The Ancient Stone - Episode 4

 

"You have others with you? Who would possibly leave kids in your care? You barely survived yourself!"

 The older man said like he was trying to hold off a huge feat of laughter.

Those words struck grandma Dee and she bowed her head.

He couldn't tell if she was trying not to let the words have more impact than it already did or if she was wallowing in anguish.

"They lost their parents. They have just me"

 she managed to answer under her breath, head still lowered.

The man had a flood gate of remorse bursting through his entire body, it made his legs shake for a while and for the first time he wasn't in control of his emotions; he was speechless;

"I am sorry", he said to her, his voice trembling.

He cursed himself under his breath and then continued

"They can come too."

Her mood instantly went off the roof.

She called for the girls; she screamed for them in excitement and they ran to her.

They all shared a hug and this hug became the peace they've had in what felt like ages.

LERIA.

The sound of metals being sharpened echoed in the night, outside the soldiers' tent.

An ostensibly brutish man walked around and between the aisles inspecting each soldier and the work being done.

He stood at about six feet with blonde and curly mane.

His chiseled face made him a little alluring but people know better than mess with him.

Maybe in his mid- thirties, his right arm and legs had scars that appeared like he was born in and for battle.

He girded himself with a breastplate and wore a boot.

The sound his boot made whenever it kissed the floor send could chills down the spine of any civilian.

He wore no smile was on his face and walked with both hands behind his back.

Sometimes called the Lerian dictator, people tell the story of how he was bullied as a child way up to his adolescence and a little into his adulthood.

His first wife and child were killed and it toughened him.

He enrolled into the army and swore to exact revenge on those who ruined his seemingly perfect and happy life and he did.

One man was locked up in a dungeon and tortured for years.

His soul had long left his body before he was confirmed dead.

Two had their heads cut with a machete while he stood, smiling with satisfaction at the blood that dripped from the blade.

The last person feared for his life and tried to escape with his family.

The perfect ambush sent him to his grave after he watched his wife and sons thrown over a sword.

His soul too, died from the gruesome sight before his body was thrown off the cliff of rocks.

"Commander!!",

a voice called as the person calling ran towards him.

"Commander, Sir!!"

the voice repeated, almost panting.

The commander turned back to see who called.

"What is it, worm?"

he replied as he spat on the ground.

The man he spoke to must have felt no hurt from the way he was addressed.

It was probably a norm.

"The generals have called for a meeting and they need you there for briefing, sir."

He replied back, trying not to fidget.

"You may leave"

the commander said as he walked back, towards a well guarded room that looked like a conference room.

Portraits of soldiers hung on the section of the wall like it was a wall of fame.

The uniformed men and adorned themselves with straight faces.

"Commander Rick, we need to be updated on the strike . Since the warning attack, I guess Naya knows what's coming

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/the-ancient-stone

. The retreat was to give them a chance to find the stone. How do you intend to bring this stone home?"

a man that sat opposite where he stood asked.

"General, Sir, every plan has been perfected. The soldiers are all set and the horses girded. We will ride in two days. The stone will be recovered at all costs even if it means sending Naya to oblivion"

Rick answered back with determination written all over his composure.

"Very well, then," a female voice cut in

"but you must keep in mind the importance of the stone. It must be wielded carefully as its importance cannot be overemphasized. We need your men at their best, always. No one touches it but you. Except, of course in a situation where it needs to be safeguarded. We must not underestimate Naya's will to keep it for itself. Bring it home. Do you understand your duties?"

she queried.

"Yes, sir" 

"Good luck, then! You're dismissed"

The first man spoke again.

Rick gave a salute and walked out.

He understood what he needed to do and strongly believed nothing will stand in his way.

**

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