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2024-10-29 19:42:56“How was your hunting trip with father?”, Aileen rushed towards him the moment he arrived at the stables. “Good”, he said in a cryptic manner. “Just good?”, she inquired, “Surely there’s more?” He didn’t say a word to her, he continued to tend to his horse Buckley. He unsaddled it and meticulously brushed his body. Aileen was having none of it, “Come on Cedric, spill the beans already do not ignore me. You and father rarely go out leisurely, if it is not a war or…” “Why is that?”, he cut her off harshly. She stared at him surprisingly, she knew he merely tolerated her but never had he raised his voice at her, “Cedric…”, she called out in a whisp
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Ravens call Nine
***“You know what it is like don’t you?”, she rambled on, “It is like he is a different person. Like I don’t even know my own brother…”Kalliste merely nodded. The walk had her listening to Aileen’s pathetic monologue and her nodding in understanding or rather pretending to nod in understanding. If Cedric had treated her badly for any reason it was most likely that she deserved it. She was not one to wish ill on anyone but Aileen deserved all the ills that came her way. She was a wicked…“I am such a sweet person, I do not deserve to be treated like this, not by anyone let alone my own brother”, Aileen’s high pitched melodramatic voice cut through her thoughts.
Ravens call Ten
“…she has not had anything to eat the whole day your highness. She has been tucked in bed all day, refuses to speak to anyone and we are worried. This is not her usual behavior and so I…”Ceric waved a hand at the maid to stop her from talking, “Let me see her”The guard at the door, knocked briefly, announced Cedric’s presence and opened the door to him.Cedric strolled into the chambers, his hand behind his back. His eyes strayed for a while before they settle on Kalliste who was curled up in a ball under the sheets, “Leave us alone"The maids scurried out leaving the room.Cedric walked towards the dresser and studied the candelabra, he ran his fingers tip over the smooth golden surface. He had picked it out with his mother many years ago. He managed a small smile, “What is the matter Kalliste?”She did not reply.“Wh
Ravens call ELEVEN
“Edgar! Edgar! Please you have to help me. My child has gone missing please!”Cleopatra thought she was hearing voices in her head again or it was one of her visions that appeared real. It was not until she heard a loud bang on the door did she realize the cries where coming from the real world. She swiftly shot up from bed, this was not an unusual occurrence in Averna. She was used to waking up earlier than usual because Edgar was Averna's physician. Most emergencies happened at night but this was different, she thought. She has heard something about a missing child. She stared out of the window and it was so dark outside, she groaned, it was not dawn yet.Cleopatra walked to the mirror and stared at her reflection, her hair was ruffled courtesy of a cold bad night sleep. She quickly put on a woolen sweater over her long night dress so she wouldn’t freeze to d
Ravens call TWELVE
***It had been a while since the volunteers set out in search of Priscilla. Cleopatra sat on the floor next to Edgar, a blanket draped around her shoulders as she gingerly sipped from the cup in her hands. It was nearly dawn, the people gathered around had increased.Not too long after it happened, the story of how she had been in Priscilla’s head was on the lips of everyone. Many people stole glances in her direction but when she turned to meet their gaze they would turn away. She hope Priscilla was found, maybe their attention would be diverted she thought to herself.“Are you alright Cleopatra?”, Edgar asked.She nodded.“
Ravens call THIRTEEN
***After the talk with his mother Cedric had left feeling dirty and disgusted with himself. He took a shower and scrubbed thoroughly hoping to wash away the guilt he felt but he had come out sore and the guilt still weighed heavily in his heart.He opted for archery, anything to get his mind off his current dilemma. There was a dummy target a few yards away form him. On a normal day he was a good archer probably the best there was in all of Salvador. Today however was not a normal day and today he was not the best. He had shot a host of arrows and save for one that had hit the outstretched arm of the dummy, the arrows had flown in to the forest. A couple of guards ran back and forth fetching the arrows but his aim seemed to worsen more and more after every shot. He tried one more
Ravens call FOURTEEN
