3.

Baden

Lord Evan marched towards the royal chambers of the King of Baden wearing a wary expression as he wasn’t sure about this visit. Of all the kingdoms in the south, King Thales has requested an audience with King Henry of Baden. This was bad because King Henry hardly pays attention to the neighboring states, let alone an entire empire. The cruel King must be up to something, or else why would he permit the poor King of a dying nation to step in his lands. Alvar was a lost cause now. Nothing close to profit could be earned from that barren land. King Henry wouldn’t even breathe if it didn’t give him life. Only God knows what’s weaving in his mind.

As Lord Evan approached the royal chambers, confronted blazed faced soldiers with lust dripping down their profiles. They eyed every second woman with a hunger that passed by their side in nothing but a tiny piece of fabric covering their privates. The Lord sighed and shook his head. Sometimes he felt utterly unfortunate for being the minister of such a disgusting system. The chambers of the King Henry of Baden felt more like a whore house. His eyes burned in disdain as the females, who went past by him, suggestively touched themselves to him. Clenching his jaw, he moved forward and gestured towards one of the knights to inform the king about his arrival.

The soldier bowed his head out of superiority and sneaked in the private chambers of the King. Minutes later, he came back and opened the doors.

“You may enter, my lord.”

Getting the positive answer from the scrawny soldier, Lord Evan entered inside and, immediately regretted his decision because the scene in front him stirred the bile in his gut. He wished to be anywhere in the dungeons rather than watching his King hungrily taste the pale flesh of anonymous women.

The room was filled with the light smoke and stench of herbs burning at the distant corner of the giant room. The lord felt his head spin and immediately figured that it contains opium and its dried latex.

The king-sized bed under the giant crystal chandelier was full of five females, not more than twenty summers, pleasing the King Henry of Baden in numerous ways.

Their heavy moans resonated in the room like an echo sickening the Lord. The King on the bed groaned too, feeling himself floating in the ecstasy. His big hands were clutching their hairs tightly as they expertly pleasured his bulky body. In no time, he started shaking from the high as if having a seizure.

The lord immediately turned his back and blankly stared at the wall in front of him. His ears burned as the King yelled, feeling himself bursting with the building passion. After a few seconds, silence fogged the room as they all panted tiredly, drenched in sweat. The lord didn’t dare to inhale or fill his lungs with the revolting smell of copulation lingering heavily in the air. He pursed his lips, disappointed with the king’s indecency.

“Lord Evan? What brings you here?”

The King of Baden groaned lazily from the bed and the whores around him giggled at the hoarseness of his voice. They couldn’t help but caress his solid body with their soft palms. His hard muscles were carved sharply, keeping every curve and edge in mind. The creator must have devoted his entire focus when he was building such a god-like specimen. His piercing molten blue eyes glared at the Lord menacingly, and thin pink lips quirked in a smile as the Lord gulped nervously. Henry loved this. This power. He loved the fear that shone in the eyes of people whenever they thought of him.

He was a monster born on the moonless night that feels pleased by feeding the terrors of hearts.

“My King, if I am allowed to have a word with you?” The Lord asked, unable to meet the silver orbs of King Henry.

“Speak.”

The king replied haughtily and instantly pulled a whore who was busy kissing his toes towards him by holding her elbow. The force was too much that she fell on his chest and started giggling for no reason as the opium burning at the corner play with her senses. The king started sucking the skin of her neck, earning melodious moans.

“Oh… hmm… a.. my… my king….ahh…”

The woman hollered as he played with her crotch. The Lord gulped and cleared his throat, secretly praying to not throw up in front of the king. He was a cunning man and could make a fool out of wise people. He has bullied poor in the past and conned the riches, but never laid his eyes on a woman that wasn’t his. He was loyal towards the one female who had tied the knot with him. His wife.

“The King of Alvar has arrived and is waiting for your presence in the meeting hall. I am afraid that he is in a hurry and wants to discuss the matter of emergency.” The Lord announced with a thumping heart. The King sighed and pushed away from the female that was shamelessly whining at his expense. Climbing out of the bed, stark naked, he walked towards the bathtub where two slaves were already standing holding wet clothes in their hands. They immediately started their job and gently cleaned his body.

“Ah. I see. So Thales has finally arrived. Make sure to provide him our best services. I want him treated well. He should learn about the wealth and prosperity of Baden.” The King called out unbothered of the wandering hands and, once finished with the quick bath,  stepped into an exorbitant silk robe. “Go and take care of his needs. I will arrive soon.” Even after completing his 35 summers, King Henry looked magnanimous. His golden hair shined whenever the streak of light caressed them.

Taking the King’s final words, Lord Evan scurried out of the chambers like a dying mouse and rushed to aid the waiting King.

