The shadow brotherhood
A man walked quietly down the cold street. He was hidden beneath the shadows of the evening, and the sound of his footfall was masked by the cacophony of the thundering rain. The texture of his clothing exposed his status as a man of high honour; his short golden hair could slightly be seen as someone lighting her candle next to a window in a small house opposite the noble. The man walked boldly through the street without a care in the world, a dog quite suddenly barked at him, following its natural K9 instincts, oblivious of the consequences. His sword was drawn in a sudden reflex based on his natural killing instincts, exposing his face filled with anger, the beast sprinted away in sudden fright cunning enough to understand its peril.
The noble chuckled as he replaced his sword, “even a beast would flee from one as mighty as me,” he turned around and continued his journey, replacing his hood and ensuring his cape properly concealed his identity,
He could hear weeping and screaming from the house to his right, a well-known and recognised inn. It was known as the Lion’s Den, a whorehouse. He had paid occasional visits to such a place and knew its pleasures, the most expensive harlot house in the town of EKON capital of El-von so many ministers and men of high dignities visit such a place, although he had several motives to visit the pleasure house, tonight his aim, his Destination is the house beside the inn. He counted his steps until he arrived at the threshold, took a deep breath and knocked twice, an eye patch opened allowing a stranger to look through the door revealing the man’s young blue eyes he spoke
“You’re Late,” the door attendant growled
“Services to the crown and the kingdom” the man, replied with a forced smile
“Come in quickly,” the doorkeeper continued “The brothers are waiting” Opening the narrow door allowing him passage “and they are not pleased,” the doorman continued “The Elders are angry with you Victor, you had better find a way to placate them”
“My friend,” the one now known as Victor replied in a casual tone “I always survive these fruitless meetings, all they want are results at the expense of others and their greed knows no bound”
“Then why do you serve them, if you know that you mean nothing to them,” the doorman asked
“Politics is defined by those with greed and greed guides them, controls them and defines them. It is a game of wit, manipulations and power.” Victor replied, “They’re not using me, we’re using each other. The only thing that matters is who has the better plan.” Victor grinned at the doorkeeper, “Since I'm the one closest to the king, I am their most precious pawn. They have no choice but to use me, that’s my advantage and their weakness”
“What you are trying to say is you’re the one using them,” the doorkeeper observed
“-and one day they will be the ones kissing my ring” Victor concluded
“Keep on dreaming ambitious one” the doorkeeper growled
Both men walked through a narrow corridor patiently listening to their footfalls and silently enjoying the solitary darkness until they reached the door that led downwards. The stranger drew out a golden key from his pocket and said some magical words before placing the key into the keyhole of the door.
“I wish you the best of luck my friend and defend yourself well” the doorkeeper greeted as he returned to his post
Victor smiled in reply. He cannot blame the innocent ward of the door for his ignorance; the man knows nothing about politics. He slowly walked into the underground hall, which was wide and well-organised. Seven men sat in the centre of the hall on what looked like a semi-circular table. They were all clothed identically, and they all had a mystic look about them. One of the men stood up and appraised Victor critically with every measure of disdain he could muster. Victor was familiar with the game, the mind game of value, make everyone else believe they are worthless, well, it won’t work. Victor tried to maintain a straight face to conceal his mocking grin.
“Victor, you are a shame to this brotherhood, you say you spy for us in the presence of the king”, the elder called Ethel shot
Victor smiled in mockery showing no signs of anger, rage or hate. The world of politics is not a ground where emotion defines your reaction; no, it is an altar of wits and strategy. If one such as myself is to survive, humility is the first card I will play, he thought and then bowed to the elders, exposing his respect and total devotion to them.
“You know as well as I that the king in his old age would not allow any of his trusted guards out of his sight, even now that I am unaccounted for I may lose my head to an old and easily wrathful king” Victor began in a smooth convincing voice
“Enough Excuses, an apology would serve a greater purpose and save your clumsy breath,” the elder called Zane growled
“I apologise, my Lords” Victor responded with a courtly bow
“Tell us this plan of yours, how can we control the king of El-von and force him to vow to our brotherhood?” elder Xenon inquired unimpressed by Victor’s apology
“Send Victor to kidnap his beloved daughter and demand his loyalty for ransom?” the elder Robert suggested
“The king is wise and will easily break his word, he is well versed in the game of politics, The Love of his daughter is important but he treasures his kingdom and his position as king far more than his responsibilities as a father,” Victor countered in a business-like tone
“Cast a spell of command on the crown and make him our slave”, Jason, another elder, spoke.
