Case of the missing broom 11

IV
King Argos stood at the archway of the teleporter. He had used an official announcement to let the Royal Army know he was entering the palace. That is the custom for anyone teleporting to Diamondmoon's Royal Palace on business with the Supreme King. However, that also meant he had to go through the usual formal greetings and salutations due to him as the King of Neptune II. It also meant that he had to endure the two longest minutes of his life explaining his business here and being escorted to the Supreme King.
After the formal announcements were over with, it was finally time to see Alex. King Argos was escorted through a long narrow corridor from the teleporting room to a large waiting room just outside Alex's throne room. The room was brightly lit by a row of tall windows that let in the sunlight. There were two richly decorated sofas to his right and some other equally decorated chairs to the side of each window. The room was meant for visitors to wait in comfort but he didn't feel like waiting anymore. Alex would not make him wait. He was sure of that.
Just as he finished the thought, the big thick doors of the throne room opened wide. An announcer came from the inside and held the door open. "His Majesty, King Alexander!" The announcer cried out. Almost at the same time, Alex came out followed by a white-haired young male with a pleasant smile. King Alex made a small bow to King Argos.
"It's great to see you my friend."
King Argos bowed back," Likewise, albeit unpleasant circumstances."
The Supreme King gave him a distressed smile. "Lets figure this out shall we."
King Argos smiled at his friend, "I thank you for your help." He paused, looking back at the young male accompanying Alex, "It's great to see you too Arquimitris." He finished.
The cyborg bowed deeply and replied, "It's an honor to be in your presence."
"Arquimitris will assist us too." King Alex said, smiling. "I figured he would be of help."

Case of the Missing Broom 10

"But uncle, wouldn't it be better and faster if you just apologized?"
"It would be, except that I broke his mop last week, and the cleaning-bots the week before, and dirtied his audience chamber and teared down a column, and stepped on his tunic which made him fall in a puddle."
"Wow. He had it rough this month didn't he?" Kaz looked at the King wide-eyed.
"That's why I have to fix this for him Kaz! You got to help!"
"Now, how do I do that?" Prince Kaz said, crossing his arms.
"I was hoping you could tell me that..." The King replied, looking down.
"Look, both of you," Prince Terry interrupted, "we should go see uncle Verchau now."
"But, I already tried that, Terry." The King looked at Terry hesitantly.
"I know uncle, but with Kaz and me it might be possible for uncle Verchau to fix the broom faster!"
King Julian started rubbing his chin. "Well, I guess we could try asking again."
Kaz sighed, "right! I'll help you; Terry, uncle lets go to Mercury II." The princes began to retreat.
"Wait!" The King raised his hand stopping the advancing princes. "Verchau isn't in his planet right now."
"What do you mean uncle?" Terry asked. "Didn't you talk to him today; where is he at?"
"He's at Neptune II hand-delivering a big order to Argos; that's why I found him so quickly this morning!"
Kaz's mouth dropped open, "you mean to tell me we have to fix this broom right at the home of the one person we don't want to find out?!"
"And how do we convince King Verchau to drop his job supervising the cargo to come fix a broom that shouldn't have broken?!" Prince Terry criet out in panic.
King Julian stood tall, arms relaxed to his sides, "I know this is a lot of unnecessary trouble for you two, but it isn't something new to you. Of that, I'm sure."
Terry and Kaz looked at each other.
The King continued, tightening his fists, "with you three working, Verchau will definitely figure something out. He will have the broom fixed by tonight! He will help me, I know he will!"
The King stood proud, looking at them with an unwavering gaze. The princes were reminded of King Julian's status. He could make rocks fight for him if he talked to them, the princes thought.

Kaz sighed again, "alright, we will figure it out when we get there. The main thing is to make sure uncle Argos doesn't find out we are there with his broom."
"Yes! That's the spirit, Kaz!" King Julian said, giving the prince a pat on his back.
"Don't worry brother," Terry added, "father already took care of that."
"Huh? What did he do?" Kaz was puzzled.
Terry snickered, "seems like Arquimitris caught a cold."
"Arquimitris can't get a cold!...I didn't design him that way."