***

The nostrils of King Thales flared as he sat silently with tightened fists on the thighs. His warriors stood tensed with all their senses discreet to catch any foreign action that could lead their lives to jeopardy.

Their hands rested dangerously close to the sword on their hips, ready to defend their king in the time of need. The food on the table didn’t bother them anymore as they tasted bitterness on their tongue. They were waiting since morning and now the sun was hovering above their heads, indicating how fast the time was flying. With each passing moment, they were losing a life back in Alvar. The tardiness of such a king already filled their heart with fire. If they weren’t so desperate for help, the King of Alvar must have spit on the threshold of this decade-old palace and left the Baden with no intention of returning. It was both disrespecting and cruel on King Henry’s behalf for making his guests wait like this.

“Lord Evan, tell King Henry that if he didn’t show up now, we will take our leave. I have left my nation unprotected in hopes of meeting him. Our delay must be causing restlessness among my people.”

The voice of King Thales boomed in the meeting hall, making the hearts of Baden jump in fear. The soldiers of Baden gulped, watching the anger clogging the eyes of King Thales. He is close to losing his patience.

“Forgive me, your highness. My King has been busy due to some issues. He must be here any time now.” The Lord mumbled lowly, feeling deeply ashamed. King Thales clenched his jaw and leaned forward, ready to stand when steady thumps of footsteps were heard from somewhere in the corridors, and soldiers of the Baden immediately straightened their spines. Their hands held the spears pointing skywards, and boots pressed on the ground hard to stand calm.

A knight stepped forward and in a loud voice announced the arrival of King of Baden.

“Attention, the King of Baden, King Henry the III is arriving in the meeting hall.”

At his loud command, King Thales stood up from his position to greet the King. Behind him, his warriors stood stoic and puffed their chests out.

The curtains of the grand entrance were pulled apart, and the Mighty King stepped out, wearing a friendly smile. Taking hurried steps towards the waiting King, Henry engulfed him in a tight embrace taking everyone by surprise. His arms wrapped around the stoic King of Alvar, depicting a warm gesture.

“Welcome, King Thales. My friend. Please settle down. I apologize for not being here to welcome you. Some issues needed my immediate attention.” The King of Baden explained with an affectionate smile, and King Thales snorted a fake laugh.

“No problem, King Henry. But if you had such urgent matters to solve, then you should have declined my permission for arrival a week back. I would have understood.” The King assured with a hollow chuckle, and Henry wore a hurt expression.

“No, no, my friend. You are taking it all wrong. Kindly settle down and talk with me. Lord Evan, prepare the best suits of our castle for the warriors of Alvar and provide the King himself the chamber next to mine. Alright?” he ordered immediately, and the Lord lunged to fulfill his master’s command but paused when heard the heartbreaking words of King of Alvar.

“You don’t have to worry about us, King Henry. I am not worthy enough for your kindness. I and my warriors have traveled for two days to see you. Of course, we haven’t come here to enjoy the luxuries of your kingdom when our people are on the verge of death.

I have come here to seek help, not to bother you or your servants.”

King Henry nodded sadly and took Thales’s hand in his. Giving it a light squeeze, he gently guided them towards plush chairs and then settled down. The King of Alvar rested too and looked at Henry with blank eyes.

“Tell me, King Thales, how may I help you?”

Hearing the familiar words that have been uttered for a hundred times before but never descended to express their true meaning, Thales clenched his jaw.

“Nothing is hidden from you, your highness. We all are aware of how well and rich my Alvar was a decade back. We had infinite resources and limitless wealth to tend to our pulpit’s need but, after the sudden drought and raging plague, we have lost the previous plight. Now, Alvar stands as a red zone, dangerous territory, and barren land. My people are dying, and the population has decreased to thousands. It’s extremely disturbing and heartbreaking.

In this time of crisis and disparity, if Alvar gets some help from Baden, we will be extremely grateful. It will be like a point light source at the end of a dark tunnel for us. We don’t need your resources or wealth but just a little piece of land at the borders of Baden where my people can set small tents and get treated without the fear of getting ill ever again.”

The warriors of Alvar felt their eyes moisten and throats tightening at the polite request of their king. Their heart shuddered in pain, hearing a break in their King’s voice. The respect for him raised ten folds within their souls. As the King of Baden exhaled heavily, everyone standing in the hall held their breaths in anticipation. Their ears perked eagerly to hear Henry’s next words.

“Is that all, King Thales? I could provide you with a handful of resources too to feed the crowd.” King Henry offered kindly, and Lord Evan chocked on his breath in shock. He failed to believe the words that just left his King’s mouth.

On the other hand, King Thales’s breath hitched, and he looked at Henry in a new light. His tightened fists loosened as he admired the helpful gesture of Baden’s royalty.

