Chapter 1 Little Carmen

King Cyrus was in agony, tomented by the lovely memories of the woman he loved who had now left him suddenly. And when he shut his eyes,all he could see was her face,her smile, her body.All he wanted to hear was her voice again and the sound of her sweet innocent laugh. Jordan,his advisor was very worried about the King.

"Argh, not again!" King Cyrus yelled in anger. Jordan picked up the bowl of ink then put it on the table.

"Your highness, I think you need to forget about her. It has been two years now." Said Jordan in a calm voice.

"Carla is different,she is the only woman who was willing to understand me. But you are right, she is has been gone for a long time,I need to find it in my heart to accept that.Jordan I need your help." The king cried.

"That is why I am here my Lord,what is it?what troubles you?"

The king sighed."it has been a while since I've sailed the ocean. I need someone to look after things here while I am away. Can you be able to help me with this?"

Jordan bowed his head. "As you wish my Lord."

The king took a change of clothes, food and hunting tools for his trip. Then he began to sail.

Meanwhile a strange woman in a red gown, carefully wrapped a baby in a red towel,she then put the child in a small canoe.

"I know that you will be much safer with a human than with me." said the woman.

She then exhaled strong breath from within her mouth, but the breath was strong like wind, it caused the canoe to begin floating away all the way towards the king's direction.

"I will come for you at the right time.Grow and live." the woman said, she then turned into a bat and flew away to the East. The canoe was on the sea floating for three days before it eventually reached the King's attention.

One cold morning while the king was still fishing with no success of catching any fish, he heard a sound. At first he thought he was being haunted by ghosts.

"The stories are true, the seas have ghosts." he said.

The sound became louder and clearer.

"The spirit of a baby?" he wondered.

The crying worsened,the king looked around the sides of his ship and saw a canoe floating with no one controlling it. He then noticed something wrapped inside the canoe, he wondered what it was.

"It could be treasure" The king thought.

The king quickly looked into his bag of tools, he pulled a rope out. He knotted one end to a metal pole that was strongly attached to the ship, then took the end of the rope and through it down into the canoe.

"May the angels of God be with me." Said the king, jumping into the cold water.

"What do we have hear?"

The king unwrapped the towel that was tightly wrapped around the baby, who had suddenly stopped crying. Much to the king's surprise it was indeed a real baby, not a ghosts or a toy.

"Who would be so cruel as to leave an innocent baby out in the cold like this. Don't worry I will take care of you."

The king wrapped the baby with the towel, placing her on his back then began to climb the ship until he managed to enter safely.

"you need to be kept warm." the king said.

He began searching for a warm blanket, a jacket anything he could find that could be used to warm the baby.

"This blanket will keep you warm."

The king put up his sail and returned to the palace.

The trip took only seven hours, but he did finally arrive.

"The king has returned, the king has returned let it be known that the king is safe and has returned to us!"one of the kings gatesman said.

The trumpets began to be played.

The inhabitants of Kineti gathered and began to sing.

Jordan stood up from his chair, and ran towards the king.

"My king, we all have been so worried.Thinking you had abandoned us." said Jordan, his eyes filled with tears.

"Dont be silly, I would never do such a thing. Help me. I have a gift with me.Be careful she is fragile." The king said.

Jordan was surprised, but because he was a faithful servant he did not dare question his superior.

"Make way for the king." Jordan instructed. The crowd and all of the king's men moved dispersed,and king Cyrus was able to pass and finally entered the palace.

"Jordan! Help me!" The king shouted, unwrapping the baby.

"what do you want me to do my King?"

"I need something warm for the baby, I think she might be hungry.Stay here with her." The king instructed, he then hurried to the kitchen, the cook Mrs Miller was surprised to see him there,she stood upright like a good soldier waiting to execute a command.

"My Lord" she said bowing her head.

"I need you to make porridge, it should be soft,it's for the baby"

The cook was puzzled,but she did not ask anything,she was afraid the king could slaughter her if she asked too many questions. No one would dare question king Cyrus,he was feared by many,they knew he was could slay a man without question especially a man that gossips.

"I will be right on it your highness and if you need some help with the baby,you can tell me I..." Mrs Miller didn't even finish her sentence.

"I don't need your help. Just do as I have asked from you!"

The king instructed one of his maids to purchase a small bed for the baby, a few blankets, baby food and diapers. When the baby was done eating the luke warm porridge.The King put her on the new tiny bed, while singing the nation's anthem.

"Kings and Queens of old, fought together, causing war.

Women, men and their children died in pain,

Those who survived live to tell the tale.

Hunger and anger befell the land,

Still the people died, while some survived

To tell the tale.

The brave were made to rule,

Those who used to lead, became the ones who served.

The nation thrived, Kinteti still survives."

Later that evening, a woman arrived at the palace.

"Someone is here to see you" Said Jordan.

The king had been preparing himself to sleep, he already had his night gown on.

"This late!"