Selena's Daughter (The Prophecy) - Episode 12

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After Lily has been crowned Queen, she addressed the court. The court of Essetir, Lots Kingdom, was not large, her father's temper and strength had seen to that. Anyone who crossed him was banished or killed and their lands taken and given to someone who would do as he asked. Mary stood by side of the throne watching the resigned faces of those who stood before their new Queen. They listened quietly as Lily told them she planned to unite the south under her rule and those that were loyal to their Queen would receive rich reward. 

"The Lady Mary is with us and I have pledged my allegiance to help her bring back the ways of the old," she said turning to Mary and bowing . There was a scattering of applause as everyone in the crowd looked at each other. Mary was known to all of them, she was the Legendary Witch after all, and they feared her more than they had feared Lot. Mary walked forwards and held up her hands until they were quiet.

"The head of the Nine Kingdoms  is a plague on these lands and without intervention that plague will spread. Their influence with others who adopt their laws hold these lands in fear. Fear not only for those who practice sorcery, but also those that harbour them or seek their help. It is the Kingdom of Crescent (The head of the Nine Kingdoms) that has spilled the blood of so many innocent people and tried to wipe out the old religion

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. I am a high priestess but I will not be the last of my kind. Together we will put right the evils Crescent have inflicted on those they are supposed to protect," she said bowing to them. The crowd applauded not daring to look around at each other this time. The applause died out as Mary went back to her place at the side of the throne and Lily came forward.

"Crescent is powerful and has many allies. If those allies refuse our terms they will perish. No-one will stand in our way. The Lady Mary will lead my army to victory and once more sorcery will be welcome throughout the lands," Lily said.

The court once again clapped as Mary came forward and stood to either side of their new Queen. No one spoke out against her. They had followed her father because they feared him. They would now follow his daughter for the same reason, for the people of the court very little had changed. As they started to leave the court room Lily asked Alain and the captain of the guards to wait, she wished to speak to them both. Captain Tarn stiffened then turned to face his new Queen bowing his head.

"Captain Tarn, I would soon like to speak to you about the new battle plans," Lily said.

"As you wish my Lady," Tarn said trying not to let the relief show on his face. The courtiers left leaving Alain alone with Queen Lily and Mary. Alain did not know how Mary had managed to use her magic on Lot but he knew she must have, Lily could never have defeated her father without help. Once the guards had closed the doors Mary turned to Alain.

"I believe this is yours," she said throwing the amulet at Alain's feet. He bent down to pick it up and wondered if he would leave the room alive.

"I made this under the king's orders," Alain said looking closely at the amulet. "The sunscind stone has been removed and replaced with a similar jewel." He understood now how Mary had been able to help Lily. But how had she managed to swap the stones was a mystery, as far as he knew the king never removed the amulet.

"Was it you who told him of my allegiance to the Lady Mary?" Lily asked, she sat on the throne. Alain knew the throne had been specially made for a man of Lot's size, he was surprised that Lily looked perfectly at home sat there and possibly even more threatening than her father.

"I do not know what you mean?" Alain replied. "Your father was angry that you had not joined him this morning."

"Don't bother concealing the truth," Lily said. "We know you were plotting to take my army and use them for Lot's benefit."

"I... I was only doing as my king asked. Now you are my queen and I will serve you in the same fashion," Alain said looking at Lily. His eyes flicked to the lever set near to the throne, then snapped back to look at Lily. Mary walked towards him across the floor waiting to see if he would try to open the hatch.

The doors to the room opened and the guards brought in Sefa, half carrying her as she struggled in their grip. Putting her on the floor in front of the Queen the guards bowed and left the room.

"What is the meaning of this?" Alain asked moving towards Sefa.

"Stay where you are," Mary commanded. "Sefa knows why she is here don't you?" She walked towards the girl who was still kneeling on the floor crying. Mary was almost stood over the trapdoor, if Alain could reach the lever while she was distracted he might be able to persuade Lily to spare Sefa's life.

"No my lady," Sefa said keeping her eyes on the floor.

"I told you not to tell anyone what you heard this morning but you ran straight to your uncle. Where did you put the broken jewel case that I asked you to destroy?"

