. Although there is a neutral land in between, on getting to the neutral land it was so quiet and I sensed danger coming. I look to see Prince Darius tensed too. We moved a bit closer and see many people on their knees with ropes tied around their hands and feet. And they were surrounded by armed people whose faces were hidden under some mask.

Bandits!

Prince Darius was about to dash forward when we heard some unusual movement. We looked forward and saw some people attack the bandits. Judging from the people attacking the bandits one would easily guess they are soldiers. Maybe these are the soldiers from the neighboring kingdom.

I wanted to help, I tugged at Prince Darius’ cloth but he was too distracted by something or perhaps someone. I followed his line of sight and saw him staring at a lady fighting the bandits. The way she moves her body and her sword makes it impossible for the bandits to know her next move.

After killing a lot of the bandits, the others ran away but the soldiers were having none of it. They chased and killed all of the bandits.

The said lady walked to us and glared at us.

“Why are you both staring at us while we were fighting. You have such great bodies and you can’t even save these people. You are such a shame.’’

I was dumbfounded and wanted to tell her who we really were but I saw that Prince Darius didn’t want us to reveal our identity yet so I decided to play along.

I bowed slightly and said, “We are sorry ma’am. We are not fighters. I would have loved to help but I’m scared of losing my cousin. He’s the only family I’ve got.’’ I said faking tears.

Her gaze soften a bit. She looked at Prince Darius and smiled slightly. “He has a great body, he can be useful I can make him useful. We will train him to be a warrior.’’

I bowed immediately and pulled Prince Darius to bow too. “Thank upon ma’am.’’ I stretch forth my arm as a sign of showing gratitude. I glanced at Prince Darius seeing him stifling a laugh. I glared at him in return.

“You can stand now. And by the way my name is Flavia. I’m a Princess of Ekunpa Kingdom.’’ And that’s when Princess Flavia came into the picture. “I came down here when I heard some bandits held some people. Come let’s go.’’ She led us to some tied horses.

“We will prefer to walk. We can’t ride horses.’’ Prince Darius finally spoke up.

“Okay then you walk. It’s somewhat far I hope you can keep up with that.’’ Princess Flavia said.

After walking for hours we got to the kingdom border. They let us in with the guards eyeing us suspiciously. No one knew us. If we had dressed up in rich attires they would have guessed us right.

We entered the palace and a servant led us to a place where we would be staying. When it was in the night we were called by a servant to come eat. I was surprised to see the Queen, King and also the Princess there waiting for us. I quickly bowed and pulled Prince Darius with me. They smiled and motioned for us to sit.

I was surprised they invited us for dinner.

“Mother. Father this is the people I told you about. I really want them to become part of the royal army.’’ Princess Flavia said.

“Daughter that’s too dangerous. We can’t just accept people because they don’t have where to go.’’ King Crispus said. I know about this kingdom. We also have a treaty with them. We are allies.

“Crispus it’s okay. If they were dangerous they would have been sensed by the hounds. You know that.’’ Queen Ally said. Looking at the Queen one would said she’s the perfect description of beauty and composure. She gives off the aura of a queen and authority.

“It’s okay. I need to know where they came from, who knows they might have come from Shibiri kingdom. I wouldn’t want to end the treaty with such a prestigious kingdom.’’ King Crispus said.

“My king my name is Agolake. I came from a far country. I used to live with my younger sister until she married. She was killed by thieves alongside her husband. I was left with her child. I left there so we can have a living for ourself and since that place held so much painful memories that gave us another reason to move away.’’

“And what’s your name?’’ Princess Flavia questioned Prince Darius.

“Agnes.’’ He blurted out.

Everyone furrowed their brows.

“That name is given to me by my father. It means Courageous.’’

After eating we retired to our room, before we left the Princess told us we would be starting the training tomorrow.

The next day Princess Flavia herself taught Prince Darius how to hand and fight with the sword. After a long time her patience worn out.

