1.

16^th Century

Alvar

Someone had said right- Time never stays the same. What you held yesterday, maybe not in your hands today. What you plan to do tomorrow, it might not occur as thought. The world runs dynamically, and it turns every moment, showing changes that go unnoticed sometimes. Our ignorance could pull us in a compromising position if the matters are worth paying attention to.

Something like this has transpired with the Alvar, a small mountainous country with a long coastline serving grounds for 2.1 million people of Islam and Christianity.

There was a time when this country was counted among the most prosperous nations. If we overlook the high economic fortunes, then the kingdom was called the home of a goddess. The country had more riches than the poor. No one slept with an empty stomach and had an occupation to earn a good sum. There were more immigrants than emigrants. The heritage was so rich that the merchants from other countries would come to sell their products in exchange for unique handicrafts of Alvar. Alvar was famous for its jewels and pearls. The fact was proven whenever a King of different royalty stops by and buys enough to feed four nations altogether.

But that wasn’t all. The small mountainous nation was also famous for its grains and healthy crops. The soil was fertile and rich with all sorts of natural resources and never disappointed the farmers. With every passing year, the turnover only doubled, earning high-profit values for the hard-working laborers and peasants.

The climate was neither too warm nor too cold but soothing for both the people and spreading greenery. The clear blue sky always casts down on the green grounds with heavenly essence when the weather turned rainy. The pool and lakes would spring with crystal clear water in the same season, and the level of the river would increase. Nature, through its various ways, provided constant water supply, so flora and fauna don't have to suffer.

The rearing cattle were given enough grazing grounds in selected parts of the luxuriant forest. Smart ways such as rotation were introduced to avoid overgrazing and loss of resources.

Children were provided with the best education at affordable rates so that the future of Alvar could stand proudly on strong backbones.

But the picture described above is now talks of the past.

The recent pictures of cruelty are complete opposite and heart wrecking.

The home that once gave a roof to riches now enclosed majority wearing rugs. The beautiful females coming from respected households now lived like beggars on streets. Their lovely complexion got matted with dirt and tiredness. They didn’t feel safe anymore and decided to stay in the confines of their houses to save their dignity and virtue. They won’t be able to live with themselves if something heinous like rape happens. In this time of crisis, they refused to burden their families with one more brutality as the hungry monsters seeking some flesh now roamed freely.

 The streets that used to stay busy in the past now ran empty as the children stopped playing, and the Wanderers lost their ways. The condition of children was no different as their soft hairs got coated with mud, and skin was left uncovered, subjected to the dirt. Snot runs down their noses, and tears fall from their eyes. They stopped playing a long time back and usually pass their days by clutching an aching belly due to immense hunger.

The lavish market, which once was the greatest source of business, remains close now because no one comes to buy anymore but steal.

The men, providers of the house, have turned into thieves and murderers because of never-ending poverty. Now they kill and lift to meet the ends and keep the members of their families alive. Murdering was no less than a sport because nearly 7-8 people die every day. No one has the guts to raise their voice against the rising rebellion. The streets are not safe anymore as the bandits of the night crowd them in hopes of gaining something valuable.

The fields which were once flooding with unlimited grains now sat barren. The fertile grounds have turned desolate, and forests caught fire under the intense heat of the scorching sun.

Water was a luxury now as all the lakes and pools have dried. Although the river flew, no one drank from it as it carried a whole bundle of unknown diseases.

It was like the Gods in heaven have turned their backs on the suffering Alvar. Mother Nature was showing her anger in full force as it has not rained in 5 years. In place of soothing gusts of air, the agonized people received hot and dry summer afternoon wind that left high temperatures in its wake. The strong gales rarely help as they usually brought destruction. It was like salt on their wounds. Sometimes the hay roofs or fences would fly away with the storm, and people that came in contact with them- hardly survived. Alvar has caught evil eyes.

The kingdom that has never backed away from helping others, wasn’t treated the same. All the neighboring empires have cut their ties after examining the damage. They stopped the hefty business exchanges when the area got raided by a deadly plague that ate thousands. Initially, the healers failed to find the cure, but when accidentally stumbled on one, it was too late. By then, many got infected.

Slowly, the great Alvar was coming to ruins.

The franchise that was counted among strongest and superior nations was crumbling to dust. The people on borders started introducing the disappearing country as the red zone. They have already assumed that the plague will swallow everyone and leave no survivors. The horde that decided to leave the country and start fresh somewhere else were either returned or slaughtered, so they don’t carry the germs in the new estate.

Once upon a time, the fort of Alvar used to stand proud with an army of bulky soldiers to protect the King. Now it stands like a widow with a torn flag, blowing along with the hot wind. There was no line or row of loyal guards surrounding the tall and strong walls. The only thing that kept the rebels out of the fort was the giant gate that has not opened in weeks. Due to increasing attacks and murders, the King of Alvar- Thales has asked his ministers to bolt and lock the doors to keep the desperate crowd out.

