FictionPress.com - let the words flow| FictionPress.com - let the words flow |
| Home Just In Communities Forums Beta Readers Dictionary Search | Login Register Extras |
Forbidden
Aeglaeca
The bright morning’s sun peered through the translucent curtains behind the grand four-post bed. A young, beautiful man stirred awake as the sun’s rays tickled their way onto his golden face. The nineteen-year-old stretched out his arms as he lay in a heap of satin sheets atop the marvelous bed.
“Rise and shine my prince!” a servant said as she pulled back the curtains. The sun shinned brightly into the elaborate room as the servant woman laid out some garments for the young prince to wear for the day. “Now I’ve picked out your favorites! I want you to look your best for your father’s return from Ialu.” The prince’s chocolate eyes scanned over the finely made garments. Blue seemed to be a reoccurring theme, but he didn’t mind. His favorite color was blue and it matched so well with his dirty-blonde hair. The prince smiled kindly at the woman. She had been his servant ever since birth. She was more than just a servant to him; she was his educator, nanny, and someone who was just there to talk to.
“Minerva, would you run me a bath please?” the prince’s voice was like honey, sweet and wonderful.
“Of course Khai, just a moment.” Minerva left the sunlit bedroom to prepare the prince’s bathwater. Khai gently pulled out the hair tie that was keeping his shoulder-length hair up in a neat ponytail and shook his head a bit. ‘Father is finally coming home today. I’m finally allowed to just be a boy again.’ Khai’s name means Crowned, as he is the crowned prince. In his father’s absence he’s had to take the place of temporary king while his father has been in the land of the elves, Ialu.
“Your bathwater is ready for you,” Minerva said as she peered into the bedroom. Khai nodded in acknowledgement and watched as the old woman left him to go about her other duties. Khai slipped his silk nightgown off over his lean, golden shoulders as he made his way over to the bath. The water was warm and soothing. The young prince submerged in the water, holding his breath for as long as he could before going above the surface. Bathing was his favorite part of the day, no one to bother him, or judge him. He could just be himself and not have a care in the world.
“Najja! Would you hurry it up! Your father is going to be here soon!” cried Minerva, the main servant. ‘Sure be kind to my brother why don’t you. Just because he’s the crowned prince and I’m a pathetic excuse for royalty doesn’t mean you have to be so harsh. I could kill you if I wanted you know!’
The sun beamed brightly from the heavens as a white carriage appeared between the large public courtyard and stone castle. A large crowd of people gathered around to see the excitement. King Oba was finally returning home, and hopefully with good news. The country of Aeglaeca was a human kingdom and for the most part a rather peaceful human kingdom despite popular belief that all humans were power fiends. But the country of Draquea, a kingdom of dragons posed as a threat to the humans. There was a power struggle between the two neighboring countries over land. The Draqueans wanted to extend their borders farther into the mountains but the Aeglaecans strongly opposed. The mountains were what separated the two countries, and if the mountains were taken by Draquea, who was to stop the dragons from taking over Aeglaeca as well? A small man with a trumpet and a scroll of parchment appeared from the carriage. He played the Aeglaecan Anthem and then cleared his throat.
“Ladies and gentleman of Aeglaeca, I announce the return of our beloved king! His Majesty, King Oba!” A roar came from the crowd as a large man dressed in purple gowns appeared from the carriage. King Oba was a big man, tall, plump and strong. Despite his size he was a very kind man and preferred talk over war. But the problem in the east with the dragons was beginning to seem like there was only one choice. And that choice was war. King Oba waved at his citizens and smiled radiantly through his brown beard. His curly hair glistened as the sunrays gently caressed each wisp. The large man made his way into the castle and into the meeting room where his two sons and council members awaited him.
“Father!” greeted Prince Khai as he shook hands with his smiling father.
“Khai! How has being king been?” King Oba’s voice was full of excitement as he slapped his son gently on the back. He had missed his eldest son much.
“I’m not quite sure I’m ready for a job so demanding,” Khai said scratching his neck in embarrassment.
“Oh don’t be silly! If you won’t take over who else will? Those dragons?” King Oba’s voice boomed with laugher as the rest of the council laughed along with him. In the corner sat a boy of eighteen years. He slumped down in his hair and let his dark brown hair cover his plain brown eyes. Khai looked over to that corner and slowly his smile faded away. ‘Father has never been too proud of you. But you do know it is your fault! If you would just try a little I’m sure he’d be affectionate towards you too!’ The blonde prince reasoned. Najja looked about the room, watching as everyone laughed along with his father. To the kingdom, his father was the greatest king they ever had, but to him, he was a cruel man who had no real heart. No kind person would ever hate his own child, no matter how unskilled that child was.
