A dazzle too dizzy

A beautiful garden scene can be seen in the beautiful empire of Lua. A bright sunny day, a sky of deep blue tint only seen in the land of poesy and songs, the floods of golden sunlight pouring down on the flowers, on shrubs and vines, birds of bright plumage singing the most alluring songs; a day when life seems one long luxury, and one long song. A magnificent palace called the 'Cherry bloom' stood near the woods of Jecho , in the midst of the beautiful country of Lua.

The evergreen trees of the woods formed a dark green background, the clear deep stream ran in front, a long pink terrace over which the vines trailed in luxuriant abundance led to a large garden and that garden sloped to the banks of the beautiful river. It gleamed like an earthly paradise.

There was a variety of colours on every lovely line of sky, of tree, of flower; there was every beauty of nature; but the fairest part of the picture was the regaled face of a young man ,who stood watching the rapid disappearance of the small paper boat crafted by him down the river.

The well-chiseled face was of one seen in a model's magazine or in dreams ; handsome, rich in colour, full of poetry and passion and remarkable in one thing, that it is very handsome and young. The face was as that of an angel but was filled with strong feelings and was not one that took one's thought to heaven. In summary, good-looking but sinister, full of goodness but devoid of any emotion . A devil with a deceiving appearance.

"Quin !" he said and the man by that name appeared before him, "When is Goloth nation sending their tribute?"

"Your Majesty, according to the information I received, it should be by next month" the deep bass voice replied.

"I heard their princess is worth looking at... include her in the list" , Emperor Thor said in his deep condemning voice. Quin scratched his head nervously and dared to interrupt his lord.

"My liege! with all due respect, I don't think King Dur will agree to it... information has it that she's his most precious daughter" he said , a tinge of nervousness laced in his voice.

The dark eyes flashed unutterable scorn, the regal head was thrown back proudly, a light mocking laughter came from his lips, beautiful enough to woo and win any lady without any attachment of his wealth and status. "The more reason I should possess her, make preparations... I want to explore Goloth nation in disguise"

Quin looked at his lord with a shocked expression, 'Why is he so obsessed with Goloth nation?' he thought to himself. "Yes sire , it shall be done" he replied.

"Inform my army chief of staff, I want my empire well protected while I'm gone". Once again Quin answered and bowed slightly to carry out the instructions leaving his master all alone.

A deep sigh came from his lips. The slightly visible smile vanished. He looked over the green trees and the deep clear river. A sigh of unutterable satisfaction came from his lips . "How beautiful is my empire, how dearly I am in love with it" . Sadly , he looked at the necklace bearing his mother's face. "Mama, I promise to bring the Goloth nation to their knees. Those that mocked you shall pay with their lives". He clasped the necklace shut and kissed it before wearing it round his neck.

Emperor Thor's mother was a lady of the wealthiest family in Goloth. Once upon a time, she had dined with princes and princesses, nobles and servants alike had waited on her with the daintiest of luxuries until one night of unfortunate incident she lost everything in a fire. Her family, her home and her wealth were all gone in a blink of an eye. Those that had once benefited from her turned her into ball of disgrace, kicking her from all directions.

Lady Ana, his mother who was the most beautiful woman, born to shine , to exact homage , to rule and to sway was doomed and condemned to death. Her soul was on the verge of wearing away with bitter repining when his father found her almost dead in a rundown carriage. She whose smile the nobles of the land hung enraptured couldn't bear the brunt of suffering and soon pinned away in an unendurable ennui. Becoming the empress had lifted her suffering but not the weariness of her soul. She died a few months ago but he can't forget the shadowed and mournful look her face always carried. He will never forgive Goloth for that.

Emperor Thor hurried from his paradise to journey to Goloth, everything he needed had been prepared and Quin went with him. The white misty morning, the old dark pagoda by the riverside where one saw everything through a fog as it were, the dim yellow light that seemed to float on the air clung to the horse and illuminated the paths. All through the journey, he uttered only one word "Faster!" as he spurred his horse into a racing demon.

For three days, he rode consecutively with no rest , only for brief moments to allow the horses rest their hoofs. On the fourth night, he finally arrived his destination though tired but rewarding. With Quin as his valet , a well decorated and clean inn was rented , all his basic needs were provided for and the deprived rest and sleep were had.

The next day, he went to explore the city of Goloth. Memories returned to him in a strong surge of emotions as the sound of half-forgotten music in a dream. Summer and sunshine filled him with the magic of fragrant flowers and the charm laid on the lovely display of goods on the streets.

"Should I increase the list of tribute gift? They look so rich !" he asked Quin who quickly turned away from his master with the intention of dodging the question. A rough nudge shattered the last piece of defense he created, exposing him to the antics and taunts of his merciless master.

"Sire , this question is a little bit difficult for me" he said with quivering lips.

"Ditch sire, call me Thor" he said , " I need to review the list, more things should be added" he continued, leaving Quin bewildered.

"Yes sire... umm... Sir Thor". He couldn't bear to call his master's first name, even if it's an order. Thor ignored him and continued his sightseeing.

Hearing coos and wows , Thor turned to see a tall, beautiful, queenly vision , with rippling blond hair and bright eyes . The lips were perfect as those of Aphrodite, goddess of love, and a face of Venus, the Greek goddess of beauty. Her smiles were seductive as those of an enchantress making him enamored.

He did not know what her clothes was, but it was something of white and shinning and fell like a luminous cloud about her. The white pearls she wore were no whiter than the graceful neck and arms; she wore the prettiest shoe and her gloves were a marvel of art, her jewelled fan was perfect, and as she moved , it seemed as though a ripple of light and a subtle glow followed her.

He had seen beautiful women, pretty girls but none was like her. She was unique and seemed to him the sunshine was dazzling him, he felt giddy as though some strong perfume had passed over him . For a man of his character, it was strange to have such a strong effect on him.

"Oh__my__gosh!" Thor exclaimed.

"Who is that ?" he asked completely smitten.

"If the portrait is correct, she should be the princess of Goloth nation, Sir Thor" . Quin had doubted the authenticity of the portrait due to the enormous beauty surrounding her but right now, he was too bewildered to know what to say.

At the mention of that name, the enchantment seemed to lose its grip as an angry gloom appeared on his face. " No wonder she looked like a seductress " he huffed as he left for his room in the inn, all the charms losing it's effect on him.