<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Remembered in Gold<\/strong> The pale gardens were hauntingly still in the setting sunlight.\u00a0 No longer filled to the brim with people, Kunal\u2019s journey back to the palace was quiet and lonesome.\u00a0 It seemed that not a soul was awake, only the distant silhouettes of the palace guards clashing against that notion.<\/p>\n Kunal, dressed in black, walked ahead at his leisure.\u00a0 In the darkness, the golden trim of his shirt was unperceivable.\u00a0 As he drew closer toward the massive gates, he looked himself over again and again.<\/p>\n His heart beat furiously, and he found the only thing that steadied his breathing was the sight of the wildflowers, just illuminated by the multicolored abdomens of Lakmari\u2019s lumibugs.\u00a0 They danced about, leaving beacons of blue and violet in the air.\u00a0 Some rested peacefully upon the statue of King Drupad, scattered halos of yellow upon his marble flesh.<\/p>\n The young man smiled as he considered that perch, where his life had been set to change.\u00a0 Taking a deep breath, Kunal strode forward.<\/p>\n At the gate, two burly guards held firm grasps on their spears.\u00a0 They said nothing as the visitor arrived, merely stepping aside to let him pass.\u00a0 He hesitated for a moment there, observing the silent guardians.\u00a0 Swallowing away his apprehension, he stepped inside the courtyard.<\/p>\n He halted again once inside, casting his gaze across the square.\u00a0 Though the palace was close to his home, he had never seen beyond the walls.\u00a0 Rows of golden statues lined the perimeter, their lustrous bodies catching the faint moonlight.\u00a0 Those ranks of effigies led past the courtyard to the palace proper, which Kunal stood in awe of.<\/p>\n \u201cImpressive, is it not?\u201d he heard.\u00a0 From the lighted entrance to the building, a tall broad silhouette gained clarity.\u00a0 A lighter-skinned man with a full beard approached, his physique nothing less than imposing.\u00a0 \u201cWhen I first came to Lakmari, it left me with that same wide-eyed stare.\u201d<\/p>\n As the man drew near, Kunal recalled where he recognized him from.\u00a0 This man was one of the prince\u2019s advisors, who stood beside him during the Gathering.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve lived in the city all my life,\u201d Kunalsaid.\u00a0 \u201cBut this is my first time seeing it this close.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s even more impressive on the inside.\u00a0 Come, I am to lead you to Sazim.\u201d\u00a0 The man offered no time to reflect on that command.\u00a0 He pivoted on his heel and began back into the palace proper.<\/p>\n Kunal fell into step beside the fellow and entered the building with him.\u00a0 Despite the grandeur of the place, there were no guards beyond the pair at the main gates.\u00a0 Kunal looked this way and that, attempting to discern if any sentinels lurked where the chandeliers\u2019 lights could not reach.<\/p>\n \u201cSomething the matter?\u201d<\/p>\n Shaking his head, Kunal cleared his throat.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s very quiet in here.\u201d<\/p>\n The stranger nodded.\u00a0 \u201cPrince Sazim prefers it that way.\u00a0 Most days it\u2019s just his highness, Cascadia, and me.\u00a0 Ah, forgive me.\u00a0 This lack of human contact has me forgetting to make my introductions.\u00a0 I am Rohan.\u201d\u00a0 Though he kept walking, he held his hand out.\u00a0 Kunal hesitated for a moment before returning the gesture.\u00a0 The man squeezed, and the visitor nearly winced in reply.\u00a0 Rohan\u2019s grip was fierce, but he released it after only a moment.<\/p>\n They proceeded, passing by many tapestries and portraits and beneath ornate archways that all seemed different than the last.\u00a0 To Kunal, it seemed they had walked for miles and in circles.\u00a0 Finally, they arrived at a large feasting room, a long table filled with food before them.\u00a0 From that distance, the room seemed otherwise empty, but as the two men approached, the chair on the far side of the table pressed out.\u00a0 Sazim rose and clapped his hands together.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, you\u2019ve arrived,\u201d he exclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cI was worried Rohan had lost his way and we wouldn\u2019t have a chance to give you a proper sendoff.\u201d<\/p>\n The large man furled his brow at that notion but continued leading the young winner to the table.\u00a0 He pulled a chair out for Kunal and walked along the length of the furniture until he reached the prince, who looked somewhat smaller standing directly beside his advisor.\u00a0 Rohan leaned down and forward, speaking in hushed tones Kunal could not discern.\u00a0 Finally, Sazim nodded, dismissing his companion.\u00a0 In his absence, the prince took his seat once more.<\/p>\n \u201cLet us proceed,\u201d the prince bade.\u00a0 He reached forward, grasping a glass goblet filled to the brim with crimson liquid.\u00a0 \u201cBut first, a toast.\u00a0 To the many adventures you\u2019ve yet to go on, and the safety and prosperity you will bring to Lakmari.