Chapter 38

"What do you think we should do?" Marc asked Drake.

"Well it seems as if our young queen can handle herself," he replied.

Marc rubbed his chin and looked at Arianna for a few moments. "That is true but what if she is not as lucky next time?"

"She can handle her sword well, it will not take her long to learn how to strike as well as defend. She is so much like Frederick," Drake replied.

"I'm not so sure." Marc shrugged his shoulders.

"Did you know Frederick?" Drake glared at Marc.

"Well, no. Not personally, only what I read in the history books."

"I did know him. He was a dear friend of mine. Trust me when I say she is exactly like her great grandfather. What about her powers?"

"She has already used them a few times, without the aid of her mother's wand or any wand for that matter," Barwick told him.

"Hm, interesting. Very interesting." Drake looked up towards the sky.

"What is interesting?" Arion asked.

"That she is able to use her powers without a wand. I have been studying the heavens and the earth for many ages now and from what they have told me is that there will be a time of peace, prosperity and great happiness. I always assumed that was King Charles and Queen Anne's reign but what I have learned recently is that this time will be preceded by a great anguish and a brutal battle. The one to lead the strike against the evil that roams the earth has immense powers that are beyond any person's comprehension," Drake explained.

"Do you think Arianna is the one to lead the time of great prosperity?" Barwick asked.

"I am not sure but if she is using her powers on her own. No wand or no training it is entirely possible that she is the great leader," Drake said.

"So that means we will win the war, right?" Marc asked, confused.

"No. Reading the celestial heavens is not an exact science. It is all left for interpretation. Has it been right? Yes in most cases it has but you have to take into account free will and human error, which the stars do not show. Being successful in battle will all depend on Arianna. The choices that she makes, the path she decides to follow," he told the small group.

"What do you think will happen?" Aroman asked Barwick and Drake.

They looked at each other then at Aroman.

"I'm not sure. I most definitely hope that she will choose the path she is heading down now," Barwick said.

Arianna walked up next to them and smiled. She knew they had faith in her, now if only she could have that much faith in herself. She sped up a bit so as not to disturb their conversation. She heard all that she needed. If these wise and honorable men had faith in her, she could as well.

The sun had long since set and the fires died to nothing but embers. Every person and creature slowly made their way to bed, hoping for a few hours of peaceful sleep though everyone was on edge not sure what to expect in the coming days. Arriana snuggled into bed, every muscle aching and throbbing as she lay there. Her eyes eventually closed as she drifted off to sleep listening to the soft snores of everybody else in the house.

The following days of training were exciting for Arriana. Never did she think that she would be learning how to use a sword or preparing for a battle at any point in her life. She knew they had to work hard in order to be ready for Lucas. The entire village was prepared to go to battle in case he attacked before they could have the official meeting and discuss when and where everything would happen. Arriana was nervous about that more than the battle itself. She would finally come face to face with pure evil. Was she ready for that?

"Arriana, come with me. It's time for another part of your training," Drake told her.

"Sure. What am I learning today? Don't tell me I'm really part dragon and can breathe fire," she half joked.

Laughing, Drake shook his large head. "No you silly girl. You're not part dragon. Today you're going to start to learn your history."

"Well with all the new shit thrown at me within the last month I would not be surprised right now." She said smiling at the dragon, "so where do we go to learn all this history?"

"I had Barwick bring out all the books and documents that were left. What is left out of the books I will fill in for you," he replied.

"You have the history of Coresova memorized?" she asked skeptically.

"Dear child, it is easy to remember history when you've been there through it for 2,016 years," he replied sternly.

"Seriously? You're 2,000 years old?" she asked him.

"2,016 actually," he stated matter-of-factly.

"Well hot damn, you look good for your age." She smiled at him.

Laughing again. "Thank you, now let's get started."

Arriana picked up the first dusty book and wiped off the cover, Coresova through the ages. She flipped through it quickly and realized it was just as the cover said, Coresova through the ages. Another long, boring history book.

