With the dawn, breaking over the hillsides of the field, came the first stirrings of the stench of metal and the sounds of war’s past day. Cyrus woke up to see Agnes marching towards the battlefield like a woman possessed a frown etched on her face. "Agnes, wait!" Cyrus called out to her again, but she acted as if she didn’t hear him. She acted like a woman with a mission and she had a look of wrath in her eyes that could strike a frost on his spine. “You won’t get away with this Agnes,” Cyrus warned but the woman merely glared at him and shook her head. "This ends today." Cyrus put out his hand to touch her arm, but she jerked herself free from him, a force he did not expect from her. He understood she wanted to kill him, her grief had been replaced by the lust for his blood. It was now impossible to persuade her to do a particular thing. ---In the field, Agnes was as harsh a woman as any soldier could ask for. She attacked with the rage of a warrior who had nothing left to lose
*Theophilus's POV*The air almost touched me, almost embraced me with an electric charge of expectancy that came with the fighting that still was going on in the background. The sight and sound of swords meeting swords, and loud voices of pain and a guide from all ends filled the town. Every strike caused my heart to pound. I was striding around the camp area, ensuring that all was well with the wounded soldiers who were brought in, concern growing with every passing step, my boots grinding the dry ground.What if the enemy was able to advance into the Capital?Each second seemed to be a lifetime, and I wished I could climb into Moana’s arms, hug my unborn child, and wish for better days for all of us. Memories of my wife and our unborn child were with me; I saw them imperiled for their lives. Desperation struggled against responsibility in me; my heart tightened with each passing second.‘I can’t stay here,’ I thought to myself, growing impatient. But I couldn’t go; I had responsibil
Daylight crept in gradually, running her easy fingers along the walls, and flickering mysteriously at the windows. Philemona woke first, a slight frown on her face as she yawned and looked around the room. Something seemed strange and different. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized there was no sign of Tina. "Where's Tina?" she questioned, her voice trembling slightly as she looked at the other persons asking them worriedly.“I don’t know,” Moana muttered, yawned, and tried to clear the fuzz that had descended on her brain. "She was here when we went to sleep, yes?”"Maybe she is with the twins. They were quite ill last night they slept most of the time." Hannah murmured.“I will check,” she said further standing from the bed. She left the room and went to the twins room. In less than fifteen minutes she returned and there was a clear look of alarm on her face. "She's not there. I did not find her elsewhere too.”Horror crept up over them. It scared two of them out of their beds
The war room was a cauldron and the atmosphere was quite suffocating as the stench of sweat and ink filled the atmosphere. Drusus lay his arms on the table, and they both were in the dim light of candles. A plan of the battlefield lay on the table as a rough sketch, with several maps strewn around. Theo tapping the borders of the map let his eyes run over them, scanning every route and then using a pen to mark certain spots where the south had dominated. "We need to encircle them."Drusus raised an eyebrow, his face a mere few inches away from his own, his eyes narrowed in thought, working out the strategic details of the conflict. "We have had our archers fixed on the mountainside to shower arrows upon them. They are restrategizing to escape our attacks. If we can take away their escape and attack from the front we'll pin them."Theo flitted his eyes towards the rays of success, his jaws clenched, ready for a battle. "In this case, we have to put our fastest ones on the sides. They'
Cyrus POVThe war was still raging outside wildly. The South had been very unprepared for the attack and the new strategy they had had faltered due to our strategy. It was getting quite obvious that we would be victorious in the war. It was getting late and after several hours of fighting, I decided to go back to the war camp. A general was going to take over my place, and the men who had fought from morning till night were to retreat and those that would fight from night till morning were going to replace them. I rode my horse away, exchanging positions in an orderly manner so that despite the switch, we would still be able to attack the enemy effectively. As I neared the war tents, I slowed down a bit and then pulled on the reins of my horse to make it come to a halt. I swung down from it, breathing heavily, and made my way to the entrance of the tent where Agnes was kept. "Is she awake?" I asked the guards who stood in the front."Not yet Your Majesty," they responded in unison
I stormed into Lord Xeik’s tent with fire and brimstone visibly burning in my heart for having been deceived. The material of the canvas tore again and brought me to the sight I almost stopped breathing. The interior stank of sweat and the desperation before death hung in the thick gloom.There was a woman dressed in black standing still before me; she was fixing a thin black veil to Lord Xeik’s wrist. The material made his arm disappear as if it were a black cloak that was destined to bring in his evil end. He clung there at the top of his tent with all his strength; his face red and sweating with fear and agony.His eyes popped out wide open as beads of perspiration glistened on his skin, his curled lips looked like a scream kept inside. His tendons flexed at his neck and the rest of his body followed the muscular attempt of him to escape.Looking up from my chair, I saw the woman turn toward the door the moment I walked in, her eyes clearly focusing on me. Then I was startled becau
Anger was gone, leaving the sadistic smile on Agnes’s lips as a cold, shocking feeling enveloped her heart and squeezed the life out of it. She felt her heart racing and her body stiffening, The fear seeping into her and then choking her as it surrounded her chest. His breath momentarily hitched and she remembered the danger she had led Cyrus into. The burden of the mistake almost suffocated her as it pressed against her chest ready to overpower her.Fear kicked in making her drive like a woman possessed. She hurried out of the tent, forgetting the pain it the wound inflicted on her by Xeik. The sound of her bare feet striking the sound like that of a death rattle. She kicked up sand as she went moving about madly. Each tent looked like it was a never-ending maze; after a few moments, she glanced around searching for a figure as distinctive as Theo’s.The silence gave her a feeling that the atmosphere was suffocating on her. Agnes stepped into the armory tent enraged and with determin
It was at this that Theo looked around himself, taking in the decimating war that had claimed the lives of so many people. The dead bodies were crying in his head, and the sound of swords clashing still rang in his ears. Death had its particular smell, a nauseating odor that seemed to penetrate even the spaces between his fingers. The battlefield was a grotesque tableau of shattered lives and broken dreams, with the bodies of fallen warriors lying in grotesque contortions, their lifeless eyes staring blankly at the darkening sky.The air was thick with the metallic scent of blood and the acrid tang of smoke, mingling with the earthy smell of freshly churned soil. Flies buzzed around the corpses, their droning hum adding to the eerie stillness that had settled over the camp. The once vibrant grass was now matted with gore, a grim reminder of the fierce battle that had raged here.After an hour of searching, the exhausted victors watched as the dying light stretched the shadows of the f
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