The Legend of Alexandros: Belen (4 page)

The Lady Elora stared down at the ground for several seconds then slowly looked into his eyes. She began to tell him her story…

She came from the kingdom of Siruac, where she was the daughter of the great King Vincent. Her kingdom was stunning and peaceful. Their kingdom, surrounded by high mountains and a marvelous forest. Connecting the forest to the kingdom was a mile-long stone bridge that led to the kingdom’s main gate entrance. The castle itself was built of stone and circled by ten towers. The center tower, being the highest, was the king’s throne room. The kingdom stood high for two hundred years and though standing so long it only faced one major war.

King Vincent had a wizard as his first-hand advisor; his name was Barbarious, one of the most powerful wizards ever. Barbarious had been alive for about four hundred years; his hair was long and white with a messy beard to match. He was pale and terribly wrinkled. He stood six-feet-six and was as thin as the silver mystical staff he carried. He wore a long, dark-blue robe that covered him from the neck down; his fingers were twig-like with nails as sharp as talons. At night he would cast a protective spell around the kingdom and wander the castle halls as if he were a phantom.

Barbarious never slept, and he closely watched Princess Elora. He would stare at her as she slept; his hollow eyes glaring all night long. On the day the princess fled, Barbarious was not at all his normal creepy self, and the castle halls were dark and grey, which was odd since the kingdom was usually lively and always had some activity going on.

The princess had woken up late and hurried to prepare herself since the castle assistants had not come. She thought it peculiar that her assistants were not on time, but she pushed the thought from her mind and hurried to see her father. After she dressed herself, she placed her shoes on and was about to leave her room when she heard thunderous footsteps. Suddenly, the high double doors leading to her room swung open.

Her father entered, grabbed her by the arm, and whispered, “My dear…goblins. They have invaded! We must go!”

The goblins had slaughtered everyone in the castle, and they now hunted for the king. He led his daughter to the cellar to a secret tunnel built many years ago by his grandfather. The king opened the latch in the floor and pushed Elora into a long dark tunnel.

“Father, are you not coming?”

Tears rolled down the king’s sorrow-filled face. He handed her an old silver key that had a small
A
carved onto it.

“Use this key when the time comes, Elora,” he said and slammed the latch shut.

At that moment, the goblins burst in the cellar.

“You’re too late,” the king said to them. “I no longer have the key. You have failed!”

Elora had made her way through the tunnel when she heard the tormented screams of father. The goblins burst through the escape hatch and ran after her. She ran out of the tunnel to a small raft on the river—she leaped in and crossed the river to the forest. The goblins tried going after her, but the ones who dared to swim only drowned. Elora reached the forest and never looked back…she was afraid of what she might see.

The fire burned greatly, and she began to cry. “What am I to do?”

Alexandros reached for her hand and helped her up. “First you will rest; in the morning we shall think of something.” He led her to the old wooden hut, where the merchant was sleeping, and pulled back the old sheet that covered the entrance.

“Old man, wake up,” he said. “Old man!” he repeated, but the merchant just continued to sleep and snore like a warthog. Alexandros grabbed the merchant by his skinny ankle and dragged him out of the hut.

“Oh, dear…” Elora whispered uncomfortably.

“Believe me, my lady…he will not mind at all.” Alexandros said as he held the Merchant’s boney ankle.

Even though the merchant had been hauled out of the hut, he simply rolled over near the fire and continued to sleep. Alexandros helped Elora into the hut.

“Goodnight, my lady.”

“Goodnight to you as well…Belen,” she replied and slowly closed the sheet.

Alexandros smiled, and for the remainder of the night he stood guard over the princess. He heard the faint sounds of her crying herself to sleep.

When morning came Alexandros was still standing in front of the hut, sword by his side. The merchant awoke lying on the cold forest ground near the dying fire, not knowing how he got there. With a tired morning voice, he asked, “How on earth did I get out here?”

“You were kind enough to allow the Princess Elora to sleep in your hut,” Alexandros said jokingly.

The merchant sat up and tilted his head. “Huh?”

As he stared at Alexandros, still not knowing what was going on, the Princess had, too, awoken.

“Good morning, my lady,” said Alexandros as she stepped out of the hut.

“Good morning,” she replied with a smile.

The merchant jumped up to his feet. He spit in his hand and pushed back his messy grey hair. “Oh my! When did you arrive?”

“Late last night,” Alexandros answered for her, glaring at him.

“No matter,” he snapped back at Alexandros. “Such a pretty young thing as yourself is more than welcomed, my name is…”

“It is not important,” Alexandros cut in. “The lady and I will be leaving today.”

The merchant’s face grew sad; it had been many years since he had the company of another, and he did not want Alexandros to leave.

“Very well,” the merchant said. “Cannot linger here forever you know.”

Alexandros put his hand on the merchant’s shoulder and looked into his eyes.

“There is no way I will be able to repay you, old man, but thank you for all you have done. I am truly grateful.”

“Just come back and visit sometime. I get bored speaking to trees.”

Alexandros let out a small laugh and agreed. He then gathered his things, and he and the princess entered the forest.