"Oh man. Do I really need a history lesson? I hate history. I feel like I'm back in high school," Arriana whined.

"Yes, you need to know your history. In fact, where are Deacon and Zoe? They should be here for this as well," Drake said, looking around.

"Oh, I'll go get them! I'll be back in a jiff." Arriana jumped up and turned to leave.

"Sit down, Arriana," Drake said rather sternly.

"Oh come on. Can't we do this tomorrow? I really want to learn more sword techniques! I'm starting to get really good at the plow stance," she pleaded.

"That is very good but you must learn your history. It is very important for the queen to know about her land and her people." He eyed her up.

"Alright, alright, I'm sitting. Teach me," She chuckled.

"I will. Be patient, my young queen. Barwick! Where are Deacon and Zoe? Can you send them over for their history lessons?" Drake shouted over to Barwick.

Once they joined Arriana and Drake they started pouring over the books. Drake sat in the grass towering over them. As Arriana read Coresova through the Ages she was surprised. Her family had been the rulers for more than fifteen hundred years and there had only been three kings in all of those years. Her great grandfather ruled for 600 until his death at the ripe old age of 717, her grandfather ruled for 750 years until he stepped aside to let her father rule. He died at the age of 890 years old. Her father had the shortest time on the throne, 150 years. He was 300 when he died.

"Drake, I have just a small, minor question. The years and ages in here, are they, um, well, a misprint?" she asked, confused.

"No, why do you ask?" he questioned.

"Well, it says here my great grandfather was 717 when he died, my grandfather was 890 and my father was 300. How is that possible?"

"Ah, yes. You see every wizard family has certain powers that only their family has. Your family is an exception though. Your father inherited gifts from both of your grandparents. The first is the gift of foresight and the second is the gift of longevity. You begin to age slowly once you hit 21. Nobody is sure why or how your family acquired this but you did. The longevity mixed with the fact that the rulers in your family were good, kind; compassionate kings enabled the Bawors to retain the throne for so long. Your mother had a tremendous amount of focus. It may not seem like a lot but it is. You have inherited all three of their powers, which has never happened before. Despite the small uprisings and skirmishes that would arise from time to time. Lucas was the first in 1500 years to succeed in assassinating almost the entire royal family. If he would have killed you the repercussions would be felt worldwide. There is no telling the destruction your death would have brought to Coresova. 

The mythics, witches, wizards and creatures would have been slaughtered long ago and even the small sliver of hope that your escape gave to everyone would have been extinguished. It would have turned into the Coresova of ancient times. A horrid, vile place where people were murdered in the streets for no reason at all and evil ran amuck. There was endless war, famine, strife and death that should have never happened. Entire families were wiped out with the wave of a hand. Then one day a seemingly young man, your great grandfather, had an idea. Coresova should be ruled by someone other than High king Osmand. He was an evil warlock. He was not dignified to be called a wizard. He ruled with a heavy fist and used his powers to suit himself. He was also the first known of all the magical community to use his powers without a wand which made him a powerful ruler but not a good one. Your great grandfather slowly built up popularity with his thoughts and actions. As Frederick did more good deeds with his powers Osmand became more vicious. He set out a decree stating that any witch or wizard that was caught would be executed immediately. Eventually Osmand attacked your great grandfather's village killing everyone in his path, including his family. That was the last straw for him. He summoned his followers and they began training immediately for battle. It took them a few years to build an army large and strong enough to take on Osmand. The war was long and bloody but Frederick was victorious. Once Osmand was defeated and his army disbanded your great grandfather took the throne. His reign started the 1500 years of peace and prosperity. History is repeating itself. You are now in Fredericks place. This is why it is so important for you to know your history. All three of you." Drake finished telling his story.

Deacon, Zoe and Arriana sat in utter amazement at what they had just heard. They knew that the Bawors had ruled for a long time but none of them expected it to be 1500 years and they most certainly did not expect Arriana to be following in her great grandfather's footsteps.