The next day, Shiandra packed all of her belongings and prepared to leave. When Carmen knocked on her bedroom door, she teased Shiandra about not having prepared a hot bath for her as she usually did. Shiandra replied that Carmen was no longer a child and did not need her. Carmen was surprised by her response and asked if she was leaving without saying goodbye. Shiandra confirmed that she was, stating that she was no longer needed as Carmen was now a grown woman. The princess insisted that Shiandra should at least say goodbye before leaving, and ran to fetch King Cyrus when Shiandra refused to do so.
The King was surprised when he heard that Shiandra was leaving and asked her if she was doing so because of what had happened with Jordan. Shiandra admitted that this was the reason for her departure and refused to be persuaded to stay. She told the King that she would always be inferior in his eyes, and that he had defended Jordan even after he had forced himself on her. The King tried to plead with Shiandra to stay, saying that his daughter adored her, but Shiandra was adamant that she needed to leave. She told the King that she would not stay and be disrespected by men, and that he should not follow her. The King reluctantly accepted her decision and watched as she left in a carriage.
Carmen followed Shiandra, shouting her name, but Shiandra did not turn around. The princess cried as she watched the carriage leave. The King apologized to Carmen for what had happened, but she was still angry with him. When one of the warriors informed the King that Jordan was not well, he immediately went to see him. The King was shocked to hear from the royal doctor, Mr. Collins, that Jordan was suffering from a type of paralysis. The doctor suggested that shock or heavy medication could be the cause.
The King went to see Jordan and spoke with him alone. He wept as he remembered their friendship and asked Jordan what had happened to him. Jordan lay there silently, tears streaming down his face.
The following morning, Shiandra packed all of her clothes.
Carmen was awake by then. She knocked on the bedroom door."Enter." "Nana, why have you not made a hot bath for me like you always do?" She teased."You are a woman, you are no longer a child."Carmen was surprised by Shiandra's response."Nana, that was a joke. I did not mean to offend you. Are you leaving?" "As I have mentioned before. You are no longer a child. You do not need me anymore.""Were you planning to leave without at least saying goodbye?""Yes!" Shiandra pressed. "Wait here then I'm coming now."Carmen ran to get King Cyrus. "What is it Carmen?" The King asked irritably."Shiandra was about to leave without saying goodbye to us. What have you done to her?" The King shot a glance at Shiandra."You're leaving?" He asked."Yes my Lord. The child has grown and my services here are no longer required."The King was embarrassed. He did not expect such a response. "Carmen may you excuse us. I would like to speak with Shiandra alone." He said."But father..""Now Carmen!" The King shouted.The princess did as she was told with a frown upon her face. "This is something I need to do. Carmen will be a woman soon." Said Shiandra"Be honest with me. Are you leaving because of the incident that occurred with Jordan?" Carmen at the time was eavesdropping on their conversation."Yes as a matter of fact it is." Said Shiandra."What can I do to remedy the situation?""Nothing!""But Shiandra I need you here. My daughter adores you. Please do not leave. Especially in this manner." The King pleaded."But I need to. I will always be inferior here. Even when you saw what Jordan was doing, you still defended him. He forced himself on me!" Shiandra said in a sharp tone."I know you are angry, but you will be careful how you speak to me."Carmen covered her mouth in shock. She wanted to enter the room. But if she entered who would she be expected to side with, Shiandra or the king."Won't you at least stay until it becomes Carmen's birthday?""I will not stay here and be disrespected by men. I will leave and you will not follow me. Your secret will be safe." Shiandra pressed."Then I will no longer stop you if that is your final decision."A carriage arrived at the palace.
"It is time." Said Shiandra, grabbing her bags."My warriors with help you with that." Said the King."I do not require their help!" Carmen ran to the dining room, she watched as Shiandra hurried out of the palace. The princess had tears in her eyes. The King followed behind her."Nana,Nana!" Carmen shouted running after Shiandra, who did not bother to turn her glance to either the King nor to Carmen.The carriage left. Carmen cried silently then returned back to the palace. The King went after her."Forgive me my child." Said the King."Forgive you for what. You were protecting your friend!" Carmen shouted angrily."You heard us?"Carmen turned her gaze away from the king, while keeping her arms folded. "One day you will be a ruler. You will understand my reasons for doing certain things.""Protecting a man who forces himself on a woman?"The King stood there silently."Carmen, Jordan represents our country. He is not just any warrior. He is one of our best!" The King pressed."Ahhhh!" Carmen shouted angrily. Then ran off to the woods, leaving the King in awe.One of the warrior's came to the king.
