Home - The Broken Crown

The Alkeree of Ronknole

Ronknole was one of the prosperous neighbouring kingdoms situated beside the El-vonian domain, it boasts of a geographical strength twice the size of the El-vonian Empire and a population that complements its geographical size. Like other kingdoms situated along the El-vonian borders, they saw the Horians as a threat and answered the call of the great El-vonian king.

Amina was dazzled by the magnificence of the Ronknolian palace, almost all the support pillars were plated in gold: the servants were polite and dressed in expensive silk and the food was fantastic. Never had she encountered such hospitality, but it wouldn’t be in her interest to simply compliment mere peasants.

Daniel, the new king of Ronknole, bowed and kissed the hand of the princess, and then he smiled.

“Tell me, princess of El-von”, he said with his most charming voice, “Daughter to Felton the magnificent, are you happy to enjoy the hospitality that my halls have to offer, because it is an honour to see your beauty again. Please, stay a while, I have prepared a banquet on my father’s honour, and the final burial rites.”

“We are deeply sorry about your father, please, accept our condolences”, Joel spoke.

“I beg you, do not mourn on my behalf”, Daniel countered, “My father died a peaceful death, at the ripe old age of 83. He chose the manner of his death, and he kept his pride, both as a king and as a man, he will be remembered. It gladdens my heart that he died happy, all I can do now is honour him for the man he was, and try to emulate his example”

“I was but a lad when I heard your father utter those same words”, Joel said in a mystical tone and this pleased Daniel exceedingly, “And may he dwell in you forever”,

“Along with the spirits of all good Alkerees(kings)”, he concluded with a smile,

Naturally, Amina didn’t like being ignored, especially when all the grown men were carried away by talks on politics, so she coughed a little too loudly to attract some attention to her persona, then she voiced out.

“Tell me Daniel, what are your plans now that your father has passed on?” Amina said with a slight coo in her voice.

“To continue his good work, and to strengthen this kingdom”, the Alkeree responded, and then he whispered to Lord Joel. “Tell me, is my friend Julian still strong?”

“He grows stronger every day”, Joel replied,

“I long to see him again,” Daniel said to Amina’s displeasure, he was ignoring her again, “there is still the old score that needs settling”, Joel chuckled, young boys and their youthful rivalry, “come the banquet is ready”

Throughout their stay at Ronknole, Amina made it a policy to enjoy every special treatment awarded to her, she addressed the maids the same way she would address slaves, and she walked around carrying herself like a goddess. Daniel noticed Amina’s behaviour and said nothing about it. Joel had already informed him of King Felton’s weakness as a parent. Amina’s attitude was well known across the kingdoms. It’s not like she was going to remain in Ronknole indefinitely. Once any of the servants made a complaint about her rude behaviour, he would simply tell them to be patient with the princess.

Steffen’s Apology

It was a morning like any other morning; Julian had left for his morning ritual earlier than usual. His mind had been in a state of chaos ever since his best friend's proposal. He knew that Steffen always had a soft spot for Ruth, but it had never occurred to him that Steffen had loved her. When it came to all the likeable charms a man can have, he, Julian, the son of Joel the noble of El-von, would always stand out, but before the unseeing eyes of Ruth the blind beauty, he would always be second, and why not? Steffen had always been there for her. He believed her when no one else would, he helped her to stand upon her two feet and gave her the confidence that she never thought she had.

What has Julian ever done for her but support her every at a distance and admire her dancing? Everything that he loved about her was given to her by Steffen, all the way down to her self-confidence. The young noble practised with his wooden swords for a while trying to clear his mind of the frustration, then he fell when he missed his footing and felt his strength leak out due to his depression. He felt the strain within every single muscle of his body and realised that he was still recovering from the night’s ordeal, beating the drums for hours tends to take its toll. Julian signed regretfully; he should have stayed in bed, to assume that leaving the celebration early would give him a few extra hours of practice, how wrong he was.

Any other person would have missed it, but not Julian. He had trained his fighting instincts to suspect every movement and sound within his immediate vicinity. Someone had snuck up on him, and though he was still a considerable distance away, the young noble knew perfectly well that should the stranger be in possession of a bow and an arrow, he would be at a large disadvantage. The sound of the dried leaves crackling beneath the newcomer’s booth gave him the exact location should a battle arise; finally, something to take his mind off all of his emotional problems, nothing like a life and death battle to enlighten the spirit and sharpen the mind.

The stranger moved in closer, not attempting to conceal his presence. Julian felt every muscle within his body strain in preparation for the upcoming fight, then the stranger spoke.

“Julian?” Steffen said in an unsteady voice.

“Steffen!” Julian exclaimed in sudden shock.