“Bring out the bull.’’ She barked an order.

A gate opened and soldiers pulled out a wild bull.

“It’s caught this morning. It has not yet been tamed. Fight it.’’ She said.

I tried begging her not to do it but the soldiers held me back. The bull was released. It charged at Prince Darius. Just a blow from Prince Darius is enough to kill the bull. He dropped the spear and the bull knocked him out of the way. He fell to the ground and pretended he was in pains. Princess Flavia quickly rushed to his side and helped massaged the area he was hit. She told him to retire to his room and would continue the next day.

Later in the night there was a knock on the door. It was Princess Flavia.

She came to check up on Prince Darius. She touched the place he was hit and he pretended he was hurt.

Prince Darius won’t say it but I know he’s in love with the Princess and she’s equally smitten by him but both parties choose to deny it.

“Sorry.’’ She mumbled.

Prince Darius nodded his head. “It’s fine. I’m sorry for being weak. I always wanted to be strong so I can marry a princess in a faraway land. Now I see that’s not possible.’’

“And why is that not possible?’’

“I want to be strong so I can protect my princess. I wouldn’t want her taken from me.’’ Prince Darius said and closed the distance between them and smashed his lips on her.

Prince Darius’ eyes widened with what he had done. “Sorry.’’

“Don’t be.’’ She smashed her lips against his. Both started kissing forgetting I was present. I cleared my throat and they stopped kissing.

Princess Flavia bowed slightly and blushed. She gave him a peck on the cheek and went out.

Immediately she went out Prince Darius jumped up with excitement.

“I finally got..’’ He was cut short by a loud horn. This is a sign of warning. Prince Darius dashed out and I followed too. They were about a hundred bandits in the palace. How did they get in here.

The palace guards has their arrows aimed at them and the bandits also have their weapons too. I saw the King, Queen and also the Princess worried.

Everywhere was silent until a voice spoke up. “The best warrior of this kingdom will fight me. If he wins you can have my men killed and if I win the Princess will bear my child.’’ A man said. This caused a fit of laughter among the bandits.

“No. I’m not doing this. Please go away.’’ The king pleads.

“No you don’t have to. This is the last time you will be coming here.’’ I smiled when I recognized the voice. I looked up to see Prince Darius’ furious face. Even though I’m six feet tall Prince Darius towers with five inches.

Everyone heads turned to Prince Darius. “Agnes don’t.’’ Princess Flavia warns.

“I’ll give myself to him. No one has to die this is my responsibility I have to care for my people.’’

The leader of the Bandits smiled. “That’s very thoughtful of you princess but I’m sorry he already accepted the challenge.’’

The bandit brought a weapon. It’s a spear but just that it’s also has a dart. A spear dart. It has chains that can make it longer even without throwing it.

Prince Darius stepped forward. The bandit lunged at him with his weapon but was met with a square blow in the chest. The bandit retreated with several steps. He looked at his chest then to Prince Darius, his gaze went to and fro and then he fell and died. As in on cue the palace guards attacked the bandits.

The bandits were defeated since their leader is dead.

The king, Queen and Princess Flavia walked up to us.

“We are forever indebted to you.’’ They said.

“It’s nothing.’’ Prince Darius beamed with smiles but was met with a cold glare from Princess Flavia.

“Who are you exactly?’’ She asked.

Prince Darius opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted when he a messenger bird flew to his arm. He took the message and read in silence.

“What does the message says?’’ I asked him.

“Mother asked me to take the Princess as a hostage and kill everyone. Why would she say that?’’

“Tullius.’’ I mumbled.

“What’s happened.’’ Princess Flavia asked.

“Queen Mother asked me to destroy the kingdom and bring the princess as a hostage.’’ Prince Darius said.

“And who are you to her that you could receive a direct order from her?’’ She questioned.

“I’m her son. The crowned Prince.’’

“Prince Darius.’’ She mumbled and everyone eyes widened.