Kingdom Of Demons (2)
He is known as King Krimus, lord of the kingdom of demons. As he was born through the gates of hell, he rules a land of lifelessness and pain. His father was Zuel, a son of Satan himself. After a fierce battle with Marcus II and his sorcerer, Zuel was badly injured and died in the arms of his son. With his dying breath he passed the stone of death on to Krimus, making him swear revenge. The stone is made of raw evil and possesses great power. When used, it contains the power of the dark side and has been passed down from beast to beast to put fear in the hearts of man. As the knights are brought before him, the stone mesmerizes the men as they stand in front of the hell god. Krimus is the most gruesome of all the demons. When standing he is eight feet tall with large powerful arms and legs. His body is also black and leather looking. He has a large head with pointy ears and long black hair that runs down his back. His eyes are coal black and his mouth is full of razor sharp teeth. His hands and feet are larger than the other demons, with three-inch claws that could go through your skin with incredible ease. Around his neck is the stone of death with a leering red glow. As the knights stare at the stone, fear overwhelms them and only the sound of the demon lord himself, can rescue them from its hypnotic trance. “Welcome knights. Welcome to the last place you will ever see” his voice rings out. “I am Krimus! King of Castle Dread and Lord of the devil horde. I have only one wish while your here. Die a painful death” he says in a disturbing voice. “ Why have you brought us here?” asks Sir Wally. “ Revenge knight! Revenge on your own king and his bastard sorcerer” he yells. “Revenge for what?” asks Wally. “The death of my father Zuel!” he responds angrily. “Years ago, he and his sorcerer invaded our land and killed my people. It was a fierce battle, one of malicious intent. Unknown to my father, they had a plan that would soon lead to his death. He died in my arms and made me swear his revenge on the coming of the new moon. That moon shines only four days away. It is then that I will taste the blood of your beloved king and take his daughter. I will have her as my bride and she will serve me for the rest of her life” he declares. “ My king will have none of this. He will fight you with his last breath!” the knight says eagerly. “ That is exactly what I’m hoping for knight. But if I were you I would worry about my own fate” the hell king says eerily. “ Do with us what you will demon, for we fear you not” Sir Wally replies. “ I remind you of where you are human! A few days in my dungeons and you will beg me to kill you myself!” Krimus yells as he leans forward in his chair. “Gordo, take these pitiful humans away. Their words bore me.” With that the men are taken away, deep into the lair of the beasts. They are split into groups of three and chained to the cell walls like dogs. As he stands in hells hospitality, Sir Wally fears he will never see Brave Rock again. Chapter Three As night falls on the castle, a small figure makes its way to the village. Dressed as a peasant, the kings’ daughter Princess Ilea, is going to see her sick friend Rosa Marie. Rosa Marie arrived here from Spain shortly after Ilea's mother died. She died in her sleep, when Ilea was ten years old. The princess was so devastated by the loss; she ran away from the castle and hid in the village. Rosa Marie found her hiding in her hut, while the guards searched outside. Ilea asked her not to tell and assured her that she would return soon enough. A couple of days to get over her mother and the princess was ready to return. When the king found out where she had been, he was outraged. He wanted to have Rosa Marie punished, but when Ilea swore not to see her again, the king agreed to let her be. Unknown to him though, princess Ilea has been secretly visiting the woman by sneaking out at night. Over the years the two women have become quite close and Rosa has been like a mother to her. With all the goings on around the castle, Ilea hasn’t been able to visit her. But, when she heard that Rosa was sick, nothing could stop her from going. Now in the hut of Rosa Marie, the two women had a fine visit. They caught up on small talk and visited a couple of hours. After a much-needed visit, both women agreed it was time for Ilea to go. In fear that she would be caught, Ilea said her goodbyes after assuring herself that her friend would be okay. On her way back, as she was enjoyed a walk by the stream, she noticed a shadow by a large oak tree. As she got to the tree, she peaked around to notice a young man practicing his sword. She immediately noticed how handsome he was, as sweat ran down his muscular arms. His long brown hair swung from side to side, as he practiced. He was wearing a pair of light brown pants and a pair of deer skin shoes. Covering his massive upper body, was an unbuttoned white ruffle shirt that exposed his large tan chest. While Ilea made her way around the large oak for a better look, she tripped on a root in the ground and fell before him. “ Who’s there?” he asked startled. He turned to see a beautiful young lady lying on the ground. Although she was a bit embarrassed, she was fine as he ran to her aid. “ Are you all right miss?” he asked as he helped her to her feet. He noticed she was most beautiful, as the moon shined on her long black hair. He looked down to notice her garment had opened from the fall, exposing one of her firm breasts. Noticing he wasn’t looking at her face, she looked down as well, to a most embarrassing site. “ I will be just fine! Now kindly keep your eyes to yourself!” she said angrily covering herself. “ Well don’t