by Joanne Durda
“Bah! If you do not want to rouse yourself up and accept the challenge and be the trained warrior that you are, then go back and be the soft matter in your dreams!”
Savagio was taken aback by the cold outburst. It seemed to hit him hard inside his warrior’s ego, and caused injury to his amour propre.
“You will soon cower beneath your weakness,” Octagon remarked to him.
Octagon turned his jittery horse with his reins, and then proceeded to nudge the mount back into a canter, away from Savagio. I will let him ponder on my spoken words for a while and approach him again later, Octagon thought to himself. He was wet and tired, and so was his horse. They both needed rest, water and food.
“Wait!” Savagio shouted, without a moment’s hesitation.
Octagon reined in his fidgety horse and turned back towards Savagio. Savagio pondered, again. Octagon gave him the courtesy of thought by remaining quiet.
“You are right, I have become the essence of soft matter. That must be why the princess has not made a decision as of yet. Both Ushi and I have weakened ourselves by kissing her hand too much!”
Octagon laughed. “A woman wants strength around her – not simpering idiot savants!”
“Very well. I will take my leave and I will come train your Thorn Army to be fighting warriors. Now tell me, what do I get out of it?”
Octagon smiled down at Savagio as his gray-dappled steed pranced about. “Satisfaction. A boast of vain glory! Your reputation back as a master of fighting warriors!”
Savagio smiled back at Octagon and nodded his head positively.
“We leave this very night. I will be with my Brothers in their quarters in the gardens,” Octagon told him. Then he kicked his horse into a gallop to ride towards his Brothers’ quarters.
The Tooth Fairy Princess’s morning walk was forgotten about at the present time by Savagio. He now had a more important duty to attend to. “I must go and find Ushi. I have a message for him from me,” he told himself.
Savagio looked for Ushi in the pond area and spied him and Goldest sitting together on the rock. He walked towards them. Ushi and Goldest saw Savagio coming towards them.
“Here comes fancy tights!” Goldest exclaimed snidely.
“Now, Goldest, please try to behave yourself. Be kind,” Ushi firmly told her.
Savagio approached and noticed the hole that was being dug. Savagio gave Goldest a dark, ugly look. He had taken enough abuse. Subconsciously, in anger, Savagio slide his knife out from its sheath from around his waist, and threw the knife right below Goldest into the ground. Goldest let out a loud croak and jumped down from the rock. Ushi sprang up and grabbed Savagio’s arm.
“You could have hurt her – or even killed her, Savagio!” Ushi screamed at him. He then threw Savagio to the ground as a horrified Goldest watched. This is all my fault, Goldest thought to herself. This is not like Ushi. I brought this on. Shame on me…
Ushi grabbed hold of himself and gave Savagio his hand to help him up off the ground.
Savagio looked unkindly at Goldest as Ushi helped him back up. “So, I see our piece of gold is behaving in her usual manner this morning. I think it’s time to take her to the market and get rid of her!”
“No such thing, Savagio! I told you I would take care of her,” Ushi reminded him.
“You said that months ago!” Savagio cried out angrily.
“It takes time. Goldest is not like other females,” Ushi told him slowly, calmly.
“I’m sure we’ve all learned that by now!” Savagio exclaimed venomously.
Goldest started to wildly hiccup, again. Her shame had brought on a scarlet tinge to her coat of gold.
The princess had seen the commotion going on as she came out of the Cuspid Castle for her morning walk around the ponds. She hurried over to them. All was silent as she approached them. She sighed heavily as she noticed the hole in the ground.
“Goldest,” the princess said softly, calmly. She knew she had to keep her anger hidden inside her in order to maintain her appearance as a truly fine lady. She did not wish to tarnish her character in front of her two suitors.
Ushi took command of the situation, not wanting the princess to be in the middle. “Princess, forgive me. But Goldest and I will be leaving the Cuspid Castle at first light tomorrow.”
Ushi’s remark startled the princess and caught her by surprise. She put her hand to her heart. “But… forever why, Ushi?” she asked, bewildered.
“I have grown tired of waiting for you to make your decision; therefore, it is in my best interest for myself that I take Goldest away and we seek an adventure in another kingdom for a while. You see, Princess, we both have grown restless.”
