"But this is not just about mere talk",said the only female among us named Kara. "If we are going to do it, we should be determined to do it"Kline's eyebrows furrowed, his thoughts engrossed on deliberations regarding the fight for survival against King Sylvester. "This meeting is apt judging by the events that have taken place across the three main counties within Los Angeles. We have continued to bear the brunt for years. It is now to come up with a plan to end King Sylvester's oppressive tendencies."The bald headed man named Spock Waldon who was seated close to me, intoned, his voice crisp and deep: "Earlier at the town hall meeting, a veteran recommended the deployment of a mole within King Sylvester's domicile. We need someone to volunteer in this regard.”As I listened to Spock, my mind drifted. A mole in King Sylvester’s castle? There was a sense of tension in the room, especially as eyes began roving between each other. Each person seated on the desk were trying to make wc
The opening of the door made me jolt suddenly.As I opened my eyes, I could see Lorna, arms akimbo and looking cross. She went into a tirade. "You are such a wild one, Vera. How could you think of escaping? You should consider yourself privileged for him to beg you to birth him an heir, even Queen Annalise finds it difficult to believe he is treating you nicely."Arms and legs were in chains once again. The attempted escape had prompted an extra level of vigilance among the personnel within the castle.My spirit was dampened by the failed escape attempt and I almost felt like dying. Lorna's words further exacerbated my hapless state and this saddened me greatly.I was stoic and my gaze dropped as Lorna rambled about the room, looking apprehensive. The chains jangled softly with every movement of mine, the sounds signaling my failed venture. I could feel the humid stone of the castle walls closing in on me, debilitating every ounce of energy in my system. Lorna suddenly halted, gasping
The surging vehicles marked by the growling engines and squealing tyres sent me jolting out of my slumber. My eyes drifted quickly to the foggy window, the window pane illuminated by the shimmering headlight of the numerous vehicles that arrived on the extensive castle ground.With the chains scraping the floor, I paced to the window and glanced below at the vehicles that were static at the concourse.King Sylvester had disembarked, exuding an air of pride and arrogance as he watched two grim faced men dragged out from the storage bay of the van. They were in chains and looked battered.From my vantage point, there was a soft knock on the door to the room I watched the brazen spectacle below. Lorna's voice sounded from behind the doorway "It's time to go, Vera. The King wants you.”Soon the doors flung open, Lorna and some guards hurriedly walked in.. One of them immediately unlocked the chains that bound my wrist and ankle.With a curt hand gesture, they led me through a labyrinth of
I was in a deep sleep, embroiled in a dream so real I could almost feel the coarse and grainy texture of the earth in my paws. My heart pounded in my ribcage as I charged forward, claws raised above my head and ready for a violent slash, the blood of my enemies soiling the battlefield. I was a wolf—a creature of power, fangs bared hideously in defiance against men who sought to bring me down. Their shrieks pervaded the air, but I was not frightened by them. I was their equal, if not their superior.A sudden silence ensuedA ghost—or, an apparition—appeared, levitating in mid air and Her grainy form gleamed despite my misty vision in the dream. She had no defined form save for her blond hair that flailed in the air just a vague silhouette, her voice was however lucid.The apparition said, its voice almost a whisper: "Do not fail to remember who you are. The change you desire is in your hands - never forget that.”Her words played like a recurring medley in my head as a jarring sound
I was thrown into a poorly lit cell located in the basement of the castle. Watched by two armed guards, I sat on the only piece of furniture in the dingy space which was a bed, contemplating.I wondered how long I would remain here, looking depressed and gloomy. I recalled the events of the day. Disappointed but yet delighted I stood my ground against the Alpha King.Suddenly, I could hear the faint echo of footsteps coming from a distance. Curiosity piqued, I craned my head towards the direction of the footsteps and then Ryan Myers came to a halt to my cell. He expressed an indifferent face.Although I was glad to see him, I did not express it.The guards opened the bars, allowing him to walk into my cell where I sat, dejected.“I thought we had gotten over this ?” he said, his eyes fixed intently on me.I remained quiet, not uttering a word. I stared at him with a look of disdain.“You seen not to heed my advise. Even while fortune is smiling is at you, you have repeatedly defied yo
Pushing the double glass doors open, I squinted through the dim lights of the pub. The air was thick with the acrid smell of stale ale and smoke that clouded the space like a boiler room.Ryan had promised to come but I had to be patient to catch a glimpse of him. It appeared he hated the spotlight.True to my expectation, he was huddled at a corner, concealed partially by the shadow. The areas surrounding his left arm and parts of his chest were captured by the poor light of the space.I made my way to his table and slid wordlessly by him.He glanced up at me, his eyes cold, calculating. Ryan wasn’t a friend—never had been. He was more like a shadow, always lurking, always knowing more than he should."Vera," he said, his voice low but sharp, "She’s in the King’s holding cell."I felt my chest tighten. The King wasn’t merciful. Anyone who defied him was met with punishment, and Vera… I knew she wouldn’t bow down, not even to save herself. The thought of what they might do to her claw
