Chapter 2 The Ehlesaar Kingdom

Almost Fifteen Years Later...

The Kingdom of Ehlesaar was known for its wealth and beauty. Across the oceans, everyone had heard of the mines of diamonds and gold, riches beyond one's dreams, oceans filled with pearls, and lands as green and fertile as one could ever hope for. Whether it was the huge white snow-covered Altheyan mountains to the south, or the glittering rivers and streams that ran through the lands, or the orchards full of fruits and flowers that adorned the gardens of the wealthy, the enchanting beauty of Ehlesaar gave birth to the name 'heaven on earth', and to those who visited it was nothing short of that.

Each season brought its own beauty to the land. Summer was the longest season, but despite the heat, the buildings made of marble and stone kept the heat at bay, and when winter came it was not hard nor too brutal for most.

The people of Ehlesaar displayed their wealth with grace and pride, in the forms of luxurious gowns, diamond jewellery, or abundant meals, with rich wines and meat in plentiful. The kingdom was prosperous, and the rate of those who could not afford shelter was few. Yet when the problem is minuscule it is often ignored, dusted under the carpet as the voice is not loud enough to be worth listening to.

In the middle of fine marble palace-like houses of the nobles, and the stunning villas of the working class, there were still those who had nothing. It was to these people that Ehlesaar did not feel like heaven but just another kingdom, another land, but even they knew they were safer, and far better off than what they may come across if they ever tried to leave the kingdom. Darkness, death, and danger were not far from their very own kingdom.

To the west of Ehlesaar were the forgotten lands. Drained of water, nothing grew on these barren lands, and beasts of all kinds of nature were said to roam it – lands that no one conquered due to its past. A place tainted with so much bloodshed that it was said to be cursed.

To the north was a dense forest that separated them from the kingdom of Azhar. With the king's impressive army at all sides of the kingdom, his court of mages in all elements, and his supreme council of advisors from all the major houses of the kingdom, the people of Ehlesaar were untouchable, or so they thought, for soon their kingdom of heaven would face darkness too.

It had already begun, like a whisper in the night, a shadow being cast over it. Unseeing, unprepared, and unbeknownst were the people who lived in Ehlesaar, but they too would soon have their eyes forced open.

-----

Far off in the depths of the forgotten lands, where no man dared set foot, deep beneath the surface, in a stone, tomb-like cave, a man encased in shadows sat on a blackened throne. The darkness and evil that rolled off him would make even those in their graves turn. Covered in a floating black cloak that was blacker than night, he towered near seven feet tall.

He had remained in these walls for the last fifteen years, awaiting, recovering, and biding his time to return to power and destroy the kingdom of Ehlesaar that were responsible for his demise. His skeletal hands gripped the arms of the throne.

"It is time," he said. His voice dripped with an evil so deep that it would make the evilest of men shudder.

"Sire..." a whispering voice hissed. "There is still the risk..."

"I am the Dark Lord, nothing will stand in my way. Not this time. I will destroy them from within. This time it is Ehlesaar who will fall, and I shall rise, taking my rightful place. This kingdom... no, this world belongs to me," he hissed. The unseen bowed down to their Lord.

"Yes, my lord, we are ready,"

"Perfect," The Dark Lord said, deep under the hood of his cloak a cruel cold smile crossed his lips. Ehlesaar would fall, and he would be the one to destroy it...

-----

Near the southern side of the kingdom was the capital Odairo, with the stunning Altheyan mountains as a backdrop. In the centre of Odairo sat the white marble palace of the royal family, sat upon its dais like a beacon for all those around.

Its grandeur and wealth were something all admired, with its large jewel-encrusted pillar and archways, glittering marble floors, and doors engraved with gold in intricate patterns. Huge granite ceilings held hundreds of chandeliers made of crystals in different shades and colours that cast stunning colours around the large halls only adding to the effect cast by the stained-glass windows. Many had wished to set foot or simply touch the beautiful palace of the royals. How they envied the life of those who lived within.

Deep within the walls of the palace, there was a young woman who only wished one day to be set free, free from the palace she saw as nothing more than a white cage. Despite the size of the palace, it felt tight, small, and suffocating to the young woman. And how could it not? For she had to always remain poised, elegant, and graceful. No matter how perfectly she fitted the role of a princess, to Princess Layana of Ehlesaar, it felt as if she was tied down by chains wrought from gold and precious jewels.

Layana looked out from the large balcony of her bedroom, with the back view of the palace spread beneath her. The beautiful Altheyan mountains in the distance glittered under the burning sunrise, and below, she could see the orchards, fountains and green gardens spread far and wide.

She brushed a stray strand of her soft, waist-length, champagne-coloured curls out of her face. She was a beauty that stood out even from her sisters with her smooth ivory skin, angular jaw, and pointed chin. Above all else, it was her eyes that caught the attention of all, a mystic rarity. Her irises were part amber-red, part topaz-gold, rimmed with long, thick lashes. A slender nose and plump pouty lips finished off her looks.

Her body was slender but filled with womanly curves, was covered with only a silken lilac nightdress that flowed to the ground, the fabric clinging to the curve of her breasts. Just like their kingdom, her beauty was rumoured through the neighbouring lands. Soon her eighteenth birthday would arrive, and, with it, she knew the potential proposals of marriage...

She sighed softly, turning away from the beauty of nature. Her quarters were as beautiful as the outside of the palace, with gold-flecked ivory marble walls. Tapestries made of ivory velvet and gold hung around the room. Two large double doors with a filigree design sat on opposite walls. The two floor-to-ceiling bookshelves made of pure gold sat on the window sidewall. A huge canopy bed of pure gold sat against the wall opposite the balcony; the bedding was ivory silk with golden thread embroidery running over it in regal patterns. In between the two large arched windows were the balcony doors. They were made of the most breathtaking glass in shades of yellows, oranges, and red, matching the magnificent chandeliers that hung from the ceiling. The only other furnishing in the room was the velvet sofa, a long table, and the bedside drawers.

The sound of footsteps was heard, and a petite maid wearing a light grey floor-length dress with a red sash that signified she was a member of Layana's personal staff, stepped out from the adjoining door that led to Layana's bathroom, having just gotten her mistresses bath ready.

"His Royal Majesty has returned and wishes to speak to you immediately," the woman said, bowing politely. Layana nodded, sighing inwardly. She knew the reason for his summons.

Only two nights ago over dinner, the first queen, Myra, had insulted the second queen, Azalea, and Layana had not been able to stay quiet. It was one of her faults as her family would say.

Myra hated her stepdaughters. Although she may not have been vocal about it, no one was blind. Layana herself was at the bottom of that list, for, unlike her sisters, she was the only one born out of wedlock. No one knew who her mother was, not even Layana herself. Although it hurt at times, and she was often whispered about, she never let it show. She only knew that on the day of her birth, she was given to the second queen, Azalea, to be taken care of, who, at the time, was nursing her own child too. To Layana, Azalea was her mother; she had been the one to raise her and take care of her throughout her life.

Once she had bathed, she wore a sage green dress, fitted at the waist and flowed out elegantly, a row of dazzling diamonds in cognac and champagne made up the border of her bodice. On her feet, she wore a pair of shimmering gold sandals with two-inch heels. They were all the rage in the capital, with the new design giving women an added few inches and some elegance to any outfit.

"Thank you, Rina, I will make my way to my father's office," Layana said, taking a deep breath.

Her father was a scary, emotionless man. Well, he showed emotions, but those that weren't the most pleasant to see at times. Anger was one that Layana knew would be coursing through his veins thanks to her insolence...