Okay wow
This is the first time I'm experiencing what it means to go on 4 hours of sleep for a month. I've got so many ideas coming in and not enough hours in the day to write them out.
I'm about to crash out but I just had to get these chapters out because if I'm feeling this beat so far, I can't imagine how everyone else might want nothing more than to drown their worries of reality in a good read.
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CHAPTER 35: Surprise Arrival of the Spider Princess
Upon arriving at the inn, Sinbad immediately went to the reception desk to check them into their rooms. Sakura and Sinbad ended up having an argument in front of the receptionist, as Sinbad only wanted to order six rooms when they were in need of seven-expecting them to share one room and bed. Meanwhile, Ja'far saw to it that their guides were thanked properly for their hospitality-even after he had behaved so suspiciously towards them and asked if they would kindly help them tomorrow. They eagerly agreed, shaking hands with Ja'far. Although the ex-assassin found it a miracle that they had agreed to show them around again when they could hear Sinbad and Sakura's bickering a little ways from them. Apparently, Sinbad was determined to share that room with Sakura; while she refused to waver at her decision to keep in a separate one.
"I'm not sharing a room with you," Sakura stated, glaring up at Sinbad.
"But why not?" Sinbad asked, holding up his hands in case she decided to attack him.
"Why do you think? I'm not creating any openings for you to pull something!"
"I wouldn't do anything without your consent! Besides we're together now, isn't it natural?" Sinbad asked, appearing genuinely curious and lost.
"Sinbad…" Sakura glowered.
The man at the reception desk then addressed them, "You're Sinbad correct?"
The violet haired teen, turned his attention back to the man he had forgotten was there for a moment and nodded to confirm his identity.
"There's a guest here to see you."
Sinbad raised an eyebrow, asking who would come all the way here to visit him. Hinahoho immediately and rather recklessly stated the assumption that it was women who had made the effort to visit him and Sinbad immediately went on the defense. Turning to Sakura who now had her eyebrows raised, tapping her foot at Sinbad.
"Sinbad?"
"No! I haven't done anything yet! You were with me the whole time!" Sinbad said flaying his arms around and secretly plotting to get Hinahoho back for this. There had been a little incident in Artemyra that he was certain Rurumu would want to hear although he had promised not to say anything before.
"I don't know Sinbad, while we were sightseeing, you got pretty friendly with the girl at the apothecary didn't you?"
"Hey I was only-
"Just shut up." Ja'far cut in, glaring back at them. They were really making them look bad. Ja'far looked back to their guide and rubbed the back of his head. "I promise we'll cause less trouble tomorrow so please take care…
A soft yet heavy thud had everyone turning their heads to where Ja'far and their tour guides stood. A scream erupted through the inn that had some of the outsiders rushing in to see what had caused such a distraught cry. Ja'far was kneeled over the body of their guide whose eyes were wide open but there was nothing in them, like windows painted white.
"He's…dead!" Ja'far exclaimed, clenching his jaw.
Sakura rushed over to Ja'far, checking the guide's body. Though still warm, she could confirm after checking his pulse that he was indeed dead. She automatically went to look for any physical signs of what might have caused this.
Sinbad and Mystras stood from a distance, trembling as they looked at Ja'far. Even went as far as to ask if he was the one who killed him, given his past but that only succeeded in making Ja'far angry after confirming he hadn't.
"But what in the world is going on here?" Sinbad asked seriously, "Why would someone who seemed just fine suddenly die?"
That was something Sakura wanted to confirm as well, so she began to examine the body while his friends continued to sob around him, covering his face with a cloth.
"I'm not sure," Sakura said, her eyes scanning over the body. She lifted one of the boy's arms; it was already cold, and started looking for any sign of wounds. She had examined bodies with similar cases of sudden death with no explanation and they all usually resulted in the same thing-poison. Now the only way she could confirm that would be to find the place where it was inserted.
However, Sakura felt that she might not get the chance to state her case because there were already whispers coming around from the people who had heard the commotion from outside and were now looking at Sinbad and his group with suspicious eyes as they whispered as if they intended to be heard.
"It's the curse, it has to be."
"Isn't this the third death this month?"
"Perhaps our current king is a mistake after all…."
"It would have been better if we stuck to the old ways and did not interact with foreigners."
"The former king must be angered by the presence of outsiders in our country."
The tension in the air was growing, Sakura kept her eyes down while ignoring the obvious glares of the people of Heliohapt. It looked like they were ready to begin the accusations and hostilities. Sakura then saw something on the other arm, a small dot of red that wouldn't be visible to eyes that weren't looking for it. A puncture wound by a needle….
"Sinbad," Sakura turned around, "He was murdered!"
The exclamation had everyone's eyes drawn to Sakura now, including the citizens of Heliohapt, who were still quite skeptical of Sakura's announcement.
