An ally of my father’s was to visit. His name was Anyur, and he came from the city of Daorka. He was to bring his two children with him. I had forgotten their names in the hold of my anxiety. Already the day was looking to be a stressful affair.

They came with an aerial ship that looked as like a pyramid in the sky. Its wings stretched long, and it seemed an entire army was administered in its hold.

Yet war was aways, and not once, since the creation of the world, did humans engage in conflict with one another, save for internal treachery. Their animosity and wrath most always directed to the Demons.

I saw the ship hold its position above the palace. And from its center flew various chariots, where some burned, others alighted with luster, and even more came with shielded wind, spanned about their wings. In each case, pulled by a multitude of winged horses that were alike to the steeds of the celestials, the Aurvaho.

When the visiting king and his children disembarked from the ship with their retinue, they were greeted by my father, his ministers, and the royal guard.

“Salutations, King Anyur!” said my father, Desyar, with folded hands. “We are glad of your visit. How long has it been since we last conversed! I take it you had received my letter concerning the matter to the north? Our nations’ alliance holds strong, as it has since the forming of our world. But we need numbers in our ranks. Too many have fallen in wake of the subsequent campaigns against the Demons, and we must indeed bolster our armies.”

“Hah, straight to business, old friend!” said Anyur, laughing. “Yes, indeed, I received word of your request, and left as soon as it arrived. There is much to speak on regarding the Demons, and our units. I have come with a full regiment, trained and ready to embark on the next expedition. First, let us drink and make merry before tending to such matters. It has been too long since we have last seen each other, and I have not seen your son since his birth.”

I was standing by the ministers in the back, looking to the exchange between these two kings who seemed to mirror one another.

Anyur was tall like my father, but his face wasn’t aged. In fact, it looked quite young. A thick beard covered his face, and the regalia hanging from his robes and fhorlia¹Traditional dress that looks like a dhoti and skirt combined. shined like jewels under the sunlight.

His feet were bare, but not unusual to me. For I had understood that the visits to palaces were treated much like those to temples. Not one would dare to soil the stone and masonry of the estates of those who were the figureheads of the Gods.

I looked to the prince who stood by his father. He donned blue robes whose pigmentation was the most saturated I’d yet seen. His hair was long, longer than mine, with black strands that seemed darker than the night. Seemingly able to outmatch my dark brown head.

He held a look of distaste, and didn’t seem to think much of me. I didn’t think much of myself, except for how lucky I was. His gaze was intense, and I was intimidated.

Was he telling me that I was the weaker of the two? Perhaps that was the case. What can be said, in fact, was that I was irritated by his look.

My father certainly wasn’t the most powerful man in the Freelands, but his authority was unmatched. All kings yielded to his judgement. And I likewise would be meant to hold that confidence.

I resolved to show this young boy who I could, nay, would be. But first, I would have to do something about my timidness.

Then I turned to see his sister. Her eyes were crimson and her hair a light brown that stretched to the length of her back. She was dressed in white robes and covered with golden jewelry.

What caught me off-guard were the two emblems of bulls that hung from the curls in her hair. Suspended and seemingly weightless. I could see the shine in her face, and she became the second woman, or girl in this case, who enamored me.

I became frightened for what I could do. I shook. I suppressed the thoughts that arose. My mind was still not at peace. Yet I cast away my gaze, and she likewise stepped behind her younger brother. She was shy and possibly afraid.

I didn’t blame her.

The ministers could sense the tension between me and the siblings. Druzhat stepped forth and cleared his throat.

“Sires, may we continue our discussion inside? Let us give some room and air for the children to interact. It is hopeful that they warm to each other.”

“Yes, indeed!” said my father. “Let us make to my study, Anyur. Ministers and officials follow us, and Yurva,” I looked to my father, “keep company with the prince and princess. You have not been with one of your age. So mingle and delight in the halls and gardens about. But be sure to keep yourselves in the confines of the palace and its grounds. Venture not into the city. Bring no fear to either of us, for your predicament is no secret.”

I nodded my head and approached the prince. With a stammer, I said, “L-Let’s make to the gardens behind.”

We scurried away, and the prince and princess seemed obedient to my request. But there were indeed ill intentions in the visiting prince, and I was a fool to not realize it at the time.