TEN
The moment I heard the carriages pull away from the palace, I leaped into action. Walking over to the doors of my father’s study, I opened them and peered out into the hallway. Two guards sat in the chairs outside of my father’s study taking a lunch break. They didn’t seem to worry about the fact that I was left alone in the King’s study. They were still under the impression that I was intoxicated and the only harm I would bring would be to myself. I’m sure my father gave them orders to let me rest until all the alcohol was out of my system, but I didn’t doubt that the moment I left this room, I would be flanked by guards. I closed the door back silently, and slowly latched the lock.
Staring around the room, I tried to figure out where exactly to start my search. There were no visible doorways or windows, and the only objects in the room were the chairs we’d been sitting in. If there was information in this room about Eris, it was hidden, but my only question was where? Starting off on the right side of the room, I ran my hand across the wall as I checked for any switches or movable blocks. The stones that made up the wall had no cracks or painted on symbols. They looked as if they’d just been built today. I moved over towards the glass window that housed the souls. The amount of souls had decreased since the last time I visited. Since the last time I was in Belham. Since the Gates of the Damned were broken. Without the damned souls of the mortals, the world of Pearu would cease to exist. The souls were our oxygen, without the souls, our kind will become extinct.
I continued to search the room but still came up empty. There was nothing here. I’d search every inch of this room from the walls to the floors but could not find not one movable piece or any type of switch. Feeling defeated, I plopped down in the chair pushing aside the cart with the uneaten starfish. I didn’t understand it. I thought for sure that if there was any information on Eris that my father wanted to keep hidden, it would be in this study. His study was like his safe haven. When he wasn’t entertaining guests or having meetings with The Courant, he was in his study, trapped in his thoughts. I’ve always thought that there was a hidden room inside this study, but I guess I was wrong. As I sat there and tried to figure other places in the palace where the information could be hidden, my eyes swept across my father’s throne chair.
At first glance, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. It was like any other one of this throne chairs. But as I stared at the skulls on the hand of the chair, something seemed off. The two silver skulls were lighting the souls as usual. However, the skull on the right side of the chair mouth was wider than the one of the left. Closing my eyes, I pictured my father sitting in the chair, his hands stretched out along the arms of the chair, his left hand covering the skull while his right circled the top of the skull’s head as if he was avoiding the mouth. Opening my eyes, I got up from the chair and walked over to chair. I turned to face the chair I’d been sitting as I lowered into it. Here goes nothing. Reaching my right arm out, my fingers darted around the skull before finally curling in its mouth. My fingers tapped against a switch inside the mouth. This is it! I could feel it. This switch would open the hidden room. Without wasting time, my fingers squeezed the button.
There was no loud groaning or dust particles falling down from the ceiling, the chair simply descended underground. It was a smooth transition. The chair seemed to go on forever before coming to a stop. The room was completely dark that even my night vision couldn’t detect any objects or movement around me. It wasn’t until I pushed up from the chair and my boots connected with the floor, that a little light came on. The light came from above and below me. I took a step forward, and more switches of light came on. When I was four steps away from the chair, it suddenly lifted back up towards the ceiling encasing me back in the darkness. Thankfully, the further I walked, the more light illuminated.
I could hear water dropping on the sides of me and knew that the ground I was walking on was some kind of bridge. One false move and I would fall over into unknown waters. I had no idea how my father handled this type of blind walking. Maybe he was prepared with a light when he came down here. I soon came to find out that I didn’t need a light. The lights from my steps had now lightened the room so I could see around me. I was in a cave. I was also right about there being water in this room. Dark murky water ran alone the sides of the narrow light bridge I had been walking on. I tried to peer through the water to see if anything was in it, but gave up. The water was as dark as tar.
I had to remind myself why I was down here and it wasn’t to explore the murky waters under the floor of my father’s study. Pushing on, I continued down the bridge until I reached an archway, the bridge descending into steps. Awe struck my face the moment I stepped through the archway. The first thing I noticed was how massive this room was. It was the size of my entire quarters and it seemed to stretch even further. The second thing that I noticed was the enormous amount of currency in this room. From where I was standing I could see the etchings of not only the dragon scale currency from our world, but the different currency that was used in the mortal world. How did my father get all of this down here without anyone noticing? Was this his own little secret, or did The Courant know about this hidden chamber as well. Did it belong to Eris? The cavern walls seemed old enough to be around the time she reigned. What about Kiowa? I’m pretty sure she had no clue about this room either.
