Folmensis: The Moon's Deception

CHAPTER 1: OLYMPUS

A dimly dawn met the glistening eyes of Queen Rhea as she rested, tired but had a crafty pose on her bed. The room was filled with silk curtains hanging on the huge four-postered bed where the queen laid. The room looked so glamorous and fitted for a real monarch and yet her eyes were gloomy as Rhea opened her them fresh from the short but meaningful sleep last night. She glanced around the room as if finding something. And at the moment she stood up and moved a little on her bed wearing the alluring night gown and rested her head on the bed’s sideboard, a woman with a laced maroon beret on her head and wearing a smile on her face entered the room with the king looking so much delightful on the arrival of a new life. Rhea moved excitedly and tried to get out of the bed.

“Not too fast, Rhea, don’t be so eager. Remember you have just given birth,” said the king as he sat beside her, “But then I love spoiling it up, she’s a girl, Rhea, a very beautiful girl.”

A small drop of tear was seen on Rhea’s face as the midwife handed her the baby wrapped in a beige linen cloth. The king nodded at the midwife asking her to leave the room. Queen Rhea was caressing and cuddling the baby as she smiled at her.

“What shall be her name, Rhea?” the king asked her.

“I have thought of this name for a long time and I just can’t believe that I would be giving this to our newborn baby. I will call her Mnemosyne.” The king smiled at her and gave her a kiss.

“The next days will surely be bright and blessed for us and for all the citizens of Olympus. A new life means a new beginning!”And the sun started to show up its beauty.

***

You might be thinking, dear reader, why you read words as “king” and “queen” and those old-fashioned stuff like the four-postered bed like that of the beds of the monarchs in the old kingdoms. Yes, they are, and so we are within one. Welcome to the Kingdom of Olympus. To give you a background, Olympus lies on the north of a mystical world called Folmensia which is divided into kingdoms, each of which has its own unique character. The kingdom of Olympus is not your ordinary kingdom as beneath its past lies a mystery. Unlike any other mystical worlds, you might say dear reader, Olympus is a kingdom where magic is non-existing. Those who live in Olympus called the Olympians do not possess any kind of sorcery nor magic. However, they do not desire for it. For them, magic would just cause your destruction or your downfall. For them, magic wipes out challenge and thrill in your life. For them, magic is just an add-on, a taste of a more comfortable life in their world. The Olympians always have valued conduct and proper ethics although there are still some who continue to practice wickedness. The kingdoms in Folmensia live in distinct ways, each has a different way of living as well as a dissimilar leadership. Many kings have reigned the Olympians, and it is very interesting to note that most of them were worthy ones and fortunately only a few did not fit to rule Olympus. King Cronus, Cronus Maximilian Theseus, is the current ruler of Olympus. Being a very deserving king, he is favoured by his people, because why wouldn’t he? Cronus is a kind and loving king for he always prioritizes the welfare and the benefit of the Olympians. But despite all these kings, nobody, even the queen, can ever dig up his outmost personality. He is known as the enigmatic king for he conceals his innermost personality never ever known to Olympus. His family background remains sealed and locked, except that the kingdom knows that he’s got a brother that lives not within the castle grounds but in a placed ignored by many people.

Now that the fourth child is born, what would be the destiny of the kingdom? Oh yes, you heard it right, yes they are four.

***

It was the month of September, few days after the birth of the newborn child, the whole citizen of Olympus gathered within the castle walls particularly at the Great Hal. Well actually not the whole but most of the citizens. Yes, that would be a more appropriate term. “Most of the citizens” because the castle cannot accommodate the huge population of the Olympians. Going back to the story, the Great Hall was filled with people some wearing grand cloths but some did not bother to do that as they only wore the usual dress they wear in their daily life – men wearing light-coloured cotton shirts with a small V-cut on the neck part and a woollen outer garment some used to wrap around their shirt, and a pair of slacks. Women, especially those of the social class called the commoners, wore a beret-like headdress usually made of linen matched with a dress just like that of the Medieval Age in the human world. Curtains were raised in purpose showing the evening sky and the bright full moon.

