Magnoliophyta

14. THE KINGDOM OF THAR

The warmth spread from my toes to my eyelids and they fluttered open in the comforting light. I could see that the others weren't up yet, so I decided to make them some breakfast. The sun was shining bright and the temperatures was consistently rising. I uprooted random dry and wooden plants and lit them with my lighter. Then I got out some marshmallows and roasted them on the flickering flame. I made eight sets of ten marshmallows each, so that all four of us could get two sets of ten marshmallows.

" Hmmm! what is that divine smell, it makes my nose flare up and eyes widen." Amor sat up and rubbed his sleepy looking eyes. I was impressed that he could speak such descriptive vocab just after he woke up!

" Look who decided to wake up after all!" I chuckled. I was in a happy mood after last night. My mind felt well rested and fresh. 

"What are you making?"

" Some roasted marshmallows that's all!"

" I can't wait to get them in my mouth, could I eat right now?"

" I was thinking that we could wait up for Lil and Jared, but I suppose they could eat once they are up. So we can eat right now. Come on!"

Amor came over and sat beside me on the warm, soft sand. We picked our sets and started eating the marshmallows. We were just stuffing in the third marshmallow when Lil and Jared decided to grace us with their presence. They came over and took their marshmallows. We chatted and laughed, relishing the sweet pink marshmallows that instantly melted in the mouth.     Once we were done with our breakfast, we packed up our stuff, rolled up our tents and were ready to move.

We kept walking with nothing but sand in and around us. I did not feel like walking forever in the Thar desert, with nothing but a backpack and a few amazing friends that made the situation a little bit more bearable.

"I wish we had camels, that would be so cool. We would be like the Bedouins, travelling and scouring the length and breath of the desert!" I said. " That would be so adventurous and thrilling!" I added.

" Yeah, I don't know about thrilling and adventurous, but it would surely make this trip much more comfortable and less sweaty." Lil grinned.

We all murmured in agreement. "This so pointless, we don't even know how this entrance to the kingdom of Thar is going to appear." I cried in utter hopelessness.

" I wish it would appear right before us!" I bent and sat down, giving my poor feet some rest. They say words have power but I didn't believe that until now. As soon as I blurted that out, the sand started swirling, first it was gentle and then it started becoming wild and out of control. We covered our eyes and huddled up, clinging on to each other, afraid to let go. We sat that way for few minutes and then the storm's intensity dropped, the sand started settling and soon things were clear and bright.

I was expecting sand and nothingness all around me but my mind did a tiny summersault in my head when I saw tall buildings and a whole city before me. It was a concrete jungle. There was no sign of plant life. Everything looked quite modern and barren in a way that I can't explain in words. This was a complete new view for me. I was girl more suited for country life and in fact, I had never even been to a city. Considering all the facts,You can imagine what I would be going through. All my internal alarms were ringing inside me, warning me to turn and run away. My mind went entirely blank looking at the huge landscape in front of me. I could tell that the others were facing the same thing as me.

We stood like the petrified statues of Medusa. We were in alien territory and we knew it. The kingdom of Thar was grand and magnificent beyond one's imagination but I could feel it's hostility towards us. I suddenly felt the shock of it all and recovered from my trance. The others were still standing, I shook them into coming out of there surprise and shock.

"Whoa!, The kingdom of Thar. We are actually here." Amor voiced what was there in all our minds.

" How did the entrance even open, we didn't even do anything" I scratched my ear as I did when I was puzzled or distressed.

" I don't know and I don't care. The good thing is that we got in now we have to decide on our plan of action" Said Lil in her usual wise manner.

"You're right we need to get to the palace before anyone finds us" said Jared.

"Oh! what bad luck. you have already been found" someone laughed behind us in a gruff voice. We turned around slowly and came face to face with a tall man, adorned in a battle armour and helmet. " What! did you novices actually think that you could come in the kingdom of Thar, go to the palace, negotiate with the king and win him over....UNDETECTED! The man shouted.

We all flinched at his loud voice but stayed our ground. " Who are you and how do you know our plan" Jared asked. " Ha ha ha, I am Ross Rattle, the king's chief." The man spoke..... or rather hissed. He must have noticed my surprised look. "Ross Rattle the snake chief" he corrected. I gasped, I was extremely afraid of snakes. They just made me cower and whimper like a baby. Lil put her comforting hand on my harm,I relaxed a little." Guardssssss take them to the howling haven" Ross shouted and two guard shot past him and grabbed all four of us like we were paper. There grip was like steel and my hand hurt. 

We were bunched up and pushed around like cattle. It was completely outrageous. No one treated their guests like that. We came to a halt in front of a beautiful building with ornate decorations and gorgeous white marble statues. We were in front of the king's palace. I couldn't wait to see what the inside looked like. The guards pushed us towards the palace and I felt happy then my hopes came crashing down... again! The guards took a swift turn right in front of the palace gates, opened a small door, shoved us in, closed the door and locked it.

I was shocked and scared. " Whaaaaaaaaaat the hell! Let us out you BASTARDS!" I screamed. I banged the door with my fists until they were red and swollen. "Whoa! calm down. I am sure we can find a way out" Lil said but I could make out that she was equally afraid. Her lower lip was trembling and her ears had turned pink. "Ok... you're right. CALM DOWN JADE!" I told myself sternly. We sat down on the dusty stone floor exhausted.

From that point onwards everything was a blur. We just sat there, looking into the darkness. None of us tried to get our hopes up cause we knew there was no hope. We were sad, tired and defeated bunch. We were having a silent pity party when the familiar sound of the lock clicking reached my ears and I stood up straight. The others got up right after me.

" The king wants to see you" Ross hissed. We followed him, flanked by guards on all sides. This time we entered the palace but nothing seemed cheerful and nice anymore. I hardly glanced at the statues and ornaments in the hallways. We stopped in front of a huge door, gilded in gold and and carved with city scapes. The doors swung open and we entered. Courtiers sat on each side, with superior looks in their cunning eyes. The king himself was sitting on the massive black throne. His head under the weight of a black stoned crown and his robes a dark shade of grey. The colour of thunderclouds. We instinctively bowed.

" The Liberated, from Magnoliophyta. Welcome. I hope you had a comfortable stay" The king squeaked in his high pitched voice. I could tell he was mocking us but I kept cool. " Our greetings your majesty, we are honored." I said. The king looked surprise but immediately masked his face with a superior expression. He must have expected us to shout and scream, I smiled in my head. " Why have you set foot in the kingdom of Thar?, you nature loving pests." The courtiers cheered at their king's comment.

" We want to negotiate. We will do what you ask for but in return you will side with Magnoliophyta in defeating Nero. Your current alliance." Spoke up Jared. " And why would I want to negotiate with you and backstab Nero." The king said. " Because..." I thought for a sec. " Because we challenge you!" I shouted. The courtiers gasped. The king's face showed nothing but hatred. We had challenged him in his court, If he would decline then he would be considered a coward. " Very well! I will give you one task, only one. The task must be completed if you want us as your allies." The king announced.

" We agree your majesty. Name your task." I said with outward confidence.