PAIN

The Waste-lands, hell on earth - the nature of this doughty landscape, isolated at the deep end of the Southern-lands. It's the only place ever known to allow crime prevail in its full potential; there are four towns in this desert land, separated by a day's hike.

Each town has its head but under the lord of the Waste-lands, Goru Sein, a ruthless man with no regard for human life.

A cart carrying a large steel cage holding a group of battered prisoners trots through the gates of Slavers task, moving along the wide open street leading towards the town square. Slavers task is one of the towns in the Waste-lands, warded by Rose Nigel, like the other towns, Slavers task is enclosed in a spherical shape by a large palisade wall.

However, this very town was sour to the sight, the inner walls were old and ready to collapse at the loudest bang, the well at the entrance was home to flies, there were no trees neither birds flying around, the surroundings harbored various waste, the town was literally dead. The tents and shacks weren't in good shape either; the shack roofs were home to snakes and rats - clearly seen even at day light.

On getting to the town square the rider halts the horses, five men harmed with hatchets hurried to the cage, hitting the bars to draw the attention of the slave citizens of the town. As soon as the rider unlocks the cage, one after the other the prisoners - clothed in rag knee length cloth, shackled by the hands began stepping down, amongst the prisoners was Elroy, leaping slightly with a bandaged leg.

With the prisoners standing in position, the five armed men stood in front of them giving way for a young slim woman, clothed in fully fledged black frock.

Walking pass an old man, he sneezed, inhaling the pungent smell of the lady's ointment. She stopped on her track then with a quick turn kicks forward against the man's belly, throwing him over to the filthy muddy ground.

Walking over to the groaning man she looked down on him. "Does my presence irritate you?" she asked the trembling old man groaning in pain who shook his head, unable to alter a word.

"You should be happy to be mine old dog," she kicks hard against the belly of the old man continuously as he squalls out in pain.

Elroy narrowed his eyes towards the lady, he had heard about Rose Nigel on their way here from Kastava. A small village of slavers were he found himself after the incident at Etrigon; he was well fed and treated only to be sold for a very good price by the family that cared for him.

Rose was said to be brutal and emotionless - but what caught his attention was the fact that anyone who survived her training as they called it came out stronger and fearless. This was just what he needed to get his revenge on Orlanda. Just before he could approach her a man standing next to him held his hand.

"Don't do that boy," he advised in a whisper, "in case you haven't realized, you are in the middle of hell right now. You do not play the good guy in hell, you either become a heartless son of a bitch or a slave minding his own life, forget whatever you were taught before you came here, forget God. He won't reach you here."

"Then I came to the right place." Elroy replied pulling his hand from the man.

Noticing the movement of Elroy towards Rose, one of the harmed men tried to stop him but another of his companion held him back.

"That's enough." Elroy spoke out.

The lady immediately stopped kicking at the unconscious old man, then turns to Elroy.

"You want to play hero boy?" She asked with a light tone, walking towards Elroy. "You have no idea where you are," she hits her kneel against Elroy's belly.

Elroy dropped to his knees, holding his belly tightly, grunting over the unexpected unbearable pain - there was no time to regret his actions now.

Holding unto Elroy's hair firmly she dragged his head towards her kneel. A well placed hit to Elroy's nose sent him to the ground with a cry, bleeding from his nose.

"Now listen up dogs," she turns to the prisoners, "in case you have no idea as to where the duck you are, you are in the Waste-lands, hell on earth, forget anything about the outside world."

She kicks hard against Elroy's belly who let out a slight groan, "off the four town's in the Waste-lands you landed in my town, you are my property now. I have legal rights to do whatever I wish with any of you, anytime, anywhere, get that thought in progress." Rose assured then turns over at the harmed men. "Get this trash to my quarters, my old play dull is broken."

Two harmed men immediately took Elroy by his arm and dragged him away.

BEGINNING OF THE END

Kingdom of Riana

The hall and main floor of Riana Castle - marbled all round in glitters of blue and gold, five solid pillars on both sides of the room held the first floor, a purple runner ran from the large door to the elevated grounds were the silver dressed throne stood - behind was an intersection were the stairs leading to the left and right met.

Just before the elevated throne platform, a large round table was set. Seated on one half were the elders of Riana; Chieftains representing each district, on the other half were the district Commanders. As soon as the Riana Soldier standing beside the unoccupied chair spotted Prince Richard descending the stairs to the right, he stood at attention and announced his coming.