From beside a window where the dark sky is seen, a woman spoke to another woman friendly (probably they are close friends but I think not because they differ on their dresses – one was wearing a noble’s dress and the other wore the opposite kind – anyway), “How wonderful to look at the full moon, Fortuna, isn’t it?”

The other woman looked puzzled and astounded on what the noble had said, “What did you say? Full Moon?” The nobly woman nodded, smiling, “I didn’t really understand.”

Just as soon as the poorly looking woman said the word “didn’t”, her smile turned into a frown and realized that she said something wrong, “Oh I’m sorry, that’s a foreign word – a word of the Humans. It’s because my son is studying their words and he used to utter those words to me, I’m sorry,” she said the word Humans in a whisper, “That really means the Folmensis.”

“Oh I see, so you mean to say the Folmensis, oh yeah, no doubt about that. The Folmensis really is good luck for me. You see, every time the Fomensis comes out I really receive a good profit in my selling goods, really.” And they finally left the place where they were standing as they heard the call of the king.

The Folmensis, or the full moon, was really a good sign for the Olympians. You noticed something, dear reader? Oh, the name of their world, oh yes, Folmensia, Folmensis, Folmensia, Folmensis. Well in fact, the name of their world rooted from the term “Folmensis” which is an old belief that a Folmensis in every month is a good luck to the Folmensians (a general term for the citizens of Folmensia) especially to the Olympians. The belief, as well as the name, still originated from the early inhabitants on Folmensia which, every full moon, good things always have prevailed and dominated the kingdoms. Those things were commonly in a form where there is good harvest, reconciliation between rivals and family feuds, justice for those who are oppressed, or an age of fruitful years in families. That is the reason why most gatherings, banquets, and special occasions were held whenever there would be a Folmensis. And now for Cronus and Rhea, the Folmensis brought them a really excellent gift – the birth of Mnemosyne.

All were now settled at four long tables situated at the Great Hall lined vertically facing another huge but a grander table intended for the king, his consort, his family and the royal subjects. Foods were now served hot and fresh by the castle helpers as spoons and forks as well as glasses clanged and chimed – truly a sign of jubilance and excitement. What was very noticeable was that the foods and the dishes being served were different and new to the eyes of an ordinary person. There was a beef steak cut in somewhat a shape of a crescent moon and poured with (anyway, it’s –mouth-watering) a golden sauce which they call as “Aurica”, whatever it is. There was also a food that looks like a chicken but not, just a counterpart of it, which seem to be a different kind of a bird-animal slaughtered and eaten like how to eat a roasted chicken. They call it as (oh not another weird name), “Türken” /tyurken/. Now let us listen to what the king’s saying in front of a rostrum shaped like an eagle with its head protruding at the centre facing the audience and the pulpit’s platform resembled the body and the wings of the eagle. And he began to speak wearing the golden crown in front of the crowd.

He cleared his throat which caught the attention of some who were still chatting, and his voice echoed the hall, “Today, my dear citizens, we all gather here for a very special occasion. We all gathered here with the emergence of the Folmensis in the month of September which we call the ‘Fruit Folmensia’. And yes there is a fruit,” he glanced back for a second at Rhea holding Mnemosyne wrapped in a fuchsia cloth sitting at the table behind him. Along with Queen Rhea were her other children namely Iapetus, the first born aged 7, the beautiful and bright girl Coeusia aged 5, and the third child aged 3 named Themis. The king and queen’s family, aside from the members of the court were present except for one man who left a seat unoccupied, Cronus’ brother Hades.

“And there is a fruit, a fruit that has been the product of our everlasting love, Cronus and Rhea’s love. And we are here in front of you, dear citizens, to present to you our fourth child, Mnemosyne,” Rhea, together with the three children, went beside Cronus as she carried Mnemosyne in front of the crowd. Applauses, shouts, and cheers followed as a sign of overwhelming happiness and joy.

