6. Cold water

Kai pov.

As my army returned to the palace, I went out to congratulate my warriors for their success. Today they destroyed another City of the Fire Kingdom. I promise Noelani that I will take revenge on her, and here I am. Even if I remarry and have a son, I will never forget her: my first Queen, my love, my Noelani. 

I needed to. The Kingdom needed a Queen and an heir who'll take the throne when the time comes. 

"Well done, my warriors! Well done! Now go and feast and drink! Tomorrow Your King and The Prince will accompany you on a new quest! We will take down the second biggest city of the Fire Kingdom! May God bless our search! "

Cheers and applause erupted in the air. The warriors were leaving for the party that was prepared in their honour. 

"Kano!" I yelled while I walked back into the palace. 

My son was turning 18 tomorrow, so I decided to take him on the battlefield. A present deemed for a king to be.

"Yes, father." came my son's voice.

"Were you again in the kitchen with that slut of a maid? Answer me!" I yelled as nothing came out of his mouth! He just nodded. 

"This is the last time when I let something like this pass, son!" I said, rubbing my face in annoyance.

"Next time, I will slit the bitch throat, and I will have you watching!"

"Forgive me, Your Majesty! It won't happen again!" Kano said, kneeling and bowing his head in front of me.

"Go now, son! Find your mother and meet me in the dining room in 30 minutes! I have an announcement to make!"

Half an hour later, when I got in the dining room, my son and wife were waiting for me.

"You can sit now!" I told them. Immediately the maids come bringing the food and drinks.

"Tal, tomorrow I will go with my warriors. We will take another city in the Fire Kingdom. I'll take Kano with me! So while I'm away, you'll take my place." I could see the excitement on my son's face and the worries in my wife's voice when she spoke.

 "My King, I don't want to question you, but it's not too dangerous for our son to go on such a quest?"

" It is!" I said ."But he is a Prince, a King to be! He needs to be capable of continuing my mission after I'm gone!"

"Your mission?! To avenge the death of the woman who brought you in the worst state of your mind! I can't believe you! You're acting like a crazy man because someone died almost 20 years ago? Kai! I'm here, I love you, but you can't see me! The grief makes you blind! You need to put a stop to this!" She said, getting up from her seat, tears streaming down her face. Kano was watching his mother with sad eyes, making no sound.

"You won't speak like that to me again! Next time when you will, I'll make sure you rot in the dungeons!"

"Kano, get ready! Tomorrow we'll leave for the Fire Kingdom!" I said and I left the room.

The following day I was up before the sun came out. Checking the clock, I noticed it was 3 am—another night without sleep. Since Noelani's death, rest hardly comes to me. I replay that night again and again in my head, and I'm more and more confused. It feels like something is missing. What was Tal doing in the men's bathroom? What did Noelani see there to make her feel that pain? Why wasn't I next to her? Maybe she would be alive if I did.. it is perhaps my fault after all, and I'm just trying to blame the whole Fire Kingdom for my mistakes..to make me feel better. There again. There was a fire. Who else will use fire if not an elemental who controls fire? I went to my bathroom, hoping a cold shower will keep my focus on today's mission. 

By the time I came out, it was already 5 pm. I dressed up and left my room, heading to the training area. Aalto, the Head warrior, was already there preparing my army. As I stepped closer, I thought I saw Egon..but that bastard needed to die on the battlefield, soon after Noelani's death. It seems like everything went south for me after that terrible night.

" Aalto! Is everything ready?"

"Yes, My King! We are waiting for new orders."

"We will leave in one hour! Let the warriors say their goodbye to their family and make sure everyone is ready to go!"

'Yes, My King! "

Returning to the palace, looking for Kano, I find him hugging a crying Tal. My wife was a mess. Her usually shiny blonde hair looked like a rat nest, and her green eyes were red and puffy from too much crying.

"Control yourself, woman! He'll be okay. He is a Zale, after all, a soon to be King!"

Hearing my voice, Tal whispered something in my son's ear, kissed him on the head and left the room without looking my way. I just let her go. I have more important things to worry about now.

"Kano, my son, come! We need to be ready! We're leaving at 6 o'clock. So that way, we'll be there on the 3rd night. "

"Today, we'll leave our families one more time! Today we go to punish the enemies for the crimes they have done! Three days from now, we'll make history! We'll be taking down their second most significant city! My son and I will lead the army to victory! May the Gods bless our mission! May the Water put an end to the Fire!" my voice is booming in the training area. War cries were filling the air.

It was almost dark when we get to the city outskirts. As we were getting ready for the attack, I saw one of our scouts running back. I stand up quickly, preparing myself for everything.

"Speak!"

"Your Majesty, it seems like the Gods listened to Your prayers. There's a party in the city. Everyone is distracted."

A small smile was forming on the corner of my mouth.

"And Sire. I also saw the royal carriage. By the looks of it, it might be Princess Enya."

I was grinning like a lunatic now.

"The Gods listened to my prayers, indeed!"