EIGHTEEN The room was in dead silence. The only sound heard was of Udin’s voice as he went on with his diatribe, ranting outside the court while departing. He was the highest ranked chief in the King’s Council. He had just walked out on the king in the presence of his full Council, an...
Broken Cloud – 17
SEVENTEEN One of the King’s messengers was who woke Ikan from sleep. He came in long before the palace flute man played his wakeup tune with an urgent summon to the King’s court. One fact he had come to establish within himself was that no good news was ever delivered in an early wakeup...
Broken Cloud – 16
SIXTEEN A protest by the Commons would be unthinkably out of hand. Since he became an active member of the King’s Council, there had never been a protest by the Commons. However, it was commonplace knowledge that it was the Heir Apparent Prince who had the unenviable task of handling protesters. He could either...
Broken Cloud – 15
FIFTEEN It wasn’t long after the king had sent out the announcement for the grand sacrifice that people began to assemble at the cave shrine of the gods. Usually, at the onset of a King’s reign, there is usually recorded a massive turn out of the people to personally witness the ritual in anticipation...
Broken Cloud – 14
FOURTEEN Ikan drew a long breath, but remained silent. “Oh gods in the cave,” the king threw up his arms. He went to retrieve his cup from the floor and served himself another cup full. Ikan watched his father fill the cup with red wine. He will not remind him of the physician’s warning...
Broken Cloud – 13
THIRTEEN “My Prince, something is wrong and I want you to tell me everything now. Do not attempt to hide anything from me, my dear Prince,” Sarie was saying as she reentered the room. “Something is always wrong inside the King’s palace, we will be fine.” The prince held her hand and led her...
Broken Cloud – 12
TWELVE He took the opportunity to give her a hair-to-sandals assessment of beauty which was as thorough as they come. She is sweetly to behold. That was how he decided he would describe her to Omta. His mother was right after all in how she talked of her to him. She had told him...
Broken Cloud – 11
ELEVEN While she ate, he went outside to check on the horse and take a walk around the perimeter. He had heard a strange sound earlier and suspected someone to be nearby. With this suspicion, he would not let her leave the hut until he was satisfied from a thorough sweeping of the surrounding...
Broken Cloud – 10
TEN Omta sat inside the guards’ shelter that was built in front of the Queen’s quarters. From there he watched the prince leave with angry stomps. He stayed till he watched him go past his quarters and went straight to the King’s court. Then Omta stood and took off his straw cotton hat. He...
Broken Cloud – 9
NINE “I saw Maril. We spoke for long. She, she said….she told me, she told me everything.” The men turned to each other. Omta quickly withdrew and returned his gaze at Sarie. “What and what are inside everything?” Ikan was now facing Sarie again. Omta bent his head forward and placed his hands on...