Priest Tailbon was in his chamber burning incense, the smoke from the sticks in the transparent jar filling the room. His chamber was like a mini temple, but right on his bed was a concubine.
"Why do you even bother with all this incense? You like to brag about what is right, but as a priest you sleep around.
"I will cut your tongue." Priest Tailbon said before stroking his white and black bears. He ran his hand through his almost bald head before adjusting the plain white gown he was wearing.
"Nobody is holy. Just because I am a priest, it doesn't mean that I should not have my fill of women." The old priest said, walking around his chamber and getting busy.
"I can only imagine you used these tactics to get into the small council." The concubine said, then smiled slyly.
"I have seen the way you gaze at Vashi, the guest residing in the castle. Do you fancy her? The maid asked, playing with her hair, her eyes trailing along as Tailbon moved from one end of the room to another.
"Your service is over; get out." He said without sparing her a glare.
Priest Tailbon has always been a two-faced man.
He would say it to somebody's face.
"I leave for the people!
Then to another, he would say…
"I am only a tiny pillar of the crown; I owe my service to the king."
He was always neutral, mixing facts with common logic. Defiling the ways of nature and bending the rules to favor his actions.
"Even the gods understand my cravings; I do not need to explain myself to fools." He said to himself as he watched the concubine leave his chamber.
Vashi was wearing a red gown that had a folded collar. The long sleeves had a tear from the elbow down to her wrist. Her cleavage is in view, pressing against her chest. Her long dark hair was parted in two, falling at both sides to her face.
She was walking along the long hallway when she heard the clashing of swords. Her hand was crossed elegantly in front of her, her hair swaying from side to side as she walked.
But she paused when she heard the sound of swords intercepting. She tilted her head in the direction of the sound and then made her way through a particular hallway. Soon she arrives at an open hallway with railings running from the beginning of the hallway to the end of that particular section of the hallway.
From where she stood, she could see Ragaleon having a sword fight with one of his men. His tanned skin was glistening with sweat, his veins popping out of his skin, making him look more manly.
The biceps on his arms brought out his masculine features, and his shoulder-length dark hair was dripping with sweat. He fought with dexterity, the sword in his hand firmly gripped, cutting through the air and advancing attacks to his opponent.
Vashi had her green siren eyes on him; she didn't know when lust overtook her, and she was now ogling at the very man she sought to kill.
"He is handsome, isn't he? Jazell was suddenly beside her, leaning on the railings, her hands draped over them, crossed together.
Vashi didn't tilt her head to gaze at the person standing beside her; only her eyeballs moved, and she was able to catch a glimpse.
"He is." Vashi simply answered, then slowly retracted her gaze and focused it back on Ragaleon.
"Women will stand at the highest tower in this city just to catch a glimpse of him; others will pray to the gods just to get lucky and be one of his concubines." Jazell cooed, her blue eyes trailing on Vashi's pretty face.
Then tracing her face down to the outfit she was wearing, which magnets attention, Jazell's short blonde hair moved slightly as she straightened up, leaning away from the railings.
"You are here on a tour, right? Come with me; I will show you around and fill your empty imaginations with wonder." Jazell purred, small plump lips curling into a small grin.
Vashi's siren green eyes linger on Ragaleon for a while, something stirring up in her. Then she turned and gazed at Jazell…
"Lead the way."
"How far have you travelled around the world? Jazell asked, sipping from the golden cup in her hand filled with red wine as they walked side by side in any direction she pleased.
"Not too far; I only just started."
"And you chose Decreasuto be your first place of amusement? Why? Jazell was beginning to play her cards well.
Vashi gazed at Jazell, then smacked her red lips.
"I have heard a lot about Decreash and its famous wonders. They have a sweet tooth for doing things in a grand style, always making history with their actions." Vashi answered her siren eyes roaming around the garden as they walked through the maze.
"Do you have a taste for men or women? Jazell asked, sipping from her wine.
Vashi smiled, then shifted her gaze to Jazell.
"Why do you ask?"
"I am in charge of the concubines harem. With just a snap of my fingers you will be attended to, all your desires swelling through your skin." Jazell said nonchalantly.
"Your Grace, you honor me…
"Call me Jazell. For once I should be able to mingle without being addressed formally."
"About your question…you will get the answer in due time." Vashi said, sliding a string of her hair behind her ear. Jazell gazed fixedly on her, and she noticed the faint red marks on the skin of her neck but quickly retracted her gaze.
"I was about to go out to have a nice game of archery in the Kingswood. The one here in the castle does not fit my standards; would you like to come along?" Jazell asked as they made a turn, already heading for a waiting carriage.
"Of course, why not?" Vashi simply said.
They both entered the royal carriage, and it began to move; they didn't say a word to each other. Just seated demurely in their own thoughts.
The Kingswood was like a game field located in the woods a short distance away from the castle. Sometimes feasts were held, and various games ranging from sword duels to animal hunting were showcased.
The carriage trampled the low green grasses under its wheels as the horse rider slowly pulled up and the moving carriage stopped.
They both slowly stepped out of the carriage, their shoes trampling the dry grass underneath. The smell of dry soil and dust filled the air. Tall, mighty trees with broad green leaves towered over them, the wind blowing past.
"Have you ever played archery? Jazell asked as the royal guard swiftly took a bow and an arrow from a black bag hanging around his shoulders. The royal guard would be the one to escort them, carrying the tools they needed.
"The few times I have, I displayed a laudable skill." Vashi simply answered, collecting the bow and arrow the guard was handing out to her.
They walked a little further before coming face to face with the setting of the games. Vashi gazed at the concentric rings of the target face where the flying arrows would be aimed.
"Start the game." Jazell simply said, giving Vashi the lead.
Vashi placed the straight arrow on the bow, then slowly dragged it, stretching the strings of the bow. Her green eyes focused on the multi-colored target face. She remained in that position for a while before finally releasing the arrow.
The wind hits the arrow as it flies in a straight lane; before hitting the target face, the arrow hits the bullseye, which is the highest-scoring part of the target face. Vashi smiles triumphantly, slowly bringing her hand down.
Jazell was impressed…
"Not bad." She commended positioning three arrows on the string of the bow in her left hand. Her blue crystal eyes are as sharp as the pointed metal of the arrow.
She dragged the arrows backwards, remaining in that position for a while; she allowed her gaze to linger on the target face and then released the three arrows. Like a rushing wind, the arrows flew from where Jazell stood across the green field.
The arrows didn't just pierce the highest scoring point, which was the bullseye, the round yellow in the middle. The arrows pierced through the yellow circle, each arrow straight in orderliness.
Vashi was stunned, but she didn't let her amusement show on her face.
"Why don't we wager coins, a bet?" Vashi said, leaning closer to Jazell.
"You are toiling with a master in the games of coins." Jazell warned with a warm grin etched across her lips.
"Let's end the game on an interesting note; we will both aim at the farthest target face." Vashi said, her eyes shifting to the target face at the extreme end of the field in the archery setting.
"I wager 30 golden capa." Jazell calmly said, her sea blue eyes focused on the target face. But Vashi broke the wheel of the wagering…. Capa was the name of the currency in Decreash.
"I wager 100 golden capa coins!