Son of The Prisonland (The Myth Shadow Trilogy Book 1) Read online

  “The Kingdom of Ratar Gul isn’t that old. We, the Ratash were well known for producing glue from the juice that flowed out from the Ratar tree. We used to live very far from here. One day, a group of Ratash tradespeople gets lost in the jungle on the way back to the home. At first, they were panicked and looked for a way out, but soon they discovered the wild Ratar tree, which had ten times the better quality juice than our planted ones. So, they decided to make a map to come back here, if they make it to home. And somehow, they did it. When the news spread in the Ratar land, the people came to me with the request to move here. I have understood the commercial benefit of it. So, I have ordered my men to move here. It only took a few months to settle down here and create a profitable business. The kingdom grew very quickly. I, a leader of a village, became the king of a newly founded land. It didn’t take long to get corrupted. But my people still loved me, as I cared about them, too.”

  “One day, I saw a gorgeous woman on a horse, while I was visiting some of the businessmen from the other kingdoms. She was in fact, fiancée of one of these businessmen, who was going to make the biggest deal with Ratar Gul. She came here with her father, who was the leader of their group. I was so amazed by her beauty that I didn’t care about anything else and ordered the businessman to break their engagement instantly, in front of the others. He obviously got angry and rejected my request respectfully.”

  “I gave him one day to sort it out, or I’d go harder. When I came back to the castle and was resting, one of the guards informed me that the businessman and his fiancée have fled, and the guards have arrested the others for knowing their possible location. I have ordered my guards to torture them as brutally as possible as they let the love of my life flee. After three days of torture, they still couldn’t tell anything, and I ordered my guards to search and find them at any cost.” King Daleem Kumar paused to take a sip of juice, even though he was still looking at the torch.

  “My men found them within one day at the edge of the jungle. Though, I told them to bring only the woman and leave the merchant outside the border. But he rebelled and was killed in front of her. The guards brought her to me in the court. I knelt down in front of her to apologize for the mistake and beg her forgiveness. At first, she looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, “You have killed my love, and the only man I have loved. If he didn’t have me, then no one else would. I didn’t realize what she has meant by those words. As I turned my back to her to sit back on the throne, she took a knife out of her clothes. Everyone in the court could see the knife and those who knew about it were surprised. It was the cursed blade of Shakchunni. The legendary old witch who was famous for her devastating curses. Somehow, she obtained it. When I turned back and saw her with the knife, she threatened me not to move. Then she held the knife with both her hands and raised it, saying, ‘King Daleem Kumar, I’m cursing you to lose your kingdom, your people and everything else. Only you’ll live a cursed life until you kill yourself.’ Before I or anyone else could do anything, she killed herself. Right here,” King Daleem Kumar pointed to a gray colored circle on the floor.

  “I made her to commit suicide. She’d have had a happy life with the businessman. But I have destroyed their lives; I ruined my life, too. Right after her death, I fainted and woke a decade later and saw there’s no one in the castle but these baboons. At first, I was scared; however, when I realized that they are serving me, then I gained my confidence back. It’s been thirty long years since I woke up, living with the baboons.” King Daleem Kumar stopped. He was crying and didn’t even try to hide it from his guests.

  Cro winked at Aylan, pointing the door. Aylan looked at the king and asked for the permission to stay outside for a few moments. King Daleem Kumar nodded his head. When Cro joined him outside, he asked, “What happened?”

  “You were right. There’s something fishy with this fruit.”

  “How do you know about it?”

  “That baboon told me. Apparently, his father and the others were called by the fruit to come here and look after the sleeping king. And they’ve done so ever since then.”

  “Hmm,” Aylan looked at a nearby tree. “I think we best go have a look at this fruit. Before that though, we have to make sure that the baboons know our intention isn’t bad.”

  “I’m going to ask the chef,” Cro flew to the castle and came back within a few moments. “This lad isn’t happy about it but sent one of his helpers to the elderly. He’ll be back soon.”

