ARA: CHAPTER 3

The gathering was robust, filled with food and wine with the royal performers making the emperor laugh his heart out.

As Ara expected his brothers didn't attend, mostly because the emperor threw these gatherings every three days.

He was fascinated with watching promiscuous women dancing in frilly gowns while drinking a full jug of wine and laughing at the jester's jokes.

Ara, although, he attended these events hated them deeply.

Unfortunately, he had an image to uphold a foolish crown prince with a foolish father.

Plus, every time his father got really drunk it was an opportunity to see his third concubines flowers.

Malia, his father's third concubine, was young, healthy and beautiful.

She had been in adoration of him for a while before they began their little thrilling games of hide and seek.

Sensing his presence she opened the door "Your highness, I missed you."

She kissed him as soon as he closed the door behind them and they rapidly discarded their attires.

Falling into the bed as he kisses a path down her ivory skin.

They kissed each other breathlessly knowing their time was short, he quickly understood her.

Loving her with exhilaration, their sweat, pants and moans a melody to their own desire.

As they explored in exquisite bliss.

A.R.A

Lord Roriath Oldas the Emperor's personal advisor knelt in the Emperor's personal chambers staring at the wooden polished floor waiting for him to acknowledge his presence.

"Lord Roriath, to what do I owe the visit so early in the day?" Vastus asked, watching him from his reading table.

Roriath's fingers clenched at the material of his clothes "Your Majesty I-I need your help."

The eunuch poured water into a cup for the Emperor as he gestured at Roriath "Speak."

"Thank you. Your majesty, My wife is in labor. If I don't do something soon, your majesty, she will die with my child." he explained the raw pain in his voice.

Vastus shrugged, "If your wife is in labor, call a midwife, what can I do to help?"

Roriath prostrated on the floor "Your majesty the midwife is unable to help, she says if I must save her I need a sorcerer."

Vastus threw the cup of water at him "I forbid it."

"Your majesty please I beg of you, save my wife." he pleaded desperately.

But vastus only sneered at him "Lord Roriath if I sort a sorcerer for everytime my wives lost a child, there would be no law."

"Your majesty, if it was only the child in danger… I wouldn't need to stoop so low as to require a sorcerer but my wife, my wife your grace, please I love her. Please save her." he begged, tears that didn't fall in his eyes.

Displeased, vastus grunted "Lord Roriath your wife is a mere woman, pick another wife if she dies, ten more if you require you will surely fall in love with one but I will not allow a sorcerer in my land, I forbid it."

Defeated, feeling crushed his shoulder sagging, roriath rose to his feet then bowed "As you wish your majesty."

Heavy-hearted he left the Emperor's study, his shoulders slumped, as he dragged his feet across the hallway muttering the words mercy.

"Lord Roriath?" a voice called to him.

He turned to see the crown prince "Your highness." he bowed

"Is everything alright? How can I be of help?" Ara asked curiously.

Roriath's heart ached so much he couldn't say "Come with me to my chambers."

He followed Ara still in a daze as his courtiers served them cakes and afternoon tea "Speak, lord Roriath stop moping. It is unpleasant."

Ara shrugged, relaxing in his seat as he listened. "My wife is in labor and she might die."

Frowning, Ara sipped his tea "Then call on a midwife."

"The midwife says there's nothing she can do, only a sorcerer can save her and my child. The emperor has forbidden me to consult one, he says I should take a new wife." Roriath's heart ached.

Thoughtfully, Ara said his next words slowly "She is indeed only a woman..."

Roriath nearly saw red "I love her, your highness."

Ara wondered if this so-called love was capable of making one lose their way and suddenly he had a thought "I can help you."

His eyes wide roriath listened eagerly "You can?"

The web was slowly being woven "I know witch, who lives in one of the eight markets. I am sure she can save your wife."

Roriath fell on his knees "This is Treason your highness.

He looked around on his knees for fear one might hear " if you're caught, you will be banished or worse... dragon forbid."

Excitement flooded Ara's nerves "I know, that's to show you...how much, I care for you."

Suspicion filled roriath's mind "But, what has made you wish to help me so your highness, what makes me worth this?"

"Oh don't worry Roriath. You are worth it trust me. Once the sorcerer saves your wife's life we can talk. Now go home, I'll send her to you." Ara assured him.

Roriath prostrated "Long live your highness, honor to crown."

Ara watched him leave with a crude smirk on his lips "Regar go fetch the little witch."

Regar bowed "Pardon me to speak your highness. The witch that's locked up underground? your grace, she doesn't work for free."

"I'm aware. I'll give her, her freedom. Along with fifty pieces of silver." Ara said.

Regar bowed again "Permission to speak again, my Lord, why are you doing such a drastic thing for lord Roriath?"

Ara grinned "Have you wanted to catch an eagle before?"

Regar shook his head "No, your highness."

"If you want to catch an eagle you get the best meat and place it in a net." Ara laughed, "Of course you wouldn't understand regar."

Regar left hurriedly and Ara watched the lilies in his father's garden die with glee.

Later, that evening Roriath returned to his chambers of gold and ruby "Thank you, your highness, I'm so grateful."

Ara sat up "No need to be grateful. I needed you for a reason that's why I helped you."

Roriath sat on a cushion "How may I help your grace?"

"Your loyalty, your fealty, your life… swear it to me." Ara said with a sick grin that gave Roriath chills.

If not for his human-like resemblance Roriath swore he saw the devil in his eyes. "Your highness, my loyalty to the Emperor."

Ara shrugged with a brilliant grin that only widened "Oh really? then I shall I tell the Emperor that you freed a sorcerer, not just any sorcerer...but the witch head of the coven Almadea from the underground dungeon to save your wife and child."

"Then let's see, if he'll spare you or your beloved wife."

Roriath was shaken. "You are the devil."

"That's better." Ara laughed, "Swear it with blood." He handed Roriath a knife.

He hesitated "What if I disagree…" his heart thumped in his throat as the question poisoned him.

"Well your child, that precious little life will slip through your fingers…and your wife?..."

He said thoughtfully "I'll let you kill her."

Roriath snarled in disbelief.

Ara smirked as roriath fell to his knees "you will burn her body to ashes in the wind so she can never reincarnate."

The knife sliced through roriath's skin, blood dripping to the polish floor "I swear fealty...loyalty and my life to you. Your highness crown prince Ara Atlas Roveriasazar."

He then took Ara's hand and kissed his ring "Don't worry lord Roriath, I'll be good to you from now on."

The heated glare of hatred in roriaths eyes pleased Ara so much he was tempted.

Ara felt on top of the world " I'm not even Emperor yet and I can taste the power in my hands fascinating."

"I have a bad feeling about him, your grace." Regar said, lighting the candles.

Ara simply stared at the sunsetting in the distance "Regar did I ask for your feelings?"

Regar stiffened "Forgive me your highness, also, are we really going to let the sorcerer leave?" Regar asked, bringing over an ink and paper for Ara.

"Has she reached the outskirts of the city?" Ara questioned

"Not quite, your highness but she should in an hour." Regar informed him.

Ara dipped his feather pen in ink "Kill her once she crosses the gates."