09/09/2025
KING FOR A REASON- Episode 1
Aymarios was undoubtedly the most flourishing city among all Tarios settlements. For this reason, Vinicius made it the paramour of Tarios and the center of its territories. Vinicius IV, renowned for his eccentric obsession with the arts, introduced many architectural concepts that gave the city a stunning facelift. The great walls of Aymarios bore numerous specimens of Tariosian artistry: colossal pillars adorned with exotic paintings, embossed silver vessels, ivory inlays, marble statues of past kings and noblemen, and most notably, dainty pottery decorated with octopus-like creatures coiled around the corners of the towering structures.
It was clear that Vinicius had summoned men of genius: architects, sculptors, painters, and artisans of many crafts, who transformed the city into a celebrated center of beauty and culture.
Djiogo was a mysterious outsider who dwelled in Lupeta, a dense forest surrounded by high mountains. He now sat beneath one of the colossal pillars that upheld the walls of Tarios’ grand galleries. His presence in Aymarios was foreboding. A few pedestrians who had seen him pass through the Gate of Allies sensed something unnatural in his demeanor. He had deliberately avoided the main roads, likely to escape the eyes of passersby who knew him, and guards and soldiers whose endless questioning he would rather evade.
"Choice of angle is right," he muttered nervously.
Djiogo of Lupeta had brought with him nothing but a small piece of steel and a flint stone. Without hesitation, he drew them from his pocket and began striking them to spark a flame. The weather was cruel, and the wind mocked his efforts. Yet after some struggle, a spark caught. He nurtured it into a flame, shielding it until the wind receded. A sigh of relief escaped him as he cautiously scanned his surroundings, checking the windows and balconies of nearby buildings. People bustled about on the far streets he had intentionally avoided. Tarios’ soldiers patrolled in every direction, with some sentries stationed within sixty meters of his position.
He kept his eyes especially on a particular guard, about forty yards away. While retreating from the guard’s sight, he discovered that he had just unwittingly offered himself to another guard who was moving in his direction. Escape was no longer an option. His only hope was swift ex*****on. If he could retreat behind the pillar, grab the oil, and coat himself quickly, he just might accomplish his plan before anyone could stop him.
He moved in haste. But just as he seized the oil and charred rags, Djiogo was halted by soldierly footsteps coming behind him. Looking over his shoulder, he saw a guard who had just stood sentinel with a hand on his sheath. The guard lingered for a moment, suspicious but unconcerned. To Djiogo's act, he paid no strict attention and, after concluding that the strange man might be making some fire to warm himself, the guard turned and walked away.
He hadn't half-covered the distance from his duty post before the alarm spread: a deranged man from the forest had just set himself ablaze. It was Djiogo of Lupeta.
Djiogo of Lupeta had issues and had just carried out a self-destructive act upon himself before anyone could stop him. Leaning on one of the gigantic pillars engraved with the octopus’ emblem, he collapsed to his knees. A moment passed before his voice was heard, and by the time a handful of soldiers arrived at the scene, his entire body was aflame.
People who saw the mysterious act screamed and scattered in panic. Armed soldiers were summoned to the scene. What seemed like half a legion had just gathered at the square.
Those who had witnessed the act stood frozen, watching Djiogo’s body dissolve into ash. Nothing like it had ever occurred in Tarios.
"Strange," murmured a soldier. "There’s no record of su***de in all of Tarios’ annals."
There was a note of empathy in his voice and something of a displeased shock. Then he hurried off to join a line of assembled guards, clearing a vast entrance for the approaching high-ranking officers. Sentries on horseback arrived in formation, flanking the podium at the far end of the square. Sadness filled the minds of people as they awaited the arrival of higher-ranking officers to address them.
Then a trumpet sounded, a calm, soothing melody that rolled across Aymarios. Its rhythm flowed and silenced the human bedlam caused by the unusual incident that just took place. From the Gate of Nobles emerged a procession of elite soldiers. Alerted by bells from an unknown campanile, they arrived within minutes, clad in ceremonial armor and armed with weapons. Their soldierly trappings were captivating. In their hands were swords and spears, and they marched in a coordinated fashion on the command of ex*****on.
