by W. C. Jasper
At his shout, the Prince had stopped. But his hands were still on his sword, his muscles still tight and roaring to let loose. If he pressed his hilt any tighter, he might just have changed the integrity of the metal hilt with the sheer power in his hands. His brown eyes somehow appeared to be black now. If that were possible. The black fires in his raging eyes were set on the soldier like fiery arrows sticking out, nocked and aimed at his head. The muscles in his face and neck stiffened as if they were bound by iron shackles and were trying to break free.
The King turned to the Prince and stared at him with a silent and stern look. One that looked indifferent to most, but spoke a million words to those who knew the King closely. A stare that the Prince did not need to look at to know he was receiving it, for he felt the stare even while his eyes were set on the soldier. After a couple of seconds, he managed to obey his brother fully. While he was a dutiful prince, his rage far surpassed his sense of duty. However, his obedience to his brother surpassed his obedience to his king.
He finally let go of his sword; and closing his eyes, in one short moment, changed his demeanour back to business. King Jeraash spoke again with a calm and relaxed voice as always, “You are young. You could yet have a long life ahead of you. Do not ruin your chances for that.” The soldier let out an inaudible sneering gasp. While most kings would have had him executed for that alone in such a heated situation, King Jeraash was far too merciful to do that. He was merciful to a fault if one asked the Prince or General Thayman. They would perhaps call that his only flaw.
He turned to Yaakub and declared, “Captain Yaakub! Make the preparations and send them back to Gessold!” Having said his piece, he started moving out of the court at once. “We will cooperate!” yelled the taller Captain with his face staring at the ground in defeat.
King Jeraash stopped, paused for a moment, and proceeded to take his seat again.
King Jeraash: “Do you wish to put us through the trouble of asking you numerous questions one after the other? Or would you be kind enough to give us the information we need?”
“I, Captain Krago of Gessold, will provide you with each and every bit of information you need if you promise to convey to Gessold that we were all killed during the clash without the opportunity to divulge any information. If you do that, our families will be spared, otherwise, they will all certainly be killed,” said the taller of the two Captains.
“No,” responded King Jeraash, “Emperor Thon is far too intelligent to believe that. He will not believe that we failed to take at least one prisoner… However,” he walked over to the Captain and proceeded to whisper in his ear, “Prince Jared will guarantee the safety of your families.” The King gestured to the Captain to wait and looked towards Prince Jared.
Prince Jared got up and walked away, as he said solemnly with no particular enthusiasm, “I know.”
King Jeraash: “We will wait for five minutes for Prince Jared to return. I suggest that you use that time to form your thoughts clearly.”
Upon the Prince’s return, King Jeraash signalled Captain Krago to speak. “Our mission was to steal the scroll of Delian. My team was meant to be the distraction, as Captain Malak and his team snuck into the palace and stole the scroll. I am sure that you too would know that the Emperor would not trust mere Captains with the purposes and details. Apart from that, I believe you would like to know how it is that we are so extraordinarily strong…” said Captain Krago as he was interrupted by General Thayman, “Also, whether all 50 of your Captains are now that strong.”
Captain Krago was shocked at the fact that General Thayman knew exactly how many Captains their army had. But he shook away his surprise and answered, “No, not all our Captains are as strong. Gessold is far ahead of any other country in matters of science. Our scientists have created many inventions that are beyond the imagination of men anywhere on Earth. One such invention is the ‘Boon of Beast’ potion which greatly enhances the strength of those who take it. Its effects last for 20 days or so, but repetitive usage has harmful effects. This is the potion we were all administered for this mission along with a few extra ones in case its effects wore off due to unforeseen delays. The greater variant of this potion is the ‘Dragonus’ potion which enhances strength by an even greater degree and increases speed and improves reflexes as well. Its effects last forever, and have no harmful effects. Only the five Generals of the Gessold army are known to have taken that potion.”
“I will stop you there,” interrupted the King, “I would not want you to divulge any information that isn’t pertinent to yourselves or your mission. While your infiltration holds you liable to provide us with the information regarding yourselves and your mission, I do not wish for you to betray your country and disgrace yourselves.”
The entire courtroom fell silent in absolute shock. Prince Jared hopped up from his seat, perturbed, and shouted with an upset and distressed voice, “My King! This is madness! You couldn’t possibly be doing this! This is preposterous! I have guaranteed the safety of their families! It is only fair that we get information in exchange for that!”
King Jeraash responded in a thoroughly calm voice, “Are you finished?” and stared at the Prince with an austere expression.
Prince Jared sat down, annoyed and upset, with a clenched fist and flaring nostrils.
King Jeraash: “You may continue while our Prince learns to control his anger better.”
Captain Krago continued, “As far as our mission is concerned, I have already divulged all I know. I boasted to you quite extensively about the working of the danes when we met, and that is the extent of our understanding of the danes.”