“He is a King and has many wizards at his disposal and an old man versed in the ways of how to overcome the mystic art,” Victor added
One of the elders grunted in such an obvious way that Victor felt the unsteady sensation that the elders had known he had an agenda of his own; they must have discussed it at length before his arrival. Hmm! He thought now he must tread carefully, he does not intend to lose the support of the shadow brotherhoo,d the brotherhood is still the centrepiece of his scheme.
“You are close to the king, tell us your plan” elder Jason observed “and if we like it we might as well use it”
“Well,” Victor began in an unsettling tone, measuring the reaction of the elders, wishing he had more time to manipulate the nature of the meeting “, poisons the king,” he said after a short pause, throwing caution to the wind.
‘What” Eden called out in a loud tone which was backed by the voices of all the other elders, the brotherhood only wanted to control and manipulate the crown they had no intention of killing him the thought of it was inconceivable
“Y,es kill the ,King” Victor continued “with no one else to take over an empty throne, I Victor assistant to Joel captain of the host of the El-vonian Army will marry the princess and become the next reigning king, then the shadow brotherhood will rule El-von forever’
Julian
There was a blazing fire in the middle of the camp, and three figures sat around the fire sharing a quiet family moment. The first one was an old, troubled father, and the other two are his proud sons. His firstborn, Julian, sat a few feet away from the fire, gazing intently at the dancing flames like a man bound by lust, while his brother Norman occupied himself by sharpening the heads of all his arrows, picking them shaft after shaft. “Fa,ther you look troubled, speak to your sons,” Julian said suddenly breaking the silence
“No, my son nothing is wrong with your old man” lord Joel responded failing to mask the worried look on his face, fearful of his son's reaction toward the king's hidden schemes
The older brother had a fierce look in his eyes, a piercing gaze that could make the sternest of men uncomfortable. His pupils were as black as the shadows themselves, intimidating all, including his father, to avoid a direct gaze into his razor-sharp eyes. If someone was careless enough to make eye contact, his black void would forcefully slash its way into its victim's soul, peering into the mind, leeching on one's most treasured memories. This moment was considered to be so disconcerting that most times lord Joel would speak to his firstborn with his back to him, Julian knew this and was always amused by it, always found a comment that would force his father to let his guard down.
“You are thinking about the king,” Julian observed, throughout the night his father had not uttered a word and he wore a serious, sober expression on his face “somehow he had made you do something that you're not proud of”
“How,” Joel asked, surprised that his son could read his mind through his outward expressi, on “did you know”
“You should know by now,” Julian responded with slight amusement “you are my father and you are as unstable as the sand, it is always easy for us to read your emotions, I know when you are disturbed”
“You are as sharp as the falcon”, lord Joel observed, “Your mother would be Proud”
“Tell us, father, what bothers you?” Norman said suddenly, proving that he wasn’t ignorant of their discussion.
“Julian, Norman my son I am worried about the throne of the king” lord Joel began, picking his words carefully “As you well know our family has been great supporters of the crown for as far back as the third generation, now this dynasty is coming to an end and it's brother’s me”
“You're worried about the princess,” Norman observed
“Julian, I'm worried about her” Joel continued “and how well the kingdom will stand when her father’s gone”
“...and the princess”, Norman put in again with a smile of mischief that Joel couldn’t miss. The boy was trying to lighten his father’s spirit.
“HA! HA! Norman you grow up so quickly and tell me why are you so centred on the princess?” Joel laughed
“Well father after the king dies she will be left alone to rule the kingdom of El-von, a position that someone with her reputation knows nothing about, everyone is worried about her” Norman replied
“But still she will rule, and I know that she will be one of the wisest queens to mount the throne of El-von” Julian added, “I believe it”
The old man smiled at the optimism displayed by his sons. He was indeed proud of both of them; no father could have better sons. He only wished their mother were around to see the men they have become.
