Chapter IX

Chapter IX

            “GET DOWN!” Luke called to his soldiers, ducking as the wyvern let out another breath of fire. The beast was relentless, he’d give it that much. Rising to his feet, he swung the axe, the tip of the blade managing to slice through the wyvern’s snout. The monster screeched with pain, flapping its wings several times before flames erupted.

            “Lukas!” Kaiser shouts, running to aid his fellow King. He holds up his shield, the flames bouncing off the iron and heating it to the point where holding it was unbearable. With a yelp, he tucks down and moves out of the way, dropping the shield baring his sigil of a bear. He looks at his scorched palm, cursing under his breath.

            “It’s no use, the fiend will not quit! We must retreat!” Lukas shouts, waving his battleaxe warningly at the wyvern.

            “We will not! The Beast King must know his place! Slay the beast!” The Iron King swipes his sword at the menace, hollering. “FOUL CREATURE! LEAVE THESE LANDS!”

            “Having a wee bit of trouble with Rygor, are we?” King Kurtis approaches the men with a smirk, striding up beside the beast.

            “I will have your head if you do not call off this creature immediately!” Luke snarls, making his way towards the King of Turpis.

            “Rygor, fly on home. I am sure the whores are waiting for you to return.” Kurtis cackles, striding towards his fellow Kings. “I have a proposition for you two.”

            “We want no part of it.” Kaiser hisses.

            “Oh, come on. There will be quite the reward in it for those willing to help. Perhaps… a beast of your own?”

            “Such foul creatures shall never reside in my Kingdom!” Luke snarled, edging towards Kurtis.

            “Very well. I thought you should know, you are making a grave mistake.”  

            “That man never fails to make my skin crawl.” Gerard uttered to his King with a sigh as Kurtis disappeared, wiping the sweat from his brow. “Shall we return to what remains of the castle, my liege?”

            “Indeed. We will send out men to clean up this fucking mess.” Luke grumbles, beginning to stride back toward the castle.

            “S-Sir!” John scampers to Kaiser’s side, being the man responsible for filling Leonidas’ previous position. He scrambles to keep his armour fastened on correctly, dropping his sword every so often.

            “Come on you blubbering idiot!” Kaiser grabs him by the scruff, shoving him after Lukas with a sigh, shaking his head. 

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Jolting up right with a gasp, eyes dart around the unfamiliar room. Unfamiliar sets of eyes stare back, filled with wonder, curiosity sparked. Fingers tangle into the sheets, taking deep breaths. It’s soft and warm… almost enough to make one stay in bed. Scents of lavender and warmth… warm, it is very warm. Bright. Very bright. Hard to see.

            “W-Where am I?” Attempts to sit up but lets out a cry. It hurts. Everything hurts.

            “Easy, easy. We must get you to the bath.” No longer laying, being carried. Tilt head back, observing strangers in the room with mouths hung open. Brows knit, arms dangling at sides.

            “W-Where… w-what’s going on…” Beginning to fall, falling...

Splash. The water is warm… no, hot. Very hot. Too hot. It burns. Everything feels like it’s on fire. Every inch feels like its burning. Flesh is melting. Squirming. Fighting. Screaming. A burst of light is omitted, blinding those who dare to gaze upon it. The sensation does not last for long. Relief. Comfort again. Reaching forward, for something, anything. Arms scramble to grasp anything. Can’t breathe underwater. Can’t breathe. Suffocating. Drowning. Lungs caving. Reaching for the surface. Fingertips graze the air. Ascend. Rise.

           

            “Y-You s-survived the bath of the G-Gods... i-it’s you. It really is y-you, oh, your h-highness…” A voice utters and the man drops to his knees, bowing his head.

            “After all this time, h-how is it…?” Another coos, following the actions of his comrade by taking a knee.
            “Any longer, it might not have worked.” The new voice strides forward, lifting her head. “I am Lady Kaila, first servant to the throne. It is my honour to welcome you home, my princess. Welcome to Nahoa.”

            Lana blinks several times, glancing around the extravagant room as she stands upright in the steaming hot water. She takes no notice to her luminescent glow, biting down on her bottom lip. The so-called ‘bath’ resembled more of a pool to her, stretching to the walls of the room on each side with steps leading out, to where the strangers were. “I-I…” Her eyes dart around. “I do not understand. I…” Her brows knit together, recalling her last memory. “Am I dead?” The Council bursts into laughter at that.

