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2024-10-29 19:42:56Lily sighed for the nth time listening to the elders speak about the history of the Kayaan Kingdom. It was something she had heard over and over again and her ears were definitely getting bored of sending the information to her brain. All she wanted to do was explore her new position and power as the commander of the Kayaans. It came with more respect than she thought.
Her lips curved upwards when she saw Baba Mbari saunter into the secret room. The secret room was where the elders, priestess and commander were to meet. It was the only place they could get privacy to speak about weighty things.
Baba Mbari sat on a stool listening to the other elders speak about the Kingdom. His eyes flickered from Lily to the priestess every now and then. He wanted to cut off Sarandi who was speaking but he knew just like the others that some stories are better left untold. The elder couldn't be more proud of Lily. Ever since she arrived at the Kayaan Kingdom, she was entrusted with him. He was to care for her and prepare her for the future. At least, he had done half of the job. It was left to the new commander to prepare for what the world was going to bring her way.
"You have a lot ahead of you my dear commander. Sharpen your edges and get ready for what the world has in store for you." Mama Sarandi ended her long talk. "It's safe to say, a lot has been done today. We shall meet here tomorrow to carry on with matters of the Kingdom."
A loud groan slipped past the new commander's lips causing all eyes to rest in her. The elders shook the thief 's head except Baba Mbari who had a smirk dancing on the corner of his lips. He knew the girl too well. Her butt couldn't stay put, she wanted to be everywhere flexing her great fighting skills.
With a frown, the priestess announced, "you won't go far with that attitude."
Lily's eyes did a three sixty in their sockets. They moved as though they wanted to pop out and their tongues were itching to respond to the old woman who in Lily's opinion should be in her grave. She was just lucky to be living this long.
One by one, the elders started to leave till Lily was left with Baba Mbari. The new Commander smiled behind her mask seeing her guardian. She moved closer to him and bowed before him. Baba Mbari placed his right palm on her, blessing her like he would always do.
"You're the commander now, it should be the other way round." Baba Mbari told Lily as she engulfed the old man into a hug. "You missed my feast." Lily whispered then pulled out of the hug. "You promised you weren't going to miss it."
"I'm sorry, child." He gave a sigh. "You know I wouldn't miss such an important occasion. I had to be at the healer's shine."
"Why?" A frown marred Lily's features. "Are you okay, Baba?" Her eyes started to skim the old man's body searching for a form of injury.
Baba Mbari chuckled. "I'm fine, child." He proceeded to ruffle her hair with his hands. "There were just some things I needed to settle with the Healer. I could push them over. And I see you are doing fine without me."
"Of course not. You know I can't live without you baba."
The brightness in the eyes of the old man dimmed but he mustered a smile. "You can and you'll have to soon." He gave a cough.
"What are you talking about?"
"I just need you to get ready to live this world without me. One day, sooner than you think, you'll have to take on all the problems that come your way alone."
It hurt Baba Mbari to tell her those words when she just ascended the throne as the new Commander. The old man always pictured he would be by her side whenever she became the new Commander so he would guide and protect her especially from what was to come but it seemed the young commander was going to have to get ready to take on the world on her own. Its only source of strength was that he had trained her well and she was equipped with skills to take on whatever would come her way. Lily was witty too, it was something she had picked up from him and he was sure she would use it to her advantage.
"You're going on another journey." Lily stated; He nodded.
Baba Mbari was always out. He was either at war defending the kingdom or he had to go on a journey. Most times he went alone, leaving Lily with one of the elders. Other times , he took Lily. It was in most of these journeys she learnt how to fight. The training only made her manifest what she had learnt. The only thing she couldn't comprehend was why the old man had to leave. It had been years since his last journey.
"When?"
"Soon."
"How long?"
"It will take a long while before I return."
"I'm the new Commander, I can tell someone else to go instead."
Baba Mbari put a hand on her shoulder. "You see my child, there are some journeys only you can go. No one else can help you but yourself."
Shrugging, Lily took Baba Mbarr's finger as they made their way out of the secret room."You need to see my new cave. It's massive!"
