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FIFTEEN
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Aileen 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
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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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Cleopatra prepared for the party she had to attend later today, she had not attended any function in a long while and this meant so much to her. She was a guest of honor after all. Edwin and his wife Alena were hosting a party to celebrate the safe recovery of their child Priscilla.Cleopatra thought about how her life changed all of a sudden. A few days ago, she was only Edgar’s ward or his grand daughter as some other thought. Now she was much more than that, the people accorded her with so much respect. It was like she was a queen, a day would not pass without her receiving a gift from the people of Averna. Today it was dresses, the next day all kinds of food items. People even bought the most insignificant of items to her but she treasured them solely. She finally felt like she belonged. She knew the people had little and out of their little they were willing to give to her.
Ravens call EIGHTEEN
***They arrived at the house of Edwin and Alena. They made use of the space in front of them for the party. Cleopatra scanned the area, a lot of people were gathered around and making merriment underneath the skies. A large bon fire was set up in the middle, it burned brightly illuminating the night sky“This has all happened because of you Cleopatra”, Iris said adoringly.Cleopatra for that short moment almost forgot that she had come with Iris and of course her brother who had deemed it fit to walk noiselessly behind them all the way here. Cleopatra suddenly noticed the party had gone quiet. She turned to see the faces of everyone staring at her. When she looked at their eyes, the love, admiration was glaring. Tears welled up in her eyes, her cheeks flushed and the
Ravens call NINETEEN
***Dylan never attended functions of any kind, everyone knew him in Averna because of his twin sister Iris. However he had been among the volunteers who went out in search of Priscilla. He had seen Cleopatra and he had been amazed my what she could do. He took an instant liking to her and when the party was announced and he dressed up and told Iris he was going. She had been surprised it was unlike him but he wanted to take any chances he had to see Cleopatra again.He had been speechless when he saw her at her house. Unlike the other night where she was slightly disheveled and shaken up.He had his eyes on her all night, who wouldn’t?, he thought. She was beautiful. He had seen her leave her chair to the far end of the house where she was conversing with a woman. He wa
Ravens call TWENTY
***“We are close”, Cleopatra said quietly then she pointed towards an open land, “Their bodies are over there…” Dylan rode closer to her, “If you are not okay with going further. You do not have to worry. I and the other men will be retrieve the body…”She looked him in the eye, “I am coming with you…”When they approached the bodies, she realized there was no stench coming from the bodies and just like in her visions, the vultures hovered over them but they were not pecking on the bodies.“What the heck!”, one of the man exclaimed, “The eyes are indeed missing just like you said”“This is
Ravens call TWENTY-ONE
The news of the search had spread round Averna, people were already gathered in front of Edgar’s house. They all had a solemn expression on their faces. Their eyes lit up with hope when they saw them approaching but the white cloth behind the men’s horses squashed the budding ray of hope they had in their hearts.The lady ran towards them with tear stained face, “They did not die, did they?”“It is okay ma’am, you have to stay calm”, Cleo said soothingly.“Tell me the visions were not true, my family is alive”, she stopped when she saw the men laying the dead bodies on the floor.“These bodies are definitely not my husband’s or child’s right?”, she wailed, “Tell me they aren’t!”, some women came close to console her.Cleopatra walke
Ravens call TWENTY-TWO
***Ivan sat outside watching the beautiful morning sun rise, he had always been an early riser. He had found it extremely hard to sleep in the house because he had never really had a home to call his. Every night was an adventure with him, from sleeping in taverns, stables and underneath the open skies, one could never get used to a house. He itched to go back to the life he knew and loved.Unfortunately, he was stuck with a certain old man and his annoying but beautiful daughter. Beautiful, he thought to himself. It made no sense to him why he would compliment her. After all she was the reason he could barely move on his own let alone be out in the woods…He still thought she was beautiful, all could see it. He brushed it off his mind but somehow it was ha
Ravens call TWENTY-THREE
“So what is your favorite part about being king father?”Javaid smiled, “You should know that by now Cedric. The power”, he stated, “It is the power to control and order anyone at will. It is having people bow down to you and plead for their lives because you are in control of it. The magic you and I possess is only an added bonus…”Cedric thought about it.Javaid squeezed Cedric’s shoulders, “You might not understand it now but you will soon, when it is all in your hands, you will feel it too so, just like I do now…They were walking through the woods just like they always did. They were however accompanied by guards who had horses with them.“Just like you already know Cedric my child, I was not king by chance neither was it hereditary. It wa
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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
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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
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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
