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Of Glory and Of Doom SEVENTEEN - Arrows
Baba Mbari helped Lily decorate her mask. The new commander busied herself with sharpening her arrows, trying to ensure all the edges were pointy enough to annihilate their enemies. They had to be prepared for whatever was to come. Today, they were finally going to put a stop to the bear shifters. Leading the soldiers to war was her first duty as commander. Usually, after the feast, the new commander was to go into every cave seeking for the people's blessings. It was believed that she was legitimately ordained by the people and their blessings meant a blissful reign. Lily couldn't wrap her head around the fast that she had to lead the war all by herself. Everytime she joined them at war, it was being allied to another kingdom and their protection was guaranteed. This was the first time she was ever hearing the Kayaans were at war.The commander stood from her stool, making her way to where her guardian was seated. Baba Mbari decorating her mask brought back memories. She always rem
Of Glory and Of Doom EIGHTEEN - Goodbyes
"Is he dead?" Sarandi asked.Everyone one moved closer to King Alok who was lying still on the floor. Lily was lying next to him struggling to breath and a banging head. Achio crouched down to check his pulse, he held Alok's wrist trying to see if he was alive. "Is he dead?" Sarandi reiterated, chewing her lower lip. She was ignored as everyone waited to get the news from Achio. Baba Mbari who three the stool was still standing, leg frozen to the ground. The old man was still stunned that he almost lost his precious Lily and his heart was still banging in his chest. Achio looked up at his council members. "He's alive." A look of horror came upon their faces. They started to step back, worrying for their lives. The evil king had gotten into the throne room and had seen Damien, forcing the old man to take him to the others. It was at that moment the elders knew the end had come for the Kayaan kingdom. They had tried their best but it seemed destiny had other things in store for them
Of Glory and Of Doom NINETEEN - Revelations
The war had left a loss of words from Lily's mouth, all she felt was pain and pain and so much pain, it reeked and it destroyed all her emotions of happiness.As she held Mbazi's head in her hands, trying to cradle his already lifeless body, she started to rock herself, wanting to tear the last shred of humanity left in her, she wanted to rip them apart and this anger that she felt was dignified. The war had ended and she had led. Mbazi would have been so proud to know that she had been a good leader, when they spoke about her... Calling her a bad leader of all time, when they doubted her and how she could have been the wrong child from the river, how their words had hurt and sliced her, she never for once thought a war to be so cruel and demeaning.She was still on her knees when baba mbari ordered her soldiers to take mbazi's body away from her, she couldn't believe it, he was really gone. It flashed before her eyes, all the times they had laughed at each other's jokes, all the time
Of Glory and Of Doom TWENTY - You're not going to say Hi?
As Lily looked at King Alok with rage heaving in her heart and causing her to breathe rapidly,, she could not help but to remember the words that an old warrior had said to her when she was only a child before he had passed away a few months later. Usually, every night, he would stare blankly into the fire that was crackling loudly just outside their cave and was giving both light and warmth to those around it.If she was not with Mbazi, Lily would sit near the old warrior trying to distract him from his foreboding by playing with his toes so he would smile at her and play their hand games.On that particular night, he did not smile down at her and play with her as expected no matter how long she had played with his toes until her own fingers hurt.Frustrated about that especially as Mbazi had already slept and so could not play with her, she had wanted to stand up and go back into the cave when her hand was held down firmly by the warrior even though he was already very old. Surprise
Of Glory and Of Doom TWENTY ONE - Preparations
Laura stretched, shamelessly yawning wide into her pillow. She had slept extremely late, going through the basics that had to be taken care of before they welcomed the Vampires. Even though she was extremely tired, this part of running a kingdom appealed to her. Inviting dignitaries and welcoming guests. She loved it all. She threw off her covers, standing and stretching her arms over her head again. She could feel the knots in her neck and shoulder unwind and she sighed. The days left till Prince Nicholas's arrival could be counted on her fingers and that spurred her movements the most. She got dressed in under an hour, a feat for her and left Suzy alone in her room as she marched down to the halls. Elaine was already there, a troop of guards and maids hunkered on the floor, waiting for her. They all stood when she came in and greeted her, some with a frown and the other with indifference.Laura tried not to make her hurt show and promised herself that she'd show them her competen
Of Glory and Of Doom TWENTY TWO - Leni or Lola
"This is bullshit!""Language, boy." King Eric cautioned his son. "You better not speak this way when we arrive at the Werewolf kingdom." He growled. The prince crossed his arms watching absent-mindedly as the guards arranged their baggage and the gifts behind the carriage. His father had gotten some of the finest and exquisite wines the kingdom had and some shining silver and gold wares made by the royal goldsmith to give to the other kingdom. His father was really serious about the peace treaty but he didn't have to make him the sacrificeIt was impossible to have a blissful marriage with someone he had never met and interacted with. Arranged marriages never worked and this was something he had tried to explain to his father but the old vampire was obdurate, insisting he was going to get married to the vampire princess. No matter how he simply put it, his father always dismissed it. His mind was made up.Prince Nicholas agreed with the treaty. It was a good way to get allied with t
Of Glory and Of Doom TWENTY THREE - I can't see
----Unknown---The candle light in his chambers flickered and danced as the cool breeze from the window softly blew across it like gentle breaths caressing a flame.He was seated on his bed, a queen sized bed and was staring at his ceiling, deep in thoughts. It seemed like it was all he did these days, sit and think in silence.The soft bustle of the castle was almost muted from his Chambers. If he strained his ears a little, he would be able to catch the sounds of metals being kept in the storage room, the sound of the kitchen women giggling as they stocked the remaining food in the pantry. He would hear all these if he just strained his ears a little but tonight, he was oblivious to all these.His mind was far away, miles away plotting on how to get the perfect potion to render the king helpless once more.He'd been reading about it for months now. He'd heard that there was a perfect blend of nightshade, rosemary, elderberry and wolfbane that when applied right could cause instant
Of Glory and Of Doom TWENTY FOUR - Disgruntled
Her father was blind.Laura couldn't help the sobs that racked her small frame. She leaned heavily on Elaine as her father protested loudly. She'd seen him before she went to bed last night and everything was well. He was perfectly fine, just a bit down with the flu, but he wasn't meant to be blind.Sure, his sight has been failing for a while but Laura thought that it was all due to old age. He wasn't supposed to just wake up one morning, completely blind. She had seen the blindness coming slowly, but this change was too drastic and it wasn't right. It didn't feel right with her. Mr. Finch was saying something to him and Laura tried to force herself to listen to whatever it was that he was saying, but her heart was beating too loudly and it felt like her chest would cave any moment now. "... You didn't tell anyone about it." Those words brought her out of the fog clouding her mind. She turned to look at her Father, wincing when she saw him dart his eyes around, like he was trying t
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- Of Glory and Of Doom
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
- Of Glory and Of Doom
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
- Of Glory and Of Doom
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
