HISSING SNAKES

Alex gingerly picked his way down the gravel path to go outside the palace and check what was going on. The howling had stopped but he needed to confirm. He walked past the royal garden. A garden that has welcomed guests in the years past now and will probably be invaded by their enemies if he doesn't fight this war with his power.

Alex gritted his teeth, anger firing his blood as it did when he first saw his sister murdered in cold blood. He could also remember from childhood when his stepmother died.

As always, his fury mixed with a grudging attitude to how stupid and weak his father had been to have allowed all his family to be killed. Now they are seeking to kill him but he would make sure he lets them know he is smarter and wiser. Everywhere was silent and when he got to the bushy part where nobody was staying and it was miles away from his palace, all he could hear was the cricket sound.

"I know you're out there. Come outside and show yourself."

If not for the obligation thrust