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TWENTY-SIX
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Aileen rode into the small town of Averna, she was accompanied by ten guards on her father’s insistence. Although she knew she had told him she would have need for one. She slowed and got down from her horse, she patted her back.
She had colored her hair red, it fell straight framing her petite face and her expressive brown eyes. She had on a red top with leather pants and knee high leather boots. She turned to guards, she did have need for them after all, “I want you to gather all the people of this town. I do not care how you do or what measures you resort to, provided it is done!”“Yes your highness”, they scurried off, none wanting to incur her wrath. &
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“…the blood race is an old race that has practiced magic since time immemorial. They are called the blood race because they kill a man by freezing his blood. The king and everyone else in Salvador is not to find out under any circumstances thatCleopatra has magical powers or else she will not be spared…”, Edgar explained, “Neither will the whole of Averna”“And we are sure that the princess is a descent of the blood race, seeing as how she tried to hurt the little girl”, Cleopatra added, “We are sure they are the perpetrators of that dastardly act in the forest the other day…”“Told you it wasn’t me!”, Ivan cut in.Cleopatra rolled her eyes, “It was a work of magic clearly that is why the bodies did not decompose”“I wonder what
Ravens call TWENTY-EIGHT
He heard the constant bickering from inside where he lay, he walked out, it was a beautiful night, a full moon and a starry night. He admired it for a while, on nights like this he chose to sleep under the open skies so he could admire the beautiful night sky. He stared ahead and he spotted them sitting outside.He walked towards them, he could not conceal his disappointment when he saw Cleopatra sat next to Dylan, a smile on her face. He didn’t know why but it disturbed him.Iris broke into his thoughts when she saw him approaching, “I saved a spot for you”He sat besides her.He and Cleopatra exchanged brief glances. Dylan glared at him, he merely smirked at him, it was nothing he was not used to. They fell into an awkward silence but thankfully Iris came to their rescue, “It is such a beautiful night…”, sh
Ravens call TWENTY-NINE
***The following morning when they woke up, it was just the break of dawn.“Where is my sister?”, Dylan asked in a panicky voice.Cleopatra rubbed her face and pointed in the direction of the horses, “I think we might have underestimated Iris”“Morning people”, Iris announced with a smile, “You might want to get up now before the princess kills you"Ivan sluggishly got on his feet, “You are an outdoor person”, he smiled at her, “You will make a good partner”Iris returned the smile, “Indeed, imagine how exciting the journey will be and how far you will go with me by your side?&rdquo
Ravens call THIRTY
***Cedric had on a red royal mantle, that flowed down and trailed behind him. He sat at the head of the high table, he stared bored at the guests that were gathered in his party. The swaying dancers and leaping acrobats did nothing to lift his mood. The ladies subtly glanced in his direction where as the men tried so hard to get favors from him. He was bored to say the least. He hated balls and parties.He munched on an apple and sipped wine, the music did nothing to elevate his mood. Then in the sea of guests, something caught his eye. It was not flashy or colorful, neither was it eminent like all the guests where. As a matter of fact it was dark and broody. He saw a dark haired beauty that stood out amongst the others, he couldn’t pinpoint what exactly it was that made her stand
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*** Dylan had looked for Cleopatra but he did not see her and had given up. Ivan also came out to check for Cleopatra, he was almost giving up, when he saw her sitting under a tree just a few yards away from the hall. He staggered towards her, he was a little tipsy from taking a little too much wine. He came up behind her, “Cleopatra”She recognized his voice at once, “Leave me alone Ivan”“Cleopatra I am sorry. I did not mean it that way…”Cleopatra turned away from him, “Just let me be Ivan!”“Why are y
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***“Your majesty?”, Cleopatra said with a bow, the others followed suit.Javaid ignored their greetings, “Who are you?”“I am Cleop…”He snapped his fingers and a ball of fire began to float in his palm.Cleopatra straightened up and began to fidget. She curled her hands into fists and controlled her emotions, “I am from Averna, I am Averna’s leader”He quenched the flame, “I believe you know why you are here?”, he asked, “I was made to believe that someone from Averna possesses magic and I want to meet with whoever that is…”“I have been Averna&rsquo
Ravens call THIRTY-THREE
***They walked silently back to their chambers, as soon as she opened the door, Iris leaped to her feet, “So tell me Cleopatra how did it go with the prince?, How did it go with princeCedric?”, she asked excitedly unable to contain her emotions.She looked away, “It was fine I guess”, she slipped out of her sandals.Dylan glanced at her, “Where did you guys go?”“No where really important”, she said, “We just took a stroll…to different parts of Salvador”, she finished.“You are so lucky Cleopatra”, Iris said with a perky smile, “You already got a chance to hangout with the prince. Why are you not telling everythi
Ravens call THIRTY-FOUR
***“I figured by now you would have come up with an appropriate answer to my question”, King Javaid growled out.She swallowed, “My Lord I wish I had a positive answer to give”“And what do you mean by that?”, he bellowed out.“I am afraid no one in Averna has magic”Cedric and Aileen walked in that moment. Cedric stared at her for longer than was necessary.Javaid stayed silently brooding.“Yes my Lord”, then a thought struck her, if there was something about the royal family that she had noticed was the fact that they were proud. She made a decision to feed his ego, &ldq
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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
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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
