Chapter 5 A Gilded Cage

“What is wrong with a simple life? It is predictable with passing seasons and harvests. Terrible wars and famines are quickly healed in time. Do you not enjoy the aromas of flowers blooming in spring and sledging in winter? Why must we complicate life with haughty rituals, impossible rules to follow, and snobby friends who would stab us in the back as the opportunity arises? Criticism and rumors are unstoppable and undefendible? Must we really live in Illium, Nix? It is a gilded cage to me. I like it here.” complains The Wizard to his wife eager to live in the royal palace of King Dracon.

“At least it is a golden cage, dear songbird.” answers Nix.

Sensing he will not win this protest, he delayed his reentrance into Illium long enough. Homer returned with Lexie rescued who made a home with her husband and newborn son on uncultivated islands to the south of Blythe called The Mermaid Islands. He reads Dracon’s letter to The Wizard insisting that needs him as an advisor on his journey to Kadacia. Longing to expand his country, he needs this marriage to the queen. The Wizard is viewed as the wisest living being around whom Dracon trusts. After Homer sends word of his ship’s return to Illium and Dracon departing for Kadacia tomorrow, The Wizard collecting Nix, Ishtar, Cassandra, Layla, and Ricky after Eurick and Lilia’s wedding reception in the forest celebrated by sprites, mermaids, and fairies alike, the group departs to Illium by way of the Mirror of Amalia. Addison stayed behind in the Haunted Forest to further his education with Eurick since Ophelia believed he was too young to live among mortals. He can barely control the magic he is in possession of now. King Dracon is gleeful at his arrival. Prince Demetrius has been ill like his mother. A potion from The Wizard calms the babe’s cries and Nix takes ahold of the baby. An exhausted Dracon confides his fears of losing his son. The Wizard foresees the future King Demetrius. He promises to help convince the new Queen Andromeda of Kadacia into accepting this young king as her husband.

Soon after the reception welcoming The Wizard back, an entourage is formed to escort His Majesty to Kadacia. It has been agreed upon to meet the queen in her summer home along the coast when the dry season winds bring in trading ships. A parade sets off positive vibes upon the evening tide. Six days of sailing casts them into the Kadacian borderlands and another three to reach the cliffs of the queen’s summer palace in the city Noor. Camels and horses are ready to escort the entourage. King Dracon flaunts his finest jewelry and robes for the public dressed in rags. Amazingly, the queen did not greet them at the front gate. They were guided into the entry hall where the servants offered refreshments. Then the king and his bodyguard were asked to wait in a bright courtyard full of murals and statues. Gazing upon the works of art, Dracon thought a dark room behind a balcony held a person staring at them. The king was then announced to the queen behind the large double doors in the courtyard. He must have met her approval. A grand feast followed the introductions to the guest bed chambers. The Wizard the queen heard about was nowhere to be found. Disappointed, she asked King Dracon during the feast where his vizier was.

“You are speaking to him, Your Majesty. Look at my bodyguard over there a little closer.” replies The Wizard.

Queen Andromeda turned her head around to view a very young man standing guard behind her looking just like the king beside her. Delighted at this deception ensured a handsome king hidden as a bodyguard an invitation to ride Kadacian horses with her the next morning. The hidden king nodded and disappeared behind a door to return with a large clay tile with Illium glazed on it as a gift for Her Majesty. Music filled the night air as dancers entertained the foreign guests. The real king slept soundly as his bodyguard wizard paced around the quiet residence without being noticed. A maidservant awoke the king in his bed chamber stoking the logs in the fireplace. His morning meal tray was brought up and the king dressed himself for his ride with Andromeda. His valet Ricky was no where to be found. The Wizard followed the king’s shadow down to the stables after finding Ricky behind a bush with Layla. The horses stirred at these new creatures entering their sanctuary. King Dracon selected the queen’s favorite horse and befriended it immediately. Growing impatient of waiting for Her Majesty to appear, Dracon releases the queen’s horse.

Suddenly, Dracon marched up the hill and up the servant stairs to Queen Andromeda’s bed chamber where she was in a bath signing orders on clay tablets and parchment paper. Shocked and appalled at the intrusion, most of the orders were flipped into the bathwater. A maidservant covered her mistress with a robe as Andromeda arose from the brass tub blocking Dracon’s view. Irritated, Dracon sits down in a chair.

“I have been more than patient waiting for you in the stables. Now are you coming down to ride with me or not?” begins Dracon.

“You can not speak to Her Majesty that way,” responds her maidservant.

