Chapter 16: Mind of a Ruler
Monkey awoke on a stone floor; he could hear the rain lightly falling outside. His whole body aches.
“where....am I?”
He wondered as he tried to get up but his body failed him as he collapsed onto the floor. His neck felt heavy, He felt something around it... a collar? He looked around trying to get his Barings, surrounded by stone walls on three sides, looking behind him he saw iron bars.
Was he... in a prison? Why was he here.
He looked around and saw a single bed, using what little strength, he had pulled his body towards it.
Aside from his body his legs were in the most pain, not surprising, memories resurface of his fight against the mudtrap. Not just that, but the three mercenaries as well. The three that left him to die. He can still remember their faces. He pulled himself onto the bed before drifting off to sleep.
~
“hey, wake up!”
Monkey woke to see a guy on the other side of the bars. The man placed something through the bars.
“eat now while you can. It'll be hours before your next meal.”
He got up to leave but Monkey stop him
“wait, where am I?” he asked
“that's right, you were unconscious when you arrived. You're in the heart of the Pig Kingdom. You’re in Sodom”
“Sodom? And why am I in prison?” Monkey asked
The guard looked at him for a moment before speaking
“you killed three mercenaries and destroyed an inn. That'll keep you here for a good while”
Monkey shook his head
“they were mercs, they tried to have me killed.”
He couldn’t believe what he was hearing and the inn wasn’t even completely his fault... though he supposes with the others being dead he was the only one they could blame for the mess. Just great.
The guard didn’t seem to care.
“don't know how you Houzi do things but the Buta have rules for everyone in our lands. And don’t think about escaping that collar around your neck stops you from using any kind of magic”
The guard made to leave but Monkey stopped him.
“wait, how long will I be here? Is there anyone I can speak to? I can't stay here!!”
The guard ignored him as he left Monkey in his cell.
“damn”
He looked at the food that was left for him he was hungry but he didn’t have the strength to get up. Monkey lied on the bed and closed his eyes deciding to get as much rest as he can. But he couldn’t stay here, he had to figure a way out of this cell if the guard won't let him speak to anyone then he guesses he’ll just have to escape.
~
Monkey put pressure on his leg as he stood up
“how does it feel?” a man said to him
“better, but still hurts when I put weight on it” Monkey replied
“luckily there no infection. Here’s some medicine for the pain. Don’t put too much strain on yours legs for a few days and you’ll be better in no time.”
The doctor turned to the guard.
“I’ll be leaving then.”
The guard let the doctor leave as he turned to address Monkey.
“come with me”
Monkey wondered what was going on but compiled, maybe he would have an opportunity to escape.
He followed the guard up the stairs through a long narrow corridor which led to another set of stairs. The place was like a maze, Monkey continued to follow the guard until they approached two large doors that also had two guard keeping watch.
“mind your manners and be respectful” the guard warned him then he turned his focus on the other two.
“I brought the prisoner as Lord Kota commanded”
The two guards open the doors and allowed them to enter. The first thing Monkey noticed was the smell sweet fragrance seem to assault him all at once, his mouth immediately started to water as he saw a large assortment of food on the table.
The people at the table paid them no mind as they continued to eat and talk amongst themselves. Monkey barely made out what they were saying as he was distracted by the food. He was led to the head of the table a huge man was devouring a large amount of food as a man on his left spoke to him.
Monkey looked around, true to their nature the buta devoured the food that was before them but surprisingly they were all muscular. Monkey thought back to the buta children at the cathedral and remembered how chubby they were but the men and women here, felt like any one of them could snap him in half. Monkey attention returned to the man at the head of the table, even sitting down he was massive. His hair was tied back into a pony tail with strands of hair over both of his eyes. His face was rough, looked to be in his mid-forties.
When they made his way to him the guard kneeled on one leg, left hand in a fist covered by his right hand, head bowed.
“I’ve brought the merc Lord Kota”
Kota... continued to eat. He paused as he looked at Monkey apparently gauging the young warrior before going back to eating.
“ummm” Monkey started but was cut as he recognizes that the man who was talking to Kota was the same Innkeeper from the village
“you!” Monkey pointed a finger at the man
“hi again” the owner greeted him.
“wanted to apologies for the rudeness I’ve demonstrated at the inn. Felt bad about the incident and decided to speak on your behalf.”
Monkey was stun to say the least. Kota grabbed a mug and washed down the food before letting out a huge burp causing the whole room to fall silent.
Kota once again looked at Monkey before addressing the owner.
“So, this the guy who came from the Dog kingdom?” he asked never taking his eyes off of Monkey
“Yes, my lord” the owner said.
Everyone was watching, waiting to see what their lord will do next. Then. Lord Kota laugh, a haughty laugh that came from belly.
“well, I must say I’m impressed. A young boy like you took on and murdered not one, two but three.”
As he spoke everyone else went back to eating and discussing their own matters.
Monkey was about to speak but Kota held up a hand for him to be silence.
