The north-eastern part was not all severely infested with the Dynoths. We found it strange since Le’On informed us this morning that this place had a high number of Dynoths. We were confused or rather I was, but the rest of the party members were just busy killing whatever Dynoths they got their hands on.
By evening, we were almost finished and Adi’Je ordered her clan members to sweep the whole area for anything that we missed initially. All in all, judging from all the Dynoths body deposited, we had killed just under 100. That is very low compared to what we have been facing in the earlier days. But, I was happy... less Dynoth means less work and less work means more time to spend with little Wei, my new toy... he he he.
Me: “Little Wei... Want to come over tonight too?”
She looked at me with a cold face and replied.
Wei: “Don’t call me little...”
Me: “He he he... it fits you nicely, but answer my question. Will you come tonight or should I look for another one?”
With a piercing gaze she replied.
Wei: “If you do that, I will beat you senseless.”
Me: “So... you enjoyed last night didn’t you... he he he... I knew there was a monster inside you.”
Wei: “No... I-I was just curious by what we did last night.”
Me: “Sure you are... Want some of that great drink tonight or shall we spend the night in a different way?”
Wei: “Different way?”
Me: “Ohh... so you are interested... he he he. Okay, just come tonight and you will see what I mean by a different way.”
Wei nodded and I could see a hint of a faint blush on her cheeks. Ohh... I can’t even wait for the night to come.
We were sitting a pile of rubble while Adi’Je and her lackeys were standing behind us. Suddenly, we heard a commotion followed by Adi’Je screaming to someone. I turned my head to see what had happened. What I saw froze me for a certain period. Le’On was standing with blood all over his armour, and he was carrying someone’s bloody body. I could not recognize the body until I heard Adi’Je.
Adi’Je: “MY LORD!!! WHAT HAPPENED??”
Le’On didn’t give any answer. He just kept looking at the body he was carrying on his arms. Adi’Je asked again.
Adi’Je: “MY LORD!!! WHAT HAPPENED??”
There was still no reply from him. It was as if he was in a trance, but whose body he was carrying. Could it be of someone from the Galeform Clan?
Naj’Rak in the meanwhile went close to Adi’Je. When she reached the spot, she gasped. She put her hands onto her mouth. I couldn’t see her reaction as her back was towards me. Adi’Je too stopped inquiring and kept looking at Le’On. What happened? Only then, I heard Naj’Rak’s voice.
Naj’Rak: “MY KING!!! OH NO... QUEEN... QUEEN A-A-ABY! OH NO!”
It was like time had frozen and everyone in the vicinity had stopped breathing. I diverted my gaze towards Wei, who by now had stood up and quickly ran towards them, uttering.
Wei: “Impossible!!!”
I too followed her. She was fast, but I eventually caught up with her. We reached the place where everybody was standing silently, even Adi’Je was silent. Upon reaching, I took a closer look at the bloody body... I recognized it immediately.
Me (shocked): “Aby!!!”
Suddenly, Wei screamed.
Wei: “N-noooo A-aabbyyyy..... noooooooo!!!”
Adi’Je again spoke to Le’On.
Adi’Je: “MY LORD! HOW DID IT HAPPEN?”
He still kept looking at the bloody body of Aby as were we, thinking of how could it have happened? Adi’Je inquired again, this time nudging his shoulders firmly.
Adi’Je: “MY LORD! HOW DID IT HAPPEN?”
Tears came out of my eyes, I didn’t know her that well, but I knew for a fact that she was an important person for Wei and of course Le’On. Naj’Rak started crying, covering her mouth with her hands. Wei was on the ground, her face full of tears, but no word came out. Suddenly, Le’On spoke up.
Le’On: “Carnage.”
None of us understood what he was talking about. So much confusion was going on.
Adi’Je inquired further. Out of all of us, she was the one who most composed.
Adi’Je: “What? My Lord... what are you talking about?? What happened and how... how did she...”
And for the first time, he shifted his gaze from Aby to Adi’Je. Tears were coming out of his eyes as if a dam had been broken. He replied.
Le’On: “I... WANT... CARNAGE!!!!”
He shouted and all of us heard it clearly. Along with that, we felt sadness in his voice, rage too, but most of all, which was the most stifling part... was the amount of bloodlust he released. The pressure was immense, so much so that I was nearly forced to the ground. Wei shouted at him.
