The Fate of the First Hero of Light
"Why did you kill my mother?" The young child is staring at me.
"You are weaker than me. I do not owe you an explanation."
"Geir you cannot say that."
"Zelda never forget I am the Warchief of the Tulok. I was compelled to assist the Kingdom as we are allies. The Tulok Tribes ways are not yours."
"..."
"Zelda can you remember when I told you I walk in the darkness?"
"Yes, Geir I do."
"His father, "the fat man" pulled you into the darkness. I have been protecting you, doing the things of the dark. I killed the women and his children. If I leave, you will have to start doing these things as well. Prepare yourself."
"Geir I..."
"Knight, Fire Mage you will assist Zelda. I do not expect her to kill them personally. If the sultan does not comply. Break the child's legs or gouge out an eye."
"UNDERSTOOD!" "Yes, Geir he will be made to comply."
"Geir is there no other way?" asks Zelda.
"Zelda like you, I am also a ruler. Your Kingdom is many times larger than mine. But there is one important different between ours."
"Geir what is that?"
"This is your first war. Since the moment I became the leader. The Tulok Tribe have never even had one day of peace. I know what to do to get even the most brutal person to submit to my demands."
"Geir help me please."
"Zelda how many of your people have died? Some were sold as slaves, some of them are still missing they may never be found. People's villages and homes were burned down. There will soon be famine and sickness. The effects of this war will be felt for at least 5 suncycles if we are fortunate."
"If after all you that. You think an enemy's little boys welfare is still something precious. I think you should not lead the Kingdom any longer."
"Why did you kill my..."
BAM
Zelda punched the boy in the face. He starts crying.
"Excuse me little boy. You will be quiet from now on, if you do not want to get hurt."
The little boy puts his head between his knees. The tears are falling.
This is the sad truth of life.
He is an innocent, just like his mother. The sultan was greedy now they are paying the price. We need the sultan to keep smiling, otherwise if there is an uprising. We will have to wage a great war.
The Kingdom would have to conscript the populace. Our internal Royal Houses conflicts might boil over. That this affair is resolved quickly is of crucial importance to the future of Zelda's Kingdom.
"Zelda you have to decide. Do you want to conquer this domain?"
"Geir is that not going to far!"
"Fire Mage if your soldiers are withdraw. What would happen?"
"EXCUSE ME SIR IZDRYN! GEIR WHY DID YOU SAY "YOUR" SOLDIERS"?
"Knight imagine my Tribe as a very small country having my border along yours. When I say "your" soldiers I mean your Kingdoms soldiers. In times of peace I tell them what to do because they are morons. I am also a member of a royal house. But in war time they are your soldiers."
"WHAT OF YOUR TRIBES MEMBERS IN MY FORCES?"
"I told you they are your subordinates. If you tell them to fight my homelands, then they are my enemies. Tuloks are not traitors. As long as they are affiliated with your Kingdom's army, even if it is their own children. They will kill them when ordered."
"I SEE GEIR. I HAD NEVER THOUGHT THAT WE MIGHT HAVE TO STAND AGAINST EACH OTHER. I KNOW NOW, I CAN TRUST YOUR TRIBES PEOPLE."
"Returning to what I asked you, Fire Mage what would happen if we withdrew?"
"I do not know. What would happen Geir?"
"They might join forces with the other countries, where we retrieved our stolen people from. They could then move to strike your Kingdom."
"Geir if that happens. What would happen to us?"
"With our current combat strength. We could kill at least a quarter of their combined forces before two of us die, the remaining two will be gravely injured. The best scenario would be that Zelda and the Knight are left alive."
"Will Teela not fight with us?"
"Zelda if my Grandmother and I both die. Then the Tulok Tribe will be finished."
"GEIR THAT CANNOT BE TRUE!"
"Knight my Tribe might be fierce. But at the moment none of them have the fighting strength, to replace us both. All the other tribes will unite and crush us."
Zelda starts crying.
"Geir what am I going to do?"
"Do not worry I have a plan."
We are at the Mansion where the nobles were having their death matches.
All the wounded nobles are there, the sultan is also present.
I have the little boy.
