Chapter 1
The Earth Cave
Act 2
Raiken’s Request
The Earth Cave
Act 2
Raiken’s Request
King Raiken continued the conversation at the dinner feast while dessert was being served. “I have lost some very important property of mine.” Said king Raiken as he tossed a jelly topped piece of honey cake into his mouth, chewing thoroughly before resuming.
“You see, this world has been under assault by an evil man named Coarex, who isn’t much older than yourselves. This vile man was once one of my servants, a faithful servant I might add too. He then met a girl whose name is Jezla. She put into his head that he could be a ruler without rising through the proper ranks. So, Coarex and Jezla, along with their friends, Fehlair and Nohanne, raised an army.
“I forgot to mention earlier that all nations in this part of Salem name their armies after precious stones or metals, and wear those colors to differentiate each country. Our nation’s stone is the sapphire, hence the blue tinted armor our soldiers wear.
“Coarex chose to make his stone the ruby, a stone that was the symbol of an equally wretched king from many centuries ago. His army, though small, is made up of almost supernaturally strong men. He is taking this world over bit by bit, one unrelenting attack after another, with thieves and mercenaries as allies. The world is beginning to tremble in fear of his footsteps.
“A few weeks ago, he came up to my gates and forcefully demanded my gold and jewels. I fought him with my armies, but to be sure he wouldn’t lay a hand on my treasures, I sent them to the neighboring country of Karinia. Now the king of Karinia, who claims to be my friend, will not return my requests for my gold. I do not know whether he has been overrun, has betrayed me, or just lost it somehow and is afraid to tell me.
“I’ve now rambled on long enough, I am asking you to go to Karinia and bring word of its fate back to me. All of you will be outfitted with the best clothes and weapons our army can muster. I thank you all for doing this.”
“We haven’t agreed to this yet, sir.” Responded Aaron. “I know, but I’ve made up my mind and since dessert is over, so is the discussion.” King Raiken said as he rose from his chair and left before any of the children could voice their opinions. Soon after, the children were escorted back to their room by the guards.
“Do you really think we can do this Aaron?” Asked Peter. “Sure. I mean, why not?” Said Aaron as he sat down on an immaculately kept bed in a corner of the room, “It could be our only chance.”
“All we have to do,” Sarah added, “is go to this Karinia, ask about king Raiken’s gold, and come back here and tell the king what happened to it. It couldn’t be easier.” “And after that,” said Mary excitedly, “we get to go home!”
“He said we might get to go home,” Peter shot back, “or, we could do this task and get left out in the cold when it’s over.” Aaron stood and walked over to the others. “That’s enough talking about that,” he said, “I don’t think it is our choice as to whether we are going or not.” He paused while he looked at each of the others, “We’re going.”
<+>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<+>
Aaron and Peter rose early the following morning, like they usually did. Peter went to use the “odorless indoor outhouse” that was just off to the right of the main room, marveling as he made his way over to it.
Aaron dressed in the opulent walk-in closet, and then stepped out into their personal courtyard, soaking up the warm glow of the morning sun while deep in thought. Peter joined him a few minutes later.
“What are thinking about Aaron?” Peter asked. “Oh...” Aaron said with some hesitation, “I was thinking about all we have been through, and where we might be going.” Peter nodded, and they both stood there on the steps leading into the courtyard, pondering the subject for a short while.
“Where are the girls?” Asked Aaron, breaking the silence, “Are they still in bed?” “I don’t know.” Answered Peter. In same moment that Peter finished his sentence, Sarah burst out from behind a bush, ran over to Aaron, who was nearer to her, and pushed him down. “Tag. You’re it!” She shouted as she ran away with Mary, yelling and laughing.
Aaron sat there on the ground stunned and surprised. He quickly regained his wits, smiled, and started running after Peter to tag him as “it”. Aaron ran behind Peter, chasing Peter with all of the agility he could muster, to the left, to the right, Peter eluded him expertly.
Aaron changed targets, chasing now Sarah instead of Peter, mostly because she had stumbled into one of the many hedges in the courtyard while trying to avoid becoming “it” herself.
Aaron dashed behind a hedgerow before Sarah knew where he had gone. Sarah was unsure of where to run, so she ran towards the most open part of the courtyard, the middle, hoping to see Aaron coming before he caught her.
On her way to the center, Aaron jumped out from behind the corner in front of her, reaching out to tag her. Sarah squealed in excitement as she dug her heels into the grass of the courtyard and ran the other way, barely out of Aaron’s reach.
Aaron pursued Sarah around the courtyard until he saw Mary duck behind one of low hedges. Aaron broke pursuit, dropped to his hands and knees, and crawled as quickly as he could over to the hedge that Mary was hiding behind.
“Run Mary!” Shouted Peter, who was watching it all from the center of the courtyard. Mary bolted out of her hiding place and right into the arms of Aaron. Upon grabbing Aaron picked her up and twirled her around saying, “And now you’re it.”
The children continued playing their game of tag not knowing that they were being watched from inside the castle through a window. “Look at them Jargro,” said king Raiken to the knight that stood beside him, “they’re having so much fun.” “That is what children do.” replied Jargro, “They play and have fun.”
“I didn’t.” King Raiken said, “When I first arrived here, I was terrified. I didn’t have my parents here, or any of the friends that I knew. In fact, there was hardly anyone in the area; the land seemed devoid of human beings.
“My salvation was Maktone. He treated me like a son, I still consider him to be my step father.” King Raiken paused as he thought about the man who was so close to his heart. “Where is Maktone?” Asked king Raiken. “He went to Karinia.” Jargro answered, “He is trying to complete the job that you are sending the children on.”
“No.” King Raiken said in a reprimanding tone, “That man is in his nineties, he has no business traveling such distances while trying to do a job that knights less than half of his age couldn’t do.” “And you’re going to send four children to do the same job?” Said Jargro.
“Yes, but you’ll be there to protect them.” Said king Raiken; with Jargro staring at him in surprise, “ha–ha. That look on face is worth it. Now let’s go gather your helpers and send you all on your way.”
Act 3 is in the works.
