Kingdom and Clans, King's Destiny (Book 1) -
Ch 15 Trial and Honor part 3
This test was going to be a brain-teaser. The most difficult challenge by far. It would take sheer knowledge for the last one. How good was their memory? How smart did they attribute to be? Would they be wise in diversity?
The test would soon reveal. The princess with the highest score would add ten points to their final amount. The rest of the contestants, would receive nothing. Not long after the arena filled up, each warthog princess waited to the side for the final run. They encouraged themselves to do the best job they could, knowing this was going to count greatly.
The arena was filled with all the lively clans. The crowd was boisterous. The king and Queen of Hog Hill entered the arena first and took their seats swiftly. Next they were followed in by the four other Kings. Prince purk was escorted in by his tribute to his throne. The female warthogs in the crowd all squealed in delight when the handsome Hog entered into the arena.
He was thankful he was sitting where he was and not in the crowd. He flinched and tried focusing on the princesses instead, as they made it up to the stage last. Each one took a seat on their clan's color mat. In front of them, they were given paper and charcoal to write with. Of course, they would each use their mouths to write. This was no easy task as an animal. They would need to be mindful, quick, and accurate. No shock to any who didn't blame them for being nervous in the final race. Before the game began, King Muck stood to give an announcement. He cleared his throat then spoke clearly.
" Hello, again, my friends. I want to remind you, that this is the final challenge and tomorrow we will be announcing the top two winners. I hope you have enjoyed yourselves this far. Now, let the games begin!" He said quickly.
Queen Torlia, stepped up to the podium. She stood silent for a moment as she looked over the princesses.
She began to speak. " If you will have your charcoal ready to write. I will be asking ten questions. To each question, will be a different point amount. By the end, whoever has the highest score will earn ten points to their clan's total. May the best hog win."
The princesses were anxious. Hazel took deep breaths, and Aruba bit down on her bottom lip. The other's closed their eyes, imagining good thoughts. The Queen observed and waited to take the right moment to begin.
Ready to carry on, she proceeded to articulate each question, very slowly. The Queen waited patiently to make sure each one had finished writing their answers down, before continuing. By the finish, it was time to reveal the answers and apply the points.
"Please place your charcoal down as I go over the correct answers. I have four tributes close by who will mark your papers." She said.
After she went over the answers.
Queen Torlia asked them to bring her their papers, so she could examine each one.
It was thirty quiet minutes later and the Queen was finished. She had her tributes take their papers to add up the winners points, secretly.
" Thank you again to all who joined us today at the final challenge. We will not be revealing the total points today, as usual. We will have them counted and ready for tomorrow's ceremony. As my King said before. We will announce the top two winners, then. Have a great rest of your day, and we will see you back in the arena come morning time." Said Queen Torlia.
And just like that, the games were finished. Everyone was off to eat, mingle, shop and relax. Purk was nervous more than ever, that it was finally over. He didn't know what to do. He went to grab him a bite to eat, hoping it would take away the pit growing in his stomach. It didn't work. He still had the pit and food on top of it. He felt ill and dizzy. Purk asked to go back to his burrow for a quiet rest.
Guarded, he slept for a short time. He was bombarded with worry.
"What if I can't be a great King? What if she doesn't want me? What if I don't make her happy." He asked, torturing himself?
Slugging his way out of his burrow, he felt conflicted. He went for a slow walk instead, with Roz and Haze following close behind.
He didn't make much conversation. Occasionally, only to looked back over his shoulder at them. He didn't have the right words to ask questions either. He walked, until the sky went dark, then turned back around, heading for dinner. In the back of his mind, he was hopeful it would fill his thoughts and redirect his fears.
Back with the royals. Purk's mother had requested for the night meal, to be sautéed mushrooms with a crispy, locust bite salad. It was lite and delicious. Everyone had a look of enjoyment, as they ate its wonderful flavors. Playing softly in the background was calming music. It was subtle compared to the lively vibe as usual. No performers either to be seen. The queen wanted it to be more intimate. Just a quiet evening with fellow friends and clans.
Across the way, coming towards her, the queen noticed her son was deep in his thoughts. As he made his way by her side, Torlia pressed her cold snout to his cheek. Startled, he looked over at her. The quick jerk of coldness redirected his mental space. The queen was smiling at him with her gentle eyes.
Only a mother could get a way with that look.
"Something or someone on your mind, aya ameer?" she asked.
He nodded yes. " A lot of something and someone to be a fact." He replied.
She understood him. Once, she, too, had the same doubt of ruling the future kingdom and about the King. She wondered if he would love her. Or if she would be worthy. She wanted to reassure her son, it would all work out.
"Listen to me, don't let what you can't control, control you. Let it go. You will be fine. All will fall into its rightful order." She encouraged.
She was right as usual. He gave his mother a kiss back on her cheek and finished his meal.
Like clockwork, it was time to punch out and go home for the night. Purk gave Roz and Haze the night off to enjoy themselves. He was confident they wouldn't be needed, not tonight at least.His night was going to be calm and alone. Everyone else participated in the last night of the weeks festivities. In the dark perk could hear the joyful noise fading from his ears as he drifted to sleep. Time moved on without him as it always did.
The morning was beautiful, with the orange sun against the dark horizon. It was rising in the east slowly. The town seemed empty. It was so quiet, it was eerie. No one had been up yet, and with all the games over. Most of the residence, slept in from a late night. The deep blowing horn would sound soon, beckoning all to come to the arena.