Entering the room, I took my attention off of the currency and stared around at the structure of the cavern. Two sets of stairs curved to the side that connected to a bridge above me. The further I looked up, the more bridges I seen. I counted a total of six. On the walls surrounding the currency were shelves filled with books, parchment papers, and statues. I headed over to the wall, my legs struggling through the currency. There was no path for me to walk on so I had to make due with walking through the currency that was now falling over. I just hoped father didn’t notice the misplaced currency on his next visit down here. I reached the first wall with the shelves and removed a stained orange colored book. There weren’t any letters on the cover to tell me the title so I had to open the book. Flipping through the beige colored pages and black ink, the book was nothing more than a book on Giants. I placed the book back in its place and moved on to the next one. One by one I searched the books as they all covered the many creatures of Pearu. The ink was written in only my father’s hand which I found a bit strange. You would think that Eris would document these things during her reign, but not once did I see her handwriting. Maybe she had another method for keeping track of the many creatures and events in Pearu. I’d gone through two shelves of parchments and books until I finally found something on Eris.
While the other books had a bit of discolor to it, this one was completely worn. The pages were a bit dent from someone’s fingers as they read the book what appears to be numerous times. I shuffled some of the currency over with my feet as I squatted down on the floor near the shelves. Staring at my father’s handwriting, I began to read.
Decemris, 10th, Year of Eris
Today, I have received great news. I have been assigned as an aide to Queen Eris. This journey will mark a new one for my family as I serve the Great Queen. With this position, I will be able to provide my family with a life of luxury instead of a life of thievery. No more will we have to barter for food and goods. The Queen has assured me of this. With this position, I will do my best to please the Queen and not bring dishonor to my family. I plan to document my entire journey in this journal so that I will have sensational stories for my parents when I return. This is the beginning of a good life.
Janis 3rd, Year of Eris
I have miscalculated the Great Queen Eris. She is not the one we all so treasured, she is deranged. Today, I watched her set loose a Giant on an entire family of Dryads just because she did not like the sight of their flower garden outside their home. She shouted that they were sympathizers of the mortal world to the c
rowd of bystanders so they would rally behind her as she committed sins of evil. As her aide, only I knew the truth. I always knew the truth. Our Queen always committed these acts against our citizens without proper reason. The world of Pearu was just as the mortals had pictured, it was Hell. The only rules we lived by was Eris cruel ones. I could not blame the citizens of Pearu however. They were just keeping true to their kind. I guess after venturing into the mortal world and despite the hatred feel for them, they have taught me one thing, how a country should be ran. I will try to have hope that Eris will come to see the truth and stop this madness before it is too late.
The journal continued to document my father’s time as Eris aide. Every entry there was something new about Eris and the cruelty she was showing upon those of the mortal world. I’d read a total of twelve pages before coming upon something intriguing.
Maris 20th, Year of Eris
My hands are shaking as I document this down. Eris, Eris is creating the powers of the Gods. At least, that is what I am trying to tell myself. Today, I followed her and a member of The Rogue, as they traveled into a part of Pearu where we weren’t allowed. Upon her orders, all creatures of Pearu lived near the palace so that she could keep a watchful eye on us. So I did not understand why she was traveling outside the land where no one ventured. But I came to find out why. I’d been working for Eris for centuries now, yet for some reason she has lost trust in me. I’ve tried to hide my real feelings towards her, but maybe she has figured me out. As it were, she hired a new aide and together the two spent many days and nights locked away in her quarters plotting, and leaving the palace without guards. It was only today, that I could not stand it any longer and decided to follow her. I followed behind them, cloaking myself up in trees, as they made their way to a shack in the middle of the forest. It was when I peeked through the window, that I saw Eris shooting a blue light out of her hand. Her aide sat in a chair across from her twisting as the blue light attacked him. One by one she called forth powers that I’ve never seen in Pearu before. The whole time the aide sat there taking it all until she was finished. I listened to Eris complain about not having the full power down yet. The aide assure her that the “source” had said it would take time for her learn the magic’s of darkness. She would need to capture more mortal souls so that she could finally gain the full amount of power she was after. The aide reminded her that they had to be careful of the souls so not to alert Zeus and Samr. I had no clue whom Samr was but it was enough to make Eris scowl. Eris replied that in time she would soon have enough power to kill not only this Samr but Zeus as well. Then she turned towards the window as if she’d seen me and smiled. It was then that I ran as fast as I could. I could hear someone after me and knew that death awaited me, but as I listened to the speed of the running, it was the Rogue, not Eris. Withdrawing my sword, I turned around in the nick of time, as my sword slashed cleanly through aide cutting him into two. I stared through the forest but Eris wasn’t there. I had to get to the Gates before she got to me. Strangely, I reached the Gates unharmed. Venturing outside it, I called forth Zeus. When he arrived, I was in awe. I had never seen the God before for he and the others did not show themselves to us. I had begun to think they were nothing but a myth, but as he stood in front of me, I knew different. Dropping down to my knees, I confessed to him what I’d seen. He’d listened patiently and then said he would take care of it. As he turned to leave, I begged him to hide my family somewhere safe. I feared that Eris would go after them to get to me. He promised to keep them and safe as he disappeared leaving me alone. Filled with fear that Eris would find me, I held up at a friend’s place who shared my views on the Queen. After Zeus rid Pearu of Eris, then I would leave this room. Until then, I have to remain hidden.
