“I will be going on a journey starting tonight.” I announced in the throne room, where all of us where having our breakfast, the council, the commanders, the royal family and even Silana chose to be present which was a good thing because I didn’t want to tell her separately. I didn’t have the time to go around looking for her.
Just as I expected the room exploded into a canopy of complaints. I waited it out as they all talked at the same time, all saying the same thing in different words about why it was a bad choice.
“You want to run away with your lover while you have succeeded in poisoning my brother.” Catia yelled and that is what I heard. I leaned towards her as my eyes flashed golden.
“If I were you I would be very careful of words that come out of your mouth because your brother is not here to stop me from hurting you. I did not poison my husband and anybody who suggest that anymore to my face will see the reaction he will never forget in his life.” I vowed as the room remain silent, it went silent when I started talking.
“Anybody with any idiotic comment to add?” I asked.
“Who will be accompanying you on this journey of yours?” Vala asked, her disapproval was firm in her tone but I didn’t care about her thoughts.
“Adela and Silana.” I replied as Silana head jerked up at the mention of her name.
“No.” She protested. “This journey would be better if you do it on your own.”
“It would be better if I had a guide and you knowing already means I have to take you with me.” I countered, Silana was speechless at my words.
She addressed Themis. “Tell her. Tell her that she doesn’t need me along.”
“She might not but you should go.” Themis offered a weak smile as Silana jaw dropped open in shock.
“If she doesn’t want to go, she shouldn’t be forced to.” Kastav spoke out and I watched as Themis eyes went to him and she went pale then she bent her face like she didn’t want to look at him much longer, Orel also noticed her reaction then he turned his head to watch Kastav with assessing eyes like he was trying to figure him out.
“It is alright Kastav, I will go. I better go pack.” Silana said as she stood up and slipped away from the table.
“Alal, please rethink your actions. You should not leave the palace right now. I am sad to say this but the Empire is not safe right now.” Dahlia started softly and like anytime when she talks, the room goes quiet so her words could be heard.
“Yes Dahlia.” I replied, my tone matching hers, giving her the respect that she deserves because she might not be a commander but she is a leader. “Northshore is not safe but this Palace isn’t either, Arius went to bed and did not wake up. Now, I can keep everybody here while waiting for whoever this thing is to pick us out one by one or I can go out and fight it.”
“Did you take into reason that this thing clearly isn’t natural?” Casnar snaps. “Isolde was a very great commander and now she is no more, I need you to think about that before you put yourself out in harm’s way.”
“Yes, I did think of that commander.” I returned.
“So you think you will succeed where a commander for years had failed in?” Kastav asked, there was something strange about his question that I couldn’t place my finger on. He sounded strange and off but I still gave him a reply.
“Yes I do and the reason why is because I also have something unnatural by my side. A Mngwa, a creature that has never been killed and one I formed a bond with. What does that say?” I left it open for them to arrive at their own conclusion to my words as I stood up.
I had gotten to the door before I decided to part the final piece of information that concerns them. “The council will answer to the people who knows how to prepare for war and can lead others, the only ones whom I trust to leave the kingdom in their care. Warlord Orel and his wife.” I left the room and chaos ensued once more but my mind was not there.
I needed to go and get ready to leave but before then, I had a huge favor to ask from a friend of mine. A favor that needed to be kept a secret.
***********************
“You want me to do what?” Sorens asked me looking at me as if Arius being unwell has somehow transferred to me.
“The heard me the first time correctly Sorens.” Was my reply.
Sorens sputtered like he didn’t understand why I would chose him to do something like that. Given the fact that he and the king always didn’t see eye to eye, I would not chose him for such a task but the plain truth was there were few people I trusted with my life and Arius was that.
They are Sorens and Orel, I couldn’t tell Orel to watch over the kingdom and keep Arius reign and at the same time to watch over Arius and Sorens will certainly not be approved to take control of the council. They would kick hard against that and if I insist, something tells me that they will strip me of my position, going along with Catia words.
The only way which Sorens could help was to keep watch over Arius.
“You do understand that I hate him for having you, you don’t tell someone who loves you to protect the person who is preventing him from having you.” Soren pointed out.
“True but you tell the person who you trust and whose Morals are high and he is a man with integrity to do that and so I am meeting you to do this for me.”
“Even when you are aware that it kills me.”
“Love is selfless and Selfish, I am hoping that yours will remain selfless but mine has always been selfish. Even if I have to turn the world upside down, I will do it to the best of Arius interest.”
“You are asking me to do the impossible.” Sorens gritted out even though, I saw the resignation in his eyes. I have worn him down.
“I know and I am sorry for putting you through that.” I whispered to him as I hugged him.
“You are my knight and protector, this is the biggest task you can ever do for me, protect my sanity and my heart because without Arius, those things crease to work.”
“This is not fair.” Soren protested weakly.
“I am sorry.”
“You have my word.” He added as I smiled at him.
“Be safe Sorens.” And with those last words, I turned away from Sorens, never knowing that it would be my last time.