Leonard shed tears as he watched his father, the oldest king that ever lived in the kingdom, wither away to death's cold hands. He knew very well that his father lived long enough to achieve all he wanted but he still wanted his father alive.
He couldn't beg death so he prepared immediately to send his father to rest in peace. The whole kingdom felt the grief of losing their beloved king who wasn't just a king to them but a close friend. He made sure to have them in good health with lots of amenities to care for them.
They thought they would miss their king so much but Leonard became a better King and provided even more to the people as he had become so wealthy while studying outside the country.
The king and his people lived in harmony and love for a very long time until a sad news got to the king about men disappearing at midnight whenever a cock crows. It happened a good number of times for them to believe that the crow sounds takes away one man from his home.
The people became scared as they didn't know what was wrong, where the men disappear to and who was next, they began to pray and solicit the help of the gods towards their land. Leonard joined in the prayers after seeking answers from the deity messenger.
Midnight became the most dreaded time for the people, they got so worried that most of them stay awake to watch their families in hopes that the crow sound won't take their males away. No matter how conscious they were, a man disappears every third day of the week at midnight.
This continued until a final answer came to the deity messenger who declared to the king "Your Majesty, those men that disappeared are chosen men by your father, the oldest king"
But what are they chosen for and why was I not given the chance to do the selection myself? The king asked.
The old king had revealed to the deity messenger of a war coming upfront and how disorganized the king would be as it was part of the plans of the those coming to war against the land. He had decided to prepare 50 men who would protect the land.
The men chosen were all the men who slept at night with a happy heart to the kingdom, they were fit and ready to fight and win the war. The war was revealed to happen in a week's time and out of nowhere, 50 familiar looking men well armoured and fitted came to the Palace.
Leonard felt so happy that he had the help of his father even though he had died a long time ago. He laid his sceptre on the men's back and promised to bless each of their families better living as they were about to lay down their lives for a great cause.
The war began and ended, the people won but lost 5 of their men who died in loyalty to the land and their King as they were prepared for the worse and they were buried in a grand style. Their families were shown gratitude for all their lives.
The land became peaceful again and Leonard ruled for a more longer time as a great King until old age and gave the throne to his son.