Wei: “WHAT HAPPENED TO HER, LE’ON? TELL ME IMMEDIATELY...”
He didn’t respond but just kept on looking at Adi’Je. Adi’Je moved forward and started checking for Aby’s pulse, but her expression told the truth. Aby was well and truly gone from this world. Adi’Je spoke with a stern voice.
Adi’Je: “Queen Naj’Rak, hurry and bring me some of the sheets we have in our possession to carry the body of Dynoths.”
Naj’Rak at first was startled bur regained her composure too. She replied.
Naj’Rak: “Y-Yes, Queen Adi’Je.”
She turned and ran towards the place where the sheets were left. Whereas here, none of us moved, but watched Aby’s body. Blood was dripping out of her mouth, head and many other places.
Wei: “LE’ON, HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?”
He didn’t respond.
Adi’Je: “My Lord, I know you are in grief, but please share with us.”
Wei: “ANSWER ME LE’ON!!!!!”
He looked towards Wei. By the looks of him, he was devastated, his eyes reeked of grief. He replied.
Le’On: “I-I-I-I am s-s-sorry Wei... I-I-I couldn’t save her.”
Adi’Je put her right hand on Le’On’s face and spoke softly.
Adi’Je: “My Lord, Please... tell us what happened?”
He turned her gaze towards Adi’Je and replied.
Le’On: “I-I couldn’t save her, Adi... I-I failed to protect her. I couldn’t save her...”
His legs seemed to give up, but Adi’Je supported him. She spoke.
Adi’Je: “My Lord, please sit down and let me help you with her body.”
He didn’t reply. Naj’Rak in the meantime came with what Adi’Je wanted her to bring.
Naj’Rak: “Queen Adi’Je, I-I brought what you asked.”
Adi’Je without looking at her replied.
Adi’Je: “Please spread them on the floor, Queen Naj’Rak.”
Naj’Rak: “Yes, right away.”
She looked around and while pointing towards some Zumas, she spoke.
Naj’Rak: “All of you Bloods come here and help me.”
Without further delay, they came and helped Naj’Rak to spread the sheets on the grounds.
Naj’Rak: “Queen Adi’Je, it’s done.”
Adi’Je: “Then help me making the King to sit down.”
Naj’Rak stood up and quickly went behind Le’On. She put her hands on his shoulders and said.
Naj’Rak: “My K-King, please sit down here.”
Adi’Je: “Please let me help you with Queen Aby’s body.”
She scooped Aby’s body out of his arms and laid her down on the sheet while Naj’Rak forced Le’On to sit on a pile of rubble close by. His eyes were fixed on Aby’s body. Wei immediately screamed.
Wei: “ABYY!!!! Nooo....”
She crawled over to her body while crying.
Wei: “Abyy...”
She gently touched Aby’s cold face while her tears fell upon Aby’s face. I went and sat beside Wei and wrapped my arms around her and held on her tighter. She looked at me and broke down completely while burying her face on my chest.
Adi’Je: “Hmmm... strange... her wounds are not incurred from any Dynoth.”
She turned towards Le’On and asked again.
Adi’Je: “My Lord, please tell us what happened?”
Naj’Rak had already wrapped her arms around Le’On and was trying to console him. He looked towards Adi’Je and replied.
Le’On: “She... A-Aby was murdered... right in front of me and... And I couldn’t do anything... I COULDN’T DO ANYTHING!!! I failed her... I am sorry Wei... I am so sorry.”
Like me everyone else was also confused. Naj’Rak asked.
Naj’Rak: “Murdered... My King, but who did this and how did it happen... please... tell us.”
Adi’Je: “Yes, My Lord, if you don’t tell us then how could we know what had happened to her and how she was murdered. Did the Zoit soldiers attack you?"
With that word, all the Bloods surrounding us, unsheathed their weapons, leaking their bloodlust. So much bloodlust, I felt I was about to vomit but Adi’Je ordered.
Adi’Je: “Bloods! Sheath your weapons and control yourselves.”
All of them followed her command... such were their loyalty.
Wei was crying very hard so I tried calming her down by slowly stroking her hair. It did have some effect as Wei calmed a little bit. In the mean time, Adi’Je along with few Zumas wrapped Aby’s body with the sheets. Le’On was yet to tell us anything. What happened out there?