Case of The Missing Broom 9

"Well, you see..." King Julian paused for a moment and started rubbing his bearded chin. "You heard of Argos' new broom?"
"The RX3000? of course; he is very proud of his broom after all. The RX3000 is a five-in-one ultra high-powered cleaning mechanism in a sleek design and light weight material, King Verchau's new prototype! So what about it? Why did you mentioned it uncle?"
"I broke it."
"Haha! You broke it...wait, hah?!!" Prince Kaz's jaw dropped.
Prince Terry had been giving his brother a bewildered stare then, he finally asked. "Kaz did you really know all that about that broom or are you repeating what King Argos said to you?"
"Forget that! What do you mean the RX3000 is broken? How did Uncle Argos react?"
"He doesn't know yet. Uncle, here, is trying to fix it before he finds out."
"That's where my two dear nephews come in." King Julian smiled and placed his hands on Kaz's and Terry's shoulders. Kaz moved away from him.
"Hold on a minute! We refer to all the kings as uncles whether we are related by blood or not. But, when you uncle Julian, refer to us as nephews you are about to ask us something crazy." Prince Kaz paused and thought for a moment, "...uncle? You can't mean for me to fix the RX3000!"
King Julian gave Kaz a pleading look. His brown eyes captured the surrounding light and released it back in a shimmering display; like a pool reflecting the sun. His lower lip came forward a little and slanted downwards.
Kaz was now staring at his own reflection on those expectant eyes. "No! No! No! don't give me your puppy eye attack!" The prince tried turning away, but the king held his gaze, "Argh! No, Darn it!" The prince sighed, "fine! I surrender!"
King Julian smiled, very pleased with himself.

Case of the Missing Broom 8

Prince Terry looked at the King straight in the eye, "uncle, I still think you should let uncle Argos know about the broom."
"I know that would be right, but I already broke his mop, the cleaning robots, dirtied his audience chamber and teared down one of the garden columns! I just don't know how to tell him I also broke his broom."
The Prince gave a heavy sigh as he looked down in resignation. "Alright, lets get on with it..."

Prince Terry brought both his hands in front of him and made a triangle with his thumbs and index fingers. King Julian stood facing the Prince, directly in front of him. The Prince's blue eyes brightened and became white for a second while he used his eco-location spell to find his twin brother. Once set, the triangle formed by his hands became glossy, like a soap bubble, then bright like a shiny lamp. The light grew, absorbing King Julian making him glow and disappear then the Prince followed. In a moment, The King and Prince found themselves in an open area of space. There was an espectators moun a few yards behind them to their left. Immense evergreens could be seen disappear in the distance behind the gradual slope of the snow-covered earth. The air was crisp and refreshing at the same time. Some people were going up the trail with snowboards on their arms. It was the snowboarding course route. They had arrived at Blue Mountain.

A male was approaching fast, coming down from the top of the mountain on his snowboard. It was a young male about 6.5 ft. tall and slender built. His black hair up in a short ponytail; his pale skin was flushed from the cold. The young male changed his route upon seeing a white haired version of himself staring at him ready to pounce. He stopped his snowboard in front of the Prince and King, trowing snow at their feet.
"Hey Terry, what took you little brother?"
A small vein popped on Prince Terry's forehead. "You could have waited for me, you..."
"But Terry, I told you I'll be leaving earlier today. You were engrossed on taking your notes, remember? By the way, how did that experiment go?"
"Huh? you told me you were coming here? When I was taking notes?"
"Yeah. You said you will be coming right after me."
"....."
"Terry, you don't remember do you?"
"....."
"You got too carried away with your research again didn't you? Bet you let something explode in father's study again!"
"....."
"Haha! No way! Again?!"
"Shut up! You do it too!" Prince Terry cleared his throat, "besides right now there is something more important to talk about."
King Julian Interrupted, "that's right Kaz, I need your assistance."
"What is it? For you to come find me here?" Prince Kaz looked from the King to his brother, waiting for an answer.

