The Kurupi's Curse Chapter 2

Lust for gold I'm told can bring strife into one's life especially when one's cache is beyond obscene Lest we forget the true prize lies within the heart Look into it and you will find the kiss of loves priceless exist 

Eventually, the Chaco's finished the biggest vault to exalt its nation A build unlike any ever seen by human or diety alike Local masons did strike to the eyes delight intricate designs inlay into hand-picked marble stone to be one of a kind it's mold unprecedented for it's time Sublime to the sight golden cornices replete with jewels seated amidst ornate silver plated pillars that would reflect light coming from shafts to illuminate the vault bright as day Nary a shadow did show for they were all castaway

As Chaco's fortune grew to ridiculous proportions mounds of gold covered every transome and dormer twas more than a king's ransom piled into every corner

The Kurupi's seed Taurine happily moved into the vault Seeing as she spent her prior life outside with naught No homes to speak for the centaur's breed it twas only trees they used for cover when the weather it did impede

Lest we not forget to stress this particular steed's lust for gold couldn't be consoled

Greed ran from within her father's line so this shrine to the almighty dime was quite befitting for this equine She tracked every cent ensuring no dents for outgoing expense was too immense and eyed the accounts bottom line

Equipped with her enchanted time spear it was clear this cashier ensured no "souvenirs" disappeared without the King's clear

To find a loyal employ like this wasn't just divine for a secret Taurine kept that at times made her wept She was in love with the King with all of her being

Now Marco was well known for having looks that well... were easy to the eye for many a female couldn't deny Yes he could have his pick from the local tiff but he did insist upon propriety towards his own society so he stayed alone until one he could call his own was shown to his face from the God's good grace

But, Taurine surmised in her own mind how could a diety as ugly as she ever be loved by one of beautiful as he

So she loved Marco from afar and diverted her mind to making use of the excessive gold in the Chaco hold

This equine was capable of divine design in her golden shrine she did entwine rare metals into ornate gold plated mirrors to sell In hopes of raising her status in the Chaco's lattice for skilled craftsmen were held in high esteem on top of their societies cream

Once the town spied her inspired designs and word got around of her derives She was approached by the Gran Chaco's counsel represent to spare no cent and make one for the King on this his upcoming birthday

She was ecstatic to oblige cause now the King might see her in a different light Not just paid might to keep the hold tight but, one that is worthy of love, a hidden dove shoved in monstrous physique that she feared would keep her alone till the day of her final sleep

She hammered away for days at the forge even putting sleeping away Utilizing huge quantities of gold, platinum, and silver so large its scale to no avail it grew five times the Kings own size No deter led her astray from making the most ornate strike ever conceived by the mind of human or diety alike

It looked as if woven in entwined platinum threads with oodles of embedded jewels to brighten the light A gilded eagles nest mounted on top for it was the Chaco's crest at the counsel's behest Then just one more finishing touch to seize the Kings attention and ease any apprehension he may hold toward her score 

She cast her time spear near into its vast center glass activating a past portal in time to cause a paradigm shift into its intricate design If one would wish all they would have to do was to walk through the mirror's frame and time would change to the last person's past

Surely, no King would have such a bejeweled tool to help them rule for time's conscribe eluded all without divine intervene from special beings like our Taurine

She rested on the eve of the tenth day and as slumber started to take her under Taurine dreamed of the King seeing her inner being and allowing love to take its hold to see the watcher of his gold remold into one that can hold a chance to catch his glance and perhaps even embold romance? Such a silly dream we know but it was a scheme from a lonely being that wished for the kind of unconditional love a poet could pen for years to come

On the day of the reveal, the entire town turned out amidst loud shouts to rouse the King's acclaim The dining hall filled to its brim with Chaco kinsmen their celebratory cries echoed off the walls and down alley stalls in celebration of their King

Even delegates from neighboring states all turned out to elate Marco's birthday

As he stepped onto the church steps amidst thunderous applause called all to bear the Chaco King for all to stare

The town's solicitor then did shout "Attention please!" "On this eve of our King's natal day before excess drink leads you all astray." "Let me get your eyes on a surprise we on the town council surmised for our King." "Taurine, please bestow the glass cast."

