The picture is to help you know how the Qlek'urk look like cx

"Oh come on! You know I am the best rider in the kingdom," Vulbogiô boasted as he clutched the two necks of his drükken which he fondly named Nékvu, meaning "child" in his native language. Nêkvu growled playfully, feeling his companion boast about his riding skills.

"Oh silence! You still have yet to claim the title at the Hukrïcuven Festival!" Wulvén cried out gleefully. He was a tall man, who along with Vulbogiô, enjoyed riding and the pleasurable company of women.

When they landed they grabbed the carcass of a cäih and dragged it into the palace before the snow of the night came. It was Vulbogiô father's birthday, in his honor he and his close friend killed the largest cäih in the nearby herd.

"You're late," his father's wife spoke. Her long white hair was piled on her head, showing her long, slender neck. The red and gold embroidered robes complementing the onyx crown on her haughty head.

"Hello to you too stepmother," he seethed through his teeth. He never did get along with his father's wife after she snatched his father away from his mother.

"Oh quiet you," Queen Seglï purred before subtly winking at him. He winced inwardly, he despised that his father's wife was a whore and bedded many men in her bed while the King was away. Nobody knew about except for him and Wulvén who accidentally interrupted a session between her and one of the servants. He wanted to tell his father about the occurrence, however she threatened the lives of his heart broken mother and Wulvén's grandfather. Since then they despised her with all their being.

"We have things to do," Vulbogiô spoke ignoring her presence as he spoke to the servants, "Tell the cook to prepare this for the feast!" he spoke. Four strong men came in lifting the animal onto their shoulders and taking it into the kitchens.

Once they were out of earshot, Wulvén spoke, "I'm sure one day she'll get what she deserves."

A low growl came from his throat, "That shall be soon."

*°*°*°*

"Vulbogiô is that you?" his mother spoke when the door closed behind him. She was in the deserted part of the palace where the Queen had sent her so she wouldn't cause a temptation for the king. His mother was the first queen, and ruled with a kind heart. However when Seglï began seducing his father, which led to her asking for the crown to be placed on her head. The King resisted at first but complied. His mother was forced to stand before the crowd and have her crown removed from her noble head. Humilation was something she did not care about but only for her husband's heart. For years she was his faithful guardian, keeping his heart safe only to be thrown away into the wind.

"Yes mother it's I," he spoke approaching her sleeping quarters. Her once lean and healthy body now laid broken on the bed, cäih furs covering her frail form. Bandages covered her kind eyes, a manifistation of the vow she had made; for twelve years ago she vowed to never look at another man that was not her husband. Her white hair was stewn across the bed in tangles, enticing Vulbogiô to take a brush from her nightstand and gently remove the tangles from her beautiful hair. His mother's fingers played with a talisman that his father had given to her on the eve of their wedding.

"Oh son," she croaked, reaching out for him, "It's your father's birthday today isn't it?"

Vulbogiô placed the brush back and sat next to her bedside taking her cold hand into his, "Of course mother, a great feast is being planned out for him."

He felt her fingers clench around his warm ones, pain written on her visible features, "Son, you must be careful tonight. You must stay sober..."

"Mother," he said with a slight chuckle as he tried to lighten the mood, "I can hold my drink. Quit worrying about me, you should be worried about getting better."

Something flashed across his mother's features, "Just take care, okay?" she murmured softly before reaching towards her bedside table, "When you're alone with the King, I want you to give him this," she said placing a small package wrapped in cloth into his warm hand.

"Yes mother," he spoke reverently, slipping the package into his pocket.

"Now go and get ready, you don't want to be late for your father's party," she said with a playful smile on her lips. If she didn't have her eyes bandaged he would see her beautiful dark eyes twinkling with soft delight.

A soft chuckle rose from him as he turned to leave her quarters but not before hearing her whisper.

"Goodbye my prince."