  They didn’t have to wait for long. A large baboon accompanied by eight others, appeared at the corner of the wall and walked straight to them. One of the baboons pointed to Cro.

  “Well, ‘he’ intends to talk to them, actually,” Cro tried to save himself from answering any questions.

  The big baboon turned to Aylan and narrowed his eyes as if he was deciding something in his head. At last, he opened his mouth, “You, can speak to anyone?”

  “Yes sire,” Aylan replied on the baboon. “May I ask your name?”

  “My name is Dami-bo. I’m the leader of this troop,” the baboon leader replied. “May I ask why do you want to speak to the fruits? And how did you come to know about them?”

  “Well, I’d say it isn’t important to know that how we came to know, but it is important to speak to them. I guess they have an important answer, which would make the king happy.”

  Dami-bo gave him a long glance, “Okay, if it is for the sake of our King, then you have the permission. But if you try to be clever, then I will not be responsible for the consequences.”

  “Don’t worry about this,” Aylan assured the baboon leader and started climbing the tree in the front yard. Cro sat on a branch to see what happens.

  When Aylan approached to fruit at the top of the tree, he kept a small gap between him and them and said, “I know, you’re no ordinary fruit. I suspect you’re the lost people of this kingdom. If you are, won’t you please let me help return you to normal?” he paused and waited for a reply, but nothing happened. Then he repeated the question two more times, and still, there were no replies. Cro started suspecting the baboon chef lied to him. But Aylan wasn’t giving up easily. He tried for the last time, “It could be your last chance to live up the kingdom again. I’m not saying that I know what to do, but if you help me, at least I’ll get some clue.”

  The baboons were excited since he’d first climbed the tree. Now they started climbing the tree to have a closer look to see what happens. They had never spoken to the Nariphon before. All they knew from their elders is to protect them at any cost.

  There was a pin drop silence in the front yard. Even the wind stopped blowing as if it was also curious to see what happens. And just at the moment when the silence has almost wrecked everyone’s nerve, a wrinkly and ripped looking Nariphon spoke out. He has spoken in their mind, but everybody who was present there could hear the firm and manly voice, “How can we trust you?” he said.

  “Well, if you have any other choice then I’d be happy to step back,” Aylan replied.

  “We had given up on getting any help. We are just waiting for our king to die then we’d let ourselves go.”

  “That’s not a hopeful wish, is it?”

  “Of course not. If you had to wait for decades and there’s no possible way to hope for the best, then you’d choose the last option. Don’t you?” The Nariphon said.

  “I can’t tell you that since I haven’t been through such kind of situation, But I do agree with you. Now please tell me, how can I help to get out of this condition?”

  “You have to find and kill Shakchunni, that’s the only way to get rid of her curse.”

  “Find Shakchunni? No one knows where she lives. Many people even doubt her existence,” Aylan said.

  “She does exist, and we are the proof. To find her you will have to find the Jenglots first. They know a lot of ancient secrets. But if you don’t ask they wouldn’t tell you,” said the old fruit.

  “The Jenglot! The legendary one and hal
f finger long people? This task is getting way too complicated,” the last part was to Cro.

  Cro and the baboons were already having crossed their limits to get surprised as they heard the conversation between Aylan and the Nariphon. Now, when the story was turning to Shakchunni via Jenglot, Cro felt like he should give up and go back to his old life. The baboons were thinking the same as well.

  “I promise you; I will find Shakchunni and destroy her curse. But you have to wait for a few more days before I go to find her. I’m going to see my parents first. I haven’t seen them for ages.”

  “Don’t worry about that. We have waited for a long time. A few more extra days won’t bother us. Just one thing, you’ve to promise me that you wouldn’t get yourself killed to save us, please,” the kind old Nariphon requested.

  “I’ll be careful. I just can’t wait to see you in your real form. By the way, I think it’s better to let the king know about you. He is totally heartbroken and might feel better if he comes to know what you have done for him,” Aylan suggested the fruit.

