CHAPTER I – THE COMING
The rolls of thunder were increasing, the sky cast a black blanket over the stretched plains of grass, it was surprising in this month of the season to be under the influence of such conditions and every passing minute was increasing the blackness as if the devil has arrived with his army to conquer the ends of earth. Mothers were hushing their children inside the mud houses, cattle fleeing here and there but no rain only the never ending darkness.
Lorando was not a kingdom of much significance, a poor state of peasants, no army or victories to boast of. King Regan had ascended the throne ten years back and things had improved for the poor kingdom, an army had been formed under the command of General Litzer a very competent warrior and principal aide of Regan, small victories over the neighboring tribes had earned Lorando the title of a growing kingdom.
The wise of Lorando were confused at the turn of events in the sky above, was it the end of the world being announced by the heavens, had the evils of mankind surpassed their luck to survive what could be this warning signal, what is going to happen…..
Regan was pacing up and down in the palace courtyard momentarily gazing up at the sky as if waiting for the black clouds to engulf the land and swallow the entire human race. His astrologers were right then; the end of the world is indeed approaching who could expect such a night on a bright March evening only the devil.
The wise gathered in the courtyard to solve the puzzle of this mysterious evening, what is it then, "what do the signs foretell Bluzzard?" Asked King Regan, are we approaching the end
‘We have a general consensus to this line of thought, Your Majesty,’ replied Bluzzard the wisest and Chief Minister of the state. He was an intelligent man well versed with the laws of administration, a gifted astrologer and had worked his way up the ladder inside the circle of notables solely on the basis of his merits.
'According to the movement of the stars and report from an outpost guard the clouds of death are hovering only over the kingdom of Lorando, the rest of the world seems to be calm sire,' said Bluzzard, I will hurry to my study and delve deeper into this, how have we wronged the almighty who has inflicted upon us such a dark evening. The wise moved out hurriedly following Bluzzard to further speculate on the ongoing chain of events.
Regan was again restless, we have just started to grow, glory still had to be seen what wrong have we done to face such wrath. His chain of thoughts was suddenly broken by a streak of lightning striking the earth, has it begun…. already, he ran up the palace steps to see the scene of impact, a red glow was visible in the distant fields the smoke had mixed with the clouds and no difference could be made, another bolt was thundered, the King was staring at the destruction with gaping eyes, all was finished…..
There was a distinct confusion within the walls of the city everybody was running for safety cursing their fate, no casualties had been reported so far only the destruction caused by the lightning.
A maid came suddenly running towards the king, 'your majesty, we believe the Queen will deliver tonight and your presence is expected.'
The current situation had entirely made Regan forget that his wife had been expecting, but was it not at least after a month; well it seemed the circumstances had made everything possible…
The queens room was filled with maids and the royal physicians, 'we don’t understand sire,' said one of them we weren’t expecting the arrival of the newborn till the next month this seems unexplained, "well a lot of things tonight seems unexplained," replied Regan, kindly get on with it, I shall be waiting outside to hear the good tidings.
"Summon Bluzzard" he said, to one of the Sentries, who departed instantly.
"The guards have reported lightning bolts all across the kingdom, the people have been spared till now," gushed Bluzzard as he came panting, a strange phenomenon according to my study it is definitely a warning of the arrival of something not complete destruction, a warning of death coming in the future.
Regan looked relieved for the moment, "well Bluzzard the Queen can deliver any moment, according to the royal physicians."
"What !!,Impossible..." shrieked Bluzzard.
"I beg your pardon Sire," he said after composing himself, but according to the stars only death can be born today, this has entirely not been expected, the anger on Regan’s face was clearly visible.
The rolls of thunder were increasing, the sky cast a black blanket over the stretched plains of grass, it was surprising in this month of the season to be under the influence of such conditions and every passing minute was increasing the blackness as if the devil has arrived with his army to conquer the ends of earth. Mothers were hushing their children inside the mud houses, cattle fleeing here and there but no rain only the never ending darkness.
Lorando was not a kingdom of much significance, a poor state of peasants, no army or victories to boast of. King Regan had ascended the throne ten years back and things had improved for the poor kingdom, an army had been formed under the command of General Litzer a very competent warrior and principal aide of Regan, small victories over the neighboring tribes had earned Lorando the title of a growing kingdom.
The wise of Lorando were confused at the turn of events in the sky above, was it the end of the world being announced by the heavens, had the evils of mankind surpassed their luck to survive what could be this warning signal, what is going to happen…..
Regan was pacing up and down in the palace courtyard momentarily gazing up at the sky as if waiting for the black clouds to engulf the land and swallow the entire human race. His astrologers were right then; the end of the world is indeed approaching who could expect such a night on a bright March evening only the devil.
