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Chapter 81
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Schlek was immediately closer and attacked with his sword. Mota defended deflecting the sword at different places and then swung out striking Schlek on his upper arm as he turned, recovering from his attack of Mota.
Schlek did not cry out but flinched and touched his arm.
Mota took the opportunity and attacked again. Schlek dived and rolled having deliberately made it appear as if he had been distracted by the cut. As he came up he flung his sword with full force. It was a risky maneuver and if he missed he would most likely die.
But his aim was straight and his sword flew true striking Mota in the chest. The blade cut through Mota’s ribs and pierced his heart killing him almost instantly. As he fell, his hand slid down the shaft of his spear severing his lifeless fingers before his hand dropped to his side. Mota fell face down propped up by the hilt of Schlek’s sword.
The crowd went wild and cheered screaming for more blood. Schlek paraded ar
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The crowd was shocked. They had never seen a man killed in such a brutal way and it shocked them into silence. Samnom reached down and removed whatever gold Lored had on his person then he walked to the exit of the arena. On the way he stopped and kissed Mota’s forehead saying a quick prayer to the gods. Then he stood and left the arena of death in deathly silence. The guards stepped aside and did not attempt to stop him. He was, after all, a free man now. Then, outside the auditorium, he began to run. The city had been busy throughout the day as people invited to the ball made last minute arrangements. Most had to do with their garments and drove the tailors mad aside from making them rich. This was the day when they could demand almost any price they wanted for the smallest change to a customer’s costume. Tailors had even realized that keeping customers costumes until the day before and then letting customers have them was a very lucrative business for them. As customers discover
Viva La Vida (Complete) Chapter 83
Gelyn new word was spreading as she saw women and men start to glare at her as she moved through the crowd. As she moved, a path opened in front of her as the whispers of who she was overtook her and now preceded her approach.Then at last she stood in front of Breeger.“Ah! My Lady Gelyn!” Breeger said almost shouting so people could hear. A hush fell over the room spreading out from Breeger and Gelyn like a ripple of silence.Breeger looked around and spotted Benedict who had not heard his initial greeting with Gelyn. “My Lord King!” Breeger shouted.Benedict stopped and turned at the sound of Breeger’s voice that reached him now as silence swept across the room like a wave.“My Lord. Do you remember your mistress Gelyn?” Breeger said loudly for all to hear. He saw three men turn as one as they searched for the woman they all knew about. Breeger assumed they were the masters of the Order of Keln.B
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When Harbem had seen Hester exit the hall he did not stop to try and signal to Alexa at the exit as agreed. He needed time alone with Hester and hoped Alexa would not see them when they exited.But Alexa did see them. She recognized her mother and saw Harbem leave shortly after. She did not think it strange that Harbem did not signal to her. It might have been too obvious given the current circumstances in the hall. Alexa had been speaking with a gentleman before Breeger’s confrontation with Benedict, but could not move too quickly for fear of attracting attention to herself.She made her way to the door slowly as the confrontation continued and finally exited closing the door behind her.She tiptoed down the hallway looking for Harbem and her mother. She could not see them but finally, she heard low voices further down the passage. She approached silently as she heard her mother and Harbem speaking.Alexa listened to their conversation with incredu
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The crowd began to advance as Benedict retreated and then a wall of soldiers was established in front of him.In the next instant a man arrived in front of Benedict. Benedict did not know who he was and hesitated wondering if the man was dangerous or not.“Gelyn!” the man called.Gelyn turned and stopped at the sight of Samnom. “Sam!” she cried.“Go. You are all in danger. I will defend you but you must hurry!”Guards hesitated trying to determine if Samnom was a threat then decided he wasn’t. They moved to surround Benedict even as Samnom began to fight.Benedict turned and ushered Gelyn and Arnson from the hall leaving the chaos behind. He cast a fleeting glance behind him before exiting, looking for Hester and Breeger but neither were anywhere to be seen.Benedict led Gelyn along a circuitous route that led them to his chambers.“I am so sorry you
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Benedict searched Hester’s eyes searching for an answer. A way in. But all he saw was ice cold steel resolve.“Very well.” He stood and crossed to the doors. He opened them and spoke with Tordor who was closest. “Let everyone in.”“The men of the Order are here,” Tordor whispered quickly.“Fine. They can come in too.” Tordor opened the chamber doors and let everyone enter in an orderly fashion. Hester stood and watched them as they entered until they finally stood grouped together.Everyone looked at Hester and Benedict who faced them.“This is atrocious!” said Talek. “We have to stand outside while the king speaks with his mistress?”“Mind your mouth,” Benedict said, “or I will mind it for you.”Talek looked as if he were about to answer but something in Tordor’s gaze warned him not to.Hester spoke stepping into the sil
