Ineffable Conquest

Savlin's questions

'I never thought that I would love to eat boiled potatoes,' said Xavier.

'They weren't normal boiled potatoes,' said Xander. 'Simone added cumin seeds and cayenne pepper. The flavour was enhanced by coriander powder and red chilli powder. Garnishing of coriander leaves was a clever thought.'

'Thank you,' said Simone. 'Atleast someone understands me.'

'What do you mean?' said Xavier. 'I complimented you.'

'Really!' said Simone blushingly.

'What else do you want to share?' said Beckett.

'I would like to ask you certain questions,' said Savlin. 'Beckett, why do you think your father banished himself?'

'According to laws of Sech, emperor/empress has to banish himself/herself only if he/she kills his/her pedagogue or a guru. Banishment of five years for killing his/her pedagogue and twenty years for killing a guru. This means father had killed his teacher who was a guru.'

'Mother Erica would know that person,' said Dwayne.

'Of course she knows the answer,' said Anthony. 'The question is why did he kill his own teacher?'

'Maybe mother knows the reason,' said Xander.

'If mother knows the reason Lord Savlin wouldn't have asked this question,' said Xavier.

'Now,' said Savlin. 'Dwayne why do you think Erica and Godavari accompanied your father as only he was banished, both of them could have stayed back in the palace.'

'Mothers loved father deeply,' said Dwayne. 'They didn't even have a second husband. They were childless when father was banished. If father was banished and they stayed back in palace we wouldn't in front of you. Also they are women of high values. They wouldn't have left their husband alone in such a dire situation.'

'True,' said Savlin. 'But when the five of you were born they should have returned back to the palace or atleast should have send the children back to palace. Why would the young ones of Manu suffer for his mistake?'

'Maybe he wanted us to stay back for reason,' said Dwayne. 'Wait....Do you mean....Do you mean that he wanted us to stay with him for a reason. Maybe because we weren't safe in palace. But that would have been the safest place, isn't? But he thought we should stay with him. Because someone wanted to harm us. And only he could save us. That's the reason we weren't allowed to roam around freely. Their used be someone with us. It would be either father or mother Erica or mother Godavari.'

'Anthony,' said Savlin. 'Why did Manu himself taught his sons combat skills and sciences? He used to take help from Godavari but not from Erica because you and your brothers didn't even know about Erica's prowess.'

'I get your question,' said Anthony. 'Why do you twist the question, Lord Savlin? He knew we were from royal family of Southerland. Someone had to teach us combat skills and sciences. He didn't send us to any pedagogue because he knew no one was capable enough to teach us all the subjects that we have mastered. Even he had limitations and hence mother Godavari assisted him. Mother Erica must have been playing a different role and hence she didn't teach us. She was performing a different role. Also father and mother Godavari knew our strengths. They taught us exactly those skills in which we were strong. The answer which you wanted and the question of which we need to find the answer is HOW did father identify that we were those five brothers mentioned by Odin?

'Xander,' said Savlin. 'Should I ask you a question or....'

'I know,' said Xander. 'You were going to expand brother Anthony's question. How did father knew about our roles in future as well as about his role in moulding us. He knew about the potential threats as well as about Odin's prophecy. He used this banishment in a positive way. But their was someone who was guiding father. Father couldn't have come to know about this knowledge. It was like he groomed us as he knew the end was near. Their was someone who was instructing father.'

'Xavier,' said Savlin. 'Why did your father decide to settle down in Zimland? He could have settled down in any kingdom. He could have settled down in the ruins of Anchan, palaces of Astralaya, slums of Bladmer, deserts of B'lor and N'yong, sea coast of Darvaj, forests of Favoiser, fertile lands of Godavar, colonies of Shalaka or even in kingdoms of Franke and Nort which are trusted allies of Southerland. He could have taken the risk and stayed at Southerland's enemy kingdoms of Deustche, Genbh and Porthe. He could have even gone to northern and northeastern mountains.'

'Father wanted to train us and thus would require a quiet place where there were no people around. Potential kingdoms would be Anchan, B'lor, N'yong, Favoiser, Godavar, allies of Southerland. I won't consider the enemies of Southerland as it would complicate the father's motive. Staying in enemy kingdom would have increased threats. If the kingdoms were allies then it would have helped him out further. Potential kingdoms are allies of Southerland, mother Erica's Anchan and mother Godavari's Godavar. But he chose none of them. Northern and northeastern mountains would have an ideal option too. Maybe father had some relation with Zimland. Zimland is poor kingdom. A deadly disease has been spreading in the kingdom for last thirty years. Still he chose to stay in Zimland. A righteous and proud person stays in the worst places only when he is attached to that place or when he is the reason for the downfall of that place. Father was attached to Southerland and maybe his allies. So the reason must be downfall of Zimland. Poverty and disease are two factors which make it worst place to live. Poverty is due to the spread of disease. This means father was the reason from the disease. He was involved in either creating or mutating the organism responsible for the disease. He knew if someone settled in Zimland the chance of external threats reduce. He would get a place to train us. And also he could find a cure for this disease.'

