The Choice of Ayla

At the palace.

"My Lord, this man refuses to take his claim off my land. After what happened to our land and the Queen, blessed Athena came to our aid, there have been misplacements of lands. Which was owed to the destruction caused by those animals from Aiowa. But then after the rain and the land was fixed, returning into a state much better than the way twas before. This man had thus taken that opportunity to steal what is mine, conning his way into my own property. And I have brought this before you, my Lord."

The old man stopped talking. His cloth was ragged and his face wrinkled. He reminded Vulcan of his old self.

Vulcan sat well in the throne. Athena was next to him. He was glad that she was. He sincerely didn't have the mind of this trouble the citizens were bringing to him. What did he know about being a king?

He signalled Athena who took a stance,

"With the honor given to me by my Lord, I shall take this matter into a proper and thoughtful consideration."

She paused and turned to the other young man who had been accused. The man was the opposite of the old man, both in dressing and looks. But they weren't sure of his manners yet.

The young man started, his words more like a yell than a talk,

"My queen, it would be rather ridiculous to believe the words of this old man. A man who can hardly remember his own name. How will he be able to remember what is and isn't his?!"

The fellow scoffed and continued,

"A man who doesn't even see clearly anymore, how would he be able to see his landmark, which I'm certain is nowhere to be found any longer?!"

He paused and concluded,

"I trust in your truthful judgement, Queen Athena. I know you won't spare the luxury of disappointing me."

The old man wanted to argue but Athena raised one of her hands to shun him. Vulcan's eyes widened. Ayla had been standing next to one of the pillars in the Palace hall which was closely next to the door.

Athena to the old man said,

"Do not make a fuss, sire. Things had sorted itself out. My father be extolled."

The young man glared at the old man and smirked. He looked back at Athena who now was addressing him.

"To you, there's no truth in you. Even the blind and deaf would sense the dishonesty and distrust stalking your person. At first, a man who is certain of his expenditure would speak and not yell. He would be willing to listen and not bark. He would be certain and not jumpy. But unfortunately, you're the opposite of all those."

She paused catching the distorted reaction of the fellow. She didn't let that get to her as she continued, Vulcan's admiration was more than enough for her.

"Here is my judgement. The land shall be the old man's because it has been his since the beginning of things. And if you do against my judgement, I shall leave you to the mercy of my Lord who might not be as considerate as I am."

"Thank you so much, my queen. You're the best thing that'd ever happened to VULCAN."

The old man appreciated and made to leave while the fellow sprung at him,

"You think this is over? I shall kill you and take the claim on the land."

He choked the man. His right hand to the old man's neck, while the left to the man's nape. He was meaning to strangle him.

The guards made to come to the old man's aid but Athena stood up at once and raised one of her hands. The young man at that was flung into the air and crashed against one of the pillars in the Palace.

He groaned and staggered to gain his balance back on his feet. He did and staggered towards the front.

"You bitch! You ain't no Athena. You're a witch. And whether or not you give me the right to the l--"

Athena thrusted her arm in the air and fisted her left palm as though she was going to catch something in the air. But at that, the young man lost his voice. He couldn't speak anymore.

"Walk him out Guards."

Athena ordered and few of the numerous guards in the Palace walked the man out. The man was struggling really hard but there was little he could do.

"That was hell of a show."

Vulcan admitted as Athena sat back. She smiled at him and stretched from her seat to his to kiss him.

Then he looked from there to the pillar where Ayla was still standing behind. He said,

"What do you think? Ayla has been there. I feel like there's something she wants to say."

"A Nymph chooses her ways. She'll come when she thinks it right."

Athena said and as though she had used a magic, Ayla began to walk towards the both of them. She was keeping a straight and unamused face.

"Ayla, you haven't been yourself since I arrived."

Athena shot as soon as Ayla got to her. Ayla took her turn,

"Because I can't be. And that's why I've come to you now."

Athena's surprised face took Vulcan's as she said,

"Tell me."

Ayla explained,

"I want to go from here into the woods. If you will permit me."

"Why? I thought you got on well with Vulcan?!"

Athena argued. Ayla nodded,

"Of course I did, and he's the reason I can't stay."

"Help me understand."

Athena's curiosity was enflamed. Ayla scoffed,

"Isn't it obvious, Athena? Aren't you a goddess who can sense? Why keep pretending? I love him. I'm in love with Vulcan and can't take it anymore. Standing here, watching you kiss him and being his queen, a position which I dearly want. Even if not to be his queen, but at least his mistress. Bear his child."

She paused and continued,

"That's why I can't stay here. You've been good to me. I'll remove from this place to the woods. Away from all this. Probably by that, if I do not see him anymore, I'll forget about him. Farewell."

She turned and began to walk away without waiting for a response. Vulcan called at her,

"Ayla."

Standing up, but that wasn't enough to stop her. Athena stood up and turned to Vulcan. She held his left hand and pulled him with her towards the royal chamber.