Finding Old Bonds

Elgin asked, "What?" Sejasha said, "Let me explain." Aliyah asked, "You want to kill your own daughter? You are even more evil than my mother." Elgin said, "I ain't killing my sister, mom. I will not be a part of the devious plan you are plotting." Sejasha said, "Shut up, both of you and listen to me carefully. Vera has become a threat to us. She is no longer the innocent child I gave birth to. She got corrupted and has started doing shady dealings with ogres. I fear that she is trying to sell our ancient elf magic to those ogres in return of Namaria. I didn't make her the queen and now she is plotting to kill me and your sister to usurp the throne. You have to stop her at any cost." Elgin said angrily, "Even if that is true. You are the only one to blame. You pushed Vera to such extent that she has to do such dishonest stuff to be happy." Sejasha said, "The day you become both a father and a king, you will surely understand my dilemma." Elgin said, "But, why do we have to kill her? We can go for a middle ground and sort things without any violence."

Sejasha smiled, "Have you forgot everything, Elgin? We don't do negotiations with criminals and also your sister is very stubborn and she can't have the throne. It is not a matter of one family, but of the thousand families that resides in Namaria." Elgin said angrily, "My sister is not a criminal. She might be a little misguided but such harshness is not mandatory." Aliyah said, "Let's not jump to conclusions so quickly. I'm pretty much sure that she is not the mastermind of the plan. She is either being manipulated or forced to do this things. We need some time to solve this case." Sejasha said, "That is what is the real problem. Time is only making things worse. In such unpredictable times, such small mutinies turn into big revolutions in no time. Now, it's only one state but soon it will spread farther and farther and will become beyond control." Aliyah sighed, "Why can't I get some relaxation once in a while? First, that lazy Alice and stupid Vexana, then Elgin's misery and now scandalous mutinies. Fine, I will see what I can do." Elgin said, "No need to do it. It is a personal matter and I will solve it personally. I perfectly know my sister is innocent and I will let no harm come to her."

Aliyah said, "No, we need someone who is more learned about the streets of Namaria and is out of the family circle for a long time. I think I know a person who is perfect for this job." Elgin asked, "Who?" Aliyah asked, "Where is Mackie nowadays?" Sejasha laughed, "Mackie Glenzobush? My brother? He is a mad man nowadays. After the First War, he started getting fits and started experiencing hallucinations. Doctors said that it was due to mental trauma he got in the war, but I knew that the real reason was his long addiction to weed. I tried to reason with him, but his addiction only got more severe and soon he started causing anarchy in the palace. Many advised me to mix poison in his food and give him a peaceful death, but I couldn't kill my brother. I sent him to Lamb City and made a small house for him there. He is currently there, but he is not the man who you knew. He is very unstable and in a very pathetic condition." Aliyah said, "At this moment, we all are very unstable. What harm can one more do, anyway?" Aliyah and Elgin formed a sphere and went away.

Lamb City was not as clean and crowded as the other cities of Namaria. In fact, the place comprises all the beggars, prostitutes, thieves, garbage collectors and fishermen of Namaria who lived a poor and troubled life. The name also came from the fact that the inhabitants of the city were nothing but lambs for the higher class people of Namaria. Queen Sejasha didn't want to let his brother live in such a dirty place, but with the current mental condition of Mackie the place was the perfect place for him. There was no need for any authentication of the inhabitants living there and therefore no one would know that the mad man living amongst them is from royalty.

Aliyah and Elgin landed on the ground and looked around. Houses filled with dirt and poor souls, children playing with the soiled toys of the rich kids and mothers cooking food by using coal and coughing due to the harmful smoke emitting from the stoves. Elgin said, "See, Aliyah. These are the people who make up such a big place like Namaria. They are builders, daily labour, garbage collectors, fishermen, washermen, steel makers and other menial professional workers. Yet, they don't get the respect they deserve and suffer for the crimes they never did. Now, tell me Aliyah how can one dream of a better future if the backbone is damaged?" Aliyah said grimly, "They are not the backbone of Namaria. They are nothing, but scum. These people are greedy and selfish. You see only the good in people because you are naive and kind-hearted. Most of these young men are drug-addicts and gamblers. They spend their hard earned money on drugs and alcohol and then complain about the low wages they get.

The women here sell their bodies for money and as a result get pregnant often. They don't have enough resources or knowledge for contraceptives and thus their population increases vigorously every day. More population means more food and more faeces and then they start to complain about low food supply and improper regulation of the sanitary system. The kids here are also equally harmful. They steal and group up as gangs to rob travelers. They commit crimes and cause anarchy. Now, tell me what will you say about that?" Elgin said, "Circumstances create consequences. If we change their lifestyle and give them proper education, then they will surely be more liberal and live a good life. Such a pessimistic approach towards life will only bring harm to any society. We are the ones who have to bring change or people like Xao Chang will manipulate and make them do evil stuff for them."

Aliyah smiled, "These people are never going to change. Dishonesty and crime are present in their veins deep down." Elgin said, "Whatever the reason may be, we can't let them suffer because of their ancestor's crimes." Aliyah and Elgin stopped near an old and almost broken house and looked at the house. There was no light coming from inside nor was there any sign of a person living there. Elgin looked at the map and said, "This ought to be his house. Where is he?"

