Lament of the Moon: Burning Embers - Ch0 Prt01
#1 of LoM EB00
**Sorry, but it's gonna take me a while to get chapter 10 ready. So while you wait for chapter 10, how about we tide over with this prequel story of Burning Embers? It tells the events between Panja's departure and Burning Embers.
Enjoy! B3**
In the royal castle war room, Seif Lowefang, second prince in the royal Lowefang family, was studying some documents regarding the economy of Asadia. Ever since Panja's abrupt disappearance a couple of months ago, the castle was in turmoil. Different kinds of assumptions and rumors flew around the country about Panja; some say he was banished, others say he died. But the one who suffered the most from it was King Rour, who fell gravely ill and was bed-stricken ever since the news of his only son and heir to the throne reached his ears. With no one else to take his place, everything fell on Seif's shoulders, being the only Lowefang prince left. It was overwhelming the blond-maned lion, all the work and responsibilities of keeping the kingdom and its people under control. He was most certainly wasn't ready for such tasks, despite showing incredible capabilities as a leader. So far, everything was going well, but Seif sure wished Panja was with him to take some of the heat off of him. With each day passing and hearing no news of his whereabouts, his anger and frustration on his white-furred cousin grew.
A knock on the door then interrupted his studying. "Come in," Seif answered and the door opened, only to show that it was Ardal Caster, Seif's most trusted captain of the royal army and the only one who he could call a close friend in the castle.
"Sorry to disturb you, Master Seif, but the search party assigned to look for Master Panja has returned," the heavy built, brown-furred bear said as he entered the war room.
"Did they find him? Anything?" Seif asked, a little glimmer of hope still lingering in his voice, which made it all the more harder for Ardal to answer.
"No, I'm afraid. They didn't find anything. They reached the outskirts of the neighboring towns and cities, but to no avail. It's like he had vanished from the face of the earth," Ardal replied painfully, as Seif breathed out in disappointment, resting his hefty back weight on the chair. "I'm so sorry, Master Seif. It's my entire fault. I should have stopped him when I had the chance. But I didn't. I simply let him go... Please, forgive me," Ardal regretfully begged, lowering his head in shame and aching from the guilt of allowing Panja to leave without doing anything to prevent him that night, despite knowing well what he was planning.
"I told you not to bring that up again, Ardal. What happened had happened, no use going over it again. You are not responsible for the choices and actions Panja has taken," Seif responded strictly. "The only thing I want from you is to not let not let anyone else know about this incident and keep it us between us two."
"Of course, Master Seif. I haven't told a soul except you," Ardal stated.
"Good. Keep it that way," Seif nodded, and then paused for a moment as he pondered about something, scraping his blond and black mixed beard. "Damn, where could he have gone to? Are you sure he left with the Millennium Slasher?"
"I'm not certainly sure, but that what was he was planning. Whether he caught up with the Millennium Slasher or not remains to be seen, but I'm guessing that he did. Hence us unable to locate him; they must've gone much farther than we anticipate," Ardal presumed.
Seif let out an aggravated grunt, "What is Panja thinking? This is not the time for his foolish childish flings. He has responsibilities as the heir to the throne. Doesn't he know how much grieve he is causing to the king?"
Ardal didn't comment on that and stood silently. He was conflicted by that complicated situation. On one side, he completely agreed with Seif and couldn't condone what Panja had done by ditching the castle in that unacceptable fashion, but at the same time, he couldn't bring himself to have any negative feelings for his prince. Despite all, Ardal didn't get over his feelings for Panja and still loved him. He cherished that night they shared Prince Panja's bed together and could never forget it, which made it harder for him to keep that little detail a secret from his dear Master Seif, but he felt that he didn't need to know it. Besides, he preferred to keep it as a special moment only him and his white-furred prince could share. Regardless, what he was positive of now was to stand by Seif's side and giving it his all to aid him in everything to make it less difficult for the remaining Lowefang Prince.
"If that is all Ardal, you are excused. I wish to be left alone," Seif then told his bear subordinate, in the mood to discuss this matter any further.
"Yes, Master Seif," Ardal dutifully replied and turned around to open the door and exit, when a guard suddenly arrived at the same time, panting from running all the way.
"Ma-Master Seif! The King!" a crocodile armored guard panted as he entered the war room.