“We gratefully present to you our daughter, Mnemosyne!” King Cronus spoke and raised the baby girl up for the people to see the cute little baby girl. More and more cheers covered the Great Hall as they clapped and stood up to give due respect and hail the king.
“Long live the King and Queen, and their family! Long live Olympus!”
“Thank you so much,” the queen uttered under her breath tears of joy turned up on her delightful face watching the cheering crowd. On the other hand, Cronus was not that glad and exultant although a smile could be seen on his face. From time to time, he took a glance at the window as if expecting somebody to arrive.

***

The people who attended the evening gathering were gradually fading off as night continued to fall. Every person who met either the king or the queen congratulated them or if not, greeted them with warmth, as they passed by them. Night has finally shown its true form along with the hoots of the owls and other nocturnal creatures roaming around the palace grounds. Well except for the luminous moon which evidently displayed its brightness in the middle of the wide vast dark sky. But the day was not yet finished with the king and queen, although it’s already an hour before midnight according to the huge hourglass located on one of the towering towers of the castle. While the four children were now quietly resting and snoring inside their room, Cronus and Rhea were walking along the staircases from the hallway which was filled with fascinating paintings and sculptures of prominent Olympians, just like the huge painting which showed a warrior riding some kind of a horse but with a single horn above, oh yah, a unicorn. The very masculine and well-built warrior was named Perseus who defeated the leader of terrifying invading tribes called the Monstrogoths (monstrous creatures) in 347 F.Y. (Folmensian Year).
King Cronus and Queen Rhea were followed by two young and silly knights and two peons (or slaves). They walk so briskly as if running and chasing somebody. Cronus was a bit ahead of the group and his wife was trying to catch up, almost running while holding on the lower part of her suit.

“Quickly, we’ve got no more time,” Cronus agitatedly said in almost a shout, “We’ve only got a few minutes and –“Rhea signalled the knights and the two peons to stop for a while, and went in front of Cronus. He halted as they went pass the final archway leaving the courtyard.
Rhea asked him, “Cronus, you look so worried. Is there something bothering you to troubling you? Tell me if you have any problem.” He just looked down and said nothing which added sadness to Rhea’s face. A wind blew past them.

“Cronus, I know that you’re a kind of person who hides what he feels and does not release the outburst of your emotion. You are reticent and also secretive, I know that, Cronus. But you look so worried. Please, Cronus, for goodness’ sake, could you tell me what the matter is?”

“Rhea, it’s nothing, er... nothing’s bothering me,” Cronus said, still with his head bowed, “Let’s go no, we’re late for the council meeting. Let’s go.” The knights and Cronus’ peon (because Rhea also has her own) went past Rhea and followed the king. The queen stood for a moment watching her husband as he entered the doorway.

“Cronus,” she uttered to herself and went on.

***

From the Great Hall, let us now traverse to a circular room walled with blue-green wallpaper and the windows were made from a highly standard glass. This circular room was intended for important meetings and conferences such as council meetings. There was a chandelier lighted with magnificent candles on the ceiling which lighted the round table positioned at the centre of the room. Seated around the table were ten people known as the Olympian Council (the other two were standing near the window). The Olympian Council is composed of twelve members who are elected every four years; in other words, a council member may only serve for a least four terms.

Seating wearily around the table, the council were having something like an informal chit-chat while waiting for the monarchs to arrive. It was already past eleven and most of them were closing their eyes deliberately, soon to be asleep. A man named Notharcus spectacled by half-moon-shaped glasses was reading a book to enjoy himself in the middle of a quiet and boring surrounding but then he could not prevent closing his tired eyes momentarily while reading. Most of them were sleepy and were just trying to wake themselves up by moving their limbs or stretching from time to time. Well except for the two persons who were in a middle of a serious conversation not far from the council and their voices could be heard.