“I heard, they left you to die while on a hunt. Now if you had taken your revenge outside of the village there would be no problem but the fact remains that you killed them within the village and there are rules that I expect everyone to follow, even mercenaries.”
He took another chug of his drink before continuing.
“however, because the innkeeper himself came here to speak on your behalf and explained the situation to me fully I’m willing to overlook your crimes. But, there's two conditions.”
Monkey feels like he knew what the lord was going to ask, it was the same thing the innkeeper had wanted when he arrived.
“one, I want to know the status of the Kutta and the bhediya and what has happened since your time there. Second you will perform a civil service killing some monsters that became a nuisance”
Monkey really didn’t have a choice. He didn’t mind the offer if it meant he didn’t have to spend another night in that cell. But the problem was he had originally planned to trade the information for any info on the Black Beast.
“I have one condition of my own to add. In return for the information I give you I want any information you have on the whereabouts of the black beast”
The whole room fell silent.
Monkey remembers the people at the inn having the same reaction to his words. He was ready for their laughter this time. It didn’t matter, long as he gets what he wants.
Kota studied his face for a moment before a huge smile spread on his face.
“so, it is true! You are hunting down the black beast. Got some balls on you. Seeking something that can't be killed must be mad.”
He made a gesture and one of the servants brought a chair.
“sit down, eat and guard remove his collar.”
The guard did as ordered using his key to remove Monkey’s collar when he sat down, instantly Monkey can feel the magic flowing through his body.
“better right? Be glad your gem wasn’t removed” Kota joked
Monkey didn’t wait any longer, more like he couldn’t. The food smelled so good it took everything he had not to dive in the moment he entered the room.
“hahaha now that what I like to see, sure you’re not a buta?” Kota asked as he went back to eating.
“hey!! Bring him something to drink as well.”
At his command another servant entered with a large mug that Monkey had to use both hands to lift it.
“So, tell me. Why are you looking for the black beast?”
Monkey took a few gulps of his drink before answering.
“The black beast destroyed my home” he grabbed a steam bun
“killed my father and uncle”
Kota passed him a giant leg as Monkey refilled Kota drink
“I see, sorry to hear that. I can understand your need for vengeance but you should know first-hand that the black beast can't be killed”
This time Monkey handed Kota a big chunk of meat on the bone as Kota refilled Monkey drink.
“I refuse to believe that. I’m sure something must exist that can destroy it.” Monkey responded.
“then why aren't you looking for this miracle weapon instead of hunting the black beast?”
“bewaus I dwnt kn-”
“for god's sake swallow kid” Kota told him
Monkey took another swig of his drink
“because I don’t know where to even begin to search for such a thing. But I can find the black beast. Its hiding somewhere and someone must know it location or at least seen where it heading. I won't stop hunting it.”
“I see” Kota made slowly rotated the mug in a small circle motion his hand, watching the liquid move around like a whirlpool as he thought deeply.
“well then, on to more important matters. It's just so happens that I do have information on the black beast. But first you tell me of your time in the dog kingdom, what state is it currently in? Is the civil war still ongoing?”
Monkey thought it over this was not as simple as it seems. He was lucky, coming in from the dog kingdom granted him knowledge that the ruler of the pig kingdom wanted for some reason. But this was the only leverage he had. He rubbed the back of his neck. He was worried that if he gave him the information, he wanted he won't hold up to his end of the agreement. Then again, he could've just tortured Monkey for the information.
Monkey sighed,
There was nothing he could do. To go against a lord would be just foolish.
Monkey ended up explaining the situation to Kota. How he ended up taking part in the war, the death of Lord Ti shin and Zayav, and how a second army appeared leaving Carmilla fate unknown. Of course he left out the details of the family drama that happened between Wolf, Carmilla and Zayav. Kota didn’t need to know that.
Kota rubbed his china as he listened intently to Monkey story.
“I see, so another force appeared at the end of the battle. It makes since to believe that this was a coup set up by the nobles, ready to assassinate their own king if his army managed to win against Carmilla forces.”
Monkey agreed in the end it didn’t matter who won just as long as the army was tired and couldn’t keep up the fight.
“so, about the information on the black beast” he asked.
Kota face grew dark and serious.
“yes, the black beast. It's been spotted northwest it seems to be heading towards the Rat kingdom.”
He grabbed another piece of food
“I receive word a three days ago and was preparing to send some m-”
Monkey rose out of his seat.
“three days ago? Headed towards the Rat kingdom?”
He didn’t expect that he would be so close. He had to leave now.
“thank you for everything lord Kota. I’ll be on my way”
Monkey bowed before turning to leave but his path was blocked guards.
“weren't you listening to what I was saying? Not only for the information but you have to take care of a monster issue before you earn your freedom.”
Monkey turned back towards Kota
“I need to catch up before I lose it. If there any other way I ca-”
But Kota cut him off
“No, You WILL handle this issue now. Now. Sit.”
