Entire Dynasty 3 - Chapter One It all starts with the Black Knight’s father, Flarev, who was a brave knight of the Setira kingdom, eventually becoming a high-ranking general of the army. His loyalty to King Yuri was renowned and his heroics in battle became legendary. Flarev’s wife, Madja, was a beautiful, hard-working woman who was a higher-up worker for the king. The king at this time was known for his generosity and youthful attitude about everything. The kingdom was great at this time, and Flarev was eventually chosen by the King to become the heir to the throne. Madja eventually had two sons, Drutix and Lonav, three years apart from one another. They grew up during this peaceful time, but one day, when Drutix was about 10, the King’s brother, King Jinoit, arrived at Setira with about fifty of his own soldiers. They were greeted and celebrations to rejoice the visit were in progress. On the third day of the visit, Madja was working a late night at the castle, cleaning up different rooms and such. Three of Jinoit’s soldiers entered the room she was in and told her to leave, by the king’s orders. She knew something was up almost right away, so she left, and came back in through a more hidden entrance. She caught sight of the soldiers now and followed them, keeping her distance. They went up the stairs toward the King’s chambers. They entered the door and she heard someone inside say loudly “What are you crazy, shut that door imbecile.” They shut it quietly and she scampered up to it and peered through a small crack in the door. She could make out a few soldiers of Jinoit’s gathered around, and as she panned her sight across the room she then saw King Yuri kneeling on the ground, cloth around his face and ending into his mouth, then a sword blade starting from his neck and going back to it’s handle, in the hand of King Jinoit. The shock that filled her heart held her from bursting into the room and King Jinoit’s sword raised, ready to crash down upon his brother’s head. She turned her head quickly away, and raced down the stairway with tears shooting from her eyes, too many thoughts of what to do racing through her head. Suddenly two guards met her at the bottom holding their spears outward. She turned to go up and King Jinoit stood there, smiling. The following morning, King Jinoit stood in front of the gathered kingdom and gloomingly announced the death of his brother. He claimed that King Yuri had committed suicide for unknown, startling reasons, and that his body has been dealt with already and burned to ashes, as religion called for in such cases of suicides. Flarev and his sons attended the mourning for the King and paid their respects that evening. Drutix had never seen his father so distraught, in loss of the good King he had serviced for and with Madja gone missing now. Not long after, Jinoit assumed command over the Kingdom and Flarev didn’t fight back for his right to the throne. He had no care to do so anymore. Flarev made sure to keep one thing certain though. He would never fail his sons, and to appear depressed in front of them would be doing so. Jinoit reinforced the kingdom with more men and started renovating it to his liking. One day, Drutix and Lonav had just gotten out of a schooling lesson and were dueling with wooden swords, playing around in a kingdom courtyard. Lezrit, a friend of their father, walked to them slowly, holding his helmet under his shoulder and looking at the ground. He kneeled in front of Drutix and put his hand on his head. They couldn’t figure it out at first, but when Lezrit went to bring his head up the tiniest bit, Drutix met with his eyes and felt a sword pierce his heart, seeing his father’s face spin out of sight in his mind. Lezrit explained later that their father had fallen in combat, bravely. Lezrit looked after the two boys as they got older. At age 14, Drutix was becoming skilled in hand-to-hand combat, horseback riding, and archery, with his brother following in his footsteps. Drutix was mastering his skills at age 17, as the Kingdom went through times of war and darkness. King Jinoit came to Drutix one day and told him about a prophecy. The wizard of the castle, Torage, had told King Jinoit of the war’s upbringings. They were to go through suffering times, starting with the loss of a powerful comrade, but these times were said to be able to be thwarted away in defeat if the Black Prince was present to fight. Drutix was indeed prophesized as the Black Prince, and he was immediately knighted and ready for battle. King Jinoit explained that he didn’t believe it at first, but the day after the prophecy was told, Torage had vanished, and he assumed that was the loss and came right to Drutix. Drutix, the Black Prince, became victorious in battles and he became known for bravery and leadership, just like his father. Lonav pleaded Drutix to become a knight too, and assist him in battle. Drutix denied his request when Lonav was 15, 16, 17, 18, and finally at 19, he allowed him to become a knight. He was surprised but proud that with a given group of soldiers, Lonav came up victorious in decently challenging battles. At age 24, Drutix was in the middle of a battle with the terrible Okrin