“Osiris, for goodness sake, stop it,” said the lady with a blonde hair to the man beside her. In the tone of her voice, she seemed very annoyed and exasperated maybe about something that the man has told her. She walked away from the window and sat at the table placing her hands full o golden jewelleries on her temples. The man followed her and halted at the back of her seat.

“Why don’t you want to believe me, Cytherea,” Osiris said, “I am just telling you the truth.
"When I went into the inn last night, I met a man and a lady and told me that there is a prophecy for the kingdom of Olympus, our kingdom. Isn’t that believable, Cytherea?”

“And what makes it believable? Most prophecies are lies, they’re only guesses, theories without any factual basis, especially when it came from a Casterian which makes them even more ridiculous!”

“It’s true, prophecies are real, and I can prove it, I can, I can, I can!” Osiris insisted.
One of the council interfered their conversation mainly because he wanted to escape drowsiness,
“Osiris, you know, yes Casterians do possess magical powers but look, their thinking are different that ours. They believe in magic and we don’t. Their lives are dependent on prophecies and divinations, nonsense things, and we don’t, we each live distinct lives and therefore nobody from other kingdoms influences us.”

Osiris was stunned on what he said and for a few seconds he did not respond. Cytherea waited for an answer but nothing came so she just spoke, “See? If ever there is a prophecy, we Olympians should never ever believe at those and prophecies are – “ The deep tone of her voice suddenly came into a halt as they heard the turning of the door knob. The king entered the room and the council made a sudden reaction as soon as they saw him. Osiris, previously standing at the back of Cytherea’s seat rapidly sat on the vacant chair, some jumped onto their seats and arranged their dresses, Codrus who had been asleep for several minutes stood abruptly and wiped something out of his face. The king cleared his throat and sat at one portion of the table, the chair with the highest backboard. The two nights together with Cronus’ peon stood behind him as he opened some scrolls put on the table in front of him.

The king started to speak, “Good evening, my dear council, I’m sorry I hadn’t been on time because,” the king sighed, “of some reasons.”

Cytherea spoke with her deep and lively tone, “Your majesty, where’s the queen. I can see that she’s not present. Is there something wrong?” The council turned their faces at Cronus who answered back,

“Don’t worry, Cytherea, she’ll be coming very soon. Oh there she is!” The king’s seat was facing the door that was why whoever entered the door would be seen by Cronus. The councilall turned their backs at the queen coming in. Rhea, after nodding and smiling at the council as a greeting, sat beside the king. Finally, at the middle of the midnight sky, they can begin.

“Well now that the queen is here, we better start the meeting,” the king announced, “The meeting we are going to conduct we all know is with regards with...anyone from the council?”
One of them named Ascanius raised his hands and answered, “Regarding the event next month, Your Excellency.”

“Correct,” one of the councils drowsily closed his eyes and the king stared at him, “Do not worry councils, this won’t take so long as it is already midnight. So for us to not waste a second, let me make a short statement.“ He cleared his throat once again.

“It is very known to us that on this coming month, the month of October and the “Harvest Folmensis” we would be celebrating the month of good harvest. This has been a tradition, a ritual of the Olympians. This celebration aims to give honour to whoever who can produce the biggest crop harvested this year among all Olympians. We also know that each year, we make this as grand, extensive and as splendid as possible. Our ancestors had tried their best to commemorate this special event and so to as. I have read that there was even a king who awarded half of the golds the kingdom had to the person who has got the largest crop.” The council was nodding in agreement.

“Oh I know all about those,” Aristophanes, the wisest among them spoke, “But my dear king, did you mention King Felidon for you want us to emulate him?”

“Of course not, Aristophanes, I just want you to laugh even a bit because you all look so pale and sleepy. That King Felidon ended up on – “

“...being overthrown by the Olympians!” Cronus and Aristophanes said at the same time and the council laughed.

“Insanity, craziness,” the queen said mockingly.