"Calm down! What's the matter? What happened to the king?" Ardal firmly said to the guard.
The scaly guard took a moment to catch his breath before he continued, "The King isn't doing very well! The doctors say he doesn't have much longer! He asked for you right away, Master Seif!"
Hearing that news, Seif sprang up off of the chair and on his feet. "Come with me, Ardal!" the blond lion rumbled as he hurried out of the room and headed directly towards the King's chambers, Ardal following him unquestioningly.
They soon arrived, seeing some of the castle doctors, maids and councilors standing in front of the King's bedroom door, an air of gloom clouding around them. Seif approached them, with Ardal not too far behind him, as he asked one of the physicians, "How is he?"
"I won't lie to you, Master Seif. The angel of death is hovering over him. I suggest you make haste and go see him now before it claims his soul," the short-legged hedgehog doctor frankly answered him.
Seif's chest felt heavy, but he nodded and turned over to Ardal. The bear merely nodded back at him with an encouraging smile, which actually gave Seif the push he needed to open the bedroom doors and enter alone. His eyes laid at large and fancy-decorated bed in front of him, where King Rour laying on top of it, too weak to stand or sit up.
"Seif... Seif is that you?" the king faintly spoke in a coarse voice.
"Yes, your majesty," Seif replied and walked in closer till he was by the side of the bed. It hurt Seif to see the King he admired like this; so fragile and weak. The once strong and fit fair and kind ruler of Asadia, reduced to this aged and thin state. Grieving over the disappearance of his only son worsened his health, as well. It was inevitable considering his age now, but Seif still hated seeing him like this.
"Come closer, my son..." King Rour softly said, lifting a frail hand, as Seif crouched down next to him, grabbing it in both of his palms gently. "Have you... found him?" the king asked and Seif shook his head sadly.
"Not yet, your majesty. But we're still looking. We'll find him," Seif reassured him.
"That insolent fool... Nothing but a troublemaker... Always..." Rour muttered between painful hard coughs.
"Don't speak, your majesty! Save your strength," Seif worriedly said.
"Oh, we both know that I'm not long for this world... and haven't I always told you to call me 'father'? You know you're as much as my son to me as Panja is, Seif..." King Rour said with a weak smile, lightly gripping on Seif's hand.
"Yes, Father..." Seif uttered softly and granted him his wish in his deathbed.
"Seif... I feel my time is coming soon... so listen well... You are a great leader and I see many great things coming from you... whatever happens... I trust you'll do the kingdom well..." the king began telling him his will with the last breaths he had.
"But I..."
"Just listen... No matter what anybody says... You are a true Lowefang... I believe in you... I entrust and leave everything to you... and please, find Panja... whatever happens, he's your brother... your own flesh and blood... work together... and bring more prosperity to this kingdom..."
Seif was so besieged by what King Rour was telling him, but he didn't want to let him down. "I will," he simple answered.
"Good... I'm so glad I still have you, my son... please... forgive... me..." that king breathed his last and laid silently in bed, much to Seif's anguish.
"Your majesty? Your majesty! Father!" Seif cried out, squeezing on the king's lifeless hand, but he got nothing. He held King Rour's hand up against his forehead in sadness, but the tears couldn't come out. He always knew this day would come, but he was never prepared for it. It took him a few minutes for the reality of it to sink in, as he placed the king's hand over his chest and closed his open up eyes, like he was having a peaceful sleep, as Seif leaned his face in closer and gave his king a gentle farewell kiss on his forehead.
"Rest in peace, Father," Seif rumbled under his breath.
***
Three days has passed since the burial of Rour, the fifth king of Asadia, and the kingdom was still mournful for his loss. With the true heir still missing, the castle was in need of a king to fill its empty throne. The castle councilors and generals were having a meeting to decide who should be the next to be crowned.
"So should we just sit and wait until Prince Panja comes back?"
"That's preposterous! He's been missing for months now! For all we know, he could be dead!"
"We can't be sure of that! He's the heir to the throne! Unless his death is confirmed, we can't presume otherwise!"
"But how long can we wait?! If the enemy countries got wind of this and found out we don't have a ruler, they'll see this as a sign of weakness and attack our kingdom!"
They aimlessly went back and forth without any results, bickering about the fate of the throne. It was getting on Seif's nerve and he couldn't take anymore of this.