Me: “Just what happened out there?”
Le’On: “We found several bodies indicating that they were killed not by the Dynoths, but by something else. I asked her to find more bodies like that. I told her to be careful... I told her to call me if any trouble arises...
It was getting late, so I was trying to find her when...”
Adi’Je: “When what, My Lord?”
Le’On told about everything. He told us about the unknown assailants to the Aby being chocked to thrown off from the second story to Le’On being pinned down and had to watch the whole scene to the assailants being siblings and they were brother and sister of unknown clan. The woman attacked and pinned down Le’On while the brother choked, pierced her with a sword and later on after being told to end her misery was thrown on the ground. The women even challenged Le’On to find her in the mountain closest from here, meaning the Amoith Mountain.
We were all silent and the only sounds that were heard was the sound of Wei crying. I looked around and every Zuma trembling with rage and suddenly a huge level of bloodlust erupted at that place. I froze and I dare not even take a breath. Swats were running down from everyone’s forehead. Even the Zumas were being affected. Only two people remain unaffected were Le’On and Adi’Je.
Adi’Je: “How... dare they? How... dare... they kill one of my sister-wives?”
And at that point, I knew from where that monstrous blood lust came from. It was Adi’Je herself.
She got up, face full of anger. The amount of bloodlust she was emitting, it... it was incredible.
Suddenly, another beast started emitting huge amounts of bloodlust.
Naj’Rak: “Unacceptable... absolutely unacceptable. I will kill them, I will kill... them.”
She said while hugging Le’On and consoling him. It was safe to say, that the second level of bloodlust belongs to her. And with that, I felt bloodlust all around me. I felt as if I was in the middle of a very vicious monster pack. These Zumas sure have high levels of bloodlust in them.
Le’On: “They are mine.”
In a low voice Le’On declared that.
Adi’Je: “My Lord...”
Le’On: “They... are... mine... to kill.”
Naj’Rak: “But My King...”
He used his hands, to set himself free from Naj’Rak’s embrace. He then stood up and walked towards Adi’Je. But his destination was not her, but Aby. He bent down and picked Aby up. He spoke with a voice full of authority.
Le’On: “Has this area been cleared?”
Adi’Je: “Yes, My Lord.”
Le’On: “As was mine too. From what I could gather... those people were the reason for the Dynoth attacks the whole time. I suspect same condition as I faced in the Dentia Forrest.”
Wei looked up to me. Her eyes had swollen and her beautiful face was full of tears. I quickly cleaned her face and her eyes. Though I was trying my best to comfort Wei but I could never understand the pain she is going through right now. She turned her gaze towards Le’On and spoke in a broken voice.
Wei: “Aura Crystal!”
Le’On looked towards Wei and nodded.
Naj’Rak: “That means there are not just two beasts, but more of them might be residing in that mountain.”
Adi’Je: “Highly possible... from what I could gather of this area’s history, they guarded the Amoith Mountain strongly.”
Le’On: “Not beasts.”
Adi’Je looked at Le’On a little confused. She said.
Adi’Je: “Pardon, My Lord?”
Le’On: “They were not beasts... They were something else.”
Me: “How can that be? Only beasts reside in the Zoit continent.”
Le’On: “We will discuss about this matter later, for now... BLOODS!”
All the Zumas looked towards Le’On and stood ready. Their eyes emitted unwavering loyalty not just for their Queen, but also for their King.
Le’On: “Return to the base camp. Our goal in the Galeform city is over.
Queen Adi’Je... Queen Naj’Rak... Deiti... Wei (He looked at each and every one of us after calling our names and finally looked towards Aby) and ... Queen Aby, let’s go back. We have many things to do. Wei!”
Wei looked at him and answered.
Wei: “What?”
Le’On: “Please... contact Aby’s family and the rest of the group and inform them about the loss we received. Tell all of them that the last rite of Aby would be done in her home... in the city of the Feli Clan. Inform the group to gather there to pay their respects to her.”
Wei thought for a moment, fresh tears filled her eyes... but we managed to nod showing her acceptance.
Le’On smiled a little but it did not emit any kind of happiness, but it emitted grief and sadness.
Le’On: “Thank you Wei.”
He turned towards Adi’Je and spoke.
