1 The War

In a remote village of the Gazlin Empire, a husband and wife enjoying life to the fullest with their two kids. The life of living off the land is an enjoyable one as well a fruitful hard working one.

The husband built a simple home with the wood that the land produced. The house is two floors tall with four rooms a kitchen and a living room for guests when they come and visit. The house creaks as the wind blows and the stairs creak as you walk up the stairs, it isn't the best built house in the village but it is enough to lead a fulfilling life with the family.

Belus returned home after a long day at work in the farm, as he stepped inthe wood creak. Belus smelled the aroma of meat as he walked into his house. "honey, what is it that you are cooking, it smells great" Belus said as he couldn't help but close his eyes and gets intoxicated with the aroma of meat in the air.

Selins looked at Belus with a bright smile as bright as the sun. "I'm cooking feerLizard soup and fenal cremes for dessert today." Selins said smilingly to her husband as she continued stirring the pot causing more of the feerlizard meat armoa to explode in the home.

Belus took in a deep breath once more for the last time and looked at his beautiful wife stirring the feerlizard meat pot with a suprised look on his face as if he is confused or contemplating on whats the special occasion for her to cook meat today.

"we rarely eat meat or dessert, but we are having both on the same day. This is very strange and odd, are special guests coming over today" Belus said with a contemplating look as he stroked his beard.

Selins looked at Belus as he stroked his beard, anger can be seen on her face as it turns from white to red. "don't tell me you forgot what today is, can't you see the feerlizard meat I'm making for me and you." Selins said in angerly at Belus as she stopped stirring the pot and let go of the ladle that was in her hand.

Belus looked around the room, seen the candles have been lit up, the curtains shut with very dim lighting. Belus looked at his wife's angry face and seen that for the first time in a year she has worn make up to look more dazzling than she already is. "one year, one year ago?"  Belus started thinking to himself last year was our seventh anniversary, that means today should be our eighth anniversary.

Belus looked at his wife with a mocking smile, as he thought he was one step ahead of her "Of course I know what day it is, it's our eighth anniversary. How can I forget with such a beautiful wife at home that I love and care for?" Belus said in a cocky way as he stood confidently infront of Selins.

Selins looked at her husband making such a stupid cocky face as he stood infront of her. Selins anger couldn't help but brew even more as she looked at her husband.

Selins grabbed the ladle from the meat pot that she was stirring with earlier and throws it toward Belus face.

[BAM] The ladle missed Belus face only by a little, you could see the surprised look on his face as he looked at the ladle that was now stuck on the wooden wall.

"What the was that for I didn't do anything wrong" Belus said as he scratched his head with a look of suprise as sweat trickled down his forehead.

"You bastard today is our tenth anniversary and you dare have the audacity to say this with confidence while making a cocky face" Selnis shouted in anger as she slapped the table infront of her.

Belus hesitated to answer back, as if he knew if he says anything wrong, he will have to feel her wrath. Belus face looked worried as he truly knew that he had caused his wife to become truly angry at him.

Belus thought to himself. What have i done to deserve this, it's just an anniversary. I dont see what the big deal is. Belus wouldn't dare say the words that were in his mind as he knew that Selins will have murdered him.

Selins always had a very short temper and would beat up anyone that caused her anger. Selins is an independent women which is rare to find these days as most wives would not dare curse at their husbands as the man is the house hold main support and did everything for the home. But not for Selins she planted, harvested and worked on the yard just as hard as her husband sharing the work load with each other. This is what Belus found attractive about her character and her drop goddes like looks.

"Honey you don't need to wear makeup on special occasions like these, you look alot more beautiful in my eyes when you are in your natural state" Belus said as he walked toward Selins and held her small hand that was red from the earlier

Selins looked at her husband with a smile on her face that can make any man's heart drop. Selins stared straight into his black eyes with her grey eyes as he held her small hands.

