The sun had risen at its highest peak as the giant ball of fire itself in the floating middle of the vast, clear blue sky. Everyone had taken shelter under the roofs of their homes to avoid being fried without oil under the sizzling temperature outside. However, the hardworking farmers who bathed on their own sweats only had the guts to battle the intense heat. Some were plowing their fields. Some were mourning about their crops' curling leaves as their usual green color slowly turned into hopeless brown.
But no matter how strikingly bright and hellishly burning outside, the jail remained eternally dark and incomparably freezing. It was like the jail was made of snow.
Mon couldn't take his eyes off the gloomy face of the other prisoners behind him, clinging their pitiful hands unto the cold iron bars of the jail. Their faces were painted with hopelessness and
The awaited day has come. As the sand in the hourglass started pouring down, a huge crowd poured inside the great arena, suiting themselves wherever they want just to have a perfect view on the trial ground. Almost everyone in the kingdom were there to witness a gruesome punishment for a simple mistake that shouldn't have come at this point. A simple mistake that shouldn't take on a punishment as heavy as treason, rebellion or murder. But in a snap, the rules of the king had changed. Where as long as someone violates his rules, where a crime is that serious or not, a fair punishment should be applied. A fair punishment in the eyes of law but an unfair one in the eyes of the public. The people were still in great awe of this sudden change and couldn't fathom that the king h
As Prince Zaeius wept, something fell in front of him. It was a tiny key chain carved in a black jade stone in the form of an owl of which interestingly resembled like Gowl. There was a pair of glowing blue eyes and a tiny bell on its neck. He gently picked it up and traced his trembling fingers on its finely carved details. Even though Mon left without saying anything, Prince Zaeius assumed that maybe Mon gave this to him so he would always remember him. But with or without this, Prince Zaeius won't ever forget him. "Ah! My rebellious son has returned!" The king furiously said. His ears were red,brows furrowed of anger and disappointment. Prince Zaeius brought his gaze up upon hearing this. Those words were no more surprising to him. He had been used to it ever since. But, however, what surprised was the hideous creature s
Ever since what happened on Mon's 'execution', even though no one remembered a thing, Doctor Bai had asked the king to stop any form of literature in the kingdom. From books to tiny strips of paper as long as it contains a letter or two were burned down to ashes, allowing to legalize it only for the castle's own use. "My books! Please don't do this to my store, sire!" cried an old woman to a soldier who was gathering all the books that she was selling in an open area, preparing to get them burned. She was doing her best to stop them from ransacking her store. "No, sire! Please! I feed my family through this!" "We're just doing what we're told to do, ma'am." Although the soldiers' faces showed how much they're against on the king's order, they can't do anything abou
"Your highness, where are we going?" asked the story teller, almost in a whisper as he leaned closer to the prince. The rest of the soldiers were getting ready to ride on their horses back to the palace. Prince Zaeius just hissed at him, giving a meaningful look or else he might accidentally gave out his identity without him realizing. "Do you think you'll live if someone might find out?" 'Isn't it obvious that I'm bringing him to the castle? This guy must really have a death wish.' It's better that he took the story teller with him. Who knows someone from his troops might betray him? At least if that happens, no one would have the guts to threaten the story teller's life. "But I'm not used to riding hor
'Do you still remember that legend your mother used to tell us when we were just kids?' 'I'm not sure if you're going to believe me now because I did the same when Ferlah told me this. But I'm telling you the truth whether you believe me or not. Ferlah...is here to stop the history from repeating itself. Everything from that legend was real.' Keir's voice echoed in his head again. But no matter how many times he played it in his mind, he saw no connection from that legend and what Keir had told him. Was Keir trying to fool him? Or was it Faz? He's just wasting his time for this. He even dragged Faz into it. "At least you tried your best. You did well. Don't worry." Prince Zaeius couldn't hide his disappointment anymore. &nb
It's been a week since Bek and Meah stayed at the abandoned barn in the middle of Fallen County's boundless forest. And it's been a week since Bek last saw the three of them–Ferlah, Keir, and the prince. One long week. One long week since he and Méah struggled from feeding themselves with wild berries and drinking from the collected dews on the leaves of wild taro plants growing from the back of the abandoned barn. So long that they couldn't even remember the taste of meats tenderness and the savoury flavor and the aromatic smell of the freshly cooked rib soup. No one came back for them. Though Bek didn't feel abandoned neither held a grudge on them. Because he understood. But now, he decided to get out of this unfortunate place. He wanted to escape from this place to an
"Sweet candies for sale!" "Beautiful ladies, I have here every amazing jewelries that you're looking for!" "Everyone, I'm selling boiled eggs and roasted peanuts here!" "Here! Here! Here! I got all herbs and medicines that you want for the cheapest price!" "Eyes here! We make personalized toys for your kids, sire!" "Fresh crocodile meat and whole chickens here! Madam, would you like to buy some?" Bek was mesmerized by how lively this place was. Everyone was wearing fancy silk clothes except for the striving vendors. However, their clothes were more decent and more presentable compared to his despite having a hard life. &nb
"Why didn't you told me about this, your highness?" King Astius was now on the verge of exploding into anger again. In front of him was the jade bracelet laid carefully above a soft, purple cloth. "If the eastern troop didn't find this, I would have no idea that this heirloom has been gone because of your carelessness! Do you still regard yourself as a member of this family and the kingdom's only heir?" "Your majesty, I have no plan of hiding this from you," Prince Zaeius lowered his head out of embarrassment. But he had to lie. "I was planning to let you know though. I was just waiting for the right time. You're busy and have lots to do. When did you ever spend a bit of time about my concerns?" In fact, Prince Zaeius already forgot that he didn't have the bracelet anymore; that he had lost it somewhere he couldn't remember. But he can't just blame himself for forgetti