\u201d\u00a0 The prince spoke quickly, forcing Kunal to be prompt in finding his glass and lifting it before the toast ended.\u00a0 He noticed his glass was considerably emptier than that of his host\u2019s.\u00a0 Despite that shift in the balance, Sazim finished the contents of his goblet before he placed it back upon the table.<\/p>\n His lips smacked together, and he brought his hands together in a hasty clap.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s get to it, shall we?\u201d he asked.\u00a0 Kunal nodded but nearly leapt from his seat when a pair of servants passed him on either side.\u00a0 They carried silver trays that remained covered, but the overwhelming aromas snuck out beneath those shells.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve lived here all your life, haven\u2019t you, Kunal?\u201d the prince asked, much less interested in the food than his guest.<\/p>\n After a brief pause, the young man cleared his throat and shook his attention from the trays of mystery food.\u00a0 \u201cYes, my prince.\u00a0 Since birth.\u201d\u00a0 As he spoke, another servant approached from one of the side chambers and brought a swollen wineskin to Sazim\u2019s side.\u00a0 Once again, his goblet was filled to the brim.<\/p>\n \u201cThen you have likely been made blissfully unaware of the outside world,\u201d the prince said.\u00a0 \u201cLakmari is such a wonderful place because we have no worries.\u00a0 Not a care in the world.\u00a0 There is no fear of poverty.\u00a0 We are one of the safest places on Tellest.\u00a0 We never even have to worry about a shortage of food.\u201d<\/p>\n At that, the servants who delivered the food returned and removed the covers from the trays.\u00a0 The aroma nearly knocked Kunal from his chair.\u00a0 Succulent white meats were stacked high on the largest trays, while exotic spices and vegetables lined the table\u2019s perimeters.\u00a0 Plates of rice and curry and fruits were placed between the main courses.\u00a0 Kunal\u2019s mouth watered at the sight of the spread.<\/p>\n Sazim flashed a weary grin.\u00a0 \u201cEat, my friend.\u00a0 Your task is not one I would want to endure on an empty stomach.\u201d<\/p>\n The young man did not take that permission lightly.\u00a0 At once, he reached forward, scooping the various delicacies onto his tray.\u00a0 He reached as far as his seat would allow him.\u00a0 Even then, heaps of food found their way to his plate.\u00a0 He looked up at his host, who had accepted his servants\u2019 offer to acquire his food for him.\u00a0 Kunal swallowed, and as the scent of the fowl wafted into his nostrils, he swore he could taste the tender flesh.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat many of the Lakmari people do not know,\u201d Sazim said, peering past his servants, \u201cis that we are not as safe as we appear.\u00a0 There are bandits out on the roads.\u00a0 Not some worriless rabble like you might expect, but experienced highwaymen that could easily topple an entire town.\u00a0 This would cause great problems for our city, you understand.\u201d<\/p>\n His mouth already full of food, Kunal could only nod in reply.\u00a0 A loud, satisfied sigh escaped him, and he leaned back in his chair as if that could disguise it.\u00a0 Though Sazim\u2019s plate of delicacies was similarly arranged, he yet relied on his wine and nothing else.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat if I told you we\u2019ve found a way to keep the bandits content with their own territory?\u00a0 What if I said we could stay their unruly tendencies and keep them at bay?\u201d<\/p>\n Kunal took a moment and swallowed all his food at once, leaning forward to accommodate the large task.\u00a0 \u201cMy lord, I am no great master of diplomacy or politics, but I would say that is a good path to tread upon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight you are, Kunal,\u201d the prince said.\u00a0 \u201cThe answer to our problems lies in the hands of a group of sellswords we\u2019ve worked with for some time.\u00a0 When one of our citizens leaves, it is to seek out these mercenaries.\u00a0 They protect our borders, enforce our way of life outside the walls of Lakmari, and in a way, keep the peace.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOur people are joining the sellswords?\u201d Kunal surmised.<\/p>\n After a brief pause, Sazim took a last swig of his wine.\u00a0 \u201cIn a manner of speaking,\u201d he finally said after a satisfied smack of his lips.\u00a0 He rose from his seat, the chair pressing out so fast it nearly tipped.\u00a0 The prince leaned upon the table with both hands, his eyes seeming to glare upon something quite distant.\u00a0 \u201cPlease, allow me to show you something.\u201d<\/p>\n As he lifted himself off the table, he moved with a renewed vigor.\u00a0 Before Kunal rose from his seat to follow, Sazim was already on his way under one of the side arches.\u00a0 It was quiet but for their footsteps and dancing flames upon the candles in the many chandeliers overhead.<\/p>\n Before long, the two men arrived at the throne room of the palace.\u00a0 A darkselection of colors affronted Kunal, who was surprised to see the browns, auburns, and blacks about the room.