Fic: The Servant (29/?)
The first boat hit the shoreline and Kris gasped as he saw the invaders up close. They were tall and dark skinned like Neyou. They were adorned in gold linked chest armor and held odd thin shiny weapons. Kris couldn’t help fearing the exotic strangers especially because there were so many. It took about an hour for all the transport ships to row ashore. There were thousands of them. Kris could not fathom how that many people actually could venture across the sea nor how long they must have travelled. Kris had never thought much about what was across the ocean but now he understood why Adam’s people had made an accord.
Kris noticed the Agbekians seemed wary of the foreigners and seemed to be second guessing their actions. There were just so many of them. They would make a formidable enemy and Kris wondered if even Agbeko and the South combined would be able to defeat them. Their only chance had been to fight them as they came ashore and Madu had purposely ensured that did not happen.
Madu’s men were still and Kris could feel the apprehension and doubt running through their minds. An envoy consisting of four large warriors and an old man adorned with ivory tusks and gold chains approached Madu, Neyou and Mari. The older man hugged Mari and then looked at Neyou. He pulled Madu’s skins down his shoulders and examined his chest with some kind of stone. Kris gasped as Neyou’s skin rippled and a symbol appeared to form under the skin above his left breast. The man chanted some words and placed an amulet around Neyou’s neck. He called out to the foreigners and they all suddenly dropped to their knees and bowed their heads to the ground.
Tommy came up behind Kris, “Wow, is Neyou the great Underlord or a foreign god?”
Kris had no idea what was going on and wondered if Tommy’s active imagination wasn’t finally right. Madu’s army seemed a bit confused as to what do and looked to Madu for cues. Madu seemed a bit surprised seeing all the prostrated foreigners and then bowed his head to Neyou, “Now that is the way to greet a King.”
Neyou also seemed a bit overwhelmed but then smiled, “I’ll admit it is a bit of a rush, my friend.”
Neyou went forward and signaled for the men to rise. He made a brief speech in his language. Afterwards, the foreigners began unloading the ships and Madu’s army began preparing food. Tommy seemed to have forgotten that the world was ending and that Madu had betrayed Agbeko. Some of the foreigners began to surround him and seemed totally enthralled by his blonde hair. Tommy looked a little scared but then relaxed when the warriors did little more than touch his hair gently.
Madu met with both his officers and what seemed to be the officers of the invaders. Kris went over and saw Madu revealing where all the Agbekian armies were positioned. Feeling nauseous again, Kris went off to sit alone and just pray to his God. Adam didn’t stand a chance against Madu with the invaders backing him. No one did. Kris had no idea what Madu’s ultimate plan was and feared Madu wouldn’t really be able to control the invaders. Madu came over, “Kris, you need to eat. We are going to start riding South and it will be a long journey.”
Kris looked at Madu, “Does Adam know about this?”
Madu looked away, “No, I could not risk him not going along with the plan. Adam, is too loyal to see the big picture.”
Kris shook his head, “What is going to happen now?”
“The invaders will march South and invade Agbeko.”
“Then what? Will they destroy us all and then rule our land?”
Madu became annoyed, “Don’t be ridiculous. They will help me destroy a corrupt tyranny and then they will head back across the sea. Kris, you need to eat and then get some rest. I wouldn’t attempt to run because I am your only chance for staying safe. As soon as you are done eating, grab Tommy and stay out of harm’s way in my skins.”
Kris worried that Madu was naïve and had miscalculated. He thought about running and then noticed a group of warriors were watching him like a hawk. Instead, Kris did as he was told. He grabbed a little food and went by Tommy. Tommy looked a little morose so Kris asked him if what was bothering him.
“For the first time, I am scared of Madu. I know he killed his own father but I never thought he would plot with foreigners to overthrown the King and Queen and allow so many to die. Plus, if he doesn’t succeed in killing the King and Queen, I think both he and Adam will be executed.”
“Why will Adam be killed? He wasn’t involved.”
Tommy shrugged, “Are you sure? For the last few weeks, I passed a few notes between Adam and Madu. I know for a fact they arranged secretive meetings. Raja and Terrance have been complaining that Adam had become secretive. Maybe they are lovers again. There is a prophesy that two Niscas become lovers and become so obsessed with one another that they end up destroying Agbeko.” Tommy seemed to have convinced himself that it was the start of the end of the world. He nodded excitedly, “Yes, I am sure this is destiny. Unfortunately, we will end up dead.”
“Madu and Adam are not lovers.”
“Why not? They were very hot and heavy as teenagers. Although they tried to be discreet, they were like rabbits. When Madu was in the room, Adam wouldn’t notice anything else. The room could be on fire-“
“OK, I get your point.” Kris’ jealousy was starting to spiral out of control. “I really don’t think Adam is on in this. I have a feeling Madu is starting to have regrets.”