Maris 25th, Year2 of Eris
He did not keep his promise. She found them. She killed them. He claimed to be sorry. He left.
Maris 27th, Year2 of Eris
Eris has fled. I have been appointed as King of Pearu. With her disappearance, The Rogue and others have left to join her while others boycott my reign. Only a few support me.
Apros 3rd, Year of Priam
I have learned that Eris has sent Zobyverth Korfmann to the mortal world to create trouble. The killing of innocent Jews is sure to attract the attention of Zeus. I fear the punishment we will suffer because of her actions. I must take control of the reigns before it is too late. I have been trying to find information on this Samr, but have come up short. No one knows of her, which means she must be a higher up God.
Apros 15th Year of Priam
The anger I feel at the moment cannot be explained through mere words on paper though I shall try. Zeus has closed the Gates of Pearu to the mortal world. He has banished us to our world due to the actions of Eris who is still missing along with members of her company. I tried to reason with him that it was not my citizens, but he did not care to hear. He wore the same look of blankness he did when he learned of my parents deaths. He did not care for those of Pearu and would like nothing more than to see us perish. I once thought of him to be something different, someone I could look upon, but the confusion has been cleared. He and other Gods like him are the enemy. Once I am done with exterminating Eris from this world, I will make it my duty to get rid of him as well. We do not need Gods to govern us and tell us when we can and can’t enter the mortal world. I will not take this as King. I will abide by his rules for now, but in time he will forget, and in that time, I will strike.
Novembos 2, Year of Priam
It has been a while since I last wrote in you. The duties of a King of damned creatures can be quite demanding. I have finally installed new laws that will keep the citizens in Pearu under control while we are trapped in our world. There were some who disagreed at first, but they have fallen in line like the others. My search for Eris is still a long going one. I have searched every part of this world and she is still missing. I have a feeling that she is no longer in this world. The communication from the Gods has let me know that she has not perished in death, which leaves me uneasy. Where exactly could she be hiding that even the Gods can’t see her? Sometimes I wonder if she ever mastered the skills I’d once seen her possessed. The Magic’s of the Darkness. I have created a group of members named The Courant— together we will test every potion in our world to see if we can possess the skill that Eris used. However, not all news is bad news. I am married now. My wife, Kiowa is a Hell Demon though sometimes I feel she is a Siren from the way she traps me with her smile. Due to the rumors floating around, I know she believes that I only married her to settle my seat as King, but it is not true. The feelings I have for her I can’t explain. We also have a son. Kiowa had been trying to give birth to a successful child, but failed. After nine times, she decided to give up. It was then a member of The Courant bought her a newborn Hell Demon to raise as her own. Grethen never told me exactly where he got the newborn, only to love it as if he was my biological son, and so I shall.
I flipped to the next page, but it was blank. There was no more writing in this book from my father. Closing the book, I leaned against the shelf behind me. The shock of what I read hit me. I always knew that I wasn’t Kiowa’s biological son, but it never crossed my mind that I wasn’t my father’s actual son either. I always thought that my father had married before Kiowa, and that woman would be my mother. But I was wrong. I was just a newborn gift to him and he did not let me think any different. I felt anger stir in me from not knowing the truth earlier. What about my real parents? It was obvious that my father never cared to know who they were. He trusted this Grethen. My thoughts moved over to the unknown name. Who was this Grethen? Father described him as a member of The Courant, but there was no member named Grethen.
