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Chapter 91
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2024-10-29 19:42:56The weapon shoe was busy with activities. Smoke poured out from the outlet above the roof darkening parts of the street. Passersby held scarves or the neck of their clothes to their noses to block out the pungent smell of burning metal. Small boys worked fervently in the shop, some attended to customers while others did the less than pleasing work of selecting reusable metals, and the pile to select from was huge. There were too many boys working in the shop. There were other armories but they had fewer workers than Gustoff's because everybody wanted to be given the honor of casting royal weapons.
At the back of the front shop were Strukus, Gustoff and some of the older boys doing the more tedious work that resulted in the huge cloud of black smoke that poured from the building. They sweated and grunted as they went about stoking the fire with the bellows, collecting molten metal and shaping them into desired weapons. There was less talking here since they were all too conce
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Cursed by the Gods: Cleopoda CBTG Book 1 Chapter 92
He didn't know what possessed him to tell his mother that but the joy that suddenly leaped into her eyes and face made him glad that he had blurted it out to her. Remin turned back to Strukus in a daze, she couldn't believe her ears. At first, her heart stopped for a full moment then it started beating heavily in her chest so much that she could barely breathe. She took two steps back and searched her son's face for any sign of deceit but saw none. Why would he want to lie to her about something so delicate? Why would he deceive her in fact when he too missed his friend dearly? The tears in her eyes were reflected in his as he nodded without a word. With a small cry, she ran back and threw her arms around his neck. Strukus held on to his mother and carefully guided her to a more secluded part of the shop to avoid attention. She was crying heavily, choking between sobs as she tried to talk through her tears. When she was finally able to pull back she wiped her e
Cursed by the Gods: Cleopoda CBTG Book 1 Chapter 93
Within the next few weeks, a very happy Zenas was ready to arrange Cleopoda's freedom from the temple and Camelorn forever. He planned with Birian and occasionally with Strukus whenever he saw him. He had not expected the plannings and escape to be easy but it was even harder than he thought when he began to study the temple priests' routine. There were 15 priests in all at residence in the temple besides head priest Federic, 10 were assigned to taking care of the sacrifices people brought to the temple, and out of those ten four worked in addition to the remaining five in taking care of the sick who were brought for purifications. The routine was such that every morning as early as the first day of light cracked the dawn, even before the stars disappeared completely, the 10 priests in charge of sacrifices together with a few temple hands, cleaned the temple to prepare for the day. The sacrifice area was directly after the entrance of the temple and it was large and open enough that
Cursed by the Gods: Cleopoda CBTG Book 1 Chapter 94
Under the dying light of the day, Strukus hurried to the rendezvous. Zenas had sent the message through Birian that he should come to the field but this time to wait for him at the edge. He walked as fast as he could and just when he was only a few feet he saw Zenas pacing slowly by the field. He wondered what he wanted to tell him, he too had news to tell Zenas, news he was excited about. He hurried over and waved at Zenas who hastened him over. There was a look of agitation and urgency on Zenas' face. It seemed like every time he saw the man there was always a look of urgency in his form and composure, it made him wonder what the man must have been through that would make him so eager to help Cleopoda. "I came as fast as I could," he said quietly once he was standing beside him. "Good. Listen carefully, I have saved as much as I can for you and Cleopoda to journey with and since your mother is going with you..." Without waiting for him to finish he in
Cursed by the Gods: Cleopoda CBTG Book 1 Chapter 95
There were only a few more clothes to be folded, the sword to the wrapped and he would be done with parking her things for the journey. Zenas sat on the bed they shared for weeks since Birian had brought her to stay with him, to save her from the stained hands of the priests. He thought back to the day she had seen him lying helpless and bloody and hope she had defended him against Junae who had for many years taken advantage of him. He thought back to how she had spent sleepless nights watching over him and her happiness when he had awakened from the herb-induced that has helped him heal. She was ever ready to help others while doing nothing to help herself. See how are had taken it upon herself to teach Birian to read and write more than just his name! He bunched up the cloak she always wore their picnics and wished there was a better way to help her that didn't involve her leaving him. And to think the king wanted nothing to do with Cleopoda! Was the man mad? Could
Cursed by the Gods: Cleopoda CBTG Book 1 Chapter 96
Stars burned behind his eyes and a dull ache throbbed behind his head. He moaned and shifted a little to alleviate the pain behind his head but could barely move. The pain he felt was full compared to what he felt when he offered services of pleasure to rich patrons but it hurt all the same. Her throat was raw and parched and it hurt when he tried to call out to Cleopoda for some water. Cleopoda! That made him jerk his eyelids open. The first thing Zenas saw when he opened his eyes was Keiran sitting in a chair a few feet away from his bed. There was a look of disappointment on his face and with that was anger. Zenas looked around the room but there was no sign of Cleopoda, not even her bundle of clothes was sitting against his trunk. Keiran unfolded his hands and leaned forward until his face was illuminated enough by the surprisingly bright sun that came in from the half-opened window. "I am disappointed in you, whore." Zenas had learned to ig
