The Land Below our Feet II (Unleashed) COMPLETE

MEASURES

They had been sitting alone in the enormous dining hall for a long time.

Hours ago, a servant had brought Ajora a ridiculous amount of food, which she’d lost no time devouring as the King asked all kinds of random questions concerning Hathengatt … But most oddly, questions about her and her life at Mavaer.

-When did you say that you left our city – He casually demanded to know – Were you gone for long?

-About three months ago – She replied, digging at her plate with a tremendous appetite.

-You say you’ve lived here your entire life – The young man muttered pensively, scratching his chin with his thumb -How come I never saw you until now?

-I don’t know – The puzzled girl shrugged off, scoffing a little – I mean… Do you happen to know all your subjects? Cause I’m just one out of thousands…

-And yet you clearly stand out… - He continued saying, his glowing eyes fixated on her – I can’t believe I never met you before.

-Can I go home now? – Ajora asked, stirring awkwardly in her seat as she hurriedly took a last eager bite of food, stealing a shy glance at him – I have been gone for months and my father is sick… I need to know if he is all right.

-Where is your home? – The King calmly replied, sipping his wine and looking at her over his cup – I’ll just send one of my men to check on him. Don´t worry.

-B-But Your Majesty… – She began saying, nervously twisting a napkin between her hands.

-It’s Ishtun – He casually cut in, placing his goblet on the table and leaning his jaw against his palm as he stared sharply at her.

-What? – She mumbled, frowning at him with evident confusion.

-You can call me Ishtun – The young ruler shrugged, giving her a broad smile and an inviting gesture urging her to do so.

-I… I could never – Ajora muttered, blushing profusely, and looking down at her lap.

– Why not? – Ishtun retorted - That’s my name.

-Because you’re the King - She responded in a low voice – And I’m your subject.

-And I’m telling you that you can -He nodded pointedly at her, his brow arching – So what’s the problem then?

She remained speechless for a few seconds, cautiously holding his gaze and studying his face before letting out a loud sigh.

-All right then, Ishtun… – Ajora said, marking her words and crossing her arms over her chest – Can I go see my father now?

-Not yet – He simply answered, standing up and extending his hand towards her, helping her stand up as she stared at him in utter shock – I still need you here.

- What for? – She exclaimed outraged, trying to keep her voice from escalating into a disrespectful tone.

-Well, you are my only source – He reasoned, placing a hand on the small of her back and guiding her towards the door as she mindlessly walked by him – You possess valuable intel about my enemies, and I think it is best for everyone if you stay here until I’ve taken the pertinent measures.

-But I already told you everything I know – She objected, her eyes darting desperately all around the place as she thought of some other excuse to say.

-Listen, you had a long journey. It’s late, you are tired… I am tired – Ishtun responded serenely, gently guiding her through the door as he kept his hand slightly pressed behind her back – I’m sure that both of our minds will be much sharper in the morning, once we’ve had a good night’s sleep… See if we haven’t left any relevant details out.

-No! I can’t stay here! – She cried out in despair as she recognized in panic that she was being hauled to an unknown destination by this stranger, her voice trembling with distress.

Her mouth gasping and her hand immediately darting to cover it in repentance as soon as the words left her throat and she realized in horror that she had just yelled at the King himself… Her face paling.

-Oh, I’m so sorry, Your Majesty! … - She rushed to stammer mortified, in an apologetic tone, her hand instinctively grabbing his arm, only to abruptly let it go a second later, when she made aware that now she was also touching him and making things a million times worse.

Her body gracelessly stumbling as she tried to back away from him with her hands pleadingly raised up in the air – I didn’t mean to offend you in any way!

-Hey… It’s all right - Ishtun cooed in a very calm voice, cautiously approaching her as she pressed herself further against a wall with a fearful expression frozen on her face. His finger pulling her chin up and looking into her startled eyes – Look at me. You did nothing wrong. This is all my fault… I see that I made you feel uncomfortable. Please forgive me.

Ajora sighed in relief and swallowed a big lump, her back slowly sliding down the wall as she crumbled to the floor in exhaustion, the emotions of the past few days suddenly crashing over her shoulders all at once.

Feeling completely drained, she leaned her head against the wall, closing her eyes and assimilating the past events, aware of the surreality of everything, and wondering if perhaps this was nothing but a very strange dream that she was having. Her thoughts interrupted when she felt his presence crouching and sitting on the floor right next to her.

She turned to her side, and she found the breathtaking ruler inches away from her face, his piercing dark eyes silently studying every feature of hers with concern.

Her sight inadvertently wandered towards his extended bare legs and ended up noticing the protruding muscles in them.

Blushing, she sheepishly followed the bright trail of green fabric from the hem over his knee, through the outline of his wide torso, and finally to his face. Her eyes meeting with his briefly, before hurriedly averting them and staring fixedly at the floor.

-I’m sorry if I made you feel like you were trapped in here – Ishtun said, breaking the silence and attracting her attention once more, scratching his head ashamedly – I realize now that I was stupidly thinking only about my interests and I failed to see how incredibly controlling this behavior is. Please accept my apologies.

He nodded towards the empty hall and extended his hand in a resigned gesture – I had no right to ask you to stay. You are free to go now… I’m sorry.

-But… - She started saying, biting her lip as her eyes lingered on his contrite face and her heart wrenched at his incredibly sad expression with a pang of guilt - What if I remember anything important?

