Kingdoms in Turmoil

Andhun Returns “Andhun! Andhun!” shouted the crowd as he passed. Andhun smiled and waved his arms in a sign of blessing as he rode in an open top carriage drawn by six white horses. The crowd pressed enthusiastically against two rows of soldiers who formed the walls of his route. Andhun stood in the carriage with his staff in one hand. He seemed to dazzle the crowd. The sunlight reflected off of his white robe and pointed hat. His aide, Lagopus, sat at his feet basking in the adulation directed at his master. Few noticed his presence for the top of his head barely reached above the sides of the carriage. Those who did notice him thought he was a midget as his pointed ears were hidden beneath his curly black hair. “Master, the whole world honors you as the greatest prophet of all time!” exclaimed Lagopus. Andhun gave Lagopus a brief, condescending smile that turned to a frown as he replied, “Quite true for most but not yet for all. However, that shall soon change.” Lagopus nodded and said, “I have heard that King Thymallis refuses to convert despite the fact that most of his subjects including his son have done so.” Andhun replied, “The King is a stubborn old man who is set in his ways. We will soon confront him.” “What if he refuses to convert?” “Don’t worry. I have foreseen this day,” replied Andhun with a smug smile. Andhun rode at the head of a splendid parade of knights in armor, nobles and others of power and influence. They were an assembly of the most popular, wealthy and wise from throughout the kingdom. Like Andhun, they wore a medallion on their chest signifying their membership in the brotherhood of Andhun. The procession moved slowly through the narrow streets of Eisendrath until they arrived at the Hall of the Kings. Lagopus opened the carriage door and stepped out before Andhun. He held a large copy of The Once & Forever Ruler above his head. As they ascended the steps to the Hall, the surrounding people dropped to one knee as a sign of respect. One hundred trumpets announced their entrance into the great Hall which was filled with prominent people. Andhun noticed that less than half of them bore the medallion of their brotherhood. At the opposite end of the Hall, were three thrones. Although he was too far away to see their faces, he judged that the King was seated in the center with his son and daughter on either side. Behind them was a circular table with twelve thrones. The Kings of the earth had assembled here annually for the past one thousand years. With their next meeting approaching, Andhun decided to arrive before them and make this a decisive turning point in the history of mankind. As they proceeded across the hall with pomp and ceremony, some knelt while others stood in silence. “Hail King Thymallis oldest and wisest among the Kings of earth!” exclaimed Andhun as he approached the first step below the thrones. The King sat sullenly and studied Andhun as he approached. He scowled as he stared at the book held by Lagopus. To his right sat his son Prince Olric, who bore the brotherhood medallion on his chest. He smiled fondly at Andhun as one admiring a legendary hero. His daughter, Princess Oriana, looked worried and tightly gripped the ends of her arm rests. The King extended his hand whereupon Andhun advanced and kissed his signet ring. “So this is the legendary Andhun!” said the King in an unimpressive tone. “I must confess that I expected someone younger and more vigorous. No doubt you probably think the same of me.” The King continued, “What is the purpose of your visit? It must be important to be conducted with such pomp and ceremony.” Andhun replied, “O great King, you have no doubt heard how the wisdom of this book before you has enlightened mankind. A new age of brotherhood and unity is sweeping across the kingdoms of this world.” The King interrupted, “Peace and prosperity we have had among the kingdoms for the past one thousand years. This has been achieved by a commitment to respect the differences among us. Peace has been maintained through compromise and finding common ground for the good of all.” Andhun tensed and his face became flushed as the King spoke but then he seemed to catch himself and smiled as he said, “Well spoken! What you have said has worked well in the past but no more. The ways of which you speak were suited for a season in the history of mankind. We must learn to change and adapt to each new season.” The King responded, “Your words are eloquent and you have the appearance of wisdom. It is true that the number of converts to the ways you promote has greatly increased in recent time. Even my own son has converted. However, the brotherhood of which you speak appears to be only for those who join your beliefs. There is a spirit of pride among you and intolerance for those who do not share your beliefs.” Andhun’s face darkened and he again became tense as the King spoke. “Do you oppose me?” he asked the King. “With every fiber in my being!” replied the King. “You and your ideas have brought nothing but unrest and bloodshed among us. I will never renounce the ancient ways of my forefathers as described in The Once & Future King!” At the mention of this book, Andhun became angry and sarcastically replied, “You are nothing more than a backward and ignorant old man! I have foreseen your lack of vision!” Andhun stared defiantly at the King and said, “We shall pray for you.” He began to chant some words in an unknown tongue. His followers quickly joined him and soon the hall resonated with a thousand voices. The King became angry and shouted, “Abomination!” He rose from his throne and tried to speak but no words came out. A look of surprise and then fear appeared on his face as he gasped for air. The Prince and Princess leapt from their thrones and helped the King to sit down. “Stop! You’re killing him!” shouted Princess Oriana as she opened his collar. Andhun and his followers continued to chant. The King turned blue and a gurgling sound came from his throat. After a few moments of struggling for air, he slumped onto the floor and died. The apparent cause of his death was a heart attack. However, Andhun saw the wispy image of two bony hands appear around the throat of the King. The Princess cradled her father’s head in her lap and wept uncontrollably. So intense was her grief that those around her also wept. Even Andhun groaned inside and he experienced a brief moment of regret. He thought, “It is a shame that there was not some other way so that the death of this great King could have been avoided.” Andhun chastened himself for such thoughts, “Surely his death was necessary to accomplish the betterment of mankind.” He resumed his confident air and ascended the steps until he stood beside Prince Olric. He removed the crown from King Thymallis and held it over the head of the Prince saying, “The King is dead! Long live the King Olric!” “Long live King Olric!” shouted a thousand enthusiastic voices. The new King beamed gratefully at Andhun. Although he loved his father, he had waited many years to become King due to his father’s long life. Except for his abrupt death, Olric could not have imagined a more honorable and glorious coronation. “This is the greatest moment of my life!” he thought. “Andhun and the greatest of the brotherhood were gathered to proclaim me King! This is more than I expected in my wildest dreams!” King Olric embraced Andhun. He took Andhun’s hand and raised it above their heads saying, “My first proclamation as King is to declare that The Once & Forever Ruler shall henceforth be the official belief system throughout my kingdom!” He turned towards Andhun and knelt on one knee as he said, “All that I am and all that I have I place in the service of the Brotherhood of Andhun!”