"I took it to the forge as you asked," Sefa said keeping her head bowed.

"The blacksmith did not see you though he was there all day making shoes for the horses," Lily said quietly from her throne.

"He was not there, he must have left for a moment," Sefa said, she did not want them to hurt her uncle, he was all she had left. Alain was still moving towards the lever. Mary was now standing right over the trapdoor. He reached out to grab the lever and as he did so Lily grabbed his arm and started laughing.

"Alain the lever does not work, did you think I would let you use your toys on our honoured guest?" She asked.

"I..." he does not know what to say, he had thought that perhaps Lily had been forced to kill her father, but it seems that she was actually working with her.

"Where did you put the jewel case?" Mary asked again bending down and lifting Sefa's chin so she would look at her.

"I destroyed it like you asked," she replied. Mary slapped her across the face, hard.

"Do not lie to me, where is it?" she asked again.

"Please leave her alone, she said she destroyed it. I'm sure she would not lie to you," Alain said going to Sefa.

"It doesn't matter Mary, as long as they are unable to tell anyone where it is I will be safe," Lily said. Alain wondered why the jewel case would be a threat to Lily.

"Please let the girl go. She will leave the castle and tell no one what happened," Alain said standing up to face Lily.

"Yes she can go, I need someone to take a message to Crescent", Mary said.

"My lady," Sefa said. "Please I do not want to die."

"You will when I have finished with you," Mary said laughing.

"Please let her go, I will take your message," Alain said.

"She can go," Mary said moving back towards the throne.

The Malarias took over Mary's body.

Alain helped Sefa to her feet and hugged her. As she turned to go she heard Mary say something quietly then she felt a searing pain in her head. Sefa screamed and fell over, holding her hands over her face. Alain went to her and held her while she cried. It felt like hours but only a few minutes had passed when she stopped struggling and sat up with her face hidden behind her hands. Alain moved her hands away and gasped.

"What have you done?" Alain asked looking in horror at his niece.

"I told you she was to take a message to Crescent, Their almighty Diana will know what it means," she said smiling.

"My god," Alain said staring at Mary.

"What are you waiting for?" she shouted at Sefa who was still sat on the floor.

"Go," he told her helping her to her feet. Sefa walked slowly towards the great doors. She wanted to turn and face Mary making her kill her but if she angered her anymore she may do something worse to her uncle. She pulled open the door and ran. Alain walked towards Morgana forgetting where he was. Then he was falling, he must have stood directly above the trapdoor. It did still work he thought as he hit the floor and heard his leg break.

"You can have your trinket back," said Mary throwing the amulet after him. She kept the sunscind stone it might come in handy. Slowly the doors above him closed, leaving him in darkness.

Armin walked quickly back to his chambers. He had rode out to the woods to collect the herbs his father needed and it had taken him longer than he had expected. He pushed at the door but it remained shut, his father only locked it if he was treating a patient. Armin knocked on the door. There was no answer.

"Father, it's Armin," he called.

He heard a noise then the door opened and his father pulled him into the room locking the door behind him.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Haven't you heard? Where have you been?"

"No I haven't heard anything, I've been picking these for you," he replied holding the bag up.

"The king is dead, his daughter killed him. She's in league with Mary. They plan to take Crescent and her allies and bring back the ways of the old religion," he said talking quickly.

"How..."

"I don't know how, something about a great army. I've just got back from the council meeting. Alain was asked to stay behind I think they are going to kill him."

"What are we going to do?" Armin asked then froze when he heard a noise from behind the screen at the back of the room.

"It's alright, it's that boy, from the village. I told him to rest while I finish making the potion."

"We can go with this boy to Eald then get across the border" Armin said putting his bag on the table.

"You are going with the boy, I will stay here," Asher said.

"No, I won't leave you," he said going to his own bed and taking a large bag from underneath.

"You have to, the journey would be too much for me. I would be dead long before you reached the village. I will be alright. I'll make this poison and if they have killed Alain I may still be useful to them if you are not here," he said grabbing his son's arm. "It will be the death of me to see you hurt."

"I won't leave you," Armin said with tears in his eyes.