They soon made it back to the road and walked up hill through the mountains for most of the day. Side by side they walked, looking at the grassy mountain area. The fields near the mountains were exquisite. Tall trees full of lavish green leaves and peaches gave off a sweet scent that filled the air with peace and serenity.

“Are you a wandering warrior?” Elora asked him.

He smiled forcefully, then turned to her. “My entire village was destroyed along with my family…by the very demons that took over your kingdom.”

She took his hand. “We have much in common then, Belen.”

His heart stopped for a moment, and he quickly changed the subject. “The next village is not far from us now.”

Elora slowly released his hand. “Where are we going exactly, Belen?”

“Ezdacir, the centaur village. My father had friends there that may help us.”

After walking almost all morning up the mountain-side, Alexandros and Elora soon approached a huge bronzed gate; carved into the gate was a mighty stallion. The gate had been built in between two long horizontal stone walls. A centaur guard stood in a somewhat tall watchtower on the other side of the gate.

“What brings you two wanderers to Ezdacir?” the guard asked in a harsh demanding voice.

“We are here to see the centaur king, Tobias,” Alexandros replied in a semi-shout.

The centaur guard looked Alexandros up and down suspiciously.

“And who shall I say is here to see him?” the centaur warrior asked.

“Tell Tobias…Mabruk wishes to speak with him.”

CHAPTER III

EZADCIR, THE
CENTAUR VILLAGE

T
HE CENTAURS ARE
a race of creatures composed of part human and part horse. The centaurs are said to have been born of Ixion and Nephele. Centaurs are best known for their true honor; centaurs hold themselves up with great respect and are the most noble of warriors. Centaurs stand tall possessing grace and dignity and will stand by their allies till the very end…

H
igh mountains surrounded the centaur village; two mountains on each side reached high in the sky and at the top curved inward. The main gate was high as well and built out of grey stone, with a bronze door in the center.

“Mabruk you say?” asked the warrior centaur guard. “One moment then.” The centaur vanished behind the stone wall.

“Who is Mabruk?” asked Elora curiously.

“He is…was my father…” Alexandros answered with sorrow. He stared at the rocky road until he heard the loud unlocking sound of the centaur’s bronze gate.

“Welcome to Ezadcir, Mabruk. Tobias will greet you in a moment,” said the centaur warrior as he allowed them into the village.

Alexandros was in awe—high hills and luscious greens fields surrounded them. On the hills were tall stone houses with pointed rooftops. The village itself was massive; the two mountains on each side of the village seemed so close from the outside, but once inside appeared extremely far apart. Hundreds of centaurs roamed around; the men worked the fields, the women doing the house chores, and the children playing along the fields as the men worked. In some way the centaur village reminded Alexandros of his own village, and just the thought of it made him want to cry in anger for what the goblins had stolen from him.

Alexandros and Elora stood inside waiting at the main gate, and although he had lied claiming he was his father, he did not want to risk being exposed before seeing the centaur king Tobias. Alexandros had never been to Ezadcir, and even though his father Mabruk was welcomed in the village, it did not mean he would be so kindly welcomed so soon or at all. Elora stood close by Alexandros’ side while they waited for Tobias; this was her first time ever far away from her castle grounds, she was terribly frightened being thrown into the world in such a harsh manner.

“You are not Mabruk…” a voice said. Alexandros looked up to see Tobias approaching them.

Tobias the centaur king was tall at seven feet. He had long white hair tied up behind his head. His upper body was toned; he had deep brown eyes and thin lips. A long scar starting from the side of his forehead reached down to his chin. Tobias was not an old centaur, around the age of fifty or fifty-five. The horse half of him was a deep black; his tail was grey like the hair on his head, with grey hair around his hooves.

“You are not Mabruk.”

His voice was somewhat angry and disappointed for he wished it truly was his good friend Mabruk standing before him.

“I am sorry; I had to claim that I was to enter your village,” said Alexandros. “I am his son Belen, and this is the Princess Elora of Siruac.”

“Belen, my boy! You would have been more than welcomed to enter—you and of course your royal friend,” Tobias said with excitement. “How is your father Mabruk? It has been about four winters without seeing him…”

Alexandros lowered his head; Elora placed her hand on his shoulder.

“My father and mother were murdered, Tobias. I am not certain how, but the goblins have escaped from their underground prison…they invaded my village…destroying everyone and everything. I came because I know you know where the goblin lands are…and I need you to tell me.”

A cold look of despair filled Tobias’ face. “I am deeply sorry for your loss, Belen. Your father was truly a great man and warrior. He was my best friend for many years, and it truly saddens me to hear his life was taken from him by the very monsters we thought to be defeated so many winters ago. Vengeance must fill your heart right now, and because Mabruk was a dear friend and for his honor, I will help you.”

Just then a loud banging came from the other side of the bronze door. The warrior centaur who had let Alexandros and Elora into the kingdom drew his sword.

“By the gods,” he said with an annoyed voice. “Tobias, my king, it’s that blasted merchant again.”

Tobias covered his face with both hands. “There is no time for his foolishness right now; get him out of here.”

“Very well, sir.”

The warrior centaur kicked open the door and chased the merchant down the rocky dirt road; despite his older age, the merchant flew down the road as if he were the wind.