The people at the square watched as the armed warriors saluted their commander with swords lifted in a manner Tariosian warriors used to uphold the honor of their kingdom before they faced their foe in any battle, and then, they marched toward the path ahead. Their captivating synchronized march led them to a grand podium, an elevated structure that stood some fifty or seventy feet from the base, glistening with gold. The stage was designed with all manner of precious stones equal to the riches of many large royal palaces.
The podium was fitted with a compartment well designed for lifting and lowering officials from different levels. At its base, a janitor struck a golden k**b, mesmerizing the crowd and activating a mechanism that unfolded a staircase and ramp. As he withdrew, Eraklis Makis and his party entered. Accompanying him were two esteemed Tariosian officials: Petros Glykos, Noble of Tarios, and Giorgios Giannis, Counsellor of Tarios, who formed part of Eraklis' entourage that was ushered toward the foot of the podium.
The sole guard leading them saluted Eraklis, who, with his men, halted at the foot of the ramp, watching as Djiogo’s remains were swept away by some guards.
"No one was up in good time to stop him?" Eraklis asked grimly, shifting his gaze to a standby guard.
"Yes, Sir, he went up like a firecracker," the guard replied. “There shall be no more of such hideous acts.”
"It had better be so," Eraklis said coldly. He cast an unfriendly glance at the guard as he and his party left the guard to his uncertainty.
“Who was the man?” asked Petros.
“Djiogo of Lupeta,” a soldier replied. “Locals called him the forest keeper because he was often wandering the forest glades.”
“He was of Tarz descent,” Giorgios added with disdain, hurrying to keep up with the others as they walked on the stairs leading to the stage. “A worthless hermit living on a nearby forest hill near the River Lupeta, homeless and forgotten.”
As the noblemen and officials took their seats, Eraklis stood still for a moment, silent, surveying the crowd. A soldierly presence radiated from him, displayed in a commanding grandeur that the Tariosians admired. Towering and broad-shouldered, he was the embodiment of strength, the model of a man whose attractiveness was marred only by a lack of humor and the scars of many battles etched across his face. He needed no second introduction for the crowd to know that the man on the podium was the commander of the great army of Tarios, a warrior whose record was unmatched in every battle fought and won. To the people, he was a legend, both feared and revered.
"Ages ago," he began, "we gathered here to celebrate victories. Men of valor were acknowledged and honored with all kinds of treasures for unimaginable feats of greatness displayed in battles. But, alas, today we gather to witness a most unfortunate disgrace, the self-destruction of a man who had no worth among us. It is shameful, but it is pertinent that we don’t give room for more shameful acts that dishonor our kingdom and people.”
"Tarzonian soldiers, their merchants, and free men have witnessed this, and soon it will be well framed as an instigation of King Vinicius.
People politicize every misfortune to their advantage. But we cannot afford such narratives. What just happened was the first in our beloved Tarios and must be the last in our dear kingdom. Rest assured, this situation has been brought under the most satisfactory control and will be handled with utmost propriety. I promise you that nothing shall disrupt the peace and the virtues that nature had bestowed on us."
Before the commander could continue, Giorgios interrupted.
“Correct!” he declared, rising from his seat. He stretched his hands as he descended the stairs toward the crowd, and a wave of energy pulsed through the throng. Some reached eagerly to touch him while others spat words of contempt. His presence ignited strong reactions. The crowd tore itself apart. Most voices jeered and shouted insults, while a smaller, fervent group lifted their hands in praise. A mix of triumph and despair churned in him.
Shouts of protest and demands for Eraklis to continue crashed around him, but the few loyal admirers called for him to speak, their voices fragile against the roar of the hostile masses. Mocked and exalted in equal measure, Giorgios recoiled, shaken by the weight of public rejection. Soldiers surged to block the stairs, forcing the crowd back, while guards herded him away.
