Kingdom of Greed

“Hurry Guy’s! We are already running late! I don’t want to get flogged do you?” I yelled back at my family. “Thena calm yourself, we have a lot of elderlies here..” My father smiled at me. “We are not old!” Great aunt Rosemary yelled as she smacked him upside the head. My cousins and I giggled amongst ourselves as my father was smacked and pushed around by my six great aunts. “Then why don’t you walk faster?” my brother Puck hollered at them. “You listen here boy,” my great aunt Maaga hobbled over and grabbed him by the ear, “I will gladly curse you with the inability to walk, and drag you happily by your ear to this wretched event.” She smiled smugly at Puck’s pained expression before patting his cheek and walking ahead of us. Puck rubbed his ear, glaring at the back of aunt Maaga’s head. “Have you no sense, boy? Even after every curse these old bats have put on you, you still have a mouth as big as a whale.” My father whispered in Puck’s ear before shaking his head and chuckling to himself. He patted Puck’s back before catching up to me. “Your brother’s, I don’t know where they get their brain’s from.” We laughed as we walked into the stadium, the smell of sweat, hot in the air. I grimaced as they pulled a young boy no older than eight into the stadium. Even from this distance, we could see him trembling, and the heat of the day glistening off his skin. His mother clung to him weeping, begging for mercy, but her pleas fell upon deaf ears. “One more minute you old hag!” A royal soldier yelled. The woman sorrowfully gave up on her attempt to save her son. She hugged him tightly for the last time before he was dragged away from her into the stadium. “That’s the stable master's son…” My father whispered remorsefully. My heart pounded in my chest. Had our section of the city already come to be picked? The boy I now recognized lived two streets away from us. The list of the rest of the chosen was brought out a minute later. “Gundeth Fuseshine.” A mother screamed in terror. Gundeth was pulled from the crowd, his father fighting hard to grab his boy back from the soldier. Drirmak Hazebloom.” A girl no older than me, hugged each of her family members tightly before walking down with the soldiers. Our eye's locked, and she gave me a defeated smile as she passed. “Khymuth Lightsdane.” The soldier called another name, smiling into the crowd as a young homeless boy tried to run, a futile attempt as he was grabbed seconds later. He screamed and thrashed in terror. “Kregeth Treecutter, Darmogg Bronzecloud, Arthumd Quickguard, and Thagolon Diregate.” The soldier smirked joyfully as an older man was thrown down by his feet. I stared sadly at all the chosen ones. This month I doubt we will have any winners. It was mostly young ones and a few middle-aged. “I doubt the God’s will smile on you today,” the soldier laughed. “But one can hope.” He spoke sarcastically. The fighters lined up against the wall as the royals entered. Pompous assholes. Who finds joy in the slaughtering of their own people? I rolled my eyes as the King and Queen entered. They smiled smugly into the crowd, they were decked in blood-red and adorned with gold. Next, the Princess in her emerald green gown that was covered in tiny diamonds. She laughed and mocked the chosen who could not hold their tears back. Then, finally, the crown Prince Hades Weatherfront, ugh what a complete and utterly useless human. I thought to myself. His dark wavy hair glistened in the sun, his horse groomed to perfection, he wore a dark blue tunic with gold details. I huffed as I stared at the golden crown that lay atop his head. That alone could feed the entire city. “Quit ogling at the Prince.” My brother Tenser hissed. I snapped out of my thoughts to find the Prince looking directly at me. I rolled my eyes and turned to my brother. “You think I was ogling? Please, I was thinking of the many painful ways I could kill that pompous ass.” I snapped. “Well you definitely caught his attention either way cause he’s still staring.” My brother gave me a disappointing look. “Damn your giant red hair, you stick out like a sore thumb!” He snapped. “I can’t help it, Tenser.” I snapped back. “Let the tournament of Champions commence!” The soldier yelled. The chosen quickly scrambled to get the weapons off the rack, but it was quickly emptied before even half of them got a chance to get anything. “Cheating bastards!’ My mother snapped angrily. “I hate this blasted event, it's barbaric.” She winced as the walls rose from the ground, turning the arena into a maze. The first of the beasts were released; a Bonecat, Spiked Dog, and an Earth elemental. The Bonecat was quickly making its way towards the clueless stable boy. I jerked my head to the left as the Bonecat pounced him. His screams of agony echoed throughout the stadium. I glanced up to see the prince squeezing his eyes shut, a pained expression riddled his face. He slowly opened his eyes as the screaming stopped. We locked eyes for a brief moment before I turned back to the horrific scene. The boy's body lay lifeless as the Bonecate scarfed him down, clearly being starved before the event. I felt vomit creeping its way up my throat. I swallowed hard to keep it down. The older man had two younger boys behind him as the spiked dog growled and paced back and forth. The man ran at the beast, his sword and shield held up high. The Dog spit its acid before throwing spikes at the man. He took a large spike in the arm. He screamed out but continued towards the beast. He swung his sword hard, taking a leg from the dog. But in retaliation, the dog took his head from his shoulders. Drirmak came running to return the favor, slicing the head clean off the spiked dog. Its head rolled, landing in front of the two young boys. She took a breath of relief before the Earth elemental came crashing through the wall, sending her flying. She lay on the ground clearly having some damage done to her head. She stood weakly shaking her head. Flinging blood against the wall. She looked up to see the young boys screaming. She took a step forward ready to run into battle, but it was too late. I looked away from the gory scene for a brief moment before my mother reached over and took my hand in hers. I looked up to see tears running down her cheeks, her eyes locked on the sight in front of her. I sucked in a sharp breath and returned my eyes to the chaos. The Bonecat and the elemental had begun a fight of their own. Another chosen one lying dead on the ground not far from the fight. Drirmak aimed an arrow at the elemental. She released the string, her arrow going right through the beast's eye. The elemental let out a scream of pain before the Bonecat finished it off. The Bonecat took a few staggering steps away from the corpse before also falling down dead, probably from all the damage it took. Drirmak took a heavy breath before running as fast as she could through the maze to grab the rope out, before they could let anything else out of its cage. The maze was riddled with booby traps, The farther in you got. Drirmak took two arrows to her shoulder as she was running. She fell hard as she cried out in pain. I glanced to the right as loud gears turned, and another gate had opened. A giant snake slithered from its cage, stopping ten feet in front of Drirmak. I let my mind take control as an attempt to forget the bloodshed. But it didn’t help. I looked down sorrowfully as a scream and a crunch echoed throughout the stadium and finally a loud thud. I tried to keep my eyes on my hands as the bell rang. My eyes shot up to see Drirmak dragging her leg and covered in blood but alive. “We have a champion, ladies and gentlemen.” The soldier yelled out, grabbing Drirmak and pulling her harshly to her feet. She screamed out in pain, before falling to the ground again. The soldier threw a single gold piece down at her feet before she was dragged out of the stadium. “We must hurry home now, soldiers are always worse when someone actually wins.” My Father said, dragging my younger brother Hugo and I to our feet. We all walked home quickly, not wanting to lose anyone else to the brutal hands of the royal soldiers. I grimaced at the thought of both my Grandmas and an Uncle being left to the mercy of them. We all walked home silently. I rushed to my cousins, hugging them tightly. “Was it that bad?” Delphini asked worriedly. “Much worse.” I sighed. “I wish I was allowed to stay home.” “You know we are not allowed to go anywhere Thena, Father gave his life, so we could have ours. If I had a choice to go to that stupid tournament, I would go if it meant it would bring him back.” Clarence spoke softly but with a voice daring me to say I would trade places. Cause I knew in my heart I wouldn’t want to be an albino. In this kingdom, it is an automatic death sentence. Their father traded his life for theirs as long as they never left the property. If he hadn't, none of us had much hope of him making it anyway, being how his wife passed during childbirth. I half smiled and entered the house along with everyone else. “Now I know everyone would like nothing more than to lie about after today’s events, but we have many people counting on us and there is much work to be done.” My father looked between our sorrowful faces, he sighed, running his hand through his dark hair. “If we ever want any hope of beating these bastards we have to help keep the people safe. We are a family of Witches and Warriors. We take care of those who need it most.” He looked between each of us again, seeing us a little more lively. “ I really hate to do this on a day like today but Garreth, Tenser, Puck and I will be heading to the prairie in Dark woods. We need to get our place finished.” My father looked at me sadly, knowing I hated when he left. “How long this time?” I asked, trying to hold back my tears, but failing miserably. “Three weeks' time.” He sighed “But this is for you,” He handed me a long piece of cloth. I laid it carefully on the table before opening it. Wrapped neatly