In the Outer Gardens Colonnade Gallery of the Royal Palace, Zaotoqav,
It had been a few days since Antekus' adulthood initiation, but for him little had changed. And like every morning, this chilly morning as well, he was enjoying a game of chess with his grandfather, King Artus Repyes. King Artus really valued and enjoyed his daily leisure time with his grandson. The fresh morning weather, along with a cup of ginger-soaked Clastendine red tea and an arduous game of chess is all that his old bones need. His days are long and muscles tender; this morning ritual was his daily flit.
As the match was drawing near the endgame, both the participants' attention got entirely absorbed by the chessboard. Each had their strategy ready as their palms moved seamlessly across the board, taking each other's pieces. As the endgame began, Antekus' strategy was the one that ripened first. King Artus, hence, fell into a predicament. A fork by Antekus' knight endangered both his King and the Queen. King Artus' face scrunched up in disbelief and annoyance as he was forced to sacrifice his Queen. But as soon as Antekus held the black Queen from the board to remove it, King Artus broke into a jolly smile, "Tunnel vision, son. See, I knew you were up to no good a few steps ago. All I had to do was make sure that your open thinking gets cut off by moving myself in ways that encouraged your flawed vision. This births blind faith in oneself, the inducer of the greatest poison: Pride."
Enlightening Antekus, the old king made his closing move. And as the black rook moved, Antekus understood his plight. The game had come to an end. And Antekus, sank into his cushioned chair. Flapping his lips in exhaustion, he rebutted, "Ah! Grandfather you always win… but, the way I made someone five times my age tax, and it's the wise king on top of that! Yes. A win in my books I say. Hahaha!"
Looking at his beaming grandson, the king felt warmth, yet a knot remained in his gut that made him nauseous. He always felt that particular unease when it came to his grandson. Luckily, the king was a man of no faith, influenced by the progressive ideas and knowledge the Nonjouls brought to Hukivawen ages ago. Otherwise, he probably would have thought his grandson to be cursed, and imprisoned him or much worse. After all, the unease had been there since the day the skies saw the stars collide: the day Antekus Repyes was born. King Artus, hence, will forever be thankful to the Nonjouls. Their knowledge had benefitted not only him, but all Hukivs. Hukivawen's people were now educated and thriving, and the nation regularly saw surplus of money and grain, leading to perpetual development.
"Good Morning and greetings of utmost respect to the Wise King. Good Morning to the Brilliant Young Lord as well. The letter, this humble servant brings here today is for the Young Lord. If this humble servant is allowed, may he relay the message?"
The King's pondering broke. Antekus, who had been putting the chess pieces back in the box, looked over. His eyes lingered on the red seal with the fire emblem. It was from the Temple. The king also noticed the seal; he rolled his eyes and sighed but nonetheless nodded for the retainer to continue.
The relieved retainer smiled and bowed courteously as he complied, "To Lord Antekus Repyes, Hi It is Myr. I have come here to spend time with you. If you are not busy or engaged I would prefer your presence as I have some important issues I want your counsel for. Thank you!"
The King contemplated intently for a few seconds, before he casually ordered, "Lead her to the Leisure Lounge. Antekus will tend to her soon." The retainer bowed respectfully again before he made his way out.
The colonnade gallery that oversaw the royal garden was expansive; consequently, dozens of retainers and maids had to be ever-present to maintain its sanctity. And currently, it was the hour of the morn when the King and the Young Prince leisured together. Personnel presence was therefore of the utmost importance.
King Artus' watchful eyes lingered on a few of the workers laboring nearby. He knew full well that many of them were ears, and some obviously of the Temple. Knowledge is blasphemy if it reveals the errs of the existing structure. And he knew that the knowledge he was about to bestow upon Antekus would be considered blasphemous. Thus, he commanded his Apex Kingsguard, "Maricad, ensure that nobody comes at least twenty feet near us. Yes, remove all the workers and ask them to resume their obligations only after I and Antekus leave." The Apex Kingsguard Maricad, a swordsman feared across all of Balia, nodded politely. His bulky figure slowly moved, and it didn't take long for the King's surroundings to empty.
