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THIRTY-FIVE
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2024-10-29 19:42:56***
Dylan was setting the table for dinner when Cleopatra’s stormed in visibly angry. He could not figure exactly why but he had ideas. When he had seen Iris and Ivan together earlier, he had sensed his sister was going to take her relationship with Ivan a top notch. He had seen it in her eyes, hell he knew her. So when Cleopatra had asked, he was happy to divulge the information. Maybe that would drive a wedge between her and Ivan he thought and he somehow thought his plan had worked. However, he did not feel the bliss that he felt earlier. The reason was clear, if Cleopatra was affected by what she saw then her feelings for Ivan had increased and that did not make him feel good. He decidedRelated chapters
Ravens call THIRTY-SIX
***Queen Charis brushed invisible speck of her blue gown, a pearly crown sat gingerly on her hand. Olivia trailed besides her as usual. It was easy to act poised as a queen as she slowly approached her husband’s chambers. It was unusual for her to refer to Javaid as her husband. She preferred the title king. Years of practice and she had perfected the art of putting up this façade, even though deep inside of her she was in turmoil or undergoing some mental torment of some sort.The corridors were littered with guards and maids moving from one end to another, they all bowed on sight of her and went about their duties, unlike her family. She got to the door of his chambers, she heaved a deep breath and paused to compose herself.Olivia reached for the queen’s hand and squeezed reassuringly. Charis looked back at her
Ravens call THIRTY-SEVEN
Prince Cedric hugged Cleopatra hard. Aileen watched them from a few feet away, she snorted in apparent disgust. “Do you truly have to go?”, he asked. “My duty to my people comes first…” He smiled to himself, it was what his father had always told him, “Do well to send letters and occasionally visit”, he told her. She bowed, “It would be a pleasure. He turned behind, “Your horses are ready. If you are in need of anything to go with, my servants would be here to give it to you…” “That would not be necessary my prince, as we have all we could possibly need”, she bowed, “Thank you for the kind gesture”
Ravens call THIRTY-EIGHT
*** Cleopatra walked into the house, “What happened pa?” she questioned, her eyes scanned the area.“I can not say exactly what it is that has befallen Averna but the number of sick people have spiked", Edgar explained, “We have lost 9 people in total, 3 children included.“When did all of this begin?”“Not long after you left for Salvador”She dropped her bags and quickly washed her hands, “How can I help pa?”“No no Cleopatra, you have just come back from a long trip.You should rest and hel…”“Pa you have been worki
Ravens call THIRTY-NINE
***Dylan came over to see Cleopatra like he had been doing for a while now. Being with her had not helped him get over his feelings for her neither had it given him the courage to profess love to her. He was always so blown out of his mind when he saw her that the words would not form on his lips. “Dylan”, she called out to him when she approached the house. He got to her and pulled her into a hug, his hand behind his back, he drew in a deep breath, her scent intoxicating him. The feel of her body against his was arousing. He did not let go of her until she did. She looked at him, “What is behind you?”, she asked. &nb
Ravens call FORTY
Cleopatra rushed outside of the house as she heard the wailing from outside, Edgar followed behind her.“Please help me I did not know she was coming down with the plague", she cried out, “I thought she was down with a small sickness…”When Cleopatra ran outside, she saw a woman on the floor, she recognized her from before clutching a small child. Although she was ashy, Cleopatra recognized her as lily. She stood up abruptly and retraced her step. Edgar leaned towards her, “How long has she been like this?”“She was cold, I thought it was a simple cold and then I covered her up and this morning her temperature was burning and she was ashy, I had no idea…”Edgar looked behind him to see Cleopatra standing from afar, “Come on Cleopatra, come and help me"
Ravens call FORTY-ONE
They had packed up their supplies as early as they could and at once they set out into the city. It was far into the night when they stopped to rest in a tavern. As they stepped into the tavern, they attracted stares from the shady crowd. Large burly men sat on small chairs that could barely carried them sat round a table. The talked and laughed aloud, gambling and drinking cheap rum…“I do not think this is a good idea…”, Iris remarked.“We are left with almost no choice”, Dylan replied.Cleopatra scanned the area, “We are attracting unnecessary attention to ourselves. It would be wise to take our seats now…”Dylan nodded.As soon as they were seated, Cleopatra resumed talking, “We only need to pass the night here seeing it is already late”&n
Ravens call FORTY-TWO
Ivan stared at the scribblings on the paper, “These are rare items”Iris nodded, “Sir Edgar said so too"“Aileen is indeed a bitch", he stated, “I could have let the snake kill her when I had the chance”Iris chuckled, “I said the same thing”“So do you have any ideas where these items might be?” Cleopatra asked.Ivan looked up at her, “Would you give me a break Cleopatra? You have had this list for longer than I have and you did not come up with any ideas...”“Give him time Cleopatra”, Iris added, “I am sure he would be able to figure this out in no time. He is our best and only shot at this"
Ravens call FORTY-THREE
Cleopatra walked up to a merchant, “Do you have a Fairycelery?”He had a blank expression on his face.“That will get us no where”, Ivan pulled her by the arm, “There is a sea of merchants here, it is impossible to ask all of them…”“How would we know if we don’t ask". They plopped on their chair next to Dylan and Iris. They were speaking in hushed tones.“These plants are exotic plants, it could serve for a good and bad purpose. They will be skeptical to sell it to anyone who asks them”, Ivan replied, “We have to somehow earn their trust” “How do you propose we earn their trust?”, Dylan asked, “It is not like trust is earned in one day”“I do not have all the answers”
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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
