On the other side of the castle, Theo tossed and turned in his bed
sweating with ghastly dreams following the evenings conversations,
kingdoms turning to dust right before his eyes and a darkness
engulfing the isles, the world seemed pale and foggy, amidst the cries
of many.
'Theo!' He heard a soothing voice that guided him to an
unearthly place covered in rocks. He found himself in a never-ending
labyrinth of caves as the voice echoed,
'Land would slip beneath your grip,
Seeds of fright and men with might,
Friends and foes you ought to ght,
Dear one's part, beware a broken heart,
A relation long last, from the forgotten past,
Your beloved you must trust,
His own blood shall turn him to dust.'
He woke up breathless, but the voice echoed steadily in his ears.
He got out of bed and stepped out of his room into the corridor.
'Dena!' he called out in a troubled tone.
He could hear that someone had woken up and in a few
moments Dena was out.
'Something bothering you? I assumed you were asleep,' Dena
enquired trying to unfold his sleep.
'Dena, there is something afoot here. It is unsettling and
bothersome.'
'It is the middle of the night and if you are reconsidering leaving
then we can discuss it at dawn,' Dena yawned lazily.
'This doesn't concern that. I am at loss for words......,' Theo
rubbed the back of his head, seeming baffled.
Dena could barely keep his eyes open and Sela was out cold in
their chamber, this was the first time he got to sleep peacefully since
they started from Anmara. They had a very long day, and everyone
was haggard.
'You must be feeling listless with the events of the day and will
have to assure king Aiden of our support to Deladra tomorrow. It
would be better to get some shuteye. Let me escort you into your
chamber.'
Theo nodded silently, he was reluctant to let out his fear. As they
went back Dena enquired,
'Nightmare?'
'Not a chance...........ppff!'
'After all that we have had to hear last night, it is only natural. Do
not burden yourself, we are all here to keep you saaaaaafe,' Dena
yawned again, 'Should I stay here for a while?'
'Not needed, I shall be fine.'
Dena quietly turned around and left, he was too tired. Theo lied
down and stared at the walls, he pretended to be fine but was
exploding from within.
As though being away from Orelia was not
enough, Sela's confession was very disturbing, and he felt like a child
waiting to run back home while he could not.
He was trapped, but then he was reminded of Arden and those feelings were reversed.
He wanted to prove to Arden that he was more than capable of leading
the alliance after his father. This justified his decision of staying, his
heart felt lighter and set his mind to rest.
The next dawn Arden heard voices as he walked past the great
hall and couldn't help but listen.
'I am glad the air has been cleared and there are no more secrets
holding you back prince Theoden. I wanted to mention it yesterday
but didn't get a chance.
We are indebted to Anmara for this kind
gesture and declare that me, my son, and the successors of Deladra
will remain loyal. I knew we could always count on all these years of
friendship' king Aiden laughed out loud in delight.
Arden entered and saw that his father was in conversation with
Theo, Sela, and Dena accompanied by Pavo while enjoying a
sumptuous morning meal of sweet breads and honey.
Pavo, Sela and Dena bowed to greet him.
'Ah, there you are son! It is a delightful morning indeed. Haven't
seen you here this time of the day in ages. I have some wonderful
news, we can now rid our ports of these pests together, agrees prince
Theoden.
I can see it happening already and cannot express my
reprieve,' Aiden looked at his son with a sense of achievement as
Arden sat down beside him lost in thought.
'It has been hard for him and for all of us ever since the fyredari showed
up at our shores,' Aiden paused as he patted Arden on the back, 'Not to worry, the
heavens shine upon us today and it will all end soon…. Arrange an
emissary to convey our gratitude to Anmara and intimate them of
the prince's arrival Pavo!' he added.
'Absolutely sire,' Pavo agreed, smiling.
'So does prince Theoden now know what the fyredari are and
what they have been doing to our fleets and shores?' Arden looked at
Theo with sarcasm in his eyes.
There was a noiseless moment as the two princes exchanged gazes.
'I have disclosed every detail of what I recalled from that night to
the prince,' Sela replied when Theo remained silent.
'Prince Theoden seems awfully non vocal this morning,' Arden added.
'Prince Theoden and I haven't quite had a great night's sleep due
to the unfamiliar surroundings. I am sure we will be accustomed in
due course like my brother,' Dena covered for Theo. 'Seems like the
prince needs some much needed shuteye. We should take our leave
for now,' he added.
Sela and Dena bowed to the king and Arden before they all left.
'Are you not relieved that everything will be sorted now?' Aiden
enquired Arden, 'Why do you look so distracted?'
'I am father,' Arden rose and walked away without another
word.
'I do not know what goes on in his mind. A day doesn't go by
without me wishing his mother was here,' Aiden rubbed his forehead
in discontent.
'You seem awfully low sire,' Sela commented on their way down
the corridors.
'I do not think you should bother yourself. No one cares for me,
except for Dena,' Theo smirked as they continued.
'I had to follow my king's orders sire.'
'Yes yes, the king, the kingdom, the alliance… I am getting tired
of hearing this.....!' Theo paused momentarily, 'I trusted you,' he gave
Sela a cold look and walked away.
'You know I didn't have a choice, right?' Sela turned to his
brother.
'It will take time, but he will come around, hang in there,
brother!' Dena placed his palm on Sela's shoulder and they both
sighed and resumed.
Arden swiftly reached his chamber and slammed the door. He
poured himself a drink and sat down restlessly.
'I will lose my mind at this rate. THEO! That coward is trying to act brave hiding behind his men. I
despise him, I wish I did not care as much. They are all here for Deladra, I
must be glad like everyone else. Why do I feel this way? Why does the sight of
him make me lose my calm? I wish I never have to see him again.
Aaahhhh....!'
'DO YOU WISH TO GET RID OF THEO?' The deep voice
startled him, and Arden sprung up.
'No, I don't!'
'WITHOUT THEO YOU WILL BE THE ONLY ONE FOR
DREYAS.... FOR THE PRINCESS!'
'Who are you? Show yourself you coward…!'
A deafening screech echoed, and Arden shut his ears. When it
ended, Arden took his hand off and was stunned to see his palms red
with blood from his ears,
'YOU CANNOT IMAGINE THE EXTENT OF MY
POWERS. I CAN END YOU NOW, BUT I WANT TO GIVE YOU
A CHANCE TO REDEEM YOUR WORTH. TAKE IT AND YOU
WILL RULE ALL, AND THE PRINCESS'
Arden was no coward but somehow, he kept listening intently.
'HEED ME…. THE FYREDARI WILL ATTACK GINI
THIS FULL MOON. GET RID OF THEO THEN.'
'How do you know that?' Arden waited but could not hear
anything
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