***Cedric leisurely strode into the throne room, his father was pacing about around his throne, “Father”, he called out to him drawing his attention.Javaid turned around when he saw Cedric he beamed with smiles, “My son”, he walked towards him. When he got to Cedric, he pulled him into a hug, “I inquired on your whereabouts, the guards informed me you had gone to see the royal artist”“Yes”, Cedric answered, “I wanted a new painting done but thanks to Aileen I won’t be getting one”Javaid chuckled, “Let me guess she killed him?”“It is not that hard to figure out”, Cedric answered dryly.&
Ravens call FIFTEEN
Aileen had on a red blouse and leather pants with knee high leather boots. She walked towards the royal stable. Cedric stood while some guards helped him wear his royal armor, a crown sat on his head as always.“Brother”, she called out to him when she got to where he stood.“Aileen”She smiled excitedly, “I got your message, where are we going?”“Routine patrol around Salvador to ensure all of dad's subject are in line”, he answered, then he turned to the guards, “Saddle Stefan…”, he turned to her quizzically.“Penelope”, she answered the unasked question , “I will ride her”“I thought it would be nice for us to take a ride, we never get time these days”, he looked at her, “It
Ravens call SIXTEEN
Cedric and Aileen spent some time patrolling through the streets not minding the fact that they were both drenched in human blood.They finally strode into the castle, taking a stop at the throne room.Javaid panicked when he saw them at first but he visibly relaxed when he saw they were unhurt, “Seems like today’s hunting was quite…gory”“Indeed father”, Aileen answered and walked up to him, completely ignoring her mother who sat besides him. They had just finished a meeting together.“Father, I and Cedric had such a lovely time together today”, she said excitedly.“Aileen my child, of course you are his little sister”, Javaid replied with a smile, he was happy things were different between them, of course he had spearheaded the whole p
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Ravens call EPILOGUE
Cleopatra gingerly sipped the tea in her hand. Ever since the conversation with the lady, she had been thinking of ways to get to Ivan. Slowly days turned into weeks. Healing sessions had become a more demanding task. It took her a lot of energy and time to concentrate. It was like Ivan had left with a part of her.She could not exactly tell if having Ivan over would help her concentrate but she did know she was awfully inefficient without her. After all he was always on her mind and when she was not seeing Edgar in her dreams, she was seeing Ivan.She knew her feelings for him were going haywire, the thought of him sent a tingling sensation through out her whole body. Edgar was right, Ivan was right and so was the old lady. She had to be a happy first before she could bring happiness into other people’s lives.She feared that Ivan might have gotten over her, she hadn&rsquo
Ravens call FIFTY-FIVE
A couple of days later, Cleopatra sat outside staring at nothing as was her usual habit. Ivan walked up to her a tray of food in his hands, he pulled a chair and sat across from her, “Cleopatra?”. She managed a small smile.He smiled back at her. She stared intently as was as her habit since he came back. She had almost lost him. A overwhelming feeling of dread consumed her. She had been thinking a lot and it was not good.He frowned, “I have never done this . I know it is not going to be perfect but I put in my best. When it comes to you I see myself doing things I thought I would never do all my life. He looked at the tray, “Like cook…”.“I can not over emphasize how much I appreciate what you do for me Ivan…”“You know you never have to thank me for anything”, he replied. He moved the tray closer to her, “Here have something to eat&rd
Ravens call FIFTY-FOUR
Cleopatra shut her eyes tightly as she gave expression to the voice inside of her, it was deafening. It travelled miles and miles away past Averna and it’s surroundings.Everyone who heard was too shocked to move. Aileen, Javaid and Cedric were puzzled they did not understand what was happening either. They did not have much time to comprehend what was happening before they exploded in to dust. The heaps of dust were scattered by a strong gust of wind. Their screams could still be heard moments after their bodies were gone.Cleopatra stopped, the ropes she had been bound with all loosened, she dropped to the ground in a loud thud. The guards gathered ran away not looking back. Iris quickly rushed to Cleopatra. Her eyes were sealed shut, she was limp, “Cleo”, she tried to rouse her, “Open your eyes Cleopatra, you did it”She did not budge however, she
Ravens call FIFTY-THREE