“But aside from that, I must inform you of my travels to Ialu,” King Oba said. The large king took his place atop of the long table with Prince Khai to his right. Najja was to his left but not atop of the table, he was on the side next to regular councilmen. “Ialu isn’t fond of the dragons. They hate their bloodthirsty ways and their lust for power! They have agreed that if the beats of the east do not give up and war ensues…they too will go to war by our side!” The councilmen cheered at the words their king spoke. Prince Khai smiled a toothy grin at his father, all were happy…well everyone except a certain brunette prince. Najja didn’t like wars. And he especially didn’t like wars that went against the Draqueans. From stories that his grandfather used to tell him the Draqueans were giant beasts that soared through the air breathing fire and clawing anything in their paths to shreds. He was also aware that each dragon had a special eye color that indicated a special power they had. It was rumored that royal Draquean have eyes that can turn the beholder to stone. Najja feared for his country, he knew this was an impossible quest. He prayed war wasn’t going to be their answer.
Deep in the Gagathean forests the Elvin kingdom, Ialu resided. Its wooden buildings high up on the trees with giant white-water rivers below was a safe haven for any traveler of an allying country. Silver-blue butterflies flew in the air as birds sang their beautiful songs. Elvin children ran atop the bridges that connected each building of their beautiful city, as they played tag or hide-and-seek. Upon the highest willow tree was a large palace made of white oak. It was Ialu’s royal family’s home. A beautiful Elvin woman with floor-length bright-blonde hair and sparkling green eyes walked gracefully to her king and husband’s den. Her flowing violet dress followed her as she gracefully made her way into the large room. An elf with similar features and deep emerald eyes looked upon his wife. Pure elves all had blonde hair and green eyes. To them it was a symbol of their purity. To others it was a symbol of perfection. All elves were beautiful creatures that could live as long as they chose. When an elf entered a room, everyone felt their presence as if something wonderful had radiated off the elf.
“Man anirach cerin an le, Raina?” (What can I do for you, Raina?) The Elvin king said not looking up from his book. The queen elf sighed before sitting on a large armchair across from her husband.
“Man carel le?” (What are you doing?) She asked her husband bitterly.
“Raina, you know as well as I do that the Draqueans have stepped out of their bounds. They are attempting to wreck the peace that our countries-”
“The peace? The peace?! You are going to go to war and die if you go against the Draqueans! They are nothing but bloodthirsty beats that do not care who they hurt as long as they get their way! It’s best if they just get what they want. Think of all the husbands, brothers and children you’d be condemning!”
“And if I just let the Aeglaecans go to war alone think of the husbands, brothers and children I’d still be condemning! And if the Draqueans did get their way, they’d only want more! They’d try to take us over next! We are not that far west from them or Aeglaeca! After they take Aeglaeca, who’s to say they won’t try to take over us?” The Elvin king stood and burned his deep emerald orbs into his wife. She averted her eyes and looked into the dying fire in the fireplace.
“Thalion (Thahl-ee-on) I just don’t want to see you die. If you died…I don’t know what I’d do.” Thalion took his wife into his arms and held her tightly.
He whispered into her pointed ear, “You’d live on and see our son become king and have children of his own.” A lone tear slid down her glistening, pale face.
“I don’t want to see that day without you. I want to see you live and give your title to your son on your one-thousandth birthday.”
“If we cannot avoid war, it has to be done.” With that the Elvin king left his wife alone. He strode out into the treetop garden where he hoped his wife would know better than to venture out with him; he wanted to be alone.
“Father! Please don’t go to war! If you do you’ll die!” Najja protested as the royal family sat around the table eating their dinner. King Oba calmly wiped his mouth of his turkey leg and took a drink of his red wine before speaking to his second-born son.
“Then why don’t you die in my place?” The room became deathly quiet. The Queen, Azalea, cleared her throat and snapped her fingers indicating to the kitchen servants that they were finished with their meal. The empty plates were taken away and replaced with bowls full of ice cream.
“Is that a command father?”
“I’ll keep my place here, if you get enough courage to fight there,” King Oba stated bitterly.
“Father! I must protest. Najja has never seen a day out on the battlefield! He’d surely die within the second we went to war with the Draqueans.”
“It’s fine Khai, I’ll manage. I’ll get stronger. I swear it father. I’ll get stronger and then when I am dead, you will finally acknowledge me as your son.” Najja fought back tears as he fled from the table. King Oba took another sip of his wine before snapping to a servant indicating that he wanted more of the red liquid. Khai’s brown eyes watched through long eyelashes as his younger brother ran from the dining hall.
“Wasn’t that a bit much father? He can’t help it that he’s weak.”
“I want you to train him. Make him stronger. And if he does die in battle, then that is the wishes of our God. You are dismissed son.” Khai stood and bowed before he left to find his brother. He lightly jogged through the castle finally finding his brother by the night garden. The pond was lit by numerous floating candles as fireflies danced about the tall blue flowers.
