RETURN OF THE HYBRID (Book III)

chapter 2

That morning, Herman's homestead looked busy. He had woken up his wife earlier than usual to make preparations for a princely breakfast. His servants were busy in the kitchen under the supervision of his wife sera, the smell of rusted meat filled the entire house. Two of his oldest sons were already looking for fruits in the woods, fresh fruits while he was in the cellar looking for his best wine. Poor Herman had no idea he was under compulsion. Just like his speed the strength of Leon's compulsion had also changed. It was more like a mind control. Lord Herman was not asking himself many questions about this new prince, all he knew was the chances of his claims being true were very high. Before clivestone started shaking off its foundations the king was a very promiscuous man, close to the biblical Solomon.

The worst part of it was the fact that he did not take responsibility of the sons he sired and some who were speculated to be his opted to die poor than be related to him and there was also another fact that only Herman and a few people knew, most of his concubines were married women. Basically most of his subjects were bringing up children who were not theirs and those who were smart enough to find out, their heads ended up on a spike.

"Father, we found the best fruits" Herman’s eldest son Olaf said.

"This look fresh!" He said looking through the fruit basket, "wash them we are way behind time"

"Okay father"

He settled on one bottle. It was actually a parting gift from another lord from a visit to a faraway land. The meat was brought in the table in a large bowel, the fruits, plates and wooden wine glasses. Everyone was ready apart from the prince. Herman ensured everything was fine one last time before he went to knock on the door.

"My prince, May I came in" He said his head bowed.

"Come in Lord Herman" Leon said meeting him at the door.

"Breakfast is ready, we need to see your father the king early before he leaves the palace"

"Okay, so tell me about my father I need know how to behave myself around him" Leon said following Herman.

"No words can describe the man your father is but I will try my best as we ride there for now meet my family" lord Herman said happily showing off his wife two boys and a girl.

"Nice to meet you all, my name in Leon"

"Prince Leon" Herman corrected.

"Until my father accepts me just call Leon and thank you for welcoming me in your home" He said.

"Welcome your majesty" They all said in a chorus before sera led them outside one after another.

He realized no matter what he said Herman had already trained his family to refer to him as a prince and they obeyed him. He could see why his "Father" Loved him. From the memories of the three men he had already feasted on for the few hours he was in clivestone he could tell Rhode was a brutal king.

"The table is set" Herman said showing him a wooden chair at the head of the table.

"Thank you" Leon said sliding in.

He was not hungry. Close to fifteen liters of blood he had siphoned were still giving him the strength he needed at least until he found out how to go back to his time line, the normal time line. But just to make Herman happy he poured himself wine and ate a couple of fruits which he found quiet sweeter than the same version he had tasted back in his normal time. He also ate some meat, drank warm cow and goat milk by the time they were done he was feeling so full, close to bursting.

********

As usual the palace butler rang the bell, the curtains, were drawn and the four virgin maids, which was just a hyperbole the king had ‘chewed’ all of them, were ready with a towel, liquid soap and a sponge ready to wash the king the moment he woke up. The same was done to the queen who also had her own staff.

"Good morning your majesty, long live your majesty!" The butler announced.

King Rhode emerged from his blanket and rolled to the edge of the bed. He yawned lazily and uncovered himself. He had slept naked and he didn't bother to warn them it was upon them to turn around quickly not to see the kings man hood. Funny how the king did not give a rat’s ass about it. He just marched towards the girls with his manhood leading the way, long black hair, a hairy chest with two golden armlets on both of his hands. Two of girls covered him with his Rob and others brought his sandals.

"Morning everyone, am feeling happy today. Apart from the untamed sex I had with your queen yesterninght am just happy today"

"Shut up Rhode, get him to the tab!" Queen Aliya ordered.

"You seem to forget this is my palace" Rhode said reluctantly walking outside their bedroom.

"And never forget I made you king and gave you four sons"

That was her usual game changer. He had never found a comeback from that. With the butler on the lead they went the bathroom right outside the king’s bedroom, two guards were standing there dressed in steel armor with swords and spears. Thirty minutes later the king and queen both emerged from the showers sparkling clean. Olive oil was applied on their backs and feet, a bottle of perfume smeared on their royal robes before they were dressed, the final touch was their crowns and they were led downstairs for breakfast.

It looked as though it was a feast. The long table with two dozens of chairs surrounding it was filled with all kinds of wine, fruits, meat, chicken, root tubers, honey, bread, there was also a turkey. The king to his rightful seat, the queen too. The servants bowed before they all left, it was just the king and the queen, with the butler and the two guards.

"May the gods have mercy upon us am tired of this war" King Rhode said pouring wine.