The stone walls stood high and strong, bearing all the hits and cries of frustration, blocking the entry inside the fort.

Inside the castle, a string of maids was busy in sprinkling medicines to avoid the plague and its harmful antigens to suffocate the clean air. Various healers were working on the wealthy ministers and their families to minimize the effects of the deadly disease. After watching the improvements in their health, the King ordered his loyal guards to let 5 people enter every day inside the gates and provide them with the same treatment.

King Thales has refused to give up. He will work until his last breath to save the last life on his land. The appointed healers were working day and night to cure as many as possible. Special sanitation facilities were undertaken so they don’t get sick themselves.

The Minister of the courtroom, Lord Charles, youngest brother of King Thales, stood in front of the royal vault pale as a ghost. He was a man in his early 40’s. His eyes jumped from one corner of the empty sanctum to another. Clear distress shined in his eyes and lines of worry marred on his forehead. His thin body shifted from one foot to another, and fingers moved in dark silky hairs aimlessly. A tired sigh left his lips as he bent down to retrieve the last golden coin and tossed it in a pot full of gold and other jewels. Moisture blurs his vision as he watched two filled pots with the last piece of wealth they owned. His hopes were breaking slowly. The entire coffer was empty other than these two pots. King Thales has used more than half blindly to help the pulpit and spent some to import food from neighboring kingdoms. The once fruiting treasure room now tasted the dust. Lord Charles removed the golden rings from his fingers and threw them with the rest of the gold. He pulled out his silver chains and sacrificed them for his pulpit. Feeling a little light, the handsome man backed away and gestured at the 4 soldiers to pick them up and load in the cart.

When the tall soldiers entered the treasure room, they froze for seconds in shock, but continue their job without showing any expressions. Their hearts were aching as the truth slapped them hard. The royal treasure has crumbled to the ground, and there was no penny left to serve the hungry kingdom. How were they going to survive? They have nothing left to even negotiate with other countries to house some of the healthy people. It was a crisis, and they were drowning in it.

Clenching their jaws, they bent to pick it up. Their muscles throbbed, and biceps bulged as they lifted the heavy pots and carried them towards the wooden cart. Covering the pots with heavy lids, two soldiers started pulling it in the main hall.

As the plague and drought attacked the kingdom altogether, the poor cattle also died. Horses started dropping lifeless. There was no food for even humans to sniff. How could they have maintained the animals?

The Gods in the skies were cruel to punish the innocent beings for someone else’s ignorance.

As the soldiers pull the carts, numerous eyes fell on them. Their stiffened backs rocked in alarm, unable to trust anyone other than their King. The robberies and murders have left them traumatized. It was the last straw of their country, and they would sacrifice their lives protecting it. They need to spend the sum on important causes to run the empire for a few more days until the death embraces them all together.

The soldiers stopped in front of the stairs of the main hall with their heads lowered. They waited for King Thales to arrive and instruct them accordingly. The maids halted their works for a few moments and sent immediate prayers to the cruel gods to keep their last hope safe.

***

Away from the dejected environment in the main hall of the fort, on the fourth floor of the royal castle- high security was appointed for the safety of the king.

Inside the grand chambers, King Thales of Alvar stood in front of the silver carved mirror as the maids adjusted his clothing and whipped an enticing scent on his garments. He stood like a statue as they worked on him like every day. Two maids were making his king-size bed at the corner while three were busy in emptying the bowl of cold water, which was brought from the barely filled well inside the castle. The King has cleaned his body with a wet towel as they lacked enough resources for a bath. It has been years since he has stepped in the tub.

His vibrant blue eyes stared in the mirror blankly and accessed his 6 ft frame in a new light.

Did he look like a King?

The answer to his conscience rattled him from head to toe. His feet dug hard in the ground to keep the spine straight.  Hands tightened in fists, and he dispersed the fumbling maids to relieve himself of the slight ache in his chest. The walls were closing at him, so he took deep breathes before pressing a sweaty palm on his chest. His vision blurred as he looked in the mirror. His conscience had stated the truth by unraveling reality. The only thing that made him look like a king was the crown on his head. He touched the blue gems on the center that worth millions. But what would he do of a crown when there wouldn’t be a crowd to rule. It would be a mere jewel that will always remind him of the golden ages where he had waved at the pulpit wearing it proudly and had received their love and loyalty in return.

