30 - Chapter 1: Intro

Yep, been almost a year since my last post, well, I'm gonna have another shot at epic short stories again, heh. Alright, my latest work will be titled: "30". It'll be kinda like a...parody....well, enjoy!

Chapter 1

Jun rested his chin on his knuckles as he contemplated his next move.

“If you beat me, m’lord”, Phin, the court jest said, “I’ll tell you a secret.” Phin stifled a yawn as he leaned against the back of the chair. It was hard to hide his smile as his next move would be checkmate.

Sweat strolled down Jun’s forehead. He could not believe it, him, king of Tarniania, suffering defeat in the hands of a court jest. It might be chess, but a loss would still be a loss, he had to think of something, fast.

And the thought came fast indeed. “Fool! You dare hide secrets from the King?! This is treachery! Speak, or I’ll have you bleed so much a tomato will call you brother.” He said as he brought the tip of his sword to Phin’s neck.

Phin let out a soft yelp and went down on his knees almost immediately, “Have mercy m’lord…I’m but a humble minion…”

“Then speak!” Bellowed Jun.

“Ff…Ffr…ffrankie’s troops has been sighted by scouts stationed at the outskirts of Tarniania, Chancellor Li has predicted Tarniania to be surrounded in t….two days time…” Phin stammered.

Jun withdrew his sword and kicked Phin in the face, “Why have I not been informed? Why?” He demanded.

Phin scrambled to his knees, “Be…because…you were busy playing chess all day!”

“Such treachery! Men! Lock this fool in the bastille. He shall be Angelina’s lunch tomorrow.”

Fear was written all over Phin’s pale face. “Mercy M’lord! Not Angelina! Anything but Angelina! Please! Feed me to the lions instead!” Phin begged as four imperial guards took him down and bounded him.

“M’lord, we shall bring the prisoner down.” Holy Knight Anderson said.

Jun raised his hand, “Hold.”

Phin looked up, sighing a note of relief. “King Jun has spoken! Now let me go you fools!” He shouted at the guards holding him.

“Holy Knight Anderson, Angelina shall miss all her meals from now on. I want her hungry when she devours this man.”

Anderson bowed, “Yes M’lord, it shall be done.” He backed a few steps and turned around, “We shall leave.”

“NOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooo………” Phin wailed as they dragged him out of the throne room.

“Hold it.” It was Jun again.

A glimpse of hope shone in Phin’s eyes.

“Soak him in salt water for a quarter of an hour before serving, Angelina likes her food slightly salted.”

Anderson nodded and signaled for the guards to carry on.

“NOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo………” The wail became a shriek this time.

Jun covered his ears, “Shut him up!”

The sound of metal crushing bones could be heard and all was silent.

Jun smiled and pointed at one of the attendants in the throne room.

“You, your name.”

“Oswald. M’lord.”

“Oswald…I like that name, a’ight, you shall be the court jest from now on, now sing me a song.”

“B…but…m’lord…I c…” Jun stopped him before he could finish.

“Ah…I almost forgot bout the invasion, summon Holy knight Anderson and Chancellor Li.”

Both officials arrived in the throne room minutes later.

“Ah, my most trusted officials, any updates? Chancellor?”

“M’lord, a Frankian messenger has arrived and demands an audience with you.” Li replied.

“Ahh…a’ight, he will wait at the gates for me. Anderson will you finish this game of chess with me in Phin’s stead?”

“M’lord! This is no time for games! As we speak, Frankie’s army is closing in!” Anderson exclaimed.

“Yes, I know the situation…but I really want to play, oh well, let us meet this…messenger. Oswald, fetch Queen Erika, she shall meet this messenger with us.”