He sank into his seat, arms folded tight across his chest, every humiliation pressing down on him. The laughter, the jeers, and the divided loyalties all struck him at once. In that moment, Giorgios felt the full force of defeat.
Good heavens! Had he quite forgotten that he had so rudely interrupted the esteemed Eraklis in the midst of his oration?
Eraklis watched the scene unfold with grim satisfaction. He stood in silence watching the chaotic audience that kept Giogios quiet. They seemed to be in control and poked fun at the officials.
At this, Eraklis was enraged and then, towering and silent, he stepped forward. The crowd quieted at once.
"What is this mockery?" he asked. "You insult your noblemen for sport? You may scorn me, but never mock those who serve the kingdom!” demanded Eraklis angrily.
"People of Tarios!" bellowed Eraklis in a low, steady voice. "Do you not realize what you are doing? Have you no regard for the fate that awaits us all? Have I not witnessed your folly? Did you not ridicule the very leaders who now seek to guide you? The Nobles of Tarios uphold the honor of our land. They are human and may make mistakes, but they need your support as much as you need theirs. Show them the respect they deserve!"
His eyes widened as he spoke, his countenance taking on the appearance of an angry monster. “If you doubt my words,” he continued, “ask Petros, Noble of Tarios.”
In this moment, Petros, who had been seated, rose quickly to speak and then returned to his seat. "He rightly speaks, O people of Tarios," he interrupted. "To drive him too far to anger is to test the ego of the king. Do not trifle with the temper of King Vinicius if you value your very existence."
At the weight of the warning, the people of Tarios fell silent. They did not reply and dared not speak again. They stood motionless, watching the bulky commander as he admonished them. He scanned the crowd carefully, searching for the right words, and continued to reprimand them.
Eraklis continued, his voice hardening. "It would serve you well to acquaint yourselves with the etiquette befitting interactions with those of superior rank and stature in our noble kingdom. Learn to speak with respect. Some of you may one day stand where we now stand. Why then show contempt for those who bear the burden of Tarios upon their shoulders for your good? The cynics and sadists among us act with disdain, unleashing the worst in their nature. That explains their odious behavior toward us, their leaders. Remember, karma watches."
Footsteps echoed behind him, followed by a husky voice everyone recognized. Petros stepped forward and stood beside Eraklis. They exchanged a brief glance before turning their attention back to the crowd.
"It is bizarre," Petros said, shaking his head. "We’ve heard of such acts, but never in Tarios."
"A horror indeed," Eraklis agreed. Petros stepped back, expressionless, as his gaze swept over the bulky figures of Tarios’ great commanders.
"Dismiss them," he ordered quietly.
Eraklis nodded, stepped forward, and scanned the crowd once more before addressing them.
"We are witnesses to an inglorious event, but we will not let it defeat us. This will not derail our progress. Men and women of Tarios, I implore you: let us not be deterred by this inconsequential matter. Let us draw upon our past experiences, where we have triumphantly overcome similar attempts to divert our attention.
Go home. Return to your wives, your husbands, your children, your peace."
For a moment, Eraklis fell silent. Then his voice resounded, "Reclaim this day. Dance, eat, drink. Let joy triumph. God bless the Tarios Kingdom."
Once he finished, the people began to disperse.
Small groups lingered at the square’s edge, whispering among themselves.
Eraklis turned to the soldiers collecting the ashes of Djiogo of Lupeta. "He was a Tarz," he said. "A Tarzonian is always a Tarzonian."
"Even in death. You cannot take that from them," Petros replied. "Del Navarro will want his remains."
"They can take him. They would be doing us a huge favor," Eraklis said. He turned sharply toward his entourage.
"Valour, are you ready?"
"All is ready!" came the shout.
"Then move it!"
At his command, the soldiers raised their swords and marched in perfect synchrony. Eraklis and his entourage exited through the Gate of Nobles, crossing onto the road that led to Jadhol.
