All Chapters of Viva La Vida (Complete): Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Kyrshom was unique. A natural fortress. It was surrounded by a hill on each side. The hills each had natural cliffs on both sides. The cliffs acted as walls on the East and West sides. The hills had been tunneled through to create one gate on the East and West sides which were the only entrances to the city aside from the sea. The hills butted onto a mountain in the South which was three times higher than the hills. The mountain was an extinct volcano from which the hills and cliffs had been formed when lava had previously flowed down toward the ocean. Lookouts and defense positions had been established on the hills and were manned primarily by archers. Catapults had also been installed and could be rotated to fire in any direction. The city, hills, and volcano sat atop a sheer cliff that towered above the beach and ocean. A ramp had been built from the beach to the city level to accommodate the demands of merchants and traders from all over the known world. The ramp had taken y

Once the festivities began Atomas, Hester, and Alexa all enjoyed the food and drink with the residents of Kyrshom. Atomas only circulated with the wealthy merchants and minor royalty in the city. He spent little time with and paid little heed to the commoners of the city. As the night wore on, Atomas became louder and bawdier as he became drunker and drunker. He spent much time with a very wealthy merchant, Breeger. Breeger had four wives, none of whom seemed to be happy. Breeger and Atomas commented loudly on the young girl servants as they brought food to the table, making derogatory statements the girls could hear. They blushed or turned away as tears came to their eyes.Hester and Alexa circulated freely among the commoners and the wealthy making no distinction between anyone. They stayed until the last course had been served and then both Queen Hester and Princess Alexa excused themselves and departed, returning to the palace. Atomas departed soon after. As a family, they did not

The arrows were a signal for him. He put down his cup of wine and watched as the arrows peaked then fell back to the ground, their flames dying quickly.No shout went up from anywhere. None was intended to. Quickly he returned inside and placed his wine cup on the table. He ran into Hester’s room and crossed to her side of the bed. She breathed deeply, her eyes closed. Asleep. He considered waking her but then decided against it. She was upset with him and waking her would probably upset her more. Besides, whatever emergency was signaled by the arrows meant that he had very little time. If he woke Hester and tried to get her to leave with him, he would probably be too late.Best he left and returned another time when he could be sure that the emergency had passed and all was safe a

Benedict stood before Atomas. “I am truly not surprised. I had heard it all before we entered the city in any event. There is truly no end to your corruptness is there?”Atomas ignored Benedict’s question. “Who are you? How dare you come into my city? I will have you burned slowly and fed to the maggots.”“You have no city left Atomas. You have no kingdom. You are here to be sentenced for your crimes against the kingdom and its people.”“What crimes you fool? I am King!”“You were king. You are king no more. And for your information, even kings can be held responsible for committing crimes

“To all gathered here today, take heed and share the word. Anyone who does not know is deemed to have heard this announcement and non-compliance to the new order will not be tolerated.” The people looked at each other, confused. “King Atomas, Queen Hester and Princess Alexa, no longer rule in Kyrshom or anywhere in the kingdom of Aleghor. They have been deposed and anyone who still serves them as rulers of Aleghor is forthwith considered a traitor and will be sentenced to death if caught.” A murmur went through the crowd of twenty thousand people standing before the palace. The man reading the scroll looked up nervously, licked his lips and continued. “King Atomas has already been tried for his crimes and will be put to death shortly for crimes against the kingdom of Aleghor and its people.” Another murmur went through the crowd louder than the first. The man looked around nervously again. Fearfully. If the crowd decided to break through the barriers they could easily do so. He st