“I had no idea, please forgive me”, Steffen began without giving his best friend any time to react, “I know the damage has been done but please”

“Why are you apologising, my friend?” Julian inquired in a voice that masked his pain.

“Ruth!” Steffen replied, “I didn’t know, I couldn’t have known…”

Julian chuckled; Steffen was actually apologising for stealing a girl that was already his. He waved his best friend over to the stump of a dead tree for him to sit down, and tossed a sack of apple-flavoured wine over to his friend. Steffen relaxed the moment Julian dropped the wooden blade and joined his friend on the dead tree stump.

“Do you remember the first time we met Ruth?” Julian asked after a brief moment of awkward silence.

“How can I forget?” Steffen responded, “We were both lads filled with mischief, and we burnt with adventure. She wore a red gown which flowed down to her knees, and she was trying to dance.”

“She was bumping into everything around her”, Julian added.

“But she was determined”, Steffen added.

“Do you remember what you said to me when she fell over the small bench?” Julian continued.

“I remember the fall, but I don’t remember my words”, Steffen replied, “I was too busy trying to calm your laughter”.

Julian chuckled at the memory, “You said”, he continued once he was able to catch his breath, “She would be the most beautiful rose in the valley, if she could see where she was dancing”.

“Yes, that’s true”, Steffen replied in a dreamy tone, “She was beautiful then, very beautiful”.

“You see Steffen”, Julian concluded, “that is why, it’s you that should marry her, you loved her there and then, whereas I, all I saw was a blind girl attempting the impossible”.

“You really mean that?” Steffen said with a look of surprised appreciation in his eyes.

“Congratulations, I'm sure you will make her happy.”

“Thank you my friend.”

“But”, Julian threatened, “If you break her heart, I will marry your widow.”

“How are you sure that she will be a widow…. Ohh!” Steffen shifted uncomfortably.

“Because, I will make her a widow”, Julian replied.

“Ho!” Steffen exclaimed, with a confused look on his face, “I’d better get rid of all my mistresses; I have no intention to reach an early grave”.

Julian laughed at the jest, then stood up to leave his temporary camp. Steffen assisted his best friend by carrying some of his training tools, and both shared a camaraderie bond that had existed ever since their childhood. Surprisingly, Julian felt a lot better after his conversation with Steffen; acceptance was a very strong motivator.

“Julian?”

“Yes.”

“When is your father arriving?”

“Next week, hopefully the new Alkeree won't keep him detained forever”, Julian replied.

“Good”, Steffen smiled, “I was going to ask him to be the best man at my wedding since his son was sulking”.

“What!” Julian snapped.

“Nothing”, Steffen responded promptly, “just admiring the…”

“Yes, I will be your best man and that’s final.”

“Good to hear”, Steffen replied with a smile.

The Bond Between the Father and the Son

The small fire burned in the temporary Camp, made for the night. The company of people had been travelling for the past 3 days, among which are the royal guards of El-von, escorting a well-dressed female. She donned her golden crown, her beautiful silk robes were adorned with diamonds, her royal shoes, diamond rings and a beautiful pearl necklace. Her face was garnished with some of the best ointment and the sweet-smelling scent of valley flowers.

Beside her sat a noble, the one who ranked the highest among all the company of nobles. Lord Joel sat silently, brooding uncomfortably; the princesses’ overenthusiastic choice of apparel was definitely going to be the end of them all. The kind of robes that she had on now was meant for the royal courts and grand occasions, and definitely not for the road, but if he should insist on a change of attire she might burst into one of her tantrums. Watching over a pampered princess was hard work, Joel made a mental plan to ensure that he never goes on this kind of assignment again.

“My lord Joel, why are there so few men at the camp?” Amina inquired.

“I sent them out to ensure that we are not being spied on”, Joel replied, “especially since you decided to advertise your riches, for all the wild men to see”, Amina actually growled at Joel’s reply.

“Tell me, what your son is like?” she said in a way to change the topic.

“Why do you wish to know princess?” Joel asked, “I thought you fancied the new Alkeree”, he teased.

“My father tells me he would be my consort one day.”

“What part of my son's nature do you wish to understand, Amina?” Joel inquired, “Before the frog jumps into the waters, it tests the current.”

“Will he be a faithful husband? Or will he be faithful to the rules and lust of vanity?”

“My son! My son”, he said calmly, “bless his soul, before the passing of my wife, years before her soul departed, I remember his every word.”

Joel suddenly remembered the day when his own son scolded him for not paying enough attention to his wife. A younger version of Julian, with his eyes as sharp as ever, looking toward his angry father with slight disappointment, the foolish boy just doesn't understand the way of grown-ups.

“Father, tell me why you are complaining about my mother, knowing she wishes you well?” he growled.

