Nartuck was sitting on the throne, watching the priests chant, and he was growing tired of hearing them. He hated this ritualistic side of the people. He got up and walked outside. There were people all around enjoying their day, but when they saw him, they stopped talking to each other and walked away. He wanted to be loved, but mainly, people feared him. He couldn’t hide the fact that he also liked being feared; he liked feeling that power. He was disgusted by his own kind, always begging, he thought. He walked back into the hut and yelled for everyone to get out. The priests obliged. He went to the throne and sat down. Mirtar came over, afraid to speak. Nartuck noticed him, annoyed.
“Speak soldier, I do not have time for your inept emotions,” He said. Mirtar stood up straight.
“We sent the search party out for the caravan like you asked, but it was empty. The driver was unconscious, just like the rest,” he said. This made Nartuck extremely angry. He looked at the Mirtar, and then he bowed his head. Hoping not to receive the Lord’s wrath. There was an uncomfortable amount of silence until Nartuck couldn’t take it anymore.
“So you have nothing else to report?” He said. Mirtar shifted on his feet.
“No sir, we could not find any signs of them,” Mirtar said. Nartuck walked towards him and placed his hand on the back of the soldier’s neck.
“So you have come up with nothing, is that right?” Nartuck said. Mirtar was too scared to speak. Nartuck looked at him, encouraging him to speak.
“No, my Lord,” Mirtar said. Nartuck smiled at him and then smashed the soldier’s head into his knee, resulting in the soldier falling to the ground, nose bleeding. Then Nartuck walked back to the throne.
“Get up, no soldier of mine will be down for long, isn’t that right?” He said. Mirtar got up, wiping the blood from his nose.
“Yes, my Lord,” the soldier said, standing at attention. Nartuck then changed his demeanor, acting like a concerned parent.
“Now tell me some good news,” he said. The Mirtar perked up.
“Verdom has the poison you’ve requested. Your plan will work,” he said. This seemed to make Nartuck happy. He put his hands together, and an evil smile came across his face.
“This is good, you may leave now,” Nartuck said. Mirtar almost ran out of there. Nartuck sat there, pleased with himself, until the high priest came inside.
“What do you want, priest?” He said. Hashmire, for once, did not bow, which infuriated him.
“Why do you not bow to me?” Nartuck said. Hashmire stood his ground.
“The king has returned; your services will no longer be needed. I am here to talk about the ceremony to crown our king,” Hashmire said. Nartuck stood up in anger.
“He will not be here for long!” He screamed. This made Hashmire suspicious.
“What have you planned?” Hashmire inquired. Nartuck didn’t want to give anything away, just in case his plans failed.
“Never you mind, just how can you trust Fulch, he’s with the Master,” Nartuck said. The priest scowled, unconvinced.
“We still follow the water’s decrees, and the Master saved our king that should put him back in our good graces,” Hashmire said. Nartuck scoffed at him, turning away.
“We shall wait for Fulch to return before we even talk about a ceremony,” Nartuck said. Hashmire bowed his head in acknowledgment and left before he angered Nartuck any more than he already had.