"Trying to be slick tounged so that i forgive you, let me tell you this right now this isn't going to be as easy as you think for me to forgive you. Do you understand?." Selins said while giving Belus a smile that wasn't a smile at the same time.

Belus looked at his Selins with the chilling smile, her face and her grey eyes looking straight into his soul. He knew this is when she is the most scariest as everytime she smiles like that it never ends good. The last he seen a smile like that was last year when she forced him to work the yard by himself for a month, cook, clean and attend the chores around the house. She would only forgive him after the month has passed and he can go back in bed with her and make love. But while she is mad there is absolutely no chance of him getting any relief expect for him to relief himself.

Belus let go of Selins small hands and couldn't help but feel guilty for how he made his wife feel. "No, no, no I didn't mean to be slick tongued. Honestly I remembered the anniversary that we are having why are you still mad at me" Belus said as he went toward the kitchen table.

"Me mad? no I'm not mad at all" Selins said in a sarcastic voice as she went back to the meat pot and grabbed a new ladle to stir the meat pot vigorously, causing splashes of the meat broth to spill over.

"Have a seat and feel relaxed everything is going to be all fine we will have this talk tomorrow. As for right now I want to enjoy our anniversary tonight." Selins gave up scolding Belus as she knew how thick skined he is, she couldn't help but sigh to herself.

Selins poured the feerlized meat pot into a wooden bowl as she headed toward the kitchen table where Belus was sitting. Selins placed two bowls and two spoons on the table in that short span of time and pulled a chair for herself as she inhaled the armoa coming from the meat bowl. Selins looked at Belus with a chilling smiling face knowing he's going to be tourtured for the following 30 days. "Oh well I better make use with what I got today." Selins said as she determined to make today a joyous day.

Smelling the meat Belus couldn't help but reach out his hand to grab the ladle to pour himself a serving as he became intoxicated with the armoa.

[SMACK!] Selins slapped Belus hand trying to reach for the meat pot.

"Mr Keluis you will eat after this young lady has eaten and you will have to wait until it gets cold" Selins said as she started to chuckle at how miserable her husband looked when she slapped his hand.

A small tear drop fell from Belus as he looked at the meat pot infront of him, he sighed to himself as he knew he messed up getting the year wrong for their anniversary.

I will have to remind myself somehow to remember when our anniversary is so I wouldn't go through this torture again. Belus said to himself as he saw that Selins has already placed the meat pot serving in her bowl. The meat pot of the year is right infront of him yet he couldn't even eat a single bite until it has gone cold. This was torture beyond any words for him as he bit his lower lip.

"Bitch" Belus said in a whispering voice hoping his wife wouldn't hear him. Belus just wanted to let some steam off as he felt that he was wronged.

"What did you say? say it again I didn't hear it fully." Selins said calmly as she tightened up her hand into a fist. Selins knowing Belus personality she already guessed what he had said, she just wanted to confirm one more time.

"My dear I said you are beautiful the way you are eating the piping hot meat pot with your exquisite red lips. I was admiring how slender and curvey your body is it's an image that is totally memerizing I couldn't help but get stuck on the word beaut, before I said beautiful because you have me speechless." Belus said in a panicked voice as he came up with a good excuse and a story to backup what he said.

Selins looked at her husband couldn't help but chuckle at how Belus managed to get a whole story to back up his lie. "If I'm so beautiful like you say, you would remember what year our anniversary is." Selins said as she pointed her spoon toward Belus, giving him a chilling smile.

Belus sighed to himself and thought for a moment to what he could say to combat from this situation. "Well honey it's not that I forgot our anniversary. Its that everyday I'm with you feels like time flys by when I'm around you. You are my sun and I'm your moon, your blond hair glitters through the morning sun and my dark moon eyes can't help but look at you. Your beauty is so exquisite that if the prince of this empire were to see you he would take you as his main wife, that is how much your beauty is to this world. Your beauty can start wars and bring the most out of men…." Belus continued with his bullshit speech knowing full well his wife isn't buying what he is selling at all.

