Hey people of the Kingdom of Abhainn!!!! This is one of the chapters I like the most. I am enjoying the way the events had evolved throughout this month. It has being amazing your support. Please vote and comment ant let me know your opinion!!!

Luv you from Puerto Rico

Rosaimeé





Chapter 35 Time of War

Part 1



Prince Alaster arrived to the village followed by Vlad and a few soldiers from the Black Armada. He slowed his pace down as he saw the damage the raids had done to this peaceful village. He felt anger mixed with grief... Some of the villagers were working on repairing roofs, others were carrying corpses covered with sheets. A few were rescuing what they could from their destructed cottages. Everybody was working... The villagers raised their heads as they saw the prince pass by them. Yet they were too busy to stop to salute him. However, he managed to approach his people and promised that those behind this atrocity would pay.

Prince Alasther was in front of Maik's cottage. Vlad informed that she and Jocelyn would stay there for their security.

-"Vlad, Prince Alasther..."- Maik was standing behind the group carrying some buckets of water. -"I guess you are looking for Am. She is inside... safe."-Maik opened the door and let the Prince enter first. Am was sitting on the floor, near the chimney, with her head resting on her mother's lap. As soon as she saw the prince, she stood up immediately, along with the rest of the persons in the living area. Am's eyes glittered with excitement. She was so happy to see her prince.

Alasther smiled to her lady as he spoke. -"I came to take you to the castle with me."

-"But, they are safe here, your highness."- Maik protested.

-"Maik, don't be irrational. There is no safer place than the castle. War is to be held against Cadocia. They wanted to kill Am. You won't be able to defend her only by yourself."- Vlad advised Maik as he placed his hand on Maik's shoulder. Maik remained silent. His friend was right. Amalthea would be more secure in the castle, behind the stone walls of the kingdom's fortress.

Maik finally broke his silent reaction. -"You are right, she would be safer there... but you mentioned war... Are you going to strike against the people responsible for this attack?... I'm in!"

-"No! Maik! You can't go to battle!"- Am screamed. The prince was surprised to hear her talking.

-"You can talk! But how? That is wonderful." - The prince walked towards Am as to give her a hug but she went straight to her best friend. Lifting her body up she cupped his face and begged tenderly, -"Please Maik, do not go there. You can get hurt."-

Maik looked at the red haired with tenderness as he told her, -"Am, it is imperative to kill those mercenaries. If we do not finish them they will come after you... they will come to the village again and slaughter more innocents... maybe the next time we won't be capable of stopping them... I don't want anything bad happen to you. You will stay in the castle with Jocelyn and both of you will be safe."- Now Maik turned to the prince. -"When will the troops leave to the battle field? I will go with you."

-"We will leave in two days... I think you can join us... Thank you, Maik. We need brave and skilled men to stop this madness at once. As you said they will come back... and the next time with their complete army."- The prince spoke. It was time to leave. He didn't want Am to be in that village a minute longer.

Am's eyes were filled with tears. She feared for her best friend. She feared the worst.
Am and Jocelyn left Maik's cottage, they went to gather a few things to take with them to the castle. Short after they were in the carriage heading to the royal mansion. On their way, both mother and daughter were praying for a sudden solution. Am couldn't avoid feeling guilty for everything. It was because of her that a war was about to start...



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It was not a very pleasant travel like others before. The carriage moved rapidly bouncing as it steped on every rock on the trail. But finally Am and Jocelyn arrived the castle. Queen Cephora went immediately to receive the guests. She hugged both Am and Jocelyn and conducted them to their dormitories. This time they would stay in the main building with the royal family, as part of them. A servant helped them unpack the few things they brought with them, while the queen welcomed them again.

-"It is not the situation in which I would want you to stay here, but you are more than welcomed in my castle..."- Now the queen took Am's hands and spoke to her gently. -"I'm sorry if I've offended you at any moment. I was so blind with Katharina I couldn't see the evil spirit inside of her. First, she tried to poison you and now she takes revenge and hires barbaric nomads to raid and kill my people..."- Tears were now loading their eyes as the queen continued talking. -"I can now see what my son saw on you. You are a charming and talented young lady. Your soul is pure. You are not vain, but humble. You are a fine lady, Am. And I wish you could choose my son over the other suitors that you have. You don't know how he suffered seeing you perishing in illness. And how distressed he felt when he found out these nomads were after you... He loves you like no one else... And sincerely I would like to see my son married to a wonderful woman like you..."- The queen hugged Am and both of them cried. Jocelyn was crying as well.

