Book Of Ruling Kings: Chapter Two

  • Book of Ruling Kings

    Chapter Two

    AMONG A CACOPHONY

    The description of Veloth's dream set the hairs on the back of my neck up. I had no idea what it meant but it was definitely worrying. Was it a prophesy of some kind, a curse or just stress? He had been under a lot of stress as of late. His family had known for a long time about Veloth's radical religious and political views and had always disproved. But it wasn't until recently that the priesthood and other nobility had started to take notice. He was getting pressured both from out and from in as he would not let the condemnation of others stop him from doing what he thought was right. I was my job to try and relieve some of this pressure.

    'Stress, sera. Nothing more.' I assured him. 'it can play with ones mind in strange ways. You should try and relax more often. Enjoy your time off.'

    'Bah and become flabby and useless like the other so called nobility?' I smiled at this predictable answer. 'I think not Temujin. They corrupt themselves with their decadence, that is not how a life should be lived.'

    He whirled round again to look out from the balcony arms stretched out. 'What do you see, friend? He asked.

    I looked out on the city of Alinor. Large towers of glass stretched as far as the eye could see. the sun was beginning to rise now and the red\orange glow was turned to a starburst of colours as it glistened on the glass towers and temples. The brightest by far was the holy Crystal-Like-Law which stood in the horizon in far off Cloudrest, shining like a beacon to show us the way.

    'I see the City of Glass sera. I see Alinor'.

    'Right' Veloth said. 'A glass city one stone throw away from smashing. The princes sit in their bright towers thinking they are divine. As if they could rub shoulders with Auriel himself.' Shaking his head.

    'But they' he said pointing to the shadowed streets below 'are who are truly holy. The ones who toil in the shadow of towers. Without them this city would not have even been possible. They work while the rest of us pamper ourselves.' He snorted at the irony of this last statement and I knew how it sickened him.

    'Come, sera. The sun is almost up. We should make for the city gates'

    'Yes, yes I suppose you are right. It is time.'

    Every day at dawn and dusk Prince Veloth would leave his tower and go out to commune with the people. Originally I protested against this but after seeing how passionate he was when he talked to the people, it quickly became one of my favourite parts of the day.

    The prince walked down the street greeting every person he met with a smile while I remained a respectful distance behind. Most commoners would fluster at his greetings, apologise for inconveniencing him and try and scramble out of the way but he would just laugh and treat them as old friends.

    Eventually we ventured out of the city and in to the forests beyond until we came to a rocky outcrop by a small stream. A large group of people, friends and family alike, sat in a great circle using the rocks as seating while passing around bowls of bread and salted meat. Prince Veloth strode in to the circle while I stood off to the side scanning the faces of the gathered. These were the people who came to listen to Veloth speak. They were the poorest of the poor, the downtrodden and the homeless. They were farmers, they were builders, they were thieves and murderers and prostitutes. And they were one and all devoted.

    'It is good to see you all again friends' the young man said as he made his way to the centre, a large smile beaming across his face. 'Some new faces I see. That is good'.

    The people would come to him with their problems and he would do his best to reassure them. To explain to them that their suffering will make them stronger and that all growth is preceded by pain.

    'This is the only way to heaven' he said smiling again.

    One of the gathering stood and began walking towards Veloth. I slide my hand to the pommel of my sword unsure of the man's intentions. He was brawny looking man dressed in rags with a deep scar across his nose.

    'You say suffering is how we reach heaven sera?' the man asked

    'I do, because it is true'

    I noticed now that tears welled up in the mer's eyes. 'But what of me? How will I ever reach heaven after the things I've done. I've killed mer in cold blood for nothing more than greed.'

    Prince Veloth nodded at this and picked up one of the empty bread bowls. He then made his way to the small stream and filled it with water. Much to his surprise he kneeled in front of the murderer and began washing his feet.

    'The holiest part of a mer's body his his feet. The dirt on one's feet is the scripture that details his life. It symbolises every deed done, great or small' he said standing and placing a hand on the man's shoulder. 'And today my friend, your feet are clean.' At these words the man openly wept.

    As with everybody in the gathering it was hard to take my eyes off Veloth when he spoke. So commanding was his presence when he wanted it to be. But I reminded myself I was his guard and I still had a job to do.

    Looking out in to the forest my heart started pounding. Five or six men in heavy armour carrying spears and shield were closing in fast. Fool. I chided myself, I should have been paying attention. I drew my sword now and dashed towards the prince to put myself between the men and him. The gathering noticed now and began shouting in fear. More men flanking in from the rear, leveling their spears at the people. All of us were now trapped. A large mer walked out from the armed men.

    'I think it's time you came with us now young prince.'

    THE ENDING OF THE WORDS

Comments

6 Comments
  • Veloth the Prophet
    Veloth the Prophet   ·  September 2, 2015
    Since I'm still getting back in to the swing of writing again I'm sure the first few will be shorter but hopefully each one will start to get longer as I go on.
  • Edana
    Edana   ·  September 2, 2015
    I agree with Karver. This is a good read, do keep it up. I also wish this was slightly longer, since I was enjoying reading it so much. 
  • Karver the Lorc
    Karver the Lorc   ·  September 2, 2015
    This is really good read. My only objections is that it´s so short. But everyone works at differents lengths and speeds, right?
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  September 2, 2015
    Yep, North of Cloudrest, but it would be cool if you could see it from Alinor, albeit faintly, like just a glimmering tower in the distance, or a bit of light. It was a very large structure. I mean it housed a large chunk of the Altmer population and its ...  more
  • Veloth the Prophet
    Veloth the Prophet   ·  September 2, 2015
    Actually I had no idea where the Crystal-Like-Law was, I just presumed it was in Alinor. That's probably something I should of Looked up first 
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  September 1, 2015
    Interesting chapter. Aelberon is sort of like Veloth in a way, isn't he? 
    I thought Crystal-Like-Law was North of Cloudrest. I guess depending on the size of the Island, you could see it from Alinor, but it would be far away?