be mad at me. I’m not the one spying on people” he replied back. “I wasn’t spying. I was watching” she said, as her red face told the truth. “ Well surely you know with the dangers of late, someone as beautiful as you should not be out by herself” he said firmly. “ I can take care of myself, thank you!” she smarted back. “ Of that I have no doubt “ Warrick said as he stared into her big green eyes. For a moment they just stood there, fixated on one another. Captivated by her beauty, Warrick found himself leaning over to kiss her. The princess tried to move, but she found herself being mesmerized by his size and good looks. As he kissed her, his strong arms steadied her body, as her legs went soft from a most passionate kiss. Her lips were soft and refreshing as he pulled her closer. But suddenly, as if afraid to be found with him, she pulled away. Aroused by the large man, she quickly started a conversation to get her mind off her sinful thoughts. “ Are you preparing for the contest tomorrow” she asked as she caught her breath. “ And what do you know of such contests? ” he asked. “ Well surely a man of your size isn’t going to miss an opportunity to prove himself in battle” she said with a smile. “ Will you be there to cheer for me if I do?” “Perhaps. But I don’t even know your name” she admits. “ I am known as Warrick. I am the blacksmith from the village. I don’t recall seeing you before” he says suspiciously. “I assure you, I have been around” she says trying not to give her identity away. “ My name is I,” but before she could finish a voice rings out in the night. “ Princess Ilea!” the voice yells. In the distance, Sir Gregory and two of the palace guards approach them. “ Princess! You’re the princess?” Warrick yells. “ Yes! Now shut up and play along” she says nervously. As the knight approached, he stared at them together in the night. “ All you all right princess?” he asked. “ I’m fine Sir Gregory. I was out walking alone, when I heard a noise and got scared. This gentleman was nice enough to escort me back to the castle. Please don’t tell my father I was out” she asks. “Fear not princess. Your secret is safe” he says turning to the guards. “ Take the princess back to the castle and not a word to anyone” he commands the guards. Sir Gregory watches as they disappear into the night, then he turns to Warrick. “I guess I should be thanking you, young Warrick” he says to the blacksmiths’ surprise. “How do you know my name Sir Gregory?” Warrick asks suspiciously. “ I speak often to Ethane. He talks highly of you lad” he says with a smile, as Warrick retrieves his sword. “ Preparing for the contest tomorrow?” the knight asks pleasantly. “ I thought about it, however my sword needs work” he admits. “ Worry not Warrick. For a man of your size should do well.” Sir Gregory says. With that he too disappears into the night. Warrick stands there a moment to soak up what just happened. After all he just kissed the princess. After a moment to collect himself, Warrick makes his way home. The next day Warrick gets up early. He begins to reshape a set of armor he kept in his hut. As he tries each piece on, he slowly starts realize that they are still too small for his large body. “ Who am I kidding? I’m no knight” he says as he throws the armor aside. “ Your quite right my boy” Ethane says as he exits the hut. “But their not looking for knights; their looking for competitors” he says as he places his hand on the young mans shoulder. “You've waited your whole life for this moment. Although your sword may not be the best, your strength is unmatched by anyone!” Ethane says with excitement. “All you need is a little confidence and I can help with that” he says turning back toward the hut. Warrick watches his friend as he enters the hut. A few moments later, he returns with a set of armor fit for a king. The armor is pewter gray and kept in immaculate condition. The helmet is equally as impressive, with a full-face shield and a black tail made of horsehair. Warrick stares at the suit in amazement as Ethane hands it to him. “Where did you get such a remarkable set of armor as this?” he asks with enthusiasm. “I haven't told you everything about myself” he says as he turns and walks away. “I once was a squire for a most impressive knight. Together we won many jousts inside those very castle walls. He was a large man, much like yourself. When he passed, I kept the armor in his honor. I think he would be proud to have you wear it” he says as he turns back toward him. “Well! Don’t just stand their man! Try it on!” Ethane yells with a smile. Warrick tries the armor on for a perfect fit. “It’s almost like old times” Ethane says with a tear. “It can be again” Warrick tells him. “ Come with me Ethane” he shouts with excitement. “ No dear boy, I’ve had all the excitement I care to endure. Besides, I’m much too old” he says as he sits on a bail of hay. “ Now be off boy, or they’ll start without you” he says as points to the castle. “Thank you Ethane. I’ll make you proud” he says as he walks away. “Of that I’m sure my boy. Of that I’m sure” Ethane says softly. With that Warrick was off for the contest. Chapter Four The closer Warrick got to the arena in the castle, the louder the crowd got. He saw at least a hundred guards outside the castle, as he noticed the entertainment inside had already begun. As he walked through the castle gates, he quickly noticed that more guards were posted throughout the inside as well. Realizing how big the event was by all the security, he started getting very nervous. Looking around, he saw a large grand stand of royalty from all over the land. He had never laid his eyes on so many royal members, as they come to watch the big