Chapter 95: Chapter 95
Zentz's dragon gave a shriek as it landed in the rebel's settlement. The rebels who stayed back to guard the camp went out of their tents in order to see Sharaina. Many of them were seeing her for the first and she wasn't what they expected.
They expected an older, aggressive and edgy woman but instead she was younger and calm. They could all see her beauty despite her dirty and torn up dress that exposed her flesh to them. Her face had dirt on it but her sharp bright eyes overshadowed it. Not even her shaggy hair succeeded in hiding her beauty.
Sharaina dragged her chains on the ground as she looked around in awe. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn't notice the rebels staring at her. When she finally took notice of them, they bowed at her and she felt out of place.
Lalina stepped out of her tent to breath in the fresh air of the day when she saw Sharaina from afar. She almost ran back into the tent in shame but then realized that she wasn't going to be able to run away from her forever. Lalina sucked in some air and marched to face Sharaina. Sharaina saw her coming and smiled at her.
She has done exactly what Naraygeous said she would do. Lalina thought to herself. She stood a few feet away from Sharaina and smiled back at her. "I am glad that you are free." She said.
"You are the last person I expected to see here." Sharaina replied, she tucked her hair behind her ear to hide that she was feeling awkward.
"I am where I should be." Lalina contented happily.
The sound of dragons were heard and they both looked up. They saw the other rebels arriving. Some of them were wounded so the gamarax manipulators in the camp rushed to their aid.
Sharaina was surprised to see Nelex and Geren among them. Nelex winked at her while Geren just waved happily. Sharaina smiled and waved at the both of them.
Geren pointed to her left and when Sharaina turned, she saw Liss and Mayla in the company of other warriors. Liss and Mayla hugged Sharaina.
"I am so happy to see you two. Aren't you supposed to be at the academy?" Sharaina asked them surprised.
"We just got here." Liss explained and pointed to a group of students behind her.
"We dropped out so that we could fight for Dark Star with you." Mayla cheerfully said to her.
Sharaina didn't know how to respond to that. She still hadn't yet come to terms with her royal destiny. She saw Emelinia approaching them and she turned to listen to what she had to say. Emelinia greeted Liss and Mayla before finally turning to Sharaina to say;
"Come Sharaina, we have to speak to you." Emelinia softly said to her.
"We, who is we?" Sharaina asked her, bewildered.
"The rebel leaders." Lalina answered in place of Emelinia.
Without another word, Sharaina followed Emelinia to the rebel leader's tent. She was surprised to see Naraygeous, Yolin and Zentz. She was even more surprised to see Sevilon and Ouman. When she saw Diavinx and Jemi, she was confused. Emelinia showed her the seat she was supposed to sit on. It was at the center of the table in between Ouman and Sevilon.
"What is all this?" Sharaina asked everyone.
"We see you as our queen therefore only you are worthy of this seat." Ouman said to her and heads nodded.
Sharaina shook her head. "Why do you see me that way? Not once have I ever longed to be queen or even thought of it. All this is still confusing to me."
"But the fact still remains that it is you that is destined to be the next ruler of Dark Star." Ouman said to her again.
"I do not want this. I don't want to be queen. It's because of it that I lost those dear to me. That prophecy is a curse upon my life. It has completely ruined and shattered my it." Sharaina felt her temper rising. "Stop calling me your queen for I am not."
"What is it that you want then?" Sevilon asked her.
"I want to violently kill King Meelzib with my bare hands. After that you people can decide who will rule next because it will not be me. I cannot be your queen for I know nothing about ruling an entire Kingdom. I have to think of how I will raise my child alone." Sharaina angrily answered Sevilon.
"No one but you is to ascend to the throne." Sevilon emphasized. "Those people you saw outside won't accept any other person for the throne."
"You will just have to explain to them that it will not be possible." Sharaina coldly answered him with the look of disgust.
Emelinia heard enough of what she had to say and slapped her hard across the face. Sharaina held her red cheek and stared into Emelinia's angry teary eyes stunned. "Can you hear yourself Sharaina? Everything you have said is totally selfish!" Emelinia screamed at her.
"What do you expect me to say huh? What would you do if you were in my shoes? One minute you are living your life and next minute you lose everything over things you weren't even aware about?!" Sharaina raised her voice back at her.
"You are not the only one who has lost everything Sharaina! All of us have! You know where your husband is but I don't and I don't know if I will ever see him again."