"How big?"
"Three times the size of my previous cave."
"Wow!" The old man feigned excitement. "I can't wait to see it."
"Commander."
A voice echoed causing the pair to turn around. One of the guards was standing behind. He had come with important news. The perplexed look on Lily's face prompted him to speak further.
"Two Kayaans were found dead by the river."
Lily's jaw hung open while Bab Mbari managed to keep his cool despite the heart wrenching news. His grip on Lily's hand tightened while he also tried to process the news.
"There's a protest before the palace. The elders demand to see you in the throne room." With this, the guard disappeared.
Lily couldn't believe her ears. She was barely commander for a whole day and the kingdom was crumbling . How was it possible that two Kayaans were dead when everyone had just dispersed to celebrate her feast. It was difficult to wrap her head around this new piece of information.
The squeeze Baba Mbari gave Lily's hand brought her out of her reverie. She fell into the chest of the old man snobbing while he stroked her back. "Receive strength, my child."
She didn't think of the other guards around having to watch the commander of the Kayaan Kingdom in tears. It was her first day as commander and blood had spilled. What kind of leader was she?
"We need to see the other elders." Baba Mbari pulled Lily towards the throne room. Just like Lily, the old man was confused. He had been around for long to know that the only time Kayaans were found dead was during a disease outbreak which the Healer found a remedy to.
"What's going on?" Baba Mbari announced when they arrived at the throne room. The elders wore a sullen look on their faces. "How did this happen?" He pointed at the lifeless bodies laying on the floor.
"It looks like they were killed." One of the elders said.
"What?" Lily's eyes widened.
"A dagger was found in their stomach. They were stabbed." Sarandi explained.
Achio, another elder stated. "Someone is calling war on us."
"King Alok is back." Sarandi said, a worried look on her face. "The bear shifters are back."
"Fiercer than before." Achio added.
Lily looked from each elder as they vaguely explained the current state of the kingdom. How was it possible they had just finished telling her the history of the kingdom and she didn't get to hear this part.
Baba Mbari announced. "This is war!".
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Of Glory and Of Doom NINE - Unknown
He kicked up his feet, watching as the dust rose into the air, disappearing slowly into the evening sky. The sight was almost entrancing and he found himself kicking up some more dust and watching it go before he realized he was indulging in some childish impulse and he gritted his teeth, picking up his pace as he walked around the palace grounds.It was a habit he'd developed a long time ago and he'd figured out that it didn't actually relieve any of his stress, it just created a distraction from the problems by giving him something else to think about. Like how his calf was burning with the strain of walking. It reminded him of some things that couldn't be kept at bay no matter how he tried.As he walked past the dead garden where creepers and moses had made their home, he couldn't help but grimace at the poor state the kingdom was in. The once blooming gardens of fresh roses, hyacinths, tulips and different types of flowers that had reeked of life and prosperity had withered and die
Of Glory and Of Doom TEN - A new discovery
"But you did a good job, keep it up,"Prince Nicholas just couldn't get his father's words out of his head. There was something about those words that gave him hope. Those few words brought his hope of his father fully accepting him and he was sure his mother was smiling from heaven having heard the King say such words. It was beyond the bounds of possibility to get his father to say such words and that only meant one thing. Those words were genuine. It calmed Prince Nicholas that his father meant his words. There was light at the end of the tunnel. He was close to winning his father over.The young prince got out of his bathroom, a white towel wrapped around his waist. He smirked at the sight before him. It was just perfect. A good way to unwind after a really long day.He joined the maid in his bed, slowly caressing her cheek. He moved closer to her, burying his nose to the crook of her neck. His nose picked up a familiar smell of roses. They smelled like the ones in the palace.
