THE ANCIENT HUNT

PROLOGUE Soft music coming from ancient instruments is heard underground as maids in yellow and green outfits enter and exit from different directions, trying to fix the temple with colorful decorations and flowers as they await the entrance of the priest. (Argan’s bedroom) "Lebby, how do you feel as you witnessed today?" Argan asked, smiling while stroking his long white beard. "Well, I have always waited for this day and I can’t believe I woke up to it", She replied as she drew the curtain open. Wow! "The sunlight is so beautiful today, is it because I’m happy?" Laughs hysterically while twirling in her robe majestically, "I made this dress just for today, and do you like it?" Moves closer to Argan Argan turned her around and hummed, "uhm this is so beautiful" he said as he touched the pearls layered one by one at the waist of the dress, but you are more beautiful, he added, laughing. "Well then, let me finish dressing up, you should leave now" she said, gesturing with her hand towards the door. "Yes queen" replied Argan, and they both laughed as he went out. "Morgan! Let’s begin", Lebby called out, and sat on the chair in front of the dressing table. " Yes Queen" Morgan runs in to start her work Two more maids enter with bowls filled with ornaments of different types, ranging from pearls to gold, down to diamonds. They begin to fix hairpins, earrings and necklaces to anywhere necessary while Morgan takes up the make-up role. " You are set queen", Morgan said, finishing drawing back. "Hmm beautiful, now get me my crown" Lebby ordered, checking herself out in the mirror. "Yes queen", Morgan signals to a maid to bring it, "Here is it", putting it forward. Lebby stretches her hand to collect it but withdraws it immediately, "Morgan, how about you wear it for me today?" Morgan looked up with her eyes wide open "eh?" "what? You don’t think you can?" Lebby asked, rolling her eyes. Morgan stutters "I..c..ann…" and collects it. " Now let’s have my crown, Morgan", Lebby said and smiled. "Yes queen", Morgan replied and set to place it on her head before Mevin burst in, interrupting the process. "My queen, the scroll is missing! " Mevin announced immediately, kneeling to show respect. Lebby turned her neck and her smile disappeared. " What did you just say?" "The scroll is missing, queen", Mevin repeated with his head bowed. "how?" Lebby roared heavily. ************************************************************************************************ The officials were waiting for the king’s entrance as they stared at the empty throne made of precious stones and surrounded by pure gold with its golden chair sitting majestically on the floor made of the rarest marble. The gentle flow of water can be heard along the sides as the crystal clear water shows beautiful fishes coming and going while playing in the water. "All hail great Maeil!" Scov announced, signaling the entrance of the King. "Great Maeil, we welcome" all the officials chorused and stood to their feet to show respect. " You may all sit" Maeil ordered, and clean his throat after taking his seat. "Rie, how is the preparation going?" "Great Maeil, the preparation is going well, the notice to recruit young men to enter the training has been pasted all over the city, and we expect the training to start in three days" Rie replied and bowed. " That’s good, Liam, will the arms and weapons we have be enough for the training?" Maeil asked, turning to him. " We have enough in stock, but if, by chance, we need more, we will let you know as soon as possible, Great. Maeil" Liam responded Maeil stares at the fishes passing, and suddenly pins one’s neck with the needle at the end of his staff and stares as the fish struggles till it stands still lifeless. He picks it up and plucks the head off in front of everyone. " It's better you let me know as soon as possible. My patience is very limited. You know, if by chance anything obstructs this training and plan, the people or person responsible will have the fate of this fish" waving it before throwing it to Scov, who in turn passes it to the nearest eunuch and brings out a handkerchief for Maeil to clean his bloody hands "I won’t give a second chance, you know", he added, and collected the sparkling white handkerchief and cleaned his bloody hands while laughing hysterically. "Noted" Great Maeil, the officials chorused. ***** Ahiga and Aditsan are roaming the market while checking out new silks and other fabrics since it’s been a while since they came to the market and were determined to make the best out of it today by feeding their eyes to the fullest. "Aditsan! Come quickly, come take a look at these earrings". Ahiga gestures to him Aditsan runs over to see what the drama is all about. " What about the earrings?" " Don’t you think Morgan will like it?" Ahiga asked, smiling. " Well, judging from what I see Morgan smile at and adore, she will definitely like it" Aditsan confirmed. " She has great taste, I’ll get this" Ahiga commented, picking it up. " Why are you getting this? Do you want to go hungry all month?" Aditsan asked with his eyes wide open, he couldn’t believe Ahiga would go for something so expensive. " Don’t worry; I won’t go hungry" Ahiga smiled and resumed his strolls further into the market. " You must be a fool in love. Wait for me, blockhead", Aditsan shouts and runs toward him. " How about we go for some food?" "I was about to say so, let’s go before I die of hunger" Aditsan quickly responded, pulling him along and they both branched into a food stand. Ahiga ordered two acorn breads and a plate of Buffalo stew and Aditsan couldn’t believe his ears. He began to wonder why his friend had been going after expensive things ever since they came to the market today. Did he win the lottery? " Why are you ordering something expensive? Buffalo stew?" Aditsan questioned with a look of “I’m confused” printed all over his face. " Don’t worry, Mal paid my debt yesterday". Ahiga smiled and showed him his money bag. "ah ah cool! It’s been so long though" Aditsan exclaimed. "I know right but he finally paid back" Their orders are set in front of them as they talk about the debt and they both dig in, gulping it as if they had been starved for days, and continued their talks before two men came to sit at the table beside them who began to discuss what they saw on their way to the food stand. " Did you see the poster by the market entrance?" Man 1 asked his friend. " About the palace recruiting?" Man 2 replied. "Yeah! I’m thinking about joining." " Do you even know what you are saying?" Man 2 replied immediately. " Of course, I want to work in the palace. Is that a bad thing?" " Do you think it’s for working in the palace?" Man 2 said, getting frustrated. " What else would it be for?" Man 2 signals for him to come closer and whispers "it’s for hunting for the lost scroll" " What nonsense are you saying? The scroll is sitting in the temple of Maga, why are you spreading useless rumors?" Man 1 blurted out, laughing hard. "I clearly heard it from my father when he was discussing it with Argan". Man 2 countered "By Argan, you mean the priest?" Man 1 asked with his eyes wide open. Man 2 places his hands on his lips "shhh… it’s a secret! These people will be trained on how to fight and hunt and be sent to find the scroll after twenty-one days and the one that brings it will automatically be the highest official after the king." "wow… now I want to do it more, it’s so thrilling and interesting" Man 1 replied, getting interested more. "you have gone mad" Man 2 gulps his drink and stands up Man 1 quickly gulps his drink and runs after him. " Wait for me, it’s not that serious." " The choice is yours man!" " Hey, did you hear that? Aditsan informed him, calling his friend’s attention. "I’m not interested" Ahiga bites into his bread. "Hey, it’s an opportunity, let’s grab it!," Aditsan tries to persuade him. Ahiga picks up his bag and starts leaving. He couldn’t bear to listen to the ridiculous request being tendered to him, "what? A palace worker? No, he can’t risk it, everyone knows how hot the palace is". "hey! Hey! It’s not a bad idea. If you don’t like it during training, you can leave. Let’s just check the palace, live in it and have a free tour" Aditsan said, spinning with his hands in the air. Ahiga stops walking and shoves Aditsan’s bag at him. " Do that yourself and count me out." " Gosh, he’s so stubborn."