-Well, it is not like you can’t come back and ask for one more audience – He said smirking at her, his eyes softening – Just don’t start another riot, there’s no need… I’ll put you on the list.

With that, he jumped nimbly on his feet and offered her his hand – Now, come on, I’ll walk you home.

Ajora held his warm palm and slowly stood up, her mind suddenly clouding and the words simply blurting out of her mouth on their own before she could think about them any further.

-Your Majesty, please… – She found herself saying, her hand landing on his forearm and boldly keeping it there – You are right, I am tired… And maybe that’s why I reacted so poorly, but I really want to help you figure this out. So, if you still need me, I’ll stay.

Ishtun froze, his surprised eyes taking quick note of her limb touching his skin, then smiling and shaking his head curiously at her.

-I asked you to call me Ishtun – He reminded her, placing his hand over hers and sighing – Are you sure you want to do this?

-Yes – She muttered decidedly, staring into his eyes – I’ll do anything in my power to help you save our home. I promise.

-Thank you – The monarch replied with a genuinely grateful smile, squeezing her hand – I really appreciate your help. Now let’s get you to your room.

Ajora was left open-mouthed when the young ruler turned the knob of the large wooden door and revealed the obscenely huge chamber behind it.

It was as big as her entire home, maybe bigger. Her eyes taking in the beautiful furniture that adorned the spacious and faintly illuminated room, feeling specially drawn to the fluffy-looking bed standing alluringly in the middle of it.

She took a few uncertain steps towards it, slowly approaching the inviting and enormous mattress, her fingers tentatively grazing its surface once she reached the edge of it.

-Have a good night – Ishtun´s voice called out from the door, where he remained immobile, simply watching her with an enigmatic smirk on his face – I’ll come get you in the morning.

-Y-You too – Ajora mumbled, feeling her cheeks inevitably reddening as she stood stirring awkwardly in her spot and twitching her fingers.

-So… Where is it then? – He casually inquired, tilting his head towards her.

-What…? – She muttered in confusion.

-Your house, where is it? – He raised his eyebrows – I’m sending one of my men to check on your dad. Remember?

-Oh – She breathed out bewildered – Right… It’s hum, you know that grocery store near the temple?

-I don´t. But my men do, they’ll figure it out. Now, see that door? – The King said, nodding at a large wooden panel at the edge of the room, near the bed’s headboard – My chambers are right behind it, just knock if you need anything.

And without another word, he walked away and left her standing there in the empty, silent room. Her brain almost combusting at the absurdity of it all.

Scoffing with incredulity, Ajora shook her head forcefully, trying to clear up her mind a little before eagerly crawling into the ridiculously comfortable bed and sighing with delight at the softness of the exquisite fabrics that embraced her frame.

She was starting to doze off, when her heart skipped a beat, hearing the clear noises coming from the other side of the adjacent wall, and knowing that he should be standing right behind it, getting ready for bed…

Before she could do anything about it, her thoughts had already wandered to the green robe he’d been wearing as she pondered the likeliness that he had been completely naked under that absurdly light garment of his. A muffled curse erupting from her as she mentally slapped herself for even daring to think about such a thing.

Her exhaustion thankfully taking over, and a peaceful slumber soon engulfing her, leading her into a dreamless sleep.

Ajora sat beside the King that morning, feeling as if she was being surrounded by a weird and thick haze. The voices of the crowd of men around them vaguely audible to her.

The warmth emanating from the young man sitting next to her irremediably distracting her from their elusive conversation.

She fought to keep her mind focused and spinning at full speed, as she tried to assimilate this mind-blowing experience and wrap her brain around the fact that she was actually sitting among the King’s closest councilors, calmly discussing an incoming threat while they all enjoyed a sumptuous breakfast.

The warrior that had granted her the audience the night before was also present, and he had been the one doing most of the talking as Ajora watched his lips moving incessantly while he took bites of his food and rattled on about incomprehensible things. A few loose phrases sporadically drawing her attention and reaching her consciousness from time to time.

-If there are so many of them coming as she claims, then we are going to need all the help that we can get– The intimidating man’s voice called out firmly – And we definitely need more weapons too, so I suggest we use this trip in our favor and get…

-Weapons! – Ajora suddenly exclaimed, interrupting him, her hand slamming on the table as every eye in the room landed on her face – How could I ever forget!

Her head turning towards the puzzled King as she slapped her own forehead with her open palm and looked anxiously at him.

-I saw guns back in Hathengatt! – She screamed worriedly – Just a few, really. But that would mean that they found a way around the Commander’s restriction, right?

-How? – The bald, large warrior that had been talking earlier asked, his eyes narrowing.

-I don’t know, Zhengo – The young monarch replied, nodding gravely at him – But I suggest that you use your trip to find out… Cause either we have a leak, or they’ve found a supplier… And I can’t decide which one would be worse.

-Oh Gods! I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you last night! – Ajora mumbled distractedly, blinking perplexedly at her own omission – I can’t believe it slipped out of my mind… I just can’t!

-Hey… Don’t beat yourself up. You had a rough day – Ishtun replied, squeezing her hand reassuringly, and giving her a brief wink– See? I told you that you needed a good night’s sleep.

He paused, tilting his head at her curiously, his eyes sparkling with intrigue – So… Did you count them?

-Of course – She sniffled proudly, holding his gaze.

- I knew it! - He smirked, patting her palm cheerfully - ... Clever girl.