Bohz: The Dance With The Devil

Chapter 2

Lahm and Jason appeared in the Pedersian palace. Maids ran in and out of the room upstairs. Jason had had many fantasies about that room as a child. It was f*******n for a non Bohz; it was the meeting place for all Bohzs ever. Based on the current situation, it was not so sacred after all. It was simply the bedroom of the Bohz; he used it to sleep and for other stuff like meditation and spiritual combat.

“This way, Sire” Lahm said as he led the way to the room. Bohz Arjen lay on his bed almost lifeless except for his eyes that constantly searched the room.

“Brother. You have returned” a young man said from Arjen’s bedside. It was Prince Lambert, Jason’s adopted brother. By Pedersian law only blood heirs of the Bohz ascended the throne. Jason proceeded to give Lambert a kind nod and a smile.

“Jason. Come” Arjen said weakly while he waved for Jason to come.

“Father, your son has returned from the field once again successful” Jason said as he walked to the bed. He knelt down by Arjen’s side.

“I never doubted you for one moment” Arjen replied as he touched Jason’s face. His white hair was firmly placed on the pillow by a maid. “Everyone leave! I wish to speak to my son” Arjen commanded. Every other person in the room bowed then exited quickly.

“Father” Jason wanted to speak but was halted by a wave from Arjen.

“Black magic is being done in the palace. I don’t know by whom but they wish to dethrone you. Remember these words; deep in the snow at night mother Wind weeps” Arjen instructed as before sipping from a glass. “Love your brother. Rule like a benevolent soul not harshly. Beware of your uncle. That’s pretty much it” Arjen continued speaking while holding Jason by the hand.

“The blessing” Jason reminded.

“Oh yes!” Arjen said with a smile. “By the spirit of Boaz, I grant you the gift of extreme power. You’re the best of us so far; use it well” Arjen said as his pupils turned white. “Tell them my last words were all is vanity” Arjen said with a chuckle. “Deep in the snow at night Mother Wind weeps” He said with increased seriousness. He winked playfully and closed his eyes; his body became stiff. The wild wind stopped and a blissful breeze brushed the land.

Jason got up from the floor and looked at his father’s body lying lifelessly on the bed. He braced himself for the responsibility ahead of him. He was the youngest Bohz since Boaz Pederson the first. He opened the door and calmly walked to the king’s writer.

“His last words were all is vanity” he said with a strong spice of carelessness. The elderly man bowed and proceeded to write in a big book that lay on his table.

Meanwhile, at the palace gate there was trouble. Jason sat at the royal table to have supper with Lambert. It was a large and long table, Jason sat at one end and Lambert on the other.

“I presume he gave you a gift” Lambert said as he took a bite of his smorrebrod.

“Yes he did” Jason replied then sipped from a gold cup placed beside him. There was an evident coldness between the two. Maybe it was because Lambert was not sent ut on dangerous missions like his brother. Arjen preferred Lambert when they were children and would chastise Jason for virtually every action. Lambert was 7 years older than Jason; he was an attempt in deceiving the monarchy by Arjen. He did not want to marry any Pedersian woman but was forced to marry a young Pdersian girl. They both agreed to adopt Lambert and claim he was their child; which failed woefully It ended in the execution of the woman and Arjen’s brief banishment. Pedersian royalty believed in one thing and that was execution. They believed that if a regular citizen was banished, they could return and cause problems for the monarchy. Anyway, Arjen fell in love with a woman during his banishment and had a child with her. He tried his best to hide that fact from his brother Karlicon but it blew. Karlicon provoked the citizens to riot against their Bohz; they demanded the retrieval of the heir to the Pedersian throne. Arjen posed as a scientist and deceived his lover’s new husband to come to Pedersia. He made the boy join him then when the time was right Karlicon killed the man and retrieved the boy. Arjen developed a fondness for Jason much later when he became his executioner.

“What gift did he give you?” Lambert said with his eyes fixed on Jason.

“I prefer to not share that information” Jason said as he stared at his food.

“I’m not what you think I am. I don’t wish to fight you for the throne” Lambert said.

“It’s not you. It’s me, I don’t have many friends. I don’t plan on having any” Jason replied.

“It’s nothing personal. You’re a good kid. I don’t want the throne but I didn’t say I would watch a boy order me around” Lambert said bitterly.

“I see all things, remember?” Jason said as he sipped from his cup.

Suddenly, three men burst into the room and surrounded Jason. Jason laughed softly before his eyes turned white. The first man attacked with his flaming sword; crashing the table as he did so. Jason was still seated and calmly sipping his wine when a young woman appeared in the room. She engaged the first man in a short duel of flaming swords but stabbed him in the head. The second man attempted to stab Jason who was still having his supper but his head was slashed off by the woman. The third man attacked the woman but she easily cut his belly open. Lambert stared at Jason angrily as the woman walked majestically toward him.

“I actually would have done the same. I would’ve been the villain for killing my innocent brother” Jason said calmly now looking Lambert straight in the eyes. “But I can still be a hero because you struck first” Jason continued saying. He got up and slowly walked to where Lambert sat. “This is Leonie, my girlfriend. She is the best swordsman in the land. I don’t remember you being royal blood so I won’t engage you. She will” Jason said with a smile.

“You don’t have the guts to do it. So you sent your little girlfriend to get the job done” Lambert said with a scoff.

