The plot and choice

Same.

"Where are they running to?"

The princess asked, looking past Prium, Ivan and Hava.

"Isn't it obvious? They are scared. Who wouldn't run away at the sight of terror?!"

Prium pretended to be indifferent and bold but deep inside her guts she was quaking and shaking. She hated to admit her weakness. She felt like twould kill her if she did admit to it.

"You're not in the position to say that, you know Prium. You're very at the mercy of Aynea as the other two men standing behind you, as well as your father and Ayla. The only person who doesn't deserve punishment is Tahni."

Prium scoffed at the words of the Princess. The two men standing behind Prium seemed to be trying so hard to believe their eyes. It seemed to them as though they had been caught in some trance.

"And I'm certain that you'll make an exception for me and my group because it seems as though we now share something in common."

"And how can you be so sure?"

The princess' face was contoured in scorn.

"Aren't my father and Ayla your sworn enemies?"

"Of course they are."

Prium walked even closer but then Aynea made a drastic movement and Prium took heed. The fear she had been trying to tuck in seemed to be revived.

"They are now mine. And they are no longer two, they are three. There is a witch who has arrived at the land. She has bewitched everyone with her spell and pretends to be Athena, the daughter of Zeus. Many minds have been corrupted but belief me, you know it takes more than magic to convince me let alone make a fool of me."

"Did you be say Athena?"

Aynea cut in, showing an awkward interest.

"Well well, seems Athena had made another enemy."

Prium shot. Then Aynea whispered into the Princess' ear. To that effect, the princess asked that she speak with the Dryad alone for a moment.

The princess and Aynea walked to a distance and stopped.

"What's the problem, Aynea?"

The princess asked, tracing the ambiguous face of the dryad.

"Let Aynea be see this Athena. Athena be great one and mighty. Dryads be at the mercy of her. Let me be see her first before we be accept the cunny Prium."

The Princess sighed and held the dryad by the two arms and assured,

"We'll see her soon but not today. There's no way we will go into the village without being noticed. And you know too well that my baby means the world to me. I can't take him with me into the village and I can't let you go alone. I don't want any hurt coming to you or me."

She paused and placed her left palm on Aynea's right cheek. They were standing opposite each other. The Princess had her back to Prium and the men, while Aynea could look past her and see them.

She caressed Aynea's cheek and added,

"Well, only if you can transform us to something different. It'll be rather good then."

Aynea looked away from her. Then replied,

"You know Aynea be fight, change herself but cannot be change another person. Aynea be limited."

The Princess grabbed her face in her hands and kissed her on the nose. Aynea made a soothing sound and the Princess let go. Then they both walked back to meet the group who seemed to stop talking as they drew unto them.

"So, have we come to terms now?"

Prium asked, staring more at Aynea than the Princess. The Princess had her arm wounded around Aynea's goat side.

"Depending on what we will do."

Prium nodded her head and said,

"When you were away with her, we were discussing and sieving our options too. Let's take war to the village. Let's send her away. At least we have Aynea, her power would counter Athena's and we will subdue the town and make you the queen of the land again. What rightfully belongs to you."

The Princess took a glance at Aynea. Her eyes had widened to the offer. Who wouldn't be intrigued by such condition?

"But we don't have enough warriors. We are just five here. What can the five of us do?"

The Princess pointed out. Prium took her stance,

"It's very simple. We'll only have to take a day's or two journey to Aiowa and recruit their warriors to our favor."

"How do we convince them to do our battle?"

The Princess argued. Prium seemed to always have an answer,

"Isn't it obvious? All their warriors sent to subdue our land were killed by this Athena. Who wouldn't want revenge for his folk and loved ones? Or Aynea, if someone lays a finger on your Princess what would you do?"

Aynea scoffed,

"I'll turn into a lion and break the bones into particles."

"Then it's done. Let's get moving we've got no time to waste."

Prium proposed as she started walking towards the agreed. But Ivan objected,

"How about the other men, won't we call them?"

"They've chosen their path. We can't work with cowards. But you can always go back, Ivan."

She scorned and turned to walk away. Ivan looked at Hava who nodded to affirm her stance. He shook his head in frustration. He grunted and followed the group.

"Where will we stay at night in this woods?"

Ivan shot again but Prium called over her head,

"Have you lived in a tree before?"

"A tree?"

Both Ivan and Hava chