In the land of Kralaide there exists Gods and humans. The God's thought themselves as master's and thus they thought that humans were their slaves. In the year 423, there was the biggest war known throughout the history of Kralaide.

The remaining free humans were practically surrounded into the King's Kingdom of Conrella, leaving only 100 000 remaining humans for the final fight for their freedom. A fight against immortals, and that they had more strength, gave the remaining human soldiers doubts…Nearly all of them were waiting for their impending deaths.

Before the war started, a lone God came before the King of that time, Maximus, and proposed her idea to win the war.

Her name was Mahnu, who becomes known as 'The Betrayer of the God's and the Savior of Mankind'.

With the help of King Maximus, his royal guards and prophets, she went forward with her plan to entrap her own kind.

The war was won, now known as 'The Siege', and the God's were sealed inside a chest, in which Mahnu wasn't. It was her believe that the chest is where she was supposed to be and pondered many times over why she hadn’t been sealed as well.

A short time after The Siege, Mahnu took what contained the God's, now known as 'The Chest of the God's', and hid it by herself, taking many years, as to not have history repeat itself.

We now travel to the present year of 1618, were there is no change to Mahnu's features, yet, inside her was a raging mess. Mahnu was created to be able to hear thoughts of those close by and hear and feel the suffering of the people of Kralaide.

With this, her betrayal and herself hatred, Mahnu had lost her speech and had already tried everything she could think of to end her existence, but nothing had worked…She now is determined to spend the rest of eternity walking the land of Kralaide alone…

In the year 1618, the King was Richard Demetri Alexander Johnson, Blood of King Maximus, 'Whom fought for Mankind's Freedom'. Throughout the ages though, The Siege had been totally forgotten, leaving very few that knew the title of King Maximus.

King Richard was now 25 but was already known as a mature ruler that has ideas to help the people of Kralaide, so that it could become a more peaceful and prosperous land.

His marriage to his Queen had taken place two years beforehand, and an heir was born the year after. He was also gaining the loyalty of his governors, who helped him rule the land in different respectful areas.

It was this year that he came across Mahnu for the second time, not even knowing that she had helped to give him this life of the present.

The land of Kralaide consisted of nine towns that were all connected by dirt roads, except one. In the middle of the land was the capital, Conrella, popular for the royal lineage and there was nothing that you could not find there.

Most of the rice was transported from the south east, the wheat and grain were from the north, most of the rare and common herbs came from the south west and meat came from the north east. A great library, the biggest in Kralaide, was also in Conrella, which had many people go there to either teach or to study.

With trade being brought to the capital, it was also giving the outside towns more money to help with their own population. Without the aid of trade to the west and east towns, the King implemented to help them by sending resources to them, to help prevent against starvation and sickness.

All types of lands surrounded the busy districts of the capital and to get to any of them from Conrella was a week's ride of horseback.

Having a river going through from the north-east town of Brackan, through Conrella and then down to the south-east town of Bena, made the animals and rice bountiful.

East of the river was the town of Nowell, which was surrounded by marsh land and has no connected road to the capital. This was a main reason used that others did not enter the small town, and in return, this made Nowell a solitary place.

The north town of Cental was dry with some small hills, where as the south west town of Dragvie, largely consisted of desert.

To the north west was a lush green forest, which was perfect for the secret town of Havlish.

The south town of Harval was of green land that the children ventured out into happily and the west town of Anddin, was a rocky mountain range that was quite windy.

***

It was on the north skirt of the Rocky Mountains, that Mahnu was currently. Wind blew through her hair as she looked out to the horizon, the sun was setting far to the east.

The land before her looked as it did all the other times that she had come to this high place, even though that had occurred over a thousand years.

It looked...Peaceful...But Mahnu could feel the sufferings of the humans as she closed her eyes. Some were hungry, some were scared, some where in desperation and some were really unhappy…

…No matter the era, humans have the talent to get themselves into trouble…

Mahnu was thinking about the unchanging ways of humans, as there was still poverty, still skirmishes and still greed.