“If he fought you, it would be unfair” Leonie said as she tightened her grip on her sword.

“How did you get the gift of invisibility?” Lambert asked as he turned to face Leonie.

“I gave it to her. She can’t be unprotected” Jason replied from his chair.

“That’s still unfair” Lambert stated before he stood up.

“I won’t use it. I promise” Leonie said with a smirk. Lambert responded with a snort. They both prepared their swords just 2 feet away from each other. Lambert struck first but Jason pushed him to the wall with the speed of light.

“I’m sorry brother. This is what is best for the monarchy and you know it. I am doing this so my heir would not have to fight you” Jason said as he collected Lambert’s sword and drove it into his chest. Lambert wailed as blood gushed out of his body. Jason kicked his head then pulled his hair till he had a handful of it.

“Look at me” Jason ordered but Lambert did not look up. “Look at me!” Jason roared but Lambert still disobeyed the order.

Leonie proceeded to raise his face up forcefully as he moaned.

“I am your Bohz. Do you understand? Say hello to your parents for me” Jason said with a note of finality. Lambert shook his head before Leonie hit him against the wall. He struggled to his knees and said

“You think this won’t happen to yo…..” began to say but Leonie cut off his head.

“Your Bohz didn’t ask you to speak” she said while smiling at Jason.

“Come here” Jason called as Leonie ran toward him and jumped on him as they kissed each other affectionately.

“Did you guys really have to spill blood? Who’s going to clean all this?” Herald Lahm said as he walked into the room.

“The maids, their paid to do that” Leonie said surprised that Lahm asked such a question.

“Is our ride ready yet?” Jason asked as the duo still stared at each other smiling.

“Yes but he is trying to escape” Lahm replied with a worrisome look.

“Who’s that?” Leonie asked looking puzzled.

“Then stall him. Make sure he doesn’t leave” Jason replied Lahm totally ignoring the question.

“Who are we talking about?” Leonie asked again as she blocked Jason who was leaving.

“I’ll tell you on the way” Jason said.

“No! Tell me now” Leonie said feigning the tone of a child.

“I’ll tell you but let’s go to our brand new ride first” Jason pleaded as he tried to go but was blocked again.

“No! Now!”Leonie insisted as she made her best puppy dog face.

“You know for a second there you looked cute. But I snapped back to reality” Jason teased.

“Really? Then why can’t you resist me?” Leonie asked then placed her arms around his neck.

“I don’t know. Tell me” Jason feigned ignorance.

“I am the only one you obey” Leonie said proudly.

“What do I have to do for you to stop bugging me?” Jason asked. Lahm rolled his eyes and turned away as they locked lips for a while.

Suddenly Leonie started panting and gasping for air as she held Jason’s jacket.

“Baby……..baby…….” she said breathlessly as Jason held her and was about to call for help.

“Yes. Yes baby talk to me” Jason replied calmly.

“I think I’m going to die” Leonie said as she still gasped for air. “But you can save me, baby” she continued before she collapsed to the ground and started shaking uncontrollably.

“Tell me baby. I’ll do anything for you” Jason replied now very desperate and worried.

“You know that dress we saw in Monte Carlo the other day.” Leonie asked with a sad face. Jason turned away from her then she got up from the floor and dusted herself.

“Yes. The one I said I wasn’t going to buy because it was expensive” Jason said with a frown.

“I want it” Leonie said but Jason responded with a sigh. “No I need it” she corrected herself but he bowed his head.

“You need it? Really? That’s the best you could come up with?” Jason asked pulling her arms off him but she wrapped them again.

“Yes I do. If I don’t get it by tomorrow, I’ll die” Leonie said as she wiped her eyes with her hand.

“You die?” Jason asked in disbelief and she nodded in agreement. “The great Leonie, slayer of kings would die? No I don’t believe you” Jason said and started walking away.

“I’m serious” Leonie said but he closed his ears. “You have to listen to me” she ordered as he pulled his hands away from his ears. “I need…..” Leonie began saying but Jason cut her short.

“Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah yada yada yada yada yada yada yada yada” He said at the top of his voice.

“I WANT A NEW DRESS!!!” Leonie screamed and shrieked but Jason covered her mouth.

“Don’t shout. The maids would hear you and think I’m a bad man” Jason said with a wink but Leonie pushed his hand away,

“Aren’t you? You can’t even get your girl a cheap dress. Am I that useless? You can’t even spend some money on me?” Leonie said sadly.

“How much is it again?” Jason asked in defeat.

“Just a token of…..” Leonie started.

“Just say it” Jason said getting impatient with her nagging.

“Twenty million?” she tried to make it sound as cheap as possible but Jason rolled his eyes. “Look I know it’s much but it’s worth it, I’ll pay you back” she continued trying to regain his undivided attention.

“You said?” Jason couldn’t believe his ears; Leonie was promising to pay him back AGAIN.

“I’ll pay you back. With time” Leonie said still holding him.

He was about to walk away. She had to do something fast, her last card.

“You don’t really have to buy it if you don’t want to” Leonie said sadly then bowed her head.

“Alright. I’ll buy it” Jason said unwillingly.

“Thank you!” she screamed as she jumped on him.

“Guys. We are running late” Lahm said gesturing to his watch.

“Kill joy” Leonie said angrily.

“Let’s go” Jason said then lifted Leonie off the ground as she giggled.