"hahahahah you are really.... , fine fine you can eat the soup but don't think for a second that I have forgiven you for calling me a bitch and forgetting our anniversary." Selins said as she chuckled madly.

Belus knew he was in the pit this time no matter what tricks he tried to pull. "I guess I can only just enjoy what I have today, before entering the month of hell" Belus said as he poured him self a serving of the feerlizard soup.

Belus proceeded to his serving of feerlizard meat in a hurry. Belus hadn't had meat in such a long time and the feerlizard meat is super tender thats the reason for it being quit expensive in the market. Belus would occasionally cook the chickens at his farm if they're of age, but due to the age of the chickens he is cooking the meat becomes sturdy and tough like jerky as they age.

Selins brought the last course over to the table which is the desert she had saved for last the fenel cremes. Belus and Selins devored the dessert in an instant causing them to regret eating it too fast.

Belus picked up his wife and carried her and said "My dessert isnt finished yet" as he smirked.

Belus can see the reddens on his wife's face as she blushed. Selins slapped his chest in a light way "you mongrel how dare you say that." Selins said in a soft embarrassed voice as she tucked her head in his chest to hide her face from him.

"My wife you are still a women no matter how tough you act on the outside, I know deep down you are a loving careing wife and mother." Belus said as he smiled seeing his wife act like a child as he held her.

Selins slapped Belus chest one more time as she hid her face from him. "You mongrel don't think for a second that I have forgiven you for today's matters" Selins said as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Belus couldn't help but shake his head, he had already acknowledged that he will be punished. Belus placed the matters pertaining to his punishment to the side as he headed toward their bedroom.

"Honey no matter what happens I will always be here to protect you" Belus said as he smiled as he kicked open his bedroom door.

[BANG, BANG] Heavy banging could be heard from the front door

Belus looked at his wife with a preplex face "Who could it be at this time to start knocking on my door?" Belus questioned as he looked toward the door.

Belus put his wife down as he was still carrying her and proceeded to run downstairs to see who is banging on his door.

"Who is it". Belus said in his heavy deep voice.

[BANG BANG BANG!!] A voice came from behind the door with a sobing tone. " It's me Benelix please open the door Belus please".

Belus and Benelix are best friends that grew up together in the same orphanage. They both supported each other since they where infants. They were both abandoned as an infant and brought to the orphanage of Cadilina in a remote village part of the Gazlin empire. They both were more like blood brothers if anything Belus was a year older than Benelix so he always treated Benelix like a younger brother.

The door opened the image in front of Belus shattered his mind as he can see his friend crying in front of his door. "What's wrong?" Belus said worried at the sight of his best friend.

"They took her away from me, they took her away from me." Benelix said as tears trailed off of his face.

"Who got taken away?". All Belus could hear was his friends sobbing, this is the first time since they were kids had he seen Benelix crying like he is now. Belus didn't hear a response from Benelix and couldn't help but get more worried.

"Calm down and focus." Belus held up Benelix to stand up instead of his kneeling position. Belus couldn't help but feel his bestfriend shivering.

[sob sob sniffles!!] "Belus the military took my daughter away from me for not having enough to pay the taxes" Benelix said as he hugged Belus as more tears trailed off his face.

"Why didn't you come find me first if you didn't have enough to pay. Do you not treat me as a brother? Why is the empire collecting taxes now? isn't it supposedto be in two months?" Belus said to Benelix

"That's what I'm here for now I don't know why the government is collecting taxes two months early and if you don't comply they will take all your possions the new lord who is in control of this region took over last month and is expecting everyone to pay taxes today and ten percent more from last year. I feel so ashamed for asking you for help I don't feel like a man at all.

"Not asking me to help when you are indeed of help is an slap in a face to our friendship if you considered me a true friend and brother, even if we aren't relatives then you wouldn't mind asking me for help. I will help you as a friend and as a brother we will get your daughter back. Where are they now?" Belus realized the severity of the situation and wanted to act fast.