The queen left the room accompanied by Jocelyn. Am walked to the window. She could see the revolution in the castle fields. There were soldiers preparing for war. Some of them marching, others preparing the horses; others were organizing weapons and others, the most, were warming up as they practice the skills on battle.

Now her thoughts traveled beyond the woods she was looking at. Maik was going to battle field. She didn't want to, but what else she could do to convince him... If something bad ever happened to her Maik, she would never forgive herself. It was because of her all this inferno was unfettered. How her life had changed since she came to the castle the first time. How the situation evolved from a innocent dance with the prince, to fall in love with him and with that provoke a war... What had she done? What had she done!



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In the War Room, there were officers coming in and out... the commanders, knights, soldiers of the Black Armada, Captain Von Freidd, the king, the prince... orders were given, orders were received. Maps of the kingdom were displayed over the big red wooden round table in the middle of the room. It was time of War.

A missive was received from the king of Cadocia. He had formally declared war: No one dares to humiliate my daughter. No one ever would disgrace a Cynbel. Kingdom of Cadocia declares War to Abhainn...

-"Go send message to Lord Roderick, it is important Lannishire makes sure all the provisions of wheat, and barley as well as the rest of the crops are save in the warehouses and barns. The cattle should be stored in the stables and special attention should be taken immediately. Send a group of soldiers Lannishire to deliver the message and to join the guards posted there." - The king commanded.

-"Send one soldier to each village in the woods to alert the farmers and villagers. Tell them to be ready to defend their villages. Women and children have priority. If someone needs to be moved to the castle help them and bring them before night falls tonight."- Captain Von Freidd gave the order. He continued giving orders. - "The knights of the Royal Table should stay at the castle to command the guards posted here. Let the people around the castle to hide behind the walls. We don't want more raids, in special near the castle."

- "I will leave with the Black Armada and a few volunteers tomorrow at dawn to the southern boundaries. That is where they will strike according to the letter. Army would camp at the Rath Valley in the Pobel Vean Region, behind the Athame hills. There, we will wait for them... And we will finish them. The crows and voltures will make a feast out of their rotten corpses. I swear..."-The prince spoke as he buried his dagger in the wooden table with ire in his eyes.



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That night, Am heard a knock on the door of her dormitory. Her heart jumped as she sensed who was awaiting behind the door. She opened the door and she couldn't avoid smile with joy as she saw Prince Alasther standing there. She hadn't seen him the whole day for he was participating planning the strategies of war.

-"Can I come in?" - The prince asked with a crooked grin. Am nodded silently. Once in the room he closed the door behind him and spoke again. -"Please, talk to me. I crave to hear that wonderful voice of yours, my love."

They were standing in front of each other, between the bed and the fire place. Am looked at him. His brown irises were deeper in color. They were the color of honey, but now they were somehow darker and reddish... She could get lost there now. -"What do you want me to say, my prince..."- Am managed to say, as he held her arms with a gentle grip.

-"I want you to say that you love me..."

-"I love you... my prince."- Am spoke and followed her lips were being devoured by the prince. They were kissing fervently. Their bodies shivered with emotion and passion. He caressed her face, her neck line... his fingers were softly touching her chest and met the part of her breasts that was exposed by her gown's décolletage. She was so tender and soft to the touch, he wanted to tear her dress and take her right now on that bed and claim her body his for the eternity.

The prince knew it was the part he needed to stop or he couldn't contain himself. He gently stopped kissing her and told her, "Am... my sweet Am... my body wants every part of yours. I can't wait to make you my wife... Now my soul feels complete. This kiss gives me strength for what I will face tomorrow. I would fight against the gods if it was necessary to keep you unharmed."

Am's eyes watered. She answered to the prince with a broken voice."- If there would be another way to keep you here with me and you will not go to battle..."-

-"My precious Am, I promise that when I return in a few days from battle, you will be my wife... you will be my queen."

-"Please, promise me you will return unharmed... and bring my friend safe too..."

-"I swear for our love, I will come back and bring Maik alive... now rest my love..."- The prince kissed softly on her lips again and left the room.

Am sat on her bed. She felt turmoil in her chest. She was happy she finally found her true love in her prince. She felt excited for the way he kissed her... but she was scared and sad, the men she loved the most were going to leave to battle field tomorrow. Am feared for both of them. The maiden kneeled on the floor by her bed and began to pray.