The reality of Sir Perseus
The next morning, Sir Perseus was in the training yard, practising some sword strokes that he had developed. Just a little more, and he would be able to master these new moves. This will place him at one of the best ranks for a swordsman in the Badoro kingdom. He had to be the best, the strongest, and the fastest. His motives were very important, so he had to succeed, no matter what.
As he waved his sword in the air, in the distance, he observed three of King Soto’s personal guards approaching. He was waiting for them, asking when they would show up. But here they were, no doubt, following their king’s orders to escort him into his presence.
Perseus lowered the sword, and let it fall to the ground. Although he might as well defeat all three of them together, he knew he had to be submissive. His life and the safety of Lady Abba depended on his obedience. So he patiently waited for them until they reached him.
Once in front of Perseus, a guard stepped forward, saying, “Sir Perseus, your majesty, King Sato requests your presence immediately.” Perseus nodded his head and followed the guards.
The four of them crossed the royal garden of the Relish castle until they reached the outskirts, where another imposing construction was erected. This castle was designed to receive representatives of other kingdoms on official visits, and Soto of Badoro could be considered a guest for an indefinite period.
Two guards were guarding the entrance and seeing who they were, they opened the doors without saying anything. The four soldiers entered, heading straight for the main gate that led into the castle. It was the first time that Sir Perseus had the privilege of seeing this place in person, since low-ranking knights, like him, were accommodated in the servants’ quarters. But he knew very well how the king of Bodoro lived. There was nothing he didn’t have that his heart desired.
Walking through the sumptuous corridors, finally reaching other doors, also guarded by highly trained and armed guards. The best service for the king.
The guards opened the gates, letting them through. And in front of him was Soto, seated at the head of a table that could easily accommodate forty people. Surrounded by servants who ran to satisfy any of his whims.
Soto saw them and waved his hand, ordering the soldiers to come closer. The four guards, approached, bowing, and waiting for the king to speak.
“At rest,” The king’s overpowering voice echoed through the hall, unnerving everyone, but not Perseus. King Soto of Badoro was nothing more than an abuser. His presence instilled fear and terror among his subjects.
This moment transported Perseus back in time for a few seconds to the moment he met him.
When he was younger, Perseus was always involved in scandals and fights, at the young age of fifteen. Among the citizens of Bodoro, he was one of the few descendants of Ruana. The two nations did not mix, but the few cases were well known.
Perseus, being the bastard son of a noblewoman from Bodora, was not welcomed by anyone. Despite his mother’s family’s social status, he was always regarded as a mistake. Someone who should never have existed.
His pale skin and silver hair stand out from the crowd, making him an easy target.
His own family despised him, and his own mother thought little of him. The only reason she supported him financially until he reached his fifteen spring was that he was her only son, and because before society, despite the fact that he was of Ruane origin, it was frowned upon to abandon children to their fate.
And with her family so prestigious, they couldn’t risk a scandal. So when he reached the age where he was considered man enough to see for himself, he was ruthlessly thrown out into the street without even a word of encouragement or comfort. Any.
Perseus had to eat and put a roof over his head, and that’s when he found himself in the streets fighting over money. The famous Pale, this is how he was known in the streets for his rudeness and fury when fighting.
In a secluded alleyway in the city, in one of his many fights, the young Perseus faced two opponents. It was not a question of injustice, but of money. He badly needed it, and he arranged the fight in such a way that he could win more. That afternoon was brutal for young Perseus, but in the end, his arms were raised in triumph. But he never knew that someone in the crowd was watching him.
Three days after the fight, Perseus was arrested and thrown into the dungeon. A nasty and dirty place in which he would never want to set foot again. The charges against him were ridiculous, but being ignorant of the law, he didn’t know what to do. And when a royal guard showed up in his cell one day, offering a way out to join King Soto’s royal guard, he accepted. The young Perseus immediately agreed, unaware that he was the one putting the rope around his neck.
Had he known King Soto’s intentions, he would have preferred to spend many years in that stinking dungeon, than to have given his life in the service of this ruthless man. However, it was now too late. Nothing, he could do nothing, but obey and at the same time wish that one day he and Lady Abba could escape the king’s clutches.
“Sir Perseus, come closer.” The king ordered him, taking him out of his memories and returning him to reality. Sir Perseus straightened his body and boldly stepped forward. King Soto watched him from head to toe, calculating his next move. He got up from his chair and walked over to him. Walking slowly around him, thinking that this move could coward anyone, the king spoke, “It is a pity that such a strong body and such a competent head end up feeding the beasts.”
Perseus was motionless, listening to the king only. “I am disappointed to learn that my well-calculated plans thus far are ruined by a pair of fools who do not know the extent of my fury. You don’t want to disappoint me, you don’t, Perseus? You know what is at risk if you do. I would hate for my daughter’s life to be put at risk, some accident, and she could easily lose a leg or an arm.” Perseus ground his teeth and clenched his fists until his nails dug into his skin, but he said nothing.
“This is the last chance I give you, if there is any mistake on their part, you will pay dearly.” Sir Perseus released the air that was stuck in his lungs, replying to the king, “Your Majesty, so shall be it.”
The king, satisfied with that answer, returned to his seat and ordered with his eyes one of the servants in charge of serving him to pour him more wine. But that was not all the king did, without saying anything, and with his head, he gave directions to one of his guards, who already knew what he had to do.
The guard approached Perseus and began to beat him with a thick stick, “Oh, don’t hit his face, people of his colour bruise from the lightest of touches. We don’t want to give people talk, now continue.” The guard did as indicated until the brave knight was left lying on the ground, unable to move on his own.