Dracon lifts his flaming eyes to the servant.

“Servant, you are not part of this conversation. But since you spoke out, let me inform you that not only am I an invited guest of your queen, but also a king who is not your queen’s ally. I will address Her Majesty however I wish.” answers Dracon turning back to Andromeda wrapped in a wet robe. “Pardon me, Your Majesty, but if I may be blunt as to say that you are a rude hostess. You neglect to greet me when I arrive and now neglect your guests waiting to ride with you. I am inclined to take back my proposal. Now excuse me, you invited me to ride your fine horses around town and I intend to with or without your guidance.” scolds Dracon.

“My apologies, Your Majesty, I will ready myself for the ride immediately. It is Your Majesty this time?” replies Andromeda.

“Yes it is Your Majesty this time. I will be waiting in the stables again when you are ready.” responds Dracon before rushing down the stairs again.

Down at the stables, The Wizard spots the king huffing down the hill to assure his bodyguard of the queen joining them sometime today. They saddlecloth two horses and prance around the practice green next to the stable. Ricky clings to The Wizard’s shoulder in the form of a falcon and apologizes for not dressing his charge. The Wizard understands his distraction. The queen comes momentarily to watch the two guests show off to the stable hands.

“That is my favorite horse, Your Majesty.” observes Andromeda.

“It is a beautiful animal, Your Majesty.” replies Dracon.

“I meant to remove yourself from my horse,” answers Andromeda.

“After making me wait for so long, I deserve your best horse, Your Majesty.” declares Dracon.

“Very well, then I shall ride behind you on the saddle.” responds Andromeda not wishing to anger her suitor anymore.

“In those robes, I think a queen should ride in front of her escort. Come, give me your hand.” counters Dracon stopping in front of a tree stump.

Extending his hand, Dracon lifts his hostess in front of him. Riding into town with The Wizard following them, Andromeda points out the guard towers and embankments along the shore. She tenses as they come closer to the blacksmith shop.

“Something wrong, Your Majesty?” inquires Dracon.

“Nothing of your concern, Your Majesty,” replies Andromeda.

“Then why do you tremble? You can’t hide under your robes you know.” observes Dracon.

“You will laugh at me for being silly, Sire.” answers Andromeda.

“I swear on my wife’s grave I will not laugh at you, Majesty” replies Dracon.

“I do not address my subjects much, except letting them kiss my ring during parades. My servants retrieve things I need in town. I do not know how to speak to them as a customer. You said you wanted to visit the marketplaces and shops on our ride to town. And I can feel you smirking behind my ear.” confesses Andromeda.

“Then I will give you an adventure, Andromeda. If I may call you that, Madam Damsel in Distress.” answers Dracon.

They come to a halt at the blacksmith’s forge. They are greeted by the wife of the blacksmith pounding on his latest creation in the back. The wife curtsies to Their Majesties. The Wizard descends first from his horse.

“Good Morning Madam. The weather has been quite calm since our arrival. Whereas, His Majesty requests to speak to your husband on an urgent matter of importance.” requests The Wizard.

“I will retrieve him immediately,” replies the woman with a sprint to the forge.

“May I be of some urgent service, Your Majesty?” arrives the blacksmith covered in dirt and sweat.

“Yes, Master Blacksmith. I heard from the guards that you make the top general’s swords and shields. I request the finest sword you can make for my trip home to show the best of Kadacian craftsmanship to my people.” orders King Dracon.

“It will be my honor, Sire. Do you request any special jewels for the hilt?” the flattered blacksmith asks.

“No special jewels necessary. I hope to use this sword in battle, not in a temple.” answers the king.

“Whatever you request, Sire. How much payment is in this offer?” begs the man.

“Thirty gold coins of Blythan money. Do you accept?” offers Dracon pulling out a pouch of coins.

The wife grabs the bag and begins counting.

“I accept, Sire.” replies the blacksmith.

“Here is a hankerchief with my symbol to prove to the guards that you are on an errand on my behalf when you arrive with my sword.” recites Dracon.

“Thank you, Sire. And Good Morning to you also Your Majesty.” answers the blacksmith bowing to both monarchs.

“Good Morning to you, Master Blacksmith,” responds Andromeda.