Kris looked over and saw Madu and Mari conversing. Neither Mari nor Madu seemed very happy. Neyou went over and spoke to them. After a few moments, Madu walked away and went over to a group of his soldiers. Mari and Neyou were joined by the elder, foreign man who had first approached Neyou. The three were talking and gesturing toward Madu. Kris looked around and many of the foreign warriors were absent.
“Where have all the warriors gone?”
Tommy shrugged, “I think to enjoy the spoils of war. The Northern tribes’ villages are around here so with the men slaughtered, the women are ripe for the taking. As much as I don’t like the Kellans, I don’t like the idea of raping them. I wonder when we invade Agbeko, if Madu will allow the same fate to his own people.”
Kris had a feeling Madu might not have a choice. As the evening wore on, the men were getting wild. The warriors had returned from the villages both with women and alcohol. Mari was celebrating with the elder invader and what seemed to be some senior ranking warriors. Kris noticed Neyou walking towards him. Since, the invaders had been revering him as a messiah of sorts, even the Agbekian warriors had been showing him new levels of deference.
Neyou sat down by Kris and Tommy, “The men are getting very drunk and are going to be wild. Both of you need to stay close to either Madu or myself.”
“Why would they come after me or Tommy?”
“Madu’s men think he should be King and both of you are associated with Adam. Plus, my people are enthralled with Tommy’s hair and they may try to scalp him.”
Kris looked at Neyou, “So all along your plan was to betray Agbeko and help Madu usurp the throne. Will you even let Madu be King or will you just keep it all?”
Neyou looked at Kris, “I am going to return to my land across the sea where I will be King of a far more powerful empire. I have no need to waste my time with barbarians or backward farmers. Madu is like my brother and yes I allowed him to think Adam had contributed to his suffering. However, I have never tried to keep Adam from being King. In fact, I have always believed Adam would make the better King. Kris, Madu did not cause the invasion he is simply using it to his advantage. My people sent my mother and me here to stay safe until I could take over. My father was killed in a coup d’ etat and my mother was sent to Agbeko to hide. The rebels have finally been defeated so it is time for us to go home. However, my mother hates Roland and Madu wants revenge so I am more than happy to delay our departure.”
Kris wondered how much revenge Madu wanted, “Who exactly is Madu taking revenge on? Adam?”
“Madu is still working through his feelings about Adam and isn’t convinced he is ready to be King. However, I am sure he prefers Adam to Roland.”
“What makes you think he won’t take them both out and crown himself?”
Neyou shrugged, “I hope he does not choose that path but you are right, he might do that if he thinks Adam is unfit. I know you are upset but you need Madu’s protection and Adam needs you to be safe.”
Kris was quickly catching on to intrigue, “More likely Madu needs me alive as leverage against Adam.”
Neyou nodded, “That too. Kris, I know this is very overwhelming but you really have few choices. Luckily, at the moment we all seem to want you alive so why not go along with the plan?”
Kris agreed he had no choices. He agreed to seek out Madu and keep himself and Tommy safe. He found Madu filling his water canteens in the frozen creek. He looked tired and melancholy. The strain of the day and act of betrayal must have worn him down. As angry as Kris was he felt bad for Madu who suddenly looked vulnerable. Madu looked up, “This brook has running water under the ice if you want to fill your canteens.”
Kris looked at Madu, “Neyou told us to seek you out for safety. He thinks the men are getting out of hand.” Kris took out his canteens and tried to fill them but the ice was in his way. He was still fearful of bodies of water and could not get past the ice. Madu took them and filled them, as well as, Tommy’s.
Kris continued, “It is difficult to control so many. What will happen when you march South? Will they slaughter everyone?”
“Hopefully, no one will fight. Well, I hope my Uncle does but the rest may be wise enough to surrender. Anyway, the wheels are already in motion so all I can do is try and control the cart. Let’s go to my skins, Neyou is right the men will be wild.”
Kris climbed in and purposely put Tommy in between him and Madu. However, that didn’t go over well. Madu moved Tommy to the other side of him and pulled Kris up against him. Kris didn’t want to make a fuss so decided to just sleep. A few minutes later, he heard Tommy talking low to Madu.
“…Neyou said they might try and scalp me.”
“I promise not a hair on your head will be harmed. I know you are scared and feel like I betrayed everyone but it is for the best. It is time for a new era. Tommy, I consider you my friend so please don’t do anything to make me feel differently. I will have no mercy for anyone that betrays me.”
