King Of The Former Dynasty

KINGDOM ARILRIT

It was a night. The two carriages rattled along the lonely road, one carrying boxes of silver and the other carrying the young master dressed in black. His black hair was tied in a ponytail and his eyes were closed as he sat in a meditative posture. His hands rested on his knees and his sword lay beside him.

Sixteen men guarded each carriage, holding fire torches and lanterns to light their way. The wind howled as they walked. They were alert and wary, knowing that bandits could attack them at any moment.

Suddenly, a loud shout broke the silence. "Bandits!" One of the guards guarding the first carriage yelled. He pointed at a group of men in black who emerged from the bushes, wielding weapons and their face covered, revealing only their eyes.

The young master opened his eyes immediately and leaped out of his carriage. He looked at the bandits with a calm and steady gaze.

He held his sword firmly, ready to unsheathe it. "I don't wish to shed blood. I am not the kind of person who enjoys it. Brothers, I'll give you a piece of what I have if you promise to let us pass through this road peacefully." He said in a clear and authoritative voice.

The bandits did not reply. Instead, they heard a laughter echoing from the trees. The guards turned their heads in different directions, trying to locate the source of the laughter.

"A righteous man. Is that what you are?" The voice said mockingly. "Or are you just afraid of us?"

A masked bandit flew down majestically from a tree and landed on top of the carriage carrying the silver. The breeze blew his black cloak as he descended. His head was covered with a hood, his face was covered with a mask, and red threads were tied on his fingers. His sword was unsheathed and gleaming in the torchlight. His stature was that of a young man, but his aura was different from a mortal.

"Are you the leader?" The young master asked, looking at the masked bandit on top of the carriage.

"Leader or not, I don't have to answer your questions, dear nobleman." The masked bandit said with a sneer.

"What is in this carriage is a small portion compared to what is in your family treasury. Leave it here and run away, if you still value your life."

"The bandit is spouting nonsense! Young master, we should take action!" A guard yelled.

"Yes!" The other guards yelled in agreement.

"It's not the first time we've encountered bandits! You've always subdued them! We don't believe you feel intimidated by the little trick that masked bandit pulled! We will fight on your behalf!" Another guard yelled.

"Yes!" The other guards yelled again.

A guard was about to charge at the masked bandit.

But before he could reach him, the masked bandit stretched out his hands and the red threads on his fingers extended and wrapped around his neck. The guard was lifted by a thread from the masked bandit,choking and struggling to breathe.

"Ghost weaver." The young master muttered under his breath. He recognized the rare and deadly skill that the masked bandit possessed.

"Please release him. You can have everything." The young master said calmly, but with a hint of desperation in his voice.

The masked bandit tilted his head to look at the young master. "Oh? The nobleman is reasonable." He said sadistically.

The other guards murmured among themselves as the masked bandit withdrew his thread and the guard that was hanging in the air was dropped down.

The guard groaned in pain as his body hit the ground while he coughed.

"Young master,the master won't be happy with this!",a guard yelled.

"Yes!",the other guards yelled and murmured among themselves, feeling helpless and angry.

"It's not the first time we've encountered bandits! You've always subdued them!.I don't believe you feel intimidated by the little trick that masked bandit pulled!.We will fight on your behalf!",another guard yelled.

"Yes!", other guards yelled as they were about to jump to the top of the carriage to attack the masked bandit at the same time.

But before they knew it,the masked bandit threads splitted as the masked bandit stretched his two hands and their necks were wrapped with the red threads,making them to hang on the air.

"Demon!",the guard who was first dropped yelled as he gritted his teeth

"So you don't believe I could kill you all at once, eh?" The masked bandit said with a chuckle. "Or should I use one of you as an example?"

He tightened their necks with the threads, making the guards scream in pain.

"I'll be delighted." The masked bandit said sadistically.

"Release them! They don't know what you're capable of!" The young master shouted, feeling a surge of anger and fear for his men.

"Oh.So you know what am capable of,then?"the masked bandit tilted his head to the young master as he chuckled slightly.

"I don't know what your capable off.But if you drop them,they will listen to my command",the young master said,calmly".