Why did I save them? She asked herself again.

Did they deserve to be saved, when they can't even help themselves? There are no God's now, and they are still suffering, I just want the voices and feelings in my head to go away. If they went away, then I could sleep. Sleep like a bear and go into hibernation, where even thousands of years will pass by and I do not awaken.

Then, if I had to wake, would I wake with a different perspective? Would I want to smile at the humans? Mahnu sighed to knowing that her ‘talent’ of feeling the suffering of the people wouldn’t disappear, even if she slept for a thousand years…Yet, she could not help but ask these questions…

She already knew the obvious that asking questions leads to wanting answers, and asking the same questions repeatedly, changed absolutely nothing!

Breathing in and closing her eyes, she tried to focus and get rid of some urgent need to clear her head, so that she could...Could what?

Eternity was a long time, she thought, opening her eyes. All the hunger she felt was because of them, all the thirst was because of them, all the physical abuse and fear.

Mahnu had thought many times, wondering if she had done the right thing of choosing the humans over her own kind. Because if all the humans had disappeared, she wouldn't feel this way.

But, she knew that the God's were abusing and killing the humans, so how could she have not betrayed and saved the humans, when she feels what they feel? It was like a trap that she had been in since her creation. That with the ‘talent’ that she has, she had no choice but to go against her own superior kind…

Mahnu

sighed, what she hadn't thought of back then, at the time of The Siege, was

that the suffering would continue afterwards…And so did she in return...

Nonetheless, it was done...There was no turning back...And she wasn't going to kill all the humans to make herself feel better. She may have attacked humans, but it was through defence and she had never killed anyone before, she wasn't going to start now...She knew that if she had killed someone, then she would suffer because their loved ones would suffer. It was…A lose-lose situation…

...Why...Why am I stuck like this?

What does it matter? She resigned, she had already travelled further down the path of questions before. It was time to stop and help without thinking! Don't think about anything anymore. Nothing!

Her selfish desire is to eliminate the cries for help, to put an end to the suffering, even though the war is long past over and even forgotten. Since her plan had been made…What is there to question? Yet…Questions always spring up in her mind, whether she likes it or not…It was just another type of lose-lose situation, which seems to be what her life is based on…

Yes, she thought, it's time to move on...Again.

Mahnu wonders which place is suffering the most, to know where to travel to next. She decides to head north, as she already knows about the secret town of Havlish and the King's Loyal Royal Knights. The assassination attempts upon the King, she finds, is the most crucial matter now, as she wanted this King to continue his reign. He was looking after the west and east towns more as, she knew, that they suffered the most. The previous King looked after the north and south towns more so, which in her opinion they hadn't needed it! So, her point of view, was that without the King of today, the more of the people and land would suffer. It was more of a long-term type of mission, even though she knew there were a quite a few other important matters as well. But, not only was she

already close to Havlish, but if she doesn’t act now, then the King’s life may be forfeit. Again, if she travels north to save the king and someone dies elsewhere due to hunger, it is something that she can’t help…It was…A lose-lose situation…

There was already an assassin hiding in wait for the King's arrival, and going there will be one step closer into stopping the sufferings…Would eternal sleep then be closer?

It was a selfish desire, she thought, as she set off to the north.

For what she was good at, in her long existence, she endured on, with her denial and torment.

***

In the north flourishing town of Cental, the governor was Gregory and he wanted the throne, as Mahnu had heard it. He was in his secret hideout, in a cave amongst the many hills, looking at his assassins. He was telling them that if

the others don't succeed in killing the King in the north west, they are to try when the King returns.

It wasn’t like he knew about the secret town of Havlish, nor understood exactly why the King was going to the northwest…But that was all irrelevant. The life he wanted to take was going that way, so that is where he sent his men!