"What do you mean it's not a curse!?"
"You outsider, what do you know!?"
"That's right!"
As the murmurs started to grow, Sinbad appeared to be growing agitated but before he was able to step in, a new voice was added to the mix and silenced the chorus of chaos. "Everyone calm yourselves!! She is right, it's undoubtedly murder."
A new pair of hands reached down towards the corpse, taking the arm that Sakura held in their own. When Sakura glanced up, she nearly lost her balance at the sight of Serendine and her two attendants beside her. Sakura knew that her mouth was open in a rather ungraceful manner but she couldn't bring herself to close it as she stared at the Parthevia princess.
"That's…that's your guest!" The innkeeper said, gesturing to the girl.
Hearing that Serendine was Sinbad's guest they had been informed about the counter. She began to realize that the princess must have followed after the group.
Serendine looked back to Sakura, "Sakura, tell me what you see from this man's body?"
Realising that there was a more important matter at hand; Sakura looked back down at the body and began explaining in a clear tone for everyone in the inn to hear. "Look here." She held up the injured arm, "This is a puncture wound from a needle, which could be laced with poison. He only died now but his body temperature has dropped significantly which is unusual. That would mean it's most likely a poison that affects the heart."
Serendine then added her own information to Sakura's theory, "If you mix Girros Grass, commonly found in the Northern regions, with the body fluids of the Ofuki frog and then boil the mixture. You can create a deadly poison that causes no symptoms until just before death."
The princess then added that it wouldn't be easy to make this kind of poison in their particular region and that this was murder and not a curse. She told everyone to consider the situation more carefully instead of jumping to superstitious conclusions. The speech seemed to settle all the locals, they alerted the authorities to whom Sakura and Serendine gave the same explanation and they were cleared for any suspicion of being involved as incidents like this had been happening months before they even arrived.
Sakura sighed as she watched the authorities leave with the body and the two grieving friends. Attention was drawn back to Serendine and her attendants.
"You guys really saved us," said Ja'far. "But what are you doing here?"
Serendine answered on account of her nervous attendants who bowed their heads. "I was the one who decided to come after you. They only followed because they were worried for my safety."
Ja'far started ranting when he realized that the three women had crossed the desert following after them. Despite the danger and threat of bandits, thieves, and the harsh climate. Sakura had to hold up her hand to stop Ja'far's hallway since he seemed close to going into a lecture.
"Honestly," Sakura sighed, looking at the three. "If you wanted to come along, you should've just said so."
Serendine clenched a fist, "I didn't think that I would be welcomed. It's not exactly customary for women to venture into dangerous lands."
"That didn't stop me." Placing her hand on Serendine's shoulder, causing the older girl to look up at the other pink-haired woman. Sakura smiled. "From those stories you've told me, I think we would've welcomed 'The poisonous spider princess.'"
The nickname was something Serendine had earned in the short years she has been a solider. She had told Sakura, that it was because she had a niche for using poison in battle.
"I apologize, I should've made my intentions clear before you let," Serendine said, stepping back to look at Sakura and Sinbad. "I want to become a source of strength for you too! I can't just stand back and wait. So please…"
There was a different light in Serendine's eyes as she gazed up, her face holding a genuine and honest expression. "Let us accompany you on your journey."
Sinbad smiled back at her, stepping forward to stand beside Sakura. "Well then, I suppose we have no choice but to accept."
"Welcome," Sakura held out her hand which was taken in Serendine's.
Ja'far didn't even bother protesting, because he knew that if Sakura and Sinbad were going to stand beside the princess and her attendants. There was no winning when they were together. Apart, they were amazing, but together; they were a force that could move the hearts of everyone they met and there was nothing that they couldn't do together. Ja'far believed that with every fiber of his being and he knew that if he asked anyone else who had come to know the two-that they would agree. It was both incredible and terrifying.
After, everyone decided to take to the royal palace and inform the higher-ups of the recent incident. It was not only to insure that the group would not draw any negative attention to themselves but also to confirm something that had been racking their minds since they discovered the partial truth to the so called 'curse.'
..
..
..
Consul Narme did not appear shocked at the news, but appeared more nervous as he apologized and even offered to arrange for them to stay at a different inn.
Noting the nervous gleam of perspiration on Narmes's face, Sakura decided to speak before Sinbad was able to. "Consul Narmes, were you aware that these incidents were not a curse and murder?"
Narmes averted his gaze from the pinkette and they all knew that they were well aware of the situation and that they were attempting to hide the truth for whatever reason. A reason that Sinbad and Sakura were determined to find out.
"As I thought," Sinbad said, "There are excellent pharmaceuticals in Heliohapt so you were bound to discover that these incidents were actually murders if you really investigated them. So, can you tell us what's really going on, Consul Narmes?"