The jarring clank of the cell gates awakened me. The sound of clopping shoe soles and the muffled conversation between Lorna and the guard followed as the sequence of sounds which I was getting accustomed to, continued unabated.She walked to me and deftly set about unlocking my shackles."Good morning Vera. The Queen wished to see you,' she said in a low but firm voice.I rubbed my wrists once they were free. The ache from days of confinement, lingering. My mind raced. Annalise wanted to see me? Now? In this state?“Why?” I asked, but Lorna only gave me a sideways glance. She motion"The Queen is waiting at the patio, near the pool."Reluctantly, I rose to my feet. My legs shaky from lack of use.Reluctantly, I rose to my feet. My legs were shaky from lack of use. I accompanied Lorna through the winding corridors. The castle was bustling with the faint sounds of guards and servants drifting through its halls. We walked into the warm glow of early morning light. The scent of jasmine
At the entrance of my cell, a trio of guards stopped me."The King demands your presence in the grand hall," said one of them, his hand digging deep in my arm. The meeting with Queen Annalise was devoid of any tension, but with King Sylvester, it was going to be mind wrecking.I was led to the grand hall that sprawled extensively. A sturdy and long table dominated the carvenous space. Three elders were seated around the table. Their countenances were stern and it made my gut tighten. I breathed out, getting ready for the volcano that was about to erupt.With a low, sharp voice, King Sylvester declared, "Your actions have been despicable." I have been forgiving and understanding in spite of it. My attempts to connect seem to be encountering severe opposition.I preferred to hold my breath and drop my gaze, remaining still. It appeared my silence irritated King Sylvester and an intense rage burned in his eyes. This prompted him to spring to his feet and pace around the hall. His face co
VERA'S POVThe warm sunlight streaming through the windows of the small cottage highlighted the joyful atmosphere of our little family's lunch gathering. Kevin, Astrid, Apollo, and I sat around the wooden table, laughing and chatting as we savored the delicious meal Sophia, my boss at the bakery, had packaged for us in a box as a token of her benevolence. Kevin, ever the attentive listener, asked the twins about their morning's adventure, and they eagerly shared stories of their exploration of the nearby woods. I smiled, watching my children's faces light up with excitement, feeling grateful for this peaceful moment amidst the chaos that had been brewing in our lives.As we finished our meal, Kevin's expression turned serious, and he leaned in, his voice low. "I have some news," he said, his eyes locking onto mine. "I received a message yesterday from my guys, I mean my childhood friends back at the castle. It seems that Sylvester, Uncle Ryan, and Sigurd are at war, each vying for co
(VERA’s POV)The guards watched in awe as the two men fought on, their swords clashing in a flurry of steel and sparks. It was a duel for the ages, a battle of strength and skill that would only end with one man standing.As the duel raged on, it seemed that neither man could gain the upper hand. They were evenly matched, their swords striking each other with a force that sent shockwaves through the air.But slowly, Sigurd began to gain the advantage. His sword sliced through Briggs' defenses, striking him with precision and skill. Briggs stumbled backward, his eyes wide with fear as he realized he was beaten.And then, in a final, desperate bid to turn the tide of the duel, Briggs lunged forward, his sword flashing in the light of the throne room. Sigurd parried the blow, his own sword striking Briggs with a force that sent him crashing to the ground.As Briggs lay there, his eyes wide with shock and pain, Sigurd stood over him, his sword raised for the killing blow. And with a swift
(VERA’s POV)As the two armies clashed, the battle raged on for hours. Sigurd fought bravely, his sword slicing through the enemy ranks with deadly precision. Grimbold fought by his side, his axe swinging in great arcs as he cut down anyone who dared to get too close."Sigurd, we need to push forward!" Grimbold shouted above the din of battle. "We can't let them gain the upper hand!"Sigurd nodded, his eyes scanning the battlefield. "I see Uncle Ryan's standard," he said. "Let's make a push for it. If we can take out Uncle Ryan, we might be able to break their morale."Grimbold grinned, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Let's do it!" he shouted, charging forward into the fray.As they fought their way through the enemy ranks, Sigurd and Grimbold finally reached Uncle Ryan's standard. But to their surprise, Uncle Ryan was not alone. He was surrounded by a group of heavily armed guards, who looked like they would stop at nothing to defend their leader."Uncle Ryan, you're a hard man t
