Fallen Royals

Chapter 3

Konavle was moving through the island of Pag, but everytime Natan was close to catch him, he'd escape. It frustrated Natan to no end. The island was surrounded by Natan's territory from south, east and north. On its west side were the free islands which wouldn't risk getting in war with Natan for a foreigner. The last report said Konavle was hiding in the small village of Lun. It was the farthest village on the island from Zadar. He was at the end of his rebellion. They have been playing the game of seek and hide for 3 months now. Most of his supporters left him and his party consisted of half a dozen people, an easy amount to hide but not an amount to make a stand to the king. Natan proclaimed death to his helpers and as the heads started to roll, new reports showed Konavle moved from hiding in villages to karst plains, olive groves and coves. He was losing in the game of chase and now it was just a question of how will he end, will he strive to become a martyr or to give a peaceful future to his followers.

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King party was moving through the Lun's olive grove. It was one of the oldest olive groves in the world. Some of the trees were planted more than two thousand years ago. They survived all the wars, apocalypse and even Venetian's forest logging which turned most of Pag into a barren island. Unlike other Adriatic islands, Pag's dominating color was white, the color of the rocky plains.

"Marko!" - Natan called.

Marko materialized next to him. He had a demonic heritage and could use some of the demonic abilities, including teleportation.

"How's the search in the grove going?"

"Haven't found him, yet."

"Ok. Don't forget that the grove is more important than this man. I won't be the destroyer of two thousand years of history.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The grove was on a plain which ended with a steep downhill. At the bottom was the picturesque village of Lun. They arrived at the end of the plain, their view showing the beautiful blue sea with the island of Rab as the most prominent landmark.

The motors of their cars woke up the village from its afternoon siesta. It was a hot summer day and the afternoon rest usually lasted until 5 pm.

"Round up the villagers. Search the premises." - Marko's voice boomed through the air.

Natan sat under the pine tree, eating a juicy peach. So sweet. He licked his fingers, making sure that none of the juice was wasted.

The little square in front of him was filling up with people as his soldiers were bringing them from their houses.

"Who talks for you?" - Marko asked.

No one dared to answer. Even though Marko asked, all their eyes were drawn to the king's face. Everyone knew that the king was badly scarred in captivity and the man casually eating a fruit was the most hideous of them all.

"Answer or you won't like the consequences."

A man pushed through the crowd.

"I'm one of the elders but our chief is on trip..." - the man trailed off. He was probably in his late 50s, his hair still raven black but his wrinkles testified to his age.

"We can work with that. Tell us, have you seen a man named Konavle?"

"Yes, from here leads a road going north. He left in that direction this morning. He knows you're coming."

"Thank you, kind sir. Show us the way."

Marko ordered the troop to return from the search and get back on the road.