Chapter Seven

“Now that Arman Butshaf has put a bounty on your head, we have to act fast. We need to find a way of getting to his villa, and you can get close enough to kill him.” Wise words from Arithayal as he walked restlessly around the room. He knew there was no time. Word spread fast in the Eastlands and it could take less than two days before every bounty hunter comes looking for Alves. 

“When everyone hears that the tyrant is dead. The search for you will be over, because there will be no one to pay the bounty.” Nhevia said. 

“But how can we get to his villa? From what I've heard, it's the most protected place anyone has heard of.” Alves needed suggestions. 

Arithayal, his palms rubbing against each other, continued with his steps around the room as he spoke “Yes it's seriously guarded, there is only one known entrance into the villa. And only his most trusted General leaves the Villa whenever he wants to.” 

“His most trusted general? Who could that be?” Alves asked as though a thought just crossed his mind. 

“General Cenred. He is Arman Butshaf's most loyal and trusted man. There's news that he travelled to Portland yesterday.”

“That means he's not in the villa with Lord Butshaf right now?” Nhevia asked. 

“Yes!”

“I have an idea!” Alves rose from his seat, his face sparkling with his thoughts. “Arithayal, you said you could change someone to look like another person right?” He asked with a smile. 

“Yes.”

“So how about you change me to look like General Cenred? I would walk into the villa now that the general himself is on a mission in Portland. I could get close to Butshaf and he'll think I'm his most trusted general, then I'll kill him!”

“That might now be the best plan, but it's the best we've got. We shall stick to that!” 

*****

“You've been a beast in bed recently, Arman. Look at you all sweaty and masculine.” Meredith placed her head on her husband's chest running fingers from his chest to his navel repeatedly. 

“And you have been so sweet. Taking all my energy away.” They laughed with shared understanding before she turned to look at his face, played with his thick moustache then kissed his lips passionately. 

“Does it really bother you that the Bushika is out there trying to find you?” Meredith asked calmly. 

“I have three wizards who work for me, Meredith. And all three have told me that as long as the Bushika is out there alive, I am doomed to fail.”

“Can't your wizards cast a spell that can show you exactly where he is? So that you can eliminate him?” 

“It is pitiful that my sorcerers are not powerful enough to cast such spells. The only one with such power is not on my side, he is against me.”

“Who is that?”

“Arithayal! He is the most powerful wizard I know. I've made several offers to him requesting for his services. But he turned them down. Now I'm sure he is with the Bushika wherever he is right now.”

“Don't worry my Lord. You shall win.”

“Yes, Surely!”

Meredith looked at him with a different expression, she wanted to say something but she knew it wouldn't delight her husband. She'd been keeping it within herself for so long and she felt it was best to say it “My Lord, I've been thinking about a child. We've been together for so many years but unable to bear a child.”

“I wouldn't want to hold such talks now, Meredith!” He declared, then stood up from the bed. 

*****

“She keeps asking me about a child! Is there no way you can do some magic to put a child in my seed?” Lord Arman sounded frustrated and desperate as he spoke to one of his sorcerers, Jordiah. 

“I'm sorry my Lord, such spells cannot work on you. It is painful to say this, Lord Arman. But your bloodline has been cursed never to bear a child.”

“Cursed? By who? And why?”

“My Lord, you come from the Butshaf bloodline, known for producing the most dangerous tyrants who ever existed.”

“Are you calling me a tyrant?” Arman was enraged, his voice going deeper but louder. 

“You know I can't say that to you my Lord. Your grandfather was called a tyrant by many people, and so was your father. And now, with you called a tyrant, someone laid a powerful curse on you, never to bear a son who would take over your tyranny.”

“You just called me a tyrant again.”

“I'm sorry I had to say it in a way you would understand.”

“Jordiah, I need you to find out who laid a curse on me, and find a way to break it. I need a son! 

“Yes my Lord.”

*****

The busy villa of the tyrant was filled with servants moving up and down, doing their everyday duties as Lord Arman tied his long black hair backwards, looking at himself in the mirror. 

“Lord Butshaf, General Cenred is here to see you.” A soldier reported, bowing his respect to him. 

“Isn't General Cenred supposed to be in Portland? What is he doing back here?”

“I have no idea, my Lord. He said it's a matter of great importance.”

“Tell him I shall be there with him shortly.”

“Yes my Lord.” He took a final bow, then left. 

It didn't take long before Arman made his way out of his private chambers. “General Cenred, what a surprise to see you back so soon. I expected you to be in Portland.” Arman said walking towards the general, fully dressed in his uniform, his badge boldly attached. 

“I was in Portland but I found out useful information to share with you.”

“Interesting, so did you find any useful information about the ring of power?” 

The General looked confused, and shifted backwards, turned to look at all the soldiers around the room, then turned back to Lord Arman. 

“The ring of power. I'm asking if you found any information about it.”

“No my Lord, I found out about the Bushika. His name is Alves, a boy from the Westlands.”

“Good, so do you know his location?” 

“No Lord Butshaf, but…”

“General Cenred, did you come all the way from Portland only to tell me the name of the Bushika? Such matters can easily be communicated through letters.” He sounded angry and disappointed. 

“Perhaps, I could speak with you in a more private room and I shall tell you why I'm really back. It's a matter of great importance and it's not wise saying it here in the presence of everyone. Shall we go somewhere, just the two of us?” 

“Do not follow him anywhere!” Arman’s wizard said, coming out from nowhere. “Do not follow the general anywhere private.” the wizard added. 

“Why? What is going on?!” Lord Arman wondered. 

“This man here is not General Cenred. As a sorcerer, I can sense a powerful form of magic on him, a spell has been casted to make him look exactly like General Cenred. But it is not him! He wants you to follow him to a private place so he can kill you easily away from your guards and get away with it.” Jordiah declared and Lord Butshaf was shocked. 

The wizard moved closer and said a few words in a strange magical language. As he concluded, everyone was shocked to see the said General Cenred turn back to Alves! It was Alves who was made by Arithayal to look exactly like the general, just as they planned. But at that point, everything seemed to have backfired. 

“Cease him! Arrest the impersonator!” Lord Arman ordered angrily.