Category : Stories

Sub Category : Romance

The Avikar
Chapter 
1
    ‘Twas many years past that this tale did occur. ‘Twas during the age of dragons and elves. This was when we were a people whom humanity trusted as well as all beings of that time. We are the Avikar and we were greatly betrayed by the humans we loved and protected. Now we live in solitude, our people suffering, in the age of man.
    An Avik is alike to humans in many ways, however, we are much stronger, smarter, and physically appealing. Another attribute of ours is our hair, it is pure white. We are on a quest of revenge, or, we were, Until the human king Arthur came into power. This is when I was chosen as representative of our people. 
    My name is Bethany and I represent the opinions of all Avikar to the round table. As the request for a representative was sent last week, I have traveled for five days and miss the solitude of the forest I grew up in. I have met many men and women who were stunned by my appearance and some called me a witch while others called me an angel. My ancestors have lived in solitude long enough that we are called ugly by rumor. 
    I have escorts with me so that nothing will happen on this trip to the new young king. They soon prove to be just what I need as there have been attempts to harm me throughout my journey. My escorts are taking care of it, but, whenever people learn what I am they turn scared. Because our common name, a derogatory term, is Orc. We disfavor this name as it relates to some of our more aggressive groups, the Orak tribe to be exact. 
    After our five-day journey, we arrive at King Arthur’s castle. I am in aw as I have never seen such a structure, but, I am not afraid or intimidated, I am intrigued instead. As my escorts present me to the king I am frozen from nerves and suddenly I see him. I recognize Excalibur first, as one of my ancestors wielded it once. He is roughly my age, but, I most likely look younger as Avikar age slightly slower. He is handsome for a human boy, but, other than that I notice his eyes. The eyes are the window to the soul, and I see every inch of his. He has come to me with wisdom and honesty in hand. 
    I greet him after a moment’s pause and to my surprise he glares at me. “So,” he begins, “The Orcs think so little of me that they send a child? Is that it?” My anger heats my ears and face to a bright red. 
    “Your majesty,” I begin, “You called for our wisest heir to the throne of all Avikar and here I am. Forgive my age, but, we are close in this regard, so, please, bear with it.” He laughs and says something along the lines of I just wasn’t what he expected. Not to mention that my bluntness was greatly welcomed. I think that he is more of a child than I am, surely. Then he becomes serious. 
    “I called you here for a reason,” he begins, “The Avikar are people, warriors, of legend and I want to incorporate your skills into my army as well as introduce your culture and people to my kingdom. I would like to see our kinds unite as one.” I am speechless. This boy, this child, wants to understand my people. But, what he has said, this uniting of our kinds, is impossible. I compose my self and speak. 
    “Your majesty, although we recognize you as our monarch this feat is simply impossible to accomplish. Furthermore, your people will not take kindly to the invasion from my people. My escorts can testify to that fact. I can help you with your army, but, no more I’m afraid.”
    “Why not,” he replied, “What human would dare attempt to harm one of you? Whenever I heard of an Orc as I child I was terrified, since you are far more intelligent than us. Not to mention your strategic prowess.” I heave a sigh of disdain and reply with a heated tone.
    “My king, you are sorely mistaken in two aspects, one, we are called Avikar NOT Orcs, and two, not everyone shares your views. People hear of an Orc and they think of a slimy, stupid, Neanderthal with a hot temper.” He seems shocked for a moment then. He looks at me and I am nervous again, I lost my temper, so I don’t expect him to accept my words. However, he surprises me by grabbing my hand and kneeling.
    “May lady, please accept my apologies for offending you. This was not my intention. I only wanted to keep your people’s culture alive and known to my people.” I see his true nature now, a kind, young, man with good intentions and a fine heart. I speak.
    “My king, please stand. You are lord over this land, not me, and please, your forgiveness is certain, don’t question that.” He looks at me and stands to his full height. We continue talking till evening. He then requests one of the servants to show me to my room to prepare for dinner. 
     As soon as I am ready to dine, I notice something out of the corner of my eye. With reflexes like a cat I pin the person against the wall of my room. It is a fair woman with blond hair and blue eyes. She is tall and lanky, but, younger than either me or the king and has a marvelous beauty about her. The kind of beauty that only shows itself visually when the child is grown. She looks scared and then I realize I am still holding her. I release the child and apologize quickly.
    This girl composes herself and speaks, “My name is Guinevere, and, I am the future queen. Please show some respect, ambassador. Next time such an act is portrayed I will discuss punishment with our king.”  I am flustered, so many children are far beyond their age here. I then collect myself and speak.
    “My lady, I was merely surprised and as many wish me dead I must be cautious and defend myself. Please forgive my behavior as it was not against you, but, merely a cautionary measure.”   Now she is surprised, I look close to her age, I suppose, and many her age are not so eloquent and courteous in their speech. She looks at me up and down and surmises something, I’m not sure what. Then she says this.
   “Lady Bethany, I hope I am not mistaken, but, are you, per chance, an Orc? I am not one to judge someone based on rumors, but, you didn’t kill me. Why?” I speak as though in pain.