"We will auction your various possessions. For the mercifulness of Her Majesty Queen Zeldany to touch you and heal your wounds."
They are murmuring.
Zelda enters the stage. I snap the boys arms. He screams out of pain. The sultan wants to scream. The Knight has already broken his jaw.
"COME HERE!"
The boy runs from me. Zelda grabs him with force, his limbs are healed, all his cuts and bruises are healed. I hit him on the back of the head. He is unconscious. I give him to the Fire Mage. He walks through them showing the healed boy.
"The Queen is only willing to bless five of you with her healings. We will depart and never return. If you want to live a meaningful life again. This is your only chance."
"We will start the first bid at 10,000 rupees. Property or possessions worth the same or greater as the stated amount will also be accepted. We have brought our Royal Museums Curator if you wish to ascertain a pieces value speak to her."
They are silent.
"Let us leave, Her Majesty has come all the way to bless you and still..."
"11,000 rupees" one of the burnt women raises her hand.
Her partner is reprimanding her.
Another woman at the back "12,000 rupees"
It has started, a woman's vanity, a rupees best friend!
"Anyone else 135,000 rupees going once, going twice...DONE! Come forward!"
Zelda touches the woman's head her hair grows back. The burnt skin is healed, her form changes back into that of a person. The bandages fall off, she is completely healed.
"That is all for today. Tomorrow two healings will be auctioned."
"What can we sell?"
"Any and everything. Jewels, property, furniture and anything of value. Contact our curator the value will be determined, you can also add money on top of the total value of the goods."
"How do you feel Zelda?"
"Geir I still do not understand how this will help us."
"I brought the boy."
"Good. Fire Mage how are things?"
"They seem very desperate. They have formed a line talking to the curator."
"GEIR WHAT DO YOU INTEND TO DO?"
"Cultural destruction."
"CULTURAL DESTRUCTION?!"
"The Reinfeld Estate's deed!"
"It is worth 500,000 rupees anyone else? The healings drains the Queen, she can cast it only five times in two suncycles. We have many sick. We are here by her generosity. This might be the last day!"
"Blensfield Castle!" The Curator speaks to the lords servant. She signal to me.
We have to reject that offer you are 20,000 rupees to short. Anyone else 500,000 rupees or higher. Anything will be accepted no one? Going once...going twice! DONE!"
Again the injured person walks up. He has crutches. Zelda touches the person. He changes back into a person.
Zelda collapses. "THE QUEEN!" The Knight picks her up.
He whispers something to me. I go to signal the audience "I am sorry the..." "WAIT! SIR GEIR!" Zelda stands up straight, she looks very weak.
"This will be the last healing for today. We might not be able to come tomorrow."
The nobles are so desperate now. They will do anything to be healed.
"Shall we start?"
"Blensfield Castle and the Royal Arms!" The Curator signals.
"AMAZING! We open with a mighty bid! That is 800,000 rupees in total! Anyone else?"
"Castele Estate plus the difference and 1."
"What a great bid a total value of 800,001. A bid of 810,000 anyone? 820,000? 830,000?"
"The Royal Holiday estate!"
The curator signals.
"1,000,000 rupees! UNHEARD OFF! COME LORDS AND LADIES DO NOT BE SHY!"
"1,100,000 anyone?"
"1,200,000 THE ROYAL JEWELS UNBELIEVABLE!"
"1,300,000 anyone?"
"1,600,000 THE ROYAL LIBRARY! IS THERE NO STOPPING YOUR LADYSHIP!"
"2,000,000 THOSE WERE SAID TO ONLY EXIST IN LEGENDS!"
I have them hooked. Selling the Royal Library are they insane?
I call the Knight closer. He signals to one of my Tribesmen, he had ordered to infiltrate the auction. They will remove each and every book and transport them to Zelda's Storehouses.
"Knight how long? Must I send for my Tribe?" "PLEASE DO! IT WILL TAKE FOUR DAYS TO EMPTY IT!"
"I understand."
"Come your ladyship." Zelda touches her, her hair grows back and her skin is healed.
Zelda falls down. The Fire Mage catches her. I move to her. I whisper to her, she grabs me tightly before passing out.