*****

"His Majesty, King Resptcov!" the guard cried as the king made his grand entrance with Queen Selgï beside him. Vulbogiô walked behind them, wearing a circlet around his head made of black stone. His long white hair was braided in seven long strands the rested on his back. He wore his ceremonial clothes which included a pair of black trousers embroidered with fire-like designs that matched his robe. His father wore royal blue robe and trousers with gold thread and the king's gold crown on his brow. The Queen wore a slim dress that matched the king's, her own white hair piled on her head adorned with white crystals that reflected the light. If Vulbogiô didn't know she truly was, he would have thought her beautiful, but instead she was a serpent who waited patiently to eat her prey. However the gods seem to know her intentions, hence she had yet to give his father a child. Until she gave him a son, Vulbogiô would remain the crown prince.

"My faithful subjects!" the King cried, extending his hands outwards, the crowd cheering raising their fists into the air, "It brings me great joy that you all have come to celebrate the day of my birth. I won't take much of your time so let the festivities begin!" The crowd cheered again, this time raising their drinks into the air. His father genuinely smiled at the Queen, placing a kiss on her venomous lips. Anger and hatred poured from him as he saw the fake facade. Someday his father will find out what type of woman she is.

"Do you want me to dump you in the ice?" a familiar voice said behind him, a hand on his shoulder.

"I need a drink, I can't stand her," he spoke to Wulvén as a female servant passed by with reviū in her hands.

Wulvén laughed, "You need to bed a woman too, I would help you but my new woman is a mighty jealous one."

A low rumble came from his chest after he took a long swig from his drink, "Aye, that I can agree with, I suggest you get rid of her soon."

Wulvén shivered, "You are right about that my friend. She's been trying to compromise me on several occasions."

Vulbogiô felt the warmth of his drink seep into his bones, followed by an unusual sensation that caused him to suddenly feel dizzy. What in the gods is this? he thought. He clutching the side of his head, "I'm going to my rooms, I'm starting to feel ill," he spoke to Wulvén who was watching him curiously.

"My son!" a large hand slapped against his back. He turned around only to come face to face with his father, "Already loose on your feet?" he spoke, a booming laugh coming from his lips,

Vulbogiô looked at him sheepishly, "I think perhaps the drink may have been a tad bit too strong for me tonight," he spoke before fishing out the small package his mother had given to him earlier that day, "Before I forget father, mother sent this to you."

Resptcov took the package from his hands and discreetly tucking it into his robe, "Thank you son," he spoke and looked at him, guilt filling the king's eyes, "Son, just because I'm not with your mother doesn't mean I care for you and her. Your part of my family."

He felt his muscles tense beneath his skin, "It is alright Father, just," he paused, running his hand through his white hair, "Just don't forget about mother, she pins for you."

An internal struggle flashed through the King's features, "I-I do not forget about her," he whispered before walking away, unconsciously patting the place where the package was.

Wolvén lightly patted his shoulder, "Friend, I think it's best you go to bed. You're barely standing on your own two feet."

He nodded, shuffling towards his sleeping quarters in the north end of the castle.

"Hey handsome," a sultry voice said behind him. Through his drunken state, he was able to decipher who the voice belonged to.

"Queen Seglï," he said, her name coming out like a curse from his lips.

"Oh Vulbogiô, no need to be rude," she murmured, swaying her wide hips provocatively, her sharp teeth flashing. Vulbogiô continued to walk but not before Seglï pushed him against the wall, cold lips travelling down his neck.

"Go away," he slurred, trying to push her away but his arms refused to obey.

Her fingers began to remove his robe, exposing his chest, "No darling, tonight I'm taking what I want. You see, that cup you drank from today was laced with poison. You're paralyzed from neck down, you won't move till the sun reaches it's peak tomorrow." Alarm tore through his muddled mind as he was being pushed into an empty room that smelled sickly sweet, his vision suddenly swirling.

A sense of helplessness consumed him, fear of betraying his father settling in his bones. He could not feel what she was doing to him, instead he shut his eyes praying to the gods to end his misery.