Tom's POVI returned to the camp base quite late at night. The moon was surprisingly bright, illuminating every detail of the night. It cast the shadows of the trees of the nearby forest onto our camp. From a distance, I could hear the light snores of the southern soldiers, exhausted by the journey from the south to Ghysem. A few of them roamed the area to guard against our soldiers from the north. I had put on the appearance of Volkov as I neared the area. "You are back, captain." One of them had sighted me from a distance. He rushed over to greet me. "We had grown quite worried but did not want to leave the base.""Why would you be worried?" I asked without even a slight smile. From the time I had observed Volkov, I knew that he rarely smiled. He was a man who took every bit of life seriously as if he constantly had to prove himself to everyone. His discipline was behind control and he seemed very strict with his men. "I am quite alright.""Did you perhaps take a walk to clear you
Third Person's POVThe atmosphere at the camp was charged with unease as the soldiers stationed above ground anxiously paced back and forth. Time had ticked by since their fellow troops had ventured into the depths of the tunnels and a sense of dread loomed over them.Whispers of apprehension quickly escalated into a frenzy of fear when the first Ghysem soldiers emerged from the darkness, fierce and unyielding. Chaos ensued as the southern troops were caught off guard and filled with terror, scattered in all directions.There was almost no time for them to react or counter their attacks. Soldiers from Ghysem slaughtered them like animals, blood flowed in the land like a river contaminating the stream.Within minutes, the southern soldiers were dead.***In the southern pack, Lord Xeik brooded in his dimly lit chamber, frustration boiling inside him. A soldier has come to report to him that they had been ambushed by Ghysem soldiers and all of them were dead. Only the man who gave the r
Xeik's POVI dressed as quickly as I could, putting on my armor. It felt a bit heavier than usual but I knew it was just the anxiety that was gnawing at me. I stood in front of the mirror making sure everything was perfect, a part of me hoping Castilla would come in the morning to wish me luck but she did not. Knowing that my soldiers would have been ready and waiting for me, I dashed out of the room and went to the training field I had asked them to assemble. I surveyed them properly. The first line was going to be me wielding a sword, and two other swordsmen, and the first fifteen lines were going to have our best archers who were fairly good at sword-wielding. Then I arranged the best spear throwers after that the swordsmen and I kept repeating the formation till the end. "Are you ready?" I roared. They roared in response, eager to attack our long-time``` enemy. I climbed onto my horse and then we started to march out of the palace towards the border. When we got closer, we woul
Cyrus's POVAs we stepped out of the war room, our footsteps rolled heavily on the stone floor and they sounded eerily like the funeral bells before a war. We could not afford fear or doubt. Not now. Not when Ghysem's life depended upon it.We walked side by side and every now and then our hands would make soft contact. Eventually, I held her hand in mine. It was comforting. The illumination of torches was flickering along the walls and it was as if we were watched by the ghosts of the war."We'll place our swordsmen who can wield shields at the front," I explained, "They must be very good at defending rather than attacking. I shall let Drussus know immediately," I said glancing at Agnes. Her eyes, like precious stones gleamed in the dim light. "They'll block the arrow attacks from the south. I'm glad we revised our armor. It's now harder for an arrow to penetrate, except if shot from a greater distance, which increases the impact but is less accurate."Agnes nodded, her red hair sway
Moana’s POVThe return to the capital was at the same time liberating and torturing, The carriage was bumpy throughout the irregular road surface but this moment freed a tremendous weight off my back. The capital symbolized stability, a certain form of order amidst the destructions which had taken over Ghysem. But I worried about what was happening to Theophilus and the people at the new underground place far from where I was. That he should fight to the death to keep us safe was the one thing I admired, even though it cost me his company.There was no difference between one area and another – villages destroyed, cottages and hovels, thatch roof homes collapsed, the thatch exposed, the framework left behind. Burning ridges extended as if they were graves, the fertile land turning to charcoal of farm products. Broken hopes were there on the ground, lives that were once cherished by people were now completely erased.The actual roadway had been scarred and pitted; the crusts of the skin
At this point the sun was well high in the sky, scorching whoever it was upon and its red light was upon the battle as Cyrus led his army on. His heart raced like the beats of the horses of the Ghysem warriors following him. Drusus and Theo stood on his left and right respectively, serious expressions etched on their faces and both staring ahead for any sign of the Southern pack.Finally, they met with Xeik. Cyrus shouted, over the hollering of soldiers and it was a battle cry to the other side. “Xeik! Your coward of a king hides within his throne room while you do the fighting. Is this what it is to be Southern? What’s normally meant to be a king is not who doesn’t have courage and thus depends on others!"Xeik, with the iron in his glare, penetrated through the dust and confusion. His answer reverberated in my head and he glared at Cyrus, fury enveloping his voice. “If you were from the Southern pack you would know that the members here understand the importance of our king! We sha
