chapter one: The scorched land

The scorched land

Ashley empire was the biggest kingdom and well known by people of different calibers. This empire was ruled by a benevolent emperor and he was really a servant of his people and saw to all their needs but there was only one matter bothering the king. He had no child to call his own but children from all walks of life always flocked around him and this issue was really making him concerned and his ministers were always there to console him and cheer him up.

The emperor was having tea with the empress in the Yahua garden . He was staring at the empress face which was glowing and she was beaming with smiles. He cleared the throat and she looked at him."I know you have been bothered about our childlessness for over many years and the calamities befalling our kingdom but I assure you that there is nothing to worry about as the gods are going to answer our prayers. Do not stress yourself over this trivial issue and take it easy on yourself ". Your majesty, I don't think you should take this matter lightly and this matter is getting out of hand. I think you should do something about it and take extra measures because i feel there is more to it she said.

"I can assure you that there is nothing to fear and you are stressing yourself over nothing" he emphasized as he drank the tea .

Some minutes later,his most trusted guard and commander of the guards came panting and he bowed before him "Your majesty! Your attention is needed at the palace hall and the matter is of urgency .I was told to relay the message to you"he said.

He stood up immediately and placed a kiss on the empress cheeks before dashing out of the garden with the guard.

In the palace hall, everyone was awaiting the arrival of the emperor and before they knew it, the doors swung open and the emperor walked inside with his guards trailing behind.

He made his way towards the throne and sat down.

The priestess came forward and bowed before the king."I see darkness overshadowing the land and there has no been peace and the land is dry,no fertile land to plant our crops and many people are sick and complaining of hunger due to the calamities befalling our land and we are hoping in due time the gods will answer our prayers"she said.

"You cannot provide solutions to our problems yet you answer to the gods and tell us to exercise patience. Our people are dying of hunger, battling with different illnesses and the most important one our emperor doesn't have a child to call his own yet you claim to be a divination priestess .I refuse to believe the words that comes from you because I am just speechless because the calamities befalling our land is too much.When last did we experience rainfall in our land? Can't you see the atmosphere and how everything is! We have been following your orders and doing what you told us to do including sacrifices, prayers and others but all efforts is futile "the commander of the guards said.

Everyone murmured among themselves because they knew he was saying the truth because they were going through hardships while some were bent on leaving the empire on ruins.

The emperor scanned their faces and he saw fear on their faces. " Enough everyone! instead of you to let us see how to bring peace into the kingdom you are busy fighting yourselves and I'm really fed up with the stupid behavior of all of you and you don't think about how many sleepless nights I have on these issues because I have never experienced this in my life and all of you are not making it easy for me.You are busy making unconventional and unreasonable judgements he roared in anger.

Never had they seen the emperor like that but they all went silent and the hall was like a graveyard. The priestess went on "It is not my happiness but as a priestess I have been carrying my duties to the best of my abilities but I believe it is not enough and I am not deem fit to be a priestess if I cannot solve all the problems in the land".

What do you suggest as the way out?the emperor queried.

We should exercise more patience because I don't want the chaos in the land to get to the climax but I hope everything will be over soon the priestess said .

"All the villagers are complaining and yet you tell us to sit back and do nothing and fold our hands. Listen to their cries and offer solutions not what you are saying because I will hear none of it from the priestess "Eric said and everyone was shocked.

Eric who was the defense minister was known to be so quiet and he doesn't speak up in public gatherings. For him to have opened and voiced out,it means he couldn't bear to see people in pains and he couldn't hold it any longer.

The emperor was surprised at the unexpected turn of events as everything took an opposite direction.

The emperor was really sad but there was nothing he could do . "I have heard all your complaints and I will try to do something fast about it" he assured them.

"The divination palace too should try to do something about it too as we can all see the emperor is trying his best.Am I right or wrong? Eric said. You are right" they echoed in unison.

The emperor dismissed all of them they left quietly leaving him to his thoughts.

He strolled around the palace for a while and he was imagining a lot of things but he got no answers to the questions pondering on his mind.

Meanwhile, the empress was following him without being noticed. He was about to slip and the empress caught him.

"How come you are following me without me catching a glimpse of you. You are really something else and I don't know how to solve this puzzle of mine "he opened up to her.

Don't punish yourself and worry yourself too much and I believe everything is going to work out fine she said in low tone.

"You know everything about me and try to calm me down no matter what I do. That's why I can't seem to get enough of you he teased her.

She let out a laugh which amazed him .

"When I met you,I was not really sure if I wanted you but I knew I wanted something odd for myself but somehow you managed to captivate my heart but with all what we both faced, you never left me and don't worry too much I will sort all the issues out so that you can feel happy and I promise to always fufill my duties and obligations to you as a husband and as a king "he said.

"I understand everything that you have been through and I will help you in any little way i can "she responded.

He drew her into his arms basking into each other embrace and reminiscing memories of the past till night fall.