Of Glory and Of Doom ELEVEN - Wake up call
Laura woke the next morning, after having a very short night filled with turns and discomfort. She still couldn't get her mind over what was being requested of her. She played back the last years and her suitors' parade, the long line of requests and invitations just to be showed off and her worth determined. She hugged, hitting her bed harder till the frame shook beneath her. Elaine entered just then, an empty laundry basket in her hand and Laura remembered their conversation yesterday. Laura had been trying to glean more information about her mother and seeing as Elaine was always ready to tell her about her mom, she asked her about her mother during her marriage with her father. Elaine froze then, slowly turning towards Laura and searching her eyes. She probably didn't find what she was looking for because she bussed Laura's cheek and whispered, "She was beautiful." And she walked out, nervously glancing at Laura as she closed the door. Laura knew that Elaine was hiding
Of Glory and Of Doom TWELVE - Devastating News
Banks walked briskly towards her, like he was determined to plow right through her till she became a brown mound on the floor. Sidestepping his advancement, Laura shrieked as he followed her movements. Then he stopped, right in front of her.Banks had always scared her, with his bushy black brows and inky black hair. He was always in white, never opting for a different shade than the snow white color. Currently, his hand rested on his bejeweled walking stick, another accessory that he didn't need but always kept by his side. She was very sure that the knob at the top housed a weapon, but she never voiced that out."What is it?" She asked, stepping away from his frowning self till she could comfortably look up at him without getting her neck in knots. "You have to be the most insufferable child on this earth. Your father needs you to stop being a girl and finally man up to the task at hand and you can not do that. He's provided another means that would enable this town not to fall dow
Of Glory and Of Doom THIRTEEN - Genesis
The bear shifters were known for their revengeful hearts, despite the fact that everyone knew they could shape shift to bear forms.Other supernaturals feared them and avoided them like they were plagues. Any offense picked with them always ended in some sort of blood shedding and lives losing battle, to which the offender had always been the loser.They were fierce, they were hateful and vengeful and honestly, kind of annoying. Nothing called 'diplomacy' existed with their king and their kind knew nothing called 'dialogue'. It all had to be death till death with them, hence, making them a non-ally to everyone. However, despite their love for war and death, they were also good hunters. They had many successful expenditures to their name, due to their stellar hunting abilities and tracking skills.They could smell a threat from a mile away, track it down and kill it before dawn even peeked behind the clouds. They were that efficient. It was the reason why every one was shocked when th
Of Glory and Of Doom FOURTEEN - Personal Affairs
Prince Nicholas wouldn't stop pacing back and forth outside his father's study. After the new Gaston had told him, he could barely lay his head to rest. The young prince found it funny that his father was going to get shallow and marry him off just to keep him from ascending the throne. That had to be the old man's plan. He scoffed. If he had to battle the strongest Vampire in the Kingdom, he was going to do so till his last breath. He was the rightful heir and so his father had no right marrying him off to another kingdom. "When will he be out?" Prince Nicholas turned to Gaston, the frown etched on his face deepening. He needed to see the old man right away to set things straight. "Information getting to me... The king should be done with his meeting in two or three hours from now." "What?" Without thinking, prince Nicholas pushed open the door revealing the King and other high commissioners seated in a round table. "I need to see you father." "It can wait. I'm having an import
Of Glory and Of Doom FIFTEEN - Lies and Reasons
King Alok was not at ease. For some reason, he'd been unable to sleep, the burden of some matter he couldn't place his hands on was dragging his spirit down and refusing any thought of sleep. It was like someone was placing stones in his chest, rattling them around and creating discomfort. King Alok was, in plain words, weary.Having tossed on his bed for the twentieth time, he sat up, determined to find out why he was so restless and put an end to it. He needed his sleep, even though they came with nightmares as their special package for him. He needed rest because he was starting to look like a crazed man with all the late night planning and thinking he'd been doing for the past few months.His personal advisor had told him that he was using the kingdom matters as an escape from his growing and sinking depression. He was throwing himself into more affairs that concerned the Kayaans, were sending spies and working on the Intel he was getting late into the night, on an empty stomach j
Of Glory and Of Doom SIXTEEN - Expectations