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“The main chamber.” Miros paused for effect. He enjoyed having important news that no-one else had.“Yes?” Breeger asked eagerly. “What about it?”“Apparently it’s melted. The whole floor. Men fell into the floor when they returned from the passages.”“Gods!” Breeger exclaimed.“They apparently had to use chains to get across from the passages to the exit. Some men fell in and some chains melted right away with men on them or men were cooked as they crossed the chains.”“Gods, that’s terrible,” Breeger said.“I am glad I am not them,” Miros said sipping his tea.“Indeed.” Breeger replied. “But I need those men to stay there. Can you arrange to keep them there?”“Sure. I can send some men.”“Do it urgently. I will pay you later.”“Very well.” Miros f
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“Your majesty,” he began trying to assure Benedict of his respect, “Huthdel’s crime aside, there is the matter of the exorcism which is requested by the Order.” “The exorcism which Huthdel expects me to submit to?” “Actually your majesty, we suggested it.” Benedict paused considering this. “I was not aware you requested it. Now that it is clear the request comes from you perhaps you can explain your reasoning better.” “Your majesty, I do recall that in return for our support you committed to furthering the beliefs of the Order of Keln.” “And I have always done so Master Kormol. I have never prevented the Order from progressing its ministry in any way.” “Until now your majesty. By rejecting the exorcism.” Master Kormol replied then continued quickly, “We see that you are intimate with the very women that Atomas was intimate with. When you burned the body of Atomas you prevented his soul from moving on as is tradition. We believe that his soul has possessed you your Majesty. It nee
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Tordor agreed. He knew it was a war they could not win. He left to order the bodies prepared for burial.Benedict looked over the city. His thoughts turned to Hester and Harbem and Alexa. He called one of the guards and told him to fetch Harbem from the dungeons.Harbem was ushered in some time later. His hands were still chained and Benedict ordered the chains removed. The guard removed them and left. Benedict indicated that Harbem should be seated. He poured two cups of wine and handed Harbem one.“Perhaps we can make a deal Harbem.”“I am prepared to listen your Majesty.”“There are ten thousand men outside the walls of the city. This morning, two of the three masters who led them to the gates, were murdered in audience with me. I have no doubt Breeger is behind it, but that’s beside the point. Those men outside the city will march and wipe out this city. I will need every man to defend it. Perhaps now is the
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The city of Kyrshom was never the same. The lava had destroyed much of the city and it would never be rebuilt. The walls that had been built naturally from past eruptions were destroyed and partially covered by the new lava flow. They could no longer serve as natural protective walls. The lava had flowed through the city all the way down to the cliff where it had poured over the edge and buried the harbour. The ramp that had previously been built was partially destroyed and could no longer serve as an access to the city without considerable repairs which would take a long time. Many residents moved away and the life and culture of Kyrshom seemed to have left with them. People feared another eruption of Mt Almall and did not wish to lose what little they had left. Hope sparked briefly for the revival of Kyrshom as the lava cooled. People discovered Alymcyte in the cooled lava and there was a brief “Alymcyte rush” before the price offered for Alymcyte fell through the floor. It was so
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Eesa seemed to consider then replied in a hushed voice. “Thank you for your kindness sir. I am new and I am particularly interested in meeting men if you understand?”Breeger smiled. “I do indeed understand Eesa. But perhaps you would prefer to meet only one man if he makes it worth your while?”Eesa looked at Breeger in disbelief. “You would like that? You can do that?”Breeger smiled. “I assure you that I can.”“Then let us discuss it further somewhere more private. Perhaps tomorrow after your party?”“Perhaps tonight after my party?” Breeger pressed.“As you wish,” Eesa replied.Breeger explained to Eesa where his villa was and he left, very happy at the prospect of seeing Eesa again.After the party that evening Breeger took Eesa back to her home and she invited him in.Breeger was keen to start his new affair with Eesa and did not sa
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Firing continued strategically but damage was much less now as the attackers had moved out of the path of the catapult. The fires in the small trenches were doused and the attackers advanced further only to be stopped by new fires in new trenches. A co-ordinated retreat was being made by the army. They would ultimately retreat to within sight of the palace where another large trench had been dug and would be fed by oil from two sides to keep the fire burning. One army advanced and the other retreated. Neither side noticed the sky lighten with the approaching day. Then, just before dawn, a new quake struck. It was brief and violent. It was as if the earth heaved and men were thrown to the ground as the quake increased in strength. Then it finally subsided and all was quiet for a brief moment. In hindsight that moment seemed to last forever. Then an explosion tore through the predawn air and the earth shook knocking everyone to the ground. People screamed and shouted looking around des
