Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Arius

“You requested to see me, my king.” Soren, the twin to one of the sixteen commander asked after he bowed when he let himself into the hall which I used for official business. Each king decorates the hall to suit his taste but my father decorations were still on the wall. I was not going to do anything about it until it is declared that my father is no more and the people responsible for his demise are brought to justice.

The king was wasting away, everybody knew it was only a matter of time before he dies.

“Yes I did. You are second in command to your legion right?” I asked Sorens who nodded.

“Yes my king, I am the one in charge now since the commander died.” Sorens explains.

The right thing for me to do will be to promote Sorens to be the leader of his Legion so he would be a commander like his brother has been for the past two years but I am known for not doing the right thing. Or for doing it through unconventional means.

“I want to place the queen above you so that she can control your legion while she goes to war with Erisea. Northshore promised to render help to Dar against their enemies. Your legion will be Northshore aide to the war.”

Sorens knelt at the command I placed behind my words which stated that this was not up for discussion. “If that is what the king wants, that is my life’s purpose.” Sorens repeats the mantra of those in the army. I nodded in approval as if it was given of his free will rather than being coax by me.

“The rites will be done this evening for you.” I voiced but Soren froze.

“I am sorry my king but that will not be possible.” He picked at the words, one after the other.

“Why?” I demanded, angry that he would refused. It might not be the right thing but I didn’t want to make Gwenn more like a soldier. Not when I know that soldiers are almost lifeless when trying to protect the kingdom.

“Because it isn’t done. If we will be under the queen, she needs to take the rites. You know this, your majesty.” Sorens pointed out.

“You can take it for her and be in charge, she will be just like a figure head with the name Commander.” I bargained but Sorens shook his head.

“If it works that way, you would be referred to as Yama while your father still lives.” Soren replied, I couldn’t hide my flinch, he was right and a strong warrior, willing to come to blows with me, even though it is verbal ones, just to uphold our culture. Point was very loud and clear.

“I will inform my wife of the ceremony. Start getting ready to leave.” I ordered, his eyes went completely dark to signify communication with the rest of the squad.

To think that my wife would be able to do that send a chill down my spine. I grew up here but that doesn’t change the fact that I am still creeped out when the warriors communicate.

How will Gwenn take being one of them? I know not but this means that Gwenn was about to know of Northshore’s secret and the fact that things are not always the way they seem when an outsider is here.

“I have a favour to ask of you.” I said quickly just as Sorens was about to turn and leave. He turned to me and tilted his head to look at me strangely, his eyes were still black and I knew that right now, he was inhumane.

“Protect Gwenn, she will not just be your commander outside Northshore but she will be your charge too. She is a queen, the other half of me, your king. Protect her life with your dying breathe.

“We will protect her with every single thing in us.” A thousand voices came out of Elison mouth, he was of the legion and he is the legion. He spoke for himself and his thousands of other brethren.

“I know you will protect her but I want Sorens the man to promise that.” I argued. I didn’t doubt the legion ability to protect Gwenn, I just wanted someone who was able to think for himself because the road ahead of Gwenn was a very lonely one if she could not tell somebody what she felt and everything that was going on.

Because once the rites and the oaths are made, she becomes one of us.

“I promise. I will be her shadow, her strength and her confident, I will lay down my life to protect the queen and all she holds dear.” Sorens vowed as I nodded my appreciation to him. He walked out of the hall while I sat on my table and wondered about the way I would go about, telling Gwenn that it was time we turn her into a shadow of herself.

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Gwenn

“You promised me an army, you didn’t tell me that I would turn into a zombie to get one.” I raged as my hands balled into fists. Arius gaze flickered to my hands a couple of times before they settled on my face.

“I can give you an army but when you return, you will not be allowed a part in fighting, this way, I can guarantee that your position will always be secured and besides, you will be okay. They are not undead creatures. They just have a collective thought and power beyond what any of us can imagine. This is the best offer I can give you.”

“I want my army with no strings attached, I am tired of your extra terms which keeps increasing without limits.” I gritted out.

“No more fighting for as long as you live, you become a queen with too much time in your hands, can you handle that?” Arius asked softly like he was trying to appeal to me to make a good decision.

The truth is that, I could see the reason why he wanted me to accept that decision but I was not sure if I could make that sacrifice.

“They would answer to only me?” I asked Arius again.

“Yes, you and the Yama.” Arius replied.

“Yama?” I frowned at the new term which was not something I have heard before.

“The king.” Arius replied. “Yama is our title for our supreme leader that is what he is called.”

“Why am I not hearing you being called that title then?” I asked baffled because this was the first time I was really hearing that title.

“Because I am not the overall leader.” Arius voice went low in sadness. “My father is.”

I felt the urge to comfort Arius but I fought against it, this was the same man whom hurt me and did it while being a cold hearted bastard. There was no way, he was going to get anything like love or sympathy from me even though it is clear that I feel that for him.

“I agree to take the rites.” I replied while Arius smiled a wide smile at me.

“Thank you for not causing too much stress about this to me.”

“Of course I replied. All I am asking in return is that my family will be allowed to visit anytime they want to.”

Just as I suspected, Arius wanted to complain immediately.

“A wife should remain with her new family without the old interfering, you have to allow that to happen.”

“My family will not interfere. I can give you my word on that.” I added and Arius finally nodded, albeit it looked forced.

“Thank you for not causing me too much stress about this to me.” I repeated his exact words to him and he cracked a smile.

“You win, when do you want to leave?” he asked.

“As soon as possible.” I replied, something about my answer must have been off because Arius lost his smile and an annoyed edged entered his eyes.

“I will arrange for the ceremony today, you can have it at your earliest inconvenience tomorrow and in three days’ time, you can leave if you want to, after you have recuperated.”

“Sounds perfect.” I smiled and Arius, left my room, slamming the door behind him.

If I had the strength I would have thought up theories and conspiracies about what crawled into his ass and died there but no, I was tired, too tired to try and out myself in his shoes.