Cursed by the Gods: Cleopoda CBTG Book 1 Chapter 97
For a long time, Cleopoda's head throbbed. There was a sack over her head that prevented her from seeing anything, the only opening in the sack was a space for her nose so she could breathe, one that had been cut after the back was placed over her head. Strangely she wasn't crying, the reason her head was because of her headache the headache she got from thinking too much. The carriage in which she laid had been moving for so long which meant she was traveling but with no knowledge of her destination. There were voices but they spoke a language she could not understand. In her small space in the carriage covered with a sack over her head and a big black cloth of a strange material, she let her mind drift. The last thing she remembered before being blindfolded by the sack and carried out of the temple. Zenas had been taking her out of the temple with Birian in tow carrying her things, she had heard the sickening sound of something against Zenas before he dropped to the ground
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Birian was a priest so when he walked down the street in the market people showed their reverence to him. They made way for him to pass and greeted him even calling out for him to pray to the gods for them. He did his best to smile at them in passing, even exchanging a few words to some but at the same time, he hoped they would leave him be. His body ached from the punishment he served for being an accomplice to Cleopoda's failed escape. Federic, the old fool had had him wiped with the leather discipline, a long hard strip of leather usually used to control the animals in the temple's pen. His back throb and his skin itched, he longed to scratch at his injuries but he couldn't. The cloak he wore over his priestly robe was like a burden to him, it pressed his robe so that it stuck with his scarred flesh. As he walked on towards the weapon shop he clenched his fist against the pain and the failure of their plans. The shop was crowded since it was mid-morning, young boys
Cursed by the Gods: Cleopoda CBTG Book 1 Chapter 99
Every time she opened her eyes she found that they still moving. Her body ached from being jostled in the carriage, the one she shared with the Saade. The carriage was beautiful on the inside, there were plush seats done in beautiful bright colours, there was a bright-colored rug that cushioned her feet. The comfort of the rug and her tiredness lured her to sleep from time to time. To her surprise, the Saade barely made any attempt to touch her. He barely looked at her in fact, he seemed to be less concerned about the fact that she might try to escape and he somewhat seemed to be a little too distracted to care about her. She wondered what was going on in his mind. After he ordered the guard to bring her to his carriage he had asked for some food for her. It was then she discovered that the plain carriage with many jars and sacks contained food; grain, nuts, wine, and even some milk. She had eaten tentatively and only because she was very hungry. The Saade raised a cor
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Cursed by the Gods: Cleopoda CBTG Book 1 Author's note
I have now come to the end of book one of my Cursed by the gods series. It has been a long journey I'm not gonna lie. I lost commitment along the way of writing this book, lost inspiration, even changed the plan I initially had for it. I am really glad that I got to finish it and if you stayed till the end I just want to say thank you for even choosing this book in the first place. I will start with the second book as soon as possible and do my best to make that one better. I hope I have been able to tell you a good story dear readers and once again I thank you for reading Cursed by the gods. Thank you.
Cursed by the Gods: Cleopoda CBTG Book 1 Chapter 123
Octavius stepped back at the sight of the change that came over the brother whom he thought he knew. "What do you mean Angus? Don't do anything stupid I beg you by the gods." Angus laughed as he reached into his robe. "I am not doing anything stupid. This is something that should have been done a long time ago. I am doing the gods a favor. I am doing Camelorn a favor by saving then from the one person who has caused many troubles on them." Octavius kept his eyes locked on Angus' and as soon as his hand came out from behind his robe he knew there was no use fighting. Angus thought of everything. In his hand was a dagger with a golden liquid covering it. It was the Mekai. The one liquid that was known to kill gods and make them wandering souls. "You really want to do this?" Angus approached him. From the corner of his eyes tears fell from Octavius eyes. He knew this was the end, knew this was all his life was coming to and in that last mom
Cursed by the Gods: Cleopoda CBTG Book 1 Chapter 122
Cleopoda ran hastily down the hall, her legs barely touched the ground as she ran. She feared that one of the people in the library knew she had been there and may come for her. Tears threatened to blind her as she went. Who would believe that Uncle Angus took so many years to plan his own brother's downfall? The same Uncle Angus who loved her when no one else did, the same one who brother food to her when she was younger, the same one who risked war with an enemy nation to see that she was brought back home. How can the man in the library be the same Uncle Angus? Some part of her was glad that Father would be stripped of his power as King of Camelorn, the other part of her heart broke for him. He loved his brother very much yet that brother planned for years on how best to take his kingdom away from him. She felt sad for him but her anger at his treatment of her over these years threatened to overcome her pity for him. Uncle Angus even knew of Amelia's infidel