Inside purk's burrow, he pushed himself up before any other's. Already, waiting outside was Roz. He was met by purk outside his door. They walked together towards the arena slowly. Purk found his way to his throne and Roz stood in his usual position. Waiting, he listened for his orders carefully. The King and Queen arrived next, followed by Hog Hill clan warthogs, then all the Kings slowly arrived. Right behind them, the beautiful princesses entered before the guests. The arena was last to fill up. It was a big day, one out of three for purk.
He along with everyone would finally find out who had won. Not delaying longer, the scores were in and quickly delivered to King Muck. He rose to his feet. Happily trotting over to the podium to begin the ceremony.
" Hush, quiet, please." He said. Clearing his throat, he spoke.
"Welcome all. The scores are in and ready to be revealed. Here they are in my hoof before you. Are you ready to hear them?" He asked, pumping up the crowd.
The crowd shouted yes! " Okay, okay, let us begin." He replied.
" I will start with the bottom two, first. It brings me great pain to announce in last place with seven points is, Zeema from the Hollow-hoof Clan. I'm so sorry, love. I wish you the best in your journey of life. Unfortunately, in third with eight points is, Izumi, from the Harvel Clan. Both of you Princesses, I want to thank you for joining us this wonderful week. You both played a great trial and I hope to see you at future events, Now, that leaves our top two winners. With a score of thirteen in second place, Hazel from the Wimble Clan, and for first place with an impressive score of nineteen, we have Aruba from the Ruff tusk Clan.
Congratulations, to the both of you, my dears. We all look forward to seeing, tomorrow, whom my son chooses as a bride. Also, to those leaving from the Hollow-hoof and Harvel Clans today, safe travels. We look forward to future events with you all." Said King Muck.
Before Izumi and Zeema left back with their clans. Purk went to give them one last embrace and nose nuzzle on the cheek. He wished them the best and hoped they all could remain friends. He encouraged them to visit back anytime. Purk then turned his attention to the winners. His heart was leaping. He had what seemed an easy choice, but his heart was also breaking. The other female Aruba, he had grown to love, too. Sadly, there could only be one.
He gave them a nod and smile, quickly leaving to speak with Roz. He couldn't eat. Purk felt so nervous inside. He needed good wisdomly advice, and his friend was the right choice. The two talked for hours. Roz wasn't just his tribute, he was a shoulder he needed to lean on. His friend gave him the best advice he could, in hopes it would bring comfort to Purk.
He remained with Roz as they went back and forth discussing what he should do, how to do the right things, or even how he would know what was right and so forth. By nightfall, purk knew his choice. He was grateful roz had sacrificed his time to stick with him. Roz was satisfied his friend was at ease and felt comfortable to depart. He returned to being his tribute guard. He had to set his friend hat down, for the moment, and go back to work.
Purk, went to sleep that night, with crickets chirping at the moon, to waking up with the birds singing, in a melodious song in the morning. He felt pleasantly refreshed and was ready to get this day going. The ceremonies horn sounded and it was time. He pushed out of bed and headed to the arena, where only one stage was set for him and the two winners to stand on.
All eyes would be on them and all ears open to hear his choice. Who would be the future Queen?
The arena wasn't as full as the weeks past. The only clans left were the remaining winners, counting Hog Hill in the top three. Everyone was quiet, anxiously waiting the good news. The King and Queen sitting proudly on their thrones. The King pushed off his seat and approached his son with a warm embrace. He turned to the audience and began to speak.
" What a wonderful day this is. I'm proud to present my son, Prince purk, to choose his first mate for the consummation ceremony. With no more delay, may my son, reveal to us all his final choice. The winner of this Kingdom." King muck announced.
Purk was shaking. His knees felt weak, his stomach twisted. He swallowed hard and recalled what roz had told him.
" You're a brave warthog, and brave warthogs make wise decisions." He understood what he meant.
Brave hogs were cautious and more aware of their conscious choices, verses cowards who only reacted out of foolish fear. Their choices led to failure and destruction.
He began to speak slow and clear.
" I have made my decision...and I...I choose, whom I've always desired from the very start, Hazel, will you be my Queen?" Asked Purk.
Tears ran down both princesses faces. They had their different reasons. Hazel cried tears of joy, while Aruba cried tears of sadness. She nuzzled Hazel on the cheek with her wet nose. Congratulating her friend, she departed back to her father, avoiding purk at all cost. Her heart was too broken. His heart hurt as well. He felt a warm tear roll down his cheek. He grew mixed emotions. Feeling in love and guilty at the same time, wasn't pleasant.
The King spoke up again. "I am proud to present to you all, the winner and my son's bride, Hazel. May you two live happy together forever. I hope to be alive one day to see you give away your son. One day, you will know the pride it brings. Now, enough of me rambling. It is time, my son, that you kiss your bride and leave off to your new burrow just built for you two newlyweds." He said, smiling. Purk rushed to his bride, pressing his snout against hers as they embraced in a long kiss. They turned to face the crowd that was bursting with excitement. The arena roared and made a glad noise. The newlyweds smiled ear to ear, glancing over to one another with stars in their eyes.
Purk led his bride away and towards their new home. It was far from the arena and in a quiet corner under an African Marula tree.
"Brides first." Said purk to hazel. He pointed his snout for her to enter down into the cozy burrow.
He watched as her shapely back end disappeared into the hole. Purk could feel heat rush to his manhood and it grew hard. He hurried down behind her. Purk found her sitting, in the middle of their living quarters waiting for him with a seductive smile. He was no longer going to be an unexperienced warthog. He would know his bride and he would love and cherish her.
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