30 - Chapter 2: Messages of War

As the frankian horsemen galloped through the streets of Tarniania, whispers of both fear and excitement could be heard amongst the Tarnianians who saw them.

The horsemen slowed to a trot as they approached King Jun’s courtyard. King Jun stood there in the middle of the courtyard, eyes fixed on the messengers from Frankia, expressionless.

The leader trotted all the way to Jun’s face. Jun stared into the horse’s eyes, he could feel the animal’s breath on his face, it was warm and smelt like seaweed.

“Up here, King Jun.” a voice came from above the horse.

“Ah so that’s where you are!” Jun looked surprised to find a man on the horse.

The men got off their horses and gathered in front of Jun.

“We bring you a message from God-King Monkey, I mean…Frankie.”

“Cool, let’s hear it.”

“By now, you should have heard wind that it will not be long before Tarniania is surrounded by our massive army.”

Jun nodded.

“Bring it on! We’re not afraid of monkeys!” The voice came from behind Jun and it was a woman’s voice, Erika’s voice.

“King Jun, how dare a mere woman speak such daring words in front of men?”

“Because only women give birth to true Tarnianian men!” Erika pouted, sticking out her tongue.

The messenger stared in disbelief as Jun shrugged and feigned ignorance.

“Go on, messenger, what does Frankie want to tell us?” Li tried to break out of the awkward situation.

“As God-King Frankie is merciful, all we ask from Tarniania is some food and land as a sign of submission under the might of God-King Frankie and Tarniania will be spared.” The messenger said warily.

Jun looked at Anderson and Li, they nodded at one another and Jun turned back to face the messenger.

“Fine by us, does he want chickens or pigs? As for the land…will he want the ones we grow rice on? Or the ones we grow vegetables on?” Jun replied the messenger.

The messenger had a worried look all of a sudden, and turned back to signal his companions to gather for a discussion.

“Alamak abang! You said they sure won’t surrender, now they surrender, we sure mati la!”

“Mati la…God-King Monkey say we must provoke them till they wage war…”

“How I know he bapok…aiyo, think if we go back sure die painfully, why not kill ourselves here?”

“Good idea.”

All the messengers nodded in agreement, and together they ran towards a bottomless pit down the street and jumped down.

It happened too fast and by the time Jun realized what had happened, it was too late.

“Bummer! This is not Sparta! This is Tarnianiaaaaaa!”

“M…M’lord….if his messengers do not return, he will definitely lay siege, we must prepare for war.” Li said to Jun.

“Very well then, prepare for battle, I shall visit the high priests and seek advice.”