The Kingdom of Lies

Dark times, dark times indeed...

Once upon a time, not so far away from our day and age, lived a King who thought he had the answers to the mysteries of the world. The King was so sure that he was right, that everyone else was wrong. The King was sure that he was true, that everyone else was false. He was sure that he stood alone, that the few loyal subjects he had were mere fools.

The King looked to his loyal subjects with contempt. He had already judged them to be worthless. Their crimes against him were unforgivable, and the punishment meted out was without mercy.

Banishment.

The few remaining loyal subjects he had he banished to the deserts. Never again must they enter his kingdom. To do so would mean certain death. Yet their parting would also mean a certain death. Death of the way of life they had known for generations. Death to their families and friends, for they are not allowed to meet thereafter. Each person who passed through the boundaries of the kingdom left a large part of his soul at the gates, and walks forward with a burdened heart. The King had condemned his loyal subjects to wither and die.

Such was the folly of the King of Fools.

In the kingdom of lies, the only law is deceit. The sovereign keeps company with his boisterous henchmen, whose favourite pastime is treachery. His preferred company was those who used others for their own purposes. The King and his band has one motto - “be practical” – a very important survival skill in the kingdom of lies.

The King, the king of fools, living in his kingdom of lies, built a citadel of illusion around himself, fortified in his own sense of false security. Blinded by song, dance and beauty, the King could not see what tomorrow hides. In his kingdom of lies, only Today mattered.The sovereign’s band of profiteers very quickly depleted his treasures. The King’s constant need for merry-making and sugary words soon reduced his riches. The handful of loyal subjects had been cut down, one by one, if they were to even whisper to the King words of advice against his self-destruction.

“YOU WISH ME EVIL!!!” the King would scream. One by one he executed his well-wishers, judging them to be his foes. The cruel monarch’s judgement was swift and without mercy. His violence he used with his power against those who wished him well. All along, evil-eyes looked on, maliciously giggling to themselves, gloating in the misfortune of others.Evil-eyes behind beautiful faces. Evil-eyes which even a stunning smile cannot hide. Aura of menace emanating from beautiful bodies.

Envy and Greed, circling around the King like a pack of hyenas. Waiting for the sovereign to weaken before the kill.The court Seer, an ageing woman, was the last to succumb to his cruelty. The woman had warned him of his excesses, telling him his downfall is eminent. The King’s rage was as swift as a merciless hurricane. He grabbed her by her frail shoulders and flung her against the palace walls. Seeing that she was still standing, though in shock, he strode towards her and struck her cheeks. She fell backwards, amidst gasps and gloats of his “loyal companions”. He bent over, forearm pressing her neck in a stranglehold, right knee on her ribs and screamed, “What right do you have to speak to me that way? Who in damnation do you think you are? You will DIE for your words…”

The lady tried to remove the King’s arm from her neck, but she was pinned down by his force. His raving and ranting did not cease, so incensed was he by what he thought was the lady’s blatant disregard for his sovereignity. His mad cruel eyes spoke of such hatred that the lady felt cold fire seeping from his arm through her veins.

But of a stronger mettle was she. Descendant of Seers and Mistress of Spirits, she cursed the King through the noose which his arms had become.

Cursed are those who are blessed with sight yet blind

Cursed are those whose eyes are open yet cannot see

Out of sight souls who are compassionate and kind

Out of reach, time to let the sightless soul be…

The King sprang backwards as though he had been bitten by a venomous snake; who better to know how potent her curses are. The Seer rose from the floor, freed from the arms which a moment ago was a deathhold. The monarch who had all the answers did not see evil-eyes glinting. His henchmen’s thoughts were as simple as they were primitive, “Now that he is cursed, he will surely fall. Who will take his place? It COULD be me…” each one muses.

He did not see the contemptuous smirks nor did he feel the cold-fire touch of malignant souls. Too engrossed was he in his world of make-believe that he only saw the Seer raise her hands as she began her call to her guardian spirits – those who protect and obey only her. The court began to rumble with anxious whispers as King and Seer stood their ground in stubborn confrontation.

The King drew his sword and advances like a predator almost ready to pounce upon his prey. Arms raised and eyes closed, an eerie song emanating from her as though her whole body was singing, the Seer awaits his blow.

The sword grazed her neck and the King so ever gently cut through her skin, like a butterfly brushing against a flower. She opens her eyes.

As the pressure of the sword increases and the sting on her neck begins to burn, she utters her final words which will seal his fate.

I was once that was who nurtured you
I was once who in your sorrow you turned to
Yet your sword you have used on your own shield
You are a fool to think I will yield

“YOU will die, alone and friendless, but first, for each drop of tear that has been shed by your loyal subjects, you WILL SHED TENFOLD, for each stab in their souls, YOUR soul will burn, for each live you have destroyed, YOU will bear the grief and suffering of ALL their loved ones till the end of your days…” said the Seer to the King.

The King in his kingdom of lies staggered. As his rage grows, so did his fear.

What will happen to the diminishing King?

End of part one.