King Artus' dilemma had led to many sleepless nights. And like many kings, his dilemma was choosing the rightful successor. And for that, he had two choices: the crown prince of Hukivawen, Arkus, or the father of Antekus, Atkus.
Arkus was exemplary. He was a progressive idealist, who always worked for social benefit. His greatest desire was to make Hukivawen a utopia. This welfare state was achievable, according to him, only by educating the masses and improving their quality of life. Yet, the brighter the light, the larger its cast shadow. Atkus was the personification of that exact shadow. He lusted for that throne and used Arkus' ideals against him. Atkus had befriended the temple and enjoyed remarkable approval among the traditional Hukivs of Hukivawen. Yet, there was no contention in Arkus' mind about whom to confer his throne upon. But, the dilemma that gnawed at him stagnated for two critical reasons: Arkus Repyes was a homosexual (something which is looked incredibly down upon in Hukivawen), and the presence of Antekus Repyes.
King Artus lovingly looked at his only grandson. He did not want for this lovely child to be tainted by the grubby hands of the Temple. And the solitary reason why the Old King delayed his crown conference was because of Antekus' resonating reliance on importance in social matters, much like himself and Arkus. Yet, what made Antekus special was his favorability among the more conservative population. Arkus would ignite the fury of the Temple; Atkus would be a puppet of the Temple. But in Antekus, King Artus Repyes saw the answer for the future.
One can never be too discreet. Thus, the King brought his grandson ever so close. Meeting Antekus' questioning gaze, the Hukiv King whispered, "I have always warned you. The Temple always elicits activities that affirm their hold over the nation. I know your parental upbringing has always been deeply intertwined with the Temple, but I also know you well enough. I believe you will know where to draw the line in your relationship with the Temple. Be reasonable, son. The Temple has always hated me and the Nonjouls. So, keep your eyes open and don't fall for their honeyed propaganda. Equality, Love and Care triumphs over.."
"..Manipulation, Control and Chauvinism."
Antekus smartly finished the King's advice, and his words made the King flash a deeply creased smile. He was so proud of this filial grandson of his. Regardless, without dallying, he continued, "Yes. Excellent son! Also, understand that I will never intrude into your personal life. But if the Temple moves in ways any reasonable person would deem unsightly, always inform me. And this request extends also to your father's activities. Deal?"
Conflict waged war for a fleeting second in Antekus' eyes. Yet, it was a momentary lapse. He quickly recovered his energetic, sunshine-bright persona and replied enthusiastically, "Of course, grandfather. I love you and the Temple. But the limitless love I hold toward you overshadows my love for the Temple."
*****
Inside the Leisure Lounge, Upper Floor of the Royal Palace,
Behind the bar, the bartender today, mixed a very rare drink. The room was warm, yet the alcohol much warmer. The Bartender blankly stared at the transparent 'Kiss of Death' resting in the glass decanter. He had been assigned this new kind of alcohol just a few months earlier. It was called Vodka, a miraculous brew straight out of The Great Free City of Calus. Although the Bartender thought it was a result of witchcraft, the Repyes family actually relished its taste, of course, only in its final mixed state. Otherwise, its numbing taste was potent even for the most peerless alcoholics. Anyway, he was too out of depth to understand the intricacies of what's right and what's wrong. Young Lord Antekus enjoyed it a lot, and that was all that mattered to him.
In the intricately designed Altak couches, that surrounded the fireplace, sat Antekus and Myr. The bartender, on a bejeweled salver, brought them two equally brilliant chalices. One filled to the brim with warm milk, and the other, a mix of vodka, cranberry and lime.
"My Lord, My Lady."