            “No, your highness. You were brought to us, by no accident either. Surely you are aware of the great power within you…” Kaila smiles, gesturing for Lana to get out of the water. She holds a robe at the ready.

            “Power to raise the dead? I don’t—“ She walks towards the steps with no urgency, rather bewildered. She sets foot on the marble floor, glancing down at those bowing.

            “No, my grace, it was not your power that saved you. It was the Will of the Gods.” Kaila explains, wrapping the garment around her. Lana pulls it tight around her frame, hugging herself.

            “The Will of the Gods?”

            “Yes. The Fates brought you here, brought you home to us and allowed us to nurture you back to health. Nahoa is full of… extravagant properties, my liege. It was welcoming you home, the natural heir, by bringing you back to see it. The grounds protect its people, and the people protect the grounds.”

            “What of Kaiser? Leonidas? Lukas? The Mad King, the Beast King… where…?”

            “I assure you that unless it wants to be found, Nahoa appears only to those it wishes, my liege.”

            “I-I don’t understand. I was murdered… I… who brought me here?”

            “We are unsure, your highness. The Kingdom began throwing itself out of balance when you landed on home soil with a man. He ran off. We did not see him very well. As I stated, it was certainly the Fates that decided to bring you home to us.”

            “I… I feel sick.” She knelt down; her attendants hurrying to her side to ensure their princess would not fall.

            “Yes, your grace. That is to be expected. You must rest now.”

            “I want-“

            “Rest, my greatness.”

-           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -

            Lana awoke in the dead of night, the moonlight dancing across her dark chambers. She rose slowly into a sitting position, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Emeralds glance around the space. The entire room is a warm white colour, decorated like an old Roman temple. A thin, see-through sheet hangs from the ceiling, framing her bedposts. The bed itself is decorated with white silk fabrics that tickle her skin. With a soft sigh, she pushes the translucent curtain aside and makes her way to the balcony. The warm air greets her, causing her powder blue nightgown to catch in the wind. Leaning forward on the railing, she found herself put at ease. Within the distance, she could see the ocean, hiding behind the tree line of the forest. She can’t help but let her mind wander. Why is it she lives? The Will of the Gods? Nahoa saved her?

            “Oh, you are awake, princess.” A man’s voice calls, causing her to turn.

            “How long was I out?”

            “Three days, your highness. That is remarkable recovery time. It is a miracle we have you. The Kingdom is graced by your presence.” He bows; his words making her lips tug in a gentle smile.

            “Thank you. I don’t believe I caught your name?”

            “King William II, my liege.”

            “King William?” She moves toward him, frowning. “Your father… was he…?”

            “The Great Guardian, yes.”

            “I didn’t know he had a son. I-I’m sorry. I couldn’t…” She turns away, shaking her head. “I couldn’t save him, my liege…”

            “He died protecting royal blood, my grace...” The man crossed the room towards the newly revived princess. His fingertips trace over her cheek, eyes grazing her features. “As he would have wished. An honourable death indeed and he is not the only one.”

            “Nahoa is a place of peace. Not a drop of blood will be spilled on this soil unless it is absolutely necessary. No more innocent people will die.” She steps towards the balcony once again. “I wish to venture into my Kingdom and get to know its people. They’re to know they are in good hands now.”

            “With all due respect, your majesty, it is quite dangerous. And I—“

            “The Kingdom is hidden, I have been told. Unless it wants to be seen, Nahoa is invisible to outsiders.”

            “Why, yes, your highness. But it is quite late, there are beasts out there and due to your arrival—“

            “I will go explore my Kingdom now, King William.” She waved him off, striding towards her closet. She changes into clothing she would have worn before this royalty had been thrust upon her. She sports a dark tank baring her midriff with little protection, a pair of trousers with long fabric falling at the sides making it almost resemble a skirt, paired with her cloak. She heads toward the stables, smiling at those who bow in her presence. Mounting her horse, she made her way to the nearest village. Pulling up her hood, she glanced around the small village. It was not very large; with a blacksmith, barber, tavern, inn, and boutique. King William perhaps, might have been right… due to the late hour; her people were sleeping of course.  However, she did note a stirring at the tavern, but decided not to dwell on it till morning. With a sigh of defeat, she begins to head back toward the castle. At least, where she thought the castle was. She finds herself on the outskirts of her Kingdom, grumbling quietly to the horse, which she lovingly named Daks, who snorts as if he understands her. Up ahead, she notes movement, tugging the reins to halt.