As he gazed in the mirror, he noted his appearance. He was a defeated man, barely holding the strings of sanity. In his late 40’s he didn’t look less than 60. The worries and solidifying tensions have turned him old at an early age. A layer of fine wrinkles decorated his forehead, and dark circles surrounded the vibrant blue eyes like hollow pits. The shade of his eyes was still breathtaking like the frozen lakes of arctic but they lacked the spirit after watching so many deaths. His chiseled nose and a hard jaw, which used to enhance his feature, now look bony as the cheeks were hollow, sunken inside due to falling diet. His once bulky stature now stood thin, showing ribs and bones of a malnourished being. His bony fingers combed the little dark hairs on the head and sigh, thinking how many he has lost in the wake of this plague. The struggle to survive and nightmares shined on his face and turned away from his reflection. The more he looked, the smaller and vanquished he felt.

The picture doesn’t belong to a king but to a man, who has been through various storms and barely held the rays of hope. If he was fooling someone, it was himself for thinking that they could go past this curse and crisis. No fiber in his body longed to battle anymore. He was about to come on his knees in front of the monstrous situation.

Feeling the gaze of maids on his shoulders, he cleared his throat and left the quarters to attend the other business that requires his thorough attention. Wallowing in pity won't lead him anywhere. All he had to do was drown in work to forget the biting feeling in his chest.

As he exited the bed-chamber, the soldiers guarding the hallways bowed their heads in respect. King Thales forced himself to not yell out, how he doesn't deserve it as he failed to stop the riot shadowing his kingdom, but the men in uniform thought differently. As the king passed by them, they watched him as a man on a mission who was dead set on bringing them justice and relieve the pain.

As the king descended the stairs with his mind filled with various possibilities, a soft patter of running feet brought him to a halt.

“Papa…”

A distinct melodious voice rang in the lonely corridors, melting the agonizing silence that was poking him like needles. The corner of his lips lifted to produce a gentle smile, and he turned to greet his angel. His eyes immediately caught a girl running towards him with her beautiful sea blue gown flowing behind her. Her cherry blonde hairs that reached her hips blew in the air as she ran towards him while holding her long skirt. Her warm brown eyes shined under the light with so much innocence that it saddened the king. A chord tugged in his heart, thinking, how would she survive in his absence. She was too kind and trusting for her own good.

As the girl came closer, her blood-red lips stretched in a grin, rejoicing under the fact that she caught him on time. Her arms flung in the air before they wrapped around his torso and tackled him in a tight hug.

King Thales couldn’t help the short laugh that escaped his lips.

“My Princess…” he whispered in her thick hairs, and she buried her face in his chest. Her head tucked under his chin as she panted due to running so fast. Her small palms clutched tightly to the fabric he wore. She submerged her 5.8” ft frame in her father’s protective embrace.

“I…I thought you had left.” She mumbled lightly, and he chuckled. Suddenly all the worries of the world didn’t look as big he thought of them. He relaxed as he ran a soothing hand on her back, realizing how he still held his most precious jewel, his daughter. He was worried about the withering treasure in the coffer, completely forgetting the fact that he still has someone who will never stop loving him selflessly. Of all, love was the greatest treasure and a gem hard to earn. He kissed her forehead and looked at her angelic face.

His daughter was a gentle reflection of her mother. Princess Valentina of Alvar is referred to as the most beautiful in 7 nations. She was the only child of King Thales and the deceased Queen Amara. Queen Amara passed away at the childbirth, and that had left Princess Valentina to grow on her own as her father was mostly absent in her childhood. He hardly had time to see her because of being tangled in managing the kingdom. Still, she loved him, admired him, and tried to become fearless and as brave as him. Her father was her world.

“Are you leaving already?” Princess Valentina asked in a small voice, and the King tightens his hold around her, fearing she might disappear, or he won’t see her again as the plague was high in the air.

“Yes, my dear. But I promise to return soon.” He assured, and she released a relieved sigh.

“Okay, I will hold you to that. May you find fruitful results in this visit.” She wished him and backs away before curtsying. The king bowed his head too and turned without wasting any more time. He didn’t want to leave her alone, but this business was important too.

As King Thales descended the stairs, the awaiting little loyal people he had, bowed their heads in front of the ruler of the throne.

“Good morning, my fellow mates. I and the troop are leaving for Baden now. The journey is to seek help in the crisis. Be safe, and take care of yourselves as well as the princess. It may take some time, but we will try our best to return with positive news. May God bless you.” He wished his people and moved towards the secret passage that opens into a tunnel. This tunnel is the longest and stretches over 20 miles, and open at the outskirts of the deserted forest.

Lord Charles came forward and hugged his older brother.

“Be safe, brother. The King of Baden is known to be ruthless and cunning. Sent us messenger if things go wrong.” He whispered, and King Thales stiffened but nodded eventually.

With a last glance towards the gawking audience, he ducked into the tunnel, followed by 15 soldiers and 2 golden pots.