“My sons” Joel began “you are both right, but the princess cannot rule the kingdom effectively on her own”
Joel knew that both Norman and Julian still had a lot to learn when it comes to politics, but such lessons, can only be acquired through experience “She will have to marry and crown her husband king, and then the kingdom will have a new dynasty”
“Father I hope the kingdom will stand under the new dynasty?” Julian asked
“My son, I cannot answer that question, such is the mystery of life” Joel replied “and the riddle of fate, if only we could manipulate the tide of time”
“Then that future would be subject to the present” Julian observed, “I believe that the future is determined by choice, and that is the only way to manipulate that which is to come”
Lord Joel smiled at his son's last words, “choice”, he whispered to himself “Then that choice my son you will make, alone, I will not take part in helping you to choose Julian.”
He had planned to tell his son about the oath he had made to the king concerning Julian’s future. But the moment his son mentioned the riddle of choice, he learned a valuable lesson. The future has already been written, and to achieve it, one has to choose either to pursue it or flee from it, such an ultimate choice can only be made by the one involved”
“Julian, tomorrow you will accompany me to stand before the king,” Joel commanded
“Yes father” Julian replied seeing the change in his father’s mood
“Father, can I come as well?” Norman asked
“Yes! You may come,” Joel smiled
Thus, they spent the rest of the night together enjoying each other’s company and discussing the latest events of the kingdom. Joel avoided a direct gaze at his first son’s eyes because it filled him with guilt and threatened him with questions as to why he was summoned to the palace at such short notice; he soon found out.
Felton’s Royal Decree
The king stood before his throne with several Nobles, not including Victor and Lord Joel in attendance. None of the Nobles bore weapons, and they all dressed alike in white robes garnished with gold and pearls, a symbol of their office. They all held pens, ink and paper for recording the king's words. They paid absolute attention to the king.
This is in accordance with the El-vonian culture. Once the king was about to make a declaration that might affect the future of the kingdom, he would summon ten of the highest-ranking officers in the council of elders for them to record his words per his royal decree. Then, within a week, the council of elders would deliberate on it, and then it would be made official, with or without the approval of the council.
“Legislators of El-von these are the words of Felton king of El-von and these are my wishes and my last decree, let them not be changed in my absence but let them be followed and obeyed for these are my last wishes” Felton commanded
“My lord, do these words shed more light on who will succeed the throne in your stand” one of the elders inquired
“It concerns the strength and the future of El-von herself” the king replied
“My lord tell us your wishes and we will ensure they are followed, we are those who influence and enforce the laws of this kingdom, hold nothing back all your wishes are our command” an elder called Vilonia admonished
The king gazed at the lawmakers of his kingdom and smiled. He could see the ambition that clouded their eyes and wondered what dark secrets they had hidden to reach this position of power. The king turned to walk toward his throne, where a book with the symbol of the eagle was placed; it contained the records of all past kings of El-von. Their achievements and their flaws, the book had been placed close to the seat of power to remind each king who stands in succession to the throne that his actions are being watched and recorded.
The king sat radiating in his glory and majesty a servant paced the golden crown upon the king’s hand and watched quietly as the king spoke”
“These are the last laws of the king, as it is spoken, let it be written, and so shall it be done.” King Felton began “, I, King Felton, king over the throne of El-von, hereby decree. After the death of the king, my dynasty will come to an end, and the throne will be vacant, ready for a new dynasty. Let it be written that as the king dies, his daughter should be crowned in his stead.”
The reaction, in the king’s opinion, was to be expected, most of the elders had started to mumble to themselves in great displeasure, and none of them had expected the king to hand his kingdom over to his wayward daughter,
“My Lord she is inexperienced in the laws of politics and the ways of ruling El-von” one of the elders protested
“You, my Law guardians will school her in the decision-making process” Felton replied
“But sire the kingdom will fall” the second elder protested, “The people will not accept her rule”
“The kingdom will not”, Felton rebuked sternly “, fall for one day she is to wed. The man she marries will be the new king, and he will place a powerful mark upon this kingdom. He will be a king who will rule with the golden sector of kings. He shall establish a new dynasty from the body of my beloved daughter. The king has spoken”
“Let his words be fulfilled” all the elders replied ceremonially
“You can take your leave,” Felton commanded
The hall was emptied within a few minutes, leaving only those responsible for keeping the place clean. Felton being mentally exhausted collapsed in his royal chair removed the crown from his head and placed it on the armrest of the royal chair he looked at the servant in attendance and asked
“Where is my daughter?”