"You must, I may live if I stay but I will certainly die if I go with you. I will gather some supplies for you. You will have to make the potion once you get to the village there is no time now," he said picking up the bag from the table, trying to ignore his son's tears. "Can you go to Alain's chambers first and find some henbane I do not keep such poisons."

"Alright," he said wiping the tears from his eyes as he walked to the door. "Lock the door once I've gone, the guards might not disturb you if they think you are treating a patient."

Asher nodded and unlocked the door checking the corridor is clear. He stood back to let Armin leave. Armin squeezed his arm as he left the room. He waited outside the door until he heard the bolts slide home.
Alain's chambers were not far and Armin paused outside the door. This part of the castle was usually quiet but today he had not seen a single soul. He knocked on the door and entered just as he would have done on any other day. He was surprised when the door opened, he had expected it to be locked.

"Alain," he said as he entered, although he could see the room was empty. He carefully closed the door behind him but didn't lock it. If Alain returned he would not be able to explain why he had locked the door. He went to the small cupboard at the back of the room where he knew the poisons were kept. He sorted through them until he found what he was looking for then he noticed something wrapped in cloth at the back of the cupboard. He looked inside and saw two pieces of curved broken glass. He was just about to put it back when he heard a groan coming from the other side of the room.

"Who is there?" he asked putting the glass on the table and drawing his sword. He might be the physician's apprentice but he had trained with Lily often and he was skilled with a sword. Unlike Lily he would never kill without reason but he was capable of defending himself if necessary.
There was another strange noise coming from behind Alain's desk and Armin wondered if a wounded animal had got into the sorcerer's chambers. He approached the desk cautiously and quickly moved to the side of it.

"Sefa?" he asked, recognising her though her face was hidden in her hands. He sheathed his sword and knelt on the floor next to her. He reached out to touch her on the arm but she flinched and pulled away from him keeping her face hidden. He noticed a broken mirror on the floor beside her and wondered if she had cut herself.

"Sefa, it's alright. It's me Armin, I won't hurt you." She made a strange snuffling noise and Armin realised she was crying.

"What's wrong? Is it your uncle?" he asked putting his hand on her arm again. She didn't pull away this time but she still wouldn't look at him.

"Sefa, I can't help you if you won't talk to me," he said turning her to face him.

Her whole body shuddered then she slowly lowered her hands. Armin sat back on the floor still holding her arms. Sefa's eyes were the same as ever but the rest of her face was twisted beyond recognition. Armin's stomach lurched and he felt like he was going to be sick but his father had taught him to never show disgust or revulsion, no matter what he should witness.

"Who did this to you?" Armin asked quietly as the tears poured down Sefa's twisted cheeks.

"Mary" she said slowly, her mouth was lopsided and she had difficulty speaking.

"Mary? Why would she do this?" he asked. Sefa made writing motions and Armin realised she wanted to write something rather than speak. She winced and more tears fell from her eyes.

"Does it hurt?" Armin asked getting up and helping Sefa to her feet. She nodded looking for pen and parchment on Alain's desk.

"You are not safe here, I will take you to my father he might be able to help."

Sefa shook her head, she dipped the quill she had found into some ink and wrote Crescent on a piece of parchment.

"You want to go to Crescent?" he asked. She nodded.

"You can come with me I've got to go to a village near the border," he said picking up the hensbane and walking to the door. Sefa picked up the glass and wrapped it carefully passing it to Armin.

"You want to take that?" he asked. She nodded again and he's glad to see she has stopped crying. He took it from her and moved towards the door. Sefa hesitated and put her hands over her face. Armin looked around the room and saw Alain's cloak hanging from a hook near the door. He carefully put the glass on the table and took the cloak to Sefa. She was still standing in the middle of the room with her hands over her face. He gently touched her arm and showed her the cloak. She nodded and let out a sigh, looking up at him gratefully. He put the cloak around her shoulders and fastened it for her. She pulled the hood up letting it fall to hide her face.

