Chapter 79

Crown Princess Elora
Furiah

As the turbulent Furian sky painted a scene of impending storm, ominous winds danced through the air, creating a chaotic ballet of leaves and debris. The threat of impending rain cast a potential obstacle that could thwart Elora's timely journey home.

The challenge lay not only in the raging wind but in the prospect of rain drenching her wings, rendering her unable to navigate the skies efficiently. In this aerial realm, skill was paramount, a privilege reserved for the elite echelons of society, embodied by figures like the revered Lord Liege and her own distinguished father, who possessed the rare expertise to navigate the heavens even in adverse weather conditions.

Elora was filled with relief when she saw the high mountains that surrounded the capital of Furiah greet her. That meant within half an hour, she would arrive.

It would be wise to rest after a cumbersome battle, but the news of her mother having fallen gravely ill did not allow it. Although she set off at the same time as her father, she did not manage to keep up with him. By this time he probably was already at Queen Elora's side. Despite the fact that their relationship, her mother and father, was that of mostly friendship now, without a doubt Oren deeply cared for Queen Elora. She was his family, and nothing could change that.

Elora had never imagined the passing away of her mother. Yes, she looked frail and time had been harsh to her, however since they had been apart for a long time, somehow she assumed that the Heavens would have mercy on them and grant them more time together.

Yun Xiang needed his grandmother and Li Lian needed her mother. There was so much still to draw from the woman of might that the queen was.

"Your Highness." The Priestess welcomed her as she went up the stairs of the palace as if she had been waiting for her arrival.

"The weather is unpleasant. My Priestess, why do you trouble yourself by standing here?"

"Lord Oren stated you were not far." The Priestess looked younger than Queen Elora, but in reality they were about the same age. What had the Priestess youthful is the fact that she did not have to sacrifice herself continuously as her mother did.

"How is Mother faring?"

The Priestess sighed and held on to her walking stick. "She was worse for wear during the day. Now she seems to be stabilized."

"Does this have to do with her overexerting herself for Yun Xiang?"

"Your Highness, Her Majesty has always been poor in health. We cannot say taking care of her grandson has been detrimental to her. Do not try to guilt yourself when it is a matter influenced by many factors."

Elora knew the Priestess was trying to spare her from the pain of guilt. However, anyone with sense could deduce that Yun Xiang's condition had taken a toll on the queen.

When Elora entered her mother's room, Oren was just leaving it. He seemed not to notice her as he stormed out in what seemed to be fury and vexation.

Her mother's room was condensed by relaxation oils and incense burning. In the midst of the big sized bed, her body looked small and fragile. The queen's skin was so pale that you would mistake her to be part of the white blankets she lay on.

"Mother..." Elora muttered emotionally.

Queen Elora lazily looked up at Elora, and a slow smile graced her lips. "Elora, you are back."

"I am back," she said the obvious.

Her mother attempted a chuckle but stopped because of pain. "Come here, sit by me."

Li Lian hesitated, afraid to be near her and see in detail how she was struggling in health.

"You did me proud. Your father just told me how you strongly led the army." Her mother was delighted in her, and you could see the twinkle in her glazed eyes.

Elora took the chaise next to the bed and faced her mother in it. She helped Queen Elora to sit better against the large pillow guiding her back.

"Mother..." she was out of words again. She did not look well at all. In a few days, she seemed to have aged. Her lips did not have color and her hair was thinner. What had happened in her absence for her to spiral like this?

Queen Elora took her hands into hers.

"What has happened Mother for you to be in this state?"

Queen Elora shook her head. "I was already in this state. Just that I no longer have the strength to keep the act."

Elora's lower lip trembled and she was quick to bite it. She did not want to break apart before her mother, otherwise where would she find the strength and encouragement to keep fighting?

"The Priestess said you will be fine if you rest."

Queen Elora nodded. "However, I am too weak to continue as the queen now. You must take the reins into your hands."

Elora did not find herself to be ready to lead the people yet. She saw herself as unfit and in need of learning much. However, she went on to be supportive. That is what her mother needed from her right now.

"Mother need not worry. I shall do my best."

"You will do beyond your best, Elora. You are the phoenix of Furia that will lead your people into times of peace and abundance. This is your destiny."

"But... the new prophecy..." The new prophecy came when Yun Xiang was born, who was forbidden to take over the throne. No matter what was to happen, a prince could not reign as king in Furia. It was unheard of.

"Life is as such. As the new comes, the old has to be done with," Queen Elora gently dismissed her worries by what she did not understand either.

Elora wanted to protest, but her mother distracted her by lifting her wrinkled hand to softly massage her cheek with her thumb. "I am proud of you, Elora. Always remember the sky is not the limit, you can go beyond the sky."

Elora's heart soared. Her mother's approval and pride in her meant a lot. Any child would want to hear such words from their parent.

"Forgive me where I could have done better and was not able to. If I was given this life again, I would do better by you."

"Mother," Elora shut her up. "Let bygones be bygones. My heart released that matter a long time ago. Instead of easing up and resting, why should you be sore over such trivial things?" Elora took her mother's hand and kissed it lovingly.

