Fadian At Last

After about 40 days, they finally got to the blood river by dawn after fighting off lions, wild dogs and even barbarians.

"Finally we have arrived at the blood river. May the gods be praised." Grant said enthusiastically as they saw some fishermen with their boats.

"Let's ask these fishermen if they can help us cross over to the gate of Fadian." James suggested and Varlom and Cletus agreed.

They then went to one of the fishermen who was slim and dark whose name was Pipi and asked him if he could help them to cross over to the gate of Fadian and he agreed but for a few pieces of silver. After an hour, they successfully crossed over and stood in front of the gate of Fadian which was high and made of steel and had the bronze sculpture of two lions on the gate. Immediately, the soldiers at the top of the walls asked for who they were and they told them that they were Chanchanian soldiers who survived from the Snake army invasion. They were then taken in and they were taken to the palace of the king of Fadian Esiarp the third. The palace was very big and guards were at every corner of the palace and the throne room was glorious with golden pillars and golden sculptures of animals and legendary Fadian soldiers. James then understood why he was called the king of gold by many people. The guards then told them to wait for the king as they stood before the giant throne.

After a few minutes of waiting, the king finally arrived. He was a medium height and burly man with beards which he braided and he wore a blue robe with gold linen. He then went to sit on his throne and looked at them while his adviser was whispering to his ear.

"I hear that you said that you are surviving Chanchanian soldiers from the invasion, is that true." His voice boomed in the throne room.

"Yes your majesty, that is who we are." Grant said to the king in a bold voice

"How can I be sure? What if you are spies from the Snake army." He said as he looked at them with suspicion.

"We are not sir. We were attacked by the Snake army and that was why we came here your majesty." He replied while lowering his head.

"What are your names." He asked.

"I am Grant Noble while my friends here are James, Cletus and Varlom." He said while he gestured at them.

"Did I just hear Grant Noble or do my ears decieve me." Esiarp said as he eyes lit up.

"Yes your majesty it is who you are thinking about." Grant then turned, faced them and winked.

"Wow! I can't believe this. Rumours had it that you were dead." He said as he took a goblet of wine from one of his servants.

"Well I am not dead and if you don't believe me, you can see the special knife I made for myself." He said as he brought out a small knife with a golden carving of a bull on it.

"I can't believe this. Thomas! Bring wine for my guests." He said as excitement filled his face. The servant soon brought more wine and they went to dine with Esiarp.

" I heard that Chanchan has been totally taken over by Benard and his snake soldiers." He said as he took a sip of his drink.

"Yes my lord Benard has been after every one of us ever since most especially me." Grant said to Esiarp.

" We need your protection King Esiarp and we promise our service to protect your kingdom. More men are arriving from Derbias to join us here in Chanchan." Grant added.

" Hmm I see so you will make weapons for us am I right?" He said as he twirled his beards.

" Yes my Lord." He replied.

"Okay I will keep you safe here Grant but your two friends can't stay here though." He said as he looked at them.

" Don't worry sire they have a house that they are planning to go to." He replied as he took a sip from the goblet of wine.

"You have a family member here son?" He asked.

" Yes my Lord my uncle lives here I just don't know where." James said.

" What is your uncle's name?" He asked.

"His name is Francis Frank my Lord." He replied as he finished his wine in one gulp.

"Hmm I think I know a Francis Frank who sells rugs to us here at the palace." He said.

" That should be him sire he sells rugs." James said excitedly.

" A certain girl also asked about him and I think she should currently be staying with him. He stays at a big house close to this palace you cannot miss it. It has a red roof just go left when you come out of the palace." He said.

" Thank you very much my Lord we really appreciate." James and Cletus said as the both bowed and were about to leave when Esiarp called them back.

"What is wrong with your eye boy." He asked as he looked at Cletus.

" He was stabbed on the eye by a snake soldier sire." Varlom answered.

" Is he a swordsman?"

"No sire he is an archer."

" Follow me." He said.

They then followed him and they went underground and after about 8 minutes of walking, Esiarp opened a door and it revealed a big fairly lit room with many tools and cauldrons bubbling with potions and an old man working on a potion.

" My Lord you are welcome." The old man said.

" Thank you Hector I want to ask a favour of you."

" What is that my Lord consider it done."

" I want you to give this man an artificial eye."

" I think I should have one artificial eye in my storage." He said as he opened a big chest which was filled with many artificial body parts which have been created by magic and started searching for the eye.

"Aha I got it." He said as he brought out an eye whose eyeball was blue and glowing.

"This doesn't look like the regular artificial eye I hope it doesn't hurt." Esiarp asked.

" Yes sir it doesn't hurt anyone. You know I don't make fakes." He said as he indicated that Cletus come to him and Cletus went.

The two then entered an inner chamber and all they could hear were some words and Cletus screams.

"Is he okay?" James asked Esiarp.

"Don't worry he is fine."

After some minutes, they came out from the room and Cletus had red around his eyes but had the artificial eye.

"How does your new eye feel?" James asked.

" Different I guess." James said as his artificial eye kept wandering about the room.

"In a good way or what?" .

"I have no idea." He said as he smiled.

"Thank you very much my Lord I appreciate this." Cletus said as Esiarp took his hand.

" An archer needs his two eyes you know that." He said with a smile

" Yes sire."