“What? You… You want to help us?”

He asked, unable to believe his ears. No one, no one has helped Alvar in years and successfully separated themselves from its business. The Kings of neighboring kingdoms refused to involve with its case as it was a lost cause. But what they didn’t know that the glorious days of Alvar are coming closer as the heavens have finally thundered and graced its barren womb with their essence.

Thales was left stunned by watching this kind side of Henry.

“Yes, my friend. I will do whatever there is in my reach only if you vow to help me in return.”

The King of Baden smoothly led the conversation to a steep landing and changed all the odds. Now everyone in the meeting hall seemed less shocked compared to earlier as the king was slowly starting to stand up to his true nature.

Thales sighed and nodded, gesturing towards the two gold-filled pots next to his feet.

“Yes, I understand. That is why I have brought the compensation for land and little blessing for the new prince. I hope you accept it and permit us to use a piece of your land. In the time being, once the drought settles and the air freshens, I will leave the place along with my people.” King Thales said with sincerity, and Henry chuckled amusedly.

“For how long, King Thales? How long are you going to stay? When will the drought settle?”

The question of Henry caught everyone off guard.

“What?”

Thales asked perplexed, failing to understand the true meaning behind the words.

“How long would it take to drought to settle? I mean, till how long you are going to occupy my land?” The direct question came as a slap on Thales’s face, and he gulped, feeling his throat tightening with shame. He had never thought about that part.

“King Henry, the drought is a natural calamity. Alvar could take longer to recover from such a crisis. I have no control or idea about such happenings.”

“You are telling the truth, King Thales, but what if the drought never ceases? In that case, you will occupy a piece of my land for eternity. Two pots are too little to buy edges of Baden.” Henry informed with worry shining in his eyes. From inside, his heart was beating faster in excitement, ready to burst out because he has come so close to achieve his goal. The King of Alvar looks desperate and would give anything to save his falling empire.

“You may be right, but if that will be the case, stay assured I will submit every last penny I own to fulfill your requirements, King Henry.”

“Hmm… I am still not convinced, King Thales. Please, don’t mind my words because bargaining is in my blood. I never talk of a deal that doesn’t serve me the profit. And I am sure that you don’t have anything left in the vault to hold the future payments as the torn soles of your waders are screaming the story of a drowning kingdom.” Thales immediately placed his worn-out boots on the carpet to hide the vulnerability of his empire. His face got heated with unease. It completely escaped his mind in stress. Feeling numerous gazes on him, he leaned forward and cleared his throat to wash the embarrassment. His shoulders tensed, and his spine stiffened as he faced Henry blankly. “Ah… yes, I shouldn’t say any further about your condition, King Thales. It was important to throw light over such aspects too since we are talking about land. You must know how delicate the situation is considering how people kill to add an asset on their sides. Moreover, I don’t want you to feel indebted.” Henry finished, and fury shined in Thales's eyes. His jaw clenched, yet he maintained the calm.

“I am aware, King Henry. But you should know I would never hold anyone’s debt. Not even of my blood. My legacy was settled on the hard work and sweat of my ancestors, not conspiracies or theft. I will return what I will take with interest.”  Henry chuckled at the righteous king. For a moment, he completely forgot to play the caring friend role, and it was enough for Thales to figure how wrong he was to seek help from Baden. The cruel people will kill their own to feed the aching greed. The warriors of Alvar were seething too, and General Bahadur must have had enough as he grunted in anger and looked away from the scene. Only God knows how much restraint it took to not lunge forward and finish King Henry in seconds for insulting Alvar like that. He was making fun of their vulnerability rather than showing concern. The crisis Alvar has faced could occur in other kingdoms too. It was a natural calamity, not art to admire.

“I understand, and I very well respect your values, your highness. But I can’t just lend you a piece of land without earning the perfect price. These two pots don’t even come close to the compensation I seek. You lack resources.” Henry grumbled and took a golden goblet filled with the wine of blueberries. He sipped smugly, knowing the King of Alvar has fallen in his web.

“What is the price, King Henry? Do you want my fort? Take it. Or do you want my crown?” King Thales asked lowly with anger dripping down his features. He was testing the King of Baden now. Somehow, he concluded that he had to return Alvar empty-handed once again but not without knowing the intentions of this cunning King. The warriors of Alvar felt land slipping underneath their feet, hearing the question of their king. Henry smiled wolfishly and kept the goblet on the wooden table filled with a bunch of fruits, gently. He stared in Thales’s eyes looking for any hidden conspiracies, but when found none, he smirked.

“Your throne and entire kingdom don’t even come close to the jewel I desire, King Thales. The thing I want is too precious, even for you. I don’t want your crown or your fort as they are useless to me. I need the pride and dignity of Alvar.

Princess Valentina.”