Kris did not hear if Tommy responded but was pretty sure he wouldn’t be stupid enough to disagree with a mad man. Kris feared what the next day would bring and hoped Adam was safely positioned down in the South. Kris wasn’t sure what Adam’s role was in this evil plan or whether or not he could be trusted. However, Kris wanted to believe Adam had been honest about loving him. He must have had some feelings if Madu considered him a useful pawn. Kris decided to sleep before his head exploded and just take each moment as it came.
Kris noticed the Agbekians seemed wary of the foreigners and seemed to be second guessing their actions. There were just so many of them. They would make a formidable enemy and Kris wondered if even Agbeko and the South combined would be able to defeat them. Their only chance had been to fight them as they came ashore and Madu had purposely ensured that did not happen.
Madu’s men were still and Kris could feel the apprehension and doubt running through their minds. An envoy consisting of four large warriors and an old man adorned with ivory tusks and gold chains approached Madu, Neyou and Mari. The older man hugged Mari and then looked at Neyou. He pulled Madu’s skins down his shoulders and examined his chest with some kind of stone. Kris gasped as Neyou’s skin rippled and a symbol appeared to form under the skin above his left breast. The man chanted some words and placed an amulet around Neyou’s neck. He called out to the foreigners and they all suddenly dropped to their knees and bowed their heads to the ground.
Tommy came up behind Kris, “Wow, is Neyou the great Underlord or a foreign god?”
Kris had no idea what was going on and wondered if Tommy’s active imagination wasn’t finally right. Madu’s army seemed a bit confused as to what do and looked to Madu for cues. Madu seemed a bit surprised seeing all the prostrated foreigners and then bowed his head to Neyou, “Now that is the way to greet a King.”
Neyou also seemed a bit overwhelmed but then smiled, “I’ll admit it is a bit of a rush, my friend.”
Neyou went forward and signaled for the men to rise. He made a brief speech in his language. Afterwards, the foreigners began unloading the ships and Madu’s army began preparing food. Tommy seemed to have forgotten that the world was ending and that Madu had betrayed Agbeko. Some of the foreigners began to surround him and seemed totally enthralled by his blonde hair. Tommy looked a little scared but then relaxed when the warriors did little more than touch his hair gently.
Madu met with both his officers and what seemed to be the officers of the invaders. Kris went over and saw Madu revealing where all the Agbekian armies were positioned. Feeling nauseous again, Kris went off to sit alone and just pray to his God. Adam didn’t stand a chance against Madu with the invaders backing him. No one did. Kris had no idea what Madu’s ultimate plan was and feared Madu wouldn’t really be able to control the invaders. Madu came over, “Kris, you need to eat. We are going to start riding South and it will be a long journey.”
Kris looked at Madu, “Does Adam know about this?”
Madu looked away, “No, I could not risk him not going along with the plan. Adam, is too loyal to see the big picture.”
Kris shook his head, “What is going to happen now?”
“The invaders will march South and invade Agbeko.”
“Then what? Will they destroy us all and then rule our land?”
Madu became annoyed, “Don’t be ridiculous. They will help me destroy a corrupt tyranny and then they will head back across the sea. Kris, you need to eat and then get some rest. I wouldn’t attempt to run because I am your only chance for staying safe. As soon as you are done eating, grab Tommy and stay out of harm’s way in my skins.”
Kris worried that Madu was naïve and had miscalculated. He thought about running and then noticed a group of warriors were watching him like a hawk. Instead, Kris did as he was told. He grabbed a little food and went by Tommy. Tommy looked a little morose so Kris asked him if what was bothering him.
“For the first time, I am scared of Madu. I know he killed his own father but I never thought he would plot with foreigners to overthrown the King and Queen and allow so many to die. Plus, if he doesn’t succeed in killing the King and Queen, I think both he and Adam will be executed.”
“Why will Adam be killed? He wasn’t involved.”
Tommy shrugged, “Are you sure? For the last few weeks, I passed a few notes between Adam and Madu. I know for a fact they arranged secretive meetings. Raja and Terrance have been complaining that Adam had become secretive. Maybe they are lovers again. There is a prophesy that two Niscas become lovers and become so obsessed with one another that they end up destroying Agbeko.” Tommy seemed to have convinced himself that it was the start of the end of the world. He nodded excitedly, “Yes, I am sure this is destiny. Unfortunately, we will end up dead.”
“Madu and Adam are not lovers.”
“Why not? They were very hot and heavy as teenagers. Although they tried to be discreet, they were like rabbits. When Madu was in the room, Adam wouldn’t notice anything else. The room could be on fire-“
“OK, I get your point.” Kris’ jealousy was starting to spiral out of control. “I really don’t think Adam is on in this. I have a feeling Madu is starting to have regrets.”