Le’On: “Queen Adi’Je, please clean and examine Aby’s body once we reach the base camp. I want a report of it. Please coordinate with the medics of the Zoit Army with this matter. I want her wounds to be stitched and her body cleaned and preserved so that her body could withstand decaying until we get her back to her home.”
Adi’Je: “It will be done, My Lord.”
Le’On: “Thank you Queen Adi’Je.
Now... let’s go back.”
With that, our fight with the Dynoths in the Galeform city was over.
Back in the base camp, we got the news that even the western part was now free as there was only a small amount of Dynoths roaming there. Finally, the Galeform city was freed and the Commander of the Zoit Army here came to thank Le’On but learned of the passing away of Aby. She payed her respects and instructed her medical officers to act the way Adi’Je wanted in regards of Aby’s body. As for Le’On, he was taken to his tent by Naj’Rak to console him while I pulled Wei in my tent to clean her and comfort her.
It was not before midnight that we got an update from Adi’Je. Everyone was waiting outside the medical area. Adi’Je came out, showing no signs of tiredness, but I think she was tired.
Adi’Je: “My Lord, everything has been set. I have covered Queen Aby’s body with a mixture a herb named Kolror and about 90% concentrated Vitalis. The mixture would lessen the decaying period of Queen Aby’s body. The body is now preserved for at least 2 months. If required, the time for preservation could be extended.
The medics here have cleaned and stitched the wounds on her body. According to them, she suffered strangulation, a deep sword wound and her body suffered most due to the fall from a height on the ground. There was not enough blood left in her system and it was impossible to save her even she received medical treatment within few minutes of sustaining this amount of wounds.
Her cause of death was due to her extreme loss of blood as well as rupture of vital organs. Her heart stopped beating due to lack of blood being pumped into it thus stopping her heart. She was dead within 7-10 mins after her fall.”
So, Le’On was telling the truth... not that I had any doubts.
Wei: “The strangulation, how long did she suffer.”
Adi’Je looked towards her and answered.
Adi’Je: “According to the medics, the mark around her neck that was left due to strangulation was about 9.5-10 inches long and based on the colour of the mark; she was strangulated close to 2-3 mins of various power levels.”
She turned her gaze towards Le’On, who was standing with his eyes looking towards the ground.
Wei: “And how long is Le’On’s hand?” She said that with a suspicious tone.
Naj’Rak: “What to do you mean, Wei?”
Adi'Je:"His length is around 7-7.5 inches Wei."
Commander Eldin:"Excuse me, but how many assailants were there and how is this even possible?"
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Le'on:"One... Only one. And that is the thing I want to discuss with you privately."
Commander Eldin:"Yes King Le'On, please follow me."
He nodded and looked towards Adi'Je and said.
Le'On:"Queen Adi'Je, please take rest for today. I will return shortly."
Adi'Je:"Yes, My Lord."
He looked us and spoke.
Le'On:"And that goes for the rest of you too. Today has been a long day, please retire to your respective tents and take a rest.
Deiti, take Wei with you."
Me:"Okay."
He looked in pain, his eyes showed signs of guilt. He continued.
Le'On:"Take care of her."
I nodded. He turned towards the commander and spoke.
Le'On:"Let's go Commander."
Commander Eldin:"Yes Sir."
He left with her; Naj'Rak kept looking at them leaving.
Naj'Rak:"Will he be alright?"
Adi'Je:"Yes... But I do not know what he will do next."
Naj'Rak:"The level of anger I am feeling is enormous, I can only guess what our King is feeling."
Adi'Je:"Me too. If I had known our time with her would be this short, I-I would have shared a secret."
Naj'Rak:"What secret?"
Adi'Je:"It doesn't matter now." She was feeling slightly dejected too.
Naj'Rak:"Deiti, please take care of Wei tonight."
Adi’Je: “It is good to know that both of you have gotten so close. She is a kind person.”
Me:"You don't worry."
Adi'Je:"Very well, see you in the morning. Queen Naj'Rak..."
Naj'Rak:"Yes Queen Adi'Je, let's go.
See you in the morning."
Both of them left and some of the Zumas that were standing there also left along with their Queens. Thus the only people left were me and Wei.
Me:"Wei, let's go."
She was sitting beside me, grief stricken. Her eyes were red and swollen. Wei looked towards me and gave a slight nod.