in the cloth was the most beautiful sword and matching set of daggers I had ever seen. The hilt of each was silver wrapped with black stained leather, and adorned with black onyx and topaz. I stared up into his smiling face, noticing more wrinkles by his eyes and his dark beard was now littered with gray. Setting the weapons down, I hugged him tightly. “I love you father.” He let me go and kissed my mother before grabbing his cloak and slipping out the door, my brother’s and uncle following in suit. “Well, girls, you heard the men we need to get ready for the others to show up. Athena be a dear and go fetch us some water.” I Huffed, grabbing the two buckets off the floor, then I checked my waistband for my dagger. I sighed happily knowing it was there, and headed out the door. I walked slowly to the well and waited patiently in line for my turn, all that money and this is the only working well in the city. I huffed. After about twenty minutes, it was finally my turn. Hooking the first bucket, I lowered it into the well, only to pull the much heavier rope moments later. I repeated the process with the second bucket only to feel as if my arm muscles were aflame. I grabbed the second bucket off the hook and started my walk home, thinking of different herbs I could use to help ease pain. Thistleweed maybe? Lavender definitely. I smacked into something hard, spilling a bucket of water on the ground. Suddenly, I was grabbed and yanked into the alley next to me. I reached for my dagger and sliced my attacker's hand. He jerked away, taking in a sharp breath of pain. I turned fast, holding my dagger up ready to defend myself. My eyes locked with his, and I fell to my knees. “Forgive me your highness, it's a force of habit, I have been grabbed many times.” I trembled knowing this would be my last day on earth. “It’s quite alright, it’s my own fault really. I can see where you got startled by the grabbing and pulling, but from my perspective it looked as if you might fall.” He reached down to help me up, but I pushed past his hand and stood on my own. “No your highness, it was my own fault. I have a bad habit of letting my mind get away with me.” I glanced up into his eyes. “Please don’t call me that..” He huffed, aggravated, “Just call me Hades.” My eyes shot up to his, “Excuse me?” I stared at him in shock. ~Hades POV~ Getting a full look at her now, I could clearly see she was the most beautiful girl I had ever met. Her hair was a wild mess of tight curls that glowed like red maple leaves in the fall, her eyes were green and melted into blue, they were unlike any I had ever seen. She was about a foot shorter and of a slim build but absolutely immaculate in every way. “N-no sorry uhm what did you say?” I asked nervously. ~Athena's POV~ Why does he seem nervous? “Oh I said excuse me, I’m just surprised you're being so casual with a commoner.” I knitted my brows together as he rolled his eyes. “I would assume that it's hard to believe that I don’t think myself above anyone.” He turned his gaze fully towards me. “Yes. Yes, it is. I just always assumed you were all pompous assholes who think of no one but themselv-” I stopped talking, realizing who I was speaking to. My eyes went wide as I apologized, “My apologies your highness, now I have let my mouth get away with me.” He laughed, “Your mouth is what has captivated me,” He smirked. “Maybe I can help you catch it.” He smiled suggestively. I felt my cheeks flush a sinful red. “And how would you propose you do that, Hades?” I smirked, seeing his face mirror mine. “Ah well, now I seem to be the one letting their mouth get away.” He chuckled. “If I might ask, what are you doing out among the people on a day like this? It’s dangerous your High-” Hades quirked a brow. “Hades.” “I always go out after the tournament as a reminder to think of you as people and not as toys or commodities.” “Soo you think the tournament is wrong then?” I questioned, intrigued. “Of course! My father has turned this once beautiful kingdom into a slum. And the arena was meant for battles as a show of strength, it was most definitely not built to be a slaughterhouse for children and the elderly!” Hades yelled in frustration. Before I knew what I was doing, I reached up and grabbed his arm. “Well, I hope you make a better king than him.” I gave a reassuring smile before I picked up my buckets. “Here allow me,” he grabbed the empty buckets from my hands before I could object. We walked toward the well to find it empty. I grabbed the buckets from Hades, repeating the process from earlier. “You know I never got your name?” He smirked. “My name is of no importance.” I smiled back. “Well, you know mine and since I am walking you home, I believe a name is in order.” He tilted his head to meet my eyes. I blew a stray lock of hair out of my face before turning to him. “If you must know, it’s Athena Windwood, but everyone calls Thena.” I huffed, grabbing both buckets. “Here.” He said before taking the buckets from me. “Your-Hades, I have to do