* * *
The irresistible force of a wall of ice hurtling down a mountain may well begin with a tiny wisp of a powdery cloud dancing above a trembling mass of frozen snow. When the thunderous sound of the unstoppable avalanche is finally heard, little remains other than to count the seconds to one’s sealed fate. The most cunning and experienced often fall prey to their own self-confidence, feeling beyond any possible threat as they journey beneath the danger in the shadowy valley far below.
Asotos’ prideful arrogance was deceiving him as he journeyed through that treacherous valley. He refused to look upon his enemy as worthy opponents, but instead belittled his adversaries, accusing them of being weak-minded and dullardly. He trusted in what he believed were his ‘superior abilities and wisdom’, disregarding his enemy as little more than a ‘tethered horse waiting to do its master’s bidding’. Little wispy clouds were shooting up everywhere, but he still played ‘Lord Royale’ aboard his private battleship in the blind seclusion of his own private world.
The lessons of the Prisoner Exchange were wasted on the League of Brothers’ chieftain. He scoffed at his humiliation at the hands of Trisha, placing blame on the witchery of Erithia - Lowenah. All too soon he would see that Lowenah’s little darlings were fast learners and growing rapidly. ‘Alba’ and ‘Merna’ were names unknown to him at the moment, the same as ‘Ishtar’, ‘Sarah’ and ‘Treston’. Paul and Jonathan were little toy puppets delivered to help Mihai wile away her lonely hours of absurdity. He ranted to his lieutenants about it.
“These creatures from the Realms Below are of the most inferior stock – stupid monkey children to serve as amusement for the intellectual and powerful. Only a fool would give these things any more consideration than that. Oh, the folly and indignity of having to see them polluting the very world I created!”
He would show them! In just a few days his armadas were to converge upon the main fleets above MueoPoros, and then… and then! Asotos eased himself back in his chair, musing how he would finalize his sweet revenge on those captives. That little bitch-woman from the Prisoner Exchange…he wondered how loud her screams would be as he examined her clear to her kidneys.
“Let the party begin!” He cried to his guests. “Tonight we celebrate the rape of the dawn!”
-“Yes, my good man, mock the days of little beginnings. Have you forgotten that the greatest warrior begins life as a blind and ignorant babe?”-