CHAPTER 12 – SERENGETI GLADES
The three of them went downstairs to the main courtyard of the city. Inside Zepathorum City was an intricate network of stores, houses, the kingdom’s high council, and, of course, the Citadel. All of which were built in height order, peaking at the Citadel and then sloping back down on the other side, all the while remaining even and symmetrical. A lot of work was put into the planning of the city. The entire city was surrounded by three high-rise walls, with only one opening behind the Citadel, and of course, the crystal.
When the city was founded, it was figured that Lake Niobi was large enough to protect and serve as an obstacle for the southern border of the city, in case of siege. The last unique aspect of the city was its tremendous interconnecting courtyard, including the Citadel, to the front gates and the road down to Port Caliber. This courtyard was the quintessential center of town, and, concordantly, where the crowd was starting to accumulate for the Funeral.
Anilithyìstad, Axion, Queen Adyána, Mitakahn, and the rest of the family stood under the archway in front of the Citadel and greeted everyone who arrived. The first house to arrive was from Castle Rosi. Mercinestor and his wife Sudania consoled Adyána. Cipher pressed his hand affectionately on Mitakahn’s shoulder.
“We will always be there for you, prince.”
“Thank you.”
“Have there been any new developments?”
To be honest, Cipher, I was going to ask you the same thing.”
“No…well what exactly do you mean?”
“Not necessarily regarding the mystery surrounding Theomitus’ death, but more along the lines of…” Mitakahn struggled to find the right words. “Have you felt differently since we came back from the Ignaleos Cor?”
“Now that you mention it, I’ve been having the strangest thoughts lately and just the other day while I was examining the Cor I imagined that the portal opened…”
Mitakahn knew what Cipher was going to say next, but he needed him to say it out loud first. Mitakahn needed to hear it himself and in doing so confirm that he was not going mad.
“…and then it opened.”
“Did you try to close it on command? Or try it again?”
“I had similar theories, but I was too worried about my own mental faculties to continue testing.”
“I feel as though something has changed inside me as well, but there has been a lot to process.”
“That’s understandable, Mitakahn.”
Cipher put his hands firmly on Mitakahn’s shoulders. He squared up with him and made eye contact.
“But we are still standing, we are still here.”
“Yes we are.” Mitakahn dropped his head.
“Life isn’t done with us yet.”
“No, it isn’t”
Cipher could see the hint of a raw smirk coming from beneath Mitakahn’s buried brow, as if he was mining through his sorrow and just struck a little joy. Mitakahn nodded. He was losing his words and there was still a long day ahead of him.
The rest of the key figures of the Pride filed in behind House Casterosi. There was House Silonas of the southernmost city of the Serengeti, led by Lord Grastaris. From the eastern city of Orbalis there was House Trenoble, led by Lord Arsen. In walked, House HyGard which hailed from North Caliber, led by Lord Zefari. There was House Ventrilles from Arunidawa in the West, Lord Jonavan, his wife Lady Kalina, and their beautiful daughter Kara Ventrilles, commander of the Zenfor Archers.
“Look who it is, Cipher.”
Cipher already knew of Kara Ventrilles. Growing up in the houses of their respective families meant they were parts of the same circles. Over time, completely unbeknownst to Kara herself, but only Cipher and Mitakahn, they developed quite the rapport. It was a simple dynamic. Cipher was unable to tell her how he really felt.
“You should tell her about your new gift.”
“Kara would find it fascinating.”
“Here she comes.”
“I’m not ready.”
“You never are, my friend.”
Mitakahn pat Cipher on the back as the Ventrilles greeted them one-by-one. Cipher smashed words together in his head to catch Kara’s interest. As she approached him, she flicked her head, tossing the dark bangs away from her eyes. Apart from the long bangs on one side of her face the rest of her hair was cut short. Somehow she found a way to exude the fierceness of lead Zenfor while also maintaining her feminine exquisiteness. The hair flick rendered Cipher speechless. The Ventrilles made their way through the procession.
Mitakahn saw the whole thing go down, a tale as old as time. Kara exists and Cipher chokes. Eventually Cipher would overcome his stage fright, for now he tortured himself. Mitakahn refused to let him give up hope.
“Next time, I can feel it.” said Mitakahn, reassuringly.
Cipher nodded his head in resolve.
The lesser Lords arrived together, almost as if on purpose. House Kalner of Kallington and House Brevitas of Brevindale combined with House Leston from Quarry, and House Miller from Cubbet Downs accounted for most of the towns in the centermost regions of the Serengeti. Together these lords made up the major and minor houses of the Pride. Some were more friendly with the crown and the royal family than others, but all were loyal.
Soon the foreign kingdom representatives arrived. The only ones that Mitakahn could identify were the politicians and senators of Crucifire Plains. Mitakahn could not help but think about his friend and schoolmate, Tron, and whether or not he would be able to make it to the Funeral.
Mitakahn noticed how all the councilmen of Zepathorum were surrounding the Senators of Crucifire. Perhaps it was envy or perhaps something darker that was brewing within their conversations; but whatever it may be, Mitakahn was both aware and conscious of this clandestine gathering and what trouble it might bring to the future of his kingdom.
