The palace bell rang five times in a simultaneous mode, indicating few hours to sunrise.
The regime of the moon was coming to an end. The sun would take over the sky in a hour or two. The king couldn't sleep. What a grievous and unfortunate moment for a king to watch the soul of his only heir depreciating bit by bit. His emotions were clouded.
The monarchy blood in him faded away. Presently, he is equivalent to a father whose son his dying. Was their any series of hope left? He asked himself. The men are yet to be back from their journey. The absence of the warriors at a crucial time like this, only amount to one conclusion. They were all dead and the trident wasn't retrieved.
The law of karma was definitely taking a shot at him. Perhaps, his late father bad deeds were hunting him and the kingdom. His father killed both young and old, hiding his murderous act under the tentacles of the law. He had rendered so many people homeless, turned countless of children to orphan and wives to widow.
If he were to judge the current situation based on the offenses committed by his late father, there would be no ray of hope left for survival. He buried his head, hiding them in between his palm. Jay was moving in a hurry, saddling the horse to run as fast as possible. The moon was vanishing into thin air. He had to alight at the kingdom before the sun dominates fully.
A certain palace maiden came to inform the king about the arrival of the warriors. The news felt like a heavy storm in his heart. Before the maid could round up her speech, the king had ran out of the treatment room, heading to the main palace. He was so happy to have them back safely.
Did you get trident, he asked sounding very anxious, yearning for a positive answer.
The men went mute. The answer to the king question was practically amplified in their silence.
Even a blind man with no sight would completely understand what the silence signifies, failure!
The king staggered sluggishly to his throne. The men silence carved a sudden pain in his chest. He had lost the battle. Perhaps, he did before it even began.
The end has come. He would watch his son and the people he govern over Perish slowly.
What sought of king was he? A kind who couldn't protect his family, talk more of the kingdom and it inhabitant. He felt broken, shattered and dissipated. He never imagine there would come a day when he would wish he never ascended the throne. His face was soured with sorrow.
Cole and his squad of hunters barged into the palace like they were returning from a match pass. The king sighted Cole, he stood up from his throne. His gazed were fixed and focused on the men palm. Just as he thought, they didn't have the trident. You do not have it either, the king aggressively asked, grabbing an hold of Cole garment by the sleeve.
His eyes were red, filled with numerous mix of emotions. Anger, regret, sadness, pain and anguish. They were all embedded in his eye ball. You failed me too Cole, I trusted you the most, he said with a streak of tears rolling down his left cheek. Your majesty! Cole said breathing slowly. Don't call me that! the king rebuked him.
I am not your king! If I was. You would have probably adhere to my instruction by bringing me the trident but you just couldn't. Oh! you think I love to see my son die. No! the king gave a reply to the question asked by him. He let go off Cole garment and walks towards the palace window. Can you all see, he said pointing to the sky. The sun will rise and that will be the end.
There is still yet a glimpse of hope my king, Cole voiced out. The king looked towards Cole direction. What glimpse of hope are you referring to? My son! Cole said. The whole palace were confused. Cole was probably making fun of his majesty. The king stepped closer to Cole.
What son of yours, the king asked. The last i remembered, you don't have a son
I do, my king. The beast of doom attacked us during our plight so I paved way for him to proceed into the valley. At this point, the palace became tensed. And what makes you think this son of yours would come back with the trident. Cole paused for some seconds. Because he is my son! he pronounced the statement in full boldness.
Cole was obviously going psycho, perhaps he was just trying to give the king false hope.
The king whistle in silence. What should be done if your son fails to bring the trident before sunrise. Kill me! Cole uttered the statement without thinking about the in-depth of the word.
The whole palace exclaimed in shock. Was he mad? What sought of human put his life on the line when standing at the edge of a broken bridge.
The king chuckled in disgust. You brought this upon yourself Cole and as you have proclaimed, so be it. The moon was finally down with the sky embracing the entrance of the sun. Prince Luther dying probability had rose to ninety eight percent. He had just minute to live. His soul was on the move, saying goodbye to existence.
Cole believe in Jay. He had seen in him, potentials that were absent to others. His men tried everything possible so he could have twist of mind and soberly apologize to the king but Cole was adamant, he elasticize and lean his believe on the little boy. The sun was popping out , about to rise to stardom. The whole palace was in anguish and uproar.
Even some had started mourning the prince demise. A white horse rode towards the palace gate. On it was a young boy saddling the horse with a trident in his hand. Alas! It was Jay.
He made it just in time. It was a shocker for everyone. The trident shone bright, like the beauty of the stars. The king was speechless. Just as Cole said, the young boy brought home the long lost trident.