soldiers of the South. They were always known for evil and destruction, last kingdom to trust in the entire land. Lezrit was part of Drutix’s unit this day, and was pierced by several arrows. During the night, Drutix took care of him and sat by his side as his life force weltered away. He talked to Drutix, and in his last minutes, he explained to Drutix that his father’s death was the result of the king’s hunger for power and his carelessness. He told Drutix that his father was sent out to an area where they would be overpowered and King Jinoit never sent reinforcements to the area. The unit was ripped apart and never had a chance of resisting its annihilation. Lezrit had escaped but remembered seeing Flarev fighting like a God. Drutix was intrigued by the story, but then realized his hatred for King Jinoit. He started realizing what King Jinoit had done to his father, he still is in the essence of doing now, sending them out for unnecessary battles. Now the king’s foolishness has resulted in two losses to him, his father, and the passing of Lezrit. CHAPTER ONE THE KINGDOM’S REBIRTH BOOM! Flames everywhere and the booming of anticipating heart beats breaking into the airwaves. Metal clinging and clashing sounds now ring out and pierce through the ears of the soldiers. Through the dark gray smoke everywhere and undeterminably dead or alive bodies, The Black Prince tries to locate enemy activity. He moves through a wall of smoke and as his eyes come upon the color red, he immediately attacks. He brings his sword crashing down on this enemy soldier, forcing the blade to rip right down the center of the soldier’s helmet and through his skull. The Black Prince glances to his left, retracts his sword and wields it straight into an oncoming soldier. He notices behind him that his fellow soldiers are regrouping to defend each other, so he trots backwards and joins them. All he can hear through the remaining smoke are war cries of the succeeding warriors and death cries of the failures. The smell of flesh permeates the air so harshly to make a soldier standing next to him puke through his helmet and onto the ground. The Black Prince has little time to even notice this as three archers appear through the smoke in the distance and take aim. He puts his sword straight up between his eyes and awaits their firing. The archers fire at the same time and the Black Prince lets his hands guide his sword, moving it to the right, then swiftly to the left, and finally swiping down the middle, with such quickness to cut through each of the arrows. He brings his sight back upon the archers, who are standing there reloading their bows with a few more archers among them now. His heart pounds all the way up to his head and the fire mixed with the continuous yelling and screaming nearby start to fade out. Suddenly, smoke from behind the archers is completely swiped away as some friendly faces appear on horseback and come crashing down upon the archers, hacking into the still standing ones with their weapons. One of these allies is the Black Prince’s brother, Lonav, who has brought his horse down on an archer and swings away down low at another one. The other recognizable warrior is Mariot, lead general to the king and loyal friend of the Black Prince. The few cavalry men stride over to the Black Prince and join his ranks. The squad slowly moves its way through the smoke in search of an exit. Lonav cuts his way through enemy soldiers, instantly killing them with a smooth slice into the neck and throat. He leads the way out of the smoke, back into the beautiful illuminated grassland. They all turn back to the smoke and halt, waiting as it shows signs of disintegrating. Action in the smoke quells as the smoke lifts and clears from the destructed section of land. Some of the Black Prince’s soldiers rush back towards the land, dodging through remaining embers and searching for living comrades. The Black Prince turns to his right to notice an unfamiliar soldier walking towards him. His heart lifts as he realizes the soldier has with him his horse and companion, Shadow. He smiles gratefully. Black Prince: Thank you, soldier. The soldier bows and falls back into rank with the other forming soldiers. The Black Prince mounts his armored steed and puts his sword away. Black Prince: To Setira! The remaining group of about 20 soldiers and cavalrymen cheer and follow the Black Prince over a hill and out of sight. Back in the dark throne room of Setira, King Jinoit and his strategist, Rotolick, engage in a game of chess by the fireplace, an intriguing battle of wit. King Jinoit: Ah, bloody good move, eh? The throne room doors burst open and the Black prince strides in with a furious look upon his face. There are scars upon his face, which is bloodstained along with the rest of his blood-dripping body and armor. He holds his helmet in his left arm under his shoulder and his cape flies back in the air to his rapid pace. Two guards are behind him, following after him. King Jinoit: Guards be gone. It is fine. The guards nod and exit the door, shutting it softly. Strategist Rotolick: How dare you! Emerging into this sacred chamber with…with BLOOD flowing onto the FLOOR! I never--- Black