He took a mental note, immediately alert Axion of a potential coup in the works. Part of Mitakahn wanted to run over to him right away, but it was not the time. He must respect his father on this day; that above all mattered most. He would have to tell himself that time and time again, throughout the day. For many reasons would try to pull him away, distractions, despair, but respect and love would guide him and keep his heart and mind in line.
Axion was off in a daze as he stood under the Citadel’s archway trying to figure some things out. His priority was the throne; he could never escape its shadow on his thoughts. To try and divert his attention he began to count all the banners inside the courtyard.
There was the gold banner with the black outline of a gorilla which waved above the Senators. Although many kingdoms were now under the control of the Senate, at a king’s funeral the banners of old flew; a customary MagnaThoran decree. There was also the brown and white banner of the Bear Kingdom. The other outer rim nation besides the Lion and Steed Kingdom located in the far eastern reaches of MagnaThora. Another banner was coming through the mighty metal gates of Zepathorum, green and tan, its worn down color practically blending in with the city’s walls. This banner hailed from the Komodo Maze, the stone labyrinth inside the desert of the south, home to the rapidly decaying Lizard Kingdom. Stolen story; please report.
Axion was suddenly greeted by an odd old man wearing dirty glasses with a very old cloak, riddled with dirt all over him. Upon seeing Axion looking at all the banners, he pulled a cloth from under his cloak and asked Axion to set it for him. Axion agreed and the old man walked away, just like that. Axion inspected the flag. It was a gray flag with two blue diagonal lines meeting in the middle where a fair blue silhouette of a dog stood proudly. One of the founding tribes of humanity, the canine kingdom had long since been reduced to its role as the remaining part of the senate. Behind Axion waved the crimson flag of Zepathorum and the newly raised black and brown flag of Metuchen’ representing both the Lion and Steed Kingdom. Lion, Steed, Gorilla, Bear, Lizard, and Canine; six banners waved in the air.
Axion thought of only two more that he might see, and one that he hoped he would never see in his lifetime. The both ancient and feared Dragon Kingdom’s amethyst colors have only been seen during the dark ages. Always the enemy, the Dragon is the ancient god of darkness and evil.
The only other kingdoms not represented by their banners were the Phoenix Kingdom and the Stag Kingdom. The Magi, Axion thought, were already here, so why not hang their banner high where everyone could see it. Perhaps, those priests of the sacred order were too humbled and withdrawn from society to have a banner.
And as though they were reading Axion’s thoughts, one of the Magi stepped out from the archway after talking with Anilithyìstad and Adyána, merely raised his hand with slow confidence, and a flag of pure flame manifested right underneath the Lion Kingdom’s banner on the same flagpole. Although it looked identical to a sideways flame, it still swayed in the air like all the other banners, a true testament to the mystical essence of the Phoenix. Axion was astonished and his cheeks flushed red with clear embarrassment on his shoulders. But most of all, he felt violated and self-conscious of whether or not he could hold his own thoughts in his head confident of no outside intrusion.
Lastly, Axion saw the silver glistening from across the courtyard. The banner of the Stag Kingdom, although not as magical, was still a marvel to look at. It looked like tremendous work had been put into the making of this banner. The silver was solid across the entire flag with the exception of a bright white stag galloping with every bend of the wind. Perhaps it was an optical illusion, or maybe it was some divine magic like the Phoenix Kingdom’s banner; but the Stag on the flag not only shined with the radiance of the sun, it was also constantly in motion, running across the sparkling fields of silver.
The Stag banner swayed above the convoy of King Mightier, and the rest of the Stag Kingdom’s royal family now entered the city. Mitakahn quickly walked over to the upcoming arrival of the Stag Kingdom, he had now known King Mightier for five years, between his friendship with the King’s son, Bridger, and Theomitus’ relations with the Stag Kingdom. He pleasantly greeted King Mightier, his queen, and the two princesses, Bridger’s sisters, and Bridger’s younger brother Thorax.
Mitakahn asked King Mightier where Bridger might be if not here. And King Mightier told him that he was still at school finishing up the term. Mitakahn felt a little disheartened that none of his friends were coming to the Funeral, but he was glad that they would be able to finish up their training, even though he could not. Once again he was tempted by grief and resentment, and once again fought against it, pledging his dedication to making the day all about the honor of his father’s memory. After talking with the royal family of Compis Falls, the capital city of the Stag Kingdom, Mitakahn returned to his brother’s side. The two columns of the kingdom standing side by side, greeting all their guests who have come such a long way to pay their respects.
After Cipher’s confirmation of the Ignaleos Cor having lasting effects on them he wasted no time in asking his brother point-blank.
“Axion, have you felt different since we got back from the trials?”
“No, not one single bit.”
Something about that answer made Mitakahn think there were other things going on with Axion which might cause him to sour on a completely separate topic. This was a trait commonly found with Adyána’s side of the family, the Metuchen side of the princes, the red blooded shorelands in them. Mitakahn recognized it well, so he changed the topic.
