Freeze-Land

Prologue

“Everything is in order Forliek,” Sisinarta hissed excitedly. This was the third time any of her children were trying to destroy Freeze-Land. Of course, the last two tries weren’t very successful. SIsinarta grimaced, remembering them.

They failed embarrassingly, she thought. It’s not a problem, at least I have Forliek, the only child whom I raised was perfect in everything I taught him.

All her children were there—which was quite a big gathering. Including the duplicates of Forliek scrambling all over Sisinarta’s humongous throne room. The loud talking was irking her, but when Forliek didn’t hear her over the noise, she couldn’t take it anymore.

“SILENCE!” Sisinarta growled. Just as she ordered, there was silence. The Morultas immediately made one-hundred sixty-three lines. One-hundred fifty-three lines were of the duplicates of Forliek, the rest were Forlieks’ siblings. There was one Forliek at the very front standing as the leader.

This one looked more tougher, more confident and determined. He had a victorious smile over his face as if he already defeated the Freezians.

Sisinarta smiled back, which took all her effort to do, since she wasn’t fond of kindness.

“Forliek, I have went to the future speakers and they said they saw success in my future. They said they saw an army. If this isn’t clear yet, I believe you will be my success,” Sisinarta said carefully, waiting for his usual evil cackle, and after a thoughtful moment he looked up and gave it.

“Mother, would you mind telling me the prophecy? Maybe it will help me with my mission in Freeze-land,” Forliek said.

Sisinarta closed her eyes to take a moment to remember what the future tellers said.

She opened her eyes and said:

“Some day in the future

That lies very near,

Will you have success that you must keep dear.

Be handled inappropriately or being too stingy,

Will lead to your downfall, a downfall so great.

But if luck is with you, and with you strong,

Only then shall you thrive,

Thrive with your united throng.”

There was a short pause as everyone thought of the prophecy.

“Ah… I understand. But, Mother, the prophecy is a very strong one. It could have many meanings. ‘Being handled inappropriately.’ That line has me a bit puzzled. It could mean the fortune tellers think evil isn’t right, or that being dumb and making wrong moves. What do you think, Mother?”

Sisinarta smiled. “You are the only child that was raised properly in this family. You are the only one who is as evil and as malicious as your father was,” Sisinarta said admiringly, “You even have his abilities. And thoughtful questions. I know the prophecy is talking about making dumb moves. Anymore questions?”

Forliek shook his head. “That was all the information I needed.”

He smiled another victorious smile.

“Are you ready?” Sisinarta asked.

Forliek nodded in the simplest way, as if Sisinarta was asking him if he was ready to go to a casual party.

“Excellent,” Sisinarta whistled loudly. Large rain clouds appeared, fit for about nine soldiers per cloud transportation. There were so many rain clouds, it seemed there might be a couple extras.

Each soldier came onto a cloud. Once nine were on one, the cloud would quickly whisk off to its destination—Freeze-Land. The real Forliek decided to go last on only one in his father’s form—a hawk.

***************************

Havoc wreaked Freeze-Land as each Freezian saw the Forlieks coming one by one.

There were shrieks and yells of fright.

“Who’s that? Never seen them before. One thing for sure, they’re Morultas! Which means they’re an army for Ninstragger’s parents!” Freezians shouted everywhere in Frezon, the official Freeze-Land language. All the Freezians rushed home, doing there best not to bump into each other, but every now and then, a group would be tangled together. They’d quickly unravel and run inside to take cover. Finally, all the Freezians were in their igloos and had a safe view from their windows.

The streets were deserted from the true Freezians and filled with the duplicates of Forliek. The real Forliek finally came with the grand entrance he was expecting. All the duplicates dropped on the ground to kneel. There was a collective gasp from all the Freezians. They didn’t admit it, but they all knew that this time, it was going to be different. I mean, if you saw a hawk man the first time in your life, then you would obviously expect matters to be different.

One small snowflake fairy, Princess Rebecca, was peering through a window in shock. Although the Freezians didn’t realize at first sight, Rebecca had, that this was Forliek.

I must contact Samantha once I get the chance. She must know what is going on! Rebecca thought desperately.

She knew she couldn’t at that very moment since every Morulta that tried to take over always came up to her and did that mushy talk to bring her to their side. Every time she gave the same answer, “I don’t want to come to your side and I never will. No matter how many deals you make with me!” But they always returned. This time though, she was going to make it different.

She rolled her eyes remembering Ninstragger, Cazyn and Calissa trying when it was their time to make her change ways. She felt her mother—Queen Rosetta—lay her hands on Rebecca’s shoulders softly and say, “Remember. Evil is a horrible mischief stay calm and keep your answer no.” Rebecca nodded, keeping her face calm, serious and mature like Queen Rosetta’s. She let go of Rebecca’s shoulders and beckoned her to follow her out of the castle. King Ned—Rebecca’s father—led the way to Forliek, his face was ashen and serious. They quietly flew to Forliek, amid the cheers of the Freezians.

“Forliek, I believe?” King Ned said when he halted a foot away from Forliek and his army.

Forliek beamed. “You recognize me. I’m still the celebrity, aren’t I?” Forliek’s army exploded with laughter, a horrible sound mixed between screeches and yelps, hardly recognizable as a laugh.

Rebecca grimaced and was beginning to feel comfortable behind her parents. If Forliek saw her make fun of him, he’d lock her up for sure.

King Ned rolled his eyes. “I don’t think anyone recognized you, especially in your chicken suit.”

Rebecca held her breath. No one insulted the evil Morultas and got away with it.

“Take him away,” he muttered to one of the three Morultas directly behind him. This was a clear sign he knew King Ned wasn’t going to say “yes” to his useless question, Rebecca thought. She watched the Forliek walk away, holding the King upside-down by his feet. This for some reason humored the army since they started to laugh in unison again. Rebecca rolled her eyes, trying to look tough even though her head started to ache thinking of all the possibilities.

She could say yes, and they would stop bothering her….. No, no, no, no, no! That would be horrible.

She’d betray her people then…..

Forliek had started to talk again.

“Ah… Queen Rosetta, I believe?” Forliek said in a mocking tone. Rosetta nodded curtly, ignoring the laugh of Forliek’s army.

Forliek sighed. Rebecca knew this was coming. She knew their wicked mother was the one who made them rehearse it hundreds time and know it by heart word per word. First they’d sigh then say, “Its a pity. You have no idea how evil will affect you.” Rebecca expected him to say the same, but was surprised to find out he got the different script.