            “Master, I am starving. It has been a week since our last good meal…” A woman whimpers from the back of a barred carriage, outstretching her hand. The people inside the cage are covered in dirt and grime with hollowed cheeks and scrawny frames.

            “Quit yer cryin’ or I’ll give ye somethang to cry aboot!” The Master shouts, slapping the girl’s hand away with a growl, baring a whip in hand. He circles the convoy, holding his nose in the air with a cigarette in other hand. His neatly trimmed hair is black, a thin moustache lining his lips. “Slave man is fixin’ thee wheels!” He cracks the whip over the man’s bare back.

            Quirking a brow, Lana finds her attention caught, nearing the convoy on her steed. She dismounts, tying the reins around a thin tree before following.

            “Master, please. We are thirsty. So very thirsty... just o-one sip?”

            “If ye keep bitchin’ I’ll whip ye all till yer bleeding all over the forest floor, you filthy Nahoans!”

            “Excuse me!” Lana calls out, approaching the man who deems himself the Master.

            “Oi, what I got here? Cute lil’ thing ye are!” She holds back a growl, narrowing her eyes at the man.

            “You will free these people. They are not pieces of land to be deemed as property, they are people!” She exclaims, to which the Master begins laughing, nearly coughing up a lung.

            “How aboot this, if ye win in a duel against me, ye get to free these people. If I win, ye will be my bitch to do with as I please.” He grins, watching the girl. The Master is over twice her size; the duel would be over in seconds.

            “Very well. Give me a sword.” Lana catches the blade at the hilt as it’s thrown at her.       “I’ve won ev’ry duel in me day, lil’ girl!” The Master smirks, backing up. He drop his cigar to the floor, crushing it with is heel.

            The pair stands only a few feet from each other, equipped with a blade. With a bow from each party, the duel begins. The Master charges at Lana, swinging his sword the second she’s in reach. She bends back to deflect it with her own blade, shoving his aside. With a kick to his abdomen, she sends the Master staggering back, advancing on him again. She raises her sword above her shoulder to slice his chest. In a haste, he regains his balance and attacks, looking as if he’s going for her exposed torso. She immediately goes to repel his movement only to find he was aiming for somewhere else entirely. The cool blade drags across her cheek before he lands a cheap-shot to her face, fist connecting, causing her to fall back on the forest floor. With a man like this, it wasn’t to be a clean fight. He goes to advance but she reacts fast enough, swiping his legs out from underneath him with one of her own before rolling back onto her feet.

            “You call me little…” She begins, spitting the blood out of her mouth before advancing on him. Her muscles tense, recalling the brutal training she went through with the Iron King himself. Her eyes scan the enemy, attempting to calculate his next move. She dodges the Master’s next attack after he gets to his feet and sees her window of opportunity. Running at the man, she tilts her head back to avoid it being sliced off before bringing her own blade down in one swift motion, slicing through his wrist. His hand, along with his blade, falls to the forest floor as he bellows out in pain. Blood squirts from the wound in all directions, the Master dropping to his knees, but she isn’t done yet. Grabbing him by the collar of his shirt, she drags him to his feet and shoves him back against a tree.

            “But I fight with more honour than you.” Her eyes narrow, the wound on her cheek healing within moments as her Light glistens over it. “If you ever dare to step foot onto Nahoan soil again, I will not hesitate to serve your head on a silver platter to the beasts that lurk in these forests.” She draws back her cloak. “I, Princess Lana Griffon of Nahoa, banish you from these lands.” She throws him aside, striding towards the carriage. Slicing through the lock with the blade, she opens it.

            “You are now free men and women. I hope you find more comfort on Nahoan soil than that bastard ever offered you.”

            “Milady, you have our eternal thanks.” The girl who’d stated she was starving bows multiple times. “We will serve you, yes; we will do as you wish.”