Prince: It should be the king’s blood that is soaking and spilling…Or perhaps yours, Rotolick. Rotolick: You infidel! You haven’t any idea who you are speaking--- Black Prince: I KNOW very well who I am speaking to! A so called king (he pauses and looks over at the king) who ignores the needs of his people. Who ignores the very scent and presence of war in our land, stomping on our doorstep! Well look, “my king”, it’s not a scent anymore, is it?! Take a look now, or even feel it. (He holds up his arms and blood runs off, the king just stares, and the Black Prince puts his arms back down to his side) Oh I’m sorry. I forgot about your fear to put yourself anywhere near war, you coward. (He strides over to the chess table) Have your people fight it for you while you play games in your chamber! (He kicks straight at the chess board and sends it into the fire) Rotolick: My…My Lord? How can you just sit there? He must be punished! Punished! King Jinoit: The Prince will return to his chamber with no punishment. I bid you good day. The Black Prince storms out of the chamber and slams the heavy throne room doors. Rotolick: Sire…how could y--- King Jinoit: Rotolick, you must learn when to let your words out and when it’s time to keep them caged. I agree with you, he is out of control. But, we need him. Let’s face it; he is the sword of this kingdom. He is unstoppable. And the prophecy, Rotolick. We just need to wield him at our enemies until everything quiets down. Then we’ll do as we may with our army, starting with him. Rotolick smiles, flames from the fireplace waving back in forth in the gleam of his eyes. Later that night, the Black Prince sneaks around the corridors and chambers of the kingdom not to be spotted. He returns to the courtyard that he and his brother spent so much time in as kids, the one they were in the very day they received the news about their father. He walks in and spots Lonav and Mariot talking and standing near the pond in the middle. He goes around the pond and they greet him. Lonav: Good eve, brother. Black Prince: Good eve…Lonav…Mariot. What do we have? Mariot: Tomorrow is it. He’ll have two guards outside his doors, and it’s my shift of watching the entrance with five men. I convinced him to leave his corridors less protected because we “need them in army ranks”. Black Prince: Very well then. And the escape plan, Lonav. Lonav: Ah, the escape plan. Yes, well… Black Prince sighs and Mariot smiles at him weakly as Lonav stumbles about his sentences. Black Prince: You didn’t make a plan, did you? Lonav: No, no. I have. I just---give me a second---and---okay. (He motions with his hand) So, we’ve got the king, we bring him outside, and throw him off into the well. Mariot: We need the water to drink, do we not? Lonav: Ah…yes…well… (His eyes widen) Rotolick! We frame Rotolick. The Black Prince runs his fingers along his beard thinking, and Mariot looks from the Black Prince to Lonav continuously, awaiting a reaction. Black Prince: It can be done. Mariot smiles and puts his hand on Lonav’s shoulder as if to show his approval. The Black Prince withdraws his sword and points it upward into the midnight sky, directly at the moon. Black Prince: To the end of evil and rebirth of Jinoit. Mariot and Lonav withdraw their swords and put them up in the air and intersecting with the each other’s blades to signify the agreement. The next night, The Black Prince sneaks his way through the streets of the city as he did the previous night. He is wearing a suit of lightweight, dark armor. He strides by each building and house stealthily until he reaches the outer gate of the castle. Outside the entrance to the castle is Mariot, standing with the five guards. The sound of a sword clatters in the distance followed by a bit louder thump noise, like a log hitting the ground. Mariot: What the---Follow me! He races towards the sound and leads the other guards with him. When they are close to out of sight, the Black Prince leaps the wall and runs stealthily to the door. He quietly creeks the door open and goes to push it shut just as quietly. The door comes to a halt and a foot is in the doorway. It is Lonav standing there, smiling. Black Prince: What are you doing?? Lonav: C’mon I want in on this too. Black Prince: No you---What was that? He looks towards the stairs inside and motions for Lonav to leap behind a crate with him. They squat behind the crate, listening to footsteps and approaching voices. Two guards walk by, mumbling to one another until the voices drain out of range. Black Prince: (whispering) This way. Lonav: (whispering) Oh really, I thought we’d go the way the guards went… They both make their way up the stairs and to the opposite direction of the guards. They walk along the corridors, hallway to hallway, avoiding the hallways they know are most likely guarded. They finally get to the corner of the hallway leading to the king’s doorway. They spot two guards, as predicted, sitting in seats and looking very overwhelmed with fatigue. Lonav goes to step forward and the Black Prince flings his hand into his chest stopping him. Black Prince: We don’t have to kill them, Lonav. Our target’s the king. Lonav nods and steps back. Black