Armin passed her the glass so she could hide it beneath the cloak. He put the hensbane in his pocket. He held his hand out to her before opening the door and looked out into the corridor. A guard turned the corner into the corridor and he quietly shut the door. He heard the footsteps pass the door then continue along the corridor. He waited a few more minutes to make sure the guard had gone. He could feel Sefa shaking and wondered how anyone could do such a thing to another person. He opened the door again and checked to make sure the corridor was clear. Still holding Sefa's hand so he could guide her and offer her some comfort, they walked quickly to his father's chambers.

"Father, it's Armin," he said quietly once they were outside the door. He heard the bolts sliding back and the key turn in the lock. He put his arm around Sefa's shoulders and guided her into the room.

"Lock the door," he said to his father helping Sefa to a bench.

"Who is this?" his father asked. Armin looked to the back of the room and saw Gregory watching them.

"It's Sefa," he said getting the screen that his father used for patients.

"Is she hurt?" Gregory asked.

"Oh yes, she's hurt," he said looking at his father as he placed the screen around the bench. He threw a blanket over the screen just to make sure the lad could not see. "I thought you might help her but we need a little privacy."

"Of course," his father said looking at Gregory.

"We will be ready to leave soon," Armin said to the boy as he went to the desk and picked up parchment, ink and quill. "I will come to your village to help you once my father has helped Sefa."

"Thank you," Gregory said looking tired but relieved. Armin went behind the screen and put the writing implements on the table.

"You wanted to write something," he said to her and she nodded. She turned to face the table keeping her hood over her face. She placed the wrapped glass next to parchment then began to write.

"Sefa I just want to speak to my father for a moment," he said kneeling down next to her. She nodded then carried on writing.

"What is wrong with her? Why doesn't she speak?" Asher asked quietly as they moved away from the table.

"Mary has done something terrible to her, her face is disfigured and she is in a lot of pain. She can just about speak but it obviously hurts her to do so," he said quietly.

"She told you it was Mary's doing?" he asked.

"Yes," he replied looking at Sefa who was still writing. "She said she wants to go to Crescent, she may have family there."

"As far as I know Alain was her only family," Asher said looking at Sefa with pity in his eyes.

"Can you help her?" Armin asked.

"I doubt it, I may be able to give her something to ease the pain. But if what you said is true, Mary has used magic to hurt her and only magic can cure her."

Sefa finished writing and pushed the parchment across the table so Armin and his father could read it. They read in silence about everything that had happened since. She had quickly described everything that had happened since she had found the glass in Mary's chambers right up until Armin had found her.

This glass was in Mary's chambers earlier today, she asked me to destroy it but I took it to my uncle and he's probably dead now too, because of me. Mary asked me to take a message to the great Crescent and also see their almighty Diana. I must go.

"What is the message you have to take to Crescent?" Asher asked. Sefa removed her hood then looked up at the old man. He sat down on the bench on the other side of the table. He was as skilled as Armin at hiding his thoughts but at the sight of the poor girl his legs had given way.

"My poor child," he said taking her hand across the table. She tried to smile at him but she knew what she looked like and a tear fell on her cheek burning her skin. He squeezed her hand gently then looked up at his son.

"You must take her to Crescent, you can pass through the boy's village as it's on the way. It shouldn't take you long to make the potion and show one of the elders how to administer it," he said.

"I do not know why Mary has done this and I have no idea what this glass is for or why it is so important. Mary told you Diana would understand?" Asher asked. Sefa nodded then grimaced as pain seared across her face.

"Who is this Diana?" Armin asked as his father went to the shelves by his desk.

"Well, she is the court physician of Crescent but she is knowledgeable about the old religion and will know far more than I do and also she's the mother of the Goddesses. Diana isn't just the court physician she's from the lineage of Anthea, the Moon Goddess, Diana is the last of her kind," he replied taking down two bottles and checking the labels. He walked across the room to his work bench. The young lad from Eald was asleep again, gently snoring, oblivious to everything going on around him.

"Will the king let us speak to this Diana before?" he asked as his father mixed the content of the bottles in a beaker then poured the yellow mixture back into another larger bottle on his work bench. Sefa touched Armin's arm and pointed to the parchment where she had added another note.

Asher walked back towards his son and moved the screen a little so he could sit next to Sefa.