“Why does he hate me so?” Najja asked finally letting his tears fall silently from his eyes.
“He doesn’t hate you. He’s just worried for you. You aren’t capable of protecting yourself and that doesn’t look well for a prince.”
“I’m sure all he’s concerned about is his image and his self! You get everything handed to you. You have everything! Popularity, looks, strength, talent! I have nothing. When father hosts balls he never once has invited me!”
“You’re family, you are automatically invited-” Khai tried placing a consoling hand on his brother’s shoulder but Najja jerked away.
“Automatically invited? Yeah right! When the royal family is announced my name is never mentioned!”
“But that’s because you’re never there!”
“Piss off! I am there! No one even knows I’m the second born prince. No one even knows I exist but you, mother and…father. And even he doesn’t want to admit I’m his child.”
“Najja. Think of it this way. At least no one is expecting you to be perfect. Everyone thinks I’m going to live up to father’s name and be as good of a king as him. I don’t think so. I think I’ll never amount to someone so strong. He’s fifty-six and he’s still fought in every war we’ve endured.”
“You’ll make a fine king. And I’ll make a fine corpse.” Najja ran off into the castle leaving his elder brother with nothing but heartache.
“You’re meant to do great things Najja. You just have to believe in it,” he said to no one.
“My fellow citizens! We have had many years of peace now and I dearly wish it could stay that way, but sadly today I say this with a heavy heart. We have no choice but to declare war on the Draqueans! All men of eighteen years and above should consider enlisting in fighting for our country. If our numbers do not match or exceed over the Draquean army, I shall have to enlist you by force. We are not in misfortune however! Our Elvin neighbors have agreed to fight by our side, and our human allies of Alguien, Zambara, and Quela. We have two weeks to prepare for battle! Let us pray that our actions will not be led in vein.” The king stepped back into the castle and a sad but supportive kingdom cheered. They worried over their loved ones but supported their good king’s decision. But they did know of the Draqueans and their savage ways…and they were afraid.
On the practice field, new recruits, veteran soldiers, and officials trained for battle. Prince Khai watched over his troops progression and made notes on how to configure the entire Aeglaecan army. He discussed their numbers with the princes from Alguien, Quela and Zambara. Alguien was a medium sized nation but had a weak army. Quela was a strong army but low in numbers and Zambara was weak and small, not exactly the best numbers to go up against Draquea.
“I want to learn how to fight,” a firm voice stated from behind the blonde. Khai turned around to see his brother dressed in a regular soldier’s outfit. He smiled and nodded his head slowly.
“Well first of all. Princes don’t wear dodgy outfits like that. Lets get you armored up in proper attire yes?” Najja nodded in agreement as the two brothers headed off into the armory tent. The large field consisted of tents here and there for different purposes. Najja was fitted for proper royal armor and then was led out into the field. “Lets see, what do you think you’d be best at?” Najja shrugged.
“There’s different ways to fight?”
“Numerous ways. But I’ll narrow it down to a few for you. We have cavalry, which requires you to be on a horse and with a sword. We’ve got your standard swordsmen, but since you are a prince you’d automatically be up on a horse. So for you, your choices are on horse with a sword or on horse with a bow and arrow.”
“Which is easier?”
“Both require strength, accuracy and bravery and right now you lack all three.”
“I’m not a coward. I’m not afraid of death.”
“This war isn’t like your average war. We are fighting beats! Large winged lizards that fly high up in the air that can easily rip you apart with their teeth! Death is just the reward after enduring endless hours of feeling your skin being torn to pieces.” Najja gulped as he listened to his brother’s words.
“Which one requires a nice distance?” Najja smiled sheepishly.
“Bow and arrow. I’ll teach you how to hold a bow properly, but I’ll have our best archer teach you how to aim, shoot and reload. You have only two weeks to perfect this. Are you sure you want to do this?” Khai did love his brother and the last thing he wanted to see was his brother die a horrible death by being swallowed whole by a dragon.
“Father wills it, so I will obey.”
“Don’t do anything rash ok?” Najja nodded as he took the bow and a practice arrow with a stub as its tip. He noticed that the bow was much heavier than what he had anticipated. Hour after hour Najja worked with the bow and his practice arrows. He became quite good with loading and reloading, shooting was his weakness. He didn’t have enough strength to pull the arrow back as far as it was able to go. Khai suggested that he do push ups to strengthen his arms. Fifty push ups later the small prince felt like jelly. The sun was setting and the soldiers were slowly beginning to clear out of the practice field.
“It’s time to call it a night and go home. Najja you’ve done enough for one night.”
“No! I haven’t even been able to shoot it right! Just…one more shot!” Najja attempted to pull the arrow back but his arm seared in pain and he let the arrow go without aiming. It hit a tree next to a horse frightening the horse. A nearby soldier calmed the horse and no harm was done. No physical harm anyway, but Najja’s pride was smashed into a million pieces.
