Of Kings and Demons (12 page)

“In your moment of misfortune, they
have watched over you. You do not walk alone, Mathew.” Father Bellator
explained “Do not despair. What you had experienced was all part of the journey
to groom you. All Kings of Men have experienced the same process, the same
steps, in one way or the other.”

“Adversity is a good teacher?”
Mathew sniggered “They always taught that in school but I had a raw deal from
life and now we are stuck in this…”

“A story might help,” Maganus
explained as they began their journey. “At the start of the last century, I had
the mandate to protect and guide a King. He was an inspiring figure, young and
charismatic. Despite his talents, and success in life, he was humane. He had
his foibles, but he was fine man destined for a greater things. Then the Demons
found him.”

Mathew took a deep breath.

“We thought he was in a fine
position, strong and gifted and failed to take any precaution against the lurking
Demons. They came and they took his health, and in no time he was down with
polio and the rest is history. That is what I call a setback.”

Mathew considered the story for
a moment, “That King was President Franklin Roosevelt?”

“You know your history well,
Matt.” Maganus winked and guffawed. “Roosevelt never saw his physical handicap
as a tragedy. It would have handicapped a mortal but not one destined to lead.
Roosevelt was a strong King, too strong to be undermined by the Demons. He had
the free will, the desire to shape his destiny, and that of his fellow human
beings. His will overcame all adversities. His disability was nothing. Nothing”
Maganus was emphatic.

“All great men seem to have
their tragedies.” Mathew said.

“You will learn well. Misfortunes
are designed to bring forth the positives, which are otherwise just buried gems
in your soul. Mathew. Civilization progressed because the Kings were well-prepared
by the adversities in their lives. Imagine if they have falter in the face of challenges,
then the entire human race would have failed. Your hardships are nothing.”

“Are the Demons so
intimidating?”

 “They have inflicted terrible
losses on the human race. You have witnessed their prowess in the last few
days. Some of their attacks were well known, like the sad end of Julius Caesar.
Some deaths will never be known; the details were obliterated from the annals
of history because nobody lived to write them down.”

Mathew shook his head.

“Their deaths are never
recorded because these potential Kings had yet to attain prominence and died as
ordinary humans. Only us Angels, and those Demons, will know the significance
of those individuals. There are subtle incidents which became obvious with
focused thought.” Maganus patted Matt on the shoulder like a comforting elder.
“History is a result of this never-ending tussle between Angels and Demons, and
the Kings. The glorious ages are pages written when we are in victory, and the
dark moments of history…belonged to the demons. We need you to help us write
another page of glory.”

“We are ordinary people,
Maganus.” Sarah interrupted.

“Mathew, Sarah, the annals of
history is inked with blood and sweat, every story framed by courage; and every
page is turned with immense sacrifice. They are forged by the hearts and souls
of ordinary men and women, living and dead, who believed in their destiny and
fought the dark side. Both of you have a chance to participate in history. Honour
or burden, it is a matter of choice. In this current battle, the Demons have
already taken down a number of Kings of Men. We need you to rise up to the
occasion. Remember, nothing can overcome your free will.” Maganus continued.

“Free will,” Mathew said.

“Free will is sacred, Mathew.
Demons deploy temptations to seduce men and enslave their souls. Sometime Kings
are forced by circumstances to act in ways against the interest of their race
and, thus, they advance the cause of the Demons. Demons are strongest when men
are frail and weakest. Their strength feeds on the dark desires of men—greed,
fear, and pride. The Demons fail when men are enlightened to be guided by their
own free will. That grisly determination to set their own course in life and shape
their own destiny is the best weapon against the Demons. Free will, Mathew.
Remember.”

Mathew trekked on and said nothing.

Behind him, Maganus studied with
deep concern. Despite his physical strength, he carried a brooding streak that hich
might make him vulnerable. Sarah was quite different; beneath the façade of
fragility, she exhibited a quiet strength and serenity—unusual for a ten-year-old.

Maganus turned to the girl.

 “Sarah, you need rest.”

Sarah smiled. “Maganus, I can’t
sleep.”

“You have been a brave girl,
Sarah. I know all these things have been too fast and too much, but we will get
out safe.”

“I just hope we can leave this
forest.”

Maganus stroked his beard.
“Trust me. I promised.”

“I wish you were here earlier. My
Grandpa might have lived.”

Maganus’s smoking pipe had died
and he relit it. The breeze had picked up, a much welcome respite from the
oppressive silence of void. Maganus knew he had to face the direct question.

“Sarah, I am sorry.”

