Bay continues his story of Cubes and Kings: King Loam was desperate to get the water from the mountains of the North. His people were dying of thirst. What Price would King Olar ask of him? The way the dark-eyed King stared at him made Laom very nervous. They were both young men, having just assumed their respective thrones. "You were telling me the price for the water!" Loam Uhrain said as he pushed a shock of thick, blond hair from his eyes. Olar didn't answer and just looked at him even more intently! "I am sorry for staring at you so boldly." Olar answered. Loam Gulped in fear and tried to clear his throat. "What does that have to do with anything?" He asked. "You are so tall, so manly. Your muscles are incredible!" Olar said with a smile. " I expected to meet a lanky youth, instead I meet this rugged man." Loam's heart sank. He didn't like the way this sounded. He was a ladies man, through and through. He didn't want compliments like that from other men, not even a king! "Thank you!" Laom answered politely. His heart pounded and his stomach churned at the thought of the price it appeared this strange dark-haired King was going to make. "I've made you uncomfortable!" Olar said. "I am fascinated with your looks because of your Twin Brother, Lom! Seeing you in front of me like this, it's like he is still alive, but all grown up! He would be so proud of what you've become." "You knew my twin brother, Lom?" Laom asked. He was astonished at this news. "How is that possible? Your uncle took him as a hostage for peace, then savagely murdered him!" Laom's eyes darkened as if he were going to cry. "It was terrible. Like a piece of my soul was ripped from me." "I'm sorry." Olar said. He gently reached out and touched Laom's shoulder. "Your brother was held prisoner with me in a small room in my Uncle's castle. He was my dearest friend. I loved him with all my heart. We kept each other sane with games of pretend by day and at night we huddled under a blanket together, shivering when the fire went out. I truly believe I would have froze to death if he hadn't held on to me so tightly." "He was the greatest person I ever knew!" Laom said. "What happened to him? We only know he was killed!" "Lom overheard the guards talking the night my Uncle ordered my death. When they came in and thrust the sword at me, he jumped in the way and yelled at me to run! I ran and ran down those freezing stone stairs... out into the snowy night. Eventually I found refuge in a monastery where they hid me in the walls." Laom was stunned at this news. "He gave his life for you!" "Yes! That is what I was going to tell you. There is no price for the water. I've already opened the dams! The water is flowing into your pipes and reservoirs right now!" "Thank you!" Laom said, his face beaming with happiness. His people were saved! "No, Thank you. Your Brother saved my life. I think of you as family. I want an age of peace and prosperity for both our kingdoms." Olar said as he looked at his watch. "Now please come outside with me. Another miracle is coming for your people right about now." Elsewhere, in the higher cosmic realms, Savante Tas, Beautiful Queen of the Ancients Ones, screamed in horror and fell from her lavish bed onto the cold floor! She felt a shift in power, massive energy flowing from her realm into the world of men. "A great deal of power flowed away into man's realm! Power lost to me! There must be great peace and love happening there! That cannot be allowed! I must assemble the other powers. We must strike down this happiness! All power must be ours!" To Be Continued A Cadet's Story previous Chapter (NINETEEN): https://www.renderosity.com/rr/mod/gallery/cubes-and-kings-the-price/3042808/CHAPTER TWENTY: A TALE OF CUBES AND KINGS-PART 3-PAYMENT Cadet Mab continues to tell Gamon Halt, The Overlord's right hand, why he believes he will soon be killed by the Overlord. Bay continues telling Mab the story of Cubes and Kings. (This part of the story is told in prose form) *********The StarBracer Saga**************** This saga is about StarBracer, a galactic super-powered hero who fights against the tyranny of Galactic overlord Evan Grell, who rules the Zytron empire with an Iron fist of cruelty. Character profiles: Starbracer-AKA Tryon Khrys: https://www.renderosity.com/rr/mod/gallery/star-bracer/3035729/ https://www.renderosity.com/rr/mod/gallery/tryon-khrys-aka-starbracer/3037259/ Galactic Overlord Evan Grell: https://www.renderosity.com/rr/mod/gallery/private-portrait-of-a-galactic-tyrant/3035861/ Princess Zeltron and rebel leader Finnegan Black: https://www.renderosity.com/rr/mod/gallery/at-the-mercy-of-princess-zeltron/3036502/ Our saga begins with the story of a young, eighteen-year old cadet, Mab Elon, who is abducted from his military academy in the early evening and is to be brought to Overlord Evan Grell. Chapter one: a Cadet's story: https://www.renderosity.com/rr/mod/gallery/a-cadets-story/3037079/ **************thank you for Viewing!************