“Najja. You’ve done enough. Why, yesterday you didn’t even know what a bow and arrow looked like! And today, you can load one quickly and can hold it properly! Father will be proud, I’m sure of it!” Najja looked at his brother skeptically. He knew his brother was lying, but he was lying to make him feel better about himself, and this made the younger prince happy.
“I suppose you’re right. Anyways, I’m pretty hungry. The food out here isn’t all that good.”
“Well get used to it little brother! When we set out to war it only gets worse.” Khai nudged his brother affectionately as they walked to their horses. The ride home the two brothers talked about what was to be expected of this war. Most of the answers Najja got he didn’t like, but he wanted to prove his father wrong. He wanted to show his father that he was worth something, even if it meant going off to war and dying.
“I-I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! I was just watching your form and-and, I’m sorry!”
“My form? State your name and purpose or I’ll shoot!” Najja demanded. The figure swayed from side to side nervously.
“M-my name is Ander. I’m a peddler’s son and I’m not, not all that brave sir. I wanted to join the army but I’m afraid.”
“Remove your cloak!” Najja demanded once again, not taking his aim off the boy. The boy removed the brown cloak and Najja had to blink quite a few times to make sure he wasn’t seeing things. A beautiful boy that looked to be about seventeen with startlingly beautiful silver eyes and mid-neck, choppy, silver hair stood nervously unsure of what to do or say. “You…you don’t look to be eighteen!”
“But I am Your Highness! I’m exactly eighteen!” The prince looked over the boy’s slender, feminine body. He was almost too beautiful to be real.
“Are you from Aeglaeca?” Najja asked a little softer this time.
“Not born here. But I noticed your form. You’re never going to be able to go to war if you can’t relax into your horse.”
“What do you know of riding and archery?”
“I know that if you pay too much attention to the horse and never relax you’re going to scare the horse and fall.” The boy stepped closer to Najja. He slowly took the bow and arrow from the bewildered prince and gracefully pulled himself onto the dapple-gray horse. He clicked a few times and gently nudged his feet into the horse’s sides. Cantering the horse he aimed at a target and shot. Bull’s eye.
“…How…how did you?” The boy giggled. His laugh could calm even the worst of storms. Najja wanted to hear the boy laugh more, speak more, anything he just wanted more.
“You have to find your center. Once your center is found you can become one with the horse and focus all your attention on your target.” The two spent hours together practicing until midnight before it became impossible to see.
“Who taught you how to ride?” Najja asked as they rode back to the castle side-by-side.
“My father.”
“A peddler?”
“Not all peddlers are poor. My father’s business is starting to attract more lately.”
“What does he sell?”
“Books.”
“Books?” Najja was surprised. He had never taken much interest in books.
“People have been reading up on the Draqueans lately. I guess they want to find their weaknesses. It’s not in books though.”
“What? Their weaknesses?”
“Who knows. Maybe it really is. There are just so many misconceptions on the dragon-people.
“Did you just say dragon…people? As in people?” Najja himself had never actually seen a Draquean, but he was sure they were just dragons. Fire-breathing dragons.
“They have human forms too. I’ve traveled through Draquea once.”
“You didn’t get killed? That’s amazing!” Najja cringed as he saw the castle coming into view. He didn't want to part from Ander.
“Not all Draqueans are evil. Some are very kind.”
“Blame it all on their king right?”
“Their king is nothing like what you think.”
“Don’t get so defensive. Or are you a Draquean?” Najja didn’t want to, but he suddenly became suspicious. But then again, why would a Draquean help him learn how to ride and shoot arrows.
“I’m just saying their king isn’t at all cruel. It’s not his fault. Dragon-people need a lot of space I’m guessing. What if they are just running out of room?”
“Why mountains though?”
“Don’t ask me. Your castle is just up ahead. I’d better get home. I’m sure my father is worried about me.”
“Where did you say you were from again?” Najja asked as Ander began to turn his horse down a different street.
“I wasn’t born in Aeglaeca. I was actually born in Ialu.”
“No wonder you’re so beautiful,” Najja stated starry-eyed. He blushed furiously after he noticed what he said. Ander blushed a light crimson, causing his ivory skin to glisten in the moonlight.
“I’m not an elf.”
“My apologies. Will I see you again?”
“Maybe on the battlefield. Good night my Prince.” Ander galloped away into the darkness of the unlighted streets. Najja sighed deeply as he continued to think of the boy. The way he moved, spoke. Everything seemed so perfect in him. It was as if Ander had no flaws. He had to be at least part elf. And those silver eyes. Something about him drove the young prince mad. Something sparked a feeling the prince had never felt. He silently hoped he’d see Ander at least one more time, before he marched off to his death.
Good? Bad?
Stop? Continue? Questions, comments?