I stand up to signal the crowd. "I am sorry Her Majesty can heal no more. Her life is in danger."
"YOU SAID WE COULD TRY AGAIN TOMMOROW!""YES, THAT IS RIGHT"
Zelda makes a movement I whisper something. She whispers something back.
"You can be thankful for Her Majesty's grace she will rest for four days. Then we will see if see is able. We are selling healing medicines she had prepared. They will take away pain but cannot repair burns. They go for 20,000 rupees for a box of 36 bottles good enough for a full mooncycle. Our people are very injured and sick. These were the absolute most we can spare. They will not be distributed again, for at least 5 suncycles. Talk to the Dwarven Health Specialist, she will give you a free trial."
We enter the Reinfeld Estate. I chase out everyone.
"Is there something you want here Zelda?"
"Not particularly."
"Knight, Fire Mage any weapons, armor, magics, furniture?"
"GEIR DO NOT BE A FOOL. THIS HER MAJESTY'S PROPERTY!"
"Knight you are wrong this is the Kingdom's property."
"What do you mean Geir?" "Zelda do not talk." Zelda goes limp.
"This whole auction is to fill the Kingdom's coffers. To help with the nations rebuilding."
"GEIR..."
"I will be taking my dues as well. We are allies and I had a major part in creating this beneficial circumstance."
"Geir what do you mean is there something we want?"
"Fire Mage do you need magic codex's for your Clans peoples? Knight do you need armors or blades for the armory?"
"This auction is not only for filling the covers. That they were so insane as to sell us the royal library. The ancient scriptures in the library alone are worth more than a small kingdom."
"GEIR I WILL INSPECT THE GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS, SIR IZDRYN I WILL TAKE THE EAST WING!" "Understood Sir Hunfrey!" The Knight and Fire Mage move with great speed.
Days later...
"Did you get everything?" "YES, THE SOLDIERS HAVE LEFT!" I extend my hand I freeze the estate in my crystal clear ice.
"Geir I cannot believe this is ice. It looks as clear as the finest glass."
Two tears of happiness roll down my cheek.
"Let us move to the library."
The golden dome of the library is gone, only wooden supports are left. The massive telescope was also removed.
Zelda cast a portal spell inside the magic chambers. The Mages Guild were hired to safely remove the spells, potions and other miscellaneous equipment. I will auction them at a later date.
"GEIR IS THERE ANYTHING LEFT HERE THAT YOU DID NOT TAKE?"
"The wood in our kingdom is better. The tiles have plaster on them, when you clean them sometimes they break, it is not worth the trouble."
"Fire Mage did you find anything you want?"
"I found a storeroom at the docks it contains many treasures. There was a royal crest. Here it is."
"Contact this person discretely and arrange a healing. Ask for the building contents."
"Understood."
"GEIR THIS COUNTRY HAS LOST ALL ITS GREATEST TREASURES! WHAT WILL HAPPEN NOW?"
"The people only follow rulers they either admire, respect or fear. The Nobles have lost their valuables. They are no longer so wealthy, that a normal person cannot rise up to their level. When enough people have accumulated wealth similar to theirs. The people will no longer admire or respect them. That we could disfigure them like this, means they will not fear them anymore."
"What will happen if they no longer admire, respect or fear them?"
"Chaos."
"EXCUSE ME?"
"This country is done for. The people will rise up against the nobles and overthrow them. In short a civil war."
"GEIR!"
"Knight never forget they are our enemies. We are ransacking their kingdom."
"I SEE AS ALWAYS AN EXCELLENT SCHEME!"
"Were you not going to chastise me?"
"NO. THAT THE FIENDS WOULD TOY WITH OUR CHILDRENS LIVES. THEY DESERVE PUNISHMENT MANY TIMES WORSE."
"Geir something I have noticed the nobles are acting strangely. They are in good spirits."
"That is the liqueur working its magic."
"WHAT DID YOU SAY GEIR?"
"It is a special liqueur. It masks other tastes, it is popularly used in assassination attempts. When it is mixed with poison, you cannot taste the poison. I told them that this liqueur was used, because it would hide the bitter taste."
