King's Blood, King's Curse
The Chieftains of the South confront the Northern King and his wicked Vizier. For all their righteous rage over sacrilege and oppression, a King is conquered. Thus igniting the War of Wars.
Book One: Sight Out of Time | Episode 1.5
[This series is rated “Mature” for thematic elements, sensuality, and violence.]
_+ in the days of Chalif King, a damp evening at the stone castle of the North
The unshod horses stumbled with discomfort as they bolted over the cobblestones of the northern village, and also sensing the agitation of their riders, they whinnied nervously, waking the lazy guards at the door of Chalif’s castle. The Southern kings gave no greeting, but threw their pennant and ribbon at the feet of the guards who, seeing the runic crest on the pennant, had to run at top speed to beat the kings to the throne. The running servants had one advantage over foreigners on horseback in the hallways of the castle; they knew where to find the throne room. And so, Chalif King was presented with the royal pennant of the South only moments before they arrived. Chalif stood from his throne, calling for the guard to assemble and stand ready. Rojer as well removed himself from his seat. Taking the pennant from the king, he descended the new throne steps with the gleam of fresh marble, and positioned himself forward in the room. Lunix remained seated, but gripped the arms of her chair. If Rojer was moved to attention, it was sure some vile thing to follow.
The massive, oaken doors of the throne room gave way at the stamp of High William’s horse. Upon entering, all three riders paused with horror as a giant skull stared back at them from beneath the new throne. Chalif could not bear to mock their shock and grief, knowing Rojer would manage to insult with more cleverness and calculation. And after an effective silence, Rojer did speak.
“Hail, great Hall of the South,” he said, approaching the dumbstruck men. “High William I remember, but who are these strapping young men with you?”
“I am Elles, High Chieftain King—you coffin beetle,” hissed Elles, blocking the hooded man from approaching his nephew.
“Ah, how you’ve grown. The youngest of your siblings, I presume,” said Rojer, backing closer to the throne. “Tell me, does your sister-queen miss me?”
Elles’ hand was on Will’s arm before Will could draw his sword. Rojer smiled.
“Why so eager to take up arms, High William?” he said. “And why are you here, I wonder? Is it not the moon under which you should take your pilgrimage to the mountain?”
Eyes at Chalif, Will spat upon the ground. “Curse you.”
“Oh,” said Rojer, leaning near the giant’s skull as he feigned deep thought and regret. “I suppose that’s why you’re here.”
The sacrilege of Rojer’s seeming innocuous words and gestures was so thick, everyone in the room could scarcely breathe.
“You’ll bring your pilgrimages here from now on,” said Rojer with a sting. “And a sizable tribute if you expect to enter the castle gates and exit alive.”
“You’re a coward, Chalif,” said Will, dismounting his horse and marching up the throne steps on the queen’s side.
“Will, no,” said Elles in vain.
“I didn’t ride all this way to shame you, Chalif,” said Will, drawing his sword, scaring Lunix from her seat. “I’m sure the Barons will be interested in the fact that you never bested anything more than dragons on that mountain.”
Chalif drew his sword.
“Be silent, you piece of mud,” said Chalif. “You’ve been offered terms—take them.”
“Terms?” screamed Will. “A price you mean!”
“The people of the south accept the terms!” said Elles, hoping to urge his sister’s husband to stand down. After all, their people were in no position at all to negotiate. But it was to no avail. Will was taken over with fury.
“I am here for a price,” said Will, twisting Lunix into his grip, he glided the blade of his sword along her neck only deep enough to let a small ribbon of blood. “The daughters and sons of my house will plague you, and poison the hearts of your generations forever.”
Placing his lips against her ear, his tears mingling with angry spittle, High William screamed, “I swear!”
At that moment, Lunix maneuvered herself out of Will’s grasp by stumbling off the edge of the platform, hitting her head on the hard stone below. The kings clashed swords. Their duel was masterful and swift, each raging upon each other like winds in a storm.
“Kill them!” ordered Rojer, pointing at the other two.
Every guard in the room descended upon Elles and young William. On a horse, young William was better able to hold his own against the lesser-trained guards, but Elles knew they had mere moments until they were both overcome. And so, Elles called out to Will, begging him to flee. But Will was in the throws of the fight with his old adversary, determined this would be the last time. For a moment, it seemed Chalif was no match for Will’s righteous rage. Encouraged by this advantage, Will ignored Elles’ pleas, detrimentally focussed on the conviction that he could beat Chalif.
But then, Young William took a stab to the thigh, and cried out for his father. At this, High William turned his eyes to his son, and in that moment, was cut through the throat and beheaded in a spray of blood that splattered upon Lunix’s face, waking her just long enough to watch Elles and his nephew gallop away.
Eyes of the Oracle: Sight Out of Time © 2023 kmCarter (Krista M. Carter) all rights reserved. Properly-attributed quotes of less than 200 words (print, digital, etc.) may be used for criticism, reporting, or sharing to social media. Direct Message for media, publication, or collaboration inquiries.
