August is a month for Prompts #19
8/19: Irk
“The strong strive to swing their sword with the power to cut reality asunder,” Alpine Kane said firmly.
“Oh my sir,” said an imp of a man, “That was a simply gorgeous statement. I’ll add it to the book of quotes.”
“Very good,” Alpine quipped, as his footsteps echoed through the hall.
Alpine Kane and his assistant, Soriel, were invited to a luncheon with the Minister of Military Might, Jackson Seven. They marched in synchronized step as they passed by maidens who giggled and gawked at the handsome hero of Mali.
Alpine Kane a local celebrity, known for his heroic feats is and always has been a bachelor. Women from all over Tucy offered themselves to him but he declined like a gentleman and swore his heart to the one who would claim as his wife.
Being called by Jackson Seven was a big deal, it was his first opportunity to pledge his love and request the hand of Jackson’s daughter.
At the end of the hall two tall cherry wood doors with an intricate design etched in them parted. Two figures walked out, one a large man with mountain slopes for shoulders and a talisman armor on.
“Thanks for stopping by Marcos,” Jackson said as he shook the large man’s hand, “Be well. Remember. Always on guard.”
“Always ready sir,” Marcos stated. He saluted Jackson and turned away.
When Marcos saw Alpine Kane’s square jaw, handsome features, and perfectly flipped hair he chuckled and shook his head. Alpine turned his nose up, he was a hero with no allegiance. He was no lap dog of the Universal Tribunal. He was no orphan of the Galva invasions. He was a proud peerless man of Mali, one with the bloodline and lineage to marry anyone he desired.
Soriel was an ant compared to the giants of Marcos and Alpine. He watched Marcos and felt a gurgle in his core. It was as if he was seeing a ghost, who didn’t realize they were dead yet. He gulped and rushed behind Alpine as he entered the doors.
“Welcome Alpine,” said a man wearing a dark purple suit with peacock colored pinstripes. His head was covered by a reflective helmet and his hands with mechanical gloves. He gestured to a chair with his large hands, “Please take a seat.”
“Thank you for the invitation sir,” Alpine said, “It’s an honor to meet you.”
“It is indeed.”
Soriel climbed into a chair beside Alpine, Jackson walked behind his desk unbuttoned his sports coat and sat down.
“Mr. Seven, I have always wanted to say-“
Jackson lifted his hand and Alpine stopped speaking immediately. The man before him was not only the Minister of Military Might on Mali, or Special Agent in Charge of the Orbit Police, he was his hero, his icon, his-
“You’ve been sending correspondence to my daughter,” he wasn’t asking a question. He was making a statement but Alpine began to blubber. Jackson lifted his hand again and silence fell.
“I understand you have an affinity for finding lost things. A knack if you will for completing tasks others have deemed impossible.”
Alpine blushed, “I do my best sir.”
Jackson Seven was silent, the reflective surface of his mask provided Alpine Kane a view of his own stupefied expression as the moment stretched into a minute. Finally, he sighed and pushed away from his desk. He walked over to a cabinet and uncorked a crystal bottle with a clear maroon liquid inside.
He poured himself a drink and returned to his desk. Alpine swallowed instinctively and Soriel quivered in his seat. Jackson Seven was a terrifying individual, his body language was rigid and commanded a certain level of respect. He swished then liquid in his glass and finally spoke.
“My daughter is,” Jackson began and paused, “A treasure. Did you know she has sway?”
Alpine shook his head, “No sir.”
“Most people don’t. Do you know why?”
“No sir.”
“Beauty Invictus,” Jackson said with mirth, “Radiance Unconquerable. That is her sway.”
Alpine sat quiet watching and listening to Jackson. While Soriel scribbled in his pad.
“It makes her nigh-invulnerable to damage and the universe itself bends to make sure she shines like a star. That is why I had an inhibitor placed on her ankle since she was a baby. It is unfair to be so beautiful. It is unfair to be so... perfect. That is why I’ve taught her to fight, and to struggle, and to work for everything she owns. Blood, sweat, tears, and hard work is what I instilled in her. Her beauty could make her life simple, easy even, but what kind of father would I be if I allowed that?”
Alpine didn’t know what to say or where the conversation was going. He sat in silence and waited for Jackson to make his point.
“I’d be a terrible father. Easy street isn’t a life for a Seven. My family has always toiled over the land and worked for what we’ve earned. I am here today because of those values instilled in me as a child. My daughter will have those values ingrained in her being. She will teach her children and so on and so forth.”
Jackson continued to swirl the drink in the glass, however it never spilled, not a single drop.
“I expect the same of the man who wishes to have my daughters hand in marriage. No one marries a Seven unless they have earned it. So, if your wish is to court my daughter there is a task you must complete.”
Jackson pressed a button on his desk and a compartment opened. A book rose from inside and Alpine leaned closer to see the title. It was hard to read because the book seemed to be written in a different language.
“Have you ever heard of El Dorado?” Jackson asked.
Soriel looked up from his pad and over at Alpine. He knew Alpine had no idea what El Dorado was. He knew well that Alpine Kane frowned upon scholars and intellectuals. Sor palmed his face and shook his head.
“Of course I have sir,” he lied.
Jackson chuckled, “Good, then you're familiar with the myths surrounding it. No one has seen or been to El Dorado in over six centuries. It's mentioned in just about every story and yet no one believes it exists.”
“I believe it exists sir,” Alpine declared, he felt a sudden rush of energy and excitement and jumped up, “I’ll prove it exists sir.”
Jackson didn’t budge, his rigid movements didn’t soften. He turned his head to Soriel and asked, “Do you believe him?”
Soriel wasn’t expecting to be acknowledged, he began to stammer and stumble over his words but eventually managed, “Alpine Kane can do anything sir.”
Jackson nodded and turned back to Alpine. The reflection of his own face made him want to sit down and he did. Jackson smirked underneath and said, “If you are up for the task, I’ll provide you with the details and equipment you need. No expense is too great.”
Alpine Kane stood up erect and saluted Jackson as Marcos had previously, “Sir I greatly appreciate this opportunity I won’t let you down.”
Jackson handed him the book and said, “Read this and return when you are done.”
Alpine took the book and began to thank Jackson for his time. Soriel followed him as he bowed out of the room. The door shut behind him and Jackson groaned. He pressed a button on the side of his mask and it opened.
He took a sip of his drink and a chime announced the arrival of his assistant. He turned to see a short woman with a bob and a dress that matched his suit.
“How’d it go?”
“Just splendid my love, the irksome Alpine Kane will most likely die before he finds El Dorado and I’m okay with that. One less hand reaching for my daughter's hand in marriage.”
“Very good sir,” his assistant said, “Mrs. Sophia-Quinn Matthews is here to see you sir.”
“Very well, send her in my love. I’d love to hear what she plans to offer in exchange for Jack’s hand in marriage.”
Will Alpine Kane survive his quest? Will he acquire what’s needed to claim the hand of Jack Seven? Find out in Mine Imagination: Flight of the Hummingbirds debut novel by T. M. Ashley. Available soon.
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Stay Tuned…
Mine Imagination: Flight of the Hummingbirds
By: T. M. Ashley
M.I Flight of the Hummingbirds is the debut by T. M. Ashley, which features a six century old mastermind that was banished from space and time and is now free to do as he pleases and find his way home. Read the Prologue here:
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