Case of the missing broom 7

III
"Say what?!" Prince Terry yelled in frustation, "What do you mean Kaz is already up in the mountain?"

The sentinel standing at the front door to Prince Kaz's room, gave a step back not too sure what to make of Prince Terry's reaction.  It was perfectly normal for Prince Kaz to leave very early in the morning, sometimes not even letting his guards know.  He often left through the window as well.  Today at least he let the door sentinels know he had gone up to snow-surf.

"Prince Kaz said he would be going to Blue Mountain and catch the first morning snow with his snowboard."

"That cheating little...Argh! He makes me so angry!" Prince Terry closed his fists and brought them up in front of him.  His gaze intense on both of them.  "He was supposed to wait for me." The Prince closed his eyes in anger, "Why I ought to..."

"Terry, focus" King Julian placed his hand on the Prince's shoulder.  "Come on, we are going to Blue Mountain."

"Alright, lets head out.  We don't have much time so I'll just teleport us there."  The Prince stopped for a second as if remembering something.  "We should put on warmer clothing before leaving."  The Prince started walking down the hall to his own room to change his attire and gestured the King to do the same.

A little while later, both the King and Prince had put on warmer clothing.  Prince Terry was wrapping a scarf around his neck and noticed the King was doing the same.  King Julian looked imposing in a long black tunic that reached to his knees.  A small glimpse of his white woolen pants could be seen between his tunic and the tall brown boots he was wearing.  His deep-red scarf contrasted beautifully with the big golden buttons on his tunic and on the sides of his boots.  It also made his short dusty-brown hair seem a shade lighter.  

King Julian's dark tanned skin and brown eyes made a great contrast against the Prince's soft ivory skin.  And, although slightly taller than his father, Prince Terry was nowhere near reaching King Julian's height.   

"I'm glad the tunic fits you so well uncle." The Prince had ordered clothes be made available for King Julian and almost instantly the servant had returned with the clothes.

"You can trust your father to be ready for anything, so it doesn't surprise me if he has a whole wardrobe ready for me at any minute."  King Julian smiled jokingly.  His warm smile shining between his mustache and faint beard. "I think we are ready now, lets go Terry."

Case of the missing broom 6

With a swift motion, King Alex got up and walked up next to Prince Terry.

"Terry, take Julian with you and find Kaz.  Try to find a way to fix the broom together.  Meanwhile I'll try to entertain Argos and buy you guys some time." The King looked up towards the ceiling and called out, "Arquimitris, materialize! I will need your help."

I have now to regain a physical body. Excuse me one second...

"Yes sir, how may I be of assistance?"

"Arquimitris, you are to accompany me once Argos arrives.  I need you to have a constant update of Julian and Terry's position."

"I understand.  I shall begin now."

"Good! also, I have to make sure to stay clear of Terry and Julian while they fix the broom.  We need a form of signal for you to warn me if we are getting close." The king gave me a cat-like devilish grin, "that's why, Arquimitris; I need you to get a cold."

"Huh?...a cold?" my reply came out a little louder than what I meant it to be.

"Wait dad," the Prince interrupted, "...can machines get colds?"

II

King Argos sat back down on his chair.  He had just finished talking with King Alex.  After he is done with the morning reports he will head over to Diamondmoon and there is no force that can stop him from doing so! To think that someone had the nerve to steal from him! That person will pay... although, he has to admit he is having fun with this.  After all, it is a good chance to go play around with Alex.  The king of Diamondmoon obviously doesn't know what to make of Argos since the Neptunian king enjoys picking on him so much.  But, it's just that Alex is so easy to tease and it is clear as day that Alex admires his friend's beauty.  Then again, everyone admires Argos' beauty.

