The Prince of Darkness

Chapter:10-The Lifting of Veil

The next sunrise, brought some visitors to the Frankish land. The visitors included Imitiyas, King Aaghar's general and few of his trustworthy men.

"We are here to have a word with king Markus" Declared General Imitiyas by lifting up his sword. Gabriel informed Markus that he has got some visitors. King Markus came out from his tent. Everyone knelt before him as a mark of respect except Imitiyas and his soldiers. Markus sat on the throne and commanded...
"Rise up my beloved people...."

" Ohhh!!!! Mighty King!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You know......My Majesty.....!!!?
You are considered as the most powerful man on earth...." Said Imitiyas, as he and his men broke into laughter.
"Stop beating around the bush........."
exclaimed Markus, as he got up from the throne, in anger. He continued....
"say, why are you here and don't force my sword to slice you down."
these words of Markus fell upon Imitiyas like thunder. The fear reflected on his face as he continued speaking,
"My master..., King Aaghar is expecting your surrender....
"Take protection below my feet and you may live" says my mighty master"
King Markus shrieked in anger.....
"You scoundrel!!!!
"Don't shout king Markus !!!
Be loyal to my master and live......,
otherwise you will die...My master will give you such a brutal death that the world will shiver hearing your tales. This made King Markus so angry that he rushed toward Imitiyas..... turning into a cloud of bats, he grabbed Imitiyas's men and drop them off the cliff. Markus came back to Imitiyas who was terrified with fear. Markus caught Imitiyas and lacerated Imitiyas's throat saying.....
"Now the world will tremble at your fate" and he tore him into pieces.
Everyone present there was dumbfound at the sight that met there eyes. King Markus himself stood there stun as he couldn't understand what he has done.
Markus went back to his tent. Gabriel entered as he was in deep thoughts,
He said, "My Lord!!!
What you have done today was unusual..."
"But.....uhhhh!!!...Gabriel....
I have no knowledge about today's incidence".....declared King Markus, as he got up from the chair. A few minutes of silence broke as Gabriel started speaking, "My King, I think you should visit Mr. Lennox at once." Suggested Gabriel handing over a glass of vine to Markus. Markus took the cup and poured the vine into the fire place.....which caused flames to rise,and he said,
"Gabriel, my heart is burning like this....and anxiety is rising within me like this flame ...."
Gabriel continued," My Lord..., Mr.Lennox might have an answer for this."
Continued Gabriel taking back the glass from Markus,
"Mr. Lennox knows much about your family, My Lord. He might have something to say about this.
"Gabriel, I think you are right..." said Markus supporting Gabriel's statement.
That night his fortune didn't bless him with sleep.
As his thoughts reviewed the at the court, he saw a man in black robe.
His eyes was as red as blood. He called out, " King Markus!!!"
"Who are you?" Asked Markus in his anxiety.
"I am you!!!......
I live within you.." Replied the person in black robe.
With a horrifying laughter he continued.
"I am the Dar....."
"My king!!! King Markus"
called out someone interrupting Markus's dream. Markus rushed out of his tent as the sound seemed to be familiar. Alfred, he was one of his trusted spies, fully covered in blood. Markus took hold of him as he lost his balance.
"My.....Lord..!!!!
Crooooo.....Crossss....", grumbled Alfred, as he tried hard to breath.
Markus called for the doctor.
"take him to his tent", ordered Markus, as he handed over Alfred to his guards. This increased Markus's anxiety. But on the other hand , his soldiers were badly terrified. Markus could no longer wait for dawn and commanded his guards....
"Get prepared!! We are going to Agan.", As he took hold of his sword.
"My.....Lord.....!!! My Lord!!"
called the doctor as Markus was boarding on the horse.
"My Lord!! Alfred is brutally injured and am afraid that I won't succeed in this.."
Said the doctor sadly as Alfred was his brother....
"An old doctor leaves in the city of Agan...., it is said that his hands are miraculous and he has brought back people even from the clutches of death.
"So...... My Lord!!"
I suggest we should take Alfred there at once."
King Markus thought for a while and said, "We are heading toward Agan.....With Alfred...
Gabriel.... You are coming along with me."
By saying this, Markus went back to his tent and he commanded his guard to call Gabriel and Sebastian. (Gabriel's son).
When Gabriel arrived along with Sebastian, Markus was fixing a glass of vine. He offered Gabriel and Sebastian a drink and said to Sebastian,
"Sebastian , my friend, at your fathers absence, you will be commanding our army."
"My Lord, this is a great responsibility that you have given me...,
I, Sebastian, son of Gabriel,your trustworthy servant, give you my words sir...
the trust you have you have put upon me will never be shaken." Said Sebastian,as he knelt before King Markus.
King Markus took off his ring and said to Sebastian .... Giving the ring to him,
"This ring will prove that,I have put you to power."
King Markus started his journey towards Agan. Gabriel, Alfred and 200 horsemen accompanied him.
The city of Agan wasn't a new place for Markus. It was the heaven where King Markus met his Angel. The old doctor lived in a large mansion. The gray stones reveled that it was older than the doctor. The mansion was surrounded by a well-organized garden, which provided a peaceful atmosphere.
A well build man came out from the mansion, who didn't looked like a doctor. Few others accompanied him.
"take the patient in", he commanded to the people who accompanied him. They took Alfred into the mansion. The man turned towards Markus and said,
"My King!!!! Am Antonio....., my master will be attending the patient and after that he will pay you a visit."
Antonio guided Markus towards the rest room. The room had a royal touch with red carpets and purple curtains. Fresh red flowers were used to give it a classic look. Those flowers reminded Markus about Amelia. He felt like Amelia herself is standing in front of him in a red gown.
"Sir, my master wants to meet you",said Antonio, as he rushed into the room opening the road.
Please follow me sir, I will guide you to his room" said Antonio as he stepped out of the room...indicating Markus to follow him.
To his surprise, unlike any master,the doctor lived somewhere beneath, like an underground room. The staircase which lead to the underground which was completely dark.
Antonio had a lighted lamp to enlighten the place.
The walls at both side had some sort of paintings and some words carved under it, but wasn't clear enough to read. He tried reading an inscription written under a painting in which a man was screaming as if he was in great grief. As flash of light fell on it, he saw a long pair of teeth and blood on it.
'THE DARK BLOOD CHANGED HIS LIFE'
Was inscribed under it.......