I stood up from where I had been sitting and turned to place the book back on its shelf. I hadn’t gathered much information about Eris, but still I’ve learned s
omething. Eris was practicing a magic unknown to those in Pearu. What type of magic is the question? The diary mentioned a source. Was Lilith the source I wondered to myself? I had no clue how old she was, but she was a Witch. She could have cast any type of spell to hide her true age from me. My father had created the members of The Courant to figure out, but there was no documentation on their findings. Maybe they have yet to discover the elements Eris used. The rest of the books on the shelf were nothing but maps and other diaries from when my father was young. It was like he no longer trusted his journals to be safe. I wonder if he knew I would someday discover this place. Or maybe, maybe someone else was prying and he didn’t want them to know the most important stuff.
There was still a lot of room to search but not enough time. I had been gone for a while now and the guards would soon come to check on me only to find that I wasn’t in the room. The disappearance of the Prince in a room with no windows and only one door was sure to create problems that will somehow get back to my father who would know where exactly I’d disappeared to. With that in mind, I climbed the stairs quickly, only stopping to glimpse the shelves. I reached the sixth floor and came to a stop. There were no shelves filled with books and statues on this floor. This floor was empty except for the blue ball in the center of the room, hovering above the floor. Cautiously, I walked over to it, my eyes in a trance. I came to a stop in front of it as I noticed that the blue shape was not of a ball, but a heart. It was the crest of Pearu with same golden snake wrapped around it.
Unlike the crest of Pearu, this heart actually glowed. As I moved close to it, I could see white forms moving around inside of it, and if I listen closely, I could hear the heart beating. Curiosity suddenly got the best of me and before I knew it, my hand was reaching out to touch the heart. The moment my hands latched onto the heart, the snake came to life and latched down onto my right hand. I groaned in pain as traces of my blood dropped down on the heart disappearing within it. With a sudden shock, I felt myself being pulled forward as if I was falling into the heart.
Images raced past me as my father’s secret room disappeared leaving me on the streets of the mortal world. I stared around confused as mortals walked past me. It felt as if I had transported here as usual, but I knew I hadn’t. A mortal bumped into me, but instead of knocking me to the side, they went through me. It was like I was a ghost. I tested out my theory by waving my hands in front of the mortals, but I remained unseen. As I tried to get a grip on what was going on, I realized that everything was in black and white. It was like I was in a picture show. Out the corner of my eye, I caught a flash of color. I turned quickly just in time to see a woman in red across the street. Even from here I could tell that she was not a mortal, but a Creature of the Damned. I made my way over to her hoping that she wouldn’t detect me. Thankfully she didn’t as she continued on her journey.
I followed her as she maneuvered past mortals, her walk set with determination. She was going somewhere important and she wouldn’t be moved. She finally came to a stop at a hospital as she took a moment to peer up at it. I read the hospital name. Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. The name was unknown to me and I had no idea exactly where it was located. I didn’t have time to find out either since the woman was moving again. She entered the hospital and headed towards the set of elevators. The elevator took us to the second floor, as it opened and we stepped out. The woman walked past the nurses’ desk as she warned the creature that she shouldn’t be up here. She ignored her and moved on the down hall. I could smell the scent of baby mortals and knew were on the delivery floor. It was confirmed once the woman entered the nursery.
I moved to the side as I watched her close and lock the door and place a chair behind it. It wouldn’t hold for long and she seemed to know that. As she moved over to study the babies, I found myself studying her. She was a Kampe. They rarely ventured into the mortal world. This whole thing was very strange to me. It got even stranger when she stopped in front of a baby male and removed a silver box. I watch her stare at the baby before unlatching the box. The top fell open as ball of light glowed within it. She stared at the baby as if she was listening for something. I found myself listening too and then realize what she was hearing. The baby’s heartbeat. It was slowing down. The baby’s heart beat finally came to an end as it soul drifted from its body. I looked around for the Reaper he was nowhere to be found which was odd. He should have been here.
The Kampe didn’t seem to mind the absence of the Reaper as she quickly placed the ball of light into the baby. Mortal guards stood at the door as the Kampe began to disappear, taking me with her. The blur of different lands gave me a headache as I realized she was teleporting. However, she was doing too much teleporting. It was as if she was trying to erase her trail. We finally came to a stop in a desert as she stared up at the sky.
“Well wasn’t that impressive.”
