Mars Underneath The Sceptre of Eternity

Recall of Past

The Scarlet Palace was one of the finest buildings of Terra Aquillaan; Amerik saw the palace for the second time in his life. Today, the palace premise was a bit crowded; young men all across the kingdom, were waiting eagerly for the selection. Amerik stood among them, he was feeling weak and hungry, because for the last two days he did not eat anything, not even got a proper place to take a nap. Now he had got a chance to sit on a wooden bench. Though the Sun was hot enough to create sweating on his face, but he was still feeling comfortable after getting a proper place to sit. He remembered, when he was posted in the Tharsis South-I camp, as a scientist; he was asked to wear many layered cloths made up of synthetic materials for defending his skin from the radiation, but in the North, Martians used normal clothings, he still could not solve the mystery.

A soldier in medieval knight's attires was monitoring the entire process. However, Amerik pleased to see that there was the provision of drinking water and candies for all candidates. He emptied almost half of the pitcher and took at least ten candies. A soldier scolded him mildly, not to take their Great King's gratitude as granted.

A healer in a blue long robe was examining all the aspirants and a soldier was asking them to show some basic physical as well as martial skill. Amerik was sure that his term would come at the end of the day, but he was not worried about that. There was enough provision for free meal and snacks for the people. He was staring at the palace from the outer yard.

Suddenly he heard his name, "Amerik." A soldier shouted. Amerik got up from the bench and saw that it was already evening. He walked towards the soldier with a gold breastplate; he bowed to him and addressed him as Superior.

"What is your name?"

"Amerik."

"Funny name. What is the meaning of it?"

"My name was Erik, but when the Old King asked my name, I answered I'M ERIK; my name sounded like Amerik." He honestly replied.

Soldiers broke into laughter, "So you know our late King? How did you know him?"

"Long story, but I crossed Terra Tenebris with him."

All the soldiers looked at each other and the chief soldier with golden breastplate asked him to meet the King immediately after the basic health examination. The Healer checked him and asked his age; then asked him to run. The chief soldier asked him to display his skills in combat.

"I don't know sword fighting, but can do horse riding and archery."

"Well, you'll not get normal horses."

"I know, I'll get fire emitting horses." He replied.

The King's soldiers released him and asked to meet the King; it was King Ergonn's order that any experienced man should be sent to him directly. A palace attendant, a former Old Martes thrall showed him the way. He followed the man in a long red robe silently and crossed the palace's inner courtyard. The Scarlet Palace had many entranceways; he crossed at least five arch shaped gates without knowing where he was heading for. Finally, the palace attendant stopped before a red stoned two storeyed building with a conical shaped roof. The building was placed on a raised platform supported by many red stoned pillars with Ionic capitals. All the pillars were depicting eagle heads at its capitals. He started climbing up the stone steps and reached to the open balcony. There was a rectangular shaped gate and two soldiers were guarding the door with lances. They put their lances aside and allowed him to enter.

The hall was rectangular in shape, but its ceiling had a conical shape. Walls were painted in simple red colour and there were no mural paintings; only few oil paintings of Martian landscapes were on the wall. Various shades of red were used to depict Martian landscapes and excessive usage of red colour had made some of the paintings almost invisible in the red wall. Amerik noticed that those paintings were framed in golden frames bordered by red stones probably rubies which were considered most popular on this planet.