King Jeraash took a sizable pause and spoke out, “I am grateful for your cooperation, and in return, your family has been provided with protection. However, you all have still committed heinous crimes and endangered several of my citizens. While I might not be cruel enough to hand you over to your Emperor’s punishments, just punishment for crimes is necessary, and you shall receive such for your grave crimes. I hereby sentence you to imprisonment from 30 years to life. Do bear in mind that these are not like your prisons in Gessold. In Jerudia, prisons are meant for reformation. As part of your prison sentence, you will also be taking part in the spiritual practices meant for reformation which every prisoner is subject to. If you turn from your evil ways and the Council of Elders is convinced with your reformation; then once your minimum sentence of 30 years is completed, your case will be brought to the Council of Elders to decide whether you are to continue your sentence in prison, or be moved out of prison and into the ‘Second Chances’ district where all reformed criminals get a new chance at civilian life. It is a district where you will live as ordinary citizens, but all the people living in the district are criminals who are deemed to have forfeit their right to live among the general public. Any questions?”
The soldiers of Gessold were struck with awe and started weeping and thanking King Jeraash for his mercy with abounding tears. King Jeraash interrupted with a stern and grim face and a loud voice, “Do not be illusioned. Jerudia believes in mercy, not in injustice. So be advised not to test me. If any of you give me one more reason, I will not hesitate in sentencing you to death.” A lie of course. And this was perhaps the extent of lies that King Jeraash was comfortable with. For King Jeraash always avoided the death sentence as long as possible. He despised the loss of human life with no exceptions.
Queen Maomi spoke with a calm and cold voice, “While it is obvious that you snuck in using some form of trickery and disguise, we still need to know who exactly from our force was responsible for this failure in security.”
Captain Krago: “We wore green cloaks and moved slowly through the mountain to reach the foot undetected by the guards. Once the country wall was in sight, we waited for the gate to open for over 32 hours. After 32 long hours, the gate was opened to let in a couple of guards who finished patrolling and cleaning the area outside the wall. As soon as the gate opened, we put on special masks
and released an invisible gas, both of which were invented by our scientists. This gas makes people lose control of their senses and sends them into a haze for almost five minutes. By the time the guards were back to their senses, we had already snuck in through the gate. When the guards came back to their senses, they believed they had smelled some form of weed and did not make much of it because the gas leaves no recollection of how much time elapsed in the altered state. After this, we rushed to reach the capital as fast as possible, disguised as travellers. Whenever someone asked us who we were, we told them that we were travellers from the neighbouring town.”
King Jeraash: “I know that our security at the palace is impossible to break through. So, I am guessing that this gas is how you slipped into the palace as well. Is that correct?”
Captain Krago nodded, confirming it.
The Queen turned to General Hana and spoke in restrained, but visible displeasure, “I understand that this is not something that could be foreseen, but do make sure that the garrison understands that not the smallest of abnormalities go unnoticed and unreported henceforth.”
“Yes, My Queen,” replied General Hana, “I will make sure that is taken care of. Also, my people brought me news of some queer travellers this morning during the eighth hour of the day. That was when I took Akini and set out to investigate the matter. That is also the reason I was late to report for the meeting this morning. Once we reached the limits of the city, I got to meet one of my most trusted informants and got news that these travellers had already entered the capital. This is when I realised something was wrong and decided to rush back to the palace and encountered you in the middle of the attack. I sent Akini ahead to the borders to investigate the matter.”
Queen Maomi: “Hmmm… I see… do we at least know exactly which garrison unit was responsible for this failure in security?”
General Hana answered with a soldier-like sincerity, “It was the 6th garrison unit, My Queen.”
Queen Maomi: “Can I trust you to take care of the entire investigation?”
King Jeraash interjected, “Now, now, My Queen, you know that we can trust her with this. She might not be the wisest in all the lands, but she is definitely as intelligent as they come.”
General Hana knew that this was the King expressing his disappointment with her and diligently made a note of it.
King Jeraash looked at Captain Krago with a rather empty expression and spoke, “The masks and gas you just mentioned… We found them in your belongings. So, tell me. Earlier, when you said, ‘As far as our mission is concerned, I have already divulged all I know,’ Did you really think this is not something relevant to your mission?”
Captain Krago trembled as he answered, “No, My King! It merely slipped my mind.” He buried his face in the ground as he continued, “I apologise!”
“I am not your king!” roared King Jeraash in reproach, “I am Jerudia’s king. You are not my subjects. You are Jerudia’s prisoners.”
He calmed himself with effort and continued with a gentler tone, “I can recognise an honest mistake when I see it, cease your grovelling.” The arrogant soldier who had earlier disrespected the King once again mumbled something unintelligible.
Queen Maomi spoke with a kindly reproaching voice like that of a teacher in a classroom, “Why don’t you share your thoughts with the whole party?”