Prince: We’ll just wait for… Guard 1: HEY. Who are you? The closer guard to them stands and puts his hand on the handle of his sword, ready to withdraw it. Lonav: Oh, we’re just here to visit the king. Guard 2: The Black Prince? Is that you? The Black Prince nods. Guard 1: Why are you armed? Lonav: Oh, we… Black Prince: We’re here to vanquish the king, forever. Guard 1: In the name of Setira and King Jinoit, it is our duty to capture you. I’m sorry, Prince. Both guards withdraw their swords and approach Lonav and Black Prince. Lonav withdraws his sword and steps in front of Black Prince, awaiting the guards and shielding Black Prince. Black Prince: Please, guards, you mustn’t let him cloud your vision. We are here to right a wrong. If you do not step aside we must kill you. Guard 1: So be it. He runs up to Lonav who knocks the guard’s sword away with one swing and brings his sword back through to slice into the guard’s neck. The very second his blade exits the guard’s neck, he leaps to the right and puts his right foot against the wall, then hurls himself forward at the second guard and spins to catch the guard in the heart with his sword. He stands there for a second, and then he pulls his sword back out of the guard. The Black Prince walks by and looks at the guard. Black Prince: Your soul will be forgiven. Rest now. The guard’s eyes shut and he falls backwards from squatting on his knees. The Black Prince and Lonav continue on to the door and open it slightly enough to slip in and close it. The room is dark, on the edge of reaching pitch black. They have to squint their eyes and move slowly to the reach the bed undetected. And there lays the target, the king sleeping quietly. The Black Prince walks to the right side of the bed and Lonav on the left, and as the Black Prince peers down at the king lying there peacefully, he has never hated him as much as he does at this moment. Lonav: This is yours, brother. Do what you must do. The Black Prince looks from Lonav back down to the king and lunges his open hand directly to the king’s throat and clasps it. The king awakens with widened eyes and making a faint noise from his open, gasping mouth. Black Prince: King Jinoit, I hereby vanquish you and your evils with the blade of my sword. Your treachery will never intrude upon Setira’s goodwill and innocence ever again. The Black Prince raises his sword above the king. King Jinoit: Treason….This….is….betrayal. Black Prince: You betrayed Setira already, Jinoit. Goodbye. He lets his hands drop and brings the sword severing through the king’s neck and beheads him steadily. The next morning, the kingdom gathers around to the platform where Mariot is standing, speaking to them. It is not really a mournful morning, more of a silent one. Mariot: King Jinoit’s body has been found beheaded in the room of Rotolick. (The crowd gasps and Rotolick is brought forward with his hands tied together and mouth taped shut) The bodies of two dead guards were also found hidden in the room. Rotolick has been ceased and captured for arrest and penalty…of death. (The crowd gives another, yet quieter roar of awe). Rotolick’s hanging will take place in a few--- The Black Prince steps forward, followed by Lonav. Black Prince: Stop. Mariot: Black Prince what are you--- Black Prince: It’s over Mariot. I will not let you lye to the people in my behalf. (He turns to the audience). People of Setira, my brothers, sisters, friends, my family. I, Drutix, The Black Prince, have slain King Jinoit in the best interest of the kingdom. (The crowd now murmurs and gasps in awe). His black rain cloud will come to a halt, whether it cost me my life in doing so. But long now, has he sent out units of our army to be ambushed and massacred, time and time again, because of his own raging selfishness. He ordered the army to do unnecessary actions and cost us a lot of good men. Your ears have heard his deceitful lying tongue and your eyes have seen a great coward ruling over you, overpowering you to think he is the one to the rule the kingdom. Now, decide for yourself, because you are Setira, not him! The crowd roars in applause and cheers ‘Black Prince’. He starts to walk off the platform and Lonav approaches him, a smile across his face bigger than the moon itself. Lonav: Brother, they honor your very name! Look. Just look! The Black Prince turns back to them and notices for the first time, Setira as a whole, reunited, cheering and joyful. Mariot steps forward on the platform. Mariot: As lead general of the army, I will be the first to honor (he flashes a smile at the Black Prince) and nominate the Black Prince as the rightful heir to the throne and to be our king. May his sins be justified! The crowd roars in agreement as the guards near Rotolick pull his tape off and unbind his hands. Mariot hands the Black Prince his crown and when he places it upon his head the crowd roars again. Rotolick stumbles forward onto the platform. Rotolick: YOU! Treason is your sin. You will burn in the afterlife, you insignificant scum! The Black Prince looks from Rotolick to Mariot, who smiles. Mariot: What is your first act as king, your majesty? The Black Prince smiles down upon Rotolick.
Copyright © 2007 Enzo |