"DID YOU SELL THEM ALCHOHOL?"
"Of course not. I put in enough healing medicines, that they would not become ill from excessive use of the alcohol."
"Geir that must be a new low." says the Fire Mage.
"Having our children die for fun would seem to be lowest a person can go. Do you think they deserve my pity?"
"Yes, you are right forgive me."
Later at night...
"Is everyone assembled?"
"YES, THE KNIGHTS AND THE SPECIAL UNITS ARE HERE!"
"Yes, my Clans men are in the mages room."
"Geir are we going to take over the city?"
"We are going to strip it bare."
"YES, I THOUGHT SO! WHERE ARE YOUR TRIBE'S PEOPLE?"
"They are hidden. After the last healing, we will raid the royal castle!"
"WHAT?!"
We are running towards the border. The Kingdom's soldiers are running after us. We are the last to leave.
"KNIGHT HURRY UP!"
"GEIR I AM COMING! THIS ARMOR IS TOO SMALL!"
"GEIR THIS IS RIDICILOUS! WE ARE ROBBING THEM?" screams the Fire Mage.
"FIRE MAGE THEY CAN NEGOTIATE WITH THE SULTANS KINGDOM. THEN HAVE HIM HAND US A WARRANT OF ARREST!" I am laughing.
"CURSES ONE OF THE SWORDS FELL!"
"WHICH ONE?"
"THE KNIGHT BERNICK THE GREAT!"
Tears fall from my face. "NOOOOOO! 340,000 RUPEES!"
Everyone is laughing.
I am adjusting the crown that is atop my snowbeast headpiece. I have the royal jewels, the ceremonial mace and all the other treasures peaking out of my parka. I am carrying a chest full of deeds, contracts and agreements. They tell how much the people of the land owe the kingdom. All the documentation has been lost. The Kingdom will not know who owes what anymore. Total economic ruin.
We run past the sultan and his forces at the border. The soldiers move to cross the border. The sultan order his men to stand ready. The sultan's general screams at the other soldiers they stop. We load all the looted treasures on an open carriage, we move with speed back home. I throw the bound Prince Saadiq over the wooden sides of the wagon.
He runs to his father. His father embraces him. He looks to me, I glare at him, he almost soiled himself. If he tries anything there will be repercussions.
Two mooncycles later...
There is a giant heap of various precious metals, farming implements, wooden beams, building tools, building materials, cut stones, swords and armours, sacks of grains and other foods and many more. In the Royal Castles store rooms.
"Geir we spent every last rupee. Why did we have to use it all?"
"Zelda the countries are going to place an embargo on your Kingdom. We had to spend each and every rupee before they lost their value."
"WHY WOULD THEY LOSE THEIR VALUE?"
"Knight those countries have their own currency as well as using the Kingdom's rupees. They will not buy our goods anymore. The demand for rupees will diminish bringing the value down. They will then use their own currency exclusively, further pushing down the value in their countries."
"But why buy all these metals and building materials?"
"These are goods needed to rebuild the country. The metals are there that if we need money. We can sell them again, rare metals keep their value."
"WHAT OF THE ARMOURS AND SWORDS?"
"We are going to expand the Kingdoms Military."
"WHAT!?" screams everyone.
"Why would we need to do that. Are we really going to invade them this time?" asks Zelda.
"YES, GEIR THIS I CANNOT ALLOW!"
"It is to rebuild the economy. We can employ the people of the villages. Give them training, pay them the allotted amount that a civil servant receives. They will be able to protect the villages surrounding the borders. While earning money to feed their families."
Zelda is starting to tear up.
"Thank you Geir."
"Do not thank me yet. We will have to go on another tour."
Zelda is looking very pale.
"GEIR WHAT IS IT THIS TIME?!"
"A national fecundity campaign."
"NOOOO! GEIRRRR! PLEASE WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO THIS TIME?"
"Many people have died, they will need to be replaced as soon as possible. We are going to travel the land and explain how children are made."
Zelda collapses immediately.
"YOUR MAJESTY! WHAT IS WRONG?"
"Your Highness!"
Finish.
