King Cyrus was in agony, tomented by the lovely memories of the woman he loved who had now left him suddenly. And when he shut his eyes, all he could see was her face, her smile, her body. All he wanted to hear was her voice again and the sound of her sweet innocent laugh. Jordan, his advisor was very worried about the King.
"Argh, not again!" King Cyrus yelled in anger. Jordan picked up the bowl of ink then placed it gently on the table.
"Your highness, I think you need to forget about her. It has been two years now." Said Jordan in a calm voice.
"Carla is different, she is the only woman who was willing to understand me. But you are right she has been gone for a long time. I need to find it in my heart to accept that. Jordan I need your help." The king cried.
"That is why I am here my Lord. What troubles you?"
The king sighed.
"It has been a while since I've sailed the ocean. I need someone to look after things here while I am away. Can you be able to help me with this?"
Jordan bowed his head.
"As you wish my Lord." he said.
The king took a change of clothes, food and fishing tools for his trip.
He then began to sail.
Meanwhile a strange woman in a red gown began to carefully wrap a baby in a red towel, she then put the child in a small canoe. With tears in her eyes she spoke a few words.
"I know that you will be much safer with a human than with me." She said.
The woman breathed out heavy air from within her mouth. Her breath was strong enough to cause the canoe to float away till it reached the king's direction.
"I will come for you at the right time. Grow and live." Said the woman. She then turned into a bat and flew away to the East country. The canoe was on the sea floating for three days before it eventually reached the King.
One cold morning while the king was still fishing with no success of catching any fish,
he heard a sound. At first he thought he was being haunted by ghosts.
"The stories are true. The seas have ghosts."
The sound became louder and much clearer.
"The spirit of a baby?" He wondered.
The crying worsened, the king looked around his ship then saw a canoe floating with no one paddling it. He then noticed something wrapped inside the canoe, he wondered what it was.
"It could be treasure" The king thought.
The king quickly looked into his bag of tools, he pulled a rope out. He knotted one end to a metal pole that was strongly attached to the ship, then took another end of the rope then threw it down into the canoe.
"May the angels of God be with me." Said the king, jumping into the cold water.
"What do we have hear?"
The king unwrapped the towel that was tightly wrapped around the baby, who had suddenly stopped crying. Much to the king's surprise it was a real baby, not a ghost nor treasure.
"Who would be so cruel as to leave an innocent baby out in the cold like this. Don't worry I will take care of you." Said the King.
He wrapped the baby with the towel, placing her on his back then began to climb the ship until he managed to enter safely. The king exhaled heavily having reached the inside of the ship.
"It has been long since I sailed. I will have to do it more often" He said.
The baby began to cry once again. King Cyrus became worried.
"You need to be kept warm." He said.
The king began searching for a warm blanket, a jacket, anything he could find that could be used to keep the baby warm.
"This blanket will do."
The baby stopped crying. The king sighed in relief.
He raised his sail then returned back to the palace.
The trip took an entire seven hours, but he did finally arrive.
The trumpets were blown.
"The king has returned, the king has returned let it be known that the king is safe and has returned to us!" One of the kings gatesman shouted.
The inhabitants of Kineti gathered and began to sing in joy.
Jordan stood up from his chair, then ran towards the king.
"My king" He bowed. "We all have been so worried. Thinking you had abandoned us." he said, eyes filled with tears.
"Dont be silly. I would never do such a thing. Help me. I have a gift with me. Be careful she is fragile." The king commanded.
Jordan was surprised, but because he was a faithful servant he did not dare question his Leader.
"Make way for the king." he said. The crowd and all of the king's men dispersed.
King Cyrus was able to pass then finally entered the palace.
"Jordan! Help me!" The king shouted, unwrapping the baby.
"What do you want me to do my Lord?"
"I need something warm for the baby Jordan! I think she might be hungry. Stay here with her."
The King then hurried to the kitchen. Mrs Miller, the cook was surprised to see him there. She stood upright like a good soldier waiting to execute a command.
"My Lord" she said bowing her head.
"I need you to make porridge. It should be soft, as it is for the baby."
The cook was puzzled, but she did not ask anything. She was afraid the king could slaughter her if she asked too many questions. No one would dare question King Cyrus as he was feared by many. They knew he could slay a man without question especially a man that gossips or asks plenty of questions.
"I will be right on it your highness and if you need some help with the baby you're can tell me I..." Mrs Miller didn't even finish her sentence. The King interrupted.
"I don't need your help. Just do as I have asked from you!" He said.
The King then instructed one of his maids to purchase a small bed for the baby, a few blankets, baby food and diapers. When the baby had finished eating the warm porridge. King Cyrus placed the child carefully on her new tiny bed, while singing Kineti's national anthem.
"Kings and Queens of old, fought together causing endless war.
Women, men and their children died in pain,
Those who survived live to tell the tale.
Hunger and anger befell the land,
Still the people died, while some survived
To tell the tale.
The brave were made to rule,
Those who used to lead, became the ones who served.
The nation thrived, Kineti still survives."
Later that evening, a woman arrived at the palace.
"Someone is here to see you" Said Jordan.
The king had been preparing himself to sleep, he already had his night gown on.
"This late!" He complained.