A Warrior's Dance

XXIX – Lies and Motives

King Darius was riding his horse, roaming around his territory with half a dozen of royal guards at his back. His people bowed to him as he passed by the streets, taking the path toward the market in Port City. A parade of knights and banners lined the main street of the market, showing everyone the king’s power and influence. He obviously not wanted to appear weak.

Pasted on the walls and on every shop were Raiden’s sketches, a stamp at the bottom saying ‘SPY’. He put a bounty on      the spy’s head, wanting nothing to satisfy the anger from the tribe leaders. Fortunately that he had a lot of connection and influences, that they could not question his order to hold his sister in a cell and not sentencing her to death. Whatever it was that happened, he and Rainlee had the same blood running on their veins. He would make a use of her. The magic he had witnessed baffled him, still making him shudder. How could he forget the black smoke as the witch threw her spells?

He feared that woman more than he feared the rising terror in the far end of the world.

“The Shadow Walkers raided Esmo town, where they believed the witch first resides,” Lord Yuric said, in his usual serious tone. “They had been hunting possible witches all around the palace, as well.”

Darius nodded. “My sister keeps making me look like a fool. Hiding a spy under my nose!”

The old man held his head high, watching the common people busied themselves to their chores. “I do not think Lady Rainlee knew the boy is a Valkan, my king.”

The king’s nose flared, stressed out for the troubles coming at him all at once. “She knew the conflict between us. The main reason why these tribes swore an allegiance to the palace is because the Valkans keep on conquering their lands and killing their leaders. They are savages and know nothing about law and order.”

 Lord Yuric bowed his head respectfully. “What you say is true, my king. And people are tired of being savage. Your father built a civilization for the future. We need to hold it. And in order to do so, the valkans must stop their cold blood killings.”

“And that is what we are trying to do, eh?” he said in an undertone. “That is why we are expanding our forces.”

The king’s adviser nodded in agreement. Darius looked at his back, seeing General Gregory looking at him, as if eavesdropping.

“Did the general prepare our aide to be sent to River Lights?”

“Yes, my king,” Lord Yuric said. “Crimson’s aide will march tomorrow to meet Olswen in Peachrow, together with the others.”

“Good,” he replied as he looked ahead the road. “Send a tail to the general. And I want to see my sister. I need her to be prepared for her union, soon enough.”

“Send a tail to General Gregory?” he whispered, careful not to be heard.

“I have a feeling the lurking evil in Elora Sea already sent one of his demon to destroy our civilization.” He gave a heavy look at his adviser. “And it’s in the form of that general.”

Lord Yuric nodded at once. “As you wish, my king.”

***

“Is there a chance for the captain to meet a new wife?”

Zelle was balancing herself on a branch, straining herself to get the information she needed. One of the Valkan Elders, Bo, and Chieftain Rowen were huddled on a dark tent, away from the others. They just dropped their anchor to an island near the Peachrow Land, to prepare the valkan men and ships to support the rising terror in River Lights.

Bo hissed. “Why don’t you ask Captain Raq yourself?”

Rowen’s voice seemed determined. “Queen Madelaine of the Morcan palace wants to meet him.”

“Isn’t she the woman who provided us the potion?” Bo asked.

“Yes.”

There was a moment of silence.

“If the captain is interested in a woman, he will be the one to make a move. Like what he did to pursue his wife.”

“Look,” Rowen said. “The queen can provide strong allegiance to the Valkans. I am sure the captain’s interested in that. And I know you’re interested in being the captain, not just a damn council.”

Zelle stealthily climbed down the tree, blending in the shadows until she reached Azaiah’s tent near the bonfire. He was still wide awake, eyes fixed on the map on a small wooden table.

“Captain,” she uttered, getting his attention. “May I enter?”

Aza just waved his hand for her to step closer. “Any valuable information?”

Zelle kept her eyes on the floor. “It’s confirmed,” she said.

Aza looked at her. “They are the culprits?”

“Yes.”

A wee bit of irritation crossed his face watching her not looking at him. Slowly, he brought his hand to her chin, lifting her head to face him. “You look at me when you talk, do you understand?”

Zelle went rigid but brushed the feeling away. Her eyes landed on his scar before looking away.

“Do-you-understand?” Aza repeated, his tone almost a hiss.

She looked at his eyes. “Aye, captain.”

With that, Aza nodded his head with satisfaction. “I don’t care if you’re afraid looking at my scars. I want you to look at me when you talk. Words can lie. But not the eyes.”

“Aye, captain.”

“Brava Okhin,” he said. “Ta yavakh bolno.” You can leave.

Once he was alone, Azaiah took his knife tucked at his back pocket and stabbed the map, poking a hole straight to where Crimson Palace was drawn.

“Sanne,” he whispered. “I will find you again.”

He felt a twist in his stomach, a mixture of fright and excitement, altogether swirled inside him. Tomorrow he would be leading a ship, taking claim of the fate his father believed wasn’t for him.

As for Aza, he would be the one to make his own fate, not the heavens, not the stars and certainly not the Valkan Elders. The Sun God would be his guide as he led the Valkan ship at the world’s paradise. But first, he had to navigate the legendary sea.

“Elora dalain,” he murmured to himself, marking a cross to Elora Sea on his map. “Here I come.”