King Dorian looked at his twin sons as they played the sword with their wooden toy swords with all seriousness while the soldiers moved around doing their bit. Being a father to the two boys without a mother had not been really easy. He was really proud of his children and only wished that their mother had not been murdered in cold blood. He had decided never to make the mistake of leaving any member of his family behind as the last time had cost him dearly. His wife, Sophia, had been killed by enemy troops and barbarians from the south and so, he decided that since he could not detect exactly which of these barbarians had done the deed, he would continue killing all the way south to the very last of them. Their women and children as well will not be spared. He had only gone hunting with his brother, Troy, when he returned he saw the massacre. His wife had been impaled with a spear to the wall and she had been badly tortured obviously. Her naked body showed cut marks and burns. They had taken their time making a sport of her and he had been late. Luckily, she had hidden the babies in a basket away from sight and probably fate did not permit it but the babies were alive and only started crying when Dorian screamed in pain. He had to fetch them a nurse who was given the task of taking care of them until they were of age. As soon as the boys clocked seven, their father came for them after of course, killing their nurse secretly. Yes, he had become the monster of whom the fables told of. He had his brother by his side, a large and strong army, chariots of steel, swords, catapults and more to his advantage. He was invincible and would forever be so.
The people of Wuwa were the last on this side of the south. He had sent scouts to go spy on them and when he had gotten the feedback on how weak they were, he knew one thing. They would be really easy to take on. Taking some of his warriors while the others guard his newly built empire with his brother, he went for them. They camped out of sight as they drew strategies on how to get them. It was not hard, unlike the other tribes before them. It took him just one night to conquer them. Night arrows of steel rained on them before he released fire on the village. This time, he had taken a few survivors as he would be needing new slaves as the old ones were growing weaker and besides, he needed more hands. He had those he had not yet put to death dragged to his place of abode. He and his brother would finally get to sort them out. Of everyone around him, he trusted Troy with all he had. He smiled and walked past his children as they continued their sword playing. There were other matters that needed his attention. Someday when Brian and Adrian grew up, they would be just like him and understand the need to cast fear on all their adversaries.
As he walked to the arena where the slaves would be sorted out and those for sport separated, he thought about his sons and what they might eventually grow up to be. Brian had the potential of a great leader, just like him. He was rather strong and would always protect his brother from potential harm and pain. Even from their father. He was such a special cute little boy with the strategies of an adult. Dorian had seen him maneuvering his brother during their sword play. Adrian also was strong but he was a nuisance. Always causing troubles for both him and his brother. He never thought before acting and would throw a tantrum when things are not done his way. Yet, amidst his troubles, he would never let his brother face harm. He was rather fond of Brian just as Troy was of Dorian. The twins of course do have their moments of angry outbursts, but then, neither could hold out on the other for long. This was what Dorian admired. This was what had kept his people going all along. His clan had been known for their spirit of brotherhood.
The twins had been considered special right from time. They were identical twins but something rather unlikely separated them and made it easier to identify them. Brian had dark hair while his brother had his head covered with a golden crown, he was a blonde, just like Troy. Often the brothers would joke on
how they had been gifted with children that would represent them when they were old and gone. Troy did have a child too, a daughter that was dear to his heart. Kat, he had called her. She was twelve and had been betrothed to the son of the king. Yes, they did have a king over their heads to whom they
paid tributes. No one is ever totally free unless they are dead after all. The king was really close to the brothers however, and maintained the friendship between them. He gave them the backing they needed, and they in turn would fight his wars.
Troy was already at the arena when Dorian arrived. Seated on his chair enjoying some wild cherries. The slaves were all tied together and huddled closer to each other as obvious fear was written all over their faces. The remaining sons of the king were kept separate from the others and they tried to seem defiant even though Dorian could detect the fear written all over them. Troy caught sight of him and threw a cherry at him.
“I was beginning to think you’ve grown old and bored brother,” he teased Dorian who snickered at him playfully.
“I am definitely old, but never bored.” he said and sat down next to his brother. He tried taking a cherry from the platter when Troy quickly removed it.
