7 Chapter Six

Burspor:

"How's work at the Mine? Xander asked the official in front of him. " Your Majesty?" The official asked. "I asked how work at the mine is" Xander said again with a change in his tone. "Things are going well, My Lord" the official answered quickly and bowed in a bid to say sorry. "Take a few soldiers and my royal guards. I need to go and check how things are at the mine" Xander ordered the official who ran to do what he was asked to do. The official was called back by the annoyed King. "Where are you rushing to?" Xander asked him. The official didn't answer. "Tell Adelmo to join also. We need to pay our brother a visit" he added and the official left.

*************************************

As Xander was moving through the street in his carriage, he observed the city through the windows of the vessel. He observed the look on the people's face. He is someone who reads people's minds from their facial expression. Some looked at him in awe. They saw him as a god. They loved him. Most of them were blacks. The Reds could not lift their faces to see the man who conquered them. They were scared and he liked that. He knew they hated him but had no urge to attack him. Your enemies need to fear you for you to remain in power. Things looked good and business seem to be going well in the black capital. He looked at his younger brother who was busy with his normal hobby- playing with women. " when I asked you to join me in my carriage, I expected you to respect me well enough to leave your wenches outside. Yet, you brought them in here. Have you no fear of me?" Xander asked. Adelmo looked up, pushed the lady away and begged his brother. The almost naked wench went on her knees and begged the king for a while. She knew she had just escaped death. Xander looked at her and his brother. "You can never change" he said and looked away.

He looked up and sighed. He knew what happened last between Baptiste and him would cause some stiffness. In truth, he admired his brother but he was too lenient. His brother who was fearless, gentle and loving. How could he become like this? Become so soft.

After some hours, they reached the dark city of Emtor.

************************************

"Your brother is on his way here" Abella said as she entered her husband's room. Baptiste was busy arranging some scrolls which contained the mine activities. "Really? Why didn't he send a message?" He asked his wife who didn't respond. "let's get ready to meet him" he added. He followed his wife out of the room and went to the mines to make an announcement.

He ordered all his guards to bring all the workers together so they can listen to what the king had to say.

Some few minutes later, Xander arrived at Baptiste's house. Everyone was on alert. Xander brought a battalion with him. All the soldiers stationed at every route of the mines and blocked all exit routes. "My King, you are welcome to Emtor" Baptiste said and bowed. His wife and servants did the same thing. "What brings you to Emtor?" He asked. He looked up and saw the disgust in his brother's eyes. "Is it a bad thing for a king to check his lands?" Xander asked. "I am sorry, my Lord. Your visit was unexpected" Baptiste said in defence. "Raise your Head brother, we are family." Xander said and moved in to sit. "Bring food" he ordered the servants who all scattered to do as they were told. "How is Emtor?" Xander asked. "Fine, we are coping well here" Baptiste replied. "I meant business" Xander said while cutting meat. "Business is good" Baptiste replied. "I see you brought Adelmo" he added but was cut short by Xander. "I heard your wife put to bed. Can I see the child?" Xander asked. "Yes" Baptiste said and made a gesture for his wife to bring their children. Abella went in and brought Anthonia. Baptiste was shocked but he did not talk. His wife just lied to the king. He had to keep quiet or his wife will be punished. Xander asked his commander to check the baby. The commander collected the baby and checked its gender. After checking, he whispered to Xander. "Congratulations brother, I have a niece." Xander said and collected the baby from the commander. He looked at the girl in his arms. A black beauty. She has the eyes of his brother and every other thing was her mother's. He looked up and said. "I thought they were two" he said. Baptiste looked up and said in his wife defence. "The other died in childbirth" . Abella knew why her husband lied and prayed Anthonio would not cry. Xander looked at them for a while before saying "So sad". "Your child cannot cope here in this horrible place. I will take her with me to live as a princess of the kingdom" Xander said. Both Baptiste and Abella were shocked with what he said. Abella could not hold it in "She is still young. She needs her mother. You can't take her my lord" she said. "You dare question me?" Xander asked and Abella said nothing in response. "Brother, she is my daughter and needs to be with me" Baptiste said. Xander looked at him and said nothing. After a while, he stood up and said " I will allow you to take care of her for a year. I will come back for her then" Baptiste knew he could not fight with his brother over this. All his being wanted to do, but he couldnt. He couldn't. He sighed and said "Yes, my Lord" and the words made Abella look at him horribly. Xander smiled and said " let's go and check the workers". Xander left and Abella whispered to her husband "you are a coward". Baptiste looked at her and said " Its the best for her. Now that we lied about Anthonio, we need to take him far away from us". "Where?" Abella asked. "Wentose" Baptiste replied and his wife looked surprised the more. "A foreign land? Where they hate us?" She said. "He will be safer there. I have a friend who I trust." Baptiste said and moved away.

His new family has been torn apart by his brother. That's what Xander has always done. Tear him apart.