Chapter 5 - CHAPTER FIVE- RALLY, MERRY, TIME TO GET PRETTY DANGEROUS

The following day when she is just starting to pick the air, unopposed to the door of the palace of Leuz, King Parius was first to attract the breeze. Meanwhile, General was quick to notice him as he ushered him inside while instructing a guard to fetch the king. Undaunted by the prospect or even by the manner of his presence at such an hour and what imagination the king could perceive after this meeting, General Iroh hurriedly gestured, informing him not to flinch or conjure any suspicious emotions that the king could detect easily.

"Oh Parius, the magnanimity of your presence is humbly received in my palace" said King Bartholomew who deceitfully received him and to make him feel comfort so as to get every necessary information attached to his presence at such an early hour.

"The pleasure is all mine your majesty" Parius humbly replied. Meanwhile, General Iroh was furious that the king might be suspicious of his close contact with the king of Spartak, so he unceremoniously thrust forward to where the king was seated

"So what brings you here?" The king continued…

"Your majesty, the untried circumstances following the event that took place in the previous summer game has brought vast conceptions and complex knowledge to my people, though a forlorn spectacle. Therefore, it would make my heart happy if we see the marriage between my daughter Clema and the commander of the lost city Pash come into earnest manifestation". Said King Parius, who take a bow and awaits the king's response.

"So, tell me what are those untried circumstances as you have it, and what are your people saying?" the king ask in deepening force of suspicion. Thereafter, the General intervened.

"Your highness, we should make no mistake thinking that there was no lead of meaning after the incident that took place on the arena in the last summer game, even our people in this kingdom are talking and they are wondering why the princess cried so deeply even after knowing her husband to be came out victorious in that contest, I don't mean to raise any precept concerning the marriage, but I believed at this stage, we should be thinking of having King Parius daughter's hand in marriage to Pash. Therefore, we can have all the powers we need to control him and subdue his unknown intentions concerning this kingdom, my humble opinion my Highness". General Iroh Reiterated.

After few minutes of thought, the king received their thought from a reckless enthusiasm. From one angle, he believed this grand scheme could finally result to a vivid capture of Commander Pash virtues and subdue all prospect of a new king installment, and on another angle, he resigned to the thought- that what could the people of Leuz and the small village of Spartak be saying that could propelled such durable solution to all his challenges.

"It's settled, let it be known to 'the Elves of the North', 'the Whales of the South, 'the Sun of the East' and 'the Rainbow of the West' that Commander Pash and King Parius daughter- Clema will be getting married this holy weekend. The king said with excitement while tenderly asking for General Iroh to come forward and whispered the arrangement into his ears.

Words spread so fast like a bolt about the marriage, it's as impossible to describe in full details all the plans made by commander Pash to take over as king of Leuz, even after his marriage was arranged prior to his notice, he had no choice but to subtly give in to the demands of the king, especially when he was contrived to accept all the gold, the wealth and the riches that was brought to his doorsteps by the king himself, who came out of his safe and comfort zone to convey the promising news of promotion and splendors to him.

However, a familiar backlash against this matrimony were his recruited soldiers, especially the barbarians who he thought might be frustrated about the nip in the bud over the marriage. After one wild thought, he set them on a quest to fight some uncalled battles in the nearby kingdoms. Although, this was an arranged plan by the king himself who approved the reign of terror on his own land.

This occasioned further brutal savagery from the barbarians on some cities like Cocaria, Djenva, Gluca among all others, except Sparatk, whom the king believed the distance offers great importance to their cause. Although there were calls from these savaged grounds for help from the king of Leuz, so he declined and told false news of redemption after the marriage.

During this time of carnage and bloodshed, the king enlisted and instruct Pash to diligently inform his soldiers to show compassion on some terrains that means much to his supreme reign, especially places revolving around constant tributes and pledge to the kingdom of Leuz.

The king's intentions were personally devised for his glorious cause, because he believed some of these clans are conniving to dethrone him, so instead he thought of killing two birds with one stone. Come to think of it, by sending Pash's army to fight 'his battle or Pash's battle,' regardless of how you see it, if he emerged successful in his attempt, he can go on to pursue his goals of having all the little clans for himself, like he projected from the beginning, and if not, they should all fall in the battle like he has always wished for. Either way, it's a 'win win' for the king, because him not having to put any of his men along the line of battle, profitably could mean his soldiers can defend the fort gate, even if any retaliation from the otter chains arises.