"Sigh you need to come with me " he said."What has happened, is Carmen hurt?" "No Sigh. It's Jordan. He is not well.""What are we waiting for then? Let's leave right away." The King took a horse and immediately rode to Jordans home, with two warriors accompanying himThe royal doctor, Mr Collins was attending the patient. He had blonde curled hair, a slight moustache and tiny blue eyes. He was very good looking and yet he had no interest in marrying a woman. He was interested in men, but no one knew this except himself and those he once were involved with.
"Dr Collins! I arrived as soon I heard the news. What is wrong with Jordan?" The King asked."It seems Sigh, that Jordan has a kind of paralysis. However, I'm still yet to confirm this.""Paralysis. What could have cause this?" The king asked, with great concern in his voice."At this moment all I could do is assume. Shock can cause paralysis and heavy use of medication." The doctor explained."Jordan was not under any medication.""Forgive me if this will offend but the man was not always around you. He had his own life as well. He might have been depressed to the state where he took heavy medication."The King noticed tears coming out of Jordan's eyes."Can he hear me?" The King asked.The doctor nodded."I would like to speak with him alone."The doctor went to another room. The King covered his mouth and began to weep."What happened Jordan?" He asked.Jordan layed there silently. With only tears running down his face."Ah, old friend, it's good to see you. Do you remember the first time we met? We became fast friends, even though we were so different. You loved the sword, while I was always more interested in ruling. After my father's passing, I became the King of Kineti, and I knew I wanted you by my side as my advisor. You always gave the wisest advice.Do you remember when you introduced me to Carla? She was the love of my life, Jordan. I fell for her hard. Her laugh, her touch, those beautiful eyes of hers... she was amazing in every way. You were the one who encouraged me to marry her, and I'll always be grateful for that. We were happy for a while, until she was called back to Gishon to fight an enemy that threatened her country. I should never have let her go. I never saw or heard from her again.
You were there for me when I was in so much pain. You encouraged me to move on, to find someone else, to not be lonely. But my heart belonged to Carla. It was only when I met Carmen that I finally started to feel happy again. And you, my friend, kept her past a secret and treated her like your own daughter. You even encouraged your son Alex to play with her when she was lonely. You are a truly good man, Jordan.
I know what happened with Shiandra was a mistake, but you don't have to worry. She left on her own accord, without even saying goodbye to Carmen. You didn't force yourself on her, and I saw that. You've been alone for so long, my friend. It's okay to want companionship.
I have to go now, but please rest. You're in my prayers, always." The King said, as he prepared to leave for Kineti.
"Nana, that was a joke. I did not mean to offend you. Are you leaving?"
"As I have mentioned before. You are no longer a child. You do not need me a
Carmen was awake by then. She knocked on the bedroom door."Enter." "Nana, why have you not made a hot bath for me like you always do?" She teased."You are a woman, you are no longer a child."Carmen was surprised by Shiandra's response."Nana, that was a joke. I did not mean to offend you. Are you leaving?" "As I have mentioned before. You are no longer a child. You do not need me aFive days had passed since Alex had received news of his father's illness and he had returned to Kineti as soon as he could. He had transformed into a handsome young man, with a changed posture, bigger muscles, and a neatly trimmed beard. Upon seeing his father lying in bed, he knelt down and tears began to flow down his cheeks. "I'm sorry for taking so long to come to you. I was preoccupied with work and I had no idea things were this bad," he said to his father. Jordan tried to smile, but it was weak. Alex was shocked to see his father move. "You can move!" he exclaimed happily. Dr Collins was also surprised and began to analyze Jordan's condition. "This is the first time he has moved in a while. He must be very happy that you're here," he said. "Really? Then I'll visit him as often as I can," replied Alex with a smile. Jordan smiled, and the doctor noticed the improvement in his condition. "Indeed, the gods have answered our prayers. There is hope for your father," said the docto