They jump back upon their horses and ride further into town. They stop by stalls and wagons in the marketplace. They send fruits and breads up to the guest house of King Dracon’s entourage. They enter a tailor’s shop to request new robes for the departing banquet to be held when Dracon leaves Kadacia. Queen Andromeda impressed the king by requesting the tailor to fit her with special robes at the palace. King Dracon knew then that she was accepting his proposal. At the pottery stall, the potter commented to The Wizard that his wife Nix had been by earlier in the day buying perfume flasks and jars with Prince Demetrius. The Wizard simply grinned affirming that Nix loves perfume. At mid-day they stopped at an inn after visiting the jeweler for a meal. Andromeda refused to eat in front of commoners. What will they think of her table manners? Dracon pulled on her arm towards the inn. The trio were seated by the fireplace among the noisy patrons. The corner tables were taken. Musicans played as the patrons filled their stomachs. The skittish queen soon relaxed around the patrons not noticing her presence. The king was grabbing all the attention with his thunderous applause when the musicians completed a song and talking to the host how wonderful the food was. One man asked the king what Illium was like.

“It is a beautiful city with gigantic guard towers welcoming you into the harbor. Stone and brick houses atop every hill with luscious gardens of roses and willows. Shops and inns align the harbor with wooden boardwalks reaching the piers. Our temples are of white limestone with statues carefully carved of our gods and kings. My great-great-great grandfather Emperor Olic once prayed to the wisdom goddess Athena to find a perfect empress to rule his territories with. The goddess appeared in human form with her centaur husband Talin to give the emperor the most beautiful empress of the land, herself. Athena’s daughter Aphrodite, the goddess of love, cursed the first-born son when she found out her mother betrayed her father. The second-born son died in infancy because of this curse. Athena’s other daughter Callisto, goddess of music, came to the emperor in prayer to give him an heir who will be forever be praised in song since his only son is cursed by a disease no wizard could cure. Callisto granted his wish and a daughter was born who gave Emperor Olic his cherish heir, Emperor Rurick the Conqueror, my great-grandfather. He made Illium the great city it is today. When he was old enough to marry did Athena return to her husband Talin after leading a great war of conquest in Lotan to train Rurick in to win wars.” recited King Dracon settling the curious patrons’ questions about his capital.

Trying not to burst out laughing at Dracon’s tall tale, The Wizard kept his mug of mead to his face most of the time. Queen Andromeda took in every word like the patrons. After the meal, they rode around the harbor and down a beach towards the palace.

“You are so quiet, Andromeda. Something troubling your mind.” inquired King Dracon as they reached the sandy beach outside the palace.

“I was thinking, Sire, about the crown your ordered from the jeweler. Was it for me or for yourself. A gold and silver crown intertwined into a headband encrusted with gems in the grooves and only the symbol of a dragon with its wings stretched out. Kadacian crowns are made that way, not Blythan crowns I see on your brow. I was playing a guessing game for myself.” answered Queen Andromeda.

“Then I will let you keep guessing my intentions, Andromeda.” reacted Dracon.

Andromeda did not have to wait long for her answer. When the sword and crown were finished, the morning meal buzzed with excitement. King Dracon presented the sword and crown to the queen as a farewell gift for he shall return home the following day. Queen Andromeda made her own announcement. She declared to accept the king’s marriage proposal and begin a prayer of the fusion of the two empires is smooth from much trade and peaceful relations between the two regions. A farewell banquet was planned for tomorrow. Queen Andromeda kissed her soon-to-be stepson in front of her subjects pledging to raise the young prince to be a great king. In secret, King Dracon confided to his entourage of a detour to search the perfect place for a new capital of his combined empire. Great celebration filled the air and many well wishers approached the royal couple with congratulations. The wedding ceremony and procession will be negotiated in one year. In two years they will marry.

The ship set sail on the evening tide back the Illium. The waves were calm and sunset amazing. The crew stopped at a Kadacian island to buy food supplies and trade for little luxuries. King Dracon bought cloth to have the seamstress make clothes for Almar and Donovan along with jewelry for Kiara. They set sail two days later and met a storm the following morning. The sun was a sight unseen as wave after wave slapped reality into the faces of the dreamy crew. Soon the Wizard became edgy with concern as the ship strayed off course. Sirens haunt the deep sea surrounding Circe’s island. After the Wizard’s son betrayed Circe and she married a shepherd who tricked her into slowing down by tossing golden fruit in her path during a race. She gave birth to the mermaid princess Vida. The shepherd also betrayed Circe was transformed into a boulder overlooking the waterfall cove of Circe’s island. Years later, she married his friend Iris’s foster son Treynor who was orphaned by The Wizard. Many sirens seduce men into swimming to their island and are turned into hogs by Circe. Few escape to tell what occurs there. The daughter Vida will often take pity on a sailor and help him leave the island to return home. Treynor is thought to soften Circe into not killing all the sailors she finds, but to all else she is unpredictable. The storm raged on for another day and the shore of a welcoming island haven appeared. Then sirens began to sing. One crewman after another jumped into the sea. The Wizard steered the tiller as other crewmen held their hands to their ears. At watching Ricky and Homer take the plunge, King Dracon hides below deck. Then with the crew all gone, the seductive song is irresistible and The Wizard loses the king to the sea.

