Chapter Three: A Peaceful Hunt

With the fear of his old colleague's state in his mind, Thoms leaves to join up with the thirty men on ground to escort him through his mission which seems deadly.

"I am kind, wise, brilliant, funny and can be very deceptive as well. I have travelled far and near. I have been to the south, north, east and west. I have never failed my people. I have never failed my Kings. This is why the crown trusts me at all times to deliver and this is why I am always assigned important, difficult and delicate missions. I am ready to serve at all cost and in any whether. I will gladly sacrifice my live a thousand times for the progress of our lands." Thoms the Wise says. He is talking to Jordan, the head of the thirty men allotted to escort him on his mission to Kalif Empire."

Jordan replies by saying; I have heard about you, I have seen you and read about you. I have been longing for this moment. This moment to walk and work with you" He giggles.

Jordan is a huge and fearless soldier. He single handedly killed two huge lions with his sword while hunting with his friends who fled the scene in fear to seek for help. Jordan had started roasting the lions when help arrived. He also helped the people of Joran resist a raid from the Hudem soldiers. He was only eighteen years old when he accomplished all these and more. Joran is a territory under Alberom. It borders Hudem to the north. Hence, Hudem's attacked to claim the land failed. Thanks to the initial efforts from Jordan who stood firm before help came from the Alberom forces led by then Colonel Stead.

"What is your name young man" Thoms the Wise asks. Jordan replies saying; "Jordan".

"Jordan of Joran?" Thoms asks and Jordan replies; "yes".

There's only one Jordan of Joran. He needs no introduction to those who updates their knowledge on the history of Alberom. His achievements as a teenager has gained him popularity. Every soul in the nook and cranny of Alberom may not recognize Jordan physically but his name is a household name. Thoms the Wise becomes more confident and hopeful as he is now fully aware of the soldier he would be making the journey with.

The Alberom Palace is steadfast. Everyone awaits the arrival of the King from his chambers. It is a tradition that the King must address and bless his entourage at the start of every significant assignment. Dressed in his battle uniform, King Roman finally graces the occasion. He is accompanied by Queen Vera, General Roy, General Benson and General Stead to the occasion.

The session is led by Chief Priest Elias. He recites some lines from the Holy Book of Alberom - The Holy Book of Alberom is a sanctified religious book of the land. The book is made into only seven copies all of which are under the care of seven senior authorized Priests of Alberom one of who Priest Elias is. Priest Elias is also the apex priest.

After saying the words of prayer from the Holy Book, he then anoints Thoms the Wise and every single soldier in the team. The stage is set for King Roman to perform his own part of the tradition. He takes out his sword from his sheath and made soft contacts with the right shoulder of all thirty soldiers going for the peaceful mission as well as Thoms the Wise.

The journey is already on as Thoms the Wise takes his men for the mission.

As they were leaving, King Roman calls his brother aside and whispers to him; "You leave immediately. I put my trust in you like I have always done. Best of luck brother".

General Roy replies his King in a solemn voice; I and my men will deliver if need be". The two brothers hug themselves as Roy departs to fulfill his own part of the mission.

The weather is so favourable. The journey to Kalif seems to be progressing smoothly. Jordan observes some funny sounds and movements. He discreetly tells his men to be on alert for he senses danger. They have just been surrounded by Kalif scouts. They were already in the lands of the Kalifs. Mandel, shouts; "Hey you soldiers of Alberom. Drop your weapons and submit yourself to search. I will not repeat myself. I say surrender now."

Thoms the Wise tells Jordan and his men to comply.

Mendel says; "We came to ensure your strength is not more than what your King said it will be. Or do you have company? You are all dead if we observe anything contrary to the information earlier shared by your King." Thoms replies him by saying; "Everything is as communicated. We are Alberomans. You can always take us for what we say."

Mendel is the son of Queen Mendi who took over the throne after the death of her husband. Mendel is to be crowned King once he clocks twenty years of age. This is the tradition of the Kalifs. He is currently eighteen.

The search is done by Mendel's men on Thoms men and they all proceed to Kalif. The arrival to Kalif seems not to take too long. Once they approach the gate, Mendel updates Thoms the Wise that only one of his thirty soldiers can be allowed into the Kalif gate.

Thoms chooses Jordan who is the obvious option for the job.

