Chapter 46: Tent-Dwelling Women

The whole team just remain silent during whole ride. King Cyrus was ridding the carriage with them. King Cyrus is set to inspect the least part of El Oathniel Kingdom. This part of the Kingdom is known as the tent-dwelling women. The women are the source of bread and pastries. They are also the producer of harps. For centuries this women are the crafter of harps and any string instrument.

King Cyrus have received some inward message that women are acting strange and are violent. The supplies of bread and instrument were cut short due to the lack of labourers.

When the carriage stopped in front of huge cream tents. The place was sorrounded by tree bearing fruits. The bread were made of fresh fruits. Women who are wearing simple dresses with cream colored hair welcomed them. As soon as King Cyrus step down from the carriage the women bowed in harmony.

A woman with forest green eyes spoke politely.

"Welcome your Highness. Thank you for personally coming here. We oath that we won't waste your time. "

Cyrus just nod at them indicating that they can stand up straight.

"Deb lead us the way. " Cyrus shortly instructed.

The Deb woman lead them inside the biggest tent. The inside look spacious especially the baking area. Deb motioned them to sit infront of the octagon table. She served them some egg pie and watermelons.

"Your Highness as we have reported to you. The women ages from 15 to 20 are acting hysterical and ludicrous. When we tried to track the source of such uproar it lead us at the bottom of the valley. " Deb enumerated as she rummaged through the floor. She rested a transparent strings in front of everyone to examine.

"Yep, every woman who was acting out of their character had this tied on their ankle. "

Cyrus touched the string and it shined. It immediately wrapped the King's index finger. Cyrus waited for the string to do it's thing. The string engraved an image of eel encircling his index.

When Deb saw the engrave she gasped.

"Your highness the marked you recieve was different. Our women ratified a hard rigid calcareous similar to what is growing on limestone. "

Ophir spoke with curiousity when he heared what Debz mentioned.

"Eels are snake like bony fishes. When you describe it as an action word it would mean Escape. Meanwhile the limestone are rocks formed by accumulated organic remains. "

Kiel followed up as he scrutinized.

"So translating it literally ...means , They are using the women as a portal to escape from the valley ? "

Hexel looked at Debz and inquired about the said valley.

"Excuse me but could you give us a brief outline anything involving the valley?"

Debz breathed nervousy and swallowed as she started to talk.

"Well our ancestors before speak of a myth about that valley. They said that during the time of queen Jezebel they used the lake as a prison for her familiar spirits. That valley was also known as the demon's pool and plate. Before when Queen Jezebel was yet to discover the bottomless valley. It was used as the main source of water for the tent-dwellers. At this season the men are away to hunt to store for rainy days. "

Cyrus and the tale bearers paid a visit unto the valley and saw how eerie and uncanny . Ophir tied Lehi's shoes and stood in front of his wife with seriousness .

"Be alert under the water. Focus and please! just don't get injured."

Lehi just nod at him.

"You too, keep your eyes on the water. "

Kiel helped Lila to put on her swimming gear. He desperately sighed and pat her back encouragingly.

"Don't explore to much. Be aware of your surrounding and come back to me."

Lila just embraced him and whispered "See you later."

Before they dive in Cyrus gave them three instruction.

1. Watch out for strings.

2.Move as one.

3.Don't forget to breath.

Lehi, Natalina and Lila noded before plunging their selves on the water headfirst.

After the women fully disappeared on sight, King Cyrus motioned the men to be in their designated area.

Ophir stay at the starting point of the valley . Kiel position yourself on the edge. Hexel remain behind the course. Urchin will stay with me on the water.

"Focus and be tenacious because your friends are under water. Trust them and don't waver. "

Lehi can see the color of the water chages as they get deeper. Even the smell became rusty. When they reach the bottom. Every area were surrounded by bones and skulls.

Lila made the gesture to collect all the string. Natalina scooped any familiar object and Lehi trudge with her coal shoes. The greenish bottom became a coal and the alabasters appeared Natalina swept it with her jasper net. When they are about to get up. Lila got pulled by tentacles. The water turned inky and Lehi remember herself being sucked in forcefully.

Cyrus noticed the lake turned black and pitched. The ink suddenly became a gigantic fish. They were numerous that Ophir only summoned his bones. Kiel prayed for the rock to become fine needles. While Hexel's sword became flexible. Urchin just spoke with his word. "Break. "

Cyrus extended his rod and summoned his nails.

"Lord God who sees and knows the story of this valley. I hereby declare a thorough cleansing. Avenge the body of your saints and prophets that are pulverised and got rotten because of the water. May your vision and will abound concerning this place. By the authority you have entrusted to me, I claim and declare this place as your sanctuary. Amen and Amen. "

The eel engraving his index finger got eradicated the water turned to it's natural color and the women float up. Holding all that they have collected.

Ophir can't help but wonder. If the King is this strong in the battle field, can't he just be their commander in every assignment. The assignment got a perfect score half day. And all they did was heal and celebrate.