Heavy is the Head that Wears the Crown

  The story of King Midas gaining the power to turn anything he touched to gold is a cautionary tale that warns of the dangers of human greed. In the end, Midas gives up the power in exchange for his beloved daughter who he accidentally turned to gold.

  On earth the story is rooted in myth, however in this world myth has become common history.

  Maxwell and Rei were lead into a large room decorated with the same golden statues like the ones they’d seen in the hallways.

  “This is just getting creepy, you think any of them can still see or hear us?”

  Maxwell ignored her question but found himself wondering the same thing.

  There were five thrones positioned at the very end of the room. Sitting in the center was a man draped in gold and jewelry. His face was rather feminine and one could mistake him for a woman. He had long golden hair with milky white skin and emerald eyes. He seemed oddly familiar to Maxwell.

  King Midas the Third he’d presumed

  The other thrones were occupied by what Maxwell assumed was the royal family. A young woman with fiery red hair sat at the end with an older woman sitting to her right. A large man with a pig-like face sat gorging himself on a platter of what looked like raw meat. 

  The last member of the family was a petite woman who could be mistaken for a child. She wore large specs with a simple blue dress. Compared to the rest of her family she appeared rather normal and out of place.

  “Presenting the great hero of Arksis, Maximus Luminose.”

  At hearing the announcement all the members of the royal family turned their attention to Maxwell. The only one who hadn’t seemed to notice much less care of his arrival was King Midas.

  The king’s attention seemed to be focused on one of his hands the was incased in some kind of gauntlet.

  “Your majesty?”

  The older woman placed a gentle hand on the king’s shoulder. “Maximus has arrived dear.”

  It took a moment before the king pulled his attention away from his hand and stared directly at Maxwell.

  “My apologies Maximus, please forgive my rudeness. Welcome to Dulciena.”

  “Nothing to forgive your highness.”

  “You’re a long way from Arksis. I heard of your battle in the catacombs. It would seem the rumors of your death were greatly exaggerated.”

  “It would seem so.”

  “As much as it honors me to have you in my kingdom, I must know. Is there a reason for your unannounced visit?”

  The king’s gaze was much sharper than Maxwell had anticipated. What’s the matter your highness? Got something to hide?

  “No reason your majesty, just thought I’d pay a visit to your great kingdom. But I must say, I was surprised to see so much destruction.”

  “Yeah, your guards say that goblin were to blame.”

  The king’s expression turned from hospitable to disgust as he turned his attention to Rei.

  “And who might you be?”

  “You’ll have to forgive me this time your majesty. This is my traveling companion, Rei.”

  The king remained silent for a moment before his hospitable expression returned. “As you said Maximus, there is nothing to forgive. The guards are correct, my kingdom is being terrorized by a horde of goblins.”

  “Goblins?! You can’t be serious. They’re one of the weakest creatures in all of Arion.”

  The disgusted expression returned to the king’s face.

  “Be that as it may, the goblins aren’t like any we’ve seen before. They possess great strength and cunning. I fear that If not for our great hero, my kingdom would have been burned to the ground.”

  “That’s not too far from what it looks like outside” thought Maxwell.

  “Why hasn’t your “great” hero taken care of them already?”

  “Because I’ve been having a devil of a time locating their nest.”

  Maxwell turned around to see an older man with a grizzled face and unkempt beard standing behind him. The man wore no clothes as his body was completely covered in thick brown hair. Could the mythological Sasquatch also be an inhabitant of this world?

  “He was able to sneak up on me” thought Maxwell.

  “Ah, I believe you’re already acquainted with Dulciena‘s great hero, Buros.”

  “That right, Maximus and I go way back. We completed our hero’s training together.”

  “Really? But you’re so old.”

  Maxwell was surprised at how blunt Rei was being. Perhaps it was a mistake bringing her along.

  Buros let out a chuckle. “I like your little companion Maximus, she’s a keeper.”

  “If you like her so much you can have her.”

  Rei gave Maximus a threatening glare which he chose to ignore as Buros gave him a slap on the back.

  “Carful now, I might just take you up on that.”

  “I’m so glad that the two of you are able to rekindle your friendship but may we discuss what you have learned Buros?”

  “Of course your highness. I traveled deep into the forest tracking the scent of one of the goblins from last nights attack. I had hoped the scent would lead me to their nest but I’m afraid I lost the scent just past the falls.”

  “That is rather unfortunate news.”

  “If the goblins nest is located somewhere in the forest, then perhaps it’s best to seek out someone who knows the ins and outs of the forest as a guide.”

  “You know of such a person?”

  “It just so happens that I met a young woman who lives in the forest. It was thanks to her knowledge that me and Rei were able to arrive here in such good time.”

  Maxwell’s suggestion seemed to peek the king’s interest. “And may I ask, what this woman’s name was?”

  “Her name was Elizabeth.”

  The older woman gasped as everyone’s eyes grew wide with shock at hearing Elizabeth’s name.

  The king sat up in his chair and placed a hand on his chin. “So she does live after all.”