The King got up from his desk and looked at himself in the mirror to the right of the office's door.  It was a full-bodied mirror with a thick gold frame and precious jewels of various sizes stuck at different angles of the frame.  The big mirror had been placed there so he could check, as he did now, to make sure he looked presentable before leaving his study.  Although there was not much need to check himself.  He looked good on anything he put on or didn't put on.  In fact, he had been told it was a shame he didn't walk around naked.  He is not about to do that though.  In the back of his mind he thought it was a good thing he was the king, otherwise he might have actually been ordered to go without!

The male reflected in the mirror was gorgeous indeed.  The king wore a long-sleeved   pale lilac jacket that reached only to the upper part of his torso.  The end of the sleeves and the edges of his jacket were embroidered with gold tread and countless small jewels of different colors.  His long matching shalvar pants and unbuttoned jacket gave a generous view of his glorious body.  His pale ivory skin always had a soft pinkish glow.  His toned and muscled body  has never  been bulgy or excessive.  His shiny black hair shone hues of turquoise and lilac in the reflecting light. 

Since he was a baby, his hair has been silky and straight except for the tips that curled up defiantly.  As if that wasn't enough, the stubborn swatches of hair divided themselves into three sections at each side of his head and then merged back up on the back of his neck.  Surprisingly enough, even those unyielding, unbreakable curls were silky soft and shiny.  The king loved his peculiar hair.  He liked the way the curls defied the otherwise straight line of his hair.  That he thought, was a good thing.

The King has always been spoiled and polished to be an image of perfection.  All his subjects adored him and almost down-right venerated his beauty.  It was because of that, that everything was provided for him.  His subjects loved him too much to let him do any sort of menial job as they called it.  It is that prohibition that led his rebel soul to an obsession over cleaning.  His purplish eyes were shining with delight at the thought of his upcoming encounter with Alex.  The Supreme King was the only person who truly didn't mind about his affinity for cleaning.   That's why Alex is one of his most important friends.  However, he is not about to tell him so.  It is simply too much fun teasing him.

Once his inspection of himself was completed, King Argos stepped out of his study en route to his morning meetings.  It would be an hour before he is able to go to Diamondmoon. 

 

case of the missing broom 5

"What's going on here?" It was Prince Terry's voice that broke the silence.

"I can see it now, King Julian W. Granthinthon, ruler of Jupiter II, deceased.  Cause of death: murdered for the breaking then stealing of a most special broom."  King Julian sunk to his knees, his gaze lost on the floor.

"Don't say that Julian; I'm sure if we explain to Argos what happened, he will understand." King Alex came over to where the other king lay on the floor. "He is a good friend. He will forgive you Julian."

"I'm sure he would if I hadn't broken his mop last week or the cleaning-bots the week before, or accidentally dirtied his audience chamber." King Julian brought both his hands up to his face.

I can understand why King Julian is acting so dramatic over the broom accident.  King Argos is very proud as a king.  His honor is most important to him.  There is no one that has challenged it and gone unpunished.  If King Argos believes this incident to be an intrusion to his honor, there is no telling what he will do.  But, anyways...even the cleaning robots were broken by King Julian?!

King Alex gave a hopeful smiled to his friend, "Julian I'm sure there is a way to fix this without getting Argos terribly upset." He knelt down next to King Julian.

King Alex is by far the shortest of the 2 kings. At 6.3" he looks puny right next to King Julian.  However, it is remarkable that a short male like King Alex has as much power as he does.  

He is the shortest of all the Liodon kings and his built, although muscular, is not heavy.  Most of the time he acts lay-back and a little silly but there is no doubt in anybody's mind about 

his great intellect and cunning strategies. It is no coincidence that his sons are so smart. However, In my opinion, it is the King's pure heart rather than his absolute capability that 

make everybody follow him as the Supreme King of the Liodons.

"Okay. Julian this is what we are going to do for now..."