Although, the invasion mean more lands for Pash's men even though they could not bring some clans into the hands of their perish, this is because some of these villages united in bravery to support themselves against the harsh torment of the barbarians resulting from the invasion, and with the burrowing situation, they felt the king has turned a deaf ear to their plea and he is fully focused on commemorating the upcoming wedding.

Atlas, the twilight sun leaped gently on the weekend fields, and the night fogs gently flashed away into the tide. On the land Pash fought and won so many battles, although not so big in proportion, people merrily sing and danced around the pyre of wood, all the nations that were left to thrive under the recent ballet of war were invited, the richest and the rarest among men were also gathered for the celebration. It is the day of the wedding.

Meanwhile, the bride was in her room looking paced away, her disheveled hair was helped by her maid who was later instructed to leave the room on the command of King Parius, who beckons steadily in his white decorated diamond robe. He was full of tears after seeing his daughter looking like the last angel of heaven. His voice was firmly cheerful and light as old.

"You look so beautiful my daughter, your mother would trade everything just to see the light of this day" Parius said.

"I don't want to go through this wedding father, my heart is somewhere else" Clema utterly begged her father not to go through with the wedding. This was matched with a devilish slap from King Parius, leaving an enduring scar on her cheeks.

"You brought this upon yourself right from the beginning, it's time to leave the toddler life you are used to and become a mature woman, begin to see from an equal perspectives that we have no choice, you have no choice in this situation! For the safety of the whole village, we don't, don't you see?" Parius wittingly pleaded as he makes his way out.

"Make sure her wound is treated" He continued with further command to the maid who was waiting outside of the room to resume her call of duties.

The groom is well seated beside the king as they wait for several minutes to receive the bride. Few minutes later, a frozen feeling swept through the brazen square where everyone was gathered, an astonishing feeling any man could wish for at that minute aroused, as everyone rise their feet, looking carried away with the beautiful presence of the princess. Clema in her beautiful grace takes her steps lightly as she was helped along the way by her father who make way for her to where Pash was sitting.

Now, the trumpets sounded with bliss, fortune music engulfed the square, soon later, the priest summoned the couple to come up to the alter, as they make their pledge and sworn as husband and wife.

The musicians present at the square sing with louder peal, all of the audience present were drunk and lustily plugged in, even the groom can't wait for his wedding night, this continued even till the sun dangled on a thin rope to receive the moon again.

As the event proved attractive and pleasing for every one gathered at the square, unknown to them, a new terror beckons through the rolling seas, to their unspeakable dismay, it's Parah whose fleet of armies was gently helped on the sea with the blur of the fog, so no one knew of their presence on the shore until they alight from their calvarias and charged with aggressive agility. Utterly fatal to their prowess and unanimity which made the courage of the soldiers present useless, they bow to the assaults from these men. Minutes later, they retreat with fast manners, taking every kings and noble men with quick defiance, except for King Bartholomew who fell victim of the priming loosed arrows of the enemy from the reef, the maul was beyond any description, innocent men fell with the valiant among men, little children scamper around with bruises all over their bodies, swords were swinging fiercely, and the tack of the shield of the relentless soldiers broke into pieces.

In his last minutes, King Bartholomew was trying to declare his last wishes, but the soldiers withdraw him from doing so, the arrow steered in so deeply that he was caressing the arrow gently while trying to remove it. He pleaded to see Pash. He was death consumed to see Pash as he begs his soldiers to get Pash his commander. Minutes later, Pash came down to where the king was fading on his sick spot. Meanwhile, General Iroh took some of the enemies down but cease to swing his sword against the incoming enemy- after seeing the king summoned Pash, he was so keen to know what is happening between them, so he draws near.

"My King, My King" He screamed while closing the king fast as he beheld him in his hands- obnoxiously forcing the end of the arrow deeply in the king's chest, oblivious to the others who were there to protect the king, sadly the king could not mutter any word again except his last one- Pash, while pointing at him and giving up the ghost.