Glance

Disclaimer : None of the pictures are mine. The princes featured in the story are visualised as the members of this Korean boyband called DBSK or TVXQ. However, in the tale, they do not sing. dance, croon or fanservice. 

The icy wind lashed against his skin, hitherto untouched by anything but the kiss of eternal spring.  The gigantic tank-like contraption rumbled through the six-feet snow that blanketed the road to Amrethea, carrying six men to their shame and surrender. Five among them sat scattered in the enormous space within, while one lingered near the sole opening meant to admit light and air.

“Shut the damn thing, will you, brother?” The youngest of them snapped through chattering teeth. “This cold is enough to kill.”

Yet, the one addressed seemed hardly to register a response, lost as he was in contemplating sights unimagined in his moments of most fervent creativity. 

Prince Jaejoong

“Why haven’t the snows been cleared off the paths?” He asked to no one in particular.

The oldest of the six, a man whitened with age and worry, answered. “Amrethea worships the winter, Jaejoong. They never shift snow from its natural dwelling. One may walk over the snow for it chooses to fall beneath one’s feet, but one can never attempt to dislocate it. That, in Amrethea is sacrilege.”

“A kingdom of savagery and superstition.” The youngest, quite obviously the most fiery, spat out words drenched with disgust. “We are deserving of pity, indeed,  if our salvation hinges on the whims of those that fawn and grovel before climatic changes.”

“You will do well to rein your tongue, Changmin.” Another of the men spoke. Tall and lean, he reclined farthest away from the square of light that Jaejoong’s body partially obscured. “Those savages, as you call them, are indeed all that can prevent absolute annihilation of our lands and people. You cannot expect that as royal guardians and stewards of Marrakech, we would allow innocent lives to be pillaged simply because pride made our knees too stiff.”

The old man cast a proud glance to his eldest son. “You speak like a true prince, Yunho. Despite all the tales of Amrethea you might have been embellished with, my sons.” He swept his eyes over his brood “remember that it is the most powerful of empires, a stronghold of both magic and machinery. Its marvels are unparalleled in all the known realms, and its every ally has prospered and remained unscathed by invasion and plunder. That assurance, my sons is what Marrakech must have.”

Prince Changmin

“At a great price too, Father.” said Yoochun, eldest after Yunho. “Amrethea has no allies. Only bloodless conquests. One buys the protection of their sword only by offering one’s freedom in return.”

The aged king sighed, a cold wind shook every trembling bone of his body. “Amrethea is just to those that bow before her throne. Tribute is reasonable, and the safety they offer is complete. None dare raise steel or bullet against those that don the shadow of the Winter Gods.”

“So we beg the king of winter worshippers for his indulgence and pledge our loyalty?” Junsu, silent till now, questioned.

“Its not the king we need to be attending upon.” Yunho rose, staggered a little against the turbulence of the vehicle’s movement and went to join Jaejoong . “It’s the princess.”

Silence froze all voices. For all their hearts beat to the same pulse at mention of the princess of Amrethea. The pulse of fear.

………

“Princess Alameda Amadis is the reason why Amrethean allies are forbidden fruit to all their foes.” The aged king murmured, wrapping wrinkled fingers around a silver flagon of steaming mead. They had been received well, with grandeur fitting their stature as rulers of a small, fertile state with next to negligible military power. Ambassadors from the Amrethean court had met the king and his sons at the Frosty Gate, known to be one of the Seven Marvels of the Visible Realms, a Gate carved entirely out of a chain of icy mountain and enchanted with the tears of the children that had been raped and buried alive by the barbaric tribes that wandered the mountain before Amretheans took their heads and performed mourning and offerings to the children. Their innocence, now tainted by monsters and madness protected the abode of their avengers. The ambassadors handed the Marrakechian King a talisman marked by the blood and sigil of Amadis which allowed them to pass. None could tread beyond the Gate without the word of the Princess. 

Prince Yoochun

Jaejoong stared in wonder at the opulence of their accommodations. While his own castle was a wonder of architecture, it paled in comparison with the exquisite workmanship of the marble and ebony halls and onyx laid corridors the crossed to reach their quarters. Bereft of windows, the walls gleamed in the menacing light of electric torches framed in a colored cases, hoisted on chains high above their heads. The walls themselves were ornamented by uncannily magnificent sculptures, enormous figurines of battle-clad men and women upon armoured horses glared on them, as did great mages with hands raised in blessing. “Magic and war..” Jaejoong murmured to himself. The  religion of Amrethea.

Their own quarters were resplendent. Each had separate rooms, furnished with rich tapestry , wood, bracing drinks. The princes wondered at the beauty of those that served them, at the richness of their garment and the eloquence of their words.

Their rest was interrupted by a knock upon the door. He called to enter and the doors parted to admit a flurry of exquisitely attired handmen and maidens who bowed and announced their purpose in escorting the Marrakech royals to court.

“Their slaves are dressed as royalty.” Jaejoong whispered as they walked, surrounded by swish of silk and tinkle of jewels.

“Indeed.” Yoochun smiled. “I have read that in Amrethea,  it is those that do not fight that are draped in finery. For the warriors, there is only armour in war and …” he lowered his voice to a whisper and smirk..”in times of peace, much less.”

“Silence, my son.” The aged king reprimanded. “Take care to avert your eyes from the princess and her companions when apt, for you will not find Amrethean women of note dressed as our ladies would be.”

“I fear Father, that we shall not find Amrethean women in any manner as our ladies would be…” Jaejoong said,  stopping in his tracks.

The door to Amrethean court stood before them, guarded by creatures unlike any of them had ever seen.

“Your seats in court await, my lords.” One of the accompanying maidens extended a heavily sleeved arm. “The keepers of Amrethea welcome the presence of your graces

The five princes