“Stop defending your mother, boy!” Joel growled defiantly, “Don’t you know of my dealings with the king, and to the good people of El-von? No, I must respect my duty to the king; to my name: to my father; to my family. The lion must always rule the animal kingdom with a strong paw.”

“All she wants is for you to spend more time with your family, and the first duty of a lion is to its pride”. Julian added, equally as defiant as his father. “I'm very sure that the king would give you the time you need, should you ask, father, I am beginning to question your love for my mother.”

“The great God bears witness; I do love your mother”, Lord Joel declared.

“Then you must be suspecting that my mother no longer desires you”, Julian added with a slight chuckle, “because her actions have proved that she only desires to be a constant means of provocation.”

“I know she loves me.”

“Then why are you staying away from her, avoiding her company as though she were a plague?”

“I am not avo…” Joel retorted but his son continued.

“Then why is my mother sad all the time? Sometimes I see her in the garden silently weeping like a widow, and it hurts me father, it hurts. I thought she had earned your love.”

“Yes, she gave up much for my sake”, Joel said in a chagrin voice, “now he can clearly see things from his son’s perspective, he was neglecting his duties as a father and a husband.”

“Tell me father, would she lay down her life to be with a man like you?”

“Indeed she would, she has laid down everything for me bless her soul.”

“Father she denied much to be with you, has she not? All for the blindness of love.”

“Yes my son, and I will always be proud of all she has done”, Joel replied.

“Tell me father, how much have you sacrificed on her behalf? You're always at the palace and never at home, a filthy woman would have already betrayed you by now.”

Now, Lord Joel was silent, unable to find the words to defend himself.

“The truth is, father, she has given you her life, and her reward is denial. Father, you have given her nothing, your folly consumes her, and soon she will die of a broken heart.”

***

The atmosphere changed, returning to the present, Joel seated next to Amina in front of a campfire. The elderly man had a melancholic look in his eyes, and a small bead of tears dropped from his left eye; the memory of his loving wife had brought back some bitter memories that he will forever regret.

“Those words burned my soul”, Joel said, “and I heeded the words of my son and loved Catherin dearly. My wife died a peaceful death 7 years after, and I was there beside her.”

“He would make a good husband”, Amina voiced.

“He will be the best husband”, Joel acknowledged.

“All I would do is ask for his hand, demand his heart”, she said smugly, “and offer him the crown.”

Joel laughed at her comment so much that he spilt some of his strong drink; this princess is yet to understand the man she intends to conquer. Then he gave the little inexperienced girl his serious face and said:

“You assume the kingdom and all its glory revolves about you, but the truth is, you are no different from the man sitting next to you. Who is no different from a beggar on the street, for all have a day of birth and a day of death. Existence is a funny game to play.”

“All that matters is, I am Noble, and they are not”, the princess retorted to the noble’s amusement.

“Julian is more than just worthy”, the noble said, “he values the needs of others above his own, he cares more about the people than about nobility or high status. His friend has pronounced him by the title champion of the poor.”

“So, he cares not for me?” Amina said in a hurtful tone.

“I know he’d lay his life down for you, by reason of the crown on your head, but to share your bed, he’d rather choose death.”

“Then how do I make such a saint worthy of me?” Amina whispered with a heavy heart.

“Julian is a prince consumed with humility, and you, the queen of pride, arrogance and greed”, Joel replied, “NO man will ever be worthy of you, but will you be worthy of any man?”

“How dare you insult the princess of El-von in such a manner?” Amina snapped, then she saw the mocking smile on the noble’s face, and realised that she had just displayed the traits that he had mentioned no more than a few seconds ago.

Joel laughed at the irony and Amina scowled.

Unknown to them, a shadow was creeping in the dark; the uninvited strangers had already executed some of the scouts, and as they moved closer, trying hard not to make a sound, they numbered the soldiers and examined the strength of their prey.

The archer hid within the trees, thankful that his mark sat very close to the fire, which granted him clear access to aim for his heart. The Horians he had hired as the diversion had no idea of his real intentions; for everyone else, it was a simple robbery on the road, but for himself and Victor, it was more than a robbery, it was the salvation of El-von.

Joel noticed nothing.

Suddenly, someone shouted “Ambush!”

Before Joel could rise to his feet and reach for his blade, an arrow whizzed straight into his heart.

Joel fell back with the look of shock in his eyes. Amina screamed in terror and fell over Joel’s body, with the hope of shielding him with her own. The gesture was too late, the arrow had hit its mark.

Despite her pleading, Joel knew that he had come to the end of his life, so he did the only thing he could, he whispered his last words in the ear of the princess and took his last breath.

⏪Chapter 5

Chapter 6⏩