We both turned and felt the shock of seeing Lilith there. She stood in front of the Kampe unaware of my presence. The two of them exchange words and I could feel the unsettling feeling that something was about to happen. I was proven right when Lilith made the Kampe shed her mortal skin and reveal her true self. Lilith like me, wanted to know why she was in the mortal world. Lilith didn’t seem to like her reply as she grasped the Kampe by the throat. This would not go well for the Kampe and she seemed to know that.
“Go ahead and kill me. But take caution that the same fate awaits you much sooner than you think. Your end is near. In time you will be nothing.”
Lilith screamed with rage as the same blue power my father described coming from Eris, shot from her hand freezing the Kampe into place. Lilith removed her sword as it slashed cleanly through the air, removing the Kampe’s head, its eyes staring up at the night sky. The Kampe’s body fell over as Lilith wiped her word off on its clothes. She placed it back in its hilt as she stared forward. For a moment I thought she was staring at me, but then I remembered she couldn’t see me.
Opening her mouth, she said. “What are you up to Samr?”
There was no reply and I knew she wasn’t expecting any. Lilith took one more glance before teleporting away from the scene of the Kampe as I felt myself being tugged back. I flew back and landed on my back with a groan. Opening my eyes, I saw that I was back in the hidden room at the palace. Standing up, I stared at the glowing heart. Shaken by what I’d seen, I turned and made my way back down the stairs away from the heart.
ELEVEN
The temperature in Pearu today held a slight breeze as I stood within groups of dragon lilies and golden pansies. My eyes stared up at the purple tint of the sky. Guards had flanked me as soon as I left my father’s study making sure to keep me under a watchful eye. When the servants noticed I was heading towards the gardens, they flew in a panic to get snacks and drinks ready. I told them I would be fine, but they did not want to chance it. Now as I stood here with the smell of curd and fresh bread tempting me with the blow of the wind, I found myself wishing that I’d not let my curiosity gotten the best of me. The vision from the room was still fresh on my mind that with every blink, it replayed.
I glanced down at my moonstone ring. The silver band gleamed as bright as the day it was given it to me. The white moonstone churned reminding me of the glowing heart in the study. I dropped my hand and shook my head. All of this was confusing. I’d seen something from the past, but yet there was a strange feeling that made me believe that the vision had not been random. The snake had taken my blood and in turned brought forth a vision of a Kampe with Lilith. This couldn’t have been not too long ago. The time appeared to be in the forties which would have put it right around the time Eris disappeared from Pearu and the Gates to the Damned were closed. However, I couldn’t figure out why was this Kampe in the mortal world, and why was she putting the ball of the light in mortal baby.
I squeezed my eyes, as a nagging th
ought in the back of my head came to me.
“No.” I said shaking my head. “I won’t believe it.”
“What won’t you believe?”
I turned around to see Kiowa standing there. I turned back around. “What are you doing here?”
“I’d been looking for you. The servants told me that you were resting in your father’s study, so I decided to leave you alone.”
“Why were you looking for me?”
Her feet shuffled in the grass behind me. “I wanted to apologize. I’d done to you what your father does all the time. I’d jumped on you without letting you explain. I know you Aristaeus. You’re a smart and loyal creature. You wouldn’t have done what your father told me unless you had a good reason for it. And even if you didn’t, I still should have listened to you and what you were feeling. You’re my son after all.”
I closed my eyes at her mentioning the fact that I was her son. The image of the mortal baby and the light came to me once more.
“I just don’t understand Aristaeus. Please help me to understand. Why were you with that God and why are you and Dyos hiding something?”
“Did father ask you to question me?” I asked opening my eyes.
Kiowa made a hurt noise. Her hand touched my shoulder as I felt the tenseness that had been in me sense I came out here, leave my body. “Do you really have to ask me that? I care about what’s going on with you not because the King may want to know, but because you are my son and I love you.”
Moving Kiowa’s hand off of my shoulder, I turned to face her again.
‘Then as your son, tell me the truth.”
“The truth? The truth about what?”
“About my birth.”
Kiowa stared at me. Her eyes searched mine as if she was trying to figure out exactly what it is that I knew. I decided to help her out a bit for my patience was running thin.
“I know that the King is not my real father and that a member of The Courant named Grethen, was the one who brought me to you.”
I decided to leave out the vision for now until I knew she would tell me the whole truth. Once Kiowa told me the truth, my thoughts on the vision will be confirmed.
Kiowa glanced at me for a second trying to decide on whether or not to tell me. Whatever she saw in my face gave her the answer as she turned to wave the guards away. The guards glanced at her hesitantly, but with another sharp glance from the Queen, they backed away taking the servants with them. She then turned back to face me.
