The moon was out. Stars arrayed in the sky illuminated the darkness. The kayaans were ready. They were all at the center of the village ready for the feast. The elders were getting ready for the feast rites. Each one of the twelve elders had a bat on their shoulder and their faces colored with black chalk. Merriment was ongoing and everyone was anticipating the feast rites. It was the most anticipated feast in the Kayaan kingdom as it meant new dawn. They were all looking forward to the presence of the new Commander. The priestess stood before them next to the altar. Ralph, her apprentice stood in his small form next to her. Ever since he started growing under her wing, this was the most exciting thing he has had to witness. The young apprentice couldn't wait to be in the position of the priestess one day so he too could perform the rites one day.
Lily was in her cave unsure whether to attend her feast. Her nerves were getting the best of her and her heart wouldn't stop throbbing. She had fought and anticipated this day for years but here she was scared to move an inch from her cave. "Where is the new Commander?" This was the question on everyone's mind as they all became impatient waiting for Lily. Murmurs broke out between the elders as there was still no sight of Lily. The priestess whispered to her apprentice, "find Lily!" Ralph ran as fast as his small legs could carry to Lily's cave. He took a calculative step making sure to take shortcuts he knew to her cave.
"You're needed at the center of the village," Ralph announced when he made out Lily lying in her dark cave. Reluctantly, Lily stood and followed the young apprentice. Her heart didn't cease its throbbing as they made their way to the feast. Each step she took, she was anxious for what the future held for her. Yes, she was excited and fulfilled to become the next commander but a part of her was anxious. "I was just as nervous when I was told I would be the next priest." Lily cast her gaze to the apprentice and he added, "everything you've ever wanted is on the other side of fear. Don't let fear stop you." The new commander smiled behind her mask. His words helped give her courage and morale. The priestess was a good teacher, it was obvious her apprentice was learning fast. There was silence as all orbs made contact with Lily when she arrived. Ralph returned to his place next to the priestess while everyone stood cheering her on. They all hurried to her and soon she was on their shoulders as they sang songs of victory celebrating her.
Their cheering came to an end when Lily was put before the priestess. Everyone became quiet again as the new commander was brought to kneel before the old priestess. The crowd concentrated with much interest and scrutiny. No one wanted to miss a part of the feast. The old priestess took a bowl filled with Oxblood and put it round Lily's head three times. Then she gave the bowl to Lily. "Drink up." She ordered. Lily obeyed and scrunched her face as the liquid went down her throat. The crowd yelled as Lilly returned the empty bowl to the priestess. The priestess took a blade-like object and made it take off Lily's mask. Lily was quick to stop her. She had a lot hidden behind that mask. She couldn't let anyone see the scars on her face especially now she was their new leader. She needed to earn their respect and not have them making jokes about her scars.
Lily pulled down her mask just enough to reveal her forehead. The priestess cut her forehead and inserted a white powdery substance into the cut. Lily didn't mind the pain, she quickly covered her face fully. The elders came before her and blessed her with the blessings of a bat. She would see all that is in the dark about the kingdom. She would soar like a bat and be invincible to her enemies. The priestess helped her up and took Lily's right hand up. "Your new leader, commander Lily!" The priestess announced at the same time hitting her staff on the ground. The kayaans cheered for their new leader and carried her on their shoulders celebrating Commander Lily. This was a new Dawn for the Kayaans kingdom.
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Of Glory and Of Doom FIVE - Laura
Hollow. That's the feeling that you get when you walk through the wolf kingdom. Places that were once creeping with Ivy and scattered with roses, now lay desolate. You could see what was left of fountains and stone hedges, houses, and stores. The wolf kingdom was falling. And it was falling fast.Some years ago, immediately after the wolf king took I'll and was sheltered from worrying eyes, the kingdom began to eat away. Like something infectious was finally making its round. And making sure that we saw the progress and the mark that was left on the town.Yes, the wolves stayed by the king. They didn't seek for greener pastures and ease to their riotous stomachs, they were forever loyal to their sovereign and they would see him to the end. If he lived to see more moons.Princess Laura, the king's only and loved daughter, could be called a fool. Not foolish per se, but the people of the kingdom didn't look too fairly upon her. She didn't act like she was capable of ruling after her dad
Of Glory and Of Doom SIX - Not Good
Her face fell. Her chest heaved with sorrow. When she had been informed that her father wanted to meet her, it had not occurred to her that marriage would be the subject of conversation."I'm getting married?" She asked incredulously. It was so sudden, so unexpected that it made her want to cry. Her father nodded slowly and said, "Yes, Laura. You're getting married. You didn't expect to remain single all the days of your life, did you?". He had a tiny smile on his face and she wondered if he found this amusing, if he thought the pain in her eyes was a joke."Why are you saying this all of a sudden? You have picked someone out for me?" She asked. Perhaps, her father was getting too desperate. How could she make him see reason with her? How would she explain to him that this wasn't what she wanted? She did not want somebody that her father had chosen for her. She did not want to even have this conversation right now."Yes, you are getting married to prince Nicholas" her Father said with
Of Glory and Of Doom SEVEN - Suprise!
Nicholas swung his sword left, right, ducking the way he'd been taught to when the dummy mechanically swung its sword at him in an offensive way that would have slashed his chest, something Nicolas thought would greatly please his sadistic father if he hadn't parried the strike.It was all his father's idea, making him train with a dummy. Something Nicolas had thought would be easy until he realized the dummy fought harder and more expertly than anyone he'd ever trained with. Nice, Nicholas bitterly thought, slashing again and missing the dummy who stepped out of the attack zone and roughly kicked at his legs, making him stumble and barely keep his balance. Nicholas didn't know what to call this bloodthirsty thing fighting with him but 'dummy' didn't cover it."Watch your feet, Nicholas! You're too negligent with your feet!" His father barked from where he was sitting, munching on grapes and watching his son fight something greater than him. Nicholas was suspecting that the man was g
Of Glory and Of Doom EIGHT - History
Lily 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 car
Of Glory and Of Doom NINE - Unknown
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Of Glory and Of Doom TEN - A new discovery
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Of Glory and Of Doom ELEVEN - Wake up call
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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
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