Gregory leaves for his relatively large estate, which had a big house, on a big hill, overlooking the town that he was very proud of.

Cental was the second most popular town in Kralaide, but never able to compete with the capital Conrella. Knowing that he wasn’t able to be as popular as the capital, instead, Gregory had investigated and obtained many people to be in his town. Bought off, or schemed against, Gregory had many assassins and people who would help him achieve his ultimate goal of power. The only thing that he couldn’t seem to possess, was that of doctor’s…For some reason, doctor’s where unobtainable.

Upon entering into his house, servants bowed and showed him respect, making Gregory hold his head up higher in satisfaction…

Gregory's brother, Zachary, was the governor of the north-eastern town of Brackan and he had come to visit.

Gregory greeted his younger brother in annoyance and in reply Zachary snidely remarked of taking his beautiful town away from him one day while he was gone.

After a short silence, Zachary tells him that he was going into the capital to confer to His Majesty and to trade, and wonders if he'll met the governor of the south-eastern town of Bena.

"That fox always has a plan up his sleeve!" Zachary said in relation to his secret enemy and the past ploys.

Zachary was unsure if any other town or governor had seen what the fox does, as it is done discretely. Buying and selling treasures, profiting a large sum of money. Even some people had gone missing from the town of Bena, and that of his own town of Brackan…

"I just wished I cared more for other things, besides the seat with power!" Gregory said, smirking at his brother.

He looks so old, Zachary thought, older than his fifty years.

It was Zachary's opinion that his older brother didn't look at all trustworthy and shook his head to Gregory still being a governor.

Zachary thought he made a wasted journey…He let out a sigh, us brothers have never been close, and it looks like we will never be.

Their past included that of his eldest brother being doted upon so often, that he ended up wanting everything…And himself, Zachary, grew up seeing this and only able to have so much, yet wanting to find a way on his own, where he will be recognized for what he’s achieved. Their well-off family had given him enough to be able to learn to become a governor, just like his eldest brother, but he still felt like he needed to do more to be seen…

Thinking of his own strong army, he wanted to set that fox down south back into order for the King but is having trouble! It has come to a point where a skirmish may not be prevented, and he knew that the King would not look upon that very well. But…The fox down south…If only he could find evidence of the traitorous things he has done. Yet, just like his brother, he was unable to find anything concrete and crucial at all…Because if he did find something small, and went to make it known, suddenly it would either disappear or someone would be killed…So, whatever evidence he finds now, it has to be something big!

He looked at his selfish, greedy brother and wondered, even though his thoughts just now were ill of him, if he could get his help in any way…What was happening in Bracken, was something different and he needed advice. There was something rising up amongst the people, that Zachary hadn't kept an eye on and now he feels overrun and even unable to lead his own town!

It was even quite embarrassing, he thought, as he put his head in his hands. He already had enough problems!

Yet, somehow, now all his other problems didn’t seem to be as important as this one, but, he was stomped on how to deal with it…As it was, it didn’t make any sense, it didn’t seem to have an explanation…So, how was he going to ask for help when he wasn’t even sure of what the problem was in the first place!

Zachary sighed in frustrated, I'm a governor, I must take control!

He left his brother's estate for the week-long journey south to the capital.

***

Mahnu had reached her destination and went to find a safe high place to watch, as she rarely showed herself to others. She looked out at the horizon, from the high vantage point of one of the trees in the lush forest and listened silently to the cries of the suffering humans as she waited for the King and the planned attack. She could hear him coming, as he sees more of his loyal guards who met up with him close by.

Strangely, the leader of the Loyal Royal Knights, Marcus, wasn't there. She had yet to see him in person but as it was, she spent very little time with the humans, especially the royals.