”She is busy preparing herself for your guests” the servant replied
“Guests?” Felton inquired in a confused tone
“Sire you invited...” the servant began but was cut short
“Lord Joel, yes, I remember,” Felton acknowledged with a smile “Cancel all other official duties for the day”, he commanded as he walked out of the royal hall towards the room of his daughter.
Felton and Amina
“Come here slave,” the princess growled, “you have not powdered my face properly! And you, that ceremonial gown is horrible, get me another. I wonder why my father entrusted you to care for my every need when you lack the knowledge of caring for yourselves”
Princess Amina was an over-pampered adult who could see nothing right with the world; the only thing that would be of interest to her was how to enhance her already overwhelming beauty. All because her father is the king's overindulgence.
“Here is your meal, princess,” a servant said, carrying a plate of food into the room. The moment the princess gazed at it, she frowned and screamed at the man carrying the meal, naming him a ‘bastard’. Then she looked towards the lady, fixing her nails.
“Polish them properly little girl” she commanded, “I wish to look beautiful for my father’s guests and besides you have not finished your Jobs”
All the maids ran here and there trying as best they could to please the ever-wanting princess, who was one way or the other never satisfied with the way she was being attended to.
“Amina! Amina!!” King Felton called
“Father?” Amina acknowledged
“Yes! It is your father, the king of El-von, who summons you,” Felton responded.
“Father,” Amina said as she rose to greet her father, throwing her arms around his neck
“Sit, I can see you are restrained by your dinner preparations,” he said to his daughter and then to the Attendants “Leave us”
The Servants and officials left the room immediately, leaving only the king and his daughter in the room. Felton then picked one of the many brushes on the shelf and began to brush his daughter's hair with his clumsy hands. “You have your mother's beautiful hair, it had the colour of sun wildflowers”
“Father” Amina grouched, “They were going to help me prepare for the coming of your guests, not that I wanted to join you in welcoming them” It was obvious that the princess was more interested in looking her best than acknowledging her father’s compliment
“Still as rebellious as ever Amina” Felton chuckled
Amina hurried to her dressing table and started applying some powder and other forms of cosmetic makeup on her face, combing her hair and trying to look her best. Finally, she placed a beautiful golden tiara upon her head.
“I asked you to give me a golden crown with sparkling diamonds”, Amina grouched “, one worthy of a beautiful princess” She then gestured for her father to give his approval on her choice of robes for such a grand occasion.
Though from the look in her eyes, Felton could see that she wanted him to see how the old tiara caused a dent in her flawless beauty.
“Pride has eaten into your soul little girl” Felton observed, “Soon the cure will come”
“Father,” Amina whispered defensively “please, don’t say bad things about me like that, I thought you loved me”
“I love you as any father would love his daughter” he responded with a smile “but that is not the reason for my presence here”
“What brings you here father? Or do you wish to present me with my new crown?” she asked wishfully
“No!” he responded
“Some new attendants?”
“No”, Felton responded again, thinking about what his daughter needed the additional hands for.
More diamonds for my beauty?” she asked again
“Your beauty is of no interest to me, you are already beautiful enough,” Felton said wondering if there is a measure to his daughter’s greed
“Then why did the king come to see his daughter?” Amina asked with a large measure of curiosity
“Do you know Lord Joel my most trusted noble,” Felton replied “he is on his way to the palace,” he continued as his daughter nodded
“And” Amina inquired, seeing nothing special in the visit of a noble
“His sons are also coming” Felton continued “Julian and Norman most especially Julian”
“What is so special about it father?” Amina said in a bored tone, she just could not see what was so special about the visit of one of her father’s loyal servants
“Julian is to be your suitor,” Felton said without hesitation, to his daughter’s shock “the one to marry you and, to become the next king over this kingdom, will you go against my will”
“No father”, Amina replied after a long pause “, if it’s your will, then it will be done. Is he strong?”
“Yes” Felton replied
“Brave?”
“Yes” Felton replied again “one of the bravest”
“Handsome?”
“He has the eyes of an eagle”
“That’s all I want in a man,” she said, without revealing the fact that she would be more interested in a prince
“Soon you will desire far more than just the outward appearance,” Felton observed
“Whatever you say father” Amina replied in a submissive tone
“That’s my girl” Felton encouraged.
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