"ENOUGH!" the lion roared and pounded his fist on the round table everyone was sitting around, silencing them up at once. "It has only been three days since the death of the king and you're all already panicking like headless chickens? Is this the true spirit of the men who should be protecting Asadia? If King Rour were to be with us now he would be ashamed! Pull yourselves together and get a grip!" The lion rigorously scolded them as they quieted down meekly.
"If I may speak, I want to make a suggestion that would solve our predicament," Ardal then said, standing up.
"Do tell us, Captain Caster," the grand councilor, an old heron in a purple laced robe, allowed.
"I propose to make Master Seif to be the king," Ardal proclaimed, much to the rest of the council members' surprise, including Seif's. "Master Seif is the best choice for the throne. He's an excellent leader, has high knowledge of military prowess and political decisions, unmatched combat skills, and he's fair and has strong sense of justice. I don't think there's anybody else in this kingdom more fit to be a King, not even Master Panja," Ardal explained his case and points with the highest of regards for his long-time master, believing in every word that came out of his muzzle.
"Ardal..." Seif was overtaken by what the bear said.
"But, he's not the true heir. We can't assign the crown to..." one of the councilors tried to object doubtfully.
"But he is the true heir! Master Panja... Master Panja left us for good and he won't be coming back!" Ardal sharply retorted, stunning the ones around him.
"How are you certain of that, Captain? Do you know something about it?"
Ardal paused for a moment, giving Seif one look, before he sighed.
"Ardal! Don't!" Seif tried to stop him, but the bear made up his mind and answered.
"Because I'm the one who let him go," Ardal said, as a collective number of gasps filled the council room.
"What!? You better explain yourself, Captain Caster!" some of the councilors demanded and whispered among each others.
"Master Seif didn't want me to talk about this because he wanted to protect me, but no more. Yes, I knew about Prince Panja's departure. I caught him trying to flee that night, but I didn't stop him. I couldn't stop him, as I vowed to always serve him and Master Seif in anything. As his servant, I couldn't get in his way. That was my fault and I deserve any kind of punishment you wish to bestow upon me. However, Master Panja was never fit to be the ruler of Asadia! Everyone knows it, even Master Panja himself! That's why he fled away! And we all know who the true heir is! The only true Lowefang left in our kingdom! Master Seif! It's what King Rour and Master Panja would have wanted! That is what I truly believe!" Ardal confessed, pouring out what was in his heart and letting it all out. There wasn't any hint of doubt in his voice and he was prepared risk himself, as long as it would help his Master Seif get the crown. At this point, nothing else mattered, not even his feelings for Panja. He was dedicating himself completely to Seif, all the way through to the end.
After that speech Ardal gave, an awkward minute of silence passed with nobody peeping a breath.
"What do you say, Grand Councilor?" one of the other councilors asked. The Grand Councilor took a moment of closed-eyed consideration, before he opened his eyes.
"Considering the circumstances we are in now, desperate times beckons desperate measures. As so, I consent with Captain Caster's proposal," the heron stated.
"You... You mean..." Ardal uttered, stunned that he actually convinced them.
"All in favor that Prince Seif Alnar Lowefang to be the new King of Asadia, raise your right hand," the Gran Councilor proclaimed and was the first to raise his hand. And soon after, one by one, everyone around the table was raising their hands in agreement, much to Ardal's elation, who lifted his right hand high. "I believe that settles it then. Let us make haste and not waste time any longer. Master Seif, tomorrow will be your coronation ceremony, declaring you to be the sixth king of the kingdom of Asadia. Much congratulation. I pray and hope you the best and I believe you'll be up to the task of leading us all, your highness," the avian Gran Councilor congratulated and applauded, the rest of the council members following suit as the meeting room was filled with claps.
To say that Seif was astounded would be quite an understatement. Just like that, he became the king. He didn't know how to feel at that moment as froze up in his seat. The clapping surrounding him was nothing but hallowed echoes. The next thing he knew was Ardal's hand placed on his shoulder and snapping him back to reality.
"You did it, Master Seif!" Ardal joyfully exclaimed, smiling proudly.
Seif looked back to him with a gradual smile. "Thank you, Ardal," the lion softly replied as he reached up and placed his hand over the bear's resting over his shoulder, really grateful for his loyalty.
To be Continued...