“Come.”
I took her hand as she led me further away from the guards and deeper into the garden. We came to a spot in the middle of the garden where she often liked to come and read. She sat on bench as I sat down beside her.
“Aristaeus, you must know that with me telling you this, I am breaking the trust I have with the King. If he finds out—”
“He won’t.”
“How much do you know already?”
“I know about Grethen bringing me to you, and I know he never told father who my true parents were.”
Kiowa nodded as she took this in. “You are right. I had been trying to have a child for a while. Nine times to be exact. I could conceive but could never carry to full term. The depression I faced for not being able to give birth and embarrassment I felt your father must have felt for having a barren wife, became too much for me. I begged your father to unwed me, but he denied it every time. One night, there was a pounding at the palace doors. The fact that someone was up walking around Pearu when the King was sleep was unheard of. Your father wanted whoever it was to be assassinated until he realized it was Grethen. At first, he thought that Grethen was here to deliver news about Eris, but then he saw the bundle in his arms. I remember standing outside your father’s study wanting to glimpse whatever Grethen had found. They stayed in the study for twenty minutes before Grethen left, his arms vacant of the bundle. When your father exited, he gave me a smile and called me over.” Kiowa paused and smiled. “As I peered in the blanket I found myself ready to cry at the sight of the baby in your father’s arms. At that time, I experienced the feeling mortal mothers go through. I remember staring down at you, your body covered in scales as every now and then your lizard tongue made an appearance. I looked up at your father and he said, “We finally have a child.”
“This Grethen, you said he was a member of The Courant. What happened to him?”
“Though your father loved you, he still felt there was something off about you. Your father always had to know the answers to everything. I think knowing the answers made him feel at ease. So he went to Grethen to try and get it out of him again on where he got you from. Grethen was tight lip as always, but this time your father would not let it slide. Something didn’t seem to add up to your father, so he had Grethen followed. Grethen seemed to realize that your father no longer trusted him anymore, so he disappeared. It was like Eris all over again. There was no trace of him in any parts of Pearu.”
“Did he go to Zeus about this issue?” I asked even though I already knew the answer.
Kiowa laughed. “No. Your father rarely to Zeus about anything that had to deal with Pearu. He didn’t trust the God and made it known to us all the time. The only time he communicated with Zeus was when Zeus contacted him first. Your father would like to live as if Zeus never existed.”
I listened to what Kiowa was saying and realized something. Though my father liked to claim himself different than Eris, they both seemed to possess the hatred for Zeus, and both wanted him erased from existence. I wondered what would happen if my father ever got the chance to possess the skills Eris possessed. Would he become like her, on a journey to destroy both Gods and mankind. It seemed like he was on the path already despite his claims.
“So, he never found out about my birth?”
“Nope. It is one answer can’t figure out just yet.”
I laughed humorously. “So that’s why he doesn’t deal with me and keeps me at arm’s length. I’m nothing more to him than a puzzle that he can’t seem to figure out.”
“Do not say such things Aristaeus, your father loves you. Despite where you might have come from, he is still your father.”
“I know that Kiowa. However, that does not change the fact that he can’t seem to be happy with what he has. Maybe it’s good that he hasn’t found out where I’ve came from yet. Maybe its fate’s way of trying to show him how good he has it.”
Kiowa stared at me for a moment. “This is really bothering you, isn’t it? You’ve never seem to care about what your father thought until now. What is it? Have you found something else out? Did that God tell you something?”
“What makes you think she knows anything?”
“Because she’s a God and they see all.”
I scoffed. “You would think.”
“So, you two have talked about this?” Kiowa asked carefully as if she was skating on thin ice. “About your birth.”
I shook my head. “No. But she does think there’s something different in me. She’s not the only one though. Zeus and Lilith have both noticed it.”
“Do not worry about them. There is nothing wrong with you. They are just trying to find reason to cause problems. Especially this Lilith, she’s probably using you to bait your father.”
“Father seems to thinks so to which is why he has me currently under lock and key.”
We were quiet for a moment, both trapped in our own thoughts.
“Aristaeus, I know I have said plenty of things about the Gods. I can’t sit here and tell you that I didn’t mean any of the things that I have said because it will be a lie. Like your father, I have only envisioned you of as how a King shall act. Communicating…and having…feelings for a God, a King should possess. It’s blasphemy. But as I sat there in my chambers, I didn’t think as a Queen would of a King, I thought as a mother of her son. And as a mother, I could care less what species the creature you lov
e is, as long as she makes you happy, than I am happy.”
