A Lifetime Ago

Chapter 11

Ragnar’s journey was long and never ending. The eastern borders were nothing but toilsome and full of trouble. They had to pass through the dense forest, covering a vast area of seventy two thousand kilometres. There were many rivers that the troop had to cross. It took them approximately five days to cross the forests and reach the other side where the tribes had inhabited.

When they arrived at the small village, they noticed the houses which were burnt to the ground. Flies were encircling the decomposed bodies which were left behind. Ragnar’s heart pained for the children who sat and wept next to their parents’ dead bodies. He crouched down near a little boy and swooped him in his arms, “Little one.. stop crying now..” He rubbed his back and the boy buried his face in his neck, winding his hands around Ragnar’s neck. He looked bloodied and dirty but the prince didn’t mind having him in his arms. He rocked the boy against his chest until he fell asleep due to the the warmth and care that the prince was providing him.

He called out for some of his soldiers, “Take all these children back to the kingdom. They cannot survive in the jungle alone.” Ragnar ordered them.

“Yes, my prince.” They bowed and started guiding the kids to the carriages to take them back to Highlands, where they would be well fed and taken care of.

Ragnar’s soldiers cleared the mess and burnt all the dead bodies before moving further. He was aware his uncle, Rocco would have done the same amount of barbarism to all the nearby villages. He had to stop him from causing further damages to the tribes and for that he had to be fast in his actions.

The jungle had many tribal villages and if he couldn’t save them now from his uncle then, the tribes will be entirely wiped off from Vonentis. This jungle belonged to them and no one had any rights to erase their identity from this world. 

He split his army into small groups and sent them in different directions. He ordered his soldiers to kill Rocco’s guards if that’s what was needed to save the tribe.

His men set on the expedition into the jungle and saved as many tribes as they could. Most of their villages were burnt down but they gathered as many of them as possible. They were immediately sent back to the kingdom.

It took him several days to finally come face to face with Rocco’s army. One fine evening, they heard cries and shrieks from a neighbouring village and Ragnar’s men rode their horses to the site. They found Rocco’s men shooting arrows, beheading men and burning some alive. The women were r***d in front of their husbands and children. Some of the men and women who cooperated, were captured alive as slaves. Children were pushed around and beaten. Some were crying as they sat next to their dead family while some trailed behind their captured parents.

Ragnar’s men intervened and fought Rocco’s army. Rocco’s soldiers did not expect them out of nowhere and weren’t prepared enough to fight them. They were just equipped with some arrows, bows and swords. They were also outnumbered by Ragnar’s soldiers. His men were quick enough to behead them and save the remaining tribes. The scene resembled a full blown war with almost all of Rocco’s men lying dead on the ground.

Within the next few hours, the tribes were helped back to the kingdom in several carriages and horses. The next few days, Ragnar’s army saved as many villages as possible from the evil clutches of his uncle.

“Father, our men were attacked by Ragnar’s army.” Aldeb stormed into his father’s chambers, clutching his fist angrily. One of the soldiers, who  had escaped with just a few wounds, luckily made his way back to inform about what had happened to their men, if not Rocco would have never known.

“That son of a bitch..” Rocco gritted his teeth and growled loud. He brought the golden chalice close to his lips and sipped his alcohol. “That bastard would never stop interfering in my business.”

“He is on his way to have a talk with us. What do you want me to do, father?” Aldeb was fuming with anger when the news of Ragnar’s army reaching the eastern mountain reached his ears. He had almost killed all his soldiers who were deployed to destroy the tribes.

The jungle was a rich source for diamonds and the tribes were becoming a hindrance to Aldeb. They never let his men step into the jungle. The tribes belonged to the jungle and they were too familiar with its nook and corners. They strategized several ways to stop Aldeb’s men from entering the forest. The only option left with Aldeb was to wipe them off completely, so that the forest would belong to him. They were being successful in their plans but then Ragnar had to ruin everything at last.

Just then a loud horn was heard, indicating Ragnar’s arrival.

Rocco and Aldeb walked out of their tents where they had been staying for the past few weeks.

Rocco looked up at Ragnar who was still mounted on his horse. “Here comes my favourite nephew..” He said sarcastically.

