The Palace Beast

In the midday sun's heat, the roadways glistened. The blazing blue sky was broken by the sunlight watchtowers. The buildings were illuminated by the warm glow of the afternoon sun. The afternoon sun slanted through the window, making tiny grains of dust appear to dance. Gerald heard a loud beating on the gate as he was securing his quiver to his horse. He was getting ready to meet his wife for lunch, and his horse was standing next to the watchtower. A young man with a beard and a sword fastened around his waist was seen as one of the guards hurried to open the entrance. "I am here to see the king," he said.

Gazing at him, the guard couldn't help but to ask, "For what purpose?" The young beard man is the healer's son, Leon. On hearing of his father's demise, he had to leave Kez. He has been one the king of Kez's sword as a knight, though his father wanted him to remain in Maxis. King Adam of Kez has never for once doubted his skills.

However, King Adam of Kez dispatched raiders to assassinate him during his arduous journey back to Maxis. King Adam felt issued a warning, saying he would not go back to Kez after getting to know King Afa. He could not bear to lose a swordsman to a strong kingdom. They will become more potent as a result. Leon was pursued by the invaders all the way to Maxis' cave, where they murdered his horse. As other raiders withdrew, he managed to battle his way through. The raiders were bearing the emblem of Kez, 'What have I done to deserve such attack from my king. Perhaps I should have listened to my father and stayed in Maxis.'

It wasn't easy for him to accept the fact that King Adam sent men after him to kill him because he wanted to go and bury his dead father in Maxis. 'Perhaps I will do my father's wish now but I am so mad at myself that he has to go this way.' His thoughts couldn't get him to think straight as he stared down on one of the raiders he slew.

With his eyes fixed on the guard, he answered, "I am here to see the king concerning my father's death." "And who is your father?" the guard inquired. He has no idea who Leon's father was. He just stared at him as though he's a total stranger.

Gerald who has been standing by the watchtower left his horse and makes his way to the gate. Seeing Leon, he ordered the guard to let him through, "He is the healer's son." "Forgive me, my Lord, I am unaware," the guard replied as he quickly moved away for Leon to walk in.

"I am sorry about your father. He died saving this kingdom," said Gerald as he walks closer to Leon. "Please, come with me," Gerald added.

Kingdom of Kez "You couldn't kill one man!" King Adam yelled as he angrily stood to his feet. The raiders who survived Leon's sword have come back to Kez to report to the king. "He fights like a mad man my king," said one of the raiders. "We couldn't stand him," the second raider said.

There were five raiders sent to execute the king's order and have Leon killed but only four of them made it back to Kez alive. One was slew by Leon.

"Don't tell me that the five of you can't handle a knight!"

The king's fear grew stronger that Leon might join King Afa and make war against him. King Charles has bought him off and he now sees the kingdom of Maxis as a sworn enemy. Leon knows some of the secrets and King Adam believes that the secrets will be shared with King Afa.

"If you can't handle a knight, there is no need of needing your services anymore. You all are relieved from your duty," said the king.

Immediately his knights seized the four raiders and dragged them outside the castle.

The knights dragged them out from the castle and handed them to the executioners who were already standing at the guillotine. The executioners forced them on their knees.

They knelt upright, "Oh king, have mercy on us!" They cried out.

King Adam of Kez is one of the ruthless kings that have walked the face of the earth. He does not accept failure. He walks out from the castle and makes his way to the guillotine, with his eyes on the executioners, "Do it," he said to them. Kingdom of Maxis "I am sorry about your father, he died a hero and I can assure you many generations will remember him," said King Afa.

"Can I have his corpse? I need to bury him in our family's tomb," Leon said.

It's indeed a tradition for the healer's lineage to be buried in their family tomb. The healer's ancestors have walked the path of mysteries and their job is to solve mysteries and heal people. Leon would have walked the same path but he wants to be a swordsman. Fighting has been his desire and he has told his father explicitly that he couldn't take after him. The hours of meditation in a quiet place were what really scared him away from being a healer like his father. "After we sent messengers to the Kingdom of Kez to inform you of your father's death, we waited for days for you to return but you didn't. We just buried him four days ago," Gerald cuts in.

"And where is it you buried him?" Leon asked sternly with his eyes fixed on Gerald.

"We buried him in the tomb of the warriors," King Afa cuts in.

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"My father is no warrior my king," Leon said switching his focus on the king as he raise down his head slightly. "It's our family tradition to bury him where his ancestors lie. If you will permit me, my king, I will love to exhume my father's corpse and take it to my family's tomb," Leon added.

"You have my permission. Gerald will see to it," said King Afa.

At the Warriors Tomb Gerald led Leon to the underground tomb of the warriors. He was bearing a flaming torch as he leads the way. Suddenly he caught a glimpse of a shadow that moved one and half times faster than the theoretical maximum for a human speed. The shadow that he saw on the rocky walls of the underground tomb moved faster than the eye can see.

"Did you see that?"

"See what?" Leon replied.

Gerald whispers, "We are not alone down here," in a trembling, scared voice.