event. Their were royal members from Sweden, France, Italy and many other countrys sitting together to cheer on the competitors. In the middle of them all, he saw princess Ilea sitting next to her father. She looked most beautiful wearing a satin beige dress with ruffles and her hair up in a twirl. But his attention was quickly back on the crowd, as they roared in pleasure at the events in front of them. Warrick had never seen such a large group of people in one place. The cheers of the crowd overwhelmed him, as the kings’ knights showed off their talents. On one side they were jousting. The sport that Ethane had spoke of. He watched as two knights on horseback waited as a big flag dropped before them. The horses charged towards one another, each on a side of a long wooden runway. Everyone held their breath when the knights lowered their long lances and collided together. The crowd roared its approval when the knights’ lances exploded into pieces, sending them both to the ground. As Warrick moved in for a closer look, he found himself almost being knocked down by a rider on a large horse. He looked up to see Sir William staring down at him. “Where did you steal that armor from peasant?” William asked. “I didn’t steal it sir; it was a gift” he replied. “No matter. It won’t do you any good in here boy. This is a contest of men. So see that you and your gift don’t get in the way!” yells the knight. “ Get in the way I shall sir. For I am here to compete” he replies back. “ Compete for what boy. There won’t be a horseshoe making competition this day” William says to the laughter of others. “ You would do good to hold your tongue sir. Or this horseshoe maker will strike you from your horse!” Warrick replies angrily. But before the knight could reply, trumpets roar to start the competition. He takes one more look at Warrick, before riding off. When the trumpets stopped, King Marcus rose to speak. “ Welcome to Castle Brave Rock. As we once were enemies at war, we all gather in truce for a true test of champions. The rules are simple, defeat your opponent and become one of the last thirty. Those who make it will receive a bag of gold and the chance to embark on the biggest adventure of all time. Survive, and knighthood and the riches of the kingdom are yours. But be warned, for this adventure is for only the strongest and bravest in the land. So join me and let the contest begin.” The king finishes to the cheers of the crowd, as all the competitors prepare themselves. For they know, that knighthood under King Marcus is a true honor. For he is the richest and most powerful king in all the land. The contest begins as Warrick does some finishing touches on his armor. As he ensures a tight fit, he looks in amazement at the fierce battle before him. He suddenly starts to doubt himself, when a tall man approaches him with a single blade ax. “ First time lad?” the man asks. Warrick looks over to see a large man dressed in animal skin. The man is wearing very little armor and carries a large shield in his other hand. “Is it that obvious?” Warrick answers back. “ I have seen many battles and contests such as this. You can tell the new ones by the way that they squirm there first time in armor” he says with a smile. “I guess I am a bit nervous, ” he admits as he smiles back. “ I am Warrick. I live in the village outside the castle” he says as he shakes his new friends’ hand. “ I am known as Titus. I come from a small village east of here. With the gold I win today, I will spare my village of poverty” he says proudly. “ You sound confident, Titus of the east” the young man replies. “Confidence wins championships such as these, young Warrick. Although you could use a little yourself, a man your size should fair well. Now watch and learn my young friend, for my turn has come” he says as he walks away. As Titus walks out into the view of the crowd, they begin to cheer their approval. From previous contests around the land, he has proven to be a most fierce competitor. He raises his mighty ax in the air, as they continue to honor him. But his tribute is short lived as his opponent captivates them with his amazing swordsmanship. He is a tall slender man dressed in an oriental garment, with black armor plates covering his shoulders and chest. As if to intimidate Titus, he swings two swords simultaneously around his body before freezing them face down by his sides. “ Those fancy moves are most impressive tall one. Bring them over here so I can get a closer look.” Titus challenges. The tall man starts to run at Titus, as his two swords swings once more. The swords are almost invisible as his speed captivates the crowd. But when he gets within range Titus bats the swords away with his ax, and clobbers him in the face with his shield. The tall man stands there a minute as if frozen, then falls to the ground with a crash. The crowd remains silent, until Titus raises his arms in the air and gives out a war yell. Almost on cue the arena erupts in both cheers and laughter, as Titus walks back toward Warrick. Warrick smiles his approval at the man when he walks up to him. “ What took you so long?” he says jokingly. Titus looks at him with a puzzled look and then to the tall man lying on the ground. Then both men join in laughter. Several hard fought battles continue, as Warrick waits his turn. His heart races from the roars of the crowd, as he wonders whom he might face. But, as one of the fighters is dragged away, he finds himself standing alone. He was so in awe at all the intense fighting, that he failed to notice that there were no more participants. As he starts to get embarrassed by the on looking crowd, the king speaks.
Copyright © 2003 Robert E Tadlock |