Legends of Varlaurea: The Dragon Emperor 7 THE MONSTER OF KAO REN LAKE 6

They return to Qualoh at twilight with the news of victory. The city exploded with joy, a wave of cheering rush through every corner of the streets when they heard the news of the first victory against the monster. Taosih Tsun, his mage team and the whole crew of the "Young Wind" has been hail as heroes of this victory. A celebration has been issued, all the taverns in town will empty their stock to night. An hour later, every street in the city has been lit up with colourful lantern, the air fill with laughter and songs. At Lord Buh Huy castle, a feast is being held for all those who participated in the battle. The castle glowing with warm light from thousands of lanterns, the court musicians fill the space with joyous and cheerful song. In the great hall where the feast for the generals and ship captains are, two row of big cyclical red lantern, each tall as a man chest hung on the castle's ceiling. Cast their warm light all over the attendance. Silk carpets with intricate weaving pattern hung on the walls. Two row of tables with red silk tablecloth lined up along the hall, each table for one person filled with delectable food and exquisite wine from lord Buh Huy personal stock. At the table at the head of the hall, Emperor Lam stands up with a silver goblet in hand.

"My lords, my generals and my captains. This feast is for yours all, I, Suk Lam emperor of the Varlann Empire thank you all for your service to the crown. Today is a joyful day as we celebrate the first victory against the monster that has terrorized our people, but be vigilance, for our work is never ending." Emperor Lam said.

"And now, a toast. For the prosperity of the empire and the people who live in it!" Emperor Lam raises his goblet

"For the empire!" The attendees shouted

As everyone in the hall rises their goblet and drink, a wine servant silently approaching the emperor's table and charging in, dagger in hand the servant yell

"BLOOD FOR THE GODS!!!"

His dagger's tip aims at Emperor Lam's chest. Immediately a Brocade Cloak Guard stand near Emperor Lam reacted, he throws himself between the assassin and Emperor Lam, and took the entire blade to his chest, the brave guard die instantly. Other Brocade Cloak Guards quickly surrounded the assassin. To their surprise, the guards struggling to apprehend the assassin, his strength is greater than his skinny look. The assassin punched a guard fly several lias through the hall, knocked him unconscious, it's took four guards to restrained him. The assassin is a man in his mid-forty, with a buzz cut and a clean shaved long face, his eyes are baggy with dark circles like he has not sleep for a long time.

"Your Imperial Majesty! Are you alright?" Lord Buh Huy rushed to Emperor Lam side

"I'm fine." Emperor Lam said.

"Fool of an emperor, do you have any idea what you have done? Do yours all know what have yours done???" The assassin yelled.

"Hold your filthy tongue still. Who do you work for? Who told you to assassinate His Imperial Majesty?" Lord Buh Huy demanded.

"Please wait, Your Majesty, father." A voice came from the crowd

A young man approaching the assassin and stare at his face. He is lord Min the eldest son of Lord Buh Huy.

"You know him Min?" Lord Buh Huy asked

"Yes, father, I recognized him. He is the cultist leader that escaped my raid on their cult rally several months ago." Lord Min answered

"Are you sure?" Emperor Lam asked

"Absolutely, Your Majesty, even though he has cut his hair and shaved his beard, but I still can recognize that baggy eyes and his voice." Lord Min said.

Came near the cultist leader, Emperor Lam ask

"Who do you work for? Speak and I will so you some mercy."

The cultist leader let out a maniacal laugh, and with a strange grind on his face, he stares at Emperor Lam.

"I work for no one but the gods, your ignorant fool. You doomed us all for your ignorant!!!" He yelled

"Insolence!" Lord Buh Huy slapped him

"You think Quelas'Airuth and the Five want me death?" Emperor Lam surprise at his answered

The cultist leader laughs maniacally again.

"Quelas'Airuth? Hah hah hah… Oh, you pitiful imbeciles… Quelas'Airuth and the Five is nothing but a lie, I talk about the true gods, the old gods of yore." The cultist leader said

"Is that so? And what make you so sure you know they are the true gods." Emperor Lam asked

"Because I have heard their voice, their whisperings. The gods displease for yours ignorant and your worship of false gods. They demand their respect and that monster is the result of that displease. And you… you have wounded it, wounded their agent. You doomed us all, now they will unleash their wrath upon the entire Varlaurea continent for your stupidity." He grinding his teeth as he speaks

"REPEND! REPEND NOW WITH YOURS BLOOD! AND MAYBE THEY SHALL SPARE YOURS PITIFUL SOULS FROM THEIR WRATH!" The cultist leader shouted

"Your Imperial Majesty, this clearly is just the rambling of a delusion mad man, let not wasted your time with him, he must be publicly beheaded immediately to make an example for other." Lord Buh Huy said

"You have heard the voice of the old gods?" Emperor Lam stare silently at the cultist leader for a minute and then smirk. "I think beheaded will be too easy for you."

"Lord Buh Huy, throw him in the dungeon, and let him rot there." Emperor Lam said, then he turns to the crowd "And this assassination never happened, that's an order."

"A… as you will, Your Imperial Majesty." Lord Buh Huy complied

Chapter end