"Not once did any of you think of telling me that I am to be queen. Had you told me I would have been able to save Light and our family but no; you decided to keep me in the dark! What is it with people and keeping secrets from me? Everyone dear to me has kept a secret about me from me and I hate it! Now you want to force the throne down my throat? Give me a fucking break!"
Emelinia fell silent at her words and took a step back as a defeated look grew in her soft pink eyes. Sharaina furiously turned away from her. Sevilon placed his hand on Emelinia's shoulder and she gave way to him.
Sevilon approached Sharaina and Sharaina kept her eyes off him. He could see that she was struggling with her anger. He cleared his throat and Sharaina folded her hands.
"I understand your anger and it is justified. But you see, you must understand that it is of utmost importance that you ascend to the throne. You are the only hope for Dark Star. No one but you can defeat King Meelzib."
Sharaina shot a glare at Sevilon. "Why does it have to be me? I didn't ask for any of this."
"Yes you didn't and that's what makes you worthy for the throne. Everyone is depending on you." Sevilon insisted. "Listen, can you hear that music?" He asked Sharaina and she rolled her eyes. "They are celebrating that you are free. All of them are excited that now King Meelzib's downfall is close. When they look at you, they are seeing their future." He said but Sharaina still wasn't convinced.
Sevilon got hold of her hand and took her out of the tent. He led her to the highest point of the settlement and everyone stopped what they were doing to look at them.
Sharaina saw the rebels look at her with so much admiration. She took notice of the women and children in the crowd. They all seemed to be genuinely happy to see her. They couldn't wipe the smiles off their faces. Some of them even went as far as throwing petals at her.
"Tell them everything you said to us." Sevilon told her. "Tell them that you don't want to be queen. Ruin their only hope for a peaceful Dark Star. Come on, do it."
"Resorting to emotional blackmail in order to get me to do what you want?" Sharaina sternly asked him.
Sevilon shook his head. "No, I am only letting you see the truth of how much you mean to everyone here. It's not just a mere request for you to take the throne but a matter of life and death. We need peace to reign again."
"How can you all expect so much from me? I couldn't even save my husband and my family so how can I be responsible for the lives of all these people and the entire kingdom?"
Sevilon took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to Sharaina. Sharaina read the letter and felt paralyzed with disbelief. She looked back at Sevilon with her jaw dropped and he nodded his head at her.
"You see, even King Raglan believed in you. Ouman and I spent months looking for you. We were able to find you with Emelinia's help. The only reason all this was kept from you was to ease our work in protecting you."
Sharaina looked back at the people. "They all want me to be their queen." She softly said underneath her breath.
"What will you do now?" Sevilon asked her.
"Let's make that prophesy come true." Sharaina answered him without taking her eyes off the people.
Sevilon put his hands behind his back. "What's your first order of business?" He asked her.
"I am in desperate need of a bath and a change of clothes." Sharaina quickly answered.
"I can be of help." Lalina suddenly said to her.
"Thanks Lalina." Sharaina smiled at her and saw Ronitte behind her. "Hi, would you mind breaking my chains?" She asked her.
Did she just speak to me? Ronitte's heart skipped a beat. Sharaina was looking directly at her. She is definitely talking to me.
"Um, Ronitte, did you hear me?" Sharaina asked her.
"Y-you remember my name?" Ronitte nervously asked her.
"Of course I do. I don't forget names." Sharaina said with a smile. "Now come on, get these chains off me so that I can go and have my bath. I haven't bathed in two months and I am smelling." Sharaina added and Lalina laughed with her. Sevilon raised his eyebrows and excused himself.
Ronitte smiled brightly and was about to activate her weapon when Shays swiftly, at an impossible speed, cut off Sharaina's chains. He was so fast that no one saw him do it.
Sharaina saw all her chains drop to the ground and she fearfully checked if all her limbs were intact. Shays only smiled back at her while he scratched the back of his head.
"Don't worry I was careful enough not to cut you." He assured Sharaina.
"A little warning would have been nice." Sharaina told him with wide eyes.
"Shays is something I tell you." Lalina laughed and got hold of Sharaina's hand. Sharaina still looked at Shays with shock plastered across her face as Lalina led her away.
"Oh my, I seem to have startled our queen." Shays laughed to himself and found Ronitte glaring at him. "You seem to be a tad bit upset."
"I am not upset." Ronitte turned to walk away. 'What a jerk. Sharaina finally spoke to me and he came in and ruined everything.'
"I know that you are upset." Shays blocked her path and towered over her. "Come on, pretty girls like you shouldn't be upset when a gentleman steps up to help a woman."
"Please excuse me." Ronitte shoved him aside and kept walking. Shays blocked her path again. "Are you serious?" Ronitte asked him with a daring scowl.