Javaid paced back and forth, “Of course you know who I am”Everyone in Averna was gathered about in the square, they trembled in fear for they too had heard the tales.“Do not be afraid for no harm will come to you…”, he paused briefly, he and Aileen exchanged looks, then they burst into laughter. It was nice to finally find something humorous after all that had happened. It was short-lived however, his serious look came back, “Guard seize these traitors for they have lied to us!”The guards besot them forming a barricade around them.“I am the king of kings, I am the law and I am justice”, Javaid said maniacally, “And today before your very own eyes I will dish out my judgement to your leader!”, he growled, “Tie her to a stake. They had a stake already in place
Ravens call FIFTY-TWO
Days had passed and it was one torture to the other, Aileen was creative with the sessions. They were both too exhausted to move let alone fight back. They had been wounded physically and other times Aileen had used her magic and that was the worst kind of pain. The hunger was another torture altogether. “Ivan”, Cleopatra mumbled, “I am so sorry for all that I have put you through”, she traced the scar on his shoulder, her eyes teared up,”Yo…you have be…been hit more times than I have…I put you through this…” “Shh”, he whispered, “Cleopatra your problems are my problems”, his thumb brushed against her lower lip. It was bruised and bleeding. “I want to be by your side every chance I get", he stated, “Neither am I complaining. This is what I want, I would do this again without a second thought” “Ivan…” “Cleopatra do not worry, everything will be fine” “How can you be…” He smiled, “I do not know, I do not have the answers", he cradled her head, “I do love you Cleopatra…” ***They
Ravens call FIFTY-ONE
Iris stirred in her sleep, she listened quietly, she thought she heard a tap on her room window. She heard it again. She sat upright. She reached inside her drawers and picked out a dagger. Dylan had given it to her. She stealthily walked towards the window, her hands were shaky. She slowly opened the windows. There was nobody outside.She almost heaved a sigh of relief when someone grabbed her hand and covered her mouth with his hands. She tried to scream, she bit the hand and was about to scream out loud when she heard Dylan’s voice, “Calm down sister…”“Dylan…”, her eyes teared up, “Dylan…Come on in”, she opened her room window and he jumped through. He pulled her into a long hug and when they detached from themselves.She slapped him.“Oww”, he held his cheek, “What was that for?”“Our parents were worried sick about you Iv
Ravens call FIFTY
They were already on their way to Salvador. Cleopatra pondered on what Edgar had told her. She never knew she would ever find her parents killers ever. Cedric did not give them anytime to take anything with them.Dylan and Cleopatra rode in front while Ivan and prince Cedric rode behind. The guards trailed behind them. Cleopatra felt an uncomfortable feeling in her chest, she shut her eyes and then she saw in her mind’s eyes, Ivan was choked by Cedric. She turned immediately and saw Ivan struggling silently. She waved her hand and a stick floated and hit Cedric’s hand making him lose focus. Ivan slumped and slipped from his horse and fell to the ground.Cedric looked up at Cleopatra, “What do we have here?, You have magic Cleopatra?”, he got down from his horse, “You are just like I imagined my dark empress…”&nbs
Ravens call FORTY-NINE
“Dylan you should not have done that to Cleopatra not at all”, Iris chided, “You can not win her heart that way, if there is anything you only drove a wedge between you two”“Iris it hurt me to see that Ivan was back and at her house”, he replied, “I thought that was the end, that I would never have to deal with him…”“Hey!”, Iris cut him off, “I like him, and he likes me too"Dylan chuckled, “For your sake I hope it is the truth. I see the way he looks at her like the way someone in love does”, he pointed at his chest, “I know it because that is the exact same way I look at her. Cleopatra reciprocates his feel…”Iris plopped down on the chair, “You think I do not know it? You think I do not see it? You think I am dumb and oblivious to reality…”, tears dropped from he
Ravens call FORTY-EIGHT
Ivan slowed down at the outskirts of Averna. He could never believe how much he would miss this place. The moment he had turned his back, he knew he would. He thought for a while, it was not exactly Averna he missed. It was Cleopatra he missed. Parting ways with her had been more painful than he imagined it would be. Her image clouded his mind. He rode towards her house, he met Edgar sitting outside. Edgar looked up at him and immediately recognized him, his face lit up with a smile, “Ivan”The affection with which he called out to him was eminent, Ivan smiled. He had never before felt so welcomed in a place. In the homeless nursery where he grew up anytime they saw the matrons would be furious. At the age they thought him old enough to fend for himself and the others. So he had to stay in the woods until twilight before returning.When Ivan got to wher
