The greed

Two years later.

The princess simply celebrated her tenth birthday. She wanted another trip to visit Zagan. She became friends with the child after her father, Themis, introduced them. The two continue to visit Zagan once a month, but the Palace and the citizens of the town have grown chaotic as a result of Christos' method of ruling and using his power. Themis, the king, has become preoccupied, and it had been 6 months since the princess had seen Zagan.

The king granted her desire to visit him, along with his company and Alec. Following two days of journey from Absalom to Yorath. They were unprepared to see that the house Zagan had been staying in had already burned down.

Ayira murmurs "Father" in a mournful tone. Concerned and anxious about Zagan.

"Alec," Themis replied, gesturing for Alec to take a look around the burnt house. Alec proceeds to walk in search of clues and answers as to whether or not the child and his family survived.

"Is Zagan dead?" inquired the teary-eyed princess. Themis looks at her, concerned. He knelt and touched its cheeks while looking deeply into her eyes. "Zagan will be fine; he's not dead," the king stated. Trying to console the heartbroken princess.

"Your Highness, I don't see any remains or bodies that were burned; I believe the child survived with his family," Alec stated as he approached the king.

"See, Zagan will be fine," he added, glancing back at his daughter. 

As the three walked towards the carriage, a bird flew and rested on the king's shoulder. When Themis glances at it, he sees a piece of paper tied around the bird's neck. 

It was a messenger bird. 

He took the paper and began reading what was written. It came from the tower. 

Unto His Majesty, the King of Basilia.

The priest asked me to convey this message.

Commoners from the village of Yorath begin to appear in front of Ariadne's tower, which is concerning since they begin to ask for his highness' presence. 

We hope for your safe return, Your Majesty. 

Yours sincerely, 

Adam, disciple of the tower of Ariadne. 

"How do they know my whereabouts?" he muttered. 

This will be extremely dangerous to Her Royal Highness' safety. If Themis showed up and the news spread that his highness had been hiding at the Tower of Ariadne, people would be disappointed in the king's decision to allow Christos to sit on the throne and commit wicked actions. The princess' safety will also be endangered as Damayanti and Themis still have no idea where Casimir is. 

"Bring King Themis!"

"We're all gonna die, where is the King!"

"Help us, King Themis! Christos is burning our house down!"

"King Themis!"

Yorath Commoners plead asking the king to help them as Christos starts destroying their homes to seize their land, and people who dispute and fight back will be executed. Christos had no heart and was greedy. He even began capturing young and attractive women to amuse himself. That is how terrible the new King is. 

"Dance for me," he said while gazing at the young girl standing in front of him. 

"Dance," he exclaimed, tightening his jaw. He starts cracking his neck out of annoyance. Tears began to flow from the girl's eyes making Christos mad.

Christos rose from his seat and slapped the girl's face, causing it to fall to the ground. He knelt and grabbed the girl's face. 

"When I said dance, you dance!" he shouted, striking the female again. He then stood up and sat on the couch while the girl still sobbing. 

"Dance!" he yelled, furious.

The girl refused to move and remained on the ground, which irritated Christos.

"You are wasting your look," referring to the girl's beauty. Christos went for the sword on his side and began gazing at it. The terrified young girl casts a brief glimpse at the horrible man in front of her. She notices blood dripping from the sword. The blood was still fresh as Christos killed the first girl before her. 

"K-kill me," she said, shivering. 

Christos looks at her, amazed by the girl's bravery. He stood up and began approaching the girl, then knelt and forced her to face him by grabbing her face. He gives her a sympathetic gaze, giving the girl faith that he can spare her life. 

"Do you want to live?" he inquired in a mournful tone. The girl burst into tears as she nodded repeatedly. Christos gave her a look indicating that he felt bad and was sorry. 

He rose and said, "Go, live," smiling kindly. The girl rose and began racing to the door; just as she was about to reach it, Christos stabbed her body with the sword, causing her to blurt blood. 

He began laughing Satanically. 

"Do you think I'll let you live?" he asks as he grabs the girl's hair and pulls it back, forcing her to look at him.

She looked at him with resentment as she let out the last drop of her tears before her heart stopped beating. 

Before returning to his seat, Christos cast an apathetic glance at the bloodied girl on the floor.

"Next!" he exclaimed, commanding the people outside to bring him another girl to please and amuse him.

He tightened his fist, furious that no one had entered his chamber. He got up, annoyed, and as he was planning to head out, he came to a halt as an unknown man entered his dim chamber.

"Who are you?!" he inquired, feeling alarmed.

"You're doing it wrong, your Highness," the man said with his voice low and resonant, making Christos uneasy. 

The man approaches the anxious king. He then pointed the unreleased blade at Christos, compelling him to sit down.

"Do you think Themis cared about his people? Look at how he allowed you to take the throne despite knowing what kind of person you are." He said, staring at him pityingly.

"He let you take the throne so easily as if he was taunting you, that he will effortlessly reclaim what is his." He went on, sitting on the coffee table in front of Christos who had a contemplative face. Consider what the man is stating.

"If you want to destroy Themis, go to the most precious thing he has," he added, leaning closer to Christos and whispering into his ears, causing Christos to break into laughter.

"I like you; what is your name?" he inquired, enthused. 

"Casimir." 

Christos was left alone in his dim chamber, fulfilled and thrilled He's been smiling in the room since the man left the room. 

He now understands what Themis' weakness is. 

"Your Highness, let's enter at the back of the tower," Alec said, making it possible for King Themis and her royal highness to stealthily and silently step foot in the tower without the commoners discovering them. 

The three enter the tower without being noticed by the commoners. Damayanti rushes in his Highness' direction, concerned. 

"How do they know you're here?"

"I don't have any idea"

"Is the child the one who spread the news that you are here, Your Highness?" said Alec, who had been skeptical of the red-haired child since the king first met him.

"That can't be. He's not like that," the king murmured, glancing at Alec on his side. He then gestures for one of the mages to accompany Ayira to her chamber so that the three can discuss the matter. 

Damayanti motions to the Servant to distribute the food to the people outside the tower, before the three of them enter Damayanti's office. 

"Half of Yorath was burned down. Christos has been planning to take Yorath and make the people there to be his servants" Damayanti informed him. The king and Damayanti sat down, and Alec stood next to them.

"Have you noticed a young boy with red hair outside the tower?" inquired the concerned king. Damayanti shook his head, indicating he had not seen someone with red hair.

Themis' hands are clinched as he considers who might spread the word about his whereabouts. However, he was confident that the small child, Zagan, had nothing to do with anything. He motioned to Alec, who was standing next to him, to go out and look for Zagan among the crowd. 

"I already put Mages in front of the tower to ensure safety in case Casimir came," Damayanti said after Alec left the room making the king feel at ease yet alert.