this everyday. It's no trouble for me to carry them.” I rolled my eyes. “Well, either way, I don’t mind.” He beamed down at me. I went to answer back when a shrill voice called my name. “Maxx!” I rolled my eyes as I heard my middle name called out. “How many times do I have to tell you Duncin do not call me that,” I yelled back. Duncin jogged up to us and immediately tried to pull me into a hug. “I'm not playing Duncin, let me go.” I shoved him off. “ What’s wrong Maxx, you know I cleared the well just for you, so you wouldn't have to wait in line.” He smirked. “So how about you show some gratitude and give me a kiss?” His face was smug. I felt Hades go to take a step, but I put my hand out, stopping him. He glanced down into my eyes and I gave him a reassuring smile, before turning back to Duncin. “If you ever think I am going to kiss you, then you have another thing coming.” I spoke sternly, looking into his eyes. “Who the hell is this?” Duncin yelled as he pointed at Hades, clearly ignoring me. “None of your business,” I said through clenched teeth. “She's mine, get your own,” Duncin said as he pulled me into his chest. I brought my knee up hard between his legs, Duncin cried out as he fell to his knees. I pulled my dagger out of my waistband and pushed it against his throat, tilting his head up to meet my eyes. “ If you ever touch me again, I will cut off your d**k. Do you understand me?” I seethed before shoving him down. I grabbed Hades' arm and started walking home. “Damn, remind me to never get on your bad side.” Hades laughed. After he spoke, I snapped out of my thoughts and I realized I still had ahold of his arm. “Sorry.” I said, pulling my hand away. “Uhm, here’s fine, my house is just up the road. As if on cue, there was a loud crash. Turning quickly, I noticed a huge puff of black smoke and my aunt Ember came tumbling out onto the road accompanied by three chickens, a dog, and a dwarf all covered in soot. “Wow, glad I don’t live there.” Hades giggled at the chaotic scene. I furrowed my brows, “Well I’m glad you don’t either, we don’t need anyone else staying at my house.” I snapped before grabbing the buckets out of his hands. “Hugo, you were supposed to clean the chimney!” I yelled, running towards the house. Hugo stepped out a moment later, completely black. “Well, I needed to fix the sweeper.” He huffed. I sighed, handing him the buckets. “Aunt Ember, are you ok?” I giggled. “Yes, just a little drunk and rattled, I was trying to beat the animals to the gate, but that clearly didn’t work.” She laughed. I shook my head and laughed slightly, as I helped her to her feet. “Am I safe to be seen around you?” The dwarf asked worriedly. Feeling Hades walk up beside me, I tensed as my cousins appeared, helping to catch the animals. “I would hope so, I live here, and help keep this place above water, and those two are my cousins, your all people like the rest of us. I smiled down at the small man. He mirrored my look but with a much bigger smile, before shuffling back into the house. “Thena we need help making dinner. You're the best cook in the house, and we really don’t want Aunt Taren or Aunt Thorna cooking”, Delphini laughed. “And especially not Aunt Ember.” Clarence grimaced at the thought. Delphini and I chuckled as our stomachs twisted at the thought of Aunt Embers cooking. “Is your friend coming to dinner?” Clarence asked, taking a threatening step towards Hades. “Uh no, I don’t want to impose. I Just need another moment with Athena.” He spoke hastily. “I like him, he's staying. You're staying. No arguing.” Delphini spoke sternly as she grabbed Clarence’s arm and pulled him back inside. “I really can't stay. I also did not mean to offend you earlier, it just seemed chaotic.” He smiled reassuringly. “It is chaotic, but it’s my home. I’m genuinely surprised that you didn't react to either the dwarf or my cousins though.” I quipped. “I don’t see them as my family does.” He snapped. “I’m sorry I had assumptions about you, it’s rather rare for one of such high standing to see error in their ways. It is still worrisome that I don’t know what all it is that does offend you, because you could easily have my family and I killed. Can you blame me for being cautious?” I snapped back, crossing my arms, as I glanced at the ground. He slipped his thumb under my chin, forcing me to look at him. “You can trust me with your lives.” He spoke seriously. “I’m not one to trust easily.” I half smiled. “Then let me earn your trust, I’ll stay for dinner. I'm in trouble already.” He shrugged. “Then what should we call you? My family does not trust any royal, we have lost too much to them…” I trailed off. He half smiled, knowing what I meant, “Call me Cadmus, it's my middle name. So I’ll still respond to it.” He smiled. “Are you sure you want to stay?” I questioned nervously. I had better cook perfectly. I thought to myself. “Don’t worry, you can’t be that bad of a cook.” He laughed, “Plus, your family seems nicer than mine.” He smirked, looking into my