As the curtains of night drew upon Meredith, the people remained still in their large numbers under the receding sun, chanting and reciting the same words over and over again. While some parts of the crowd sang songs of war and restraint, the young brave men swarmed towards the royal palace so they could join the war and fight alongside their brothers against the red one.They moved in a long line towards the general's base to swear their loyalty and commit their swords to his command.The general admitted them even though he knew that they were mostly young lads who had no experience in battle. But what to do? Warriors were needed more than wine right now. He remembered his pact with Prince Daerys. If their plan would go on to succeed, he would need enough men to make up for the number of soldiers who would ride away with Daerys to the end of the world. Even though he wondered if the action was really necessary anymore now that the king had returned earlier than expected, he remai
Even all through the nights, the palace was still busy preparing for war. More men came in at every hour, pledging their loyalty to the sword of Meredith. As another morning came slowly, the prince strode around the palace, awaiting the time for the execution of his plan.A group of soldiers gathered at a part of the palace, and they stalled up the bodies of the wild beasts who were killed on the night of the attack. "Burn them!" One of them said. And at the command, two guards came forward speedily with torched steels in their grasps. They moved towards the bodies and made to set them ablaze."Wait!" A voice called from behind. "Your highness!" The men bowed to Prince Daerys as he came towards them. "It is the order of the king to burn these bodies," said the soldier who had commanded the others earlier."I know." The prince sighed, "Pull that one out.""What?" The man stuttered. "Pull him out." The prince repeated, "It is an order."There was no choice for the soldier. He sign
A young warrior found his way past the groups of men who were swearing their swords to the crown against the red king. He was awed by the magnificence of the royal palace.All his life, he had always watched from afar. The beauty, the greatness and the might, all bestowed on the house of Arnold. Now all that was right in front of him.He stared with his eyes in his mouth as he walked the length of the palace. Ahead of him spread the most elegant picture he had ever beheld. The walls shined like diamond, bearing almost no difference to the silver windows. From upclose, it seemed like the height of the palace reached into the deep heavens.These lures of beauty caught him in their trap and led him away from his companions. Slowly, the chants of the soldiers faded into the rustle of the wind. Till he was far away from where he could recognize.Everywhere was as silent as a grave, even the chants of soldiers could not be heard again. The only remaining voice was that of birds as they flap
Cynthy appeared back in Princess Daella's room with the butter tea the princess had requested for earlier.As she laid the flat tray on a table, Daella was seated in front of her mirror, staring at the beauty that belonged to her reflection."What did you hear them say?" She spoke as she watched Cynthy through the mirror."The lords were talking about you." "I know. What did they say?"Cynthy turned around and proceeded to the princess's side. "They say you are in cahoots with the wizard. They even think that you may be his blood and flesh, they doubt your mother's loyalty to the king.""Such is the way of those lords. I am not suprised." Daella replied, seemingly unconcerned with the rumours."Is it true?" Cynthy mumbled to Daella's ears.The princess was shocked at her question. "My mother would never lay with a wizard. He is well below her taste.""No. Not that.". Cynthy replied, "Are you in cahoots with the wizard?"Daella turned her head upwards to look her maid in the eyes. "Ye
The feel of the floor was cold to her skin as was the touch of the strange dark sword which lay closely upon her neck, stretching back to the arms of the shadow and threatening to push further into her throat.The mysterious soldier wore a dark cloak that pulled over his face, emanating coldness. Looking deep into his face, Daella could not see a thing until she looked even harder, and then she beheld his two orb shaped grey eyes.They stared at her so close, and yet felt so far as though they looked upon her from afar. Dark and cold, but yet so distant.It seemed as if he wasn't real, but the head of the unfortunate soldier still lying dead and cold on the ground beside her was enough testament to the shadow's realism. He could have killed her, but something in him would not allow it. She could see it. And she could feel it. A strange power, stronger than his will, keeping him rooted in his steps and transfixed before her.For so long, he only stared and stared until his grip became
"She has to die!""Kill her!""The seed of a traitor!""Daughter of doom!"A wave of murmur took over the entire throne room."Never!" Daella rose tall in the middle of the council, standing strong for the fate of her best friend. She would not see Cynthy's head cut off from her shoulders. Not in this lifetime.Her beloved maid was on her two knees before the king who sat high on the highest throne. Two soldiers stood mightily by her two sides, their swords so big and scary in their metal sheaths as the entire court gathered to decide her fate."Two times it has been", Lord Robert continued, "And her family has brought no good but waste to the royal house. Never before has this happened, and never again shall it occur!"The tension rose again by his words. And Daerys could not take it where he stood, away from the tension and alone in his thoughts."None of those things is her concern!" Daella objected, ready to defend till her last breath. "Her father became a traitor, but she did he
Meanwhile, far within the thick heaps of dark forests which lay deepest in the hearts of Meredith, Ul Thera found an orchard. In a deep cave which blossomed with flowers. Dark but beautiful, with petals so pleasant and flowers so bright, bringing sight into the darkness. Fresh water flowed with joy at a narrow side within thus cave as sprinkles of sunlight fight their way into its shadows, glowing as bright as the beautous petals.Such beauty was not to be found on the surface world asides within the borders of Maeve. And only one person could recreate the hortiworld the way it was now.He walked into the splendid view, taking joy in the pleasant sights that it presented, and pretending to be unwary of the other presence that he felt."How long have I awaited this day?" A voice welcomed him, and the speaker could soon be seen among the beautiful bushes of flowers. Although her face could not be beheld with clarity, her figure could vaguely be distinguished from the stretching arms of
The king had sentenced Cynthy to a painful death. There was only a few hours left till the hour of execution and Daella remained undeterred. She knew she had to do something before the crow of the roaster. For how could she live a beautiful life without the presence of her best friend?She had tried much to severe her attachments with Cynthy since when she found out of her feelings for Daerys. But the chains of friendship tightened even harder the more she pulled against its lines. It would neither shrewd nor break no matter how much she stroke at it, begging for its destruction. It rather tightened harder in her heart. Surely, they were more than just a mistress and a servant, they were now sisters, bound by heart and held by covenant.And even if Daerys was a dummy who would not fight for his love, Daella remained a fighter till the very end. She knew she had to do something.Stealing away from the walls of the castle, off she rode. Beyond the gates of Arnold and towards the dirty s