Chapter 48

Chapter 48: Chapter 4

At first light of a cool and chilly day in Blackmount, general Haul arrived at the capital after a week of riding hard with his men. It usually takes two weeks riding from Prophis to Maldonia, and another week riding to the capital.

But as the general put it “It’s a ride of life and death” to his men and they did ride for their lives. The aim was to join Prince Ambrose’s men and Lucian Mithandir. However no one told Haul that Lucian was in House Horriss and not the capital.

Hence his arrival at the capital was a shock to even Artemis himself. He wasn’t expecting a lot of men marching to his capital at such early time. He was however expecting his Lords next week to discuss the fate of the war.

“Who is this man?” Artemis looked from his fifth story inside his council chambers. Lord Balon woke him early to witness the march from a mile away.

The men wore full black hence it was no shock they came from Prophis where it’s heavy cold. The sigil which represented a free army was symbolized by a white bird flying above the sky. That’s the sign for every army which belongs to no king – even Aprophil’s men bare the same sigil.

“They are Prophisians aren’t they?”

“I’m afraid so Your Grace”

.....

Artemis asked himself “What do they want from me?” and then he sighed seemingly disappointed.

“I suggest we go down and welcome them properly”

Artemis sighed and walked away from the window. Then he looked at Lord Balon “Is it true? The rumors...”

Caught off guard Lord Balon was stunned “Rumors Your Grace?” he asked.

“About your marriage my Lord hand. Your wife is set to return to Nemphis so I heard”

“Yes, I have... requested her to go back. Especially with the upcoming war and -”

“That didn’t stop you from housing your whore so I’ve heard”

Lord Balon hesitated to reply so yet as it seemed his secret was out. It was a disrespect for the hand of the king to house a whore from Cooperstone in the hand’s castle.

“And so I’ve heard she’s from Cooperstone. A night when you and Vaith too off in the middle of the night”

“It was King Vaith’s idea...” Lord Balon tried to explain himself.

“I know it my Lord. One thing about Lord Balrus is he has eyes when he even sleeps, you are ought to be careful”

“Yes Your Grace”

Artemis reached out for his cloak and put it on himself. There’s usually a man who helps him dress but the arrival of Haul so unexpectedly at court made him nervous. He yearned to see where will all this turn out to be, the royal announcer already rang bells of emergencies to Maldonians preparing them for the war to come.

“Before we make haste to welcome this new guest, be sure to get rid of your whore. She’s a disgrace to the realm” said Artemis. Lord Balon had no other choice but to bow and accept the king’s order.

Aurora was in the hallway waiting for Artemis. It’s too early but she was summoned by Artemis, he wanted Aurora close to him.

“I could use an hour or so of sleep. I feel deprived...” she said and yawned.

“Do pardon me my love. But I could use your assistance”

Aurora was stunned “Me? In what matter exactly?”

“I want you to look at this... Prophisian general marching into our gates with a free army and tell me if he is good or a spy”

“I am not a seer...”

“Yet! But you can predict people’s future just by seeing them, can’t you?”

Aurora hissed “I can’t, I have told you that”

“You’ve wrote to your mother about it?”

She sighed “I hope she’s read it by now and she’s chosen to ignore me, just like how my father ignores me”

A somber look on Aurora’s face led Artemis to stop walking and turned to her. His Kings guards passed through them and waited a few distance forward. “Your father is a man without honor, he is a disgrace to himself. He ignores you just like he so much ignores himself, I haven’t ignored you and I will never leave your side” Artemis assured Aurora that he is ded to her.

But awkwardly Aurora found herself saying unusual thing which left Artemis shocked. She said “I think it’ll be wise if you summon Lord Gandalf to the capital and wed his sister, lady Aryan. They have mighty Lions and I have seen -”

“What?”

“I know I sound crazy...”

“Which you are, what happened to seeing us on the sweet waters throne? You said we will be wed and rule the capital side by side. How can you tell me something like this after I’ve fought everything just to be with you?” Artemis was not only shocked but displeased.

Then he didn’t have time to deal with Aurora’s disappointments, nor did he want her at his side. Hence he took off with Lord Balon, and now Lord Balrus and Akirbus who had joined the parade. They were all on horses heading to the gates of the capital.

Aurora gazed as Artemis disappeared from her view. She was conflicted about what she saw in her dream. The dream she had last night was full of terror and warnings. If she was a seer then she would be able to translate it, but unfortunately she wasn’t.

Princess Sansa, as always she was eavesdropping and watching up close. She heard of Aurora’s request for Artemis to wed lady Aryan of Old City, a shocking proposal.

In an attempt not to appear as if she’s been eavesdropping, Princess Sansa waited for Aurora to walk back inside the palace. Then she pretended as if she was passing by and collided with her.

“Apologies my lady...” said Aurora and picked up a plate Princess Sansa was holding – it was empty by the way.

“Do watch where you are going, Lady Kholin”

“I sure will my lady”

Aurora took a step forward, she attempted to walk away from the princess. Princess Sansa stopped her when she pulled her hand.

“I hear you are a healer”

“I am not my lady”

“Oh!” Princess Sansa again pretended to be so shocked. “They also say you might be a witch, are you...?”

The accusations and the audacity. Aurora didn’t say a thing to Princess Sansa, she just walked away and that’s when Princess Sansa ran after her with apologies.

“Please do forgive me Lady Kholin, I shouldn’t have said that”

“I’m not offended”

“Really? Why’s that?”

“Because I’m not a witch”

Princess Sansa cleared her throat and then leaned on to Aurora “I... Have someone, a healer of some sort. You may see her she owns a small outlet in the heart of the market. She will help you” said the princess and walked away before Aurora could ask any more questions.

So it happens the woman who has been serving Princess Sansa with portions was Aurora’s grandmother. For so long she’s been looking for her and she even wrote a letter to her mother in Forewater while the woman she wanted to see was right there in the heart of the city.

Aurora’s grandmother, Visera knew of her granddaughter proposition when she moved back to the capital. She’s been away for far too long and that’s because her daughter Huyan forbade her from teaching Aurora anything relating to her powers as she thought it was magic and witchcraft.

Visera thought Aurora would inherit her powers and she must be there to guide her. A power of a seer is the most powerful one and yet if not properly handled it could kill the one who yields it.

“The omen was foretold. A powerful seer will lead the battle of the Lions and dragons, a war to end all wars. Some may even call it will be the end of the world” Those were the quotes from books passed on from generations, dating back to two hundred years ago.

Visera saved the notes and the secrets she’s been carrying for countless months yearning for the day her granddaughter will find her. She had to tell Aurora the truth before she dies, the secret will be safe with Aurora and if Aurora passes then the secret will continue to her heir until the chosen one is born.

There was only one test to determine the chosen one, and Aurora hadn’t been tested yet. She didn’t even know there was a test, Huyan made sure Aurora knew nothing of the power she had.

But time has come for Aurora to find her path. Hence when she knocked on the door of the outlet as per what the Princess described earlier, Aurora came face to face with her grandmother Visera. Her eyes widened with amazement, she didn’t know how to react.

“Babushka...” she said.

“My love, I knew you will find me. Come inside, I have something to show you” Visera pulled Aurora’s hand and they walked inside the outlet.