I turned to stare at Kiowa as she smiled softly at me. I could see in her eyes she wasn’t just saying that to get back in my good graces, but that she actually meant everything she was saying. It didn’t matter how I felt about Astraea. She would overlook it, for me, her son.
I reached over and pulled her into a hug as her arms circled me, gripping me tightly. The truth was I had been debating over my own feelings for Astraea. They were new and foreign to me. A part of me was still trying to pass it off as a spell, but I knew I was only lying to myself. I liked her. But was it enough to go against my own kind? My parents were right, in time I will become King. If I am to rule the world of Pearu, whatever feelings I would have for Astraea would have to vanquish. Even as I thought that, I found myself thinking of ways to join both worlds of Gods and Demons.
Kiowa and I decided to call it a day in the garden and headed back towards the palace. The guards resumed their places flanking us as we entered the back doors of the palace.
She stopped in the hall near the kitchen and turned to me. “I’ll go and inform the servants to get dinner ready. Did you have a taste for anything particular tonight? I was thinking stew, but we always have stew huh?”
“Whatever you order is find. I do not have much of an appetite.”
“You hardly touched the snacks the servants brought you, and I heard that you didn’t eat the starfish you ordered.”
“I guess I just wasn’t as hungry as I thought I was.”
“You need to eat Aristaeus. I won’t have you starving yourself over whatever is stressing you out. I’ll order the servants to prepare some roasted hagfish and squid. That should perk you right up.”
“Fine.”
Kiowa stood on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek before hurrying off to the kitchen, the servants’ right behind her.
“Any word from the King?” I asked one of the guards.
“No your highness. However, we do expect word from him soon.”
I nodded. “Let me know when you do and let me know when Dyos arrive.”
I left the company of the guards and headed up the stairs to my quarters. I entered my room to see fresh clothes folded on the edge of my bed. I had forgotten that I was still wearing the drenched alcohol clothing from earlier. I guess my nose had become immune to the smell. I remove my clothing and headed towards the bathroom. I washed off in the shower, finding relief in the hot streams of water. Once I was finished, I dressed and for once left my hair down.
I walked over to the desk in my room and sat down. On it were several stacks of folders I’d yet to approve. Maybe this is another reason why my father seems to be angry all the time. I am lacking in my duties as Prince. Grabbing one of the folders, I skimmed through it taking in the proposal before signing off on it. I did this over and over until all of the folders either had an approve sign from me or not.
Leaning back in the chair, I closed my eyes as Astraea’s face came to me. That was how the servant found me when she entered my room.
“Excuse me your highness, Dyos have entered the palace.”
“Thank you.”
The servant nodded and retreated as I stood up. I grabbed the hair twister and placed my hair up before going to meet Dyos. Dyos sat at the bottom of my steps surrounded by guards. He stared at them in confusion probably due to the fact that he’s never had guards to follow him around. Welcome to my life.
“Dyos.”
“Aristaeus!” He said jumping up. “What’s going on? Why am I being followed by your stalkers?”
“That my friend, you must take up with the King.”
“Don’t worry I will.”
I chuckled and turned to the guards. “Give us a moment.”
“But your highness, the King told us not to let him our sight.”
“The King is not here and I am in command and I say to give us a moment.”
The guard bowed. “Yes, your highness.”
Once the guards were gone, I turned to Dyos who was smiling at me.
“Way to use your authority.”
“Well I will be King someday. It’s best they start listening to me now, for their sakes.”
“Speaking of Kings, why did the present King summon me?”
I stared at Dyos trying to determine whether or not he remembered anything. If he would have, he wouldn’t have questioned why he was being brought here. I take it to mean that he had yet to discover the scroll and produce his memories. He was best left to think that we’d really gotten drunk instead of meeting up. At least until my father has read his memories.
“You know my father. He’s probably using you to keep me company or to give us lecture about our responsibility as the elite.”
Dyos made a face. “Ugh. I should have stayed home then. I have a killer headache and my stomach is empty. I can’t bear to take one of your father’s lectures today.”
“No worries. The King has left on business and the servants are preparing dinner.”
Dyos laughed. “Ah, well I guess I am glad to keep you company. What shall we do until dinner is served?”
“Fencing perhaps.”
“I didn’t bring my weapon.”