The wise gathered in the courtyard to solve the puzzle of this mysterious evening, what is it then, "what do the signs foretell Bluzzard?" Asked King Regan, are we approaching the end
‘We have a general consensus to this line of thought, Your Majesty,’ replied Bluzzard the wisest and Chief Minister of the state. He was an intelligent man well versed with the laws of administration, a gifted astrologer and had worked his way up the ladder inside the circle of notables solely on the basis of his merits.
'According to the movement of the stars and report from an outpost guard the clouds of death are hovering only over the kingdom of Lorando, the rest of the world seems to be calm sire,' said Bluzzard, I will hurry to my study and delve deeper into this, how have we wronged the almighty who has inflicted upon us such a dark evening. The wise moved out hurriedly following Bluzzard to further speculate on the ongoing chain of events.
Regan was again restless, we have just started to grow, glory still had to be seen what wrong have we done to face such wrath. His chain of thoughts was suddenly broken by a streak of lightning striking the earth, has it begun…. already, he ran up the palace steps to see the scene of impact, a red glow was visible in the distant fields the smoke had mixed with the clouds and no difference could be made, another bolt was thundered, the King was staring at the destruction with gaping eyes, all was finished…..
There was a distinct confusion within the walls of the city everybody was running for safety cursing their fate, no casualties had been reported so far only the destruction caused by the lightning.
A maid came suddenly running towards the king, 'your majesty, we believe the Queen will deliver tonight and your presence is expected.'
The current situation had entirely made Regan forget that his wife had been expecting, but was it not at least after a month; well it seemed the circumstances had made everything possible…
The queens room was filled with maids and the royal physicians, 'we don’t understand sire,' said one of them we weren’t expecting the arrival of the newborn till the next month this seems unexplained, "well a lot of things tonight seems unexplained," replied Regan, kindly get on with it, I shall be waiting outside to hear the good tidings.
"Summon Bluzzard" he said, to one of the Sentries, who departed instantly.
"The guards have reported lightning bolts all across the kingdom, the people have been spared till now," gushed Bluzzard as he came panting, a strange phenomenon according to my study it is definitely a warning of the arrival of something not complete destruction, a warning of death coming in the future.
Regan looked relieved for the moment, "well Bluzzard the Queen can deliver any moment, according to the royal physicians."
"What !!,Impossible..." shrieked Bluzzard.
"I beg your pardon Sire," he said after composing himself, but according to the stars only death can be born today, this has entirely not been expected, the anger on Regan’s face was clearly visible.
‘what do you mean?, the newborn brings the tiding of death….. be careful of your words Bluzzard.’
"I am sorry your majesty but the stars are never wrong, I am a loyal servant of the kingdom and its ruler and it is my duty to abrade you with the facts and findings. The strange phenomenon happening, the queen delivering prematurely points to the newcomer, there is nothing else to explain the evening." he said explaining his position.
"I don’t believe you, damn your stars," Regan replied with a stern stretch of his arms. Suddenly a bolt struck the palace premises, the King rushed towards the courtyard with Bluzzard and the guards following.
The rolling of thunder was deafening, the black clouds were floating inside the palace now, it was a truly a depreciating site, even the guards were afraid and down on their knees repenting for there sins.
Regan reached the spot where the lightning has struck, it was the courtyard, there was a strange light engulfing the area where the bolt had struck.
"Look!!!!" Shouted Bluzzard pointing at the clearing, his whole frame trembling, Regan slowly moved forward….
There was a black patch left by the lightning, it was a blurred outline of a human form riding a horse waving a sword. The king was stoned to his place, Bluzzard fell on his knees. All of a sudden the thunder stopped and the sky started clearing immediately.
The maids came rushing in the courtyard, "your majesty the Queen has given birth to a beautiful boy."
But there is something strange….
Regan stared at Bluzzard.
"I am sorry your majesty but the stars are never wrong, I am a loyal servant of the kingdom and its ruler and it is my duty to abrade you with the facts and findings. The strange phenomenon happening, the queen delivering prematurely points to the newcomer, there is nothing else to explain the evening." he said explaining his position.
"I don’t believe you, damn your stars," Regan replied with a stern stretch of his arms. Suddenly a bolt struck the palace premises, the King rushed towards the courtyard with Bluzzard and the guards following.
The rolling of thunder was deafening, the black clouds were floating inside the palace now, it was a truly a depreciating site, even the guards were afraid and down on their knees repenting for there sins.
Regan reached the spot where the lightning has struck, it was the courtyard, there was a strange light engulfing the area where the bolt had struck.
"Look!!!!" Shouted Bluzzard pointing at the clearing, his whole frame trembling, Regan slowly moved forward….
There was a black patch left by the lightning, it was a blurred outline of a human form riding a horse waving a sword. The king was stoned to his place, Bluzzard fell on his knees. All of a sudden the thunder stopped and the sky started clearing immediately.
The maids came rushing in the courtyard, "your majesty the Queen has given birth to a beautiful boy."
But there is something strange….
Regan stared at Bluzzard.
1 comments:
Interesting to know.
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