“A good showing”
Axion responded by pointing at the banners, “Seven banners fly in our courtyard little brother, including ours that makes eight, two more and the ancient prophecies of the Ten Kingdoms might be fulfilled here at Father’s funeral.”
“That would be some feat… raising the Wolf Kingdom from extinction and taming the Dragon Kingdom well enough to be a part of civilized society. Well with that kind of impression you would be the most influential king of all time.”
Axion took a step back and gave Mitakahn an austere look.
“What’s wrong?” replied Mitakahn to his brother’s face.
Axion did not answer.
Mitakahn persisted, “I know you have been avoiding me since I returned home. I never took it personally, because I was always with father. But why the grave look every time I utter a single word to you now that he’s gone, Axion?”
“It’s not you, little brother. I just…” Axion hesitated, before getting in closer to Mitakahn’s ear, “I don’t know if I want to be king,” he finally admitted.
“…You don’t know if you want to be king?” repeated Mitakahn.
“I just have so many-” Before Axion could finish he was cut off.
“I don’t want to hear it, Axion!” Mitakahn cut loose, “And don’t go around saying that sort of thing! There are scavengers just waiting for a chance to crumble the throne and hand all the power of our kingdom over to the Senate. Sycophantic snakes who attend this funeral with their false sympathies and phony air of significance-”
“Mitakahn, control yourself. What are you talking about?”
“This is your destiny, Axion. You can’t run away from this. I saw the councilmen talking with the Senate as soon as they got here. Governor Demeter will jump at the opportunity to dissolve our family’s legacy and take control of the kingdom. You can’t do this.”
“Who are you to tell me what my destiny is? I will do what I feel is right. No one is going to tell me what I can and can’t do.”
“You’re having doubts, I understand that. But you have certain responsibilities as the first born-”
“Mitakahn, I don’t want to hear it!” and with that Axion stormed off back into the Citadel.
Jericho, Anilithion, and Anilithyìstad, came over to Mitakahn after hearing the end of the argument.
Jericho asked, “What was that about?”
And Mitakahn answered, “Nothing, we’re both just… exhausted…”
“It’s okay Mitakahn, don’t worry yourself over it,” compensated Anilithyìstad, “I’ll go talk to Axion. We should be starting the procession soon. Go see about the casket, boys.” Anilithyìstad went inside to console Axion; and Jericho, Anilithion, and Mitakahn went to prepare the casket for the ceremony.
Mitakahn was helping fasten the casket to the carriage for the ride down to the Port City when he was tapped on the shoulder. He turned around to face a group of towering men and women. Mitakahn looked up at their faces, he was reminded of one friend back at the academy, they must be from the Bear Kingdom.
“Hello Prince, you do not know me, but I knew your father. My name is Rhodideran, and I am the Steward of Wilder Heights. Your father was a great man and noble king, and for that we present you and your family with this gift. . .” He moved out of the way and pointed with his massive hand to a sculpture standing in the middle of the Courtyard.
The gigantics of the Bear Kingdom were simple folk and a civilization of gifted miners. In all the time they dwell in the mountains their biggest form of trade and business were both mining and molding metal and stone. The sculpture was a beautiful work of art. It was a picture of four lions. Three of the lions were carved out of polished stone. One was a lioness, and the other two were lion cubs, one looking up and the other on its back lying in front of the other three. The last lion was clearly the father and a memorial for Theomitus and was crafted out of ivory stone with a golden mane of fur and a crimson crown. It was a powerful sight to see.
Mitakahn marveled at the incredibly kind gesture given by the Bear Kingdom and gratefully thanked them, saying, “This is truly a most wonderful gift. We will forever keep it in that exact spot in the center of the city, for all the ages to remember my father, the king, and your compassionate tribute.”
They bowed to each other, and horns sounded off above from the top of the walls. The Funeral had begun.
The service would start in the Courtyard of Zepathorum City. Everyone who had assembled in the courtyard were now gathered into a line and tossing flowers onto the King’s casket. The last person to go was the Queen, who gently placed one white rose on top of the flowerbed. After that Queen Adyána, Axion, and Mitakahn along with their cousins and extended family members would ride with the casket, on carriage, down to Port Caliber. Everyone would follow them in a procession line of black carriages and pure white horses. The prestrian-bred horses were brought from Metuchen as an ode to Theomitus’ pure-heartedness. Mitakahn looked out of the carriage, he noticed how this was the exact antithesis of the journey Mitakahn had completed when he first returned home. How many times has he made this trip back and forth in his lifetime? But never with the disparaging pretense of his last two trips. They would bring the casket to another meeting hall before they took it to the beachhead.
As they journeyed down the road all the citizens of both cities and the Serengeti were standing along its edges tossing down long Serengeti glades for the horses to step on and carriages to ride over. Long blades of grass as tall as the people holding them and delicate to the touch, you could roll over several stacked together with a wheel and not feel a single bump in the wagon. They are only found in the rolling fields of the Pride. The masses of the Lion Kingdom came out in their entirety for one last testament to the king, subjects beholden to their beloved monarch.