Marlon knew he did not  survive the arrows the General had sent in his direction, and from the look of his surroundings his assumption had been correct. He was shocked to see he was wearing nothing but  a white linen loincloth with a gold belt and white sandals on his feet. Marlon stood in a long hall supported by gigantic gold columns. It all appeared to be floating in white matter, which he noticed was bright but not blinding. He saw at the far end of the hall a young boy with green skin sitting on a golden throne. He was Royalty. Standing on the left side of the large golden throne was Zuff’s late Ruler, Queen Bihadlly, Flossina’s mother. He slowly turned around and noticed he was surrounded by forty-two other beings, who looked and dressed similar to the young King. They were seated on benches that spanned the length of the room. They sat motionless, unseeing and unfeeling, only

“I humbly accept your offer King Osiris.” He knelt in front of the King then.That gesture pleased Osiris and he could hear the applause and howls from the other deities and gods that sat in the room looking on. Khepri was still at his side. She was quiet and intently watching the exchange between her brother and the mortal man.“Arise.” King Osiris said, and Marlon did as he was commanded. “Queen Bihadlly believes in you, and if she does, then so will I.” With those words he was gone.Khepri turned to him then and he watched as she held her hands out in front of her with her palms facing upward. A golden glow encased them and faded. In its place sat a small, thick, golden book. 

He heard a singular clap. He turned around and looked in that direction to find it was King Osiris himself clapping for him. Seconds later everyone else followed suit and began to clap for him. The King held up his hand and the arena was gone and once again he was standing beside Khepri and King Osiris in front of another gate. “The second trial. The desert of Sorrow.” He continued.“You are special Marlon. I can see why the beautiful Queen Bihadlly chose you for her daugter.” He walked back to his throne. Once he was situated. He held up his hand again and this time the gate opened. Marlon felt like he was getting closer to the Princess with each task he accomplished this was the second one, and he hoped he would be able to face whatever came his way. For both of their sake… 

He let her go and walked out. She watched them all follow after him. She felt the nervous knots in her stomach relax once she heard  the last soldier shut her chamber doors. She finally exhaled, not realizing she had been holding her breath this entire time. With the room being so full she hadn’t noticed her lady’s maid. She stood by her hope chest against the wall across from where Flossina stood. She thought the General was joKing. All she saw was a young girl with a long raven black braid pinned into a bun atop her head. She looked no more than thirteen.“You are my lady’s maid? ” Flossina asked her. She had already knew the answer but she tried to keep the attention off her. She felt enraged and numb. This was a child, and Marlon had only been protecting her. General Torunn w

“Princess, no handcuffs. No guards. Just you and I, talKing.” His tone still sounded oily to her. “Talk of what pray tell, General?”“Your future.” He said simply.Those words got her thinKing. She hadn't been thinKing about her future in the same way he had. She had been in survival mode for a while now. “Come.” He commanded and began to leave her room. She followed him out her room, down the hall and winding stairs, and into the grand meeting hall. It was a room her mother had utilized only for social and political gatherings with other Royalty. Everything inside of the large beautifully decorated room was covered in white linens.