Wei:"How should I inform my aunt about Aby? What should I tell her?"
Me:"Come on little Wei, let's get some rest. We will figure it out... Together."
I helped her to get out and walked towards my tent. I could never fathom what level of pain Wei or Le’On is feeling, but the more I look into her eyes; the more my heart feels pain... as if it is being poked by something sharp. I can only console her or watch her crying her heart out, but I will be there to give so support.
Me: “So, little Wei... I am here for you.”
Wei looks at me with red and puffy eyes.
Wei: “Thank you, Deiti.”
******************** End of Deiti’s POV****************
Me: “Commander Eldin, I know you will send a report to the Council of Zoit in the morning. I want you not to mention anything about the unknown assailant just yet.”
Commander Eldin: “Why, King Le’On?”
Me: “Because, I will first find that beast and do not want the Council to make fuss about it. That beast is my target and I going to kill him... not before interrogating him first. Whatever information I receive, I would share it with you and I will hand over the body to you. Then, you could send another report to the Council stating that after finding the main culprit, the culprit resisted and unfortunately was killed.”
Commander Eldin: “And, what would I get out of it... King Le’On?”
Me: “Nothing... other than recognition from the Council.”
Commander Eldin gives a sly smile and responds.
Commander Eldin: “That... we both know that although I would get recognition, you will receive the greater share of the reward from the Council and not to mention, the Galeform clan would be indebted to you.
I already have received reports that few Galeform leaders are already on their way from the refugee camps to congratulate you. They would arrive here in a couple of days.
Whereas I... won’t get anything worthy of savouring and also getting the title of the only Commander to lead the most casualties filled mission of the Zoit Army in history. So, you can make out clearly that... I don’t have any reason to help you with your present request knowing I am already at a loss.”
Me: “Wait... Go back to the topic about some reward from the Council?”
Commander Eldin: “Yes... what about it?”
Me: “Can you please elaborate about it?”
Commander Eldin: “You don’t know?”
Me: “No.”
Commander Eldin: “Well, then... when a Zoit Army Unit is assigned a mission, a clause is always added. It would contain that if the Unit succeeds in the mission, they would receive a certain amount of extra payment. And with the urgency level mission of this kind has a substantial amount of payment set for us. There is also another clause; if any other party helps the Unit out of their own volition, then they would also receive a part of that extra payment reserved for the Army Unit.
As you can guess, for your help and actually turning the tide of the battle, you would receive the greater share of the reward from the Council. Although, whatever reward the soldiers get are more than enough to make them happy, but not a Commander of the Zoit Army.”
Me: “Huh... something like this exists... Thank you for telling me about the reward part.”
Commander Eldin: “Then, King Le’On... Want can you offer me for my extra services towards you and your clan? I can easily do what you asked for and I am the only one that could withhold vital information from the Council of Zoit. They need to hear it so; I am asking again, what can you offer me?”
Me: “If you need more gold than you can take half of our reward as your payment.”
Commander Eldin: “I have no interest in gold. I have come from a merchant family; I have already lots to my name.”
Me: “Then, what do you want?”
Commander Eldin with a sinister smile replied.
Commander Eldin: “King Le’On... you already know what I want.”
Me: “That! Seriously?”
Commander Eldin: “I want nothing more than that.”
Me: “I assumed after explaining the consequences of that, you would at least find your sanity... but it seems I was wrong.”
Commander Eldin: “And it seems after all the interesting facts you gave me, you still married a non- Blood. Imagine my surprise... either you lied to me or there is a cure for your curse/ poison... whatever.”
Me: “I neither lied to you nor is there any cure. And as for the situation of my deceased wife being a non-Blood, there were some... extenuating circumstances which I won’t discuss it with you.”
Commander Eldin: “Then... perhaps you could grant me my payment under another extenuating circumstance.”
Me: “You really are a shallow beast woman. My wife just died and I was unable to save her even after being there and seeing everything unfold. I couldn’t do a damn thing and you want me to accept you as a Queen of the Blood on this very day!”
Commander Eldin: “I am sorry that you lost your wife, but this is the best situation that I could possibly hope for. I am an ambitious beast woman and I for one would not let it go to waste.
My terms are clear King Le’On.
I will withhold information of serious matter from the Council of Zoit and cover for you at the time you hunt for an unknown beast who may be responsible for the deaths of hundreds.
