All Chapters of The Murder of a King: Chapter 11 - Chapter 19

The dungeon was underground. They passed a network of labyrinth of alleys, lanes and broken chambers. Cassandra has already lost count of the number of turns they took and the cells they passed. Each cell had a number of prisoners gaping and gawking at her.’ ‘ Come on sweety! Come here!’, they hooted at her in obscene languages and signs. She had heard about Corinth. One of the wealthiest polis of Greece, major exporter of black pottery. Although Corinth had oligarchy, but everything came under the rule of the king. The league of Corinth was formed when former king Phillip ruled. But when Alexander came to the throne, their powers lessened. Corinth had seen many battles between Athens and Sparta. The city had been ravaged and rebuilt several times each adding a layer of prison of its own. The underground seemed endless, spiralling and

“What did you say? I would die after 15 days”, Karseus broke into a laugh. He laughed hysterically and so did his friends. All tumbling and clutching their tummies in laughter. “Friends, did you hear that? I would die after 15 days”, he mocked at her.“ No, Karseus you would be beheaded”, Morpheus rectified him.They were all jeering and catcalling at her. Cassandra simply smiled. She knew whatever visions Apollo showed her would happen in real too.“ Fine”, she snapped.“Fine, if you still don’t trust me, its fine. You can have me, my body and my soul after 15 days.”“ Really?” karseus was amazed at whatever Cassandra said.” Are you sure of this?”“Yes, I am sure. After 15 days from today, I am all yours if you stay alive.”“ Princess Cassandra, you better get ready then”, mocked Morpheus. “ There are a hundred soldiers patrolling this palace, all well equipped with weapons and are ordered to kill on sight if anyone tries to break in.”

“ May I come in?”, asked a young girl standing on the threshold of Cassandra’s room.“ Yes please”, Cassandra replied back. She was combing her long hair, standing before a large human sized gilded mirror. The hot water bath has soothed her senses and cleared her mind. Father always used to say “ proper bath and food could solve any problem”. He was right. A few hours before, Cassandra was panicking. Now she was relaxed and calmed. She trusted her visions. She had faith in her lord and her brother. No matter what happened, he would surely come to save her.The girl came in. she was wearing a full length white fustanella, her hair was neatly tied into a bun on top of her head. She had a pair of beautiful eyes and a pointed nose.“ My name is Myra. I stay and work here”. Saying this she placed a tray on the table. There were some herbs, bandages and a bowl of clean water.“ What are these for&rdquo

Throughout the day Argus worked and trained with the kraken soldiers. They were known for their brutality with swords. The way they whirled and twirled the piece of blade was enthralling to watch. They were lethal with flexible bodies and indomitable spirits. Clytus had sent messages all around the kingdom, to all the tribes who honoured Karmen to join for the common cause. Many of them arrived with their phalanx and regiments. Argus was revered by all. His capacity and aura initiated a sense of respect among the people. His gravity to tackle every situation , his manners and compassionate with the people of krakens earned him a name. Everyone desired him as their leader. He was a true worthy heir of karmen. On one hand he behaved like a baby when he played with the children of the tribe and on the other hand he was a fierce warrior who gave a hard core back breaking training. From being a son of a priest, he wolfed into the king that he was destined to be. This was how the Three Si

Cassandra was ruminating on the balcony of her room, looking at the view around her. The wide blue sea full of ships and boats coming to and fro from many places always mesmerised her. So many people went about their works, continuing their daily lives. But , her life was different. She has been a prisoner for last five days. She was trapped in this beautifully decorated room like a doll in a case. She repulsed it. Everything around her disgusted her. Any other time, she would have loved to sleep on this feathery bed, smell the salted air of the sea and gazed at the valley beyond which illuminated with the rays of the morning sun. she missed her home, her simple cot in the precinct of the temple, she missed her father and his pat on her head. Mostly she missed her brother. Throughout her life she had been an ardent devotee of Athena and Apollo. Why did they do this to her?Karseus visited her everyday, drunk and high and coaxed her into submission. But she stood fix upon her