HBWnovel Chapter 13: Gold or a princess
Chapter 13: Gold or a princess
Chapter 13: Gold or a princess
The orc Queen, Grukka, stood tall and proud, her eyes filled with admiration as she looked at her daughter, Azra, who was standing beside Akun. "Ah, Azra, my dear daughter," the Grukka began, her voice full of warmth and pride. "She is the finest shaman our tribe has ever seen. Her magic is unparalleled, and her connection to nature is astounding. I have witnessed her heal the wounded, call upon the spirits, and bring forth the elements in ways that even seasoned shamans could only dream of."
As Grukka spoke, she gestured towards Azra, who blushed and looked down, humbled by her mother's praise. "And not only is she powerful, but she is also beautiful," the Queen continued. "Look at her! Her blue skin, her white hair, and those mesmerizing yellow eyes. Many have called her the most enchanting orc in our tribe, and I must say, I agree with them."
Akun nodded respectfully, acknowledging Azra's exceptional traits. "Indeed, Princess Azra possesses remarkable abilities," he said with a grateful smile. "I am truly honored by your offer, Queen, and I appreciate your kindness. However, I must be honest with you. As much as I value your daughter's talents, I would most grateful if you offered me something else."
Grukka raised an intrigued eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Something else? What else could possibly come close to my daughter, young man?" she inquired, her voice tinged with curiosity.
Akun took a deep breath before answering, "A rare artifact, a powerful magic item, or a hidden treasure. I believe that any of those could aid me in my quest."
Grukka thought to herself, "I wonder what could be more important to this young man than my daughter? He really does have an interesting sense of humor." A slight smile formed on her lips as she continued, "Turning down someone as wonderful as Azra for something else, it's quite entertaining."
Grukka expression turned thoughtful as she pretended to considered Akun's request. "Ah, I understand," she replied. "While we do not have any such rare items, I assure you that the wealth of our tribe lies in the vast gold reserves we have accumulated over generations. It has been a source of prosperity for us."
Akun's disappointment was evident as the Queen presented the offer of gold as compensation. In his mind, he couldn't fathom the usefulness of acquiring vast amounts of gold. After all, in this fantastical world, gold was primarily used for trading and held little value for him personally. Furthermore, with his abilities, he knew he could easily generate bags of silver should he find himself in a human city.
Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Akun decided to politely decline the offer of gold. He knew he had to express his desires clearly and respectfully. Addressing the Queen, he spoke with a determined yet measured tone.
"Your Majesty, I appreciate your generous offer, but gold holds little value for me. It is not something I seek at the moment. However, I do have a favor to ask. In the future, should the need arise, I hope that you and the orc tribe would be willing to assist me."
"Hmm a favor?" Grukka's surprise was evident, her eyes widening slightly at Akun's response.
"Is that all you desire? Just a favor in the future?" the Queen asked, her voice tinged with a mix of astonishment and curiosity.
Grukka's countenance flickered with a complicated array of emotions. Though her heart might not have welcomed their presence, the significance of the Kigin tribe's royal representatives demanded her utmost respect.
"Ah, it seems our esteemed guests have arrived," Grukka announced, her voice resonating with authority. "Open the doors, and let us extend a warm welcome to the Kigin royalty."
The doors slowly creaked open, revealing two striking figures standing tall and regal. The prince, Devon, had an air of authority about him, with pale skin, black hair, and purple eyes that seemed to pierce through anyone who met his gaze. He was dressed in a sophisticated black and purple wuxia attire that emphasized his royal status. By his side stood the princess, Keleora, who possessed the same pale skin, black hair, and captivating purple eyes. She had an elegant presence, and her beauty was only accentuated by her gracefully flowing wuxia clothing.
Flanking the royal duo were two formidable Kigin guards, dressed in white and black wuxia garments, their large swords prominently displayed on their backs. The Kigin race was known for its distinctive features, including their short pointy ears, which added to their unique charm.
Keleora's smirking countenance exuded a sense of superiority as she confronted Grukka, the respected orc queen, in the ornate chamber. The tension in the room was palpable as she questioned Grukka's inability to deliver this year's gold to their territory. "Why haven't you brought this year's gold to our territory yet?" Keleora taunted, her voice laced with mockery. "Do you think apologies will suffice?"
Grukka's response carried a note of apologetic sincerity as she attempted to explain the delay. "I apologize for the delay, but we had some issues with our gold mine," she conveyed with earnestness, her words a reflection of the challenges her people had faced.
Keleora's laughter echoed mockingly through the chamber, dismissing Grukka's explanation as trivial. "Oh, look," she taunted, "the orc queen has an excuse! 'Issues with your gold mine,' really? That won't satisfy us. You'll have to make up for the time you wasted!"
Unbeknownst to Grukka, Keleora's brother, Devon, whispered a devious suggestion to his sister. Keleora's smug grin widened as she addressed Azra, the princess, who stood by the orc queen's side. "Azra, my dear," she proclaimed, her voice dripping with cunning, "my brother here seems to be quite taken with you. We've decided that we won't be taking the gold anymore. Instead, he wishes to marry you."
Grukka's eyes flashed with indignation, and she responded firmly, refusing to entertain the audacious proposition. "Absolutely not!" she declared, her voice resolute. "Our ancestors agreed on the exchange of gold, and we will uphold that agreement."
Keleora scoffed dismissively, belittling the significance of the long-standing accord. "Oh, please," she retorted, "that agreement was made to prevent our people from invading yours. Offering Azra won't make any difference. Besides, she should be honored that my brother wants her. Trash like her would normally be nothing more than a plaything."
In the opulent throne room, a tempest of emotions brewed within Akun as he listened to Keleora's caustic words. Irritation seeped into every fiber of his being, fanning the flames of his anger. In a moment of unrestrained fury, he stepped forward, closing the distance between himself and Keleora, and delivered a resounding slap across her face.
The sharp crack of the impact echoed through the chamber, the air now charged with tension. Akun's eyes bore into Keleora's, blazing with indignation. "That's enough!" he roared, his voice a thunderous force that filled the space around them. "Shut up! You sound so annoying."