The Wizard steers ashore and leaves Nix behind with Ishtar, Cassandra, Layla, and Demetrius. He swims to the mermaid cove. He finds Princess Vida sunning on the rocks with King Dracon. Ricky and Homer were nowhere to be found. Mermaids just adored The Wizard decorating him with water lilies. Vida welcomed her uncle to supper at the palace. Sadly, King Dracon under Vida’s charms did not recgonize his hero. The day was warm and mermaids delightful. One asked why The Wizard is unaffected by their singing as others are. He told the tale of falling under enchanting singing once on a journey the find the mystic Cup of Hades and his friend, god of chaos Ryan, saved him with a bracelet of woven unicorn hair to absorb the hex. He continued reciting the tale of searching for the Cup of Hades that gives one rebirth in another form and asked for his friend Ricky who is in yet another form. Vida moved willow tree branches to reveal an elf boy fast asleep. Soon evening fell and the feast began in Circe’s Palace. Scores of pigs aligned the path to the palace. The Wizard asked where all his crewmen were. The mermaids refused to answer. Finally, Vida broke the silence.

“Do not drink the wine or you will fall under mother’s spell and be like these swine.” she answered.

“I won’t,” replied The Wizard with a smile.

Up the hill they walked to reach the gate of Circe’s Palace. Two giant stone boars stood on both sides of the gate causing shivers up Ricky’s spine. Dracon paced along with amnesia fascinated at every sight, sound, and clung to Vida’s arm. Darkness fell over the castle though the sun remained shining bright in the sky. Shadows haunted every corner with cold air and silent fingers reach out towards the living beings. Alarmed of the invisible hands touching his face, Dracon trembles and tries to hide behind Vida. The Wizard walked erect and calm greeting all the ghosts they passed.

“You can see her enchanted spirits, but how, no one can.” claimed a mermaid.

“Yes, I can see all the prisoners longing to escape Circe’s spell. People don’t call me The Wizard because of my dashing good looks.” answers The Wizard.

“I guess you’re right. What are they saying?” asks the mermaid.

“They say, ‘Greetings Wizard’,” answers The Wizard. “They are attracted to the warmth of our bodies and the torch Vida is carrying. All ghosts are.”

“Oh,” responds the mermaid.

Trumpets sounded as they enter the dining hall. Queen Circe sat on her golden throne with huge crown of gold. A man he recognized as Treynor sat at a throne beside her. Ladies aligned the walls at short tables sitting upon cushions. Dracon sat next to Vida and Ricky was nearby. The Wizard approached the queen with extended arms.

“Greetings niece, it has been too long.”

Circe rises from her throne to embrace her uncle and father of the sweetheart who broke her heart years ago.

“Greetings Treynor. You have certainly have grown since I saw you last.”

Treynor glared at the guest, but no word was spoken.

“It is glad to see you, Uncle Alaric. I have missed your stories fighting dragons and vampires.

Tell me a story while we eat our dinner.” replies Circe.

“I imagine you wish to hear what happened to Eurick. My tale might surprise you fair queen.” offers The Wizard.

Inhaling, the queen nods in agreement.

“Eurick the Bravehorn rescued Jason, the King of Blythe from certain death as the screams of his uncle Prince Linos echo in the halls. He changes the king into a wolf to barely escape flames of anger raging in their home. They hide in the shadows of an inn until the fire ceases. Eurick changed into a dove to find Prince Linos’s wife Mae and young son Oskar in the dungeon. He picked the lock with his beak and changed them into doves to escape the grungy jail. Not a soldier noticed they were gone. They made it all the way to the Anasazi Mountains to drop the prince and princess at Linos’s sister’s home. There the princess Mae leaped off the tallest tower in grief. The princeling Oskar was raised by Linos’s sister Tatiana and her husband until duty called him back to the palace. King Jason traveled to see his little son Dracon hidden before the riot to be raised away from the spectacle of royalty. Eurick took Jason to Aurora Falls where no one would dare look for the king there. Unbeknowest to him, Eurick’s mother Nix had returned to life and asleep in bed when he arrived. He went out hunting for breakfast and came back to notice a visitor staring at him. Unnerved by her gazes, he snaps at her to finish cutting apart of his prey away from her watchful eyes. Then suddenly, one of Eurick’s twins comes out to greet the visitor. Eurick drops his knife to look upon his mother alive for the first time. The first and last he saw her was in the form of a vampire. He had set her soul free to go the afterlife with a sunlight spell to kill the vampire curse. Now he guards Lilia, The Prophetess of Nix inside the Haunted Forest after King Jason’s return to Blythe’s capital with his sons. A great hero Eurick has become since you saw him last at Lexie’s wedding. Now married to Lilia finally, he rides his unicorn Enki in the Olin Mountains.”