Her mother nodded, agreeing, but her eyes suddenly enlarged before she muttered, "Yun Xiang."

Elora frowned. "What about him?"

"Bring him to me. I have not seen him all day."

Elora instructed her servants to fetch him from his room. Nowadays, it was safe to take him out of his safe haven for an hour or two.

Yun Xiang was not pleased to be roused in his sleep, so when they brought him to them, he was all tears and screaming. His displeasure was palpable, evident in the furrowed brows and twisted little mouth that released angry bellowing into the air. Even when Elora tried to calm him, he did not let up. He was already angry and determined to prove it to them.

"Give him to me." His grandmother opened her arms, in which Elora placed him. And unsurprisingly, he did not take long to quiet. He indeed had a soft spot for his grandmother, as if he knew she was the one who saved his life.

The anger and determination that had colored his expressions dissolved into a sense of calm. He found solace in her protective embrace, as if cognizant of the fact that this woman, with her loving arms, had once been his lifeline.

The bond between them became evident in the way he clung to her, a display of trust and affection that transcended words. It was a silent acknowledgment, a recognition of the deep connection between them. Elora couldn't help but marvel at the profound magic woven by the simple act of placing a child in the arms of someone who held not just him but a piece of his history and his very heart.

"What a beautiful boy." Queen Elora smiled ruefully.

Yun Xiang sniffled and wrapped his little hand around his grandmother's finger. He was already on his way to sleeping. If Elora could snap that moment and turn it into a portrait, she would.

Feeling comfort and warmth to be with each other, both her mother and son dozed to sleep, leaving Elora to watch over them before sleep would ensnare her as well. She was beyond tired because after the battle, she flew straight home after hearing how her mother's health was not faring well when she reached the camp.

Elora was sleeping with arms folded on the bed to cushion her head. What had her waking up was the incessant loud cry of Yun Xiang which broke through her hazy dreams. She quickly roused awake, afraid he would wake her resting mother.

"Shh," she tried to silence Yun Xiang as she rose and reached for him.

He lay on his grandmother, with his head on her chest, and her hand on his little buttock.

Reaching for him and taking him into her hands, Elora was surprised to see her mother's arm not sliding down. She would expect it to fall away as she dragged Yun Xiang off.

Yun Xiang went on screaming and wailing to announce his displeasure, yet her mother, being the person who was easily moved by Yun Xiang's tantrums, did not stir to check what was going on.

Elora felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand as her heart accelerated in panic. She felt herself tremble as she touched her mother's hand and found it quite cold to the touch.

"Mo... Mother..." Elora shakingly called to her as she stilled her fingers before her mother's nose. Two, three seconds passed and Elora did not feel any breath fan her fingers.

"Anyone there?" she screamed. "Hurry and come check on Her Majesty! Now!"

The ladies in waiting and physicians that stood outside by the door rushed in and surrounded the bed. They fussed over the body of the queen.

Looking outside, Elora realized it was still during the deepness of the night, the darkness reflecting what she felt inside.

They all moved with urgency, their eyes illustrating the gravity of the situation. The skilled physician's hands moved with purpose, pressing firmly on the chest and checking her vitals. It was not long before the Priestess ran into the room and joined in to assist while uttering ancient incantations that resonated through the solemn chamber. The rhythmic chant echoed against the cold stone walls, mingling with the palpable fear that gripped Elora.

Candles cast long shadows across the faces of those gathered, each expression revealing a mixture of hope and despair. But Elora knew it was futile to hope because Yun Xiang knew, she knew, and the Priestess probably already knew. The queen's grip on life had irreversibly loosened.

A collective gasp rippled through the chamber as the Priestess, with a heavy heart, straightened to stand. She lifted her hands, gathered them above her hand and bowed by kneeling on the ground.

"Tekenalal Aposhka," she said. [The Queen has departed]

And instantly, wailing and crying seized the room. The weight of the crown seemed to linger in the air, as the ancient echoes of mourning began to envelop the grand chamber and spread down to the halls until it reached the city where huge bells began to ring.

The memories flooded back to Elora—a montage of shared laughter, comforting embraces, and the unconditional love that had begun, yet snuffed before it matured. The absence of that familiar presence had just left an unbearable void, an emptiness that was suffocating the very essence of her grieving soul.

As the tears continued to fall, the magnitude of the finality settled in. The room, once filled with the warmth of maternal love, now felt cold and desolate.

Grief was the worst and she was afraid to face it. It was a storm that was already raging within her, the heartache with an unrelenting force tearing at the very fabric of her being.

"Mother, no!" Elora wailed, finally unable to handle it. Heart wrenching sobs came from her chest as she fell on her knees. Yun Xiang was beyond livid at this point, squealing and crying his heart out as well. It was crushing to see.

The reality of life without her mother's guidance became an agonizing truth she had to face.

The door suddenly banged as Oren ran in with reddened and puffy eyes. He looked at the still body of his once lover, and right there and then, he fell on his knees and broke down.

~Author's Note~

This was a really hard chapter for me so it took time to come together.

S.V