Taurine stepped out from her stow with her mirror en-tow on a sturdy cart for it was far too heavy for even the strongest diety to depart

Draped with the finest silk that once pulled away the crowd did shout a resounded "Ooooooood!" & "Aaaaaaad!" quite aloud

The diamonds, emeralds, and rubies brightly gleamed in the mid-day sun quite a sight for all to see. Its shine even impaled a blind of light into the crowds' eyes causing strain to see such a replete gift for the Chaco King

Then a burst of energy shot through its vast glass when Marco stepped near and then it appeared Gran Chaco in its distant past well before all their gold amassed The crowd gasped at this might a past world was their sight But, Marco was unphased he barely bore a gaze and thanked the solicitor and counsel for their gift and praise

Taurine was shocked was all this work for naught? Then she thought to herself as she dwelt "Does he know I spent ten days toiling away for his birthday?"

Unbeknownst to none Marco had lying in wait a female to display at Taurine's dismay Clothed in silken gown a figure new in town small in frame came from behind and stood by his side to be dubbed his new alli

Marco removed her veil and shouted aloud over the roar of the crowd

"Chacoans and guests alike I would like you to meet my bride to be Lilly White!" "I introduce you to Gran Chaco's new Queen on this my birthday!" "Let it be known that our wedding will convene on morrow's eve!"

When everyone spied Lilly for the first time interest did climb for their new Queen and away from Taurine

For such a sight was rarity to spy such beauty undecided by human or dieties alike

Her glowing green eyes seem to be filled with starlight

Her Blonde hair soo fair the wind wouldn't dare disturb it

A complexion with no snare causing one to stare for no mark was there just creamy white perfection to bear

Needless to say Taurine was heartbroken for her token of love was overshadowed by Chaco's new dove She knew without further adieu that Lilly's debut would askew Marco's glance to romance. The one that was now holding his hand was to stand as his Queen

This scene was not meant to be for a diety as ugly as she

She cowered back to her hold amidst the gold it was the only love she would know or at least that is what she was sold for her broken heart unconsoled

Taurine's enrage in her cage left her dismayed She refused to be played and felt hate towards the Chaco state No fair shake was allowed for deities such as she Never to be a Queen or allowed on the scene Just stay in your keep till we seek need of your breed or at least a beast to hide away in Northern abide till the day she would die

With the new Queen on the scene, she felt needed to be dealt with to keep her dignity svelte So she dwelt a time spell scheme

Taurine waved her magic spear in the air to steer time within her align asking the divine to quickly age Lilly's heart imparting one hundred years of age to take its toll and embolden her state of scorn unconsoled

 

Of course, a spell of this make wasn't without its take She knew it needed a small portion of her soul to enroll its power A deed she made with little conceive and gladly cast doubts away as she shot its light ray making her exterior immediately decay

Her naivete left her quite dismayed

Her stout brown hair turned to a sable black Never going back to the centaur she was before her hate began to show as she bestow a curse to the heart of one she never really did know

With a blackened exterior decayed with age her enrage couldn't be caged

It was told that this day hate and jealousy did start to grow within Taurine changing her forevermore into Chaco lore as a demon who was keen on seeing any humankind who placed mind on the gold declined

So Marco thereafter was the only one capable to unbind her wrath and get at Chaco's cash

Quite a start to evil indeed to conceive of such begrudge but the smudge on one's soul did take its toll on her unrequited love 

So, with a curse thrust upon the Queen's heart the Chaco's beauty immediately began to fall apart But a secret that was withheld from the crowd was that she was already with child

Yes, a new sire for Marco to acquire was in the works deep in her womb waiting to bloom spun from the Chaco's own loom