Savagio cut in. “I will be leaving also, Princess. I have been asked to train another warrior army, and I have taken on this challenge. I have laid around here much too long and welcome this challenge.”
A stunned, speechless princess watched as Ushi slapped Savagio on his back in agreement to his leaving also, and taking up his own challenge.
“This will give you time, Princess, to see exactly where your heart lies,” Savagio softly told the princess with extreme seriousness.
The princess was totally speechless. She could not find the right words to say. She could only gasp.
Ushi walked away with his one arm around Savagio’s shoulder. They both left together, the incident with Goldest was forgotten and put behind them. The bewildered princess looked down at a smiling Goldest, who had hopped over to her.
“You should not have played around with these two hearts and their affections for so long as if they were a deck of cards. The cockles of their hearts are now warmed by their true warrior blood instead of grape jelly, which comes with the fascination of love,” Goldest smugly informed her.
Goldest hopped away after Ushi and Savagio, who were engrossed in conversation with one another, leaving an open-mouthed princess panting wildly.
Find someone else to kiss your hand now, Goldest thought smugly to herself.
The princess sat down on the rock and noticed that her heart felt heavy already and that she was developing a heartache. A single teardrop fell from her eye into her lap. She felt the loneliness creep slowly upon her. She knew there was nothing that she could do and there would be no solace. She would have to let time take over and hope that they both would come back to her. “I now will be dreaming alone, singing alone and waiting for happiness to happen,” the princess whispered to herself with sorrow.
That night Octagon and Savagio galloped through the kingdoms towards the Kingdom of Thorns. The pounding of thunder was harsh upon their ears, as the flashing of white lightning was just as harsh upon their eyes. The wind blew with passion as it crept through their hoods and capes, making them blow frenziedly as they galloped their mounts. The crying of the wind made for an eerie, spooky scene amongst the trees in the forests. Owls hooted and stretched their wings standing on tiptoe as they rode past. Shadows seemed to watch over them and follow them wherever they rode.
A grim night like this was not uncommon within the Domain. The ancient Monks and Shamans were used to living in an austere environment just like this – their kingdom being home to the thunder, lightning, wind and anything that resembled fear or terror. That was just another reason why the Monks and Shamans were fearless. They had walked in the shadows of fear for centuries past.
As for Savagio, he feared nothing. His father and grandfather had raised him to be just that – fearless and courageous. Savagio remembered that before they had left, Octagon warned him about the crying he would hear as they neared the Kingdom of the Dead: “The benevolent souls cry out in unison, mourning in harmony, rising in tempo as they weep for their sins and the sins of others, being lost in the malevolent world of the dead. Their unadulterated cries, frozen in the cold, timeless world of nothingness, echo through the bleak darkness of icy blue as they are sung in the gloomy, lifeless vacuum of piteous quietus. They continually, mournfully rise in tempo to t
he rhythmic succession of their tears, grieving shamelessly for themselves and their loved ones left behind… ignore these cries,” Octagon had warned him.
Nothing stopped them or their mounts as they rode onwards with the shadows to their final destination in the creeping harshness of the night.
The Adventurers
On the first colorful brazen rays of light the next day, Ushi rode out on Niciu, with Goldest lounging in satisfaction on the stallion’s rump. They rode at leisure through the kingdoms, with no special destination in mind, just looking for adventure. They had never even looked back at the Cuspid Castle. It was time for them to seek their own, newest adventure. Another horse was in tow with their supplies. Sabira and Sunsette prepared food and extra blankets for the both of them. Captain Cuspido and Spade had helped them with their supplies. They had left before the princess had awakened. Ushi thought it was best that way; and of course, Goldest agreed with him.
“Serves her right!” Goldest had told herself with a smirk.
They rode onwards into the noon hour. Ushi made a stop and gazed out over the open green hills with numerous fields of wildflowers up ahead of them.
“We are soon to enter the Kingdom of Weeds,” Ushi remarked.
“May I correct you to say, the Kingdom of Wild-flowers. Weeds are flowers too, you know,” Goldest reminded him.
