A Thousand Suns

The king was dead. Truer or more significant words had never been spoken of old the king. King Aron Neau had finally bowed his head to death after a long hard tussle with the grim reaper. His body, although lifeless, bore much peace. “He was ready,” said Ogol, the great seer. His old fragile hands pulled a white cloth over King Aron’s body. Sadness bore greatly on Ogol’s wrinkled face, but it was sadness for the maidens of Agrameth. The news of King Aron’s death still lingered in his room. “Do not let anyone come to this room.” He cautioned, the guard maintained his posture and nodded in agreement. “Not even the queen must know that her king belongs with the dead now.” Ogol closed the door gently and made his way to the room at the end of the corridor. As troubled as he was, he had to keep his composure till the sun broke silence

Irida had been covered in gold dust as Ogol had instructed. The servants had covered her entire body in gold, leaving her almost unrecognizable by anyone. She was a living golden statue, and words like beautiful failed at defining how she looked. She glimmered like the sun. The moment Ogol entered the room, Irida knew what had happened. It was as if the answer had been shot like a dart to her heart, and the impact almost crushed her. “Yes, he is dead” Ogol whispered. What time will not change, death will and like the many kings before Aron, his death would bring pure, unadulterated sadness. “Sometimes, I think this kingdom is too cruel for your innocence, little sister” Ogol touched his hands to Irida’s golden cheeks. He wanted to console her, to fill her mind with words that would steal her mind from the kings passing; but he failed terribly. Irida refused to speak regardless. Her mind was consumed by the task ahead.

Darkness hovered over Agrameth still, and queen Nann had grown out of her patience. She was restless and needed to see the king. By the time she arrived at the door, Ogol was speaking to the guard about her sister, Anissa. Irida was carrying out the first rites, and Ogol had decided to wait till she was done. He was asking the guard about her family, when she instantly froze upon seeing the queen approach with hell beaming on her face “Ogol, I am the queen of Agrameth and I command you to open this door at once.” Nann ordered in a rather loud, strong voice. “Your highness, you must calm yourself.” Ogol replied with a cunning look on his face. “Guard, you will open this door now or I will have your head by morning.” The queen’s anger was beyond question. The guard looked at Ogol, who nodded in affirmation but before she could, Irida swung the door open. “He is ready for you, your highness.” Irida said. Her voice was soft and gentle. When the queen saw the gold dust on Irida’s hands, she hurried through the door. “Oh, my king,” She wailed. The pain seared through her like a sharp knife, and she went to the floor, which was cold and hard with a heavy plop.

Anissa welcomed  her mother who had stepped in to the garden  as dawn eased into sunrise behind the rolling hills. Isabelle Bailef had harvested a basket full of fresh tomatoes, aubergines, apples and peaches from the fruit garden. Anissa yelled in excitement as her eyes feasted on the harvest. “We should ask Sybil to join us for breakfast” Anissa said as she danced around her mother. “Please, mother. You have to let Sybil join us” Isabelle laughed as her young daughter danced around. She lifted Anissa up and kissed her cheeks “Yes, my dear one, Sybil will join us” She said with a smile. “Yes! Thank you mother” Anissa kissed Isabelle on the forehead before she put her down in her bed. Isabelle paused for a moment as she made her way through the kitchen, thinking of the last time she saw her daughter, Sybil. She wore Sybil’s last words at heart and regretted deeply what she had done. It was confusing and painful trying to sort out the swinging cacophony of disturbing emotions but she wasn’t going to disappoint Anissa. No. She would swallow her pride and ask her daughter Sybil to join them for Anissa sake. Isabelle poured out some water into a bowl and begun preparing breakfast. From the kitchen she could hear her daughter playfully soliloquy from her room. Her mind, as it drifted to old memories, was quickly interrupted by a loud bang on the door. Mrs. Bailef! Mrs. Bailef!! Please open up! Ivo knocked violently on the door, so violent it startled Isabelle. She rushed to the door. “Oh, it’s you, Ivo.” She said to him, sighing relief. “Are you alright, Ivo? Come in!” “Mrs. Bailef, close the door. Quickly” Ivo said as he tried to catch his breath. His heart was pulsating as Isabelle fetched him a cup of water. “Mrs. Bailef, you have to take Anissa out of Agrameth now.” Ivo uttered. His breathing was returning to normal. “Have you lost your senses, Ivo?” Isabelle replied. Her shock had mutated quickly into displeasure. “I do not appreciate you telling me what –“. “The king is dead.” Ivo interrupted. Isabelle froze. The weight of the news dulled her ears to any other words Ivo said. You have until midday to leave Agrameth or your daughter will be dead.” Without another word Ivo left the house leaving Isabelle Bailef scared for her life and Anissa.