The soldier did not expect anyone to hear his mumbling and looked up to confirm that he indeed was the one who was being talked to. Any sane person would have apologised. But arrogance is after all, the worst sin known to mankind. What insanity overtook him to behave in such fantastically idiotic fashion, no one knows. He spoke in his unparalleled ego, “The tales of your indescribable, divine beauty has reached the ends of the world. But I am shocked to see that you look no different from the prostitutes i—”
Captain Krago, who was sitting next to him, felt something wet his face and turned to his left to see a fountain of blood spurting out of the soldier’s neck. As he fell back in quaking terror, the entire room sunk into silence. As most eyes remained widened in absolute horror, Queen Maomi’s eyes showed great sorrow and King Jeraash’s eyes spoke very little even though it carried great disappointment. On the other hand, General Thayman’s seemingly expressionless face with his eyes casually scanning the room, quite obviously approved his nephew’s actions, and also his Prince’s.
The blood spurted out wildly as the soldiers nearby hurried away from it and scrambled in terror. Captain Krago stared at the Prince who was now standing behind them, holding the soldier’s head in his hands by the hair. The movement with which the Prince had gotten out of his chair and cut off his head was so fast that only as Captain Krago and the other soldiers felt the sudden disturbance around them did they turn to see his headless body still standing on its knees. Only as they stared at his headless body, did the body start to collapse to the ground.
As his headless body fell to the ground and the blood flooded the royal court’s floor, Prince Jared held his severed head in front of his face and spoke in a very low and dark voice, “I was waiting for you to give me a reason and award me the opportunity.” Watching him have this conversation as if he were doing something completely normal sent chills down the spine of even the incredibly cruel soldiers of Gessold. He continued his conversation as if no one else was present in the entire room, “But let me be honest. I only expected to get one of your hands for hurting that child. But how generous of you to gift me with perfect justification for taking your head instead.”
Prince Jared had been punished by his family multiple times in the past for excessive violence and killing. One could only imagine how painful it would have been to a King who was praised for his incredible mercy and compassion to watch his beloved little brother be ruled by his excessive proclivity to violence. However, this was an opportunity where even King Jeraash could not have blamed him for what he had done. Speaking such vile and offensive words to the queen meant certain death. Had it been about the King, then King Jeraash himself would have restrained his brother. But when it was about the Queen, even King Jeraash would sentence immediate execution. Even an unranked soldier would have done the same if someone spoke such words to the queen and would have been justified in doing so. Even so, the King and Queen hated for their beloved Prince to do it by his own hands. But, since what he did was lawful and just, they would speak about it only in private.
Queen Maomi spoke with a kind, yet stern voice, “I am sure you all can appreciate a child’s love for his mother. You need not worry about your safety or your loved ones’ as long as you offer people the fundamental respect that they deserve.” The prisoners were certainly shaken by what they had witnessed, and most were trembling in fear. They had now seen that the Prince’s speed and strength was even greater than what they had witnessed before. They could see that he really existed in a league of his own. They could see that they were truly in the presence of demigods. Based on what they had seen from the King so far, and the honesty and integrity they could hear in Queen Maomi’s voice, the prisoners surmised that they could indeed trust the King’s honour.
“Take them away. It is time we reconvened the meeting. At once!” With that command by the King, the prisoners were taken away and the court was cleaned up. The meeting was prepared for and convened again; this time, with General Hana’s attendance.
King Jeraash announced, “Let us begin”, and once again Lord Akula started off, “Today’s attack will not be brought up for discussion unless done so by the King himself. As such, our first matter will be the disruption being caused by the chaotic elements that have been blaspheming the name of Sathyam. This is becoming a huge issue with people starting to question if Sathyam really is the one true God. What is to be done about this?”
The first to respond to this was Lord Boris Frenga Colin - the religious head and chief priest of Jerudia. Lord Boris spoke with urgency and dormant aggression, “We certainly cannot allow this kind of heresy and blasphemy in J
erudia! Before we know it, there will be no order and morality in Jerudia if we allow this to continue. These people need to be made an example of! They need to be imprisoned and punished severely!”
“Enough!” interrupted King Jeraash in a loud, yet calm voice, “We have been over this before. This is not how things will be done in Jerudia. Everyone is free to speak their mind in Jerudia. We are a free people and a free kingdom. I am hurt and offended that someone would say this about our God; and most hurt that our own people would do that. But Jerudia will not make slaves of her own people. Unless someone’s words spur and call others to violence or cause some kind of damage or loss with verifiable falsehoods, people’s freedom to speak will not be infringed upon. Jerudia will not muzzle its people like mindless beasts. We will be monitoring their activity more closely, and Lord Akula will be the one to directly oversee this. If anything seems to cross the line, it will be reported to me. My question right now is - Has anything been said that has been with the intent of causing a disruption in peace?”
“Not yet,” replied Lord Akula, in his deep and raspy voice.
“Not yet…” sneered Lord Boris instantly, “as if insulting our God isn’t enough!”
“Enough!” said King Jeraash, conveying just a minimal amount of annoyance this time, “I will not be repeating this! As for the House of Rash-Yaph, we will serve and worship Sathyam, and Sathyam will remain Jerudia’s one true God. But the people of Jerudia are free to think, say, and believe whatever they choose to. They are free to follow whatever God they choose to follow, and they are free to not believe in deities if they so choose to. This matter is closed. You are the chief priest of Jerudia, and I honour that position. But let us not forget that my duty and allegiance is to Jerudia, not to a priest. Next matter.”