The bartender bowed respectfully as he placed the salver on the table in front of them. Myr nodded in acknowledgment whilst Antekus replied, "Leave us now. Ask the maids to leave as well. I want the room empty."
"Yes, My Lord."
As soon as the room emptied, Myr straightened her posture and immediately chided Antekus, "I have told you many times Antekus. Don't consume such drinks. Especially from a rodent infested place like Calus."
Antekus didn't immediately reply. He just glared Myr. He was indeed young, but he was still Antekus Repyes.
"Do not ever raise your voice like that. Next time you do so, I will cut your tongue… And I am no fool. I know what places house rats and what places don't…Okay?"
Myr was astounded. Words didn't come out of her mouth as she couldn't comprehend the current situation. Antekus, the kid, had always listened to her. She was nothing but a voice of the Temple that a faithful like Antekus usually obeyed. Such stern and direct rejection was something akin to that of the twisted Arkus. Alas, it was not something Myr wanted to entertain. She had to move on as matters much more important had to be discussed. But a mental note to inform High Guide Tagxan about this minor incident was duly made.
"Noted, Lord Antekus. But I came here to inform you about the incredible breakthrough the Truth Sect made in Tang-Goh."
Truth Sect, as the name suggests, was a religious group originally formed in Dal-Zoh. A sect directly inspired by the True Scripture of the Temple of Truth. Dal-Zoh, the neighboring nation of Hukivawen, had also become one of the three major nations that welcomed the exodus of Nonjouls ages ago. And likewise, they too had gradually started to develop in a much more socialistic way. But unlike the unifying religion that Hukivawen had, Dal-Zoh's religious structure was severely fragmented. Many religions meant no unifying power; hence, fast progression towards a more socialist society became apparent. Many vehemently despised the destination their beloved nation was heading toward. Consequently, discord bred chaos, which seeks order. Influenced by the increasing instability, a few Hukivs decided to take their own religion across the border over to Dal-Zoh. It took only a couple of years before they established their roots in the new ecosystem. It was easy for the Truth Sect to hook people in, as financed by the Temple of Truth itself, their coffers were crammed with grain and money. This entire, virus-like expedition, was the first brainchild of Antekus Repyes. And today, the history books had been marked, as they established themselves in the first major town of Dal-Zoh: Tang-Goh.
Antekus was currently bogged down by conflicting feelings. A few years ago, when he first devised the plan, he had been under the impression that the True God chose him to be His apostle. At least, that was what his parents and mentors had reinforced him to believe. The current Antekus felt differently. There was no doubt that he still believed in his 'divine purpose', yet he was no longer so confident about it. Looking at Myr, one of his mentors and a close confidant, he voiced his opinion on the recent milestone: "That is well and good… but let's stop it for now. I have been thinking about our…proliferation… and I think we are spending too much money on that. Also, using tactics like vilifying the Nonjouls don't sit right with me anymore. Of course, I know my father and the High Guides have the final say. But I want to draw a line here. I will not devise any gambits that exacerbates the expansion of a…forgive me… cult in a different nation. And do share my concern to the others. We could use our money on benefitting our own people. Benefitting the local Hukivs. So, let's stop sending our money to the Truth Sect... I think we all know about their devious nature."
The more potent the poison, the more coveted it is. Myr knew the truth about what the Truth Sect was doing in Dal-Zoh. Although it was not pretty, it was definitely effective. They were achieving their purpose and that was all that mattered. Of course, the funds they sent was bound to be misappropriated by the higher ups of the Truth Sect. But, so what?
Myr looked at the kid seated in a dignified manner in front of her. He was a genius but still a child. Aavitus, the king who had welcomed the Nonjouls, undoubtedly unleashed the idea of tradition eradication in Hukivawen. But it was Artus and Arkus, whose actions and moves had cornered the temple. And Myr knew for a fact that in the near future, the temple would either be abolished or refurbished by none other than the boy in front of her. He was the Queen of the chessboard, so all Myr could do right now was smile and comply.