The Nine Lands

"We do not need a king!" Baron Zico insisted in a loud voice.

Commotions started to rise up inside the meeting hall of the palace. The landlords of the Kingdom of Luvelle have gathered upon the sudden request of the princess.

"The kingdom is in demise, Baron Zico. We need someone to overlook us officials. We are not our only enemy." Lord Veet insisted.

"We cannot sacrifice our kingdom. We have lived with a king since from the past."

Etana was seated at edge of the long table. Her eyes were closed and arms crossed, she was listening to the arguments silently.

"Listen, everyone."

Etana spoke in an authorative voice that made the table silent for awhile. The officials looked at her. Her eyes had shown no fear towards them. She has the aura of ruling over men despite being a woman.

"We shall proceed without a king."

"Princess, perhaps you must reconsider."

"Us, landlords can lead our people within our territory", Baron Zico added as he was crossing his arms.

"Then who will lead us landlords?"

Etana closed her eyes engaging in a mindful meditation. The voices were getting louder. The table had been cycling around one argument.

"We will proceed without a king temporarily."

As Etana turned to speak, the table had stopped from arguing. She suddenly opened her eyes. At that moment, the table had found an answer. She had displayed with deep determination telling them to accept her plans. Etana was the only woman in the table. She had not been shaken since by anyone.

"I have gathered you all to know my plans. I will find the king worthy for this kingdom but I need your full cooperation towards this. We can run the kingdom without a king."

"Can we just have another king to seat on the throne? Perhaps, me?"

"You can lead your territory on your own, Baron Zico, hence, not the kingdom."

"Enough."

Etana then stood up and shown upon them the book of the late king. She slid it to the nearest person next to her that was Lord Veet.

"What's that?" Baron Zico asked.

"Just read it."

The table were quite in refusal in a moment whether to get the book. They looked at Etana only to see her determined eyes. They have sensed that she has a purpose.

Lord Veet was the first one to reach the book. The others were on their seat waiting for him to speak. He was flipping through the pages in confusion as to what he has read and flipped another page.

The table had curiousity arising on their minds.

"Where did you get this, princess?" Lord Veet asked.

"That is a book passed on to the next kings that was supposed to be hidden from us people. I found that left open in the late king's privy."

"This is ridiculous! How can we believe this!"

"Watch your words, young ruler."

Lord Veet then put the book open at the center of the table.

"Perhaps, you might want to read this, young lad."

Baron Zico reached for the book with a little of hesitation traced on his face. Upon reading, his eyes widened to see the insignia of the late king stamped on the pages.

"This is true. It is our family blacksmith who made his insignia stamp. He especially made details to prevent anyone from copying it."

"What can we do for the kingdom, Princess?" Lord Veet asked.

Two maids then entered the room carrying a huge scroll. They went to the table and unrolled it.

"How on land can a map do with this?" Lord Gemain questioned in sarcasm.

"I shall start", even so, Etana continued.

She discussed her plans to the table and pointed out the weaknesses and strengths each of the landlords territory.

Land of Lord Veet

Rich in nourished soil that can grow rice. However, cannot reproduce more in the market.

Land of Lord Bahasa

The nearest land in the mountains, has the potential to grow cows, boar, and other animals for food.

Land of Lord Gemain

The land known for producing trained soldiers for the palace. However, cannot provide enough necessities for the soldiers-in-training.

Land of Viscount Masahi

The land that is nearest to the waterlakes and rivers. Known for growing fish and seafoods that are sold in the market. However, cannot deliver fresh products to the market due to its long travel to the market.

Land of Baron Zico

The youngest ruler in the table. He had replaced his deceased father for the land at the age of 23. He has been governing the land for two years and has shown an excellent leadership. The land is known for the extensive quality of the metal crafts and weapons made by the famous blacksmiths of the kingdom. The land has been the guaranteed market of the palace for weapons.

Land of Lord Dylan

The land that has the widest share of land in the kingdom. The land has been in difficulty of governing due to the continued rebellion inside the land. Lord Dylan was a replacement to the deceased lord. He has not been seen to have skills in governing but have innate skills in archery. He has been leading the land against the rebels in his land.

The lords of the land of Ceressia, Malaya, and Esquiea who were not present in the table have refused to go. They were the lords that initiated the rebel against the late king.

"I will discuss further how to make this work."

The meeting continued until the struck of dusk. The table had come up with allocations to provide what the kingdom needs. The kingdom will be running without a king for six months duration. The death of his brother, King Lucas will be a secret from all the people. Only the landlords present in the table knows the current situation of the palace.

There had been no public opinion involved. The lords will be running normally and will slowly perform the allocations assigned to them.

"I shall be gone for awhile. The kingdom is in your hands."

"We are glad to serve you, Princess."

The landlords went back to their lands with their new mission to fulfill. The palace will remain silent so as the present during the meeting. Until then, the truth of the gods shall be unknown but only the table.

Etana walked towards the room of the late king and moved the cabinet. She was preparing herself for the journey that awaits for her outside the kingdom.

"Princess, we have found the garden on the map. The hole in that wall is connected to the abandoned labyrinth in the South Gate of the palace that is difficult to find."

Etana slid her fingers on the still blocked wall and sighed. 'Perhaps, the late king doesn't want anyone getting hurt. He's been fighting alone.'

"Thank you, Sir David."

"Always at your service, Princess", the knight then bowed to show his loyalty.

"Tomorrow at the struck of dawn, I will leave the palace. I will be leaving through the South Gate."

"Yes, Princess."

Etana then went out of the room. As she was closing the door, Fiona was already beside her. She was lying at a distance close enough for her tail to touch her leg as she swings it. She can see that the cat was glad seeing her so she carried her on her arms going to her room. They slept together to pass for the night.

