Chapter 10: Power of Gold

"It is good that you are here. You had done a splendid job," King Hammer said to the two tribal old tribal chiefs present in his court. They were the ones who were the first to submit to him. The king was sitting on his throne wearing the golden silk robe. Two slave girls sat on his thighs and he played with them.

"Thank you," the first old tribal chief said. His name was Gullan. He was a dense-bearded man with a small frame. He wore beads around his neck and had red paint stripes on his cheeks. He wore woven clothing and a tiger skin around his shoulders.

"I promised to prize you for your service," the king said and clapped. A few soldiers brought two chests and opened it. The tribal chiefs drooled after seeing the chests were full of gold.

"I am glad I was of use," the other old man said. His name was Fugu. He did not have a beard, but was also of a short stature. He wore a large shawl around his body, so it was impossible to know what he wore inside. There were yellow paint stripes on his cheeks. "Everybody believed you were the messiah."

"A job well done indeed," said the king. " I promised I would let you make a fortune if you work for me. I can still make you much more if you continue to do so."

"I did not only help you for the riches, King Hammer," Gullan said. "You promised your lands to us. I can only be grateful to you for my people."

"Yeah, yeah, fine." King Hammer did not seem interested in his talk. "Tell me, did you find the Holy Crown of the supreme chief?"

"We are still searching for the daughter of Kanga, who is on the run. She is the one who stole the crown," Fugu said. "We are inquiring her mother for her location, but it seems she is unaware of it."

"Good, good. She must know the location of her daughter. Get her to talk at any cost," Hammer said.

Gullan listened to their words and interrupted. "I do not support the idea of torcher to get information out of her. We must not forget she is the wife of our previous supreme chief."

"Whatever," reacted Fugu. "The previous chief and the ones before him did not bring any riches to us. King Hammer did." He glanced at the gold coins.

"You have gone astray from the way of our ancestors, Chief Fugu," Gullan responded with a frown.

"Our ancestors did nothing for us, and you know it, too. If we join King Hammer, we will never have to go hungry."

"Fine. I am out of here. I do not like this talk." Gullan turned and began to walk, but his feet halted when he heard the king.

"When did I say you could just walk away without my permission?" Hammer let the women on his lap stand aside and walked down from his throne. He went close to the old man. "Take your gold before leaving."

"I do not want it."

The king went even closer and whispered into the ears of the old man. "Are you reconsidering your decisions, old man? Well, I saw that your newborn grandson is very cute." These words shocked Gullan. "And your son had married a year ago. You moved your tribe and your family to my lands. What if some accident were to happen and something happened to your family?"

"Are you threatening me?" reacted Gullan.

"I would not dare to," Hammer replied. "But just take my gold and be involved like Fugu. I do not want to cause accidents somewhere." He then tapped the shoulder of the old man and laughed. "Hahaha! I thought you were deliberately declining my gold. So, you have an illness of memory." He said the latter sentence in a louder voice so that everybody could hear it.

Gullan had no choice but to take the gold. He exited the court after taking it. Chief Fugu of the Venus tribe still remained.

"I like you, Chief Fugu. You are not like the other chiefs," Hammer said. "You are smart."

"I feel delighted by these words, my king," responded Fugu as he bowed. "I will do anything for gold."

"And I will make sure to give you loads of it," Hammer said.

Fugu bowed again and took his leave with the gold.

***

"How is the prince now?" the governor of the bordering castle of Wild asked the healer in his service while chilling on his throne and eating an apple.

"He is okay now, my lord. His wounds have been tended to," the man said.

The governor could not wait to destroy the supply lines of Madmen. "Good job, healer." He signaled his soldier. The soldier gave a pouch of gold to the healer.

The healer bowed and exited. Suddenly, a soldier entered. "My lord, a messenger from Madmen has come."

The governor wondered if those Madmen already know that Colt was in his castle. "Let him in."

The soldier followed the order and let Varius enter in the presence of the governor.

"Look who is here. The infamous sadistic menace, Varius. What is the important matter that we were able to feel your esteemed presence?"

"I know Prince Colt is here, Governor Ramos. I am not sure if you are aware that he is a runaway from our kingdom. King Hammer wants him back," Varius said.

"I do not have anyone like that. I think someone misguided you," the governor said.

"Are you sure you want to do this, governor?"

"Do not think of me as one of your subjects, Varius. I can cut your head off and send it to your traitor king. I said I do not have your prince."

Varius nodded slowly. "Very well. Then King Hammer will come and talk to you." He turned and started walking away. "And you know that…" He stopped and again turned to look at the governor. "…he does not come alone." He then walked away through the door.

The governor ordered his soldier when he left. "Bring me the prince. It is time to deal a blow to the arrogant Madmen."