The Immortal King

Chapter I

TIME STARTED AGAIN.

In his lifetime he had gone by many names.

His name changed constantly, unlike his appearance which had barely altered in millennia. He had expertly memorised his own appearance; every hair, every spot and wrinkle. With the passion of a scholar he studied his body each day searching and desperately hoping to find a new grey hair, a single freckle or mole or wrinkle; anything to show that his body had finally started to deteriorate. Usually he had no such luck. It was as though time had no affect on him. He knew it had no effect on him.

Except when he was with her. Whenever he found her, or more-so her reborn soul, time would resume. It was something as simple as a crease in his skin, or a single grey hair. For someone who knew his appearance as well as he did, even the subtlest of changes were obvious.

'My king we shall arrive soon,' his advisor caught his attention, pulling him from his thoughts. The carriage rattled on the hazardous road, as King Kalan and his diplomatic party approached the decaying southern kingdom of Antharalia. 'Please handle this carefully my King. I know your temper has been short of late and we do not want war with Antharalia.' For the past three decades Antharalia had been crumbling. Their crops were failing, people starving and now their water supply was dwindling. The kingdom had been swallowed by darkness. The King of Antharalia had blamed the northern kingdom of Eridanus for hogging the water supply from the mountains, and causing the drought and famine in their country. Talks of war were rising; and this peace talk was a last ditch effort to avoid the seemingly imminent conflict. Once again his advisors voice pulled him out of his thoughts. 'Although we have far more resources the conditions down here would mean many casualties, it is treacherous, please tread carefully your Majesty.' Kalan just nodded along, his eyes scanning the faces of the villagers, desperately seeking out those midnight blue eyes.

Finally at the castle, the King of Eridanus and his party stood in the throne room. Unlike his own throne room, there were no sparkling jewels, no elaborate furnishings; just a simple wooden throne at the head of the dreary, stone room. Adding to the eeriness, was the purple, grey light fighting it's may into the room. It appeared that the kingdom had truly been cursed, and was being dragged into darkness. The ruler of Antharalia stepped into the throne room in simple garments. Even Kalan's lowest adviser looked higher ranking than the the old King Bryant. Amongst Bryant's party there wasn't a single adviser who looked noble. There wasn't a single embroidered cloak or jeweled sword; not a single sign of wealth in sight.

'King Bryant, let's not drag this on, we should begin discussions immediately.' Kalan stated firmly, his advisers behind him sighing in dismay at their king's hastiness. Being alive as long as he had, Kalan had no patience for formalities, or time wasting. The old king of Antharalia just laughed boisterously.

'Such a young and impatient man you are, it is tradition in our kingdom that we share a meal before we begin discussions.' Bryant replied warmly; Kalan remained emotionless.

'I have no intention of sharing a meal, we are here for negotiations and nothing more.' Kalan stated bluntly, yet calmly. The smile on King Bryant's face immediately faded; to be swiftly replaced with a cold scowl.

'It is tradition, do not disrespect our king and his traditions' one of Bryant's advisers seethed through gritted teeth.

'Do not talk to our king that way,'

'Do not talk to OUR king that way.' The squabbling commenced.

Kalan could anticipate what would come next, he had seen it enough times. Talks were over, war would soon be declared. Swords were drawn, scowls appeared on all faces; everybody was ready to fight.