Though Sinbad has asked the question, his tone underlined a hidden warning that he would not take well to being turned away or lied to now.
Narme's gave in almost immediately when he saw the look in Sinbad's eyes, "I understand, I will tell you everything since you're caught up in it. The truth about our country…."
The royal consul then proceeded to tell the group about the hidden truth of Heliohapt and its internal strife that had begun on the day that life had ended for their former king. He had two sons Prince Armakan and his younger brother, Prince Sharrkan. Although Prince Armakan was older, he was the son of the second queen, and therefore the line of succession fell second to him by right, but Prince Sharrkan was only nine years old. So Prince Armakan was enthroned. Following the death of the former king of Heliohapt was the second queen whose death was sudden and unexpected. Soon after, there was an outbreak of death throughout Heliohapt, all the victims were those who stood behind King Armakan.
"This, of course, resulted in the current king losing many of his supporters."
The so-called phenomenon in Heliohapt was beginning to clear up, and although they wanted to wait until the end of the story, Sinbad and Sakura were already coming to worrisome assumptions but decided to keep to themselves for the time being.
"And that's when this so-called 'curse' came up?" Sakura asked, keeping her lips in a thin line. "Because King Armakan had begun adopting foreign policy and there were those against it."
Narme gave a curt nod, holding his arm with the snake across his chest. "I mentioned the factions before, the former king's faction were the ones who started this tale of the 'curse.' And began promoting Prince Sharrkan as the legitimate heir to the throne. We realized that the death of the second queen and the death of the current king's supporters were all caused by poisoning. So that made it likely that someone in the former king's faction was responsible."
Sinbad frowned, he asked what was now lingering in everyone's minds and materialize it into words. "If you realized that, why didn't you do something?"
Narme looked at his feet, "We don't have physical proof that it's someone from the previous king's faction."
What Sakura was thinking, is that it was possible it wasn't only a single person from the king's faction. It was more likely to make sense, but as Narme's had pointed, they could not make any accusations without proof or they would be the ones in the wrong."
"But if we let things continue like this. Our internal conflicts will only continue. What are we supposed to do?"
Silence was the only answer everyone in the room was able to give. None could come with any viable answer, that wouldn't have some kind of drawback. Amid everyone's inner contemplation, a new voice echoed in the room.
"That's enough Narmes."
Narme's gasped at the sight of his ruler now standing before them, his giant cobra had the end of its trail wrapped around his ankle that spiraled all the way to the king's head, yet he showed no sign bearing the weight of the creature.
"King Armakan!"
The king addressed his consul, in a voice that gave no detail to hidden motives or meaning. Simple and straight. "These travelers are from a foreign country. We've caused you enough trouble because of our country's problems. There's no reason to drag you further into this. It would be better if you left the country as soon as possible."
Sakura looked to Sinbad, after he gave a tilt of the head with consent, she stepped in front of King Armakan, her arms folded. "Your Highness, if I may."
She waited for him to respond and after a brief nod, she continued. "I apologize in advance, but I'm afraid that we can't obey your wishes. Now that we know what is happening in this country, we cannot simply leave."
There was a brief pause before Armakan responded. "It wouldn't be right to ask foreigners to assist us in this matter."
Sakura placed a hand over her chest, gesturing to herself. "This matter revolves around more than just changing foreign policy. It is a threat to your reign and possibly your life. We're not usually one to get involved in internal strife within countries."
All of Sakura's companions gave her deadpan expressions of disbelief; wondering if she had forgotten their last few journeys to Imuchakk and Sasan.
"But our leader brought us here with a goal in mind and we won't leave until we fulfill it."
Sinbad smiled, as he admired his partner from behind. That definitive and passionate tone always made him a little weak. It was always reason to admire her. She was a reassurance and confidence in his moments of doubt. He had realized this back in those times when she was not around, and came to understand the saying, 'you never know what you have until it's gone.'
"We are willing to help in any way we can and right now it seems that you are in need of some allies." Sakura pointed, taking two bold steps toward the king. Still weary of the snake, which was looking at her with its big yellow slit eyes. "So please, consider. We only wish to help you, not undermine you."
"And I appreciate your offer, were circumstances different I would accept," Armakan said, curtly yet politely. "But it is not, it would be best if you all left this country."
Sakura frowned, "If you meant that your highness, then you would have no issue looking me in the eye and saying it again."
Ja'far looked at Sinbad, disbelief written on his face. Sakura was not the kind to disrespect authority or act recklessly around them. "She's been spending too much time with you Sin,"
"What did I do?" Sinbad pouted. Ja'far shook his head.
"Very well," Without hesitance Armakan's eyelids lifted to reveal a pair of green eyes that were almost tinged yellow and paled, far from Sakura's own emerald green eyes that seemed to shine. There was a kind of fatigue in them, from an internal strife that he was facing alone. It made Sakura want to help him all the more.
