King's Kou: Do not awaken the knight in the beast

Chapter 14: God save the prince from the king

The new capital of Canaan inherited its grandeur from its predecessor, if not even more. The walls of the ivory buildings glimmered like the ocean under the toasty sun. Each infrastructure was built with staunch materials. Diamonds forged from the ashes of their deceased loved ones were embedded at the top corner of the multi-layered triangular roofs. The roofs' edges were outlined by stones that mimicked the waves of flames. Two rivers divided the city into three. At the very end of the city was the Holy Temple of Kairon, a temple that was dedicated to the sacrifice of the late king who believed that he could save everyone despite his people losing their faith in him. The castle of the royal family was also within that area. It was sky-high, protruding like a sore thumb.

The people here were cloaked in a soft, white, and loose robe. Everyone acted on their best behaviour. It was a rule not to shout, argue, gossip, or perform any acts that may paint the city a bad impression to outsiders. There were so many rules that Karma was surprised that no one slashed their necks yet from the pressure of living.

Jinx leaned towards Karma and covered the side of his mouth. "They look so prim and proper. I feel like I don't belong here..."

"It's been a while since you've come to this city. You used to liven the streets with your tantrums." Salem was in front of them. The cuffs that bound him and the viel were linked with a long chain. Rorik was leading the group with an indifferent expression. The handle of his hammer sat on one of his broad shoulders like it was as light as a flagpole.

Jinx rubbed his elbow. It was strange how he didn't remember getting on a carriage with the rest of them. Rorik obviously had his own ride which was probably the only animal that could carry him. His overly muscular bull Minos that was as quick to pass on judgement much like his master had the size of three horses fused together. The moment he stepped out of the carriage outside of the kingdom, Minos' nose released a hot steam. He tossed his head forcefully to the side and pawed the dirt, ready to headbutt Jinx to another continent.

He could vaguely recollect that when Kou and Rorik clashed, he was clobbered by Remorse. He had a dream while he was unconscious. It felt like it was something about Salem but he forgot what the details were when he woke up. The itch to know was causing him to be uneasy.

The women who were passionately conversing about recipes, new brooms, and God were silenced. The children who were playing pretend about being tamers and vessels stopped. The men who were already tamers and who were motivating each other to do their very best for the heavens tensed up.

To have the most wanted man on Canaan and a viel chained together was the first scandalous thing that had happened in the City of Hiraeth for the last seventeen years and that too was inspired by the very man that Cardinal Rorik arrested.

Karma didn't see any condemnatory bearings on the laities or even from those who seemed to belong from the higher chain of hierarchy of the Elysian church. They merely bowed their heads in submissiveness and slid their arms parallel to each other as if saying: "You are with the spirits of the Elysians now."

The viel was walking straight. There was no shame or uncertainty in his walk. Seeing this, Jinx felt his lips curl.

"You're doing great Kou!" he loudly whispered.

Kou's ears perked up. He turned his head to glance at the two younger boys and beamed. If it were anyone else, walking in a holy city where the people could be more scathing was intimidating. Salem simply didn't care and Kou was almost always reminded by his king that he should never look down. He should hold his head up high because he was a proud king's knight.

The temple was enclosed in towering walls. The security was heavy. Archers were standing atop of the walls. Fifty skilled priests stood guard on the ground, giving the same salute. The doors that looked like what one would see if they would stand in front of heaven's gates were cracked open.