Through other's thoughts, Mahnu could know what the King looked like. He seemed mature looking, with a small clean-cut beard and athletic build. His clothes were obviously that of a grander scale than that of a commoner, but he didn’t look as majestic as she thought he would, as she had seen other Kings look. Looking at his short pony tail, and his shoes being more ordinary, Mahnu finally understood that he wasn’t in a King’s attire, but more of a noble’s. Through other’s thoughts, she realized that he was undercover…Yet…He even looked somewhat familiar.

Surprising her, he sees her as she is looking out over the horizon. She had only been looking at him through other’s eyes till now but seeing herself through his eyes, made her feel strange. That strange that she felt like she should get away…But, her position really hadn’t been that revealing and for a moment, she wondered how he had found her so easily!

Getting up, to go down from the tree, so she could get away, she finally remembers that they had met once before…

Their first meeting was in the year of 1613, when King Richard was 20, and he was leading a small amount of men to the west. She was there discreetly but had come out of hiding to help him unload food, cook and feed the hungry people of Anddin. Back then, it had been the first time that the King had despatched trade goods to Anddin and he participated in giving what he had brought out to the people.

It hadn’t been just food that could be stored, but that of materials to make clothes, blankets and medicinal equipment. There were a variety of books and even a few men that would stay, like that of a teacher and blacksmith. Of course, this being the first goods sent, the next lot would not have these people included.

Mahnu had liked his way of helping, it had been better than her carting grain, wheat or rice all by herself, not to mention hunting. This, also, was mostly done in the dark, as not to be seen. The travel time that she could spend by helping the people of one town, could potentially outweigh staying in the actual town. Which sometimes made time go by quickly, leaving that town even years later.

She could potentially spend months in just travelling from one town to another, bringing back goods all by herself. Normally she would walk to the other town, but then have a carriage bring the goods back to the town, making the trip back a lot quicker…

Money was not really an issue for Mahnu, she had gained it throughout the ages easily and didn’t spend it on anything for herself. Since she travelled from one town to another, she had hidden a stash in each of them, retrieving what she would need and then again hiding the rest.

Having gotten money, from when saving the humans, had really lasted a long while, but since she had helped a number of people that would give her money with their thanks, even though she had told them that she hadn’t needed it, her stashes had only slowly dwindled over time instead of disappearing completely.

Of course, currency had slightly changed since she had received a lump sum from the King back at the time of The Siege, but a couple hundred years ago, Mahnu was able to double what she had, by selling the old currency for the new.

And now, she buys what she needs for other people, hoping that this effort will bring her closer to eternal sleep…Well, if that reason didn’t work, then she then asked herself what she would spend her money on anyway. She really had no desire for anything, except that of sleep, so why keep it to herself when she can help the sufferings in her head a bit more instead.

Honestly speaking, Mahnu was one of the richest people on Kralaide, but she was also one of the poorest in the way of having assets. She owned no other things, even that of clothes, as when she does change attires, she gives away what she had been wearing prior to the new clothes. She had once owned a building that she had let orphans stay in, but through a disagreement and people seeing how well that place had been built and where, they had tried to scheme it away from the owner. So, instead of fighting for the place, Mahnu had given it away to someone else and did not bother to repeat that situation again…

As it was, she had hardly been around the humans for centuries, not only did she feel that she had to be alone, but she also had no want to be close to another human…She…Had done that before…And so, she often just helps from the shadows, wanting the seclusion and distance that she gives herself.

But, that time at Anddin, she took the chance to be seen by others and tried her best to act as they did, even though she refused to speak to them.

She didn't hate the humans...She just didn't want to like them. She was sure it would mean a double betrayal if she becomes friends with them. And as it was, she had enough troubles already when it came to her own kind and her

betrayal…It was one reason that she had wanted to end her existence…

So...She had scurried to and fro to human homes, that were against the mountains, making sure everyone had their share of what the King had brought for them.

The King had noticed that she did not say a word and for some reason that seemed to have irritated him. And before he could have a conversation with her, she had already disappeared. He had asked about her in the village, hearing that she comes to help but no one had known her name.

