RUMORS

PROPERTY OF THE ALPHA PRINCE

CHAPTER 2: RUMORS

The market women of the southern Isles were busy murmuring as they trudged down the marketplace. They were whispering in low tones, as the warriors of Northern Isles, paraded in their horses, commanding them, and whipping the stubborn ones.

Why should such calamity befall us? One cried facing the sun.

Shh, I don’t want to get whipped again, it is bad enough that we are taken prisoners of war. We have to learn how to keep our voices down. Her friend said, looking behind her, to find out the position of the Northern warriors.

Where is the king? Why should he let this happen? It has been two months now, and nothing has been heard, not even a peep. I can’t even find any of our soldiers. The first woman said, as she almost fell underneath the weight of what she was carrying.

Dandara, how many times will, I tell you to keep it low? Aren’t you in this kingdom? King Gadreel was murdered two months ago, on that fateful day, of his daughter’s marriage celebration. He couldn’t even put up a fight, before going down. I heard that the wife was killed too. The second woman said.

Impossible, Manda. Tell me it is not true, what about the princes and princesses. Dandara said as she gasped at the shocking news.

Sometimes, I wonder, if you knocked your head on a stone. Well I knew that the princess, and possibly heir apparent Era, was taken prisoner by the leader behind the coup, himself, I suppose, she is rotting away in the dungeons, by now. But for the two twin princesses, Arianna, and Annabelle, I have no clue where they might be. Even their brother. Manda whispered as two of the warriors, walked towards them.

Hey! You two, filthy animals, what the hell are you conspiring about? The first warrior said pointing his spear at them.

Dandara and Manda, kept quiet as they gulped. They knew best than to reply, them. It would be taken as insolent and could possibly lead to instant death, depending on the mood of the warriors.

Oh, you won’t talk, right? The first warrior said as he raised his hand, ready to descend on the two women, when his colleagues caught his hand.

Stand down, comrade. They aren’t worth your time, let’s head back. Remember, the prince apparent Michael, said that on no condition, should the women and children be beaten. Only the men should, if they prove stubborn. Let us not incur the wrath of Michael, on ourselves. The second one said as the first one clenched his fist tightly.

Yeah, you two are lucky. Big damn lucky. I will be keeping my eyes on the both of you. the first warrior said as they turned their back and left.

Oh, my goodness, I almost peed on myself. Dandara said, as they got out of earshot.

Shut it up, Dandara. Manda said as she kept on trudging forward leaving Dandara behind.

I know something that you don’t. A voice said at the back of Dandara.

Dandara turned back and saw that it was the eccentric woman. Maybe eccentric was sugarcoating the word. She was plain mad, insanely, medically, theoretically proven mad. The warriors should just end her, believe me, they will be doing all of us a favor and most of all, her.

Not now, Ashton. Dandara said rolling her eyes. She wanted no business at all, with her. She was the kind of mad, that would burn themselves and still cackle at it…yeah cackle, not laughed. She cackled.

He-he-he-he. Fantabulous. I knew that you want to listen. Ashton said as she hiccupped and spat out a big blackish fluid, on the floor, beside Dandara.

She almost puked seeing it.

Sorry, my food doesn’t stay in my stomach for long. It loves seeing the world, bye bye, little foodie. Ashton said waving at the fluid, behind.

And now, she is waving… at the… guards where the hell are you? Dandara screamed in her mind.

Oh, the guards wont come, they never come, when I am around. I think it as a curse. So where was i? I know you love gossips. Don’t you dare give me that face. Ashton said pointing a wrinkled finger with different colored patches at her.

I don’t really want to know. Dandara said shaking her head. She had always been scared, of Ashton, since they were kids. Ashton had been like this ever since she was born.

Oh goodie, you can’t wait to hear it. Ashton said cackling once more as she started.

Long ago, Gadreel killed the king of the Northern Isles. It was during the time of his wife’s delivery, twenty years ago. Little prince and princess, of the king and queen, watched as King Gadreel, personally, killed the queen, right on her delivery bed, killed the baby, before cutting off, body parts of the king, before slicing off his head. This is revenge, done by possibly the prince, or someone strong enough to lead a coup. Ashton said as Dandara’s eyes widened.

Impossible, that was cruel. But why did he do that? Dandara asked, instantly curious, as she overlooked the fact that she was talking to the town eccentric…mad woman.

Ashton opened her mouth to reply, when she paused. It seems that something had struck her. She closed her mouth and looked at Dandara.

Well, tell me, what is it? Dandara said eagerly, she wanted to know more.

Why ask me? After all, I am the town’s eccentric woman, who listens to one anyways… Oh Danna… you are mad as well. Am off to paradise land, see you never. Ashton said cackling as she walked leaving, Dandara, mouth wide open in shock and disbelief.

Did she just? what the hell just happened? Dandara thought as she stood still, in her tracks. One of the soldiers pushed her from behind, making her to fall.

Stop, hindering the flow, get up and walk. The soldier said pointing his sword at her.