"I just want to talk to you." He cheerfully said and Ronitte looked at him with disgust.
"Shays, you know better than to harass a woman." Naraygeous suddenly said and Shays yelped.
"Sir, how long h-have you been th-there?" He stammered in fear.
"Long enough." Naraygeous folded his hands.
Ronitte smiled at herself and made her way off the hill. Naraygeous and Shays watched her leave and once she was out of sight, Naraygeous put his hand over Shay's shoulder and gave his hand a squeeze that made Shays swallow hard.
"What's with you and big women?" Naraygeous asked him.
"I find them very attractive sir." Shays answered with pride.
"Well that one doesn't seem to like you very much." Naraygeous waved his eyebrows at him mockingly.
"She will soon enough." Shays laughed.
"I wouldn't get my hopes up if I were you."
****
King Meelzib got into his throne room and found the remaining five members of the Enchanted Seven. They all bowed to him as he sat on his throne.
King Meelzib was visibly upset and frustrated at everything. He had gotten sick and tired of failing to attain his goals. He was so sure that he was going to be rid of Sharaina that it didn't occur to him that rebels would have the nerve to go and rescue her. It even puzzled him the most that they were more than he imagined.
"I have called you all here because I need your strength to take down an enemy once and for all." King Meelzib said to the Enchanted members.
"We are at your service your majesty." Commander Stix said with a devious grin.
"As you know, Sevilon and Ouman are traitors. Should you come across any of them, do not hesitate to kill them." King Meelzib got off his throne and put his hands behind his back. "I want Sharaina and her rebels wiped off the face of this Kingdom. I don't want any prisoners do you understand?"
"Yes your majesty." They answered at once.
"This war they have waged against me will be their last mistake." King Meelzib balled up his fist in fury.
****
It was finally night time and the people at the rebels settlement started camp fires. Emelinia sat by one fire with Channy and Lakki. Channy was busy roasting fish while Lakki ate some of it.
Emelinia looked over her shoulder and stared at Sharaina's tent. She hadn't seen or spoken to her since their fight. She wondered if it was going to be okay to check up on her.
"Mama, would it be okay if I went to see her? She hasn't eaten anything since she arrived here." Emelinia said to Channy without taking her eyes off the tent. "She needs to eat."
Channy placed her hand on Emelinia's shoulder and handed a plate of food to her. "Here take this to her." She said with a nod.
Emelinia took the plate away from her with a smile. "Thank you mama." She got up. "I will be back soon."
Emelinia slowly made her way to Sharaina's tent. As she walked toward it, she saw Lalina go into it and she paused. She almost turned around but then thought of Sharaina's baby. Emelinia went to the tent and wondered what to do next. She couldn't just go in the way Lalina did. She also couldn't knock and was too nervous to speak up.
Emelinia listened in order to at least to know whether Sharaina was awake or not but there was nothing but silence. The tent suddenly opening startled her to the point of almost dropping the plate.
Lalina stretched her lips mockingly at Emelinia and rested her hands on her hips. Emelinia breathed in to hide that she was irritated but Lalina saw right through her. With a smirk, she asked,
"Are you here to give Sharaina that food?"
Emelinia got on her tippy toes and peeped over Lalina's shoulder. "Yes I am. Is she awake?" She asked.
Lalina shook her head. "No she isn't. Come see for yourself." Lalina gave Emelinia way.
Emelinia got in and saw that Sharaina was truly fast asleep - snoring under her covers. Beside her were plates of food that she had not touched. Emelinia placed the food she brought on the ground and knelt down beside Sharaina's mattress.
She set her hand on her forehead to check her temperature and it seemed to be normal. When she started to shake her gently in order to wake her up, Lalina took her hand off her.
"She is tired. Let her be Emelinia. She spent two months in the dungeon. She could use some well needed rest." Lalina whispered.
"I know that she is Lalina. It's just that she needs to eat for the sake of her baby."
Lalina narrowed her eyes at Emelinia. "What, she is expecting?" Lalina asked her and Emelinia nodded her head.
"How is she going to fight King Meelzib in her condition?" Lalina aggressively whispered.
"Ssssssh." Emelinia shushed her. "Let's not talk about that now. Please just allow me to wake her up."
"Alright fine." Lalina moved away.
Emelinia continued to shake Sharaina but she didn't wake up. Lalina rolled her eyes and poured water into a metal cup. She went over to Sharaina and poured it on her head making her bolt out of the mattress as though it was on fire. Sharaina wiped the water off her face with her hand and looked angrily at Lalina who was pointing and laughing at her.