Sarah’s features softened. “I
am glad you came. We could all be dead if you did not. Thank you.”

Maganus winked.

 “Can I see your wings?” Sarah quizzed

Maganus chuckled. “Not again,
Sarah. My powers became finite the moment I entered your arena. I can only use
my wings with discretion.

“Then I can’t see them?”

 “Well, I …”

Maganus failed to finish his
sentence as Father Bellator’s cry for attention seized his attention.

Victor felt manipulated like a
puppet as the encounter with Joe Bianca rolled on, but he said nothing as Joe
introduced Boris Komorov.

“Mr. Komorov, my pleasure.”

“Mr. Senator, mine as well.”

“You speak good English.”

“I spent a decade in London.”

“For education?”

“No. I am educated in Russia,
but I spent time in the west for business. My wife is English.”

“Impressive. I hope she is
well.”

“Yes. A paradoxical character
as she voted for Labour but at the same time supports the U.S. Republicans.”

“Paradoxical? Then she is
normal, like all wives.”

The laughter broke the ice.

Joe interrupted. “Mr. Komorov
has always admired the Senator on his stand on Middle East and South Asia.”

“I am glad to hear that,” Victor
said. “What businesses does Mr. Komorov run?”

“Minerals to food, property to manufacturing,
I am in all them,” Komorov said.

Victor smiled. “An extensive
portfolio. However, I am not a businessman. How do you think I can possibly
help you, Mr. Komorov?”

“Mr. Senator, I came not for
business. I came for the politics.”

“Politics?”

“I am not interested in
American politics. Your brand of politics can only be managed by talents like
you. I am talking about Russia.”

Victor eyed the man warily. “I
cannot offer any assistance of value when it comes to Russian politics. You
have the wrong person.” Victor fidgeted and rose to his feet, but Komorov
continued. “Senator, please be seated.”

”Mr. Komorov, you do not walk
in here uninvited and—”

“Senator, you can help a great
deal,” the Russian said and smiled.

“No. Mr. Komorov, you might
have chosen the wrong candidate. Your domestic politics is an area beyond me.”
Victor glanced at Joey.

“Power is built on many
sources. Senator. You command a key resource that will be of immense help.”

Victor did not respond.

“You are chairman of an
important subcommittee. You are a senior member of the party. Some say you are
interested in the White House. No?”

“I don’t like ambiguity,” the
senator replied.

Komorov sniggered. “Ambiguity
reduces the strain of life.”

“What is your point?”

“Have you answered my question?
You may or may not have heard of the Russian Liberation Party.”

Victor shook his head.

“I am a member of the party. We
will be contesting the next general elections.” Komorov winked. “We, I, all of
us, plan to win.”

“That’s a common dream for
politicians, Mr. Komorov. Many times that aspiration is misplaced.”

Komorov shrugged. “I will win
power.”

“Look! If you expect to
leverage me financially or through my connections, you are wrong. Damn wrong! I
am a member of the Senate of the United States of …”

“I do not need your money,
Senator.” Komorov smiled. “I came in search for an ally, a friend.”

“An ally? I can’t fix
your
elections, Mr. Komorov!”

“That is not what I want.”

Victor shuffled in his seat.
“You want my support in the committee?” He snorted in disdain “Maybe you are
new to our political system, but we do not conduct our foreign policy with
Russia based on one individual. My singular support, if it ever was
forthcoming, is useless. Moreover, Mr. Komorov, presently the United States
shares a cordial relationship with Mr. Putin.”

The comment drew a sly smile
from Komorov.

“Mr. Putin has not been the
same since his reelection to the presidency. Maybe he is older. Maybe he is
more cautious? But he is definitely more dictatorial, Mr. Palmer.”

 “You will be less dictatorial
if your party wins? Whatever Putin may be, even if he is a threat, at least we
are familiar with him.”

“After the recent missile defense
shield deployment in Romania and Turkey, you cannot be naïve to assume the
trust level was not compromised. The hostility is lurking and very real. As you
work to groom democratic forces in the countries around Russia, the Russians
are working just as hard to neutralize these threats.”

Victor stared into Komorov’s
eyes “At least he is the devil he know and not the uncertain deep blue sea.”

Komorov leaned forward and
continued “Senator Palmer, imagine this—a friendlier Russia, a powerful Russia
managed by your friends. Would that not be ideal?”

“You want to be president?”

“We are all encouraged to dream.
Did your presidents not always like to talk about the American Dream? I would
like a Russian Dream, too.”

Victor sniggered “I don’t
manufacture Russian dreams.”

 “Mr. Senator, I am sure you
would like to leave your mark in foreign policy. Domestic politics is not your
forte.”