Alex was about to leave when suddenly the King caught him leaving Carmen's room."My Lord!" Alex said bowing his head quickly, embarrassed as well as afraid of what the King's reaction might be."What were you doing in my daughter's room?" The King asked."N..nothing my Lord. I only wanted to see if she was alright my Lord. We didn't stay in there for too long. I was about to leave now. I am leaving." Alex said , stuttering.The King laughed."Alex I know you would never take advantage of my daughter. Come with me. I have been meaning to speak with you." Alex sighed in relief. Then followed the king behind."Take a sit." Said the King.Alex did as he was told."Do you drink wine or do you prefer beer?" "Neither. I drink only when I want to be polite to those who invited me to their place."The King chuckled."Just like your oldman. You truly are Jordan's son. He does the exact same thing. He only touches alcohol when invited to a ceremony.""Oh." "My daughter is going to celebrate h
Alex packed his bags, eager to get back to work. King Cyrus arrived at Jordan's home and saw that the young warrior was prepared to leave."My Lord!" Said Alex, bowing his head."Where are you going?""I have to return back to Noracia. My superiors are expecting me.""And what about your father?""Doctor Collins is taking care of him. The man continues to get better than before.""And have you noticed that ever since you began to be around him, he has been healing?""Perhaps he is trying to fight because he wants to live.""That is not the real reason he is becoming better. You are the one whom he is fighting for. Your presence in Kineti is helping your father heal." Said the King."If I stay here I will starve. All I know is combat.""And what if I told you that you won't starve. I want you to come to the palace and train my men into becoming great fighters like you.""That is a nice offer but I am getting a decent pay in my current job." Alex said, telling a blunt lie. "How much do
Year's passed on, Carmen finally turned nineteen. Alex still had not revealed his feelings to the princess. He still kept everything hidden within himself. Jordan had begun to speak yet his speech was slow and still not perfect. He was also able to walk, but only at a slow pace. The portion Shiandra had given him had slowed down most of his bodily functions. Alex felt it was time he spoke to someone about his feelings."Father I need to speak with you about an important matter." He said, one day. Jordan smiled. "Speak my son." He said in a low tone. "Father do you still remember the time when you asked me to play with Carmen?" Jordan tried to laugh but he coughed instead. "Please don't try to laugh. I don't want you to hurt yourself." "You hated the idea. Why are you asking?" " I did not want to play with Carmen, not because I disliked her. I had a crush on her.""Oh! You should have told me. I would have given you advise on how to approach her." Jordan teased. Alex chuckled
King Darius immediately took the princess to Gishon. "You are finally mine. You are my wife." He said, celebrating."And you are mine!" The royal cook's dished up for both of them. When they were done eating, Darius grabbed Carmen's hand and showed her around the palace. "I have noticed that many of your statues here are all made of gold." Carmen pointed out. The king smiled. "Yes, well there is plenty of gold here in Gishon. The statues are our way of taking pride in the resources we have here to attract King's from other countries to trade with us. Carmen was quite impressed."You know a lot about trading?" She asked."Yes my dear. I was a scholar for many years and have traded with many countries." "Then you are very fortunate." "Fortunate how?" "Because you are free." "It may seem that way to you. But there is nothing free when it comes to ruling a country. A king is a King by the people as well as the law's of his country. That my dear is not freedom. It's a duty." Dar
The first three months were wonderful, Carmen enjoyed herself in bed with the King. Her confidence increased, she stopped feeling pain but rather felt excited and more open to love making. She stopped waiting for the king to make his first move, rather she made the first move and she enjoyed being dorminant rather than being submissive. Meanwhile in Kineti. Alex was still keeping his focus fixed on his work. He had managed to train over a hundred men. Kineti had strong defenses. "You have been working too hard. I suggest you take a break for a while then return again after a month." King Cyrus suggested."You want me to leave already?" "No. But I do want you to spend more time with your family. I am certain for father misses having you around the house. You are not my slave Alex, but my helper and I care about you and your father." "But my Lord. I always visit my father everyday after work." "Then you return back here instead of sleeping there with him. What if something bad happ
