My 8 E-books written over the years by Alina Udrea - HTML preview

Chapter 1: The wall

Two years passed after Dova’s failed attempt to conquer Donn. Things

were finally calm in the realm. But the battle had been a fierce one so Scar, the mighty and fair king of Donn, wanted to make sure his kingdom would be protected against any known or unknown enemies. Better be prepared for the worst while of course hoping for the best. So Scar hired the best inventor of the time, best of the realm, Scholar the Sage, to invent something to aid in the defense of his kingdom, of his people.

Scar was prepared to use all the wealth he had in the royal treasury to be

able to pay for Scholar’s invention. He felt it was like an investment. The money had come from taxes, from the people of Donn, his subjects, so he felt it was a good way to use it. This way the money went back to the people in the form of Scholar’s invention which was meant to protect them all. His invention was a huge and thick wall which was to be built around the capital, Lir, thus protecting it as well as Scar’s castle. The Wall had to be built of cement and thick iron bars through it and would have to be as thick as a millennia old tree trunk.

Scholar ordered the workers to dig deep ditches around Lir for the

foundation of The Wall. The Wall would be finished in a couple of years as he reckoned. He meant it to be the highest wall ever built and the beauty of it was the fact that at times of peace The Wall would be underground. When the city would be under attack, The Wall would be raised in a matter

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of minutes with the help of some intricate levers beneath it. But as this cost a lot of money, as well as the workers and of course Scholar himself who had to be paid, Scar asked for Noah’s advice, his royal treasurer.- I hope this works, Noah. The treasury is almost empty. And Scholar says The Wall is only half finished. What do you propose Noah?- As much as you won’t like it, if you want your wall to be finished, you will have to raise taxes. It is the only way. Otherwise, it will all be in vain. What would be its use if it is only half built? If we don’t raise taxes to finish what we started then you might as well have thrown all the money in the fire.- Although this makes my heart bleed for my people, I am afraid you are right and it must be done. We need to finish the Wall, it is for our safety as well as theirs. They will have to understand…

- And what if they refuse? Asked Noah wondering what his king would do in that case. Or what he would have him do in that case… After a long moment of contemplation, when Noah was prepared to ask if he could be excused as he didn’t think he would get an answer, Scar finally opened his mouth and uttered in a low voice as if afraid of his own words:

- If they refuse, then they will be forced to pay! We have to finish the Wall!- Understood, my lord, said Noah in such a low tone that it was more of a whisper then an actual answer. Your will is my command! Saying that, he turned around and left the throne room.

Miiah was upset at what she witnessed but she couldn’t have contradicted her husband in front of anyone. So after Noah left the room, she approached Scar and looked straight in his eyes. They were the saddest pair of eyes she had ever seen. So she knew it must have been really necessary for him to give the order and raise the taxes. Her heart melted and she knew there was no point in adding anything to the discussion, which would have only tortured her husband even more. So, instead, she changed the subject.

⦁ I have an idea my dear husband…How about a visit to Loyalis? I miss Bratty and I am sure you miss Mean… and it would take your mind off your kingly duties at least for a while…I am sure Donn can survive a fortnight without us. What do you say?

⦁ Tempting…I guess Noah can collect the taxes while we are away and Harry and Olek can protect the kingdom. Why not? ⦁ Oh, you really mean it? Asked Miiah surprised that she had convinced

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Scar so easily. On second thought, she could convince him do anything for her, he adored her. But she didn’t like to take advantage of his weakness for her.

⦁ Yes, my lovely, you are right as always. A little time away from it all would do us good. Let’s pay them a visit and also see how they handled their new status, that of King and Queen. ⦁ I am so happy, my king, said Miiah in a burst of joy. Will we go alone? Just the two of us?

⦁ The roads to Loyalis might be dangerous, answered Scar contemplating the situation. Maybe we could take someone to protect us but just a small party as I don’t want us to travel as King and Queen, I just want to get away from it all for a few days, just like you said, Miiah.

⦁ Oh, like an adventure. Great! Who do you have in mind? ⦁ I was thinking…Would you like to fly, Miiah? ⦁ Fly? Hmm, I can heal any affliction but I can’t fly… ⦁ Ha-ha, of course you can’t! You are a druid, not a fairy! But Aggy, Mongo’s dragon can…He can accompany us to Loyalis. With Mongo and Aggy, we can rest assured that we will get to our friends fast and safe. So would you like that?

⦁ Very much, if Mongo doesn’t mind. ⦁ He won’t mind, we are the King and Queen and this is one of the advantages… I will have a talk with him after dinner.