\u00a0 The throne was significantly brighter, with golden trim beneath a plush red fabric.<\/p>\n Just at the bottom of the steps leading to the throne, another golden statue, like those Kunal had seen outside, stood sentry.\u00a0 Sazim turned to his guest with a wry grin upon his face.\u00a0 For the first time, Kunal could see how young the prince was.\u00a0 His highness must have only been several years his senior.<\/p>\n \u201cToday you join among the ranks of all the men and women who have preceded you, including your father.\u201d<\/p>\n As Kunal followed his prince, he neared that golden effigy and nearly tipped from his feet by the sight of it.<\/p>\n \u201cThen this is<\/em> your father, Johal?\u201d<\/p>\n After steadying himself, Kunal took a deep breath and approached the statue.\u00a0 He reached out and touched the effigy\u2019s broad shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cIn my mind, he\u2019s so much older and greyer,\u201d he laughed.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s good to see him as he was when he left.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow long has it been?\u201d Sazim asked.<\/p>\n A quiet chortle escaped Kunal\u2019s lips.\u00a0 \u201cSesha and I were much younger then.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSesha?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy apologies, Your Highness.\u00a0 Sesha is my sister,\u201d Kunal said, looking back to the statue of his father.\u00a0 \u201cIf what you say is true and I am to see these sellswords my father was sent to, he and I will be reunited soon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSooner than you might think.\u201d<\/p>\n Both men turned to the throne then, and the antechamber behind it.\u00a0 The fair blonde woman sauntered forward with grace and confidence.\u00a0 She met eyes with Kunal, who found himself as entranced with her as before.<\/p>\n \u201cPriestess Cascadia,\u201d Sazim spoke, agitation clear in his throat.\u00a0 \u201cYou are early.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe night grows long, my prince,\u201d she returned.\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps you discussed things while you supped on dinner that you could have left aside.\u201d<\/p>\n Cascadia passed behind Sazim, and Kunal could feel the tension in the room.\u00a0 He looked again to the effigy of his father.<\/p>\n \u201cWe needn\u2019t waste time here,\u201d the priestess went on.\u00a0 \u201cShyamal is not known for patience.\u00a0 Neither are the rest of his men, including the one you call advisor.\u201d<\/p>\n Their conversation went on in quiet, tense tones.\u00a0 Kunal ignored it as best he could, focusing instead on the golden figure of Johal.\u00a0 It looked so like his father, every nuance just as he remembered all those years ago.\u00a0 The only thing that seemed at odds with the man he remembered was his eyes.\u00a0 They appeared so full of concern, so wide and apprehensive.<\/p>\n Kunal felt the tender grasp on his hand and looked down.\u00a0 Cascadia\u2019s delicate fingers wrapped around his digits.\u00a0 His eyes slowly lifted from her waist until he was caught in her hypnotic gaze once more.<\/p>\n Though he felt the shiver ripple down his spine, he could do nothing to shake it free.\u00a0 The priestess had him locked in place, her eyes narrowed and a scowl set upon her face.<\/p>\n He tried to speak, but no words would come.\u00a0 He tried to move but could not flex a muscle.\u00a0 Cascadia lifted his arm, holding it out before him, and turned him toward the statue of his father.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is time,\u201d the priestess said.<\/p>\n A regretful sigh escaped the prince as he approached his guest.\u00a0 He set his hand upon Kunal\u2019s outstretched arm.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry about this,\u201d Sazim insisted.\u00a0 \u201cTruly I am.\u201d<\/p>\n From his wrist, a burst of pain nearly shook Kunal to his core.\u00a0 He could neither wince nor scold, only caught in Cascadia\u2019s perpetual gaze.\u00a0 But he could see, in his peripheral vision, the transformation that occurred.<\/p>\n His caramel-colored skin took on a new hue.\u00a0 An inch at a time, Kunal turned to gold.\u00a0 He could feel the pain coursing through his body and the change taking place.\u00a0 As the enchantment surged up his arm, his body felt heavier.<\/p>\n Cascadia looked on with those spiteful eyes, but Sazim bowed his head as his power transformed his visitor.\u00a0 The gold leeched past Kunal\u2019s shoulder, festering in him like a plague.<\/p>\n He only wanted to howl out in pain, but his lips refused to budge.\u00a0 Instead, as the magic moved up through his throat, he felt his breath slipping away.<\/p>\n Kunal saw his father in a new light then, even as he could feel his head growing heavy.<\/p>\n Johal had never left Lakmari.<\/p>\n And neither would he.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nPart\u00a0Three<\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"Commission_Kunal_Cascadia](\"http:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/Commission_Kunal_Cascadia-Sized.png\")
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