Chapter III

A Bloody Proposition

Back in the king's chamber, she can't withdraw the prophecy in her mind. And the severity of its threat to destroy everything she has built. I was Lina before I became Esper, a servant to the vile Dowager Queen. She wouldn't let her son marry a lowly servant, of course; hence, she made my life miserable until her last breath...before I took it back. Esper didn't realize, she fell asleep and woke up without Salamar on her side.

He's at his receiving chamber.

The morning came, Esper ate her breakfast and took a bath. She wore her black dress made of light fabric, and a necklace with a dangling amethyst as her hair fell straightly. Two of the king's men guard his receiving chamber, gleaming in heavy silver armors. Letting her inside is enough to give their courtesy. There are plum blossoms everywhere; painted on walls and pillars; some are alive inside ceramic vases, and some are embroidered on banners as the plum blossom is the sigil of the Kingdom of Esperia. 

There are tall stained glass windows behind Salamar, who is busy writing and had not noticed Esper until he was kissed on the cheek. He just gave her a thin smile. A messenger has entered the chamber and curtsied.

'What can I do for you?' The king asked, scribbling.

'Your grace, I have word from the East. Two of our galleon ships were swallowed by the sea while the other three were crushed on sharp rock formations and got destroyed.'

Salamar put down his pen. 'How could this happen?'

Esper remained quiet on the side.

'The waves on Vajandi Sea were raging. It was calm at first when they started sailing until they reached its navel, and the whirling began, sinking them all in the bottom of the sea. The rumor about Bakunawa trying to escape is alive again and spreading.'

Salamar shoved his head. 'Rumor influenced by the pagans' idiotic culture. I don't believe in rumors! Believe in facts, not in myths or legends.'

Esper cleared her throat that made the king tone down his voice. He stood up and turned his head away, pressing his palms on the desk. 'Why am I still surprised? When that sea also took the lives of my grandparents. The horrible and unpredictable impulse of nature. We're almost in a debt situation. All our expensive imports were at those ships, from fabrics to spices, up to the finest weapons and armors.' Salamar sat back as Esper gazes at him, to the man she loves the most. He got deep-set eyes and clean-cut hair that got grey streaks on the side. The weight and thickness of his fitted dark purple surcoat are appropriate to the temperate climate of Esperia. Aside from these, he has hopelessness that mingles with the silence of the chamber.

Afterward, Salamar waved his hand to dismiss the messenger and continue expressing his dismay. 'If there are only other sea routes, we could sail on. And if only were the trading roads on the East and North weren't blocked by our rival kingdoms. Then, our trading would be smooth, hence, flourishing. Absurd! Heaven and hell would meet but a kingdom, allowing his enemy to thrive, that's impossible. Never in a million chances would that happen.'

Esper approached the wide circular table: a detailed map of Nordor and some charted lands of Sorondur were painted on it. Salamar is right. Bolansig River is indeed impassable. It's on the southernmost part of Nordor. A clan who swore loyalty to the Kingdom of Athrandur guards its crossing. Neither, the Athraz River, even half of it is on the border of Esperia, still, its mouth and end were on the territory of a rival kingdom. 

Esper would suggest the boundless sea on the southern east part of Nordor, but there are pirates sailing and poaching on it. There are freckled of islands too, yet inhabited by the savage pagans. 'That can't be,' Esper muttered.

Salamar was still talking, 'Our harvests were just enough to feed the whole population of the region. Alas, if the heaven were cruel enough, it would send down devastating storm and pestilence, and there would have scarcity of supplies.' He noticed Esper, scrutinizing the map.

She asked, 'Was there anyone, even once, who tried to seek for the richness of Sorondur?

The King of Esperia concealed his smile, filled with amusement by the wit of Esper. 'There are some...' He surprised her with a hug from behind, smelling her neck. 'But they are all failed. The southern realm was too vast, too wild. Beside, the three kingdoms were busy squabbling and killing each other.

'What about your ancestors? Didn't they even try?'

'They were all fool and craven. They had no ambition for the future of their kingdom.' Salamar frowned at her. 'Wait, why did you ask? Don't tell me...'

Esper has faced her. 'Yes, Salamar. You shall conquer the southern realm. We could establish an empire that could expand up to its horizon. This is a great opportunity for us, for our people to thrive. We will be the center of trade and power.'

'Perilous. There are still pagans left after The Brown Massacre. They had driven them down to the further East of Sorondur by the conquerors. Aside from them, there are hordes of barbarians riding on its vast dried plains. We couldn't take the risk of being wiped out in just one night.'

Esper came closer to his face. She can feel the warmth of his breath. 'I'm not forcing you to make a rash decision. I'm just giving you options. Do not forget that your queen is no ordinary sorcerer. Together, we will destroy our enemies. I will do everything to see you getting crowned as the Emperor of the Esperian Empire.'

Those words of affirmation soothe Salamar. It makes his knees weaker, and the muscle on his groins tremble. He clutched his waist to kiss her, so deep, so hard. Esper has closed her eyes, willing to submit again.

Krak! Krak! Krak!

They are here. Esper has seen shadows of ravens silhouetting against the colorful window panes. She has met them at the tower, containing the armory and the king's receiving chamber. Three ravens landed on its windswept balcony and turned themselves into human form. They were all pale like skimmed milk and clothed in black leather. Kneeling at her front, they announced, 'My queen!'

'Have you tracked Galindra?' Esper asked.

'Yes, your grace. The last time we saw her was at the front gate of Athrandez. She has the child with her and a young apprentice,' Luna said, the only girl in the flock.

'They are riding South. For sure, they would spend the night on the Aventos Lake. We might have reached them if we start to move now,' Rako added. His feature hides ferocity.

'I will kill them all for you, my queen. Just allow me to do it,' Gaston said. His shoulder-length hair adds to his charm.

'No need for that. You already did your part. I will handle Galindra. You'll do the rest. Slaughter the child, feed his parts to dogs, or drink his blood. I don't care, do whatever you want but give no mercy. For mercy is a gift to mortals.' Esper ordered them to stand up. They all look at the sky, beaming as if they can sense triumph.

'Prepare yourselves, for tomorrow the whole Yrthos will mourn for its false savior,' The dark sorcerer said.