The Palace Beast

It's another invitation to a new day, that sunrise so ordinary extraordinary; the sun blooms on the horizon, golden petals stretching ever outwards into the rich blue.

John has waited patiently for the sunrise to make his way to the Maxis. He has to ignore what Bonnie has told him and he used his magic to appear some few paces away from the entrance gate of Maxis. One of the guards on seeing him come closer to the gate yelled down at him from the watchtower with his crossbow pointed at him. "Make a halt and state your business stranger!"

Even though John has been to Maxis with Bonnie in the time past, this guard does not know him for he has not come in contact with him at his earlier visit.

John clears his throat and spoke in confidence as he cast his gaze at the watchtower. "I am here to see Lady Bonnie. We made a journey together but got separated by rebels."

"Lady Bonnie has not yet arrived. Perhaps Lord Ramsey will be pleased to speak with you about her." The guard then turned to his men standing at the foot of the watchtower and echoed, "Raise the gate."

As John walked into the gate, one of the guards took him to meet with Lord Ramsey after the herald have informed Lord Ramsey of John's presence. Lord Ramsey has been patiently waiting for Lady Bonnie, the rightful heir of Maxis.

On seeing John been led by a guard into the chapel, Lord Ramsey quickly rose from his chair and made his way towards John. "Welcome my friend. Where is Lady Bonnie the Honourable and rightful heir of this fortified city?" Ramsey after he recovered from his injury spends a quantity of time at the chapel praying for the Maxis not to be ruled by tyranny. His concern was seeing Bonnie reinstated as the rightful heir.

Just as he eagerly stares at John, he was expecting a positive answer, John couldn't help but to exclaimed. "Damn!" This is the second time he has gotten the impression that Bonnie has not yet arrived at Maxis. He first thought the guard at the watchtower lied to him but now his worries grew stronger as he cast his gaze at Lord Ramsey. "She is supposed to be here by now."

John waited patiently for the day to break before he set out on his own journey by mysteriously appearing at Maxis. He had said to himself, 'let me wait until she gets there first.' The impression he has gotten so far means that something terrible has happened to her.

Lord Ramsey is already restless about John's response. If there is anyone who knows where Bonnie is, it should be him. He frowned his face and gazes at John in total disappointment. "What are you talking about?"

John had earlier told a lie at the gate of Maxis. He needs to maintain that lie or Lord Ramsey will have him thrown in the dungeon. He had lied about being separated from Bonnie by rebels which is definitely not true. After all, who will know the Bonnie? Lady Bonnie isn't here, neither are the scouts sent by Lord Ramsey. "We got separated from the rebels. I thought by now she would have gotten here before me."

"The guards have informed me you walked. What happened to your horses?"

"My horse was slew by the rebels when they pursue us. Before then I had to cause a diversion to distract them from Lady Bonnie."

Their conversation was disrupted by a herald. "Lord," he called out. The herald paces up towards Lord Ramsey.

"What's the matter?"

"The king's envoy is here with King Absalom."

"Oh no this can't be happening," he cried out rushing out from the chapel.

As the herald wants to join Lord Ramsey, John called his attention, "What is going on?"

"If the Princess, Lady Bonnie is not here to take the place of her parents, this Fortified city will be handed over to King Absalom."

"I know that already; tell me something I do not know."

"There's nothing to tell," the herald replied and then walked out leaving John alone in the chapel.

"Fuck!"

John kicked against one of the chairs in the chapel. He beats himself on the chest and blames himself for leaving Bonnie even though she asked him to.

"I should have insisted on following her."

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He then moves towards the door of the chapel. The guards at this time were running up and down.

"This isn't good!"

"I must go find her."

John snaps his fingers. He disappeared and appeared the very place his horse was slew. His horse was still lying there with flies hovering.

He scanned with his eyes around the environment and then picked up a trail. "This could be it," he said.

...At Maxis...

For years King Edward II has been appointing Kings and Nobles all over the Kingdom of Sax which is the human kingdom Strange Land. Even though been opposed by the gods, the king's warriors have been working with some sorcerers in securing the king's palace and some villages in Sax.

The king doesn't want to leave Maxis without any leader so he has decided to send his envoy to announce King Absalom as their new King. He was advised to act in haste or Maxis will become prey in the hands of the gods. Unhappy with the appearance of the king's envoy, Lord Ramsey proceeded to welcome them. "Greetings my Lords, you all are welcome to Maxis." He took a low bow before them and then ushering them in.

The king's envoy consists of the king's courtier, the royal wizard, and the king's royal guards. They accompanied King Absalom to declare him as the king's choice since Maxis is left without a leader.

The king was compelled to act in haste since Maxis can be the next target of the gods to invade. Most of the human villages have been invaded and the people enslaved by the gods. Maxis being one of the richest Kingies couldn't be neglected if the king didn't act fast.

Lord Ramsey couldn't help but ask with curiosity as they make their way to the quarters of the nobles where he will be housing the king's nobles. He approached the king's courtier and whispered into his ear. "What is a wizard doing here my Lord?"

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"They are here to serve the king's purpose."

"In what way my Lord?"

"They are to fortify Maxis with magic and keep the gods away from it."

For the past few weeks, the king has been sending his royal wizards all over the Kingies that have not been taken by the gods to fortify it with magic. Some of the villages in Sax have also benefited from this. "Forgive me my Lord, but this has been done repeatedly by King Gilbert and King Afa."

During the reign of Bonnie's parents, they have fortified Maxis to make sure they are not targets of the gods since they believe the gods can be forced not to enter a place uninvited with the help of magic. And for the last years of their reign, this has worked great for them. Ramsey couldn't make sense as to why a wizard has to come and re-do what has been done.

"This is King Absalom's request to the king and the king granted it." The courtier glances at Lord Ramsey and continued, "I understand you do not like King Absalom but I can assure you he is the only King that can handle two Kingies with ease. You have to have a little faith."

"Forgive my boldness my Lord, but we all know him to be a tyrant. Why will King Edward II impose him on us?"

"The king imposes no one on anyone."

"Then let the king allow us to reinstate the rightful heir."

"By rightful heir, you mean the daughter of King Gilbert who was presumed dead?"

"I presume the king did not let you know I sent a letter to him that Princess Bonnie is well and alive. She has visited us before her brother died."

"Of course, the king told me but I didn't take that so serious so I advised him to proceed and appoint King Absalom. There's no time to delay if not our enemies will invade Maxis and the king may not be able to send his army. But if you claim the daughter of King Gilbert is still alive, I can delay announcing King Absalom as the new King. So you have two days to fetch her and bring her to me."