NOVPUB
Chapter 274: 274
The priest’s grin widened, revealing teeth stained by the red wine he had been drinking. "Reckless? Perhaps. But it is not a madness that blinds; it is a madness that sharpens. In the throes of it, you see clearer, feel deeper. The world slows, and every sound, every scent, every movement becomes a thread in the tapestry of the fight. Björn’s madness is not a curse; it is a gift. It is the fire that burns away fear, doubt, and pain. It leaves only the purity of battle, the clarity of purpose."
Nwadiebube, silent, studied the priest carefully. The room had fallen quiet, the nobles no longer raising their goblets, their attention fully captured by the tales of the Norwegian warrior.
Finally, Nwadiebube spoke, his voice measured and calm. "Your god, Björn, and his madness... they are foreign to us, but there is strength in what you say. The Omadi respect power, and you speak of power born from chaos, from fury. But tell me, priest, in the aftermath of battle, when the madness fades and the blood dries... What is left? What becomes of those who live only for war?"
The priest’s eyes darkened, and for a moment, the wildness within him seemed to retreat, replaced by something deeper, something almost melancholy. "What is left?" he echoed softly. "A hunger, a thirst that can never be quenched. We are Björn’s chosen, but we are also his cursed. When the battle ends, we become shadows of ourselves, restless, always seeking the next fight, the next taste of that divine madness. It is a burden that we are trying to overcome"
Staring at his hand, the priest said "I am thankful for our three great leaders who took it into their hands to deal with such things. It’s slow but it is working. A few months ago I would have never imagined myself sitting down and calmly telling tales without the need to tear the head of something off.
Nwadiebube observed the priest with a thoughtful expression, his dark eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight. The priest’s words hung heavily in the air, the tension in the room palpable. The nobles, who had been so eager to hear tales of battle and fury, now found themselves confronted with the harsh reality of a life lived in constant violence.
The king leaned forward slightly, his gaze never leaving the priest. "Three great leaders, you say? Tell me more about them. How do they manage to quell the storm within, to bring calm where there is only madness? In the Omadi kingdom, we value wisdom as much as strength, and it sounds as though these leaders possess both in abundance."
The priest nodded slowly, as if weighing his words carefully. "They are not like the rest of us, though they too were forged in the fires of Björn’s madness. They have found a way to channel the fury, to control it rather than be consumed by it. They lead us with a firm hand, guiding us through rituals, through meditation and discipline, teaching us to master the madness instead of letting it master us."
Nwadiebube’s gaze softened slightly, a flicker of understanding flashing in his eyes. "Perhaps, then, there is something we can learn from one another."
The priest looked at Nwadiebube, his wild eyes momentarily calm, almost serene. "Perhaps," he agreed.
There was a silent agreement before things returned to normal, the nobles no longer disturbing the priest, having had their fill of scary stories.
Nwadiebube stood up and whispered to his butler, head servant of the palace, "See to it our guest is well entertained and show him to his room when he is ready." Patting the butler’s shoulder, Nwadiebube slowly walked out.
Walking across the hall of the palace alone, with his hands behind his back, Nwadiebube asked the shadowy figure in front of him, "Have there been any movements from the apelings?"
The figure stepped out from the shadows, revealing a dark-skinned woman. Tall and statuesque, she carried herself with natural grace, her every movement a dance of elegance and authority. Her hair, thick and coiled, cascaded down her back in intricate braids adorned with golden beads and precious gems.
She wore a flowing robe of deep indigo, embroidered with intricate patterns. Her wrists and ankles were adorned with bangles that jingled softly as she walked, each one engraved with protective runes and the symbols of her royal lineage.
She didn’t answer his question until she came close and pulled him into a hug. There was some hesitation in Nwadiebube’s eyes, but he welcomed the gesture.
Looking at the figure, he asked, "So, sister, have the apelings made any move yet?"
Princess Nwadimma looked at her brother, who since his crowning seemed to have forgotten family etiquette. "They did make a move—subtle, but yes, they did react. Apelings began leaving our territory. The ones we managed to question said they were ordered to leave."
Nwadiebube frowned. "That’s it? No message from them to me?" he asked, slightly agitated.
Pulling back a bit to create some distance, Nwadimma said, "I told you, brother, that you wouldn’t get the result you were expecting.
"They have long since made it clear that humans should deal with human problems. Also, our relationship with them wasn’t as strong as when Father was alive. Your action of taking in a priest of someone they all see as an enemy already tells them all they need to know about us."
Nwadiebube stayed silent as his sister berated him for his past actions. "Do you know why I do what I do, sister?" Nwadiebube suddenly asked as he began walking.
Nwadimma had a confused look on her face as she responded, "I truly don’t know anymore why you do what you do. I thought I understood before; that’s why I stood by you after our other siblings and family members distanced themselves from you. I thought I understood; that’s why I stayed."
Looking at his sister, Nwadiebube asked, "What was it you thought you understood?"
The princess hesitated a bit before speaking up. "Father was a great parent but not the best leader. He was too humble, patient, and nice, but that was a quality needed for our people at the time.
"If he were still alive and still our leader, we wouldn’t have come as far as we did when you became the ruler. I wanted to be the princess of a great kingdom. I wanted to be looked up to by thousands, and I knew if I followed you, I would get all I wanted."
Stopping to look at her brother, the princess said, "I did get what I wanted, but as we grew, I began to realize we lost our way at some point. We did become a powerful kingdom, but along the way, I stopped looking back and paying attention to my husband and family. That goes for you too, brother. When was the last time you sat down with your wife and children?"
Nwadiebube stopped and looked at his sister. "I do spend time with my wife and children."
The princess also stopped as she looked at her brother. "Let me rephrase my words, then. When did your wife become just a queen to you, someone only needed to push your agenda to those who will listen to her? Your children, the princes and princesses, are being treated like generals and tools needed to strengthen your power."
"Enough!" Nwadiebube barked, his voice causing the walls of the palace to tremble, the echoes of his outburst reverberating through the halls. The silence that followed was deafening, as if the very air held its breath. Princess Nwadimma stood her ground, her expression unyielding, though a flicker of sadness passed through her eyes.
Nwadiebube’s chest heaved with the remnants of his anger, but as the dust settled, so too did his fury. His gaze softened, though his voice remained firm. "You forget yourself, Nwadimma," he said, though the words lacked the sharpness they once held. "I am the king, and every decision I make is for the good of this kingdom, for our people."
Nwadimma did not flinch. "I have not forgotten, brother. But have you? Have you forgotten that you are also a husband, a father, a brother? A king may lead his people, but he does not do so in isolation. The strength of a kingdom is not just in its power, but in the bonds that hold it together. Those bonds are fraying, Nwadiebube. You are stretching them too thin." n𝚘𝚟𝚙u𝚋.co𝚖
Nwadiebube gave no answer as he continued walking. The princess stood in silence until they reached a gate-like door. Pushing open the door, a deep fragrance hit the siblings.
The serious and previously stern king, now seeing the sight beyond the gate, had a small smile on his face. Beyond the gate, the siblings were greeted by a small, enchanting garden, a hidden sanctuary within the palace walls. The garden was an oasis of tranquility, with a narrow cobblestone path winding through a symphony of colors and scents. Vibrant blooms of every shade imaginable danced in the gentle breeze.