Monkey couldn’t refuse, he sat back down on the table.
Kota went back to talking
“don't worry it just so happens that the area I need you to handle the roads that lead to the town to be exact. After the black beast been spotted it destroyed one of the towns in its path. Normally I would send a group of soldiers there to help rebuild. In fact, that exactly what I did. But it turns out that the appearance of the black beast had attracted some unsavory creatures along the path to the town.”
Kota grabbed a steam bun
“so that where you come along, not just you I also hired another group of mercenaries. But your job will be to exterminate every monster and make the roads safe to travel again”
Again, Monkey couldn’t really refuse. Didn’t have a reason to refuse this time. Time. That would be the only thing he would be losing, but still, it was better than rotting away in a jail cell.
“how soon do we leave?”
Kota smiled.
“early at dawn as soon as the sun rise.”
~
“why?”
Monkey stared at the ceiling, pure white.
“why...is this bed so comfortable”
Monkey rolled around, wrapping himself in the covers. A bed definitely beat sleeping outside, this bed was even more soft than the one he slept in at the cathedral. He could almost forget everything that had happened to him in the last few weeks just by laying on this bed.
Kota gave him a room to stay in since he didn’t have any money after he was robbed.
Monkey went from spending a night in a cell to sleeping in room fit for a king. He wondered what Kota room looked like and if it was as grand as this one. He looked around the entire room was made out of stone.
“was this created using earth magic?”
He looked at the giant mirror, it stood on a dark blue stand, had to be at least 10 feet tall.
“who needs a mirror this big!?”
Monkey fell back onto the bed. He wondered why Kota wanted information on the Dog kingdom and the war?
“hmmm wanting information on another kingdom? Could he be planning a war?”
Monkey thought about what he would do if he was Kota.
“let me see, I’ve just entered in an alliance because of the destruction the black beast cause. Military strength would be low, the alliance is temporary at least until one nation recovered it lost strength.”
It wouldn’t be no surprise that once a nation recovered that it would resume the war. The question would be which nation.
“it's another great race”
Monkey got out of bed and walked to the mirror in it he saw himself but the version in the mirror was wearing a grey outfit.
“yes, the first nation to recover will be able to pick apart their neighbor easily enough. Depending on how much they were able to recover their military as well.”
Grey spoke from the mirror.
“let's look at the facts. At the moment from what we know the Dog kingdom military strength will take the longest to recover. The civil war made sure of that.”
Monkey nodded in agreement.
“and Losing Zayav was a huge blow to them.”
Monkey turned around leaning against the wall.
“now, what about here? The pig kingdom?”
Grey appeared on his right.
“well, we did get abit of info from Kota himself”
Monkey looked at him confused
“we did”
Grey nodded
“yes, remember he sent troops to the town but they were killed by monsters that appeared because of the black beast”
Monkey eyes grew wide as he realized what this meant. Grey clicked his tongue
“exactly. He can’t spare any more of his men which is why he is employing mercenaries for this...and exploiting your services as well.”
Monkey flipped Grey off
“ok, so the military here is also lacking in strength. Why the Dog kingdom? He can't be thinking of attacking them, can he?”
Grey fiddled with his tail
“hmm no... regardless of the Dog kingdom current state is they still have that ice storm protecting their borders. Though without the bhediya on the borders that leaves them vulnerable.”
Monkey stretched.
“the bhediya aren't pushover though, they’ll fight tooth and nail till the end.”
After seeing them in action he knows that to be true. The same can't be said of the kutta though. True, they have plenty of warriors like Sozen but they weren't as battle harden.
“now, let's go over the information we gave Kota. He aware that Ti shin is dead. For a while the Dog kingdom was without a ruler and last we seen Carmilla was being attacked by another huge force before you and Wolf left”
It's been months since then though the outcome of that fight will decide what Kota would do.
“if I was him and I had this info. Would I strike? It would break the alliance that was agreed upon by the twelve kingdoms. Of course, there two problems with this. One being the black beast, long as it's around the kingdoms can't be distracted by the actions of another.”
Monkey walked on his hands as Grey spoke next.
“and second there the lack of information. Each kingdom is very secretive and the main way for one nation to find out about another is the rumors that come from travelers and mercs.”
This was proven when not just the innkeeper but Kota himself asked about the Dog kingdom.
Monkey fell back into the bed. As Grey continued
“the way I see it, I would do one of two things. With the information I have I would either invade the Dog kingdom or...”
“or forge an alliance.” Monkey finished
“but I would never make an alliance with the kutta. They're too weak willed. No, if I was going to form an alliance”
He remembers Carmilla, how she led her troops into the battle, how hard she fought for her freedom. Each soldier stood by her side when they faced impossible odds.
“if I was going to form an alliance it would be with Carmilla and the bhediya.” Monkey closed his eyes
“so, in the end, it all depends on who won that battle. Was it the kutta nobles? Or Carmilla?”