Ushi smiled down at Goldest as she corrected his chosen words. Then he said, “Is there a special king dom within your golden heart that you would like to dwell in for a while, Goldest?”
“That kingdom is no longer be, Ushi,” Goldest replied with sadness in the tone of her voice. She pondered for a few seconds. “Ummm, on second thoughts, head northwest.”
“Northwest? But those kingdoms are not inviting,” Ushi informed her.
“Then we be the uninvited!” Goldest smartly told him.
Ushi laughed. “You never cease to amuse me, Goldest. Northwest it is!”
Ushi turned his mount towards the northwest without a second thought and onwards they rode. Excitement flowed through Ushi’s soul, as apprehension flowed through the core of Goldest’s golden heart.
In the early part of the afternoon, hunger had overcome Ushi. “We should rest awhile and eat,” Ushi informed Goldest.
“Rest?” Goldest croaked.
“You, my dear lady, have done nothing but nap on Niciu’s rump. I don’t expect you to understand, but the horses need to rest and eat, and I am famished!”
Ushi unsaddled the horses and gave them free rein of the sea green grass. A bubbling brook flowed nearby, so the horses could water themselves at will. Ushi made himself a fire and roasted the meat Sabira had packed for him. Goldest jumped into the green water and lazily sunned herself on her back. As some of the bugs floated down to her, she stretched her head back and let them float into her mouth. The purest essence of laziness, Ushi thought, laughing to himself as he watched Goldest. He took a deep breath and looked around at the beauty surrounding him. Chrysanthemums surrounded him. He could see fields of colorful tulips off into the distance. Purple delphiniums grew in abundance by the bubbling brooks. Exotic lilies in different shades of white, pink and orange stretched themselves out everywhere. Monstrous white daisies with white, yellow or golden centers grew in mounds and loomed over all the other flowers, growing in abundance. Goldest hopped out of the brook and over to Ushi.
“I never realized this Kingdom of Fragrances could make you feel so light-headed and sleepy. We cannot spend the night here, Goldest.”
“And why is that?” Goldest croaked.
“Because I am developing a headache from all these aromas!”
“After you eat, then we shall make cover over at the next kingdom,” Goldest told him.
“That being?” Ushi asked.
“The Kingdom of Marble,” Goldest responded.
“Mmm… that is one kingdom I have yet to see,” Ushi remarked, wondering what it would be like. “Prepare to leave soon. The night will come upon us fast in the northwest.”
As Ushi finished his meal, Octagon and Savagio rode into the Kingdom of Thorns. Savagio stopped as his eyes panned the area. He made a disgruntled face at such an ugly kingdom, with its tangled weeds and thorn bushes, thorn vines and thorn plants. Savagio nudged his horse onwards. They crossed a creek and Savagio noticed that even the water was an inky color. This kingdom looks like it died centuries ago, Savagio thought to himself. Even the dirt was darkish, not like the orange, red, tan and light-colored dirt from the many other kingdoms. The silence of the kingdom was deadly. No wildlife was to be seen, and no birds to sing their songs of joy and love. An unpleasant sensation crept up Savagio’s spine and made him feel that he was frozen in a deathlike grip. They rode down the center of thousands of cockleburs filled with their stiff-spined fruits. Ugly things, thought Savagio, and grimaced to himself.
“Where is the beauty in this kingdom?” Savagio asked Octagon.
“There is none. As a warrior who has been about, you should already know that not all kingdoms were gifted when placed.”
“Yes, I suppose you’re right, Octagon. Now I know why your younger Monks jump at the chance to plant and cultivate for other kingdoms. I’m sure they take the time to marvel at the other kingdoms after being left here for a while. Please excuse me for saying this, but I find your kingdom quite appalling.”
“This time it will be different,” Octagon remarked sadly.
“What mean you?” Savagio questioned as a dreaded, fateful feeling overtook him that made him feel that something was not right.
Octagon did not answer Savagio. That is a question not to be answered, Octagon thought to himself. I will stray from what was asked and seal my lips.
