Death

Archimedes was welcomed warmly by the king. They spoke elaborately and from the outside it certainly looked like there was no animosity between them. Yet, not all was well. Archimedes had brewed an anger like an erupting volcano. Darticus a sense of betrayal by the people of Marakese. As the conversation progressed, Archimedes asked him about the whereabouts of Hana. She had just left for the mountains, replied Darticus. I never wanted to wage war against the kingdom in the first place, said Archimedes. I know, replied Darticus. It was just an old mans dream that was senile and terrible, said the king. I have been fair and just with everyone including the Marakese, said the king. I know, replied Archimedes. It would have been a long and futile wat that would not have made any sense at all. In the end no one would have been left in the planet. At least the good ones , the king emphasized.

Archimedes sat there silently. I did not know him all that well, and I certainly do not know you as well as I wish I had. But I know this, neither you nor him are truly bad the heart. You both want what is best for everyone, said Archimedes. I suppose so , agreed Darticus. Then why are you going to try and ruin the life of an innocent person, asked Archimedes. I do not understand, replied Darticus. There, Archimedes saw a shadow linger. He ignored it. Hana, your wife. You plan to put the murder of her father on her hands, is it not? asked Archimedes. Darticus was surprised that Archimedes knew so much and moreover he was unable to understand how Archimedes had deduced this. Have you captured Beirod? asked the king. The man who operates in the shadows, asked Archimedes. Yes, said the king a bit embarrassed by his own actions. No, replied Archimedes as he looked at the shadow again. He pointed at the shadow and asked Darticus " Is he not the same man who lingers here who lingered there?". Darticus was a little taken back and he looked back and the moving darkness. He sighed and said no. That is my stepmother, he said to Archimedes. Does she know? he asked him. That you have sent your wife to her deathbed? he asked him. No, replied Darticus whose head was now hung in shame. I'm going to call it off, he said to Archimedes. "Arakur will live" he pronounced! No, let him die, said Archimedes. But put the blame on me! he said to him. Tell them that I was the one who killed Arakur. " Get me in chains here to the kingdom for all to see, put me in your cells!" Tell them I was the brute that killed his own chief with no remorse. Let me spend the rest of the days behind the iron bars of this kingdom, he said to Darticus. Darticus did not utter a word and he sat there in silence. The wife of Maximus, the Queen who had heard it all. She had a smile on her face. " The oracle had been right". It is just that we have misunderstood who it was meant for. She had one last look at Archimedes and walked away. I have no doubt now that it was this man who sat here before Darticus who was always destined to become the king. He was born to rule these lands with just and might. True to his name, he will be the emperor of the galaxy. "Archimedes" she uttered and walked into the room and sat next to her ailing husband. She sat there and was a little happy that the kingdom was going to be in safe hands after her husband had passed away. She looked at him and even though his state was causing her trouble, a glimmer of hope existed after all.

"We need to act fast" said Darticus. Beirod will kill Arakur before the night ends. Archimedes got up and left. " We have no time to waste then" he uttered and galloped towards the mountains. Darticus sat there thinking. " No matter how brave or virtuous he thought he was" Archimedes was the true definiton of a leader. He looked around the palace and these halls and wondered if he was true to its stature. If he was fit enough to be the king. His stepmother certainly did not think so! He walked along to the chambers. Hello! said a voice. He was glad to hear the voice and he greeted her with great excitement. His troubles and thoughts had quickly vanished. It was Angela!