  The old Nariphon took a moment to answer, “Well if you think it’d be better for him then go ahead. But I wonder how is he going to talk to us?”

  “Don’t worry about that, sire. Let me bring the King to you.” Aylan got down from the tree and walked to the castle. Cro and the curious baboons stayed on the tree.

  Aylan returned to King Deleem and explained to him everything he had learned and what he must do. At first, the king didn’t believe him, though he had suspicions about the mysterious fruit. So, he rushed to the front yard to see the fruit once again from an entirely different view. Aylan then explained about the ring and gave it to him for a while.

  Meanwhile, some baboons brought a big ladder for their king. King Daleem Kumar put the ring on his finger and climbed the ladder to speak to his people. His whole body was trembling out of excitement. He would fall from the ladder if two of the baboons weren’t holding him. It was an emotional moment for them. The king cried, the Nariphons cried, too.

  When he came down, King Daleem Kumar said to Aylan, “Thank you very much, son. If you hadn’t come here, I’d never have known that my people are still alive. I appreciate that you want to help us.”

  “That’s my duty, my King,” Aylan said.

  “Are you walking to Ashaland? It’s a long way from here”, King Daleem Kumar asked.

  “Yes. It’s almost one-month journey from your kingdom.”

  “Well, you don’t need to walk all the way there. The Baboons could take you faster than you could imagine.” the king offered.

  “We would be delighted, my king,” Aylan and Cro smiled.

  Chapter Nine

  They have reached at the end of the dark forest in three days. The baboons knew the fastest route through the forest and wanted to travel without break but Aylan had insisted they stop to rest at least some of the time because he thought it would be unkind not to stop them.

  Aylan got down from the cart that the Baboons and drawn for him. The baboons tried to make it as comfortable as possible for the long journey, and it almost worked. Other than feeling a bit tired of keeping aware themselves of the way through the jungle, Aylan and Cro have enjoyed their trip. Cro was under Aylan’s arm all the time. They thanked and praised the baboons for their help and the extraordinary efforts.

  After the baboons had gone, Aylan started climbing a nearby mountain. Cro got confused thinking why Aylan was climbing the mountain, instead of rushing to the Gypsy Valley. “I thought you’d be excited to see your parents, my friend?” he asked.

  “Wait for a few moments, please,” Aylan replied, without looking at Cro. When he reached the top of the mountain, he hid behind a rock and signaled Cro to follow him. Confused Cro sat next to him and tried to see what Aylan was looking at. There was a big valley with a canal in front of them. There were at least one hundred tents were set up on the both sides of the canal. Horses were kept in the temporary corral that had a hill on its two sides, and the other two sides were surrounded by the wagons. Men and women were busy with their chores and kids were playing just near the camp. Cro couldn’t find anything suspicious about this. Before he asked again. Aylan said, “Now, your answer. I just don’t want to go now in broad daylight, as there’s a big chance that at least a few people know about my recent past and I will not be welcomed. So, I’m going to wait until the evening and will sneak into my parents” tent to see them first and know about the situation. See that big tent in a higher place at the end? That’s theirs.” Aylan sighed.

  “Well, that makes sense to me now. I can’t wait to eat some real food. Before that though, I need a proper bath in that canal.” Cro seemed like dreaming of a relaxed time.

  “I’m sorry my friend, but you are not going with me now. Because you’re not a common raven and anyone can spot that out if you stay with me.”

  “Why? What’s wrong with that?” Cro asked with frustration. “There was no problem with the Stonemen or the baboons?”

  “I’m not sure, but in my head, something is telling not to keep you with me. Don’t worry, it’s just for temporary. As soon as I get assured that everything is fine, then you can join me and have a good bath and eat real food. Okay?”

  Cro just sighed, “How’d you let me know when to go there? Am I going to wait here for your signal?”

  “No, you don’t need to. You can go to the city if you want. You can easily find food there. And tomorrow at this time we will meet again at that mountain,” Aylan pointed to an even further and greener mountaintop, which was on the other side of the nature-made wall of mountains that separated the Gypsy Valley and the border of the Ashaland. “I have a surprise for you,” Aylan smiled mysteriously.