The guards held the threads on their neck as they struggled to breath.

"Well.Am in a good mood",the masked bandit said as he dropped them on the floor.

"Heed my command!. leave the carriage of silver and escort me back to the residence.Anyone that wishes to disobey me ,can die for nothing",the young master said as he entered his carriage.

The guards escorted the young master out,leaving the carriage of silver.

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The boy sat on too of the carriage alone .The other bandits were gone with the boxes of silver that was in the carriage and the three horses.

"I knew that you will come back",the masked bandit chuckled as he got down from the carriage and turned to the young master with his hand on his back.

"Did you think that you'll be able to catch us carrying the boxes of silver and attack us?.If that was your thought,then you're already late.I only stayed back to witness your disappointment".

"Huh,you're alone?.Not my business,you can't kill me.Goodnight,dear nobleman",he waved as he was about to walk away.

"Who are you?",the young master asked .

The masked bandit peeked over his shoulder,"why are you concerned with my identity.It's useless,dear nobleman.Go back to your rich abode".

The masked bandit was about to walk away but the young master moved swiftly towards him and the masked bandit escaped him.

He didn't use his threads or his sword against the young master as the young master didn't unsheathe his sword or used any weapon.

They used their hands to fight and in the process,the young master held the bandit mask as the bandit kicked him away.

The night wind blew the bandit hood back.

Under the moonlight,the young master could see the boys features.He was blindfolded,the night wind blew his silver medium length hair and his white skin.He found out it was a young boy behind the mask.

He gazed at the boy as the night wind blew his cloak and silver hair

"Silver hair,red thread,but..., you're blindfolded,could it be because you're blind or it's a type of skill",the young master muttered.

"Are you teri?",the young master asked curiously as he stood up from the ground.

The blindfolded bandit gasped as he flew away in the dark,passing trees.

"Wait!,i need to ask you something!",the young master yelled but the bandit was already out of sight.

IN THE MORNING,BANDITS VILLAGE

It was a place, hidden well in the mountain.men,women and their children lived there,they were all bandits.

It was ruled by the bandit lord.He had a left hand man and a right hand man.His right hand man was the one that stayed behind to protect him while the left hand man,who was Teri was sent on missions.

Teri will find out the financial status of a particular family,their residence and very information about them before they carry out their mission.

The others that followed Teri were already back. Teri came later.

Teri walked in through the gateway when suddenly.

"Teri!",elley, Teri's little sister,15 years of age jumped and ran to Teri.

She hugged him and frowned at him,"why didn't you wake me up last night to tag along.That's bad",she crossed her arms across her chest.

Teri pats her head,"you should sleep more, little sister".

She smacked his hand,"am not happy.youre taking me to the town's market today.But first,tell me about yesterday night.others were saying that it was too easy yesterday night".

She held his hand as they walked to their house.Their beds were bamboo beds and was not heavily covered with feathers inside a garments as of that of the nobles.

Teri's bed was beside the open window.He sat on the bed as his sister gave him a cup of water.

He collected the cup and drank from it,"thank you",he said after drinking.

"Tell me now!",she said excitedly as she sat beside him

"They were obedient to their young master.Those darn imbeciles actually thought that they could kill me",he smiled at her.

"They were not even able to come near me"he smirked.

She stood up and demonstrates,"who dares to touch the ghost weaver.Touch me and you will immediately be in hell because that's the only place you belong to".

He chuckled,"sit down".

"You dare tell the ghost weaver to sit?,you seek death!",she said and Teri dragged her back to sit down.

"But",Teri muttered.

"But what?",she asked.

"The young master", Selena's ghost, Teri's first elder sister said as she appeared beside Teri at his other side.

Teri heard her voice and smiled,"first elder sister is here,beside me".

She stood up,"oh...oh,welcome elder sister".

Selena,their first elder sister, was supposed to be 23 but she died when she was 11 so she is in the form of a 11 year old.she has been with Teri as a ghost since she died.From when he was able to see to when he became blind,all through the years.

"The one that brings smiles to our faces",she said with a smile.