Savagio felt uneasy at Octagon’s silence to his question. He brushed the ominous feeling aside. Silence overcame them both, and each was enshrouded within his own thoughts as they slowed down and rode into the Thorn Castle Courtyard. Some of the other Monks and Shamans came out to greet Savagio and tend to their horses, knowing they had come a long way in so short a time. Savagio recognized some of the faces that he had seen tending to the gardens, grounds and kitchens at the Cuspid Castle. He knew that the Monks, from time to time, rotated their time and energy to help one of their most beautiful, respected descendants from their line. A story had been told that a Shaman had fallen in love with a glowing platinum star. The star fell from the sky, right into his arms. An ethereal union had taken place between this Shaman and the fallen star, which created the most beautiful of all beautiful, the Tooth Fairy Princess. All descendants of the Monks and Shamans were fascinated by this beauty, and they honored and respected the princess – always remaining protective of her.
Savagio dismounted and let the Monks make the first move. He did not know what was expected of him, and was unsure of how to handle so many at one time. Some of the Monks stood rigid and honored him with silent, stern looks. He was unsure what to make of it.
The mighty Theo came forward and spoke portentously. “The Kingdom of Thorns welcomes you, Savagio. I am Theo, their Brother and leader.”
“Where is this army I am to train as warriors?” a most anxious Savagio asked.
“Our thorn fields are out back, beyond our wheat and oat fields. We have also built our own flour mill through the years,” Theo explained with pride.
Meek stepped forward and respectfully bowed to Savagio, saying, “We have done much for ourselves, but have not had the opportunity to have complete satisfaction.”
Theo raised an unkind eyebrow at Meek’s remark and brushed him aside. “The thorns are still rooted and are not ready for you to see, as of yet,” he informed Savagio.
Savagio was flabbergasted. “Still rooted? What mean you?” An ugly suspicion overtook Savagio.
Alme stepped forward and respectfully bowed to Savagio. “I am Alme,” he said, clearing his throat. “The seedlings will be uprooted tonight, during the immeasurable rite which will be performed at the moon’s highest point.”
&n
bsp; “What in the name of the devil’s tongue am I to train?” a maddened Savagio asked.
There was a moment of silence. Savagio stared at all of them. Nothing seemed to bother any of them. They stood with unyielding faces and very few words. Savagio glanced at Octagon, who looked away. Octagon’s heart suddenly knew that something was not right at all within the unrestful kingdom, and with Theo ruling over them. What about our beliefs? Octagon asked himself in silence.
Savagio’s excitement had turned to disgust as he realized that he might have made a mistake in coming to this kingdom. He had put his trust in Octagon, and now he wondered if that trust was mistakenly placed. Savagio shook his head with repugnance and began to mount his horse to ride back.
Theo sensed how disgruntled Savagio was at finding everything wasn’t what he thought it should be. He walked up to Savagio and calmly placed his hand on the warrior’s shoulder. Savagio took his foot from the stirrup. Octagon looked solemnly at Theo.
Octagon broke the silence. “We shall go for a walk through the fields. I shall show you, myself, what we have cultivated with our mystic properties,” the clever Octagon told Savagio. Savagio’s curiosity overtook him at Octagon’s spoken words.
Meek cut in before Savagio could respond in a negative manner. “You must be tired from the ride. Come, let me show you your quarters, and some of our lesser Brothers will carry your belongings up to your room. We will tend to your tired and hungry horses.”
“Take a short rest, Savagio. Your tiredness does not become a warrior like yourself,” Theo said, displaying his arrogance. He had to make sure that he had the most utmost respect from Savagio, and that Savagio looked up to Theo as the kingdom’s leader as well as the others.
Theo did not like Octagon’s spoken words to Savagio and looked at him sternly as he said, “And we all shall go for this walk,” stressing the word all.
Meek put his arm around Savagio’s shoulder and walked with him towards the Thorn Castle, while some of the other Monks, lesser in rank, removed Savagio’s supplies off his packhorse. As they walked inside the castle, Savagio noticed how dark, gray and cold it was, even though it had fires burning in all its fireplaces, with hundreds of cream-colored candles burning brightly with deep yellow flames aglow everywhere. Savagio found this strange, being still the afternoon. Cones of cinnamon incense burned throughout the castle.