"You two. That is cool." he says to Thoms. "Open the gate. Open up." he shouts as the enormous gate begin to open. Mendel puts the remaining Alberom soldiers on guard as he, Thoms the Wise, Jordan of Joran and a host of Mendel's men match into the opened gate. They are to progress to the Kalif palace as the big gate closes.

"Yes, that's my boy." This is the Queen Mendi's voice. She is currently watching a horse race competition from the Palace's balcony. Her favorite horseman has just been victorious in the competition. The horse race competition is held every three months. It is not in line with the tradition of the land to watch from the balcony. The correct way is that the Queen sits alongside her long chain of dignitaries under a high podium to be entertained. However, the fact that she is expecting visitors prompts her to watch from the balcony.

Meanwhile, Thoms and Jordan take their sits in a designated chamber for the meeting with the Queen. Mendel informs them the Queen will be in attendance soon.

He says; "Our Queen is on her way from a traditional function. She is currently rounding up and will be on her way soon. Please enjoy the music from one of our own to make you relax while you await our Queen's arrival." The music begins to play. Thoms and Jordan sees the dance movements by the dancers. It looks weird to them. Thoms the Wise starts shaking his head then whispers to Jordan in a very low voice; "Young man. I know the dance does not interest you but do something to show you are enjoying the dance. We must be diplomatic in our actions as well if we hope to return home with a success story."

Jordan replies; "I am a military man. You do not expect me to start dancing."

Thoms replies; "I am not dancing as well. Imitate my gesture and show some fake interest."

Jordan smiles as he starts to nod. The two Alberomans look themselves in the eyes with their faces met with smiles. They continue to nod until the dancing show ends. Apart from Mendel, some Old chiefs are present to grace the occasion.

"Welcome your majesty." Mendel stands to welcome his mother. At this time everyone in the room are on their feet including the men from Alberom. This is done to show respect to the Queen.

"Thank you Mendel. Thank you all. You may all have your seats. I must say a warm welcome to the men from Alberom. I hope your journey here was very fine?" The Queen says as sits down.

Thoms replies the Queen saying; Our journey was smooth your majesty. Very smooth. Thank you."

Queen Mendi in turn asks a direct question; Of what honour do we owe this visit? Have you come to take over our lands?"

"No my Queen. We have no such interest." Thoms responds.

"Then what are you here for?" Queen Mendi asks quickly.

Thoms answers; "We have been sent here by the King, Our King. His request is that you join forces with the Alberom Empire for future growth. It should be said that ages ago Kalif was under Alberom and together they were a dominant force. The idea is to join and strengthen the unification agenda in one government my Queen".

Queen Mendi laughs out very loud before finally having the words to say. She says; "You people of Alberom. Your King! All of you. You think you are wise. So Incase we accept this offer, it means we are to subject to you people. Is that the idea behind this whole thing? Tell me. Is it?"

Thoms replies the Queen; "Your Highness, Kalif has been under our rule from day one so we seek to unify. Hudem is the threat. They are growing so fast. Their idea is to crush Kalif and Alberom. We can only attain victory if we join forces."

"No! Mendel! Take them away at once." The Queen says authoritatively.

Mendel signals his men to take the Alberomans away. These men of his escort Thoms and Jordan out of the meeting room. Every other person exit the room to remain the old chiefs, Mendel and his Mother.

"My chiefs. What do you think? What do we do?" The Queen asks.

The oldest of the chiefs says; "My Queen, I feel we should submit to them. Our lands will be fine under their control. King Roman is a good leader just like you are."

"No. I will not submit to them. I can join forces with them. We can not be controlled by any external force. We can stand alone. I can not surrender Kalif to Alberom. My decision is final. We will join forces to defeat Huden. That is it" The Queen states clearly.

Everyone agrees with the Queen and Mendel goes out to bring in Thoms and Jordan.

Queen Mendi says to them "Return to Alberom. Tell your King we are a go."

"That is good news my Queen. You will not regret this decision. It is for the growth of our lands. We ....." Thoms says.

The Queen interrupts Thoms' utterance by saying; "We agree to join forces with you. We have our own government. We have a Monarch. I am the Queen. Hudem is the threat. All we want to do now is to form an alliance with Alberom to defeat to people of Hudem. Go to your King and deliver to him my exact words."