"First elder sister said you bring smiles to our faces",Teri said with a smile.

"Of course,I bring smiles to everyone's faces,I am elley.and don't forget I can also be dangerous",she pouted.

"So,the young master",Teri continued,"something baffles me".

"What?",elley asked.

"It seems like he knows you",Selena said.

"Yes,it seems like he knows me.He asked if am Teri".

"Huh?,are we in danger?,is he from delmos kingdom?",elley asked curiously.

"No.i don't think so .I ran a background check.He's the second son of lord melvor.he was born here in ARILRIT kingdom.but I wonder what made him to ask if am Teri".

"He seems familiar but let's avoid him.I don't feel good about his knowledge of you.We've never met this person in our lives.From our father's land,delmos kingdom or throughout our journey,to this kingdom or even in this kingdom",Selena said concerningly.

"If he's dangerous,I will slit his throat and feed him to forest beasts and watch it from up the tree with a smile of satisfaction on my face",elley said with a frown.

"You shouldn't stain your pretty hands with blood.let big brother do that for you but only if he's dangerous",Teri said.

"What was elder sister opinion?",elley asked.

"She said is best if we avoid him",Teri said to elley.

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IN THE MELVOR RESIDENCE

Lord melvor was back from the palace court.

Still dressed in his Ministerial outfit,he sat in his study after he summoned for the second young master,mizak.

"Father",mizak greeted as he entered his study and sat across his father's long table.

A servant brought two cups of tea and served them after taking a sip from it.

"What happened yesterday night with the badge of silver,mizak?".

"Bandits",mizak muttered.

Lord melvor sipped from his cup and dropped it back on the table,"The guards that escorted you said they were led by a demon,Is this true,mizak?".

"It wasn't a demon",mizak muttered.

"Then what was it?",lord melvor asked as he looked at mizak.

"Weaver.The ghost weaver.One of the guardians of the last king of the former dynasty of the delmos kingdom.

"Oh.what made you so sure that it's him.Years has passed.The last time anyone heard of the ghost weaver is when he was 8 years old.He might be dead",lord melvor sipped from his cup.

"Am sure,father.17 years ago in delmos kingdom,a boy was born in the great general residence but died soon after birth and was buried but soon after,the mother heard his cries underneath the ground and dug the box up.The boy was alive but his hair became silver and red threads were attached to his fingers.

There was an ancestor in their family who was also a ghost weaver.He was to enter the palace when he was of age and could have full control of his powers".

"Father,I saw him manifest his power yesterday night.Also he didn't have wings but he could fly and he was fast.His hair was silver but one thing I couldn't understand was his blindfold but am sure it's him.I felt it,father".

Lord melvor slammed the table with satisfaction,"good.make various paintings of him and distribute it everywhere in the kingdom.I'll send people from different parts of the kingdom to search for him".

Mizak looked away as he placed his elbow on the table and rested his face on his hand.

He remembered the ghost weaver appearance from last night and smiled,"There's no need for that father.I don't think the ghost weaver want to be found We might chase him away if we use that method".

Mizak stood up,"I'll find him with my own ways and I'll act alone.Thank you father",he bowed to him and walked out of the study room.

MIZAK

It was nighttime.With the paper on the table and the brush in my hand,I began to create strokes,the statue,the a silver hair,the blindfold,the black outfit,the sword attached to his belt,his cloak ,the short red silk thread on his fingers,Teri under the moonlight.

I smiled with satisfaction as I finished.

"Second young master,is it the person you saw last night?",my serving boy standing beside me asked.

"Mhmm,he is",I said with a smile as I glanced at my serving boy.

He furrowed his eyebrows,"he..., doesn't look like the demon the guards speak of. I thought he had horns and looked like a monster".

I sighed,"he's not a demon.When the painting dries,hang it in my art chamber.

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I walked along the market street.The market view at night was always beautiful.The lanterns everywhere,the bustling sounds,the night sky and the night breeze.

I bumped into someone.

He wore black outfit and a black hat with veil,the girl beside him was shorter and looked younger,she wore a black masquerade mask.she had arrows at her back,she seemed to be an archer.