"They have went back to the west tower, outskirts of the village they have my daughter with them." Benelix says in a sobbing tone.

"ok lets go right now there is no time to waste we need to get your daughter back as soon as possible" Belus took action right away and headed toward the barn

Belus grabbed the extra grains he has that he had stored in his barn. Since he had a large amount of farm land he would always produce extra grains. The extra grains Belus would usually send to the orphanage to help out the kids who where abandon by their parents like he was.

"I don't know how much you need you think this is enough. Benelix stop sobing we are going to get your daughter back." Benelix looked at Belus in an emotional way he knew his brother will do anything to help him in his time of need. He had never asked Belus for help in his life time as he didn't want to burden his best friend who he considered a brother.

They both rode on Belus horse carriage and headed toward the west tower in the village. Selins wanted to come but knew this is a matter only her husband can resolve she wasn't wearing properly for a public appearance and her vile that covered her face was upstairs as matters right now we're extermly urgent she didn't tag along.

It took Belus and Benelix about 15 minutes to reach the west tower where the military is sationed. When they arrived they seen many villagers were there to complain about the increase in taxes as well as how early they have come to collect, it was obvious that most of the villagers didn't have enough grain to cover their end of the deal and brought their life savings in silver to make up for the missing grains. Villagers would sell the extra grains they had for silver and copper as they would save this money in hopes of having their kids enroll in an excellent school for them to get out of poverty.

Belus and Benelix both approached the big gates of the west tower. The whole tower was made of stone and had extermly big metal gates to protect the base in case of an invasion by the nighboring empire.

Benelix looked at the guard standing by the door. "Is general Zeian here I have come to pick up my daughter I have the extra grains he has requested."

The soldier looked at Benelix and could see how desperate he is and couldn't help but be delighted.

"That would be a one silver coin fee for me to get general Zeian as he is a very busy man and I don't wish to offend him by intterupting what ever he has doing right now. But one silver will make my fear of offending him go away. What do you say?" The soilder said as he crossed his arms and smirked.

This was obvious extrotion taking advantage of some one when they are at their lowest looking around they are probably doing the same to all the other villagers as well.

"What if I don't want to pay one silver coin? Because not only have you increased taxes, taxes came two months early to collect and now you are asking for a silver coin. This is corruption absolute corruption." Benelix said as rage started to build up in his eyes as he looked at the soilder.

"Well Sir which is more important one little silver coin or your daughters viriginity when we take it?" The soilder knew that they have come for their daughter as all the other villagers have come for the same reason as well

Belus rushed toward the soilder and grabbed by his neck. Belus pulled out his dagger from his waist and placed it on the soilders neck "YOU DARE, you dare utter these words in front of me." Belus said as his eyes became bloodshot from anger.

A soilder near by noticed what is happened to his friend. "Hey you peasant you let him go right now" The soilder shouted at Belus as he ran toward them.

The soilders that were near by noticed the commotion going at the gates. Most of the soilders that were at the west tower surrounded Belus who was still holding on to their fellow soilder. They had killing intent gushing out of their eyes if it wasn't for the dagger that was on their fellow soilder neck they would have killed him on the spot.

Benelix noticed the commotion that Belus had caused. Benelix started to panic, he knew that they will not live to see today but he had to get his daughter back no matter the circumstances.

"Someone is trying to rebel." The soilder under Belus dagger shouted to his fellow soilders as he smirked at Belus

"You are dead hahaha" The soilder said evily as a creepy smile crept up to greet Belus.

"I might die today but I'll make sure to drag you with me". Belus looked around at the soilders that have surrounded him, he knew today might be his last. Belus brought the dagger closer to the soilders neck.

"Calm down everyone"

When Belus looked up he had seen all the soilders that had surrounded him are now bowing down to this young man that didn't even look over the age of thirty.

"Who are you" Belus said in anger.

One of the soilders that heard Belus disrespectful tone toward the General and went to go stab him to death.