And in return, you will take me as your wife, another Queen of Blood... thus allowing me to utilize the power of the Bloods... in a controlled environment of course.”
Me: “Absolutely not.”
Commander Eldin: “Are you sure King Le’On? I am the only one that can stop you from getting your... say justice for your late wife.
Think hard King Le’On... think long and hard. Could you live with yourself knowing that you couldn’t punish your wife’s killer by your own hands? Think King Le’On... just think...”
Me: “I will get what I want, one way or the other. If you send your report to the Council; stating about the mysterious beastman and about my wife getting killed by it. The Council will most probably instruct you to stop me at any cost. But you have seen what the Bloods can do and how dangerous they are... heck, you even lust to hold that kind of power. In any way, could you imagine you and your soldiers succeeding in stopping us?
If you do as I say, then you would get additional favourable points from the Council, but if you don’t... you would fail to stop us and further lose the chance of getting your hands on whatever information I pry out of him.
So the question is Commander Eldin... what do you want to do?
Do you want extra recognition or nothing?”
Commander Eldin: “You surely are joking. You won’t risk going in a conflict with the Council of Zoit.”
Me: “Commander... my wife was killed... today. You think I am more worried about going into conflict with the all mighty Council of Zoit rather than finding and punishing her killer?
I will kill thousands of beasts over thousands of years if they try to stop me from finding her killer. And that... is what I think right now.”
Her smile vanished, her forehead furrowed and the eyebrows hooded over her eyes. Her eyes were fixed on me, thinking about the situation very carefully. Her lips tightened, turning down at the ends.
Me: “What is your answer Commander Eldin?”
She continued to look at me... maybe I should throw her an extra incentive.
Me: “Okay... Should I add an incentive for you?”
Commander Eldin (raising one of her eyebrows, quickly asks): “What kind of incentive?”
Me: “The incentive is:-
I will give you the status of my concubine from here on if you accept to do what I want you to do and you would be placed under Queen Adi’Je. From there on, she would decide your Status every year. You will swear loyalty to me and to my Clan and to my family and no one else.
You will continue to do your job as a Commander of the Zoit Army, but you will do any jobs for us when called upon. You will be graded upon the performance during these jobs and your behaviour towards us and your mentality too. If she finds it satisfactory... then you would be upgraded to the Status of a Hopeful Wife Candidate.
And if you continue to perform in a satisfactory way... the way she likes then she and only she will have the power to finally recommend you to the Status of a Wife of the Blood King.
It may take even years for you to reach the Status of a Hopeful Wife Candidate, if I know Queen Adi’Je very well.
This is all I can offer you, Commander.”
She was once again in deep thought. How deep was her lust for power?
Commander Eldin: “Concubine... will I have any command over any Blood resources?”
Me: “Only what had been assigned to you by Queen Adi’Je.”
Commander Eldin: “What of my loyalty towards my own clan or the Council of Zoit?”
Me: “In case of loyalty conflict, you will choose us over the Council of Zoit but still remain in the army and do whatever we instruct you to do. If matters of conflict with your clan, we will see about it then.”
Commander Eldin: “What if my performance level drops?”
Me: “Then you will be demoted to the Status lower to the current Status. And if you do not perform while being a concubine, then you will be accordingly punished. If and only if you take part or align yourself with any malice targeted towards us then you will be deemed as an enemy and will be dealt with accordingly.”
Commander Eldin: “Punished... how exactly?”
I gave out a small smile or it was more of a grin.
Me: “You will know when we face that situation.”
She sat down on a chair while cupping her chin with one hand and started to give it a thought. Think long and hard Commander.
She looked at me and asked.
Commander Eldin: “What kind of jobs do I have to do... if I accept your proposal?”
Me: “If you accept my proposal, then you will do whatever Queen Adi’Je orders you to do.”
Command Eldin: “Does it include... jobs of a more intimate nature?”
Me: “Personally... I won’t recommend it. As you know, you won’t be able to satisfy me... but you will do what Queen Adi’Je orders you to do and if that includes jobs of intimate nature... then you have to do whatever it takes to accomplish that job.”
She again fell into deep thought. I would prefer to stay away from this kind of beast woman, but I have to ensure that the Council of Zoit does not interfere in my matter regarding finding those two beasts or whatever they are.