I wanted to hold his arm so he won't fall but he smacked my hand

"Am sorry",I said.

"You have eyes.use them",he said and kept in walking with the girl.

That voice.wait!,I saw red silk threads on his fingers.Teri?.

I turned back and they were far.

I kept walking fast,rushing towards them.

It seemed like they increased their pace.i still followed them.we left the market and I was walking on a quiet path.

I didn't see them again.i caught a glimpse of Teri going into an alley and I followed him.

I followed but I didn't see him again.i looked around there was no single mortal at sight,then suddenly.

I felt fingers on my neck and I stood still as I panicked.The person leaned towards me from my back,leaning on my right shoulder.

I peeked from my shoulder and I met a veil.The wind blew it a little and I could see a face from the slit of the veil.

A blind folded person with silver hair, smirking.It was Teri.

"I wonder what made the nobleman follow me.Are you into me?",he chuckled."or are you after me for your silver?.If it's that,run away, nobleman",he said flatly as he vanished from my back and appeared in front of me.

I almost gasped but I held it in.it did make my heart jump in fear a little.

"Am not here for the silver,am here for you",I said confidently.

He removed his hat and sighed,"oh,dear nobleman,I did get findings about you and your family but I didn't know this.So.Your type is the blindfolded ones that wears black outfits.Noted,but I can't take care of your sexual desires tonight,meet someone else",he cleared his throat.

I panicked,"What?!,.....no!....,that's not what I meant,I____"

Suddenly an arrow passed me from behind.

A girl came forward from behind me,"What do you mean you're here for my brother?".

She aimed to hit me again,"How are you related to alririt Kingdom?.lie to me and I'll kill you.say the truth.......,and I'll kill you",she said fiercely.

"Am not your enemy,Teri.Shall we discuss this over a liquor.We can go to the best inn or better,we can go to my residence.

"Discussion with me?",Teri chuckled.

"How did you get blind?",I asked curiously.

He laughed mockingly,"dear nobleman,are we friends?".

He held his sister,"we will see again".

He said and I watched as he went up and ride the wind.He was fast in a way that made it seemed like he vanished.

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IN A RICH MERCHANT MANSION

I,my brother and father were invited to a merchant's residence.He was one of the popular and wealthy merchants in the kingdom.

Only men were allowed in the banquet.some other noble families were also invited to the banquet.

Weeks have passed since I last met Teri.He didn't meet me after that day.

We sat across different tables with food and liquors served to us.

Different troupes came that night.They danced and played instruments.Each troupe with their unique style.

The last troupe presented themselves before they began.

They wore black masquerade masks and red dress that had a slit and showed some parts of their body.

Their dance was beautiful and unique.The dance and the way the instruments were played looked and sounded familiar.

They formed a circle as they danced.Immediately,a lady with a red and black dress but with the same style of others was brought down with a rope.

Her mask was not like others.she wore a beautiful full silver face mask.Her her was silver and of medium length.

Wait.silver hair,that height that and statue.i was shocked.

I looked at her fingers and saw shirt red silk threads.

Apart from the fake front side,isn't that Teri?.

What's he doing here,is this what he meant by we will meet again?.or.something is about to happen?.

I looked around for anything suspicious.That us when I noticed that the maid refilling the cups with liquor was Teri's sister.the same girl from that night.

But she was dressed differently that I couldn't recognize her.

I felt uneasy but I had to watch the dance.

He held an extremely long silver silk and danced with it.he twirled with it as he danced that is when I remembered this dance and the way the instruments were played.It was that of the delmos Kingdom.

It was pleasing.The guest cheered as they danced.

The tune of the instruments changed but kept on dancing.

It made chills run down my spin but I was still watching the dance.I felt something was wrong so I looked around.

Some people were asleep while some were slowly falling asleep.

I knew something was going to happen.

I stood up but I felt weak so I fell back on my chair.

I watched Teri as he went up,still twirling with the silver silk,dancing beautiful.

Everything started becoming blurry but I kept on watching teri.while in the mid air as he was dancing,they were no ropes and then he suddenly vanished and I slowly fell asleep.