Meanwhile back at Gishon. Fiona was busy tidying up the Queens room, who at the time was attending other duties with the King. A thought came to her. An evil thought. "Darius belongs with me. This girl comes here and steals my Darius away from me.Who does she think she is? I will not allow their marriage to prosper. I will not! Gods forbid, I will not!" She said, in a low yet angry voice. Shiandra the witch was watching from a distance. She could hear all that the woman had said. She was quite amused." Hmmm. I think it is time, the servant and I met face to face." Said the witch. She made her into the house, flying carefully through the window. Fiona was startled, she screamed but her voice could not be heard. Shiandra mumbled a few words, whilst pointing her finger towards the maid.Fiona stood still, unable to move as well as unable to speak. "Do not worry my dear. I am not here to hurt you." Fiona began to show relief. "I have been watching you. I know exactly how you feel
The first few months proved to be difficult for Carmen. She did not enjoy the things she used to enjoy as before. She hated the smell of cooked meat, she loved it raw. She preferred to sleep with one sheet even as her entire body was freezing cold. She would have constant nightmares about losing her unborn baby and these terrified her. The King tried his best to offer her comfort but he saw that it was not enough. One night Shiandra visited Fiona in her room. The maid was surprised to see her. "What are you doing here?" She asked. "I am here to help you." Fiona became upset. "Your help is useless to me. Carmen has not seperated with King Darius!" "Do not speak what you don't know. I am a powerful witch." The maid kept silence. She was neither afraid, not willing to argue. "A Queen without a heir is a shame to the throne, a king without a heir is a fool to the people. You can have the King to yourself if you follow my instructions well." Fiona smiled"Tell me more." She said
Hours passed The prophet's as well as Ingrid,Theresa, Alex and Carmen all stood at the palace gate with King Cyrus and his army. Shiandra and her army of vampire's arrived, twenty five in total. They stood ten metres in front of the palace gate. "You call that an army?" King Cyrus mocked. "You should not laugh too soon. Attack!" Shiandra commanded. . The vampire's ran to the gate. Theresa formed a protective, transparent barrier to keep them from the prophets, Alex and everyone else from harm. Shiandra's vampire's could not get through. They pushed but could not enter. "This will not hold for long." Theresa shouted. The prophet's fired their arrows to distract the vampire's. King Cyrus's warrior's drew their swords to the distracted vampire's and striked them on their hearts,killing them. Five vampire's however managed to escape. Noracian warrior's as well as those of Aota came forth, Shiandra commanded the Aotan warrior's to attack first. King Cyrus commanded the Kineti warri
Carmen organised a chariot, they both left for Gishon to see father Jonathan at the Zion church. When they arrived, the Archbishop welcomed both of them. There was no congregant fortunately. "Father,I brought with me a guest. A desperate advisor from the house of Kish. She wants to help." Said the Queen. "I know who she is. Ingrid, the first woman in Noracia, who even as the circumstances did not favor her managed to become the first female advisor in Noracia. I know her history." "I am humbled. I did not know that I was known here " said Ingrid. "Ingrid would like to assist us with what we need, whether it be funding, whether it be creating more crossbows,she earnestly hopes to destroy Shiandra too." "I hear you well, but where is prince Uzriel. He needs to also be a part of us." Said the Archbishop"Prince Uzriel will not be joining us as I placed him in a safe place, a ship beneath the water. He can only come out when the war is over. As he and princess Ashah who unfortunately
Meanwhile Shiandra was at Noracia, in the form of Prince Uzriel. She had been observing the prince's movement's and noticed that he spend most of his time in his Science room, researching. She saw the greatest opportunity for immitating him. "Ingrid, I will be in the science room for some time. I would to show you what I have found. That is if you are not occupied." Said the prince. "I would be glad to. We can go." Ingrid and the prince went to the science room together. While Shiandra transformed into what looked like the prince himself. She commanded two of the warrior's that were standing guard at the palace gate to bring all the warrior's to the training ground as she wanted to speak to all of them."Men and women I come to you as your prince. And I asked that you take heed to my word's as what I have to say will be of great significance to all of you."said Shiandra. The witch took out the seed of persuasion from her pockets and began to chew it. She then continued to speak.