His annoyance helped him forget her, until now. The past was coming back to him as well, as he saw her face.

Yes, King Richard also thought, we've met before…

Back to the present, the King goes to catch up and stop her, after she gets down from the tree. She hadn't changed at all and he wonders if she's even real, as he was sure she was the same person!

He became a little bit confused...

Her age still looks to be from sixteen to twenty, as it had five years ago! Her figure was totally covered with raggedy, dirty clothes and her hair was flowing free and very beautiful. She even had dirt under her finger nails and knots in

her black, beautiful hair!

Her sad looking eyes were captivating to him, making him feel like he could become lost within their depths!

He wondered why he thought such a dirty looking woman was beautiful, seeing even dirt on her face!

King Richard shock his head, bemused with his newly founded taste in women, as he normally didn’t particularly have a taste at all. He had no time for women when he had to look after the whole land of Kralaide…Even his Queen didn’t appeal to him that much. He had done what was expected of him, by having children, but had not that desperate need to fulfil a desire like other men would talk about…

The King's knights that were guarding him were worried, as she knew because she could hear their thoughts about her potentially exposing the secret town of Havlish, or, if she were from Havlish, she shouldn’t know of the reason why they were there when the women mostly looked after the families instead of fighting. They intervened, telling her that he is the King, in hope that she would venture elsewhere in respect. She heard that they didn’t care about

revelling the identity of the King, because this place was safe and since she looked as she did, they were sure that she would leave anyway…

She decides to do as asked and disappear, preferring to watch from a far, so she distracted them with a harmless smoke bomb and left. She was glad that she got away as they didn't trust her anyway.

Ironic, she thought, they are probably related to the Loyal Royal Knights that had helped me in the past!

But, it seemed to have become difficult for her to hide close by…As someone was able to find her easily!

Yes, King Richard later saw her high in a tree and he was absolutely determined to hold a conversation with her!

I must try and get her to talk! He mused to himself.

He just had a feeling that she could talk but didn't, not quite understanding why he felt that way.

King Richard smiled. A fun task indeed, he thought, and started to climb up the tree.

The King may have been active in his life, as he liked to keep fit and know a certain amount of strategies to defend himself, but, normally he would not go to the extends of climbing a tree…

Mahnu found it somewhat strange that he, again, found her hiding place.

Normally, even if people did see where I was, she thought, they had never chased after me!

He started yelling up at her, asking questions about the weather and if it was warm. And to his astonishment, she continued to completely ignore him!

He hated to admit that her ignoring him, hurt his pride!

Ignoring a King? He smirked, liking how much guts she had to act this way towards him. It was…Refreshing!

He continued talking and climbing with such enjoyment that the guards were wondering if she has become somewhat of a toy to the King but that sounded so unrealistic. They had never seen the King have any kind of toy that he would chase after so completely…Unless you call Kralaide a toy, as that was where the King’s attention obviously always seemed to be…

They were very confused with the way the King was acting…

Is he...A complete idiot? Mahnu asked herself as she saw that he hadn't given up.

He was getting closer now and Mahnu started to panic. Seeing herself so much through one person’s thoughts and sight was not something she was used too! She was a nobody! Yet, here he was eyeing her so much it was nearly uncomfortable!

Looking down, she wondered how he could watch her so much when climbing at the same time…But, to her interest, it was like he would memorize where his next step would be, only having to look at the branches briefly before moving himself up further towards her…

Why can't he stop and leave me alone! Was this a game to him? She wondered.

Just before getting to the top, he was grumbling about his hands hurting because of the bark, so she took that moment to jump down. It was her attempt at keeping a distance, telling him through her actions that she was not someone to get close to.

I don’t want…People…

She watched him get angry and suddenly wanted to laugh as he stayed in the same spot looking down at her, his eyes burning into hers. Mahnu felt satisfied that he had lost to her but at the same time she was impressed that a majestic King had climbed so high up a tree!