eyes. “Not all of them are family. We let the homeless and refugees stay until they find other places.” I smiled. “Well come on, show me your palace already.” He laughed, walking ahead of me. I rolled my eyes and caught up with him. I gave him a grand tour before he followed me to the kitchen, watching my mother and I make dinner. Thankfully, no one felt like using magic tonight. I kneaded the herbs into the bread, and sprinkled the salt carefully onto the dough. “So Cadmus..” My mother started, “What brings you to our home?” King and Queen put a warrant out?” She mocked. “No, I'm traveling from a nearby city and ran into your lovely daughter at the well.” He smiled. “Lovely?” My mother asked, shocked as she walked hastily over to me, feeling my forehead and looking into my eyes. “Are you sick? Lovely tsh tsh, you have always been a demon spawn.” She clicked her tongue. “Stop it mother!” I swatted at her. She smiled playfully. I huffed, glancing at Hades as he chocked back a laugh. “The men will return tonight!” Aunt Taren yelled as she burst around the corner. “There’s to be a terrible storm!” Aunt Thorna yelled. A loud crack of thunder echoed, and the wind picked up shortly after. “Father…” I whispered, knowing something was wrong. Silently we set the table, our faces riddled with concerned expressions. “How did they know about the storm?” Hades whispered. “Oh uhm, lucky guess,” I answered hastily. I looked into his honey brown eyes knowing I hadn't convinced him. He opened his mouth to speak but the door burst open, Tenser and Uncle Gareth carried my father in hurriedly. “Faust!” My Mother yelled, jumping so quickly from her chair it fell with a bang. I followed, running to my father's side. “What happened?” I helped carry him to the couch. “Lightning struck a tree and spooked the horse, he was thrown off.” My uncle rushed out as he laid him on the couch. “My girls, don’t worry, I’ll be fine.” He smiled, trying to sit up. “No, no Faust you need to lay down.” My mother smiled, kissing his cheek. “It’s just a few bumps and bruises, nothing major. I’ll be back to my old self in no time.” He tried to smile, but it quickly turned into a wince. “Now go eat dinner, don’t worry about me. And get everyone set for the night; it's too dangerous to go out in that.” He spoke weakly. “Alright, rest dear, rest.” My mother kissed him and returned to the kitchen. “Can I trust you to stay in Thena’s room tonight?” My mother questioned Hades. But before he opened his mouth to reply, she spoke again. “Oh what am I saying, of course I can, cause if you touch her I’ll cut your d**k off.” She smiled sweetly, pointing a knife at him as she returned to her seat. “Now I know where you got it from.” Hades laughed. “I really can’t stay, though ma’am.” Hades tried to explain. “You're staying.” My father yelled sternly from the couch. “ It’s suicide to go out in that and if you get hurt it'll be our fault, so you're staying the night.” Hades shot me a worried look, but there was nothing I could say my father’s word was law. Hades sighed, “Yes Sir.” He spoke back towards my father. “Good.” My father wheezed out. Hades took a bite of meat I marinated. “You made this?” He asked, shocked. “Yes” I blushed. “It’s delicious.” He smiled. “Thank you, it wasn’t hard to make.” I smirked. “She’s the best cook in the house.” My cousin Raven cut in. “Hey! I thought I was?” My Aunt Ember faked offense. “Maybe to a hog.” Puck mumbled under his breath, causing an eruption of laughter. Hades even chuckled, even though he was lucky enough to never have tasted such horrid cooking. We finished dinner only having two chunks of bread thrown at one another. A new record. I thought to myself. I grabbed the clean furs and carried them towards my room, Hades following closely behind, “Uh give me two minutes to make sure it’s clean..” I smiled, not even waiting for a response before shutting the door in his face. You just shut the door in the face of a royal! I couldn’t believe any of this was happening. I twirled my fingers and items floated back into place, my semi-clean room now immaculate. “Alright, you can have my bed.” I smiled sheepishly. “Where will you sleep? He asked, looking around. “The floor, I would assume. Unless we are to share a bed.” I laughed jokingly. “Alright.” He smiled. “What?” I asked, shocked. “We can share the bed.” He smirked. “That would be incredibly inappropriate, your royalty, I'm a mere commoner.” I tried to reason with him. “Thena,” he smirked, “I was only joking.” He looked at me smugly through his long lashes. “Oh.” I stuttered. “I will take the floor, though I appreciate the offer.” “But I insis-” He held up a hand, cutting me off. “I order you to sleep in your own bed, Athena Windwood.” His voice held no joking tone. I stared at the man in front of me completely flabbergasted. This man, this Prince no less, is nothing like my initial thoughts. He is royalty, and he is refusing my bed to sleep on the floor even though he has other options. He is nothing like I expected.