True to the informat's word, Civil came crashing into the king Alok's chambers at the crack of dawn, an excited light in his eyes and holding a sheet of parchment like some medal.Without punishing the man for not knocking or for not greeting, king Alok shot out of bed and grabbed the package, skimming through it and smiling as he pushed the man out of the way, already thinking about calling council members when Civil cleared his throat."My Lord, there is more." Civil said in that even voice of his, making king Alok pause in his tracks and turn around, cursing at the fact that he was wearing nothing but the same pajamas bottoms as the night before."Speak up, Cival, I have a plan to make," king Alok impatiently said, surprising himself that he even remembered the messenger's name. Civil looked pleased at this fact before he realized that the king's patience was worn thin."The informant has said the information provided will be enough to help us strategize and plan as much as we need
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EPILOGUE - Happily Ever After
Lily could feel the sombre mood that settled on the castle when news of Laura's death spread. She knew that she should feel at least, terrible about what had happened, but she couldn't bring herself to grief like the rest of the kingdom. She barely knew her and although, she felt bad that her sister was gone before she knew her well, she didn't feel as bad as she had expected herself to feel.She had expected the news to hit her hard, weren't twins meant to feel each other's pain? She barely felt anything, except, maybe guilt. That she didn't feel that connection with her even if for a little.So while others mourned her twin, she mourned the relationship she never had, that they never had. She watched as the King - she hadn't gotten around to call him her father yet, moved around the castle aimlessly and felt bad that his child had died so young. Lily tried to get into the mind of her sister and figure out why exactly she died? It couldn't honestly be because of what had happened so
- Of Glory and Of Doom
SEVENTY FOUR - And so it ends
Laura had never known heartbreak if it stared at her in the face before but today... Today was very much different than any other day she could have imagined. She had been through a lot but still survived because she believed her love for him was what would save her from all the figure she endured but now, been here... Hearing this. She would much rather be dead.Nicolas never loved her, Nicolas never even cared for her but Nicolas loved her and Nicolas cared for her, she kept on asking herself 'what did she have that I didn't ?' it was a terrible question to ask because she knew she was really beautiful despite the scar but she still didn't understand why he would choose lily over her. She was beyond sad and somehow even angry a big and it was justified. He didn't think their marriage was that much of something worth saving, he looked at their marriage like it never happened and like it was a skillful sacrifice. In more ways than one, it was a sacrifice.She buried herself between he
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SEVENTY THREE - It was Laura
"Thank you so much, my love." Princess Laura hugged her husband. When the hug tried to linger for longer, gently, he pushed her from his space. "All thanks to the commander. She offered to get the kaayan healer to try restore you father's vision. Clearly, it worked." The princess couldn't contain her excitement from knowing her father could see now. She was sad he didn't have his sight during her wedding ceremony but now she was happy he was going to get to see all his grand children and he was going to be able to nurture then with extra love and care. Laura smiled, taking Nicholas hand. "I'm happy our love could stand all the tests of life. Our marriage is still standing firm after all we've been through." She went on her tiptoes and place a peck on his lips. Nicholas knew he had had to break the news to her now. He didn't want to keep letting her fall deeper and deeper with him. He loved someone else and she deserved to know that. It was important she knew he didn't feel the sam
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SEVENTY TWO - Healing
Laura heard a shout from her father's room and dashed inside, sidestepping Lily who stood in front of her. Elaine rushed inside as well and they both closed the door. Laura walked slowly to his bed, watching as the healer hefted him up to a sitting position and made him rest against the headboard. The healer turned, her huge fur coat obstructing their view of the king as she spoke. "It's done, Princess. Why don't you move closer?"Laura couldn't help the apprehension that skittered down her back. What if he'd turn his face away from her? What if he'd look at her with hate? She had brought about the destruction of her people after all. Laura sniffled a bit, hating how she felt. She was shocked when she saw a head pop around the healer's white coat. Her father.He smiled widely at her, his hand weakly lifting to the healer's elbow and moving her out of the way. His strength was non-existent at this point, so Laura knew that the healer moved all by herself.She ran towards him when he