            “You are free. You may do as /you/ wish now.”

            “We wish to serve you, princess.” A man answers, bowing in the same fashion as the girl. Blood rolls down his back from the spot he’d been whipped while he was fixing the wheel of the carriage. “We will serve our most noble princess with honour. We will fight for you!”

            “You will fight for me, as free men and women?”

            “Yes, my liege.”

            “You will not be punished for running off into town, returning to your families…”

            “We have lost them long ago. We wish to join the army, to make those who took them from us pay. We will make it a force to be reckoned with, and a force to protect the people.”

            “I’m sorry, what is your name?”

            “Jasper, my princess.”

            “Jasper, what uses have we for an army? Nahoa is a land of peace, a refuge.”

            “My liege, you have been absent for too long.” The dark-skinned girl with short black hair speaks up. “I am Mara. Despite our presence being unknown in the realms; soldiers of enemy armies still stumble upon this land. They pillage, rape, and kill the people who happen to be a bit far off from the safety of the villages or the castle. An army will offer our people protection, and if you chose to fight, milady, an army will be prepared to fight for you.”

            “I do not believe that I have any use for an army, the King takes care of those forces… Mara.” Lana reasons, walking toward Daks. “Even so, I do not wish any more to die at my hands.”

            “It would be an honour, milady.”

            “If you wish to serve me, you are to meet me at the castle. But, erg, first, you will show me the way there. Please. Then we will feast and get you lot cleaned up.” Jasper laughed at that, shaking his head.

            “The princess doesn’t even know her way back home?” He grins, gesturing for her to follow his lead as the other slaves do too. “We’re definitely in for a treat.”

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            “Just where do you think you’re going?” Hera growls, on the heels of Leonidas.

            “I do not answer to you, wench.”

            “Where is the girl’s corpse?” It was at those words that Leon stopped dead in his tracks, turning his head slowly to look at the woman. Images of the dungeons flickered through his mind, images of what Hera did to her in those times. He lurched forward, grabbing her by the throat and lifting.

            “SAY HER NAME, I DARE YOU!” He bellows, grip fastening around her throat.

            “L-Leon, s-s….top!” Hera scrambles to catch her breath, clawing at Leon’s hand. She lands a kick to his chest, dropping to the ground and heaving. Leon staggers back but attempts to charge at her again, growling. A guard steps between them, baring the sigil of a phoenix on his chest-plate.

            “You there!” He shouts to Leonidas, approaching him. “Stop causing trouble!”

            “I’m the one causing trouble?!” He growls, stepping up to the man. “You know, I was like you once… I wore a sigil on my chest, baring my loyalty to my Kingdom… I gave them everything. And you know where there got me? It got me fucking nowhere!” He hissed, shoving the guard backwards. “What Kingdom do you belong to?! Such a bird has never been a sigil for any of the four Kingdoms.”

            Hera watched the scene unravel from her spot on the ground, eyes fixed on the two men.

            “I serve the Kingdom of Nahoa, hand of King William II and watcher of the princess.” The guard announced, grabbing Leonida’s arms and beginning to secure his wrists in rope. “And for laying your hands on a guard, you are under arrest.”

            “Nahoa…?” Leonidas glanced at the guard, shaking his head. “No, no I went to Nahoa and nothing was there but a fucking tree that burned.”

            “Nahoa chooses who it appears to.” The guard answered before suddenly gasping, feeling a sharp pain in his knee. Hera stuck her dagger into it, narrowing her eyes.

            “Take us to your King.”

            “I-I-“

            “NOW!” She shouts, twisting the blade only slightly but it was enough to make the guard cry out. He nodded several times, pointing in the direction of the now-visible castle. “There, there is the castle!”

            “I really don’t think it’s a good idea to get on the bad-side of this King… we don’t know what these people are like.” Leon muttered, glancing at the guard who limped along beside them as they headed toward the castle, whimpering in pain.

            “Do you not realize what this means? A whole Kingdom hidden from the other three… Uncharted on the maps of the realms. This land could be taken—“ 

            “No.” Leon snarled, narrowing his eyes at the woman. “This is the place of Lana’s birth, I will not let you take control and ruin it.”

            “We shall see, Leonidas. We shall see.”