"These eye drops may help to ease the pain a little," he said to her showing her the bottle. She nodded and held her head back so he could administer them. Her eyes watered as he placed one drop in each eye. She felt the tightening across her cheeks ease a little, the burning was no longer so intense and the pressure on the back of her head lifted. Her eyes widened in surprise she hadn't expected it to work so quickly if at all.

"It helps?" he asked. She nodded and grasped his free hand.

"I'm afraid the effect won't last and these must be applied no more than four times a day," he said passing the bottle to Armin. He went back to his shelf and found two more bottles. "Here when that has run out mix in equal measures and just one drop in each eye. That should be enough until you get to Crescent."

"Thank you," Sefa said quietly, it no longer hurt to speak but the disfigurement made it hard to talk.

"You are more than welcome, we have waited too long, you must go." Sefa stood up from behind the screen then stepped back when she saw the sleeping boy.

"One minute," Asher said. "Now where did I put it?" He checked several cupboards and drawers. Sefa looked at Armin but he shrugged, he had no idea what his father was looking for.

"Here it is," his father said, holding up a piece of plain black silk. "It's a veil to hide the lower face. I had it made when a patient of mine had a particularly nasty injury to his face. He was rather vain but once the scar healed he seemed quite proud of it and no longer wished to conceal it."

He positioned the veil just below Sefa's eyes and secured it with the ties at the back of her head. She got up and went cautiously to the mirror. Her forehead looked like it had melted and she pulled the hood of her cloak up to hide it. With just her eyes showing she didn't look too bad.

"Thank you," said Sefa hugging him.

"Are you feeling better Lady," Gregory asked sitting up.

"Yes, thank you," she said looking at him and feeling grateful when he didn't flinch.

"What's wrong with your face?" he asked looking at the veil.

"The lady has suffered a rather bad accident and my son is taking her to someone who can help her," Asher said.

"You can't come to Eald then?" he asked looking at the floor.

"Yes, luckily our path will take us past Eald, I can help your village before we continue on our way," Armin said. Gregory smiled at him and got to his feet.

"You better go before Lily comes for her poison. I will tell her you will be gone for a couple of days to treat a sickness in a village north of here," he said.

Asher passed Armin two full bags and Sefa took the bag of herbs placing the glass carefully inside.

"I wish you would come with us," Armin said to his father.

"You know I can't," he replied opening the door to let them out. The corridor was empty and the castle strangely quiet. Sefa and Gregory walked out into the corridor.

"Look after yourself," Armin said hugging him.

"And you, I love you son," he said.

"I love you, father," he replied then turned and walked away so his father wouldn't see his tears. They saw no-one as they walked to the stables and Armin wondered if Mary had enchanted the entire castle. As they approached the stables they heard voices. Armin recognised the stable master's voice but not the other. He moved quietly into the shadows behind the stables, then beckoned Sefa and Gregory to follow.

"Wait here," he said to Sefa, he looked at Gregory who seemed only half awake. "You come with me."

"Hello Peter," he said walking into the stables with Gregory following him.

"Hello Armin," Peter, the stable master, said. The other man was a captain of the guard but Armin couldn't remember his name. "What can I do for you?"

"The boy's family has the sweating sickness and my father has asked me to go and have a look," he said.

"Oh that's horrible, I had that a couple of years ago. Don't you worry lad Armin here knows his stuff," he said.

"Will the boy ride with you?" he asked.

"We'll take Asher's horse as well, I've got to carry all this stuff just in case the diagnosis is wrong," Armin said saddling his father's horse while the stable hand got his own horse ready.

"No problem, they can't use your father's old horse for their soldiers anyway," he said looking at the guard who had not spoken.

Armin put his bags on his father's horse and then lifted the boy into saddle of his own horse. He walked the horses out of the stables saying goodbye to Peter. The guard started talking as soon as he had left. It appeared the army needed more horses.

Sefa came out of the shadows and took the reins of his father's horse. They met no-one thanks to Armin's knowledge of the castle and were soon outside the city walls. He helped Sefa on to his father's horse making sure her veil was still in place then he climbed up in front of the boy and they rode for Eald.