Victor shifted uncomfortably in
his chair as Boris seemed undeterred by his curt remarks.

“One day you want to be president.
No?”

Victor picked a glass and
sipped.

“That’s the second time you
ask.”

“So it is
true
.” Boris
asserted.

“The future is tricky. Maybe

“I don’t expect maybes from a
future president,” Komorov said.

Victor put down his glass. “You
are quite a pusher, aren’t you?”

“I simply wish to contribute. I
am sure you are well aware of your own strengths. However, if that day should
come, I am sure the future President of the United States hopes to have a
friendly Russia.”

Komorov cranked his neck and
gesticulated. “Together we can construct a new era.”

Victor applauded. “Very
impressive rhetoric.”

“I am learning from the best.
You are a great speaker in the Senate.”

“You done your research but I
am not someone who jumps into a dark pool whenever I had nothing better to do.”

“Caution is good. A great
leader usually is a careful one.”

Victor stood to his full
height. “I’ve had quite enough to drink. Help yourself if you need more.” It
was a veiled dismissal.

 “Mr. Palmer, thank you for
your hospitality. I am sure it is only fair that you think about my
proposition. It offers an opportunity to shape the new world.”

Victor smiled. “I have little
interest in your agenda but I wish you well.”

“The future is ours, Senator!
If you find courage to take the first step and ...”

Victor kept a straight face and
began to turn away.

Boris Komorov spoke aloud to
Joe. “Mr. Victor is in a hurry? Is it because of Maxi Oil?”

Victor stopped. “What was
that?”

Komorov stood and flashed a
confident smile. “You’re losing sleep over Maxi Oil?”

Victor inhaled and struggled to
ensure his wild anxiety did not show on his face.

“I can handle that, Mr. Boris.”

“You invested about forty
million in the company, and if the lawsuit goes against you, you end up with half-a-billion
in liabilities.”

Victor’s jumped to his feet.
“What is it that you want?”

“I came with good intentions. I
would like to offer a deal.” Boris explained.

Victor’s deep breathing was
audible in the silent room. After a long moment, he spoke.  “A deal?”

“Breathe easy my friend,” the
Russian said. “I am here to strike a deal for the future. I am not here to hurt
you, Victor.” Boris smiled and helped himself to another martin.

“How can you help?” Victor
asked.

“I can solve your problems and
help you realize your dreams. You are so promising. You must run for
president.”

Victor felt a little heady.

 “I smell fear in you.” Boris
was cool and crisp.” Please relax. We can collaborate. There are such
synergies.”

Palmer sensed the hook in
Komorov’s words. He shut it out. He bit it.

“What do you want me to do?
Sell my country? You might as well shoot me now!”

“Come on. You don’t have to
sell the country. We are all patriots. We love our countries.”

Victor clenched his fists.
“Come clean with it, Mr. Komorov.”

“Being in the White House is
your teenage dream, Victor. You wrote to your father.”

Victor was taken aback.
How
did the Russian know?
I’ve never told anybody.

“I want a friendship, as I
explained,” Boris Komorov continued, toying with his glass of red wine.

“Friendship cannot be wanted,
it has to be built. I am not interesting in selling friendship.” Palmer spoke.

“Mr. Senator, I have to remind
you great enterprise can only be accomplished with courage to take risk. You
got to make a bold move to be the United States President.”

Victor wondered “
Am I
negotiating with the devil
?” His eyes scanned the Russian. He could see a
dirty deal being offered to him on an outstretched hand, and probably a pair of
horns on the Russian’s head.

 “Your
silence is consent for me to elaborate.” Boris was cocky and continued

“I want your support in the coming
elections. America has to support my party, one way or the other. We can work
on this.”

“You can buy outcomes with your
wealth.”

“I can buy the entire Dumas,
but that would be too dangerous. If the president senses his hold on power is
threatened, that will be the end of everything.”

“I can be helpful?”

“Your presence will lend the
legitimacy. You know congressmen, and you control a caucus. For all your assistance
I
will settle the legal suit for you, and with that, the hundreds of millions
of possible damages.”

“You think this is payment for
services?”

“No. Just a gesture of
friendship.”

Boris Komorov’s enticing voice
resonated through the study room like a slippery serpent that slithered round Victor
and kept his chest tight and heart pulsating.

He mulled the Russian’s offer
and in a split second voiced his decision.

“I regret to say that your
visit has been in vain. I can’t give you the friendship you want.”

He stood and headed for the
door.

“Senator, you only have
one
chance.”

Victor stopped and clenched his
fist.