The sounds of war have reached the capital making the atmosphere tense, the sounds of fighting could be faintly heard in Tina’s house. Every rumble, every clash of their weapons, brought a new spasm of involuntary terror to her bosom, which was twisted into a painful knot of concern at her stomach. She spent her time with Hannah, Philemona, Moana, and the twins sitting close in the room full of shadows, illuminated only by the feeble candle burning.Beyond the huge door, the real world lay, the world of a great war: the sound of the great, heavy drums could still be heard. Groaning and calls of soldiers, ringing metal in reply, the dull roll of horse hooves – the music of chaos. “Do you think they’re okay?” Hannah whispered, her eyes widened and hands folded in front of her lower abdomen tightly. She was clearly scared and kept glancing at the window as if she could somehow look through the walls and to the battlefield.“They will be alright,” Tina mumbled, her confidence being weak,
Agnes POVThe day had been extremely stressful. I had gone through the tunnels and rooms in the underground of the palace, cleaning the place out with the other slaves. I used the reports from the last population census, birth and death records to get a bunker for each family. We worked on protecting the really young ones and the elderly. Then the mothers of children first. We decided to put up petitions to ask some men who had brief training to fight at the back line of the battle if they could. That way, we would be able to have more room for people. Adrianna has worked tirelessly as well, getting all the supplies that would be needed down in the underground. We wanted to make sure we were able to get almost everything ready before the evening of the next day so that moving people would not be a problem.We had started with the regions that were closer to the war. Most of the people had been assembled in the throne room and courtroom, waiting for bunkers to be assigned to them. The
It had been two years since Cyrus and Agnes got married in the enchanted garden. Their love had only grown stronger with each day. The palace was always filled with laughter and joy, all thanks to them. This morning, the sun shone softly, making everything look golden and magical.Agnes, with her big pregnant belly, was relaxing in their bedroom on a comfy chaise lounge. She was gently rubbing her belly, feeling the little kicks and movements from inside. They were both so excited to meet their twins soon.Cyrus walked in and immediately noticed Agnes. Despite her being tired from the pregnancy, she still looked beautiful. He went over to her, knelt down, and kissed her belly tenderly."Good morning, my love," he said softly. "And good morning to our little ones."Agnes smiled, her eyes sparkling with love. "Good morning, Cyrus. They've been really active this morning."Cyrus laughed quietly and put his hand on her belly. "Seems like they're eager to meet us."He gave her belly one la
The day of the wedding dawned with a golden glow, as the first rays of sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a warm, ethereal light over the palace grounds. The garden, which had been the site of Cyrus’s heartfelt proposal, had been transformed into an even more magical place. An archway covered in climbing roses marked the entrance, their petals a delicate blend of white and blush pink.Rows of chairs draped in ivory fabric lined the pathway leading to the grand gazebo, which was adorned with cascading flowers and soft, billowing curtains. The air was filled with the intoxicating scent of jasmine and lavender, mingling with the sweet fragrance of roses. Lanterns hung from the trees, their light flickering gently in the morning breeze, adding a touch of enchantment to the setting.Inside the palace, Agnes stood before a full-length mirror, her heart fluttering with excitement and nerves. The seamstress had outdone herself with the gown, creating a masterpiece that made Agnes fe
Cyrus has decided he was going to propose to Agnes and this time not as Agatha, but for who she really was; Agnes. Every detail had been meticulously planned. The garden, a secluded and serene spot within the palace grounds, had been transformed into a romantic haven. Lanterns hung from the trees, casting a soft, golden glow, and a pathway of rose petals led to a small gazebo draped in sheer, white curtains. The sound of a gentle stream nearby added to the enchanting atmosphere.Cyrus made his way to the garden, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Theo, walked beside him, offering silent support. They exchanged a brief nod before Theo slipped away, leaving Cyrus to await Agnes's arrival.Cyrus had informed Eunice, Adrianna, and a few other ladies of his decision. So the ladies had deceived Agnes there was going to be a tea in one of the palace gardens. Only for those with high class. Eunice had told Agnes that she was only heading the other slaves in prepari