THE KINGDOM OF CRESCENT

Diana sat silently in her chambers she had just returned from the meeting which was held when the door to her chambers suddenly opened to reveal Lucas, Erica and Grace. They had just returned from the journey they had gone for.

"I can see she's with you", Diana said as soon as Erica and Lucas bow to her.

Grace had been staring at the strange woman who is her grandmother. When they had left the comfort zone of Drakins Erica and Lucas didn't say a word to her until they got here and now she's facing her grandmother she heard of not some hours ago.

Diana stood up and embraced Grace surprising the younger one, "Welcome Grace, let me introduce myself. My name is Diana and I am your grandmother. I already know who you are Grace, Welcome to your new family". Diana said as Grace stare at her.

"Okay" Grace said as she did not know what else to say again.

"Erica will show you your room. When you have settle yourself down I will introduce you to the King of Crescent, he will love to meet you".

"Thank you Mother", Grace said and Diana smiled pleased with what she heard.

"Good after that, you will be introduced to your teachers. They will trained you to get you prepared for the coming war. We don't have much time my dear".

"I will be trained too soon?"

"Yes, to defeat Darken you must learn the four elements. But first of all to get  Darken, we must defeat Mary and her allies", Diana said deciding not to mention Lilys too.

Grace nodded in understanding.

Erica quickly left with Grace leaving Lucas and Diana. 

THE KINGDOM OF LOT (Essetir)

Lily herself knocked on Asher's door less than an hour after Armin had left.

"Where is Armin?" She asked as the physician opened the door to let her enter.

"He has been called away to treat a severe case of sweating sickness in the north of the kingdom sire. He will be back in a couple of days," Asher said walking slowly to his workbench.

"I doubt it," she replied

"My Lady?" Asher asked, Armin had been right, the lady in his chambers may look like Lily but everything else about her was different.

"I'm sorry Asher but the North will soon be suffering from a lot more than just sweating sickness. If Armin had waited I could have saved him the trouble."

"It's never too much trouble for a physician to help the sick," Asher said pouring the poison he had prepared into a large bottle.

"No physician can cure this sickness, he will fall under its spell himself," Lily said.

"You think my son will get ill?" Asher asked, he was trying hard to stop his hands from shaking. The Queen's voice sounded odd, much deeper than usual. She was also far more assured of herself than the young princess who had been in constant fear of her father's anger.

"Never mind, he's gone. Even with all his strange ideas Armin was loyal, he may have been useful," Lily said. "Did he give you my message?"

"Yes my Lady," he passed Lily the poison he had prepared, his old hands shaking just a little as the Queen took it.

"My Lady, do you think my son will get ill?" he asked again.

"No Asher, if he has gone north, he will die," she said leaving the room. Asher hoped that whatever plague the Queen was talking about would not reach Crescent.

********\***\**********\****************\****

Lily entered Mary's room and announced. "We will be matching in three days time".

"Three days, three days? It's too far," Mary said as she pushed the chair she had sat on away from her and started pacing.

"You do not like to wait?" 

"Yes, we need to attack them now". 

"Okay, how far can you transport yourself?" Lily asked looking at her.

"Not far, certainly not as far as Gwen kingdom," she replied.

"I can help with that," Lily said standing up and walking towards her. Her eyes were now black and it was Luciana speaking, although Mary had noticed it was getting harder to tell them apart. She was holding a small jet black raven. She stopped pacing and took it, looking at it closely. It was completely black, except the eyes, which were as red. She took it from her and spoke quietly. The raven came to life moving in her hand then jumped to Mary's dress and gripped it with its tiny talons. It stopped moving and became an ornament once more attached to her dress.

"What is it?" she asked not sure she should touch it.

"It will give you the power to transport yourself wherever you wish to go," she said walking towards the window. "Hold your hand over the raven and say afaran and think of the place you wish to go, its power is strong enough"

"Do you not need it?" she asked.

"I have other ways I prefer to travel," she said smiling. "At noon tomorrow you can join me as we give Queen Gwen her message for Crescent."

"Well thank you, my Lady," Mary said returning the smile and looking down at the raven on her dress.

*******\\***********\\***************\******

Mary and Lily walked in silence to the throne room. Lily sat on the throne but Mary continued to pace.

