Kaltain Kingdom Leiya I walked beside Helion as he led me through the streets of his kingdom. I learnt that it was called Kaltain. As we walked through the streets I noticed the neatness and organization his people showcased. Even the little children played in selected areas and avoided work areas. As we walked by, everyone would stop and bow to their king with wide smiles. It didn't seem like they didn't know him, in fact it seemed like they were used to seeing him in the streets often. I was impressed. He spoke a few words to the people, only when he had to, else he would just wave as he walked by. He showed me to the market. All the sellers had their produce organized properly on a straight line with equal spacing in between each person. That way, there were no clusters and everyone was seen. “Your majesty.” I heard someone call his name from behind and we both turned. A fair, pretty looking maiden walked up to him. She looked so excited to see him but I couldn't say t

Kaltain Leiya My eyes shot open. Beads of sweat were gathered around my neck and on my temple. It didn't take me long to realize I was having a nightmare. I let out a small sigh as I turned to face the window. The full moon was high up in the sky indicating it was the middle of the night. The horrific images of my dream seeped into my thoughts. My father and mother, lying in a pool of their blood. What was scarier was Nayla lying beside them, also in a pool of blood. Her blood. It sent chills down my spine. I couldn't bring myself to even think she wasn't alive but I knew I needed to be sure for myself. The truth, however bitter, would always be better than living in uncertainty. As I lay in bed, thinking of how I was going to escape Kaltain in one piece, I heard footsteps coming from outside my window. I immediately froze in my bed. Seconds later, the noise came again, this time a little louder. I held my breath, mustered up courage and slowly climbed out of my bed. I ti

Kaltain Leiya “Leiya,” The faint calling of my name penetrated the walls of my mine. It sounded like a whisper. A call from deep within my mind. “Leiya,” This time the voice was clearer and more assertive. It was obvious it wasn't from my thoughts. I slowly opened my eyes. They fell on Helion sitting on his chair. I slowly looked around. I was still in his chamber. “Is that her?” He asked, pointing to the far corner of the room. I noticed the same lady from the market that also came up to attack me, struggling with herself. She had no bounds or chains around her but she just kept struggling violently like she was being held. What was even more confusing was she was lifted from above the ground. I looked back to Helion's questioning eyes. “Yes, she's the one who came up to my room.” “Are you sure about that, love? The only time I've seen you was with his majesty in the market.” She spoke differently, softer, calmer and even nicer. Like a truly different person cau

Kaltain Leiya I couldn't sleep almost all night. I was repeatedly waking up at intervals. The excitement of being one step closer to my Nayla was enough to give me butterflies. I was up at the crack of dawn, waiting for him to appear in the center of my chamber. Sure enough, he did. “Did you even sleep at all?” he feigned surprise as he walked to the chair. “Yes.” I whispered. “Lies are distasteful Leiya” I immediately fell silent, watching him shake his head. When he walked closer to the window, I noticed a book in his hands. A dark looking, uninteresting book. “Your first lesson,” He announced as he turned to look at me, holding the book with both hands in front of him. “Is to teleport yourself outside your chamber.” He said casually and planted himself onto the chair. He held out the book to me with a straight face. I stared at him, the book and back to him. I was supposed to learn spells from a book? I almost laughed at the idea itself. I shrugged quietly, s

Kaltain Leiya He quietly waited until I was done with my food before expecting a response from me. I sat down for another few seconds in silence, preparing my mind to embark on the horrific journey that I solely wished it could forget. “My father and his men had just returned from the battlefield,” I began, looking out into the woods outside my window. “They barely won the battle, with almost half of their men killed or wounded.” I began to vividly remember it like it was just the day before. My own father was wounded and the most tired I had ever seen him. That night, one part of the kingdom was celebrating their victory while the other part mourned the loss of their fathers, husbands, sons and brothers. My father was not happy at all. He believed an army is only truly victorious when they have the least amount of deaths. “That night, at dinner, we received a surprise attack on our kingdom by Degar and his men.” I remembered my father's right hand man rushing in to