"Are you serious?" Sharaina growled in annoyance.
"You weren't waking up so what did you expect us to do?" Lalina asked.
Sharaina caught sight of Emelinia who was still kneeling by the mattress. She remembered their fight earlier so she started to feel awkward. Sharaina turned away and picked a towel. As she dried her hair, Emelinia set her plate of food on the mattress. Lalina on the other hand poured herself some water to drink.
Sharaina turned to them and saw her rice, assorted vegetables and fish. "Is that for me?" She asked Emelinia.
"Yes it is. You need to eat." Emelinia answered her.
Sharaina gave her stomach a rub. "Well I am hungry now that you've mentioned it."
Lalina threw herself on the mattress almost knocking the plate to the ground but Emelinia's quick reflexes prevented it from happening. "Damn it Lalina, be more conscious of your environment. You know that food is scarce." Emelinia scolded her.
"What do you mean scarce?" Sharaina asked her.
"There's been a civil war going on for the past two months Sharaina. So many people have lost their lives because of denouncing King Meelzib. Nearly half the Kingdom wants you to be queen." Lalina answered Sharaina.
Sharaina slowly sat down on her mattress. "You don't say. Cheriliisia looked so peaceful so I honestly had no idea. This whole thing is deeper than I imagined."
"It feels like a never ending nightmare." Emelinia chipped in and gave Sharaina her food. "Come on eat now." She said.
Sharaina raised her brow at the fish. "You know that I can't eat fish without wine." She said to Emelinia.
"Well you will start tonight. If you think that you will drink while you are pregnant you have another thing coming." Emelinia threatened.
"Okay then I won't eat it." Sharaina said back to her.
"You will eat the fish. You will eat all of it." Emelinia said to her in the same tone.
"Emelinia why are you been so stubborn?" Sharaina asked her.
"And why are you acting spoiled? You food is getting cold, shut up and eat."
"Fine but I won't enjoy it." Sharaina spooned up some rice. "At least pour me a cup of water. My throat is dry." She said to Emelinia.
"I have no problem with giving you water." She turned to get the water.
Sharaina turned to Lalina and secretly gestured for her to go closer. "Be sure to bring me red wine when she leaves." She quietly whispered to her and Lalina nodded her head with a giggle.
Emelinia turned back and Sharaina and Lalina pretended that they were not doing anything. "You two do realize that I am a seer right? You can't be pretentious in my presence and expect to get away with it." She said and rolled her eyes at them. "Lalina if you dare give her even a single drop of alcohol, I will know and I will deal with you."
"Eh? Sharaina you are on your own!" Lalina shrugged her shoulders.
"I can see that mama rubbed off on you. I swear you acting the same way she would have if she were here." Sharaina put her spoon down.
Tension filled the air and it made Lalina feel so awkward that she didn't know what to do. She wasn't good at comforting people and all of her felt ashamed that it was her cousin who caused Sharaina and Emelinia great pain. She still didn't understand why both of them were still nice to her despite knowing all that.
While Lalina felt happy with Naraygeous, she felt bad that both of them lost their husbands. It was a type of pain she refused to imagine for herself.
She couldn't stop herself from feeling the guilt of being happy despite the sadness Sharaina and Emelinia were feeling. Because she had no comforting words, Lalina just stayed silent and waited for them to speak to her first.
"Have you been able to see them ever since that incident?" Sharaina asked Emelinia.
Emelinia shook her head and wiped her nose. "No I haven't. I can't even find them with my spy window. I tried going back in the past to at least know where they are but everything is blank. It's like they were sent somewhere beyond what I can see."
"Emelinia, I don't know when and I don't know how but I promise you that one day I will find them and when I do, I will bring them back home." Sharaina confidently promised to Emelinia with so much enthusiasm in her voice.
"What about Light? What will you do? 800 to 1000 years is a long time." Emelinia placed her hand on Sharaina's.
"I will wait for him. It doesn't matter how long it will take. No one can ever take his place. I may have lost the rings that symbolized my marriage to him but my marriage still stands." Sharaina smiled at Emelinia. "One day we will get back everyone and everything we have lost."
"Have you agreed to be queen?" Emelinia asked Sharaina with eyes full of anticipation.
"Yes I have. The only one standing in my way is Meelzib. I just want to get my hands on him." Sharaina turned to Lalina. "I know this offends you but you must understand that he has to pay for everything he has done."
"I will not stand in your way. This is between you two and not me." Lalina thoughtfully said.