“No worries, I have a supply. Besides, you won’t have much use of it for long.”
Dyos cackled as we headed towards the small arena we had in the palace. The servants brought me my demos as Dyos was given a sword I use to practice with before this one.
“Try not to disfigure me too much young lord, I plan to have future dates.”
“I do not make any promises. Begin!”
The two of us ran towards each other, our swords clinking together. The guards had given up their post and were now watching us with excitement. Dyos was a very good sword fighter. His foot work was excellent and his delivery was improving. The only thing was he lacked the strength that drilled me to win every time. Dyos was a happy going person and was hardly angry. That is often while he loses. With the type of weapons we possess, you often need a great strength to move them. I learned when I was young, that anger seemed to be the best strength to use. It was with that motion, that I became the best fighter in Pearu, not only with weapons but with my body as well.
Dyos moved his sword across the air as I bent back to avoid the near miss it would have made with my throat. I bent back until I was forming a back flip. My hands touched the ground as my feet connected with Dyos chin. Dyos flew backwards as I landed on my feet. The guards cheered as Dyos pulled himself up from the ground.
“Hey, I said no face shots!”
“Are you upset Dyos?” I asked taunting him.
“Not even close.”
He ran at me again swinging his sword wildly, as we both danced around. He did manage to clip me on my arm and stomach a few times. He had yet to get the point that I was trying to make him angry. After all of these years, I was hoping to finally get at him, but still no such luck.
I grew tired of this cat and mouse game and decided to quickly end Dyos. His sword came at me and I dodged my head to the right. My hand came up to clamp the arm holding the sword as I called fire to me, slowly heating his arm. Dyos yelped dropping his sword, as I flipped him over my body onto the ground. His arm made as popping sound as he yelped out.
“Game over.” I said smiling down at him.
“You dislocated my arm.”
“Does that make you angry?”
Dyos pushed up from the floor holding his arm. “No, but it does make me want to do something.” His eyes had a strange glint to it. He was up to something. Grinning at me, he ran off screaming. “I’m going to tell on you!”
My eyes widened as I stared at Dyos retreating figure. “Come now Dyos, let’s not be childish. There is no need to involve Kiowa in this.”
Dyos reply was a laugh as he kept running. Before I knew it, I was chasing after him. My boots slid across the fl
oor as I ran after Dyos. There was a smile on my face as years from when I was young came to me. Dyos and I would always get into fights and I would always be him up and he would always get me back by running to tell Kiowa.
I entered the kitchen to see Dyos hovering next to Kiowa who was petting him as if he was a baby. At my presence she shot a glare in my direction.
“Aristaeus, why do you have to play so rough? I do not know how many times I have to get at you about this. Look at my poor Dyos. You will fix his arm at once!”
Dyos grinned at me from across the room as I wanted to shake the grin off his face.
“I am sorry mother, I will fix his arm.”
Dyos made his way over to me still smiling. Once he was close to me, I gave him a grin of my own before snapping his arm roughly back into place. He yelped and fell to the ground.
“Aristaeus” Kiowa shouted.
“You told me to fix his arm.” I said in an innocent tone.
Kiowa shot me a lopsided smile as she made her way over to us. “Enough foolishness you two, dinner is ready.”
I helped Dyos up as we made our way to the dining hall. The two of us sat down across from each other as Kiowa took her seat at the end of the table. The servants entered as they placed trays of roasted hagfish and squid, bread, and stew on the table.
“So, Dyos have you found yourself a lady yet.” Kiowa asked cutting a piece of her fish.
“Not yet your highness. The lady creatures of Pearu are quite beautiful, but there is no eye catching one as of yet.”
“Well make sure she is up to par to take care of the castle. When your father is gone you will be General. You can’t just have anybody as your wife.”
“That is true. I am thinking of taking a Harpy as a wife.”
Kiowa choked on her fish as I kicked Dyos under the table.
“He is joking.” I assured Kiowa.
Dyos grinned at Kiowa as she laughed. “I forgot have funny you could be.”
The doors to the dining hall opened as one of the guards entered.
“Your highness” He said bowing to Kiowa and I. “The King has sent word that he will not be home tonight. He will be staying in a palace on the outskirts of Mayur.”
“Will he be safe there with Prince Famar being dead?”
“He assured us he will. The other guards from the palace are there with him as well. He shall be back in the morning.”
“Very well.” Kiowa said. “Thank you.”
The guard bowed again and disappeared back at the door leaving the room in an unsettling silence.