“Not so fast, that was one serving you know, go get yours,” he said.
“Or I should wrestle you for yours, how about that?” Dorian asked.
Troy pretended to think about it for a while. Making up his mind, he resigned and dropped the platter. The brothers looked at each other and burst out laughing. It was time to get down to the business of the day.
“I thought they said the king had seven sons, we slayed four, two are here, where is the seventh?” Dorian asked.
“From what I heard, he fled into the forest with some people.” Troy said.
“Then, he must have a death wish.” Dorian said.
He was sure that since he could not get Kuka and his survivors, the forest and its dangers would. He had stationed soldiers at their place to oversee the new arsenal he was building there and walls he was raising. Definitely, no way would any of the survivors attempt to get back unless they wanted to die. To send the message clearly to them, he had the heads of their king, his sons and their supposed priest hanging on spears.
Looking at these ones before him, he was not going to show them mercy of course. The sons of the king would be used as target practice for his archers as they entertained both him and his brother. He had caught sight of a young lady that did look beautiful, she would be gracing his bed before he killed her. Looking at Troy, he could see he had his eyes fixed on one other lady, he could nearly tell of the dirty things running through his head. As for the others, their tongues would be detached as they would be embracing their new life as slaves to his will. They were twenty-three of them, he would have fifteen
sent to the king. The rest would join the rest of the slaves in their toil. Everything was done as he had instructed and much later, he retired to his chambers.
The young lady he had pointed out was already in there waiting for him. He smiled boldly as he opened his curtains. She was tied to a pillar, her hands behind her back. He bent close to her as she held her hair in his hands, he smelt it and could perceive the scent of lilies and blood on her. She suddenly turned to look at him and spat on his face. Dorian smiled, he was definitely going to like this one and might not kill her just yet. He loved his feisty and furious. He was going to teach her loyalty and make her understand why he was the king of his clan. He was a victor, and to the victor belongs the spoils. Taking out his dagger, he saw the fear in her eyes. Reaching behind, he cut her loose.
The next morning was met with a group of survivors making their way down the rocky path. The little boy had made it through the night and there was every chance that he would live but then, the angry bites of hunger pangs might just finish him before they could make it to where. Kuka no longer had any idea how far they had to keep going for them to reach their destination. He had thought that it would not take much time but now, he could see otherwise. Nulaa was getting weaker and could barely move, he had to support her with help and assistance from Orau. This was really time for the gods to show mercy on them. Looking behind, he was embittered with how his people had to rely on each other for support. Their movements had slowed down to the very least progressive. He had to try making the path for them as they continued heading north. They had finished the meal given to them and the little water they had gotten from the morning dew had successfully scorched up and their tong
Dorian still had the scratch marks on his face from the tussle between him and the wild Wuwa lady. Of course, he had subsumed her and taken away her dignity. He was a soldier after all. He made up his mind to keep her alive for the time being and found a way to keep her in check. He would continually tie her to the pillar until she was tame enough to do his bidding whenever he got bored with playing the chase game with her. He of course did have time to feed her and his brother would laugh at him for keeping a pet. Troy had killed his own captive that night. According to him, his line of defense was that she had attempted to kill him at night, so he slit her throat. Talk about the savage nature of his brother. This morning however, they needed to get back to the Wuwa clearing, now turned into an arsenal. Word had come that they had found some survivors from the war night. Although they were pretty much as good as dead, he needed to rush. Troy had gotten the slaves to prepare
His wife had been buried as was their tradition by the river side and they all had to cross over to the other side. Kuka had insisted on leaving the cursed baby by the river side over there but trusted Orau to insist on her no. He however refused to set his eyes upon the baby as he went ahead. He wanted nothing to do with that cursed child. The people had to assist him with building huts gradually. It took some time though, but soon they were able to set up a new Wuwa. The big tree that had fallen over was already getting chopped into pieces and soon enough they would get rid of it. Kuka was not ready to be married as he was hell bent on reestablishing his village. Everyone was settling in just fine, and the best part of everything was that they had found out that there were enough animals to hunt as this part of the forest extended greater than the other. On her own part, Orau could not understand why Kuka would turn his back on the child. The baby was beautiful and pretty