“That was a beautiful story, Uncle Alaric.” says Circe in tears.

“Since I have entertained your curiosities, may I have my crewman back and the king?” asks The Wizard.

“That’s me. I thought that story sounded familiar. My father visited me as a dark shadow and kissed me good night before he vanished into thin air.” states Dracon startled from his amnesia.

“Alright, you may have your crewmen, except one. One must be sacrificed to our dinner. You may choose which dies.” declares Circe.

“No, I will not choose which crewmen dies. They all have families to go home to. I will not have their blood on my hands. I say we let your father, my nephew Elmo, the sailor god, choose fair queen.” replies The Wizard.

“No, not father!” cries Circe.

With a starfish dropped in a wine goblet, the sailor god Elmo arises.

“Circe! What do you want now?” demands Elmo. “Uncle Alaric, what are you doing here?”

“Circe has been naughty. She asks you to choose which of my crewmen dies so the others can come back with me.” declares The Wizard.

“What? Alright. Circe, I choose your daughter to be sacrificed for all the mermaids’ eating. Are you satisfied, Alaric?” answers Elmo.

“My daughter was not part of the deal,” replies Circe.

“You wanted me to choose. I chose. Vida will come to live with me and you have your pig roast.”

Elmo altered a candle into a hog and slain it with a flash of lightening. As requested, The Wizard lit the pig roast timbers. The mermaids rejoiced and played music as they danced around the hall.

“Time to leave this party,” said The Wizard grabbing Ricky and Dracon.

As the bonfire was lit, the crewmen reappeared as men in the stockyards outside the palace. Racing off the island, Homer pointed a spell at one of the mermaids raising the alarm. The mermaids chased the crew down the hill to be stop by a rainbow arc of light Homer created.

“I taught you well, Homer.” gleamed The Wizard.

The crew were all present and accounted for. Grateful at the The Wizard for saving them, the crewmen took him to a luscious mountain valley along the Anasazi Mountians. King Dracon wanted to look for a place for his new capital and the crew chose the place for him. They knew mountain fortresses withstand sieges better, so they chose a beautiful mountain full of caves and underground rivers for him. Atop of a nearby waterfall river was a stone bridge with a statue of Prince Hadrian the Great with his kitten Iris statue on the other side. It is said anyone kissing the kitten statue will have their wish granted. Anyone kissing the Prince Hadrian the Great statue will have a dream of their future spouse. Construction plans of the new capital commence immediately. Dracon decided much of the majestic palace built into the mountain to save time. Aqueducts to bring water in from the mountain streams were planned. Dracon assigned spots for temples, docks, guard towers, and a lighthouse. Hired villagers drew out Dracon’s ideal capital and marked building corners with stone piles. An emissary was sent to the Kadacian city Noor to deliever a message to Queen Andromeda about the new capital.

Days later, Illium appeared in their vision. A grand parade showing their captured treasures was in order. Homer was given the pleasure of driving His Majesty’s chariot. At the palace, Valnar was sent to the new capital Rikia, combining morning star god Rurick and rain goddess Kia names together. The morning star peeking out of rain clouds was a good omen of an important birth. The Wizard married Valnar and Katarina before they departed. Dracon held the reception in his great hall to honor his friend. As in the past, The Wizard gave Katarina her dowry. Valnar sold his inn to a fish mongrel and packed up everything in one bag. The Wizard always taught to travel light. After the return to Illium, The Wizard held his granddaughters’ adult ceremony in the gardens of Dracon’s palace. Homer was most eager to complete this ritual so he could finally marry Ishtar. Layla soon wished to leave this human city after nearly being killed as she swam with Ricky along the coast. She was sent to Lexie’s Mermaid Islands to learn how to be a mermaid since she had lived on land all her life. Ishtar and Cassandra wept at the loss of their friend, but heard from Lexie she was doing fine and found the identities of her parents.