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Etana woke up with Fiona still asleep. She was sleeping on her side. Her purr was deep causing her whole body to vibrate. Etana smeared her palms on Fiona's fluffy fur softly that somehow disarmed her worries. She smiled a little.

She then got out of her bed and got all her preparations that was already packed. She headed to the South Gates before the struck of dawn. There were guards lined up on the wall and Knight David standing beside a white horse that Etana will be riding on for her journey.

"She's beautiful", as she caressed the forehead of the beautiful horse.

"What's her name?"

"Eva, Princess."

"I see. Eva", as she was looking to the horse.

"You look like your name, Eva."

The horse suddenly lapped its head on her shoulder. She can feel Eva has gotten a like towards her.

"Hey!" A shout from behind called.

"Princess!"

Etana looked to the direction of the voice as soon as it has gotten louder to see it was Baron Zico, the youngest landlord of the Kingdom of Luvelle. He was riding a horse. Etana just stood still waiting for him to come near.

"Phew! I made it on time!"

Sweats were already dripping down to his body early in the morning.

"Why is this palace so huge! I had to run my horse endlessly", as he was breathing hard.

"Why are you here?"

"Zico, you brat. How can you leave with my horse."

"Lord Dylan, you are here as well?"

"We will accompany you, Princess."

Dylan replied a nod. He was seated on his brown horse unfazed.

"I see. Just don't be an extra feeder. My supplies are for my own."

"Nah, I am trained in the jungle. Anyway, let's go!"

"How about your lands?"

"We have someone in replacement. We thought of concealing our presence from the people. They can still function on their own."

"I put my right hand for replacement."

"It will be fine, Princess. Perhaps, we wanted to go on an adventure outside."

"Can we go with you?"

Etana then climbed on the back of Eva. Together with Baron Zico and Lord Dylan, they exited the South Gates going to the abandoned maze garden.

"Come back well, Princess."

Knight Dylan bowed his head to her as she was exiting the gates.

Together with their horses, they took the narrow road that was going to the abandoned maze. They have gotten too far from the palace.

"Adventure!"

"We came with the Princess not for the adventure, Zico."

"I know."

"Just enough with the politeness. You can call me Etana instead."

"We're here."

They were surprised by the big hedge in front of them.

"This?"

"This is somehow familiar to me."

"What do you mean, Dylan? Have you been here before?"

Dylan looked everywhere to see any signs that could make him remember.

"When I was little, my father used to bring me here. The bush were even greener before."

"Just get us through it already."

"You're too loud like a spoiled child, Zico."

"What did you say?"

He then entered the nearest opening of the labyrinth followed by Zico and Etana. They can see passageways in every direction. Each wall they pass through is identical and misleading. The daylight had come out in the morning yet can barely pass through the walls. Inside the labyrinth was gloomy. They were running in circles until a deafening grinding noise ahead shook the walls creating only one path they could take. At the end of the labyrinth, a huge beast that has a resemblance to a boar awaits at the edge of their direction. There were no other way out but only to the beast.

"What's that?"

"It is the beast that lives in this maze. It was abandoned by the palace because of that living monster."

"How do we defeat that?"

"I will be supporting from behind. Princess, we'll take care of this. Hide in the bush."

"Just call me Etana. I will fight with you." She then removes her cloak. Her body was covered with thick clothes that fitted her figure. It has knives and blades inserted in the belts and pockets.

Dylan and Zico were left in a shock to see that the princess they knew was opposite to what they thought she was like. They had no time to wonder at the moment so they proceed to their plan on how to kill the beast.

"You have a plan up your sleeve?" Etana asked.

"Zico will provoke the monster's attention. I will be finding its weak spot from afar and shot my arrow for it. You, princess can climb onto him and aim for its eyes. Perhaps we could blind him first."

"Let's go then!" Zico then took out his sword tied from his back still covered with a cloth. He ran his fingers across the blade's fuller. He made a full swing adjusting his stance to counterbalance the weight of the sword and made few more swings until the sword felt lighter to him.

He then transferred his weight to his feet using the ground to create the power he needed for a jump landing right in front of the beast that was already staring at them. He took a big slash on its tusk and it flew off the ground.

The dark eyes of the beast had lit in bright red that he find uncommon for a beast to happen. Even so, Zico successfully provoked the beast and got its eyes locked to him. Etana flashed her lightweight body climbing up to the beast's head with her daggers readied in her hands. Its head was quite big so she has to expand her hands even more for her dagger to reach on both eyes.

"Just hold his attention a little more, I needed more seconds", Etana shouted to Zico while trying not to fall.

As soon as her hands touched a glimpse on its eyes, she immediately took the chance to dig her dagger inside making the beast growl in pain and frantically moved in any direction.

Dylan on the other hand was waiting for the beast to jump exposing its chest to aim for the heart. As soon as he got his target locked, he then released his arrow creating a sharp blow. It passed through the thin air striking to the beast's heart.

The beast suddenly stopped from moving until life gave up in its very veins. Dark blood slid down from the wound releasing a musky smell. For the first time, they had seen an uncommon blood.

In just a few seconds, the corpse of the beast turned into ashes vanishing in thin air. The three were surprised to what they have witnessed. The musky smell were gone so as the ground was already clean from the blood. All they see were green grasses right on the spot of the beast.

The daylight had gotten brighter. Suddenly, the ground began to shake again moving the hedges to its former positions.

Dylan was positioned far so he was separated from Etana and Zico.

"Dylan! Just shout where you are!"

"Just go! I'll catch up with you!"

"Okay! We'll be waiting outside, Dylan! Don't die on us!"