Armakan had never seen anything like this. Sakura's eyes were a color that would only be found in emeralds. So deep, that it was almost safe to call them unusual. They were captivating, a feature that would carve itself into your mind as an inscription is carved on stone. And for a minute, King Armakan was speechless, as one would be when discovering something that did not belong and yet still drew you to it.
Then he remembered why he had actually taken to opening his eyes to the sight. "As I said, there is no need for any of you to involve yourselves further. I shall put an end to this conflict. Tomorrow, I will go to the tomb of the royal family."
Narme's interjected harshly, taking a fast step forward. "You mustn't! If something happens to you!"
Sinbad and his companions all started glancing amongst one another, with curios expressions. Armakan pointed out to Narmes that this was now the only option, to visit the royal tomb. From the disdained tone Narmes as he spoke, they became aware that something was amiss before the consul's words confirmed it. "I shall accompany you to the place that used to be the royal tomb…before it became that mysterious structure."
Sinbad's interrupted the two quickly, "What exactly is this 'mysterious structure' you're talking about?"
"Of course, you're travellers so you wouldn't know…" Narmes turned sideways to the group, "This country has one more problem. It appeared overnight, a structure in place of importance to the royal family. The royal tomb where past kings were laid to rest. No matter how many soldiers were sent to investigate it, not a single one came back."
That was an all too familiar statement. A structure where no army would return from, there was only one known place like that dungeon. There was a dungeon in Heliohapt. Sakura did not know if one would call this fate or coincidence, but either way they were definitely not going to be leaving this country anytime soon.
"But, if that's the case why would you want to go there your highness?" asked Sakura.
Armakan went on to tell them that the Royal Tomb, was a sacred place in Heliohapt, that allowed past generations of kings to watch over their people and where the new king would succeed the throne through a formal investiture. Remembering that the group before them were novices to the way of Heliohapt, Narmes continued to explain to the group.
"Here in Heliohapt, it has been custom since ancient times for the heir named by the previous king, to be formally named king in a ceremony held in the Royal Tomb."
It made sense why they weren't able to have this ceremony because the Royal Tomb appeared to be inaccessible currently. The words of the former king would be carved on his sarcophagus, which would verify who the next king would be. However, as they weren't able to enter the tomb, they could not verify what was written. In other words, there was no way of knowing who the legitimate heir to the throne actually was.
"I see," Ja'far said, after taking in the explanation. "Due to circumstances, the previous king's faction is trying to put forth someone else as the true heir to the throne?"
Narmes nodded, "They made up the idea of a 'curse'. Thinking that they could use the uncertainty of the crown to topple lord Armakan's reign." Looking down with a saddened expression, Narmes held his arm across his chest. "We believe he is our king. If we could just prove that Lord Armakan is the legitimate king, then all of this conflict would come to an end….If we could just visit the Royal Tomb. If that mysterious structure would just disappear!".
"Don't worry, Your Majesty," Sinbad said as he crossed his arms, confidence shining in his golden eyes. "We'll handle the structure…no, the dungeon. Leave it to us."
Armakan's faction looked at the odd group of travelers with surprise painted all over their faces.
"That place is undoubtedly one of the many dungeons that appear around the world. It's a dangerous place but if you conquer it, the structure will disappear and the place will return to the way it was before." Sinbad spoke, holding his hand over his heart as if making a pledge."
Narmes was speechless for a few seconds before he was able to address the young man, "Sinbad, just who in the world are you?"
That was question that started to replay in Sakura's mind. She would probably be able to answer that question to an extent, but knowing the rhetorical context, it would not have been appropriate.
Then a familiar voice shrilled, like the painful scraping against a cobblestone. Queen Patra entered, with Vizier Gafra beside her and priest Anubis. She paid no regard to the group and focused her vice-lied glare on Narmes. "Oh Narmes, how deplorable. Making up lies about us scheming to poison people and passing it off as a curse…"
Sakura narrowed her eyes at the older women, she and her advisors had clearly been eavesdropping on the group. It wasn't coincidence that they decided to appear at this moment.
"It seems like the only one capable of leading our country correctly is my son. Sharrkan should be king after all!"
"Our king…The true king who inherited the will of the former king, please show yourself." Gafra announced.
Through the long hallway, the footsteps indicate new arrivals. There were two hefty men, on their shoulders were golden planks that held a well-decorated sedan seat. It was mostly gold, with pillars on either side of the small chair, suited only for a child, with white fabric lining the top. On the seat, was a young boy-no older than ten; he had a small snake wrapped around his leg up to his knee, he wore a headpiece similar to Armakan's, and he also had that same white hair and pale green eyes that seemed void of life. Like a doll.
"The second prince, Lord Sharrkan."
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