(VERA’s POV)But the woman's next words were ominous. "However, the lion will not last as the king of the jungle," she said, her eyes glinting with a knowing light. "A new power will rise, and the balance of power will shift."Sigurd's face was set with determination. "I will not let that happen," he said, his voice firm and resolute. "I will fight to the death to defend my kingdom and my people."Meanwhile, Sylvester was experiencing a terrifying dream. He saw himself choking in his own blood, his eyes bulging out of his head as he struggled to breathe.Sylvester woke up with a start, his heart racing with fear. He was drenched in sweat, and his sheets were tangled around his legs."What's wrong, my lord?" Victor asked, rushing to Sylvester's side.Sylvester's face was twisted with fear. "I had a dream," he said, his voice shaking. "I saw myself choking in my own blood."Victor's face was expressionless. "It's just a dream, my lord," he said. "It doesn't mean anything. It could be a
(VERA’s POV)They knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but they were ready. They were ready to fight for their freedom, for their rights, and for their very lives.As the three leaders - Sylvester, Sigurd, and Uncle Ryan - began to gather their forces and prepare for war, the kingdom was thrown into chaos. The people were caught in the middle, unsure of what the future held or which leader to support.The air was thick with tension, and the sense of unease was palpable. Everyone knew that war was coming, and no one knew who would emerge victorious.As the darkness gathered, the kingdom held its breath, waiting for the battle to begin. But for now, the three leaders simply watched and waited, in full guard and alert, each one waiting for the others to make the first move...******As the days passed by, the tension in the kingdom continued to build. Sylvester, Sigurd, and Uncle Ryan were all gathering their forces, preparing for the battle that was to come. One man sought to pu
(VERA’s POV)Sigurd nodded, his mind racing with thoughts and strategies. "I agree," he said. "Let's gather as much information as we can and then make our move."The room fell silent, each of Sigurd's allies lost in their own thoughts. They knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but they were ready. They were ready to follow Sigurd into battle, to fight for their freedom and their rights.As they sat there, a loud noise echoed through the castle, followed by the sound of shouting and clashing steel. Sigurd's eyes snapped towards the door, his hand on the hilt of his sword."What's going on?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.Grimbold got up and went to the door, peeking outside. "It's Goro and his men," he said. "They're attacking a group of rebels."Sigurd's face was grim. "It's starting," he said. "Sylvester's making his move."The room fell silent, each of Sigurd's allies lost in their own thoughts. They knew that the battle was coming, and they were ready. They were ready
(VERA’s POV)But little did Sylvester know, the tide of public opinion was beginning to turn against him. More and more people were beginning to see him for what he truly was: a cruel and ruthless tyrant.And as the resistance continued to spread their message of hope and freedom, the people of the kingdom began to rally behind Sigurd and his allies.***Sylvester's face was twisted with rage and desperation as he paced back and forth in his throne room. His guards and Victor stood before him, waiting for his orders."We need to crush this rebellion once and for all," Sylvester spat, his voice venomous. "I want you to round up every suspected rebel and throw them in the dungeons. I want you to make examples of them, to show the people what happens when you dare to defy me."Victor nodded, his face expressionless. "Yes, my lord," he said. "We will see to it immediately."Meanwhile, Sigurd and his followers were busy making their own plans. They knew that they had to act quickly, before
(VERA’S POV)The guards and advisors nodded in agreement, their faces set with determination. Sylvester smiled, feeling a sense of satisfaction and power."I want you all to know that I will stop at nothing to crush our enemies," Sylvester said."I will use every trick in the book, every tactic and strategy at my disposal. And I will not rest until Sigurd and his followers are defeated and destroyed."The guards and advisors cheered, their voices echoing off the stone walls of the throne room. Sylvester smiled, feeling a sense of pride and power.But as he looked out at his loyal followers, Sylvester couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was a traitor in their midst, someone who was secretly working against him.Sylvester's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with suspicion and paranoia. He knew that he had to be careful, that he had to watch his back at all times.And so, with a sense of caution and unease, Sylvester began to make his
(VERA’s POV)He knew that eliminating Sigurd wouldn't be easy. He was a strong young warrior, hefty and known for winning wars. Someone who was called Sigurd the hound by his kinsmen because of his ferocity at taking down opponents. He was well-liked and respected by the people, and he had a loyal following among the guard. But Sylvester was determined to crush him, to eliminate him as a threat to his rule.As he paced, Sylvester's eyes fell on a large map of the kingdom that hung on the wall. He studied it intently, his mind racing with strategies and tactics.He knew that Sigurd would likely gather his allies and prepare to defend himself. But Sylvester was confident that he could outmaneuver him, that he could crush him and his followers once and for all.With a cold, calculating smile, Sylvester continued to pace and plan, his mind consumed by his desire for power and revenge.Meanwhile, in a secret underground chamber deep in the heart of the kingdom, Sigurd was gathering his own