"Auburn Souls" drabbles by Arthur Cole
The King Blackmails Mosha (pt. 11)
Auburn Souls
(continued)
Mosha looked up at the stained glass window that but the mosaic likeness of the former King of Beth Arem, King Aledar the Wise. He wished more than ever to have his legacy reign in Falgen's place at present, though Beth Arem was not as fortunate. He finally realized that he could not deny his king's request. "Alright." He sighed. "I'll do as you say." Mosha had never felt lower than he did at that moment.
The king's face turned to one of pure satisfaction. "Excellent, Mosha. Excellent. I always knew you to be a wise man."
End Scene.
The King Blackmails Mosha (pt. 10)
Auburn Souls
(continued)
Falgen forced a baritone laugh in slow beats. "Perhaps, Mosha, perhaps." The King relaxed in his plush throne. "But do you do as you wish?"
Mosha glared through squinted eyes you the King. "But, why me? You have an entire army."
"Mosha, I have been your King for your all of your life. Need I remind you? I am but a thrifty King. The citizens of Beth Arem are no fools. They don't want a king who spends their money needlessly." His face curled to a friend. "That is why I have you, my dear, Mosha."
To Be Continued...
The King Blackmails Mosha (pt. 9)
Auburn Souls
(continued)
Don't worry, Mosha told himself. He'll get what is coming to him. Karma is not a force to be reckoned with.
"And furthermore," the king interjected, "I don't much like the things you've told people about me. Word does travel faster than sound, as they say. I know how you feel about me, Mosha, but I am the king of Beth Arem, after all." Mosha rolled his eyes. "We can't be having a mutiny, now."
Mosha was in a corner, but that didn't mean he had to give up the fight. "I say as I wish."
To Be Continued...
The King Blackmails Mosha (pt. 8)
Auburn Souls
(continued)
"Why didn't you punish me twenty five years ago?" Mosha asked. "**Banish** me, whip me, hang me. Why didn't you all those years ago upon hearing about how I killed him? Why?
A wicked smile returned to the king's face, deep wrinkles surrounding his mouth. "Because, Mosha, I have been sitting on it. Letting it stew within you, just waiting for a day in which to reveal it. A day that I can use it to my advantage." His voice turned to a deep growl. Today is that day!"
Mosha gulped hard, unsure how to respond.
To Be Continued...
The King Blackmails Mosha (pt. 7)
Auburn Souls
(continued)
"So you see, Mosha," the king said, revealing his **carnivorous** teeth, "unless you want everyone to know what lies within you... who lies within you, then I suggest you remain obedient to your king." The last word left his mouth more like a hiss.
Mosha tried to answer, but the voices inside arose like a rampant torrent of water, forcing down every other thought. "Why?" He asked finally. "Why me? Why can't you just send another one of your obedient captains.
The king made a 'tsk' sound with his tongue. "Because, Mosha, you are more fun!"
To Be Continued...
The King Blackmails Mosha (pt. 6)
Auburn Souls
(continued)
Mosha gulped hard. He recalled the events of that fateful day. He hadn't intended it to end the way that it had. He never thought it would come to that.
King Falgen chuckled, echoing through the many alcoves of the Council Hall. "You remember it well, don't you, Mosha?" A putrid grin consumed his countenance. "I suspect, Ayrea, my sister-in-law would not be pleased to hear of how her husband died, no?"
Mosha's heart raced like a rampant steam motor. He tried to forget it for nearly two decades, yet, haunted his thoughts everyday.
To Be Continued...
The King Blackmails Mosha (pt. 5)
Auburn Souls
(continued)
Mosha swallowed hard. He felt the weight that King Falgen hung over him, unspoken. His wicked eyes held daggers at the ready to slice Mosha's proverbial throat. "I am done, Falgen. I had fought for years under your command, slaying countless enemies for you. I was obedient. I was submissive." He clenched his jaw tight, remembering how he killed thousands, acting by instinct to kill. "That day ended a decade ago."
"Is that so?" the king hissed. "Then, I suppose you remind me how your last battle at Razor Ridge ended?" King Falgen had Mosha cornered.
To Be Continued...
The King Blackmails Mosha (pt. 4)
Auburn Souls
(continued)
Mosha hardened his countenance. "And what makes you think that I'm going to do anything you want me to?"
The king laughed like that of a hyena, sly and nefarious. "People do not know the Mosha Erriot that I do." He paused and refocused his stare intently upon Mosha. "They see him as a... hero of sorts, but they do not know the things he has done."
Mosha's eyes narrowed. "You can't sway me with your defamatory threats."
"Can't I?" Hissed the king. "It seems to me that you are not in a position to bargain.
To Be Continued...
The King Blackmails Mosha (pt. 3)
Auburn Souls
(continuing)
"Leave us," said the king with a menacing glare fixed upon Mosha. Nobody moved. "Leave us!" he bellowed, voice reverberating through the room and Mosha's bones. The twenty four council members that convened atop the balcony overlooking the Council Hall all arose and filed out of the room, leaving only King Falgen and Mosha.
"Why am I here?" Mosha demanded.
King Falgen sat back in his throne, regaining his composure. "I only want one thing of you, Mosha Erriot," his voice cold. "It may prove a mountain of a task, but I think you will accept."
To Be Continued...
The King Blackmails Mosha (pt. 2)
Auburn Souls
...
Gasps sifted through the Council Hall, reverberating though its many alcoves.
King Falgen didn't appear phased by Mosha's brash response. "Very well," he said, sitting back in his throne and steepling his fingers together.
"Now tell me why you have brought me here," Mosha demanded.
"You know, Mosha Erriot," the King spat his name, "a little flattery goes a long way. I may even accommodate your needs if you would only..." he looked up, thinking for a moment, "ask of your benevolent King."
"Benevolent," Mosha scoffed. "I think, perhaps, Nefarious would be a more suitable word.
To Be Continued...
The King Blackmails Mosha (pt. 1)
Auburn Souls
Mosha entered the large Hall covered with fine tapestries and masterful artworks of former Kings that have say upon Beth Arem's influential throne. The white marble pillars and stone flooring told of the kingdom's great wealth and crafty workmanship.
"Ah, Mosha. Nice of you to join us," said King Falgen, drawing his words out like molasses. His nefarious presence could silence a demon.
Mosha looked above, without moving his head, at the Palace Council who sat in ornate thrones, judgement plastered upon aged faces. He returned his gaze to the King. "Quit with the formalities your majesty."
To Be Continued...
