24 YEARS LATER.
Gwenn Pov
“I want to run a sword through you so badly that the feeling is visceral. After all these years together I cannot believe you still are a bigoted two timing jerk.” I yelled as I stormed into the throne room, Arius behind me.
“I am Yama, I cannot be seen as the fool being controlled by the Alal. It would undermine my ruling…” Arius tried explaining but he just made me even more furious than usual.
“Your ruling… I am right and the whole kingdom is aware of that, the forgotten world should not be explored.”
“It has been over twenty years. I know that you don’t want it to be explored and that was why I came up with the suggestion that I did. Let it be explored by a selected group of youth, freed from the machinations of the council and led by our children. But you had to spoil it by talking out of turn.”
“Did you hit your head without my knowledge?” I asked surprised. Whatever makes Arius think that he can send my children to an unexplored place, I don’t care that they are older than me when I explored Northshore, they are and will forever be my babies. “What makes you think that I would allow my children to go into that magic infested place or that I will keep quiet when you are plunging them into danger.”
“The world is magic infested now. Sooner or later, people are going to go there and release all sort of horrors without our knowledge. This is the best way to control the situation and you are letting your maternal instincts over cloud your normally warped one that I could barely reason with.” Arius yelled at me.
My hand tightened around the whip curled at my waist. I was willing to let my warrior instincts come in and have a go at Arius even though I knew I would never be able to best him but I wanted him to see another of my instincts since he was tired of my instincts that has kept our children safe for years.
“I really wonder how they managed to rule Northshore for years successfully without burning it to the ground.” Lana, my youngest child said laughing. I turned to look at the place where her laughter came from only to see my ten year old daughter on the laps of her oldest brother, my first child, Sorens, sitting on his father’s throne.
“I wonder that too Lana. They are the most unsuited couple I have ever heard of or seen and somehow they make it work.” Sorens replied.
“Are you not supposed to be at your lessons young lady?” Arius asked in a gruff voice, trying to portray a stern figure that our youngest child who seem to have all our bad characteristics together. The impact of his words were ruined by his actions as he spread his arms for his daughter and Lana left her brother to move to her father arms. Arius was totally wrapped in the control of his children.
“I was but I got a cold. That was why I was with Sorens, so he could warm me up while we waited for you.” She replied.
My body grew tense at that as I shared a look with Arius, Lana had started developing some strange powers and habits six months ago when we mistakenly got too close to the forgotten world in one of our many travels. “Really, I am sure your nanny would have made something to sooth it for you.” I replied, going closer to her to check her temperature which was still hot because she was with Sorens. Somehow, Sorens was born with an extremely high temperature that has never reduced or calmed down. Made rocking him when he was a baby, difficult but a very good punishment for noble ladies of Dar when they came for my official wedding ceremony.
“Yes but you needed to see this.” Soren replied, his tone serious and he came closer to our huddled. “Show them what this new change can do babe.” He said to Lana who bit her lips uncertainly and looked at me, when I nodded with a smile to reassure her, she stretched out her hand and fog came out. The room suddenly seemed as if it was plunged into freezing waters.
After she ended her little demonstration, Sorens picked her up and started muttering praises at her. He was really good with his younger siblings. I turned to look at Arius who kept his gaze on mine. I could see a similar fear I was feeling, reflecting back in his gaze.
The unanswered question. What is happening with our children?
“We need answers.” Arius said and I nodded.
I am prepared to go and get them myself but the council will never allow. I am their trump card. If anything happen, I was the person who would save them all. That was what they were hoping on.
“We need help.” I added.
“Father, Mother. I just got a letter from Elison and Trisha. Their mother sent them on an errand here to deliver something to you. They are already on their way.” Soren replied and without words, we knew what he meant.
Themis has foreseen something.
All my instincts were ringing, something was coming and it was using my Lana as its herald. The calm before the storm was officially here.
The End