"You know this is a trap" Parah said privy into the ears of Pash.
After a few minute, Parah startled as he watched the princess of Spartak, Clema entered the court with her father- king Parius. At first he thought Parius was her husband, but the eminence presence of the crown and the small size of the tiara on her head gives him a simpler understanding. Genral Iroh picked his alluring steer in great suspicion.
They were all gathered inside the court as the marshals introduced them to their seats. General Iroh quickly grabbed a seat beside Parah and waved for the marshal to leave at once. They were all comfortably seated as they benignly wait for the presence of the king. Eerie silence and silent chattering sweeps through the council room as they kept watching each other closely with bone faces.
General Iroh whispered into the ears of Parah, introducing her to be the only daughter of king Parius. He muttered "It seems you like her". But don't you ever think of it boy, that's your brother's wife to be. He said, after they both watch King Parius led his daughter to sit with Pash. Minutes later, the king's heralds voiced out;
"The king has arrived"
They all stood up and expect the king to have his seat, except for Parah who was seated and watching closely for the king to sit in annoyance.
"We are all gathered here to welcome the sons of Govin, Pash… Commander and Conqueror of the lost lands", the audience stroke hands in applause to receive the king's praise
"And Parah, sailor to where again?" He asked sarcastically in a way to belittle his statute.
General Iroh answered majestically with his cup of wine raised to the air;
"The only great sailor to ever course through the thick forest river of Amad, ladies and gentlemen…have me welcome in our midst… Parah, direct descendant of King Leuz".
The audience cheered silently as they raised their cup in appreciation. However, King Bartholomew was bewildered with the introduction as he kept looking into the area where General Iroh was seated.
"There you have it, Parah the great sailor of Amad". He said as they cheered louder this time in appreciation for the king's introduction. He continued
"As you all know, we are also gathered here to celebrate the coming together of two hearts, and great coexistence between our nations, cheers to the union of Pash and Clema" king Bartholomew screamed with excitement as he raised his cup into the air.
"Tonight we feast together for the pledge of peace and prosperity" the king continued.
Even in this heathen union-ship, they wine and dance till their heart contempt, but nothing could prevail from stopping Parah to break his peace.
"Enough!!!" he shouted, looking drunk and sad with an intoxicated expression of happiness. King Bartholomew was looking too noble to listen to what he has to say for a moment.
"I am not ignorant to think death and torture compass me and my brother, even from you Bartholomew" he pronounced his name disdainfully. The guards were pushing to repel him, but the king waved, instructing them to hold their peace.
"I know this is not a truce, not some conference meeting of love and some stupid brotherhood, I see blood! blood! blood!" Parah screamed and passed out for a second as his feet dashed against the floor.
"And I see betrayals" he continued…
Deep silence crept inside the hall where they were all gathered.
The king summoned with a gesture to where Pash was seated. Immediately Pash instructed one of his men to take his brother in.
"Have you resolved to dishonor me?" the king said privy into his ears.
"I will handle the situation, I promise." He gently whispered back into the ears of the king.
"Continue my brothers and sisters, there is no cause for alarm". He said in warm recipient from the audience who were worried, thinking that there might be unexpected bloodsheds in the middle of the night.
Later that night, General Iroh was with the king the whole time as they continually discussed in strange privy manners.
It was the day before the public games in Leuz, the twilight moon is renewing its freedom again, the chirping birds are displaying their colorful wings to the breeze and the clouds were clearing for the new hays in the skies. In that morning, King Bartholomew send his marshals to instruct everyone to stay behind for the public games.
Clema was waking up from her beautiful slumber as usual, she danced and danced happily with the chirping birds, she had had many of merry dreams of freedom. On hearing the news from the marshal, she leaned forward to where her father was standing.
"Father," she said pleadingly, I have two favor to ask, you must promise never to decline them". She said with excitement drawn all over her face.
"Alright, I'm listening". King Parius said looking excitedly troubled with what his daughter has to say to him.
"Can we wait and see the game?" she asked with a cunning expression on her face.
"Yes we can!" her father simply answered with a smile. "Your second request?" he asked with a mild rage on his face.
"Can I… this one time go and see the Brothers of Leuz?" she said with warm excitement.
Looking confused on why she said she wanted to see the brothers, he replied harshly…
"No! No! No! There is no way you are seeing Pash".
He draws her under his shoulder and reminded her why she was kept a virgin all of these while.
"Ever since you mother left us, there is only one face that reminds me of hers. For ages our clan has thrived under the riddance of desolation and wars, this mutual pledge between I and the king is the only way to keep our people prospering and safe.
She shrouded, looking startled. If only to feel that her father was hell bent to marry her off to Pash to avert the incoming dangers. She would have gladly been a slave ten times over rather than commit to what she had done in the woods with Parah in that moment.
However, Parah was busy lurking around and asking questions to the princess chambers. He finally has a node of where the princess chamber is. In the turning event of asking around, General Iroh took notice and immediately stooped him the moment he was about entering. He hurried him aside and hush him completely, looking unusually around to know if someone is coming.
"You can't go in there, that point of destination is sacred, no one and I mean no one is allowed to go in there". He whispered looking helter-skelter.
"If you go in like that, the king will have you beheaded and besides, she is betrothed to your brother". He continued.
"Why are you telling me this? Parah asked looking high suspicious.
General Iroh took a deep breath and ward off his grimace expressions. "I knew you like the princess, okay, and I can help you get her, all you have to do is follow my instructions and I promise you… within the set of the next moon, you will have her hands in marriage, that I can promise you son".
"Don't you ever call me that" Parah said in deep annoyance as he walked pass him.
"Brother… I've been searching all over for you". Pash said with a smile as he drew his brother in into his chambers and shut the wooden doors to his room. He draws a box containing precious brooch stones and gave it to his brother.
"They belong to our father, you should have them. He would always say their numbers reminds him of our mother, after we lost her to the bloody hands of these people".
"You never told me you are getting married" Pash asked anxiously.
"And abandon me again, just like you abandoned me years ago to pursue this journey alone. I knew you are keeping secretes from me,… again. Anytime you present gifts to me and talk to me like a child, I always knew you are up to something". Parah said looking sober as bitter substance gently escaped his eyes.
"No! It's not like that, I have always loved you as a brother and I do not wish for this life for you, Dad made me promise to always watch your back and prevent you from going astray, in your presence brother, in your presence! Just right on his sick bed." Parah cut his brother yet again. "Oh stop patronizing me" he said with a high pitched voice. "You've always been selfish and full of ego for your self-centered aspirations. And I'm never going to be a part of that". He said as he flicked the box agonizingly away and made his way to the arch passage. On his way out, he banged the door and went unnoticed to General Iroh hideaway, who was busy eavesdropping to every single words the brothers said in their disclosed chambers. He smile dangerously and headed for his chambers.