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Samnom knew that no-one in this compound was his friend and he treated them all as the enemy as he wandered through the compound calling out Gelyn’s name.Two more encounters with guards in the compound left the remaining guards assured that they were little or no match for Samnom. One guard stepped forward to meet Samnom.“We do not know where Breeger or Gelyn are. They went to the King’s ball and never returned. Breeger is wanted and the king’s men have searched the compound already for Breeger. He must be hiding somewhere else.”Samnom thanked the soldier and left. He made his way to the palace where he was stopped at the gates.“I seek no fight. I simply wish to see the lady Gelyn. My name is Samnom.”The guards looked concerned and conferred with each other a short distance away. Then one walked off towards the palace while the other returned and asked Samnom to wait.A while later the guard ret
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The air by the East wall was thick with dust as the sun approached the horizon. A clear sign that the army beyond the walls would actually strike at sunrise. Benedict left his chambers and made his way to the East wall. He was greeted by the watch commander whose face was grim. He bowed and greeted Benedict. “Your majesty.” His body language said what he dared not say. They were hopelessly outnumbered. Benedict greeted him and made his way to the edge of the wall. He was right. The army of the Kelnians had approached the walls as near as they dared before daybreak. With the first sun’s rays, their strike would begin. Benedict looked along the top of the wall. Boiling pots of oil stood ready to be poured on the army below. Archers were ready too and Benedict was assured the catapults were ready too although he was not sure if they would be effective since he believed that the Kelnians were now closer than the minimum range of the catapults. As he looked down he saw the arrangement o
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She could not tell Alexa for it would alert the men with them. Hester waited until they turned the next corner in the passage. Alexa looked back as always after turning a corner. Hester followed them around the corner and then stopped as soon as Alexa had looked back. She turned and ran back around the corner and into the dark. She had no torch but there was only one path in this passage. If she collided with a wall she just had to find the right way again and then continue on. She prayed for Alexa to forgive her for not saying goodbye.At the next corner Alexa turned and realized Hester was gone.“Hester is gone!”The men in front of her stopped and looked back. “We can’t go back Alexa. It’s too dangerous now. Others will be coming through here soon enough and if she has fallen they will find her.”“But she could be dying!” Alexa insisted.The men looked at each other. One volunteered. “I&rsquo
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“You seem to be full of excuses King Benedict but yet have no proof of anything you say. Assassins killed our masters you say but they escaped. Atomas body was not burned you say but you cannot produce his body. Atomas women have left you say but where is the proof? I truly believe that you have lost control of the kingdom King Benedict. In all the time you have been king, you have failed to eradicate the Black Cloaks. I think it is time that we should do your job for you and relieve you of the task of ruling this kingdom.”“I ask you to please reconsider your threat Olnoy. I have come here today in peace. There have been a series of unfortunate events which have happened at this point in time. However, if you will decide to at least try and trust me, I will show you what I say is true.”“I think letting you stand out here and lie to me is enough. Letting you give me the bodies of our masters simply adds insult to injury.”Ben
Viva La Vida (Complete) Chapter 90
“He had it coming. Besides, if he had been freed and allowed to voice his opinion, he would not have voiced it in favour of us.“ “Of that much I am sure,” Benedict replied. He would have to explain the death to Talek. There was not much else that could be done. Benedict insisted that they make their way to the mine first before returning the bodies of the masters. Tordor agreed. Melonor had not returned with news from the mine and both Benedict and Tordor suspected that he must have met with misfortune. They instructed the soldiers with the bodies to wait at the East gate for them and rode to the mine with a small number of soldiers. On the ride up they found out why Melonor had not returned from the mine. He lay dead beside the road, killed by an arrow through the heart. Benedict and Tordor surmised that it was an assassin ordered to stop word of the situation at the mine getting back to Benedict. They doubted that anyone would try to stop them now but cautioned the soldiers to
Viva La Vida (Complete) Chapter 89
Tordor agreed. He knew it was a war they could not win. He left to order the bodies prepared for burial.Benedict looked over the city. His thoughts turned to Hester and Harbem and Alexa. He called one of the guards and told him to fetch Harbem from the dungeons.Harbem was ushered in some time later. His hands were still chained and Benedict ordered the chains removed. The guard removed them and left. Benedict indicated that Harbem should be seated. He poured two cups of wine and handed Harbem one.“Perhaps we can make a deal Harbem.”“I am prepared to listen your Majesty.”“There are ten thousand men outside the walls of the city. This morning, two of the three masters who led them to the gates, were murdered in audience with me. I have no doubt Breeger is behind it, but that’s beside the point. Those men outside the city will march and wipe out this city. I will need every man to defend it. Perhaps now is the