Theophilus stood at the edge of the clearing, observing the scene before him. The war had left this part of the kingdom in shambles, but now, with peace restored, the arduous process of rebuilding had begun. The air was thick with the scent of earth and freshly turned soil as workers unearthed the entrances to the underground shelters where the people had sought refuge during the conflict.He walked through the village, greeting the townsfolk who were emerging from their subterranean hideouts. The once desolate and war-torn area was now a hive of activity. Men and women toiled side by side, lifting beams, hammering nails, and repairing the damage. Children, their faces smeared with dirt, played amidst the construction, their laughter a hopeful sign of better days to come.Theophilus paused at the entrance of one of the larger shelters, admiring the ingenuity and resilience of his people. The structure, hidden beneath a thick layer of earth and foliage, had provided safety and refuge d
Lady Asher's screams echoed through the dimly lit chambers of the southern palace, the sound waves reverberating off the stone walls. Sweat drenched her body, soaking through the linen sheets as she clung to the bedposts, her strength waning with each contraction. The midwives hovered around her, whispering words of encouragement, their hands steady and practiced as they guided her through the agony.The air was thick with the scent of herbs—rosemary and lavender—mingling with the coppery tang of blood, a primal smell that signaled new life. King Ares paced outside the room, his heart pounding with a mixture of fear and anticipation. His footsteps echoed down the corridor as he awaited the arrival of his heir. The southern palace was bathed in moonlight, casting an ethereal glow over the proceedings.The night air vibrated with tension as the kingdom held its breath, awaiting the cry of the newborn prince. And then it came—the final cry, piercing the night. King Ares rushed inside, hi
The days passed in a haze of stolen moments and whispered promises, each encounter between Ashlynn and Ares leaving her breathless and yearning for more. Her heart ached with the weight of her secret, the burden of hiding her true feelings from the world.But on a day before she was to return to Ghysem, she realized something was amiss. Her monthly blood flow had not come, and a subtle queasiness had taken up residence in her stomach. Her heart pounded as she sought out Ares, her feet carrying her to his chambers with a sense of urgency.She found him poring over maps and documents, his brow furrowed in concentration. The scent of parchment and ink filled the air, transporting her to a world of ancient tales and forgotten lore. He looked up as she entered, a smile lighting up his face, illuminating the room."Ashlynn," he said, standing and crossing the room to embrace her. His arms wrapped around her, warm and reassuring, holding her close as if he'd never let her go."What brings yo
Lad—Ashlynn,” she said in a shaky voice, her words little more than a breath. She originally had meant to say her title, Lady Asher, but there was something about the warmth Ares was giving her that made her change her mind.Ares' eyes were shown in delight. "A beautiful name for a beautiful young lady!" he exclaimed, awed by her queenly form. Her midnight locks flowed down her back like liquid ebony, highlights of chestnut shimmering in the light. Her emerald eyes were so deep, it felt as though they could look into his very spirit.Their talk had flowed along easily, as water flows along a gently inclined plain. They had said nothing for hours.Not only did Ashlynn possess ravishing beauty, but her intellect, her passion for art, and the gentle strength she exuded intrigued Ares. Her laughter was music to his ears.Ashlynn was intrigued by the layers of Ares’ personality- his intelligence, his underlying kindness beneath his mantel of dominance, and the faint glimmer of vulnerabilit
A sad smile graced Lady Asher's face. She took in a deep breath and then wiped a nonexistent tear as her mind floated back to her younger days.The tension of the war that had separated the North from the South had eased up a bit. It was not forbidden for citizens of Ghysem to venture into the South or vice versa. It was during the winter, and Lady Asher Ashlynn's husband had been sent on an errand by the king.Life was beginning to bore her, and she did not want to feel like a burden to her friend, who was queen. Usually, she would spend her whole day with her best friend, but her friend had duties to attend to, and she often felt like she was in the way.Ashlynn had seen the whole of the North, and her curiosity often made her wonder about the depths of the South. When she was a teenager and the war had happened, she had lived in the North all her life, and her dreams of visiting the South were crushed.She did not have any children, so there was nothing to stop her. It was the perf
Soldiers had been dispersed all over Ghysem and the south which has now become a part of Ghysem. They had sent word to other neighboring packs in the West and East so there was no place for Lady Asher to hide. Each day was spent in anguish and constant nightmares for Cyrus. He kept seeing himself hanging from the ceiling with a black veil on his wrist. Other times, he would see Agnes; her face contorted in pain as she swung from the ceiling, a black veil tied around her wrist and anytime he cut the rope, trying to save her it would be too late.He would end up bringing down a lifeless body.Then he would wake up, covered in sweat and panting heavily like he was fighting a physical war. Tonight was one of those nights Cyrus was drenched in his sweat. His breathing was ragged and then his hands shaky with fear. He felt around the bedside table for a lantern and a match, then struck it to flame the lantern. He sat up properly this time and looked towards where Agnes lay, to be sure she