"Is there a problem?" She asked watching her walk back and forth. She noticed she avoided the trapdoor every time. Mary trusted no-one.

"No, everything is ready," she said quietly.

"The captains were not happy with the change of plan?" She asked wondering what was bothering her.

"I've no idea, they are used to obeying orders, they will do as they are told. Do you see your plans failing?" Mary asked.

"Do not doubt me Mary, I am far more powerful than you know. Crescent will lie in ruins within a week."

She sat down on the chair near the throne and sighed. There was a knock on the door and the guards allowed Captain Tarn to enter at Lily's command.

"Is everything ready?" She asked the captain.

"Yes my Lady, the first army has left to march to Caerleon on your orders, my Lady. The other two armies are ready and waiting for your word," he said.

"Here," Lily said passing the bottle of poison to the captain, "The enchantment on this poison is far stronger. Set up archers to stop any aid or supplies reaching Crescent"

"Yes my Lord," Tarn said taking the poison.

"We will be ready within the hour, remember the soldiers are to keep out of sight of Nemeth and Meredor until I give the word."

"Yes my Lady" Tarn said, bowing to Lily then Mary before leaving the room.

It was getting dark when Mary and Lily returned to her chambers.

Lily went to the large windows and opened them stepping out onto the balcony. Mary joined her looking out on the soldiers that stood below them. It was a mighty army, a thousand on horseback had already left for Caerleon and there were the two thousand that were gathered at the eaves of the forest waiting for their word.

Lily spoke to the soldiers gathered below him. "I am Queen Lily of Essetir and you have sworn your allegiance to me, you will be richly rewarded for your loyalty. This will be the greatest battle we have ever fought and I would not risk your lives if I did not think we could win. The Lady Mary and the Malarias will lead you to victory in the days ahead. They will have help and I will prepare the way to make sure victory is certain."

The soldiers below cheered raising their swords. Once they had quietened Lily spoke again but this time the voice was deeper and although it was too dark to see Mary knew her eyes would be black.

"I am not just Queen Lily any longer but also the sorceress Luciana. I have returned, and once again I will be feared across the land." She rose into the sky turning into a large bird as she did so. The raven, thought Mary understanding at last how she had got her name. Mary and the soldiers watched as she flew across the courtyard to the field where the dead had been laid out.

Storm clouds gathered in the sky and lightening streaked across the castle walls but no rain fell. Luciana appeared again flying straight towards the castle but now she was followed by hundreds of ravens. The dead had been turned to Ravens. Their wings sounded like thunder as they flew around the fortress but they made no other noise. Luciana flew back to the balcony, changing in to a lady as she landed next to Mary. The ravens perched around the walls, black as night and silent.

"No-one can stand in the way of your sorceress Queen and the high priestess," she shouted raising Mary's hand before turning back into the room. The soldiers kept quiet, the birds made them uneasy and they didn't want to spook them.

Luciana once again took to the skies and the ravens followed, they flew in silence until they reached a forest to the North of Essetir. She flew over the great forest and turned west towards Caerleon. She intended to fly across the North of Crescent, avoiding the great city. That would come later but for now she could make their people suffer. The ravens following her are no longer silent, their deep cawing could be heard for miles.

Read " H.Y.B.R.I.D (Sequel to The Forgotten Wolf) " by the same author ( Ifeoma Isabella Okeke )

. Their wings were like thunder as they flew low over the villages and towns. The people who lived below their path cowered in their beds, even the bravest among them trembled in fear.

Mary gave the order to the soldiers on horseback to ride towards Nemeth and Meredor. They were to keep their approach as secret as possible until the Raven was ready. The soldiers at Essetir prepared for the coming march on Crescent.

Luciana in her raven form reached Caerleon at midnight. Her ravens were quiet now and they roosted in a forest not far from the city walls. Luciana landed on the floor just outside the forest and turned back into a Lady. She held up her hands to the night sky and started to chant. It was almost a song and her voice became louder then quieter as she turned on the spot with her arms outstretched. She spoke faster and lightning flashed across the sky. She dropped her hands and turned to look in the direction of the great castle. She stood still, waiting for the dawn.

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