"The gods turned their backs in us when they let all our sons die one after another. You need a miracle to win this war" Queen Aliya said with disdain.

She was hurt. She had every reason to be a doubting Thomas. All her four sons, whom she wanted to grow up just like normal citizens of clivestone were brought up as warriors just be because they were royalty. They were trained to fight at a very young age and every time one was brave enough to lead the kingdoms troops to war he never came back. Then another would want to go and avenge. Until they all died. And their father, king Rhode was enjoying fruits, milk and honey, wine and women at the comfort of his fortress. Sometimes he even forgot about the funerals, Aliya once thought that maybe he had forgotten about them long before they even started dying chronologically.

"Don't be bitter darling the gods will surely smile upon us" He said looking above the ceiling.

"You still think he is up there waiting to help you vanquish your enemies? You need a miracle to survive, the enemies will kill us all if you don't something quick"

"Enough!"

"Your majesty, the... “The butler said.

"What? What is wrong with both of you? Ruining my morning seems like a priority to you I haven't slept like this in a long time, I haven't had mornings like this in seasons!" The king snapped banging the table.

Queen Aliya just stared at him before she burst into laughter.

"You are no lion you actually sound like a cat, a home cat what is it?” She asked turning her attention to the butler," What is it that you wanted to say? "

“The general is here to give an update on the escalation of the war” He said with his head bowed.

"Let him in" Rhode Said sounding embarrassed.

He looked at the queen first.

"Yeah let him in, your king here has calmed down already, right?" Aliya asked.

"Just bring in the general am the king here"

As much as Rhode tried to convince everyone he was the king, he was no different from Hillary, the attenuated vampire king who was under the influence of an alpha female Grace in the “Reign of the hybrid; Ruler of adversity. The general was brought in, he drew his sword and went on one knee, said a few words about loyalty, courage and freedom then put his right arm across his chest.

"You may rise" King Rhode said stating at him keenly.

"Thank you my king, am carrying news" He said.

"Ooh I thought it's something different this time. Something like am carrying our enemies’ heads you always carry news and it’s always bad news!"

"Rhode" Aliya said glaring at him.

"Speak!" Rhode said to the general.

"The enemy is breaking out last strong hold we are facing an open invasion we need more troops" He said his head bowed in both shame and reverence.

As a general it was not a happy thing to ride on the back of a horse from the battle field back to the palace just to tell his king that their kingdom was almost getting vanquished. Yet he had no option. An enemy send an arrow through the dove they were using to communicate and no other man was willing to face the king with such news, unless they wanted to be executed.

"How many soldiers do you have?" Rhode asked.

"Almost two thousand your majesty, three hundred are injured and twice the number are so weak they can't fight we are out of food and water too"

"I need Lord Herman, where is he?"

"Not yet in" The butler said.

"Let me help, you don't need him when am here" Aliya said smiling.

Rhode nodded.

"Take everyman who can fight and ask the farmers to donate food and weapons for the fighters, my family has given four sins to this kingdom its time every family carried this burden!"

"I might need an order with your seal your majesty there is a little chance they will be willing to listen to me"

"Bring the scroll, ink and the royal seal"

As the butler left to bring what he was asked, Rhode walked outside with his guards. He had no objection with what Aliya had decided, because he had nothing that seemed helpful she had done him a great favor. Herman arrived in his chariot almost immediately the king got outside. The sun was getting warm, he had a can of wine in his hands watching as the servants cleaned the palace.

"It's a great Morning your majesty!" Herman said happily.

"It's never a good morning in clivestone Herman are you mocking me?"

"No your majesty, who am I to even mock you my great king. Am sorry please forgive me my king. I have some great news" Herman said.

"You made your wife pregnant again?"

"No your majesty I found a prince, your prince" Herman said.

"Unless you dug up my four sons from the royal graveyard I suppose you are still mocking me"

"No your majesty, Prince Leon!"

"Lord Herman” Leon said getting out of the chariot.

Rhode looked at him head to toe. Long hair, green but scary eyes, handsome face, a nose almost like his and a small mouth. He didn't know how big it got when he bit off chunks of meat from human bodies. His physique was great, but funny shoes.

"Not my son” Rhode announced.

“Your highness..."

"Not my son Herman", he moved closer to Herman pulled him away ", Aliya will kill me if she finds out" He whispered.

"Don't worry the queen doesn't have to know" Leon said.

"What? How did..."

"Let's just say I have been dying to meet my father, give me a chance to prove myself to you" Leon said.

"How?"

"Let me win back our kingdoms strong hold that is almost being brought down" He said confidently.

At that moment king Rhode did not even ask how he found out their last resort was falling. He agreed, knowing no one came back from the war.

"Your chance starts now" King Rhode said going back inside.