Star King Chronicles

The young boy did not need much to convince the guards in the cells to let him speak to the high-class prisoners; after all, he was the one who defeated them both.

When Jossel heard the quite cheerful voice, he was confused on why there was a young boy? Or perhaps a young girl outside of the cell.

Was this child sent to mock him? No, it was to help him? He also smelled food as well, and he heard sloshing of drinks. 

Jossel sadly could not see out of his cell as it was a small room-sized area that had light only from patches of glowing moss by the sides. 

The door was essentially just a carving of the wall that was bound by Alchemy and could be unbound from the outside with a specific action that he believed was by undoing an arcane sigil on the wall.

Inside, he was still chained up, his wrists and ankles bound in shackles that were connected to chains, allowing him some movement but no true freedom.

They at least left him with some clothes and the knowledge that his men were still alive upstairs. This was enough for Jossel to at least live with.

That was until his cell door suddenly opened and revealed Nasiah carrying a cart of food and drinks of various assortment.

"Good Morning, Knight Argon!" The boy brought out two chairs, placing one by the knight's back as he sat on his own.

The cart had a few plates of pork, beef, chicken, some bread, and potatoes. There was a pitcher of wine, of water, and one with sugar cane juice.

Nasiah laid them neatly on the cart, creating a makeshift table for them both. The young boy then gestured towards the chair, and with that, Jossel finally sat down, a small, curious smile on his face.

"What brings you here, child? Who are you?" He was amused, was this their idea of a joke? Sending a child who looks so young and innocent to feed him?

Nasiah tilted his head. "To bring you food and drink, of course. Since there was a party last night. And me? I'm Nasiah, your future king. Although you referred to me as the 'Hyena of Nahar.'"

Jossel could not believe his eyes. This had to be a trick, a lie. This young child without a care in the world defeated him? Yet that voice of his was unmistakable. It was that same cheery tone that he used in their fight. 

"You? You are the Hyena? What kind of joke is this? How can you be the Hyena? You are a child."

Nasiah gave him a wide smile and nod. "I am! And I am also the future king of this world. Here, if you don't believe me." 

He raised his hand and tugged at the strings in the air, creating a miniature explosion similar to what he used against Jossel.

It was all the proof he needed. There would be no other reason to send such a talented child to him. This was the real deal; the Hyena of Nahar that decimated his troops and brought him to his knees was a cute, wide-eyed boy who thought himself to be king.

"So... why are you here then? What business do you have with me?" He was shaken, but he must not show weakness, especially not in front of his greatest enemy yet.

"I have a few questions for you if I may ask."

Jossel raised his eyebrows. "Why should I answer any of your questions? I am your prisoner, but I am not obligated under any oath to provide you with a response." 

What would this man ask from him? The plans of House Yuseff? The whereabouts of the Prince? Any future plans? It did not matter; he would ensure that anything he could do, no torture, and if the people of Nahar would go that far, no seduction would be enough to get the answers out of him.

"Well, you don't need to answer them at all. It's just a neat little meet and greet. One of my first questions would be, why am I called a hyena and not a lion?"

Jossel blinked. That was a question that he seriously asked? Out of everything he could have gone for, it was that? Well, there was no harm at all in telling him the truth.

"You stalk our troops and strike at the most opportune moments. We would have called you the wolf, but that title was already taken by Forcas."

Nasiah nodded along. "Hmm, I see. Well, hyenas are wonderful, just like every animal. I would have preferred a lion due to their status as a king."

Jossel had no idea how to respond to that. He was waiting for any other questions; surely, they would not be as strange as the last.

"Why did you become a knight?" Nasiah tilted his head in wonder. He could tell that Jossel was a man of honor, pride, and dignity. 

He simply just wanted to know if there was more to it than that, as he needed to get closer to all of his subjects after all.

Jossel narrowed his eyes even more. What was this boy playing at? "Why do you wish to know such a personal matter?" 

"Because you will soon be my knight, and I wish to understand those that shall serve me."

It was at that declaration that Jossel let out a small laugh. He leaned his head against the walls of his cell. 

"You talked about that a lot. Are you the king of this region? I thought it was the Marquis Forenus who ruled these lands."

Nasiah nodded. "He does; I'm the future king of everything, though. That's why I think it's best to prepare."

Jossel scoffed. "The future king? What nonsense. There is only one true ruler of this world right now, and that is Queen Verichiel."

Nasiah rocked his head back and forth. "Oh? Well, you speak so fondly of her; did you become a knight to serve her?"

He needed to return the question back to its original roots. But it's not so bad; he will get to learn of the Queen, too. 

The prisoner looked away. "I became a knight to serve my prince in House Yuseff, Prince David Yuseff."

Nasiah's eyes widened as he recognized that name. It was the name of his mother, Myrym's husband.