“I wouldn’t say the same, Rocco.” Ragnar spat at his uncle. He had always hated him for his brutality and treacherous mind. Rocco used to live in the palace like his other uncle, Robi but he was banished by the king to the Drylands, after he plotted to murder Ragnar when he was eleven.

The king had overlooked all of Rocco’s mistakes but that one incident caused him to lose his mind. It was a sin, according to the King. To him, Ragnar was the only reminder of his dead wife. He had her dark black orbs and pitch black hair and he wouldn’t in a million years afford to lose his beloved son.

Since then, Rocco pledged to avenge his brother and his son in various ways.

Aldeb glared at Ragnar furiously, “What brings you here cousin?”

“I want your troop to evacuate the jungle and the leave the tribes alone. You have already done enough damage to their lives and property.” Ragnar snarled at the two.

“And what if we don’t want to?” Aldeb c****d his brow up.

“This is an order from the king and if you refused to obey his orders, I’m free to arrest you both.” Ragnar warned. “Remember, you are at my mercy now.” He said with a smirk.

That’s when Aldeb and Rocco noticed his men were brought, chained my Ragnar’s army.

“You bastard..” Aldeb pounced forward but was stopped by his father who held his wrists in a firm grip. He was aware that his son could never win a battle against Ragnar.

“Ragnar, don’t take it as our defeat. We will be back soon.” Rocco glared at him with a warning tone.

“Well, I will be waiting for you.” Ragnar snorted at him.

Rocco motioned at his men and Ragnar was kind enough to let Rocco’s men free. They waited for Rocco and his men to evacuate from the place. Aldeb was throwing deathly glares at Ragnar. He wanted to strangle him to death and believed that day wasn’t far enough. He had to soon think of a way to get rid of the emperor and his son. He hated the fact that they were enjoying all the luxuries of the royal life alone and here they were living a hard life in the deserts. He wanted to trade all the diamonds of the jungle to the merchants, who had promised them with great comfort in a huge palace and all the richness Ragnar could ever imagine in return, but as always his plans had failed because of Ragnar’s unnecessary interference.

Rocco’s soldiers quickly cleared the mess that they had made in the jungle. All they wanted right that moment was to stay unnoticed by the invincible prince and run out of his sight as soon as possible. It was their good luck that he hadn’t killed them yet.

Ragnar watched his uncle climb on his horse and disappeared out of sight. He was certain that they would come back with a better plan but until then the tribe was safe from them. He would have to talk to the emperor about ways to preserve and safeguard the tribes of Vonentis from men like Rocco.

He gathered his soldiers and they were back on their way to the kingdom.

The emperor was overwhelmed by Ragnar’s accomplishment. He was proving himself worthy for the throne day by day and he couldn’t be any more proud of his son. He was just seventy six yet he was strong and fierce beyond his age. He just had to select a suitable woman to rule beside him.

The king had arranged for a feast and a massive celebration on his son’s victory. The whole city was decorated with lights and lanterns. As Ragnar rode his Horse, Nori through the streets, people bowed in front of him. All through his ride, his mind was occupied with the thought of Timandra. He was glad that he was returning earlier than he had planned.

It had been a week and a little more since the prince left Timandra in the palace but she was comfortable with Avira’s company.  She taught her to sew and paint. They grew closer to each other in these few days.

It frightfully baffled Timandra, when Avira one day brought a fossilised butterfly and made it fly away by just a few murmurs. Avira couldn’t believe that she was revealing such a secret to Timandra but she seemed trustworthy to Avira and moreover she began to consider her more than a friend.

“What are they celebrating?” Timandra asked Avira, looking out of the small window in her room.

“The prince and his troop are coming back after a victory.” She informed and witnessed a glint of excitement in Timandra’s eyes.

“The King has invited me to join the feast. So, you will have to eat alone tonight.” Avira said as she got dressed in an ocean blue silk gown. “I would love to take you but Ragnar will kill me if I took you there.”

“I understand. Don’t worry. I will be fine here” Timandra assured her friend.

Avira left for the feast while Meeda served Timandra her dinner that night.