    “My lady, I would never kill unless my life was in danger and my people are quite peaceful. Furthermore, we are called Avikar, NOT Orcs. This term is quite insulting, rather, as it is based on the Oraks, our most primitive-like people. They have been a disgrace and as such we take great offence to the name Orc.” She is speechless, I expected as much. I may even be driven out, or worse, killed due to my speech and inflections. 
    “Lady Bethany, I had no intention of offending you or your people. Please, accept my apologies.” I am shocked once more. How can people in such power not take offence of my temperament? But soon Guinevere ushers me into the dining room. The king and some of his knights are sitting at the table already. A seat is open beside King Arthur and one between one of his knights and a young squire. 
    Once I sit in place between the knight and the squire I am immediately startled by a loud thud. The good King Arthur has slammed the table. I look to him and see rage upon his face. He looks at his fiancé and exclaims, “Did you not tell our guest of the arrangement?” Guinevere bows her head in submission. He glares at me for a moment then sighs. He then makes a gesture for me to come hither. 
    Once I walk to him he gestures to the open seat next to him. I had assumed it was Guinevere’s seat, but, I suppose it is for guests. I sit, we pray, and we resume our meal. I have now seen a new side of King Arthur, anger. I am pleased that humans have the same emotions as me and my people. However, what triggered such an outburst? I suppose he must have planned everything very carefully, or, something of the sort. It is unimportant to me.
    I am eating my meal with fervor because it is so delicious. I look up for a moment and notice the young squire, who must be close to Guinevere’s age, is glancing at me from time to time. Very obviously as well. I then realize he is looking, not at me, but, at Guinevere. I am impressed by the gall of the smitten boy, as well as Guinevere, who is glancing back and giggling. Arthur notices this but continues eating. I suppose he believes she will grow out of this infatuation by the time she and Arthur are wed. 
    I digress, the youth in this room are proving to be quite interesting. However, my mind goes back to my home where my siblings and their friends are, I lose my appetite. These thoughts are a curse as those times are gone now. My family and friends are destroyed, by the ones who are supposed to be our kind, the Orak tribesmen. This is a story for another time and I will not let is contain me further. 
    This is when the King touches my arm. “Lady Bethany. Are you alright?” he says, concerned. I realize then that everyone is looking at me and my tears. 
    “Excuse me your majesty. May I go to the washroom? I must clear my head and my face.” He gestures for one of the servers to show me the way and once there I let loose a torrent of sobs. I collect myself after a moment and use the wash basin to clear the tears from my face. I use the nearby cloth to dry myself and return to the table.
    Dessert is now being served and Guinevere’s eyes light up. So, do mine and everyone else’s except King Arthur, who simply smiles proudly. We continue to engorge ourselves with the delicious food until we can eat no more. We then move on to discussions about the country and other matters of the people.
    It finally becomes my turn to speak of my people and what we must do to unite our hierarchy. Once I begin I realize I have the attention of the entire table and my face becomes hot and I begin to sweat as the world begins to spin around me. I suddenly feel a warmth upon my arm. It is the King’s hand upon me. My world steady’s and I speak easily. 
    “My people have been persecuted for many a year now and if we are to acclimate to your monarchy we must have a law that punishes any who harm or murder my people.” This is my ultimate request and I am anticipating the final decisive answer to my last request. The king is the first to speak.
    “Lady Bethany, until this request you have asked for very little, allowance of trade and such, but, according to your escorts my kingdom has many people who wish yours harm. What do you suggest I do to enforce this law you have proposed?”
    I pause for a moment. What the King has stated is fact, however, he underestimates my understanding of his people. Yes, the guards themselves may be against it at first, but, most revere the law over their own views. This fact coupled with the behavior of my escorts suggests that simply putting the law in place will greatly diminish this behavior as well as put my people’s lives on the same level as the humans. 
    I speak with conviction evident in my voice and expression. “My King, you underestimate your own people. I know as fact that your people respect you as their King and will follow your laws to the best of their ability. Have you forgotten the very escorts you mentioned? If they had not respected you as their king I would be dead. Also, your loyal knights will do whatever is necessary for your benefit. Please, have faith in those who follow you.” 
    King Arthur smiles and shakes his head, “You are one of a kind Lady Bethany. Only you can see such promise in humanity.” 
    “Not true, your highness.” I hear a voice from the shadows, out steps an old man from the shadow underneath the window behind me. He has a small amount of stubble upon his face and he is holding an old wooden staff. For the most part, however, you wouldn’t notice him if you were to pass him on the road.
    “Who are you?” I reply. 
    “My name is Merlin. But you may recognize me by a different name, Emrys.” I curtsy deeply. 
    “Your eminence.” I say, reverently. Arthur peers at Emrys.
    “What do you want Merlin? Are you here to advise me on this subject or to just speak nonsense?” 
    “Nonsense.” He replies, “But I can settle for advice.” Emrys begins to speak to the king as though they are old friends. Which I suppose they are. “Your majesty if I may, what she says is truth. Your people have great admiration for you as well as respect. As such this law will be taken very seriously by the majority of the people within this kingdom.” 
    Arthur sighs and I smile. With this he agrees to write out a formal decree and execute this law immediately.