Kris looked over and saw Madu and Mari conversing. Neither Mari nor Madu seemed very happy. Neyou went over and spoke to them. After a few moments, Madu walked away and went over to a group of his soldiers. Mari and Neyou were joined by the elder, foreign man who had first approached Neyou. The three were talking and gesturing toward Madu. Kris looked around and many of the foreign warriors were absent.
“Where have all the warriors gone?”
Tommy shrugged, “I think to enjoy the spoils of war. The Northern tribes’ villages are around here so with the men slaughtered, the women are ripe for the taking. As much as I don’t like the Kellans, I don’t like the idea of raping them. I wonder when we invade Agbeko, if Madu will allow the same fate to his own people.”
Kris had a feeling Madu might not have a choice. As the evening wore on, the men were getting wild. The warriors had returned from the villages both with women and alcohol. Mari was celebrating with the elder invader and what seemed to be some senior ranking warriors. Kris noticed Neyou walking towards him. Since, the invaders had been revering him as a messiah of sorts, even the Agbekian warriors had been showing him new levels of deference.
Neyou sat down by Kris and Tommy, “The men are getting very drunk and are going to be wild. Both of you need to stay close to either Madu or myself.”
“Why would they come after me or Tommy?”
“Madu’s men think he should be King and both of you are associated with Adam. Plus, my people are enthralled with Tommy’s hair and they may try to scalp him.”
Kris looked at Neyou, “So all along your plan was to betray Agbeko and help Madu usurp the throne. Will you even let Madu be King or will you just keep it all?”
Neyou looked at Kris, “I am going to return to my land across the sea where I will be King of a far more powerful empire. I have no need to waste my time with barbarians or backward farmers. Madu is like my brother and yes I allowed him to think Adam had contributed to his suffering. However, I have never tried to keep Adam from being King. In fact, I have always believed Adam would make the better King. Kris, Madu did not cause the invasion he is simply using it to his advantage. My people sent my mother and me here to stay safe until I could take over. My father was killed in a coup d’ etat and my mother was sent to Agbeko to hide. The rebels have finally been defeated so it is time for us to go home. However, my mother hates Roland and Madu wants revenge so I am more than happy to delay our departure.”
Kris wondered how much revenge Madu wanted, “Who exactly is Madu taking revenge on? Adam?”
“Madu is still working through his feelings about Adam and isn’t convinced he is ready to be King. However, I am sure he prefers Adam to Roland.”
“What makes you think he won’t take them both out and crown himself?”
Neyou shrugged, “I hope he does not choose that path but you are right, he might do that if he thinks Adam is unfit. I know you are upset but you need Madu’s protection and Adam needs you to be safe.”
Kris was quickly catching on to intrigue, “More likely Madu needs me alive as leverage against Adam.”
Neyou nodded, “That too. Kris, I know this is very overwhelming but you really have few choices. Luckily, at the moment we all seem to want you alive so why not go along with the plan?”
Kris agreed he had no choices. He agreed to seek out Madu and keep himself and Tommy safe. He found Madu filling his water canteens in the frozen creek. He looked tired and melancholy. The strain of the day and act of betrayal must have worn him down. As angry as Kris was he felt bad for Madu who suddenly looked vulnerable. Madu looked up, “This brook has running water under the ice if you want to fill your canteens.”
Kris looked at Madu, “Neyou told us to seek you out for safety. He thinks the men are getting out of hand.” Kris took out his canteens and tried to fill them but the ice was in his way. He was still fearful of bodies of water and could not get past the ice. Madu took them and filled them, as well as, Tommy’s.
Kris continued, “It is difficult to control so many. What will happen when you march South? Will they slaughter everyone?”
“Hopefully, no one will fight. Well, I hope my Uncle does but the rest may be wise enough to surrender. Anyway, the wheels are already in motion so all I can do is try and control the cart. Let’s go to my skins, Neyou is right the men will be wild.”
Kris climbed in and purposely put Tommy in between him and Madu. However, that didn’t go over well. Madu moved Tommy to the other side of him and pulled Kris up against him. Kris didn’t want to make a fuss so decided to just sleep. A few minutes later, he heard Tommy talking low to Madu.
“…Neyou said they might try and scalp me.”
“I promise not a hair on your head will be harmed. I know you are scared and feel like I betrayed everyone but it is for the best. It is time for a new era. Tommy, I consider you my friend so please don’t do anything to make me feel differently. I will have no mercy for anyone that betrays me.”
Kris did not hear if Tommy responded but was pretty sure he wouldn’t be stupid enough to disagree with a mad man. Kris feared what the next day would bring and hoped Adam was safely positioned down in the South. Kris wasn’t sure what Adam’s role was in this evil plan or whether or not he could be trusted. However, Kris wanted to believe Adam had been honest about loving him. He must have had some feelings if Madu considered him a useful pawn. Kris decided to sleep before his head exploded and just take each moment as it came.