The Strange Adventure of Maria Mercado (10 page)

             
Jasper took Meeka on his shoulders again. “Are you ready?” he asked. Meeka nodded and Jasper started to run. He is going back to his tribe, towards the north. Meeka pulled on his hair to stop him.

             
“Owww, that hurts! What did you do that for?” Jasper asked.

             
“Sorry I had to get your attention. Where are you headed?”

             
“Back to the north. The Elders would know what to do.”

             
“I think it would be better of we just head straight to the palace.”

             
“The palace?” Jasper asked. “But why?”

             
“Well we can give the dagger to the Bostavs. And we can tell them where the Unknowns are hiding.”

             
Jasper took a minute to consider. “You’re right,” he said, “to the palace it is. Hold on tight little one, I will be running faster than I ever did before!”

             
Meeka gulped and held on tight to Jasper’s hair, using all four of his arms. Within seconds, Jasper took off in a flash, this time headed west, towards the palace.

CHAPTER TEN

The Palace of the Royals is a majestic structure built by King Astanfe himself.

              It is situated in the west side of the kingdom, the farthest point from the entrance to the Forbidden Area.  The structure was made of stone and marble and consisted of seven floors. There is a system of empty unused caves in the very bottom level. Above it stood the dungeons, prisons and storage areas. There are prisoners kept there for crimes committed all over the kingdom. There are Omtars and Mestons, those who have stood trial and have failed to justify their deeds to the court. The punishment is simply life imprisonment.  The only crime punishable by death is treason. This was imposed after the Great War, when the Unknowns have been exiled and the Southerners forgiven. There is a room on this level where the Bostavs would perform an execution if one were needed. It is very simple, just a wooden stump on the ground and an axe. Those who are deemed to be traitors would be beheaded in this very room.

The next two floors are the Bostavs’ quarters where the 100 soldiers took turns eating and sleeping. There are always a total of 90 on duty at all times; they require less sustenance and rest than when they did when they were humans. They have a dining hall where a select handful of volunteers from the Meston tribes dedicate their lives in servitude of the Royals. Here they prepare simple yet nutritious meals for the Bostavs consumption. The sleeping quarters are military style dormitories, with a general room full of bunk beds and allowing for little or no privacy.  The Bostavs are careful to not leave one of their own alone, in case of an attack.

The floor above the Bostavs is the main floor of the palace, which visitors can use for a tour. Mestons from the north and the south as well as the Omtars were at one time allowed to come in and indulge in the beauty of the palace on certain times set by the Bostavs. This practice was abolished after the Great War when the Royals became stricter as to whom they allow inside. And now this beautiful floor and its magnificent architecture lie desolate and empty. When the threat of another war is gone after the prophecy is fulfilled, it is hoped by all that the palace will re-open once more.

The next three floors are all reserved for the Royals. The one above the main floor is where the Royals used to indulge in eating and drinking. They do not need to do this to survive, but mainly a social gesture especially when entertaining a citizen of the kingdom who had done some heroic deed. But like the main floor, it now lays empty.

The next floor up is the Royals’ chamber. Each one of them has their own private quarters as well as a main chamber. This is the one that the remaining five now use as their main room, where they sleep and hold trials. The private quarters are still there but mainly just for the sentimental value.

The floor above, the final floor, is where the light that beams upwards to the sky exists. This white light can be seen from all parts of the kingdom and the color signifies peace. When the attack occurred 50 years ago, the traitor changed the light to red using magic, signaling his troops to attack. But when peace was restored, the white light returned on its own.

King Astanfe had intended for the palace to be used by his children until the end of time. He wanted them to experience the joys in the kingdom such as the bountiful fruits and the delicious fish. There is also an impressive garden, filled with every plant that exists in the Kingdom of Hepoxia. The walls of the garden are covered in vines and in the middle stood a fountain made of stone, an oasis amongst the plants.