"Welcome crowned Prince Richard of the Levia house."

The elders and Commanders rose from their chairs with a proclamation.

"May his star shine bright."

Prince Richard walked loftily down the stairs to the reserved chair.

"Let us pray," he said, then bowed his head along with the elders and Commanders. "Father in heaven," Prince Richard began, "I thank you for this wonderful day you have brought us into, the nobles and people of Riana, I thank you for your mercies, kindness and provisions. I thank you for watching over us and protecting this Kingdom, for except you watch, the watch man watches in vain. Thank you Lord for this meeting, I ask for your wisdom and your presence, direct and lead us. Amen."

"Amen," chorused the elders and Commanders.

Prince Richard then took his seat.

BEGINNING OF THE END

South-West Lands

Rune Clan

It was a hectic morning in the town, the street were flooded with people, all going on their various activities. The sun was up and blazing, disregarding that, the atmosphere was chilled and humid. An after effect of the seven days' rain, but also the perfect time for farming as some farmers were already going on with, outside the town.

On the second floor of the town tavern, Mira strolls along the corridor humming a pleasant melody but suddenly stopped and stood still as soon as she walks pass an open room, she stepped back a little peering into the room. She stared with widespread eyes and raised eye brows at Elroy's back, stricken with scars of cuts in addition with stripes from lashes.

"That's a lot to take in."

Elroy immediately turned around. "How long have you been there?"

"Long enough to observe your scars." She relaxes on the frame of the door folding her arms.

Elroy tilts his head over his shoulder, trying to look over at the scars, "Oh! These? If only I could remember how I got them." He looks back at Mira, "on the other hand I feel it's better not remembering it at all."

"Are you sure about that? You going to Riana seem pretty important."

"Well, until I remember," he reached for the white tunic long-sleeved shirt on the bed close to the wide open window.

"I am stuck with the only family I have left." He puts on the shirt.

"I'm glad to hear that, did the cloak fit in?"

"Yes it did," he picks up the leaf-green salamander wool cloak from the bed, he steeples his fingers on the cloak, "green has always been your colour."

Mira smiled. "Seems you remember a lot already."

"Just some of my childhood, remind me why I have to wear this, it itches all over."

"You'll get used to it, besides it's a bit fire proof and can withstand a slight slash and an arrow without harming your vitals."

Elroy tilts his head in surprise, "How did you get this material?"

"Enough question El, gear up, we are changing course." Mira turns around.

"Wait! What?"

"My father sent word to meet with him in the mid-south lands at Aylon."

"I will be with you guys shortly," Elroy assured, as Mira took her leave.

BEGINNING OF THE END

Kingdom of Riana

Castle main floor

"What about the fifth and sixth district?" Prince Richard asked, his chin resting on his hand.

"Commander Darren is on the situation of the massacre with Prince Fredrick," replied Commander Irok, an elderly man with large moustache and a crew cut, also the commander of the fourth district.

"Commander Royce has been buried and his family compensated."

"How is the investigation going?" Prince Richard didn't bother to know more on the deceased.

"Sri Ivan joined Prince Fredrick, Commander Darren and Tihon Rooks…."

"Tihon Rooks joined the search?" Prince Richard interrupted.

"Yes your highness."

"Carry on." He gestured with his hand.

"A survivor was detained by Commander Darren in the fifth district but he escaped alongside a female companion."

"Any information as to their current location."

"Sri Ivan's scouts sent word of the survivor and his companion heading to the southern lands."

"Then my brother will handle it from there."

"Yes your highness." Irok agreed with a bow before taking his seat.

"As Crowned Prince of the Riana Throne a few laws have been, added to the structure of Riana."

On hearing this, the elders placed inked feathers on the piece of paper in front of them, ready to write down the decree.

"From today, Rum is forbidden in this kingdom," Prince Richard began, "only decent wine is permitted, all brothels are to be closed up, be it in the Black Bod or a peculiar cooperative. This Kingdom must run according to God's righteousness, disobedience to these laws will lead to death by hanging, that's all."

"Your highness," the elders and commanders replied with a bow.

Prince Richard immediately arose from his chair, then the elders and Commanders followed suit with a bow. As soon as Prince Richard walked away indistinct murmuring erupted followed by eyes glaring with animosity.