Dear Queen Lilly took to bed the night after they were wed instead of giving up she was tough and fought for the life of her unborn child She dialed in her inner power and would not allow her condition to detrition her life through this strife

Marco was unconsoled he would have gladly paroled all of the gold in Chaco's hold if only to save his Queen from this cruel fate as of late

Marco retrieved every doctor, shaman, and machine known to have been to retrieve his Queen back to her former sheen but it was for naught no matter how diligent she fought The night of her child's birth dear Lilly's heart finally gave out

Marco was crushed the woman he loved had succumbed to loss of blood while giving birth to this his tiny little dove.

The wasn't a dry eye in town the beautiful flower they all showered in praise had withered away on this her death day

They all came out to bid their Queen a final goodbye as her body was laid out on a funeral pyre and set to light this solemn night

As the fire got higher the Chaco King looked down on his new sire held tightly in his arms his feeling of forlorn foregone as such a tiny babe nestled in her father's arms A gentle kiss to his infant daughters head and Marco was heard to have said: "I dub thee princess Lilly after your mother Though now in another place I have no doubt she will endow you with her grace."

Graced indeed was she for this little seed grew to be the spitting image of her mother except the color of her hair was mixed betwixt her mother's blonde and father's brown

So a flaxen copy of the deceased Chaco Queen it would seem became the gleam of Marco's eye his pride and joy A Princess to enjoy the Chaco's love this little dove would steal the hearts of her nation The shining pride of this Southern abide

As she grew people would wait in que just to view her glowing green eyes filled with one-thousand nights of starlight the exact same from her mothers derive

None could deny they were the bain of any she peered they would sear a man's soul just to peer at this belle and entrap them into her spell 

Her flaxen hair that to the touch felt as if satin

A complexion with no snare that could make the whitest of doves blush in recognition of her fashion

It was told far and wide that this mold was broken this token of beauty had no compare

The Chaco's cutie did not go unperceived by the Kurupi for he had his eyes on this beauty no deny

This ugly beast wished Princess Lilly to be his Queen in his jungle labyrinthine

After all, he had already given the King his daughter Taurine so he felt it fair trade to portray his request A favor was owed for protection of the gold perhaps if cajoled properly his plea for Lilly would proceed, or at least this is what our beast did perceive

The Kurupi showed before the throne an audience in hopes to own the Chaco's cutie

He bowed before the king and proffered his offer unrelented

Kurupi: "I have a request to get off my chest I have wrest to keep suppressed I want you to bequest Lilly to me since I gave you Taurine

I am quite keen to make her my Queen

Marco: " Ha!" "Ha!" "Ha!" "Surely you jest this request is ridiculous."

Kurupi: "Lest I remind you of the verbal confines in which we aligned twenty years ago to the day." "I clearly stated Taurine's discounted labors and a favor." "A daughter for a daughter seems fair trade to call in my owed aide."

Marco: "A favor is to render temporary aide not to trade my daughter away."

"Taurine is considered an employ of the Chaco domain to keep the gold contained." "To consider her more than just guard at vault door I do not care to know her more."

"Lilly will be mated to her heart's desire." "She will get to choose her spouse but not a louse such as you I would forbid my daughter to even lauder such trappings."

Kurupi: "To begrudge a diety such as me you should be more cautious Marco." "Chaco life can turn to strife when you teeter on the edge of but a knife."

Marco: "That's enough!" "Tis but a bluff from just a scruff" "You are well paid for Taurine's aide" "Be away from my sight with your blasphemous derive Chaco will not sell its people away for others to keep and stay!" 

The Kurupi was pissed and promised to retaliate to the King's berate He went back to his jungle to brood then a shrewd plan he did envision a decision to send the Chaco to war with a violent tribe called the Draco

"A slight as it seems can be soo misconceived when ego controls one's thought flow. Bear in mind how your derive cannot be abide when one's own allies are misaligned."