             
In the beginning of the kingdom, his children enjoyed the palace much like any person would. They played there and relaxed. The king also provided them with the knowledge of the outside world. Since the kingdom was a new creation he felt it important that his children know the history of the world where it is built within.  Hence, the Royals, all ten of them, became proficient in human affairs and gained wisdom in how the empires of old where handled by their great kings. This was also how Prince Amir developed his ideas of trying to overthrow the kingdom and take over the world. It was not his father’s intention.

             
Maria Mercado now sat in the great dining hall.  When she first entered it, the room was dark. But as soon as she set foot inside, it illuminated as if by magic. Gadik had brought her here and had instructed food and water to be brought to her. He then left to inform his superiors of the arrival of the human girl. Maria was left alone, sitting on a golden chair with the golden dining table in front of her. One by one, several Mestons brought her some food and encouraged her to eat. They did not speak much but they looked at her with an abundance of joy in their eyes. Maria felt like a popular girl from back home.

             
“Excuse me,” she said to one of them. It’s a young boy, around her age, with a vertical scar on his forehead. “Why is everyone looking at me and smiling?”

             
The boy smiled. “That is because we all want to see the girl that will be our salvation,” he said. He then turned around and left.

             
Me? Salvation? I am still not used to being held in a high regard. This is Jasmine’s sort of stuff.

             
Maria looked around. I wonder where Jonas is?
I hope they’re not torturing him
, she said to herself.  At this time another Meston walked in, this time an older woman and she bore a horizontal scar on her forehead.

             
“Hello,” Maria said. “My name is Maria, what’s yours?” she asked.

             
“My name is Martha,” the old lady replied.

             
“Okay Martha, I don’t mean to bother you, but I just don’t want to be alone. This place is so nice and it’s a little bit intimidating for me.”

             
“I understand, child. When I first stepped foot in this palace, I felt the same thing.  That was a very long time ago yet every time I look around this place, that old feeling still comes back to me.” She smiled fondly at Maria. “You must be around 16 years old?”

             
“I am 15,” Maria replied. “How can you guess?”

             
“I am an old lady dear. I raised two sons of my own. I am usually very good at guessing people’s ages.”

             
“Where are your sons now?”

             
“They are both at home, with the rest of the tribe in the north, raising their own families. I have several grandchildren,” she said.

             
“And how come you’re here? Do you live here?”

             
“Yes I live here. After my sons are both grown and have their own lives, I decided that the best way to use the remainder of my days is to be here in the palace and look after the Bostavs. They are so brave you know, leaving your world and coming here to defend ours.”

             
“Yes I had heard that they were humans. That is so cool,” she beamed with pride.

             
Just then, the door opened and Gadik walked in. Martha got up and waved goodbye to Maria and exited. Gadik came over to where Maria was sitting.

             
“Maria Mercado, get ready and come with me,” he said. Maria got up and brushed food crumbs off her clothes. She then walked towards Gadik.

             
“I am taking you upstairs,” he said.

“Why? What’s upstairs?”

Gadik did not reply but kept walking with her. They went up a set of long winding stairs. They passed several Bostavs either walking on patrol or standing guard. Gadik stopped before a door and held his hand over the scanner. The door opened. He led Maria inside, where she was temporarily blinded by the brightness emanating from the room. She could see 5 thrones with 5 figures sitting on them, and each one appeared to be glowing. Gadik announced her arrival:

“Your Majesties, Princes and Princesses. Let me introduce to you all, the human girl, Maria Mercado.” 

***

             
The Bostav dragged down Jonas to the palace with great speed and force. Once or twice along the way, he had the urge to break free from his grasp and to run. But then he thought of how unproductive that would be, and how that would really be in contrast to his claim for innocence. And so here he is, tied up like a common criminal, awaiting his trial or even just to have a few words with the Royals.