  Cro shrugged and flew to the city. He couldn’t wait for some ‘real food.’ Aylan waited on the mountain for the dusk. He took a small cloth-made bag from his rucksack that he bought for his mother from Longla, the place that was famous for crafted products and a bent two-sided knife that was decorated with jewels for his father. He fell asleep while thinking what would his parents’ reactions, seeing him after a decade.

  Meanwhile, Cro flew crossed the wall of the mountains and saw a huge grassland ahead. He had never seen such a massive field like this. Near to end to the other side, he saw hundreds of cows and horses wandering around and eating grass, being guarded by the Cowboys, who were lying under the trees and giving lazy looks to their cattle. Just after crossing the grassland Cro has stopped as if he was pushed by something. For a moment he felt numbness in his wings, but soon he took control of himself.

  He was sure about that it wouldn’t be anything different from the land, but since he was flying high in the sky, he could see totally two different scenarios within the kingdom. On one side, there were standard height walls surrounded by the beautiful wood and stone made houses. People with nice clothes were walking in the neat and clean streets and going in and out from the stores and restaurants. Some people were selling various products in the street markets. Merchants from the outside of the kingdom were bargaining with the locals. At the end of the main road, which was also the highest, the king’s castle located. That was an average scene, could be seen anywhere.

  On the other side of the kingdom, which was also the lower side, was surrounded by a massive stone and mud-made wall. There were spikes and broken glasses placed on the wall to secure it. The walls were wide enough for the guards to walk. Cro found out the tallest tree and sat on a branch to take a look inside the prison-like wall. This side was rather poor. Although there were stores, restaurants and street markets in this area, food on carts was more in quantity than then the rich side, but for some reason, people were not happy. Even the kids’ laughter, giggle or running around the houses had a kind of lifeless feeling. Cro looked around very slow and carefully. He followed the carts full of wheat and other fruits and discovered the reason by the massive metal gate.

  All the carts and wagons were lined up there. Some tall, ugly looking sold
iers were checking the carts and pulling them outside the gate and throwing coin pouches to the cart pullers. The cart pullers seemed unbothered to see what’s inside the bags. They were just walking out the area with the same sad face. Cro understood the trade was one-sided. He couldn’t bear to watch anymore. He flew to the other side, where the rich people live and where it wouldn’t be unfair if he stole food.

  Cro went straight to a local inn to see if there was any leftover in their trash. Although, finding food in the garbage wasn’t in his nature, but Cro was changed over the time. He had lost many Ravens’ habits to survive in the different environment while he was traveling.

  ***

  On the top of the mountain, Aylan saw a nightmare. He saw a rider in a black tunic, face covered with the hood was riding towards the Gypsy camp. In his dream, Aylan felt like he knew that person was somehow familiar, but he struggled to recall it. As the rider disappeared behind a tent, all of a sudden darkness fell over the whole camp. Aylan felt like the entire Duray rumbled beneath him, and his body got shaken so badly that he woke up and jumped off from the lying position. It took a moment for him to come to his senses. He looked down at the camp and saw it was indeed fallen into the darkness. Aylan realized that something was very wrong. He rushed down from the mountain and ran towards the camp.

  When he approached to the camp, it was all quiet as a graveyard. The silence in the camp was unnerving. From the outside it seemed like either the camp was abandoned or everybody inside is dead. Aylan walked to the camp with careful steps, open sword in his hand. To avoid the main entrance, Aylan crawled under the wagon that used for the temporary corral to get in the camp. He stayed in the crawling position to listen if there’s any movement; it was still quiet. There were no horses in the coral either.

  All this time Aylan was thinking about his parents. If something happened to the camp, then they were definitely not in a good condition. Thinking about them, he ran head down to their tent. Halfway there he heard a harsh voice behind him, shouting, “Halt!”