Kuka had moved to Orau’s hut where she lived quite farthest from him. She had picked that place to set up her hut since he obviously was not ready to accept the child, nor wanted to catch sight of her. He walked through his newly established Wuwa village and was rather proud of the things he was accomplishing. Yes, he had brought these people under his wings and protected them until safety. The admiration in their eyes and the nodded greetings told him that he would be forever etched in their heart’s pamphlets. He continued his walk calmly as he tried to think about words to tell Orau in order to make his decision open.Another part of him wondered what it would be like should she turn him down. Wait a minute, who would turn down such a powerful king and savior in one body? Unless, that person was selfish and blind. He puffed up his chest, definitely, she would say yes without thinking twice. After all, who had she been waiting for all this while that she stayed unmarried if
Several moons had passed; Seasons and years as well. The young princess, Arawa had grown rather fast. Now in her prime at sixteen. The people of Wuwa had also experienced a lot of changes in these fourteen years. A lot of new faces and children ran around giggling. Not to mention the teenage ones among them. Kuka himself now had three more children whom his wife, Orau had bore him. Two boys and a girl. She had come last and was just five. He no longer bothered about having a daughter. The gods had been merciful and granted him that peace of mind. The arsenal had also been successfully completed and every young man was mandated to join the training grounds from the age of ten. This time, Kuka was going to make sure that his men were ready and fierce. Not again would the people of Wuwa be taken unawares. Of course,they had no access to the various iron instruments the barbarians used. In fact, they had no idea on how to make them, but Kuka did have other ideas. They extracted
Arawa had been hanging around the river, sitting by the edge. She of course did notice the stares and glances thrown at her side but she was rather caught up in her own world. Her mind ruminates on her relationship with her father. Several times, she found herself wondering whether or not he was really her father rising from his attitude towards her. How would a man treat his daughter with such contempt, in fact, there must have been a big time secret which everyone in the village that had witnessed her birth period knew except her even though her mother was hiding it from her. Arawa lacked the love and comfort from a father. She would do her best to fulfill her task, who knows, maybe she would happen upon something favorable in the sight of her father. Who knows, maybe, he would accept her and acknowledge her as his daughter. The river side was gradually becoming empty. Arawa stood up and walked away from the side where the villagers stood. Making sure that her bow and arro
The twins had grown rapidly into young men of valor and Dorian had become hand of the king. He had to move to the king’s land alongside his brother, Troy who had become general. It was a great feat for him to achieve and his son’s represented everything dangerous and great. The duo became warriors and commanded a great company of other soldiers. Brian, the most vicious of the two even though he had been seen as the most calculative and sensible, would always keep his twin brother safe. He had grown into this really strong man, sporting long dark hair and muscles. At twenty five, he had accomplished a lot. He would go on assignments for both his father and the king, and would emerge victorious. He feared no one and cared about no one except his brother. One could easily say that he was his father and uncle together in one body. Ruthlessness and cruelty were his basic attributes. At twenty one, he had killed his father’s lover, the Wuwa captive whom Dorian had become rather fo
Five days he spent at the king’s land before he decided to go to the arsenal. He had been receiving constant treatment and advice on how to handle the injury. Thus, on the sixth day, Brian had to say a reluctant goodbye to his father and left with some attendants and soldiers. He sure had missed his twin. It took a few days but by sunset the next evening, Brian had reached his destination. He entered the arsenal and was rather appreciative of his brother’s accomplishments. The guy sure had been really busy all along. He arrived just as Adrian was emerging from the forge area. The twins had not seen each other in ages and Adrian had to pretend to remove something from his eyes. The next instant, he was in front of his brother, clasping their hands together as they hugged each other. The twins sure had missed themselves a great deal. It was rather funny seeing them together as they both had the same face with different colored hair. “You are beginning to put on weight here and