The Conqueror Series

THE MISSION 4

The King chucked wickedly and said, "You and I know you do. And you were on your way to somewhere before you saw yourself here remember. The Finders are everywhere and you can't hide from them, which means you can't hide from me. So get on with it and let the cat out of the bag" (meaning Adere should let the secret out)

"You are eager to proof yourself to your people but you aren't worthy of it. If you were you would not be looking for an answer to a question your people have thrown to you from another person, instead you should be man enough to find it out by yourself" Adere's utterance triggered the anger in the King's heart and he slapped him across the face so hard that Adere spat out blood.

"Young man, I haven't wasted my time with you. You already know what I want from you but if you don't give it to me The Finders will find your mother for me, and when they do I will bring her head to you" the king said and was about to walk out when Adere said, "You are looking for the beast to kill it, but you are the beast. Kill the one in your heart first before you seek to kill another"

The king spat on his word and left.

Adere prayed to the gods. He knew that the king of Aba meant his words and he would go to any length to seeing his evil ambition achieved. Adere, for the first time cried.

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Adere's mother was in her hut singing a melodious song when she heard a scream emanating from the outside. She rushed out only to see her husband being butchered by strange looking men. One of the butchers looked up at her and the woman began to run. The men pursued her across the house and finally caught up with her. Adere's mother began to kick and curse but they took her away on their horse.

*********

Adere was seated on the dirty floor when the door flew open and his mother was pushed forward to him. He sprang up and caught her, preventing her from falling. Adere's mother was weak as she laid in his arms. Adere cried bitterly.

"Your step father is dead. They killed him before my eyes" said Adere's mother.

"Mother, are you okay?" Adere asked, looking over her to make sure she hadn't sustained any injury.

"I'm not fine" she said and began to vomit. Adere began to shout and the door flew open once again. The king walked in, still dressing in his old satin. He sat on his usual spot and kept glaring at mother and son.

"I don't have anything against your mother Adere. I don't derive any joy seeing the innocent woman suffer. She is my subject as well as you. All I want is for you to tell me all I need to know. If you don't, I'm going to allow most of my dog looking men to have a feel of your mother and after that they will serve you her head. You choose and you choose very wisely my dear"