Cursed by the Gods: Cleopoda CBTG Book 1 Chapter 121
Cleopoda ran down the length of the hall looking for Angus. It was amazing what one declaration from the mouth of a prince could do. Since Uncle Angus made that declaration of her royalty in the morning the servants had treated her with a little more dignity even though they were still wary of her.She wasn't used to having any servant look at her with anything besides disdain, as though she was a common thing stuck to the bottom of their sandals, and curiosity. Now some even bowed slightly. Even Demeris seemed to acknowledge her presence when she stopped in the kitchen for some food for Ajun.As she walked the length of the hall ignoring the soldiers who stood guard she looked from side to side hoping to catch a glimpse of her beloved uncle. She was just about to give up searching for him when she heard his voice coming from the library. She stopped in her tracks listened to be sure it was indeed Uncle Angus. Sure enough, it was he.The door of the
Cursed by the Gods: Cleopoda CBTG Book 1 Chapter 120
Octavius raised his hands to silence the people who only yelled more, pumping their fists in the air as they shouted. Octavius looked helplessly at the angry faces as they demanded that he open the gates so they can destroy the temple or do something about their predicament. They spoke simultaneously and loudly that he could not hear a single word.Taking a deep breath he raised his voice high above the din. "People of Camelorn what is it you want?"The replied all at once. Octavius' ears hurt at their shouts. He took another breath and shouted louder."I can not hear what you all are saying and as such can not respond to your complaints. If you may please chose someone to speak for everyone."It was an impossible task. They were an angry mob and everyone wanted to represent the crowd. After much time had been wasted with much pushing and fighting the people finally chose a certain merchant who held a little girl in his arms. He held her
Cursed by the Gods: Cleopoda CBTG Book 1 Chapter 119
Even before the day started Octavius already knew it would be a day he would dread. It started with Asterah visiting him, draining even ounce of his strength before the day even began. How the goddess could never be satisfied with sex he would never know. He was glad that he was able to please her this time. But as soon as she left him and he heard the knock on the door he knew his bad day was about to get worse.It was Angus who knocked. He wore a light tunic and over it was his royal robe of dark blue with the coat of arms of Camelorn sewn below its shoulder."Brother," Octavius greeted, doing his best to sound formal and regal. "You look well."Angus entered the room."You look terrible," he chuckled. Octavius laughed too but in his heart, he knew that he was indeed a miserable man. He picked himself from his bed and drew his robe around his shoulders with a show of confidence."Any news from Amire?" He asked Angus."Much news. They w
Cursed by the Gods: Cleopoda CBTG Book 1 Chapter 118
Cleopoda looked at a sleeping Ajun at the foot of her bed. The palace was quiet at this time of the morning, it was just before dawn but she was already awake. In fact, she couldn't sleep throughout the night because her mind was troubled. Since her return to the palace a week ago there had been changes. The servants were still the same as ever, eyeing her curiously and wondering why she should be allowed to live in the palace but there was a bit of respect for her too because Uncle Angus had commanded that she should be treated like royalty. She still had to cover her head and eyes when moving about the palace, especially when she had to go to the kitchen or the washrooms to hide the allure that drew people to her. But these things weren't troubling her, what was the fact that she had seen someone who didn't belong in the palace creeping around. Her surprise at seeing him there had held her rooted to the ground especially when she had seen from whose room he was coming from.
Cursed by the Gods: Cleopoda CBTG Book 1 Chapter 117
Days after they left the Summer Palace to Camelorn the tension was still high in the atmosphere. The talk and fear of war increased drastically and words of it were whispered from soldier to soldier and servant to servant. Cleopoda remained in her room because Angus told her to. She knew he feared that if she ever ran into her father, Octavius in the halls he would send her back to the temple or someplace where he may never find her again. Father never visited her and neither did his new wife, Amelia and it hurt her but by now she was used to his lack of concern for her. She wanted nothing more than to see Mama Remin and Strukus, maybe even pay a visit to Zenas at the temple if he was still there but she was to remain within the walls of the room Angus had the servants prepare for her. She shared her room with Ajun who did nothing more than to eat and sleep and read the books Angus sent to her through the servants, they were folklore with sketched pictures. The boy barely had storie
Cursed by the Gods: Cleopoda CBTG Book 1 Chapter 116
"What have you done Angus! I sent you to Amire to congratulate our new comrade and you went to stare up trouble! The king of Amire has sent messengers promising war." He turned hateful eyes to her and glared at her with so much venom that made her want to sink to the ground and die. "And what is this cursed child doing here in my palace?!" Shocked Angus moved to shield Cleopoda from his brother's hateful glare. He had not expected Octavius to be here. He had planned to hide out here and plan the next way to let his brother know he brought back his daughter. "What are you doing here, Octavius? I thought you were at the palace in Camelorn" "Angus answer my question, I did not come here to trade petty words with you. What is this cursed child doing here?" There was no way he could distract his brother decided to be blunt. "Your child!" "Not my child! I did not birth evil. How dare you bring her here? Do you not know she possesses ev