- Of Glory and Of Doom
SEVENTY ONE - Toast
"How long has he been in darkness?" "Ever since I got into the werewolf kingdom." Prince Nicholas answered. All the leaders were in the dining hall having dinner in the werewolf kingdom. It was in celebration of their victory. Lily put a forkful of chicken into her mouth then sipped from her wine. "How did it happen?"The prince recounted the whole story and the commander gave desolate sigh."The doctors?" She raised an eyebrow. "Have you taken him to other kingdoms? They could have the antidote." Lily ended with a shrug, watching princess Laura feed her father.Nicholas took a sip from his wine. "We've called all the doctors, magicians and healers we know and there as been no change. " Lily felt pity for the werewolf king. She couldn't imagine being a leader and not having her eyes working. She wouldn't be able to lead the war if she was blind. "The kaayan healer could be of help.""Lily, we've had a lot of doctors come in from different kingdoms but there hasn't been any changes
- Of Glory and Of Doom
SEVENTY - Liason
Everyone bowed before the commander. The kayaans, the fairies, the werewolves, the witches, the vampires, the angels and the gnomes were all faced down paying homage to the commander. Despite the lives lost, they bowed before her singing her praises and celebrating her leading them to victory. The commander was standing next to the prince. Their hands were intertwined, both staring at each other. The people stood up cheering and dancing in victory while Nicholas engulfed her into a hug. He smiled when he got a whiff of her lavander scent. The scent had a mix of foul odour so he grimaced in disgust. The groaning coming from Lily made them pull out of the hug and etched on Lily's face was a wide smile.Prince Nicholas skimmed the commander's body taking in the bruises on her skin. Some parts of her skin were swollen and she had a black eye. "Thank you." He breathed out, holding her hands. Lily gave a smile and he added, "I should still come take the fighting lessons though." The both
- Of Glory and Of Doom
SIXTY NINE - A clash of worlds
They had broken out of the woods and were now crouched in the bushes, just outside the palace. Thanks to the excellent tracking skills of the bear shifters, they were able to navigate the woods, be treated to a very nice meal of roast meat and be protected from wild animals by the fairies. The trip had done alot more than Lily had expected. It had created some sort of bond between the kingdoms and there was no doubt that after this war, there would be a lot of strong allies to be called on.Despite the tense situation where they found themselves, Lily was feeling awfully good. It was a refreshing feeling, very different from all the adrenaline she usually felt before a match and she was finding it a good break. It didn't matter that Nicolas was even there, she didn't care. All that mattered was the euphoric feeling she was feeling."One of my fairies just came back with info," the fairy king announced, drawing Lily's attention to the now crouching fairy that had appeared out of nowher
- Of Glory and Of Doom
SIXTY EIGHT - Strategic Alliances
The fairy king had come a long way on such a short notice but a war was on the brink of time and he had no choice. It was a mystery that he could find the crowd in the forest as they made their way towards their mission.A whole lot of his soldiers were just in front of him, guiding him from any attack that was peonw to happen if they were not careful enough. Lily and the others had stopped walking and waited for their arrival as the priestess had already told her that they were not far away from where they were nestled.It didn't take long before a buzzing sound was heard followed by a gentle sweet breeze. A signature entrance by the fairies. Everyone was on their feet, alert as always and anxious, Lily didn't know about anybody else but she was anxious. The soldiers all lined up, their fingers in a twist position for defense and their king at their center. He walks out as graciously as he could manage, it was a wonder still tahg he could still think of grace in this position and at
- Of Glory and Of Doom
SIXTY SEVEN - Confessions
Lily was gazing faraway, thinking of Him, again. She had moved further away from her warriors that were training on the plain and sat, surrounded by a parchment of wild daffodils, overlooking a swords clashing and grunts could be heard afar off from her warriors as they trained rigorously. They would be there till mid day but, it was always worth it. They were the undefeated Kayaans and she meant for it to stay that way. She picked up a smooth stone from the soft earth, brushing off leaves and dirt around it. She tossed it in watching as the waters formed larger ripples from the place where the stone had landed. She felt like that was the way her mind worked at the moment. A small thought or sight would trigger her thoughts, making her to loose focus. These days, it seemed he was all she could think about. She had already resolved in her heart that she would focus only on protecting her people and dealing with the Vampire King. But, everytime she saw Nicholas, since he joined forces
