THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS

An unexpected fate

CHAPTER II

“Your thoughts won’t cease to haunt you after all” a greeting from her friend Kundra appears to take her back to the Pavilion where everyone is having good times

“I guess it won’t—Nightmares won’t leave one’s mind after a day”

Kundra tap his hand on her back to at least to comfort her “You are a splendid soldier, not someone’s princess” His response is to tease her but it made her felt insulted, and she showed it to him through her usual displeased glare he used to avoid having to see when they were kids, but as they grow older together, he became used to it “come on now, How would I know”                                               

 After running away from the Kingdom of Shuixron, she spent her day recovering from the guilt she adhered to. But it is never easy and she is not hoping for it to be. Living inside Shuixron’s boundaries makes her feel imprisoned and inferior to the Kingdom. That they have to comply with their words so they would allow them to stay behind their walls.

Just a few days ago, she had the same thought; That Shuixron is a great kingdom, and they would help them against their enemies. That is what the first Markham told them, and what they blindly believe. Or perhaps what everyone under Shuixron’s territory probably believes.

“The Markham is waiting for you,” says Kundra.

The kingdom of Shuixron reigns in a big territory. Its area is almost as vast as a continent. As nomads, the tribe of Ligayun lost their way into one of the kingdom’s domains and had chosen to settle down somewhere on its forest located at the furthest boundary. King Sih Theodoro of Shuixron allowed the tribe to stay but with an agreement that they will ally themselves to the Kingdom. It was said that the tribe will benefit from the alliance. So they submitted themselves and were held as the new inhabitants of this kingdom’s most dangerous place, with the presence of the Mourhaks and other beastly creatures. 

The tale of the Ligayun tribe ended when they chose to become Shuixron’s pawn.  They made a small hamlet within the area. A way to prevent the beasts from entering the civilian towns. The tale that was so much better when Arayan hadn't changed her mind towards the kingdom. But then everything went down into this perspective, where she had to blame the man who made these precious tales and poisoned her mind. If she only knew she could be hurt so much, she would never believe her brother when he said that their late Liagum the first Markham told him these stories.                                                                                             

The Ligayun tribe is very traditional. They stitch their own fabrics out of the vines and the wools nature has been giving them. They call their woman Ashalahay and the man is Ashohakay. Ashalahay are the ones who do domestic chores, such as preparing the family’s food, making clothing and taking care of the children. While the Ashohakay are the ones who protect the tribe and hunt for food.                                      

The tribe is led by Markham ‘Lamon’, Arayan’s older brother. Their clothing is far too different from the casual clothing of the people of Shuixron. The rich people wear silk and heavy gowns for the woman, while for the Ligayun’s Ashahalays—they wear lots of beads, shells, and pebbles around their neck to display their status. Their hair is traditionally long and wavy, and they are genetically tanned compared to the main people that are over-coating too much of their pale skin. While the Ashohakays wear skirts from the skin of the beasts they s*******r, and black paintings that speak of their bravery; carved by their elders in accordance with their standing from previous battles. Lamon however, wears his prominence with the skin of a gigantic Mourhak all over his shoulders and its fangs as emblems hanging on his neck. He loves to brag about his position by displaying these assets to his people, being the son of the greatest Ashoqhamen of Ligayun. 

They also celebrate a plenty of feast in order to deify their gods and goddesses such as Adanar the keeper of the lakes and swamps and Guron the ruler of the forest. They offer white lily’s every full moon for Adanar to show their veneration and a pot of coconut wine for Guron.

The Ligayun people are cheerful people. Long before she met the prince, Arayan was just one of them.

She couldn’t get herself comfortable outside in the cold winter although wearing a thick layer. She’s been standing there only to refuse to hear how terrible she became. Her brother Lamon teases her with her short hair, revealing her round face that makes her look even manlier except for her small endearing eyes and her cute pointy nose. She once had beautiful long hair like her Mother Gayunhumay. But now, she decided to let go of the past by cutting it off. But cutting her hair won’t change anything. She heads back to the pavilion where her brother Lamon and some of their people gathered for a discussion “Oh! Here you are Arayan! My dear little sister” Lamon said in a mocking accent with the influence of this exotic wine from the capital her brother loves so much that he might end up carrying it into his grave. Arghh, the thought of Lamon’s fidelity towards the kingdom is more annoying than his fondness towards any alcoholic drink. Arayan sighted to disregard his brother’s mockery

 “I came here to tell you something”

 Lamon slipped into a wise grin, he looked at her forcing himself not to show any hints of his anticipation to what  Arayan is going to confer. He signaled his people to leave them for a while. Her seriousness made him want to speak first and tell her he would understand her decision and it is what he wanted her to do as well   “What? What is it?” Arayan secured her feelings of confidence after seeing his brother attentively listening to her; it is a marvelous evening for her brother who recently came back with great victory, it will be the worst timing if she told him  about her sudden decision. Besides, it was the kingdom of Shuixron who helped them to defeat their enemy. The heavens must be punishing her for her thoughtlessness as the Ayah of her tribe

“I-----I would like to leave home”

 An awkward silence barged in after Arayan’s announcement. Lamon reached the pot of wine that was supposed to be an offering. Yet he gobbled it to cool his mind out from the shocking nonsense of his sister “for bloods sake!” Lamon yelled and put the pot back to the dais “What in the world has gone to you?” it appears to him that he is wrong by thinking that his sister is finally considering herself as a woman and have found a love to settle with, and that she came to ask for his blessing             

 “I want to know myself more, I want to see the world” she argued                                           

  “Do you know what you are talking about?—wait, where is this coming from?” Her brother glared at her with even more serious face and increasing rage                                                                                                       

 “N-no, there is no big reason for it. You went into the war-and-and I just want to experience adventure at least” Arayan said, trying to hold the liquid forming within her eyes. Adventure was never the reason. It is the failed love she deemed to last forever but…

 Lamon perceived the anguish emanating from those helpless eyes, something he wishes she would tell him. He is aware of Arayan’s unusual craving for adventure, but he couldn’t see adventure alone as the reason for her decision. Her strange actions--different from the Arayan he knew--insinuates deeper cause. She was a plucky stone headed damsel whom they've never seen crying after their parents were gone. But now, she is vulnerable and depressed.

 “Why? Can you at least tell me why?” Arayan kept her silence to her brother “I should go! I’m not even sure about my decision, goodnight” She parried, and set off from the pavilion.

 At her Isolated shack,surrounded with various colorful plants, she dumped herself into her bed and let her thoughts consume her until her eyes dries out of tears. Even before when she was young she never kept anything from her brother.

 The infernal truth she saw at the castle will definitely drive her brother to stand against the Shuixron. And since there are so many kingdoms and tribes who’s very prevalent, sticking to this hateful Kingdom is the only option. 

Lamon went to follow his sister outside her tent. He wondered how Arayan became so emotional. He wanted to formally talk to her and ask her what’s wrong.  but he didn’t. He let his sister shed her troubles and settle it alone like a grown woman. No matter how much he wanted to be at her side to comfort her, she must face everything on her own like a warrior.