Thoms and Jordan leaves the palace at once to join up with their men outside the Kalif city gate. The weapons earlier surrendered is handed back to them. The men begins the journey back home to inform the King about the development.

Somewhere between Alberom and Kalif, General Roy is informed about the outcome of the meeting. He sends the message to King Roman who asks him to stand down and return with his men. King Roman does not see the need to attack Kalif as they, the Kalifs have agreed to join forces to defeat Hudem.

General Roy returns immediately after he receives the King's order. They await the arrival of the entourage led by Thoms the Wise.

A conversation breaks through between Jordan and Thoms on their way home.

Jordan says to Thoms; "We cannot accept this. We are the strongest of the two empires. We should go back with a large army to crush these Kalifs. Who do they think they are? They have nothing compared to us."

Thoms the Wise responded; "Yes, wars are won by strength and might. Young man, sometimes or should I say most times, as the case may be, forming an alliance is the smartest way to maintain an Empire".

"Tell me more Old Man" Jordan says.

"I mean. In this case, we can decide to crush the Kalifs but what we will be doing is wasting our human, economic and military wealth to fight a war that can be avoided. Jordan of Joran. Many people will die in the war against Hudem. We must do all it takes to distant ourselves from battles and wars that will claim lives before then. Are you with me?"

Jordan replies by nodding and saying "Yes Old one. From your theory. Less casualties must be prevented. I now understand your point. I also agree. Now I see it clearly. Thank you."

Back in Alberom, Thoms the Wise and his men are given a huge heroes' welcome. The King welcomes them at the palace with lots of joy and celebration in the air.

"Welcome back Thoms the Wise. You have discharged your duty diligently. The work you have done is very effective and I, the King will reward you and your men accordingly."

"Thank you Your Majesty. It is always a pleasure. I am at your service at all times my master." says Thoms the Wise.

After some moments of getting together and briefing. A message is sent to the King. The King's mood becomes dull. It is seen in his face that he has just been given a bad news. The news is from Doctor Ruben. about the passing away of Collins the Wise.

The King tasks Roy to relay the news of the death of Collins the Wise to Thoms.

Roy calls Thoms to a corner. He tells him about the death of Collins the Wise saying; "I am sorry. This is hard for me to say. But I must say it anyway. The old Collins the Wise kicked bucket at the early hours of today. He is no more."

The news dumbfounds Thoms that he is seen as clearly touched. He says to Roy; "I envisaged this. I hoped he will fight it through but it finally happened. Wow! Poor old man. The irony is I am old but he made me feel I am a young man. Now that he is gone I can only pray to the universe that his soul meets absolute rest."

Collins the Wise's corpse is to be burnt immediately hence the burial rites is a topmost priority.

At the stakes of Alberom. Everyone who could make it in time gathers to pay their last respect to the dead wise man. The atmosphere is tensed as people could not believe what just happened. Collins was like a supernatural symbol that seem to all like an immortal because he has been present for significantly most of the citizens' lifetime. He had been part of most Alberomans lives.

The dead body is placed on the dry stakes. The Chief Priest, Elias. performs the traditional rites and read some chapters in the Holy Book which duels on the dead. After reading from the Holy Book of Alberom, the chief priest gives the floor to King Roman for his last words. King Roman says; "This is the reality of life. We shall all be burnt this way. We will all die someday. It is the legacy we leave behind. These legacies will speak for us when we are gone. I implore you all to be dedicated to the development and success of Alberom as did Collins the Wise during his life time. Old Collins was a patriot till his last breath and I urge you all to emulate all his good deeds. I sympathize with every Alberomans including myself and especially Collins the Wise's family and colleagues. I am also down at this moment but as the King I must pick my people up for Old Collins left behind capable men to fill his void. I pray for the fortitude to bear the lost at all levels."

A lighted touch is thrown to the stakes. The stake begins to burn rapidly till it gets to Collins' body. The body burns completely to ashes. Everyone departs as Collins the Wise's ashes is packed into a pot which is then taken into the Keep of Alberom for proper rest. The Keep of Alberom is where ashes of the dead are placed and kept accordingly.

For Alberom, it is a great loss. They will have to look forward from here. Collins the Wise was a hero. Now they all look jaded as they will have to face the future without the wise Collins. The future seems blurry.