Legend of Antalasia

Chapter 2

The children sat at a long, dark-brown, ornate table having their seven-course lunch. It sat in the middle of a stately room surrounded by a matching set of twenty-two chairs. 

The room by itself was magnificent with grand dome-shaped entryways in place of doors. The gold-coated walls were adorned with rare gems depicting dragons. The roof was painted with elaborate renderings of men fighting the Rhazaqats as they rode their dragons in the Great War. Long french windows covered one side of the wall looking out into the well-manicured garden. The servants stood in service ready to clear the plates and bring in the next course. 

Wearing a form-fitting long gown that swept the floors, Queen Eliza Rose swooped into the room, her blue eyes flashing in annoyance.

"Antalasia! Why are you in your riding clothes? You have so many silk dresses. Wear them," scolded her mother, Queen Eliza. 

"Yes mother," mumbled Antalasia, smoothening her simple cotton frock that matched her tight leggings and boots. She did not understand the fuss her mother was raising since the only difference she felt was that the silk dresses were floor length.

"Stop mumbling, sit up straight and stop hunching," rebuked the Queen.

Unfortunately for Antalasia, the tutor had reported the incident to her mother, Queen Eliza. 

"Why are you reading forbidden books?" admonished the Queen.

With a sullen face, Antalasia remained quiet, knowing that saying anything would only aggravate the situation.

The Queen continued, "All you have to do is get married to an influential family so that a powerful alliance can be created. You must focus on dressing, walking and talking like a lady. You need to able to charm boys."

Interrupting the tirade, a big booming voice shouted, "How are my children? What's with the gloomy faces?" 

A fierce-looking man dressed in blood-stained armor and a sword by his side strode into the room, surveying it in a single glance. He looked unkempt and scruffy with long black hair and an uneven beard.

"Father" screamed the children.

Abandoning their meals, they ran and engulfed him in a huge group hug. Laughing, he half carried and half dragged the children to a chaise at the other end of the room with effortless ease, probably due to his muscular build.

King Charles looked at his children with fatherly pride, "Michaelo, I heard you have picked up sword-fighting like no other. I am very proud. Good job." 

Michaelo beamed in pride for getting praised by his father was as rare as a diamond. 

King Charles continued, "I heard about the incident from the tutor. Antalasia, good job on your reading. Don't listen to the old man. John, stop dismissing the tribes. You are the heir to the kingdom and you have been named after the greatest king of this kingdom, King John."

Prince John got an ugly look on his face and pouting, he interrupted his father, "You are never happy with me, father. You only love Antalasia."

"Enough John, you are almost fourteen years old and will ascend the throne in a few years. Grow up," said King Charles sternly.

Queen Eliza stepped forward. "Charles dear, could you please go and make yourself presentable? Leave John alone and stop pestering him. Also, stop indulging Antalasia. She's more of a boy than a girl," grumbled The Queen, clearly getting ready for another rant.

King Charles made his way towards his wife. "My love, I believe I saw Lord Nepol and Lady Gladys on their way to the castle. Maybe we should both get ready," suggested King Charles subtly. 

"Oh dear, why didn't you say so earlier. I must get dressed," said Queen Eliza and rushed out of the room.

Grinning, King Charles sat back on the chaise. 

Antalasia looked at him suspiciously. Placing her hands on her hips she sternly said, "Papa, you lied, didn't you. Very bad Papa." 

King Charles laughed jovially and lifted his daughter on to his knee. "My little princess. I've met and dealt with many and yet you are the only one who catches my tricks."

Antalasia rolled her eyes and threw her arms around his neck, saying, "Stop sweet talking me, Papa. Don't worry, I won't tell Mama. As to why no one else catches, I'm sure it's because they are terrified of you." 

Before King Charles could reply, little Michaelo said sadly, "Me too Papa. Pick me up too Papa."

King Charles placed Prince Michaelo on his other knee. Watching this, Prince John sneered, "You two are such babies" and walked out of the room.

"Please Papa, he's just jealous. Let him be," said Antalasia hoping to avoid further conflict, as King Charles attempted to call his eldest son back. 

With ingrained trust, Michaelo asked, "Papa, How were the Rhazaqats created?" 

King Charles teased his daughter, "Didn't Antalasia already chew your ear off with the story?" 

Antalasia rolled her eyes and leaned on her father settling herself to listen to the story.

Looking down in fatherly pride, King Charles answered, "There were a group of dragon hunters who had knowledge of many poisons. No one knows what truly happened, but, it is said that they mixed dragon's blood, dragon's heart and poisons to create an elixir for long life."

"Did they make it? Are any of them alive?" asked Michaelo excitedly.

Antalasia reprimanded him, "I think it's cruel to have killed dragons and then used them."

Michaelo bowed his head without breaking eye contact with his sister and gave her a sheepish smile knowing she wouldn't be able to resist his charm.

King Charles gave a tired sigh, "No son, they failed and the experiment resulted in an explosion that turned all those in the surroundings into monsters. The dragons were furious with humans for hunting them and using their blood in experiments. Yet, they remained loyal and fought The Great War with us. Almost all died, save a few. They retreated to a small island off our coast."

King Charles continued, "However, the monsters were not all dead. They were in hibernation for the long winter. We realized that fact quite late. King Masseo and King John scrambled and came up with the plan to build The Great Wall."

Noticing that Michaelo's eyelids were drooping and he was leaning heavily, King Charles winded up, "Over the years, the monsters evolved and some among them were transformed humans as well. The human monsters call themselves The Rhazaqats. They have conquered and have been terrorizing the entire Central Continent for the past few decades."

King Charles shifted the dozing child onto the chaise. 

Grinning, the King challenged, "Enough with the history. Let's get out there and practice some fighting techniques before your mother comes."

With a sly smile, King Charles said quickly, "The first one to the training grounds gets to choose the weapon." He then ran out of the room. 

Antalasia's eyes popped open wide. She screeched, "Cheater", and ran after her father as fast as her little legs could carry her.

Thank you for reading this far. 

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