Chapter Ten

Curse it, Dwayne thought agitatedly as he walked around the new palace’s garden. Curse it, curse it! He was not getting his way and that was not good. He had specifically asked for that damned servant girl to go out into the town and get some meat and she had not even turned from her chores. He of course could not do anything to her because then his reputation would be smashed. He had wanted to strike her or kill her or do something that would have made her comply. He clenched and unclenched his fists several times before stopping and resting his body against a tall tree. This place seriously needed a bit of shaping up. There was not a sign of leather or any other meat product in sight. Sure there were the animals themselves but since when was that ever satisfying?

King Dwayne decided to reflect on his own castle back in Arguini. Now that place was the definition of beauty. This was natural beauty and Dwayne hated it more then his own son. It disgusted him that his son had no sense of style. Not only did his son detest meat eaters but he also detested his father. That was one thing that had to go. The detestation of your guardian was uncivilized to say the least.

King Dwayne sat against the back of the tree then feeling the weight of all his years creeping up slowly. With a sigh he looked around his son’s property. There had to be some way to do what he had to do. There was no way that he could do it however without a backup plan. He grimaced at the thought of sex. It was the most distasteful act of humanity to him. He could not see how men enjoyed it.

But who would be the one to help him in his damned course? Queen Amyla came to mind. No, he said sternly to himself. He had completely forgotten what that sort of ordeal led to. Way to much political interference. He did not want to have to do anything too hard.

Then the idea hit him. It was going against his son’s will but who gave a damn. He had not really liked her of course but he supposed she would like the new lifestyle. He was punishing her but doing her a favor at the same time. It was completely upside down. He rolled his eyes to the hot sun above them and then stood up leaning heavily on the tree.

Walking slowly back to the castle he smiled and winked at the servant girl who had disobeyed him. He then headed for the library going over to a shelf and taking a random text. After staring unseeingly at the pages he looked up to see Captain Merrill approaching him at a brisk walk.

He stood in front of his king looking anywhere except at him. Dwayne grew aggravated. The man hadn’t even bowed. What was he doing? Did he not have the guts to stare his master in the eye? Why not?

“Your Highness,” Captain Merrill said bowing and looking at the floor. “The deed has been done.” Dwayne nodded and motioned for Captain Merrill to sit down. He did not however. He just stood there stalk still pale as snow.

“What’s the catch?” King Dwayne demanded looking fiercely at his captain. When the captain still did not answer King Dwayne grew aggravated and stood up slamming his fists on the table. The little librarian Delona squeaked in shock at his misuse of her property. “Shut the hell up!” he snapped at her and then watched with satisfaction as she scurried away picking up stray papers as she went. King Dwayne looked imploringly at his captain.

“I’m firing you if you don’t say something in the next ten seconds,” he said finally losing his patience altogether. If it had been possible King Dwayne might have sworn that Merrill’s face went even whiter.

“I…” he said faintly his voice trailing off into the uncomfortable silence. “I don’t know how they did it but somehow the prisoners from the Travelers’ Battle escaped. The cells are all empty. The guards are clueless and the servants and maids as well. Queen Amyla is still here of course but the whereabouts of her daughter are yet to be known.” He looked fearfully at King Dwayne who was now clenching and unclenching his fists once more. They had escaped! How? How could they have gotten away with that? How on Earth had they managed it?

“Well what the hell are you just standing there for?” King Dwayne demanded shouting directly into his Captain’s face. “Curse it, curse it! FIND THEM!” Captain Merrill did not even bow. He just sprinted from the room assuring the king over his shoulder that they would be found and brought to justice.

They better, King Dwayne thought sitting heavily back in his chair. They better.

A/n: Here ends part one of Aquarius. Part Two has not been started yet. We will start it as soon as possible. Hope you liked this first segment.