'Find out the answers for these questions,' said Savlin.

'Won't you help us in finding them,' said Anthony.

'I can tell you a small bit of your mother's role in your lives,' said Savlin.

'When you children used to learn from Manu and Godavari, Erica would earn money by farming and sewing. As your father had decided to stay in incognito as commoners. Erica toiled for a living. Alone she used to sew  clothes and do farming in five acres of land. Her earnings had to feed a family of eight persons. Such was her dedication and hardwork.'

'We were so dumb,' said Dwayne. 'We never noticed mother Erica's hardwork and always taunted her. The empress of Sech was working as farmer and seamstress.'

'When I was small child she used take care of me and Xander while father and mother Godavari used to teach our elder brothers,' said Xavier.

'Did you never ask your father about the reason why he was teaching you combat skills though you were commoners,' said Simone.

'We just obeyed our father,' said Anthony. 'We never questioned him. He used to teach us and we used learn from him.'

'I had asked father,' said Xavier. 'He told me that he was once a fierce warrior and lost his position as a soldier due to some reason which he didn't disclose. He mentioned that he wanted us to become great warriors and take his revenge. The plot he told me was so realistic that I believed him. But who knew that he was the emperor of Sech.'

'Erica had another important role,' said Savlin. 'Beckett, why did Erica always give you the responsibilities to handle quarrels of your brothers? Wasn't she the one who taught you about truth and righteousness.'

'I understand,' said Beckett. 'She was grooming me. She was moulding my character. She knew that I had to become an emperor and hence she groomed my leadership qualities.'

'Dwayne,' said Savlin. 'Why did she ignored you? Why did she always shout at you? Why did she always blame you?'

'Because she knew that I grow powerful due to my anger. But in due process I also learnt to control it. I could channel my anger and use it properly.'

'Anthony,' said Savlin. 'Why did she always tell you about brave soldiers? Why did she tell you the history of the great human wars?'

'She prepared me mentally as a warrior. She brought out warrior qualities out of me. Her stories were the reason that I practiced on my archery skills. I wanted to become one of the best archers of Sech. Mother Erica is the reason for my valour and bravery.'

'Xavier and Xander,' said Savlin. 'How did Erica help to mould your personality?'

'Mother Erica loved and cared for us deeply. She was so loving and affectionate that I decided to be soft-spoken and loving towards every living being. This quality is a prerequisite for a medical practitioner,' said Xavier.

'Mother Erica taught me to be affectionate. She taught me how we should face the challenges instead of fearing from them. She was the one who taught me to concentrate on my power of sensing changes in oxygen. Her straightforwardness was inculcated by me. Mother Erica is my inspiration.'

'Erica has been playing an important role in your lives right from your birth to the present and will an important role in future too,' said Savlin. 'You have to stand with Erica, no matter whatever situation may arise in front of you.'

'We will stand by our mother,' said Dwayne.

'Lord Savlin,' said Xavier. 'How can we trust you or even this ancient text? It maybe misguiding. Or else the motive of our birth is totally different than what you have mentioned.'

'The incidents in your life will take you towards your goal,' said Savlin. 'It is not about trust. Destiny must have planned the sequence of the events and its consequences. Play along and find out your goal of life. We here to guide. You are free to choose your path. I advise the brothers to stick to your own personality and decisions.'

'Sure,' said Beckett.

'I hope you would like to roam around the city,' said Simone. 'I could show you the city and then we can have lunch together.'

'That would be great,' said Xander.

'Quite interesting,' said Xavier.

City of Talo was a quite one. The sound of the Forgs, beating swords and armours into shape, was consistent and that confirmed that the city was alive. The city was beautifully designed. Houses and shops were built with white marble. The city had a maze of narrow streets, as complex as the nervous system. The streets were the nerves and the Forgs were its nucleus. Simone took the brothers to different arsenals and armories.

Each and every type of weapon was produced in Talo. This weapons were of high quality and durability.

'We are a thread of Forgs known for manufacturing weapons,' said Simone. 'In exchange of this underground city and food supplies we provide Astralaya these weapons of high calibre.'

'The quality of these weapons is remarkable,' said Xavier.

'Are humans allowed to visit this city?' said Anthony.

'Human cannot enter without our permission. We allow some humans to visit the city. But they must be trusted ones.'

'Can we have lunch,' said Dwayne.

'Oh!' said Simone. 'Sure. Let me teleport.'

'Daara why aren't you thinking about the story?' said the pleasant masculine voice.

'No,' said Daara. 'I am thinking about the story.'

'I think your time has come,' said the pleasant masculine voice.

'What do you intend to say?' said, panicking Daara.

'Get ready, Daara!' said the pleasant masculine voice.

'Woah!!!!' said Daara.