             
He wondered what they have done to Maria. He is guessing that they are treating her well; after all, they would want her to pick their side when the time comes.
She’s a nice girl, that Maria
, Jonas thought. She has no idea of how important she is and the gravity of the impact of her decision. She is of that age too that doesn’t really give too much consideration to others’ well being. Jonas knew because he was like that as well when he was growing up.

             
Jonas looked around his cell. He can’t see anyone else in the room, except for the Bostav guarding the door. He wonders if he is the only prisoner.

             
What was that?

             
Jonas heard a sound, like someone clanking chains together. It is the same kind of sound that he made earlier when he shook the shackles that are binding his hands together.
So I’m not alone
, he thought.  By the sound of the clanking, it is being made by someone strong.
So it can’t be an Omtar, more than likely a Meston, but which one?
  Jonas shook his shackles hard, but with rhythm, hoping that whoever was next door would hear. After a minute or so, he heard his neighbor shaking their shackles.

             
Ah, a Southerner
, he thought,
and a spy at that.

             
The rhythm by which he shook his shackles was an old code between south Meston spies that only they can understand. To those who hear it, it would sound just like any other noise; but to them, it is a way of communication.

             
Jonas replied to his neighbor, asking who they are. He wasn’t surprised when they replied “Reeza.”
Should I let her know who I am? I did bash her in the head.
He decided to tell her, seeing as she can’t start a fight right now anyway. He didn’t hear back from her again.

             
It wasn’t too long before the door opened and a Bostav walked in.

             
“Prisoner, stand up straight,” he said.

             
Jonas did as he was told. The Bostav approached him and unlocked his shackles. “Come with me,” he said.

             
Jonas obeyed, thinking that they are probably taking him to see the Royals for his explanation. But instead of going up to the chambers, they just a moved a few meters away and he was placed inside another room.  He looked ahead and saw two other prisoners there, each one sitting in their own cell and both had their hands and feet shackled. It was Reeza and Ankar.

             
So that’s why Reeza didn’t reply
, he said.  Even though he knew them he showed no signs of recognition because he didn’t want the Bostav to think that he was in on whatever crime the two were being charged with. He waited until the Bostav left before he spoke. He turned to Ankar.

             
“Ankar, are you well?” he said.

             
“Yes, my dear boy, I am,” Ankar replied. “But what are you doing here?”

             
Jonas can see Reeza smiling.
She definitely set me up and told the Bostavs that I was the kidnapper
, he thought. He looked back at Ankar. “They have mistaken me for the one who had kidnapped the human girl,” he said. “I suppose I have Reeza to thank for that.”

             
Reeza kept smiling. “Well you hit me in the head and stole my prisoner,” she said.

             
“Actually you hit me in the head first,” he said. “But anyway, they found you.”

             
“Yes. But that’s not why I’m here. They actually thought that I was your victim, “ she laughed. “They only put me in the prison after I attacked the Bostav guarding me.”

             
“So nothing has changed,” said Jonas. “You’re still crazy.”

             
“Children, nothing has changed between the two of you,” Ankar said. “You are both just as you were when you were younger. You were always in competition with each other. Always bickering back and forth. Fighting each other whenever you had the chance.  And each one of you trying to get the last word in.”

             
Jonas thought about his younger years, when Reeza and him spent a lot of time together. If there was ever a girl for him, he thought that it would definitely be Reeza. It is true that she is his biggest competition when it comes to talents and skills. But she is also the only one who can fully understand him, who knows exactly what he has been through. There was a time when he admitted to her that he is in love. She laughed at his face and challenged him to a duel. That made him love her even more and for years he chased after her and kept shutting him down.  And finally one day, she did give him a chance and it was the best night of Jonas’ life. The next day however, he found out that Reeza had gone on a long training assignment. He didn’t see her for some years, due to his own assignments around the kingdom. When they saw each other again, she ignored him and said that the love is simply not there. Brokenhearted, Jonas dedicated his life even more in service of the tribe.