Aliyah said, "Don't you remember what your mother said? Mackie has gone insane nowadays and insane people don't stay at one place for a very long time." Elgin said, "Shut up, Aliyah. Sane or insane, that guy is my uncle and your teacher." Aliyah smiled, "I was just trying to be a little funny." Elgin said grimly, "It's not the time for fun. If he is not here, then where is he?" Aliyah knocked on the door and minutes later, a lady came from inside. She looked at them and asked, "What do you want?" Elgin smiled, "Actually, we have come to conduct a survey on the population of Lamb City. Can you kindly tell us about the inhabitants of this house?" The woman looked at them sceptically and said, "I live with my man here. We were trying to make a baby when you rudely disturbed us, so count three." Aliyah smiled, "Can you kindly call your man? We need to see him too."

The woman said, "He is already very drunk and extremely furious. So, I don't think he would appreciate coming here." Elgin asked, "Why is your house in such a bad condition? It is hardly livable. Kindly tell us about yourselves and we will try to provide a good shelter to you guys." The woman said, "We cannot trust you bureaucratic bitches. So, fuck off!" She slammed the door shut and walked away. Aliyah smiled, "So, what do you say?" Elgin said, "I did warn them. Living in such a bad condition is hazardous to life. We should show them the reason." Aliyah laughed, "Who's the bad guy, now?" Elgin said, "I'm not a bad person, just that I like justice." Elgin chanted a spell and the house slowly started to shake and soon it collapsed. Aliyah and Elgin smiled and walked towards the local pub.

Elgin and Aliyah entered the pub and looked around. The pub was moderately crowded with mostly young men and some prostitutes. Elgin looked at the bartender and asked, "Have you seen a tall, bearded, green eyes man anywhere?" The bartender smiled, "I see hundreds of drunk people everyday. How can you expect me to remember all of their faces?" Elgin took out a pouch of coins and said, "Maybe, this will jog your memory a little. I'm not talking about some normal guy. I'm talking about a man as big as three people standing on each other's shoulder. You cannot forget such a man so easily." The bartender smiled, "No. I'm telling you the truth. I have never seen such a big man in my entire life. Maybe, he is not a drunkard." Elgin mumbled, "Mackie used to drink a lot. But, maybe after he lost senses, he might have lost the taste of alcohol too." He gave the bartender the pouch and walked towards one of the prostitutes and asked, "Have you seen a man as tall as the pillar? He likes girls like you."

The prostitute said, "Sir. I have not seen such a man. Anyway, who would like to go to a man as tall as a pillar." Elgin asked, "Have any of your friends met such a guy?" The prostitute said, "I once heard my friend saying that she saw a giant while she was fucking a fisherman near the coast. Messy hair, stinky clothes and a very coarse beard almost like a small bush. His eyes were big and his iris was as green as a parrot. But, no one saw him for six to seven years now and therefore many consider him dead." Elgin said, "Even if he died, such a big carcass will not go unnoticed and someone might have some information about the body." The prostitute said, "What do I know, sir? I am just a service woman. I take money for my services and mind my own business." She walked away.

Aliyah came towards Elgin and said, "Look. I have found a guy who has seen a guy like Mackie just an hour ago." Elgin and Aliyah went towards the man and Elgin asked, "Where have you seen the man?" The man looked at him and said, "I want to see the money, first. Nothing is free in Lamb City, not even information." Elgin said, "Fine, I will give you the money. But, what guarantee is there that you are not conning us?" The man smiled, "The way you are asking about the guy, I'm pretty much sure you are very desperate to meet him. Fine, no money no information."

Elgin looked at the man carefully and said, "Fine. Here, take the bag and tell us where the guy is." The man counted the coins and said, "Follow me. He is nearby." Elgin and Aliyah looked at each other and followed him. The man took them through dark alleys, crowded markets and steep lanes. Elgin and Aliyah looked at each other but remained silent. The man finally stopped near a small house and looked at them. Elgin asked, "Is he in the house?" The man smiled, "No. But, my people are. Give me all your money and leave the girl behind. If you want to live anymore, you should run away."

Elgin laughed, "The pouch that I gave you was the only money I had with me and the girl is all yours. But, I won't run away." The man asked, "Why?" Elgin smiled, "Because I would like to see all your bones breaking." The man and his gang laughed. Elgin looked at Aliyah and said, "What are you waiting for, Aliyah? Make these gentlemen comfortable." Aliyah looked at the men and said, "You want to fuck me, don't you? Fine, I also didn't have sex for quite a long time. Defeat me and fuck me."

The men laughed and ran towards her. Aliyah turned and punched one guy in the face and then kicked another in the stomach. She took the third and slammed him on the ground. One of the men caught her from behind and started to strangle her, but she banged him with her head and then kicked him in the genitals. One of the men took out a dagger and tried to stab her, but she caught him and thrust the dagger in his right eye.

One of the men tried to chop off Aliyah's head, when a large hand caught the sword and snapped it into two pieces. He took the guy by one hand and crushed his body. The man who brought Elgin and Aliyah started to run, but Aliyah picked up the dagger and threw it at his neck. Aliyah took the pouch from him and threw it towards the big guy. She said, "Thanks for saving my life. I am a ghost, so I wouldn't have died anyway. But, still thanks a lot. Keep the money as a token of appreciation." The man threw away his shawl and said, "What are you two idiots doing here? Don't you know what a terrible place it is? Roaming around like headless chicken." Elgin and Aliyah looked at the guy and smiled, "Uncle Mackie?"....