"Stop" The Young commander shouted at the soilder who was about to stab Belus. The soilder shuddered and stopped his actions. looked at the General in a respectful with fear in his eyes.

"Someone grab this soilder who dared to defy my order." The young man said in agition as he crossed his arms together.

"Commander this villager is trying to rebel. I only found it easier to get rid of him now since he has disrespected you sir." The soilder said to General Zeian in a respectful tone with a hint of fear in his voice.

"Do you take me for a fool? I'm a ranked magican of the empire silver level. I heard everything that has been happening outside and what you lads have been doing." General Zeian said in a commanding voice toward the soilder who tried to sab Belus earlier.

The soilder shuddered in fears he knew this young lord was a magican but didn't suspect that he would use his magic to easedrop on their conversations. This was truly unexpected since anyone of the silver rank won't bother with commoners like him and the rest of the other soilders.

General Zeian looked at Belus "You may let go of my soilder as well don't worry he will be punished for what he has said as I have heard the whole conversation. The fact that he is using my name to take advantage of the citizens of the ruling government here is a punishment punishable by death." The young lord said in a gracful voice as he looked at Belus.

The soilder that is under Belus started to panic as fear could be seen in his eyes. Who didn't fear death? ofcourse everyone feared death even soilders of the empire feared death. Even though the soilder wasn't afraid of Belus despite having a dagger to his neck is because he knew that his fellow soilders had his back. But for the General Zeian to issue his death no one can protect him, his death is guaranteed at this point.

Belus looked at General Zeian with disdain in his eyes. Belus knew that this young general of this region has never put him in his eyes he is just trying to put on a show infront of all the other villagers to let them know that he is merciful and would look the other way despite him having a dagger on his soilder neck.

Belus decided it was better to just let go of the soilder since further escalation could result in his death as well.

"Here's the remaining grains that my young brother owed, this should be more than enough." Belus tossed two big sacks of grains toward the General Zeian.

"If i may ask why are taxes due early and why is it ten percent higher than it usually is" Belus said in an irritated tone as he looked at the General.

"Since this young man has spoken these words of course I will answer your question regarding this issue. The reason we are collecting taxes earlier than usual is because the Gazland Empire has declared war on us." General Zeian said as he looked around at all the other villagers with disdain.

"They intend to take the our towns and cities from us, to inslave us, to ravage us. Now tell me who hear wants their daughter an sons killed before they even knew what happened? Who here wants their parents or grandparents to die? The very reason you all pay taxes is for us to protect you, now we have increased soilders in every city, village and town prepared for the war to come. The ten percent increase in taxes is justifiable who here sees us as taking taxes early as unjustifable. We are using these very grains to protect this village, as for me I'll take on the magicans that come to this village as I'm risking my life for this village. Now does anyone have any objections?" General Zeian said in a soft tone while increasing the volume of his voice to be heard all over the village with his magic.

Belus couldn't help but get more angry by the second as the more he listened to General Zeian speak. When General Zeian asked if their were any objections to his words. Belus just snapped like a bomb, he looked at the General with disdain I his eyes.

"You say that you want the protect us, yet you take our daughters and sons as ransom to force us to pay. God knows what have your soilders have done to the children. It's only been an hour since my younger brothers daughter has been held for ransom and they are already talking of rape."

"I Belus would rather have the enemy plunder this place and kill us all rather than having you takw advantage of us. Instead of explaining the situation to us sooner, you take our children. How do you think think the villagers would feel about the empire now? I would rather not be part of a Empire that takes advantage of it's citzens." Belus said General Zeian as his breathing quickened by rage.

General Zeian looked at Belus with viciousness in his eyes.

How dare he say these remarks about me after I have explained my situation and the Empires situation how dare. General Zeian thought to himself.

Right before General Zeian could make a move against Belus sirens of war started to go off in near by villages.

[VOOM, VOOM]

All the villagers started to panic, running toward their homes to gather what little supplies and food they have.

"They have come"