The queen looked out of her castle window into the pouring rain. Her gaze penetrated the downpour and the dark clouds and seemed to extend beyond the black mountains on the horizon. It was a gloomy night and a dark shadow enveloped not just her but the castle and the entire city. A shadow that seemed perfectly appropriate, for her king had died only that morning. A mysterious illness that had plagued him for a year had taken his life after finally defeating him. The palace physicians said that he looked peaceful. But she could not bear to look at his dead body. She did not believe them. How could he have been peaceful leaving her behind all alone? How could he have been peaceful knowing that his vast kingdom was now without an heir? And that all his enemies had been awaiting his death to pillage and rape his beloved land. Feelings of guilt for blaming her dead king engulfed her momentarily when she heard the sound of footsteps behind her.
“Your majesty. The vazir is here”
“......Send him in”
“Yes my queen”
The vazir. He was a smart man. Loyal. He would do as she asked him to. She needed his loyalty to remain protected. She needed his loyalty to carry out what needed to be done. The oracle’s advice upon the king’s impending death seemed strange. Yet she knew better than to question the oracle. She hoped the Vazir knew better than to question her. But he would. It was his nature. She turned around in time to see him walk in.
“My condolences your highness.”
“The time for mourning will come Jafar. More pressing matters demand our attention now if we are to avoid a complete annihilation at the hands of our enemies. We need to find a new King.”
“Yes my queen.
Do you wish to name someone now?”
“No. But I do have someone in mind.”
“Who is this person may I inquire my lady?”
“He is man of many virtues and talents. I do not know his name or face or even whether he exists or not, but I am sure he is one who will protect and lead us.”
“My lady, forgive me but how do we find this man if we do not know anything about him?”
“There is a way Jafar. Send your men to all corners of the world. Tell them to seek the man who has run two half marathons till now. This man would have run his first 13.1 miles in 2 hours and 17 minutes. But the second one would take him a time of 2 hours 6 minutes and 58 seconds. And he would have achieved these numbers in the company of two of his comrades. Make sure your men remember these numbers for fate dictates that only he can save us.”
“......My lady, forgive me once again but this hero of yours happen to have at best a pace of 9:12 mins per mile and I doubt if he can be the savior that your highness makes him out...”
“FOOL OF A VAZIR! How dare you question me? Utter one more word of insolence and I will have you beheaded and buried next to my husband!”
“......my apologies your highness. I speak only with the best of intentions for our kingdom. I will send my men out immediately to find this man we need. I will keep you appraised my lady.”
“Make haste Jafar. We do not have much time.”
With the vazir bowing his head and backing away from the room the queen turned back towards the window to look at the rain. She felt as if fate was conspiring against everything that she held dear by subjecting her to such vicissitudes. She knew that she had to hold strong. Yet, she wondered if the oracle could be trusted every single time? She wondered whether or not such a man existed. If he did, where was he? She could only wistfully look at the black mountains for now.
--------------------------
The kingdom is safe for I am the savior!
My two comrades are Golu and Buffy.
Golu and I did the half and Buffy did the full.
Good fun it was.
Some pics here: Richmond Nov 14th