After seconds of chuckling and cackling, the king started to ask the council questions in which they suggested what the concept of the event would be; the place where it would be held and other things connected to this one. The council actively participated in the meeting, some injecting funny adlibs and humorous statement to spice up the conference, although these situations, the being active of the council during sessions like this seldom happened. It was really the time of the Folmensis.

And finally after an hour of various discussions, arguments, suggestions, proposals, and even side-comments, they have finally come up with the final decision. First, they have agreed upon the day when the upcoming event will be held and, as usual, on the day of the Folmensis which was often predicted by best astronomers of Folmensia. Second, they have agreed upon on the place where it will be held which underwent into several disagreements and suggestions (One even suggested for it to be held at the Great Tundra located on the coldest depths of Folmensia). And the final outcome: along the coast of the Sea of Meromia. When Aristophanes suggested this place, Cronus’ feelings rose up and agreed fully on this one despite counterarguments of some who said that the Sea of Meromia is resided by horrific citizens of Oceanus, its leader and said that they might still be put in peril if ever they hold it here. But the king and the queen’s decision was final and nobody can ever alter what their meaningful pronouncement was.

“Now that we have formulated the concept of the event, you are now free to go. But before leaving, Hermes, I am now ordering you to spread the news to the Olympians. Good evening and thank you for giving us your supposed time for resting. Once again, thanks to all,” the king declared and stood up.

“For a while, King Cronus,” Cytherea interfered, Cronus faced her, “There is something I’ve noticed earlier in the gathering.”

Cronus sat back on his seat and made a face asking what it is. Cytherea went on, “Your Majesty, if you won’t mind, do you know the reason why your brother did not show up in the ceremony? If you wouldn’t mind, Your Majesty.”

Upon hearing her question, Rhea looked at Cronus, also eager whatever the king’s answer will be, but before doing so, Cronus took a sip from the glass of red wine in front of him. The council stared at him enthusiastically despite showing up their sleepy faces. One of them, an old man probably at 70’s and serving the council for ages even moved a bit forward to hear clearly what King Cronus would say.

“Well, maybe, Hades might not have been feeling very well or,” the king was thinking of a reason which made him stop for a second, “Or he must have been very busy taking care of his children.”
He stopped but then the council’s faces looked as if waiting for the king to continue what he was saying. Cronus unsteadily and shakily closed his eyes and made a very deep sigh.

“Cronus,” Rhea said in a low tone.

Opening his eyes and granting their wish on him going on, he continued, “Hades has lost his wife, you see, so he alone is the one who rises up his children both being a mother and a breadwinner aiming to give them a bright future.” From this statement of Cronus, he made another low sigh when he was about to say the words “Hades has lost his wife.”

And the room was now empty except for the presence of the Cronus and Rhea and the calm sound of the wind breeze outside. Cronus hasn’t talked to Rhea and so she was after their small conversation near the courtyard. And at this very moment, it was Rhea who started the asking again as they faced each other.

“Are you hiding something from me, Cronus?

Cronus began to hold her gently on her cheeks; their heads went closer as the brightness of the moon accompanied them, “No, Rhea, I’m not hiding something, I’m not.”
Rhea made a scowl and asked, “Then why, Cronus, why is that you always feel so troubled whenever we talk about Hades, your brother, or even when somebody mentions his name, why?”

“Don’t you trust me, Rhea?”

“It’s not that I don’t trust you anymore but, but I am just hoping that my trust upon you as well as your eternal trust upon me will not ever be detracted, I hope so.” And Rhea let go of her hands from Cronus’ shoulders and left the room, quietly closing the door.
And as the time passed by and the grains fell successively and gracefully out of the narrow part of the hourglass where they are kept and concealed, Cronus was thinking of something deep within his thoughts while he stares at the full moon dominating the dim sky of midnight. And afterwards he uttered a word to himself that as far as I can hear was the word “tomorrow”.