Commander Eldin: “I understand the clause about behaviour, but mentality...”
Me: “It is straight and simple... you will have to accept us from your heart. Only then you will earn the right to be a Blood Queen.”
Commander Eldin: “If I accept your proposal, will it be made public.”
Me: “No... Not until you have earned the right to be a Blood Queen.”
She diverted her gaze from me to a map on the table. While looking at the table, she said.
Commander Eldin: “How many days or years will it take to reach the Status of a wife?”
Me: “Depends upon Queen Adi’Je... but I think it would take many years for you.”
She gave a large sigh and looked at me.
Me: “Still unsure? Well, in one hand, you have nothing... no extra recognition, no chance of wielding any kind of power and a face off against me and my Bloods.
On the hand, you have extra recognition and a chance to be a Blood Queen. Although it will be a long process, but at the end of the tunnel, you may receive what you yearn for. Choose now Commander... I don’t have much time to waste here.”
Commander Eldin: “I-I-I acc-accept your conditions.”
Finally, the deadlock broken. Now, we have an asset within the Zoit Army.
Me: “Good... Eldin...
Is there anything you want to add...? Queen Adi’Je?”
Commander Eldin looked at me surprised and looked everywhere confused.
“Nothing else... My Lord.” Adi’Je entered the tent. She expression showed the calmness within her.
Adi’Je: “You never cease to amaze me, My Lord.”
I had sensed her standing outside listening to the whole conversation between me and the Commander.
Me: “Do you accept the terms... Queen Adi’Je, the First Queen of the Bloods?”
Adi’Je: “Yes, My Lord. I accept the terms.”
I turned to face Commander Eldin. She had already stood up.
Me: “Good... then Commander Eldin Vest, kneel in front of me.”
She knelt while bowing her head.
Me: “I hereby confer onto you the Status of being my Concubine. And from here on now , you are placed under the control of Queen Adi’Je. Rise... Eldin.”
Eldin (after rising): “Thank you, King Le’On.”
Adi’Je: “From here on, when we are in private, you will designate him as ‘My Lord’ or as ‘My King’.”
Eldin: “Yes... Queen Adi’Je.”
Adi’Je: “Good... I will make a beast woman worthy of being a Blood Queen out of you.”
Me: “Now, Eldin... in the morning, do what I told you to do... okay?”
Eldin: “Yes... M-My K-King.”
Me: “And the Bloods will remain here to help with the recovery process of the Galeform clan under Queen Naj’Rak.”
Eldin: “Why Queen Naj’Rak?”
Me: “Queen Adi’Je will be travelling with me to the Amoith Mountain and until we return, Queen Naj’Rak would be in charge of the Bloods.”
Eldin: “Alright... My King.”
Now, the Council of Zoit will not interfere. My work here is done.
Me: “Then, I think it’s time for us to retire for the night.”
Eldin: “I will see you in the morning, My King.”
Me: “Night, Eldin.”
I exited the tent along with Adi’Je. There was something that was bothering me for quite a while.
Me: “Adi, Aby just died.”
Adi’Je: “I am sorry, My Lord.”
Me: “Don’t be... it’s quite funny. Whenever she was with you, she was safe and whenever she was with me, she was always in harm’s way. You, whom she felt threatened with, always kept her safe. Thank you Adi’Je... for looking after her. I know... After all the hatred or rivalry, she considered you as a friend.”
Adi’Je: “Me too My Lord, me too.”
Me: “Then tell me Adi... why am I not feeling anger at all? Why, at this very moment, I am not overwhelmed by grief just as I was in the evening?”
Adi’Je: “It’s in our nature My Lord. We grow according to what we experience in our life. Personal loss will pain for a short while, but you will grow or rather your mental fortitude will grow after a loss. That is how we were created or made.”
Me: “Thank you Adi.”
Adi’Je: “For what My Lord.”
Me: “For everything. I will not make the same mistakes again. I will not take neither you nor Naj’Rak for granted ever again. I have lost one of my wives... I will not lose another one to anything.”
She locked her arms with mine and placed her head on my shoulders.
Adi’Je: “Let us mourn Aby tonight My Lord. But come morning... the things which will be in our mind would be to take back the mountain and find those beasts who killed Queen Aby.”
Aby... even if the distance between us increases I will remember your pretty face. You will always be with me...