Morning arrived,Carmen took an early bath. The King prepared breakfast and they ate. "Will you continue with what you said last night?" The King asked. "Nicholas is our enemy, he works with Shiandra. He has to die." "Then hire a warrior. You have not killed a man in your life. Of you do this then you will have to live with it." "Father,I am well aware of the consequences that I will have to face for this. I know that killing a man is not the ideal thing to do. I also know that I will not hire anyone because I am not a normal simple being,I am a hybrid and I never miss my prey." Said the Queen. King Cyrus gave his daughter a warm hug. "I believe in you my child. Make sure you do not die." He said. Carmen simply smiled. She took a horse and rode to Aota. Killing Nicholas would have to be done during the day as vampire's were more vulnerable during the day than at night. Besides Nicholas was not even that strong as he was not feeding on human blood. Killing him with one strike t
Late evening, Carmen, Rita and King Cyrus all went to the Zion church in a chariot. Father Jonathan greeted them and so did the prophet's. Carla was not present at the meeting this time,however Theresa was. "We are gathered here tonight to speak about what we discovered in ishrat." Said the Archbishop. "Does Ishrat have demon's as well as hot lava?" Carmen asked. "It is the most ugliest place to be in. It does not have lava just red ugly soil." Said Kira. "Theresa advised us to rest, we did as she said. We then attacked Shiandra's vampire's unexpectedly unfortunately some managed to escape while most if them died." "What about Shiandra?" King Cyrus asked. "She was not in Ishrat. It was as if she knew we were coming " said Rita. "Are you saying that we might have someone helping her?" Carmen asked. "It is possible" said father Jonathan"I have been keeping an eye out on Shiandra's since we last attacked her children. Last night I saw King Nicholas carrying a human head, then en
The following morning Ingrid went to Princess Ashah's room only to find her body there laying on the ground with no head. She screamed. Prince Uzriel ran to her. “What is going on, why are you screaming?” He asked. Ingrid pointed to the ground, Prince Uzriel entered the room and moved closer till he saw a body on the ground. He covered his mouth in shock when he realised it was his sister. “No no!” he shouted. The prince knelt to the ground and began to weep. “Who did this?” He shouted. “I do not know, I found her in that condition when I entered just now.I will tell the guards to look around for any clues that the killer might have left.” said Ingrid, running out of the room. Prince Uzriel covered his sister’s body with a sheet then left the room. “Where are you going?” Ingrid asked. “The people need to know that their princess has been killed.” Said the prince. “I will send out letters to the royal families from the other countries that surround us.” said Ingrid. Princ
Meanwhile Carmen was in the office working herself tiressly. Shiandra came to her in the form of Creselda, while the real Creselda was in her room sleeping from the witch's spell. "My lady I know that I'm only just a cook here but can you please tell me about the school you are building." Said Creselda's lookalike. The Queen smiled. She was glad to see a servant showing interest in the school. "Take a seat." She said. Creselda pulled a chair and sat."What you need to know about the school is written on that paper." Said the Queen, giving Creselda an A4 paper with writings on it. "Is it truly possible that when I finish my studies I will get employment in positions that only men used to occupy?" "Yes it is possible. This is something I longed for many years ago." "Is it also possible that I can become a female warrior as well?" Creselda asked,looking intensely at the Queen. "You can become what you want. The laws are gradually changing, soon enough we will be a free country l
Meanwhile in Ishrat. "Is there any water here for us to bath?" Kira asked. "I don't know. I haven't really walked that long to see any water and I don't think it would be wise to use the water here." Said Carla. Theresa entered the room, the prophet's were all awake, but still laying in their beds. "There won't be any bathing until you leave Ishrat. The water here is poisonous and it's filled with evil. Drinking the water,is inviting demon's into your body. You will hear evil voices commanding you to do as they wish." Said Theresa. The prophet's began to whisper. "Is it safe for us to go to Shiandra's cave now?" The Archbishop asked. "They are tired during this time. They are stronger in the night time. We can go." Said Theresa. "She is telling the truth. Vampire's are weak during the day but strong during the night time. We might be able to defeat them." Said Carla. "Then we leave now." Said Father Jonathan waking up from his bed. The prophet's also woke up and carried their
Early in the morning Carmen took a horse and returned to Aota. It was a sunny Saturday morning and Alex had been waiting for the Queen to arrive. And when she entered the palace, he quickly ran to her from the sitting room where he had been waiting. "I thought I smelt you." Said Carmen. "You smelt me?" "I meant,I thought I heard you. Well I was hoping to you but I did not expect to see you this early." The Queen felt uncomfortable about telling people the things she felt and could hear from a distance. She was afterall the child of a hybrid. She knew much would be expected from her."We never speak as much as we used to." Said Alex with a frown on his face. "We never seem to rest. Our tasks never seem to end. But I am glad that you came. Your presence will always be appreciated." Alex smiled. "I'm very humbled to hear those words. I know that I may be just a friend but I wondered if you could be able to join me on my fishing activity. You won't have to hunt for any fish, I will