The following fantasy tale is an original work.
Prologue
Zarlana strode through the long corridor purposefully. She covered the corridor in much lesser time than it would have taken a normal man to cross. She was tall and lithe and fulsome unlike the current trend of skinny wenches that dotted the kingdom. She had just crossed a couple of years into her maidenhood. Being the only child of the King, she was trained in the arts of battle ever since she learned to walk.
She entered the council chambers. The ministers, old and young, were gathered around King Kastylar. The King himself seemed lost in thought. Whether it was because of what the ministers were speaking or something else was not evident. Zarlana found a quiet place in a corner and listened.
Minister Cordulan was saying, “My lord, the province of Corano has not paid taxes for the past 2 years. They claim the low harvest yield did not provide enough for them, much less the Treasury.”
Minister Zarax was also speaking, “Your highness, the province of Corano has been finding enough produce to trade with my province of Pekanar. How is it possible then that Corano has money to trade but no money to pay taxes?”
From the far end, Ministers Frax and Frel where chorusing, “My lord, my lord, we need more funds from the treasury to maintain the coast of the kingdom against pirates and smugglers!”
The cacophony was rising to a crescendo with each official trying to be heard over the other. King Kastylar was through, “ENOUGH!” he roared, “It is bad enough that none of you can take care of your provinces, you hardly remember the etiquette of civilized ones and scream like a gaggle of crones! Now, I will permit each of you to enter a petition and leave it with High Counselor Fareogh here. He will judge the priority and then I will look into the matter tomorrow.”
He glared around the room to see if any one challenged his authority. All murmured their assent in hums and grunts. “Now begone,” said the King “and let this remind you that the time wasted today was your own doing.” As he continued his scan around the room, he saw Zarlana and her amused smile. After the officials filed out, he beckoned Zarlana to his side. “Sigh, you see, daughter, it is easier to rule a herd of sheep rather than these so called civilized leaders of people. Ours is a small and simple kingdom, unlike Icanor which is 500 times larger than ours! Yet, the problems in our kingdom dwarf those of Icanor.”
“No, father, it is because your rule is gentle, you believe that everyone is intelligent and without greed or rancor. You believe everyone should have the right to talk and so far you have only facilitated negotiations. You need to delegate your authority to suitable counselors and ministers, but you dare not. You think that this will lead to internal strife and jealousy.”
“Aye, you are very intelligent and wise beyond your years, Zarlana, even those of my council who have seen more than you have. However, this is how the kingdom has been run for the past decade. We have had peace like no other nation around us. This is the consequence of peace. At times of peace, you are left dealing with small, irritating issues that do not unite a nation. Icanor is constantly at war with its neighbors, its people pay their taxes without demur because they realize the cost of defense. The kingdom itself fortifies itself and builds armies that protect its traders and ships. Icanor’s diplomats constantly travel to different nations securing treaties for its kingdom. Its people are happy.”
Zarlana sighed, “I would beg to disagree. Though it appears that the people are happy, that is the cost of peace there. Other issues find its way to keep everything in imbalance. That is the law and nature of time. Nothing ever remains a constant. There will be a need to maintain large armies and that in turn puts a strain on resources. An army that merely exists to guard its citizens is underutilized. The expenses incurred in training and equipping them does not justify their current use.”
“Then what would the Icanorian King do when they are invaded?” asked Kastylar “Icanor is too prosperous for other nations not to be eying its coffers. Argh! Let us not dwell on matters of state and politics and economy. Tell me, what has my sweet daughter been up to?
“Ha ha, whenever I seek to garner more intelligence by discussing a state’s matters with you, you’d rather avoid them by asking about my boring routine and life. Well anyway, to answer your question, I spent the wee hours of the morning practicing in the archery yard, then swung my practice sword with the Captain of the Guard, ate a meal of fruit and here I am, being deprived of food for thought.”
“Mundane life is good, my dear daughter, I hope and pray that you do not see a life of destruction and despair. Come now, let me see to Fareogh who no doubt will have received all the petitions within the hour and sorting them out. He will need me to decide on the priority.”
He left Zarlana by his simple stone throne which he used for his inner council. The elaborate throne was in the main Court hall. Zarlana tugged at a lock of her black hair and twirled it between her fingers. She longed for challenges in life. She challenged her mortality as well. Whenever she locked blades with Harrar the Captain, she would push him. She knew that he was gentle with her and she would parry with no thought of hurting him. She used this advantage to her fullest and tried every day to get him to hurt her. She was getting closer though. That’s the difference when one is fighting not to hurt and one has nothing to lose.
Zarlana got up and moved towards the atrium. A pair of grey eyes eyed her from behind the curtains which were behind the stone throne. Zarlana instinctively turned back but saw only the gentle swaying of the red curtains. She shrugged her shoulders and continued her way.
The grey eyes had taken in the unblemished ivory skin of Zarlana, the high and full bosom that the cloth around her chest barely contained, her narrow waist which flared out into wide hips. Her buttocks were shapely. Her long legs seemed endless. Her face was sharp featured and framed in straight raven black hair. Her eyes were dark pools which brightened with easy anger. When she walked, it was difficult not to notice her nor take one’s eyes off her. Zarlana was beautiful.
Just as Zarlana turned the corner into the corridor, a hand clamped across her mouth and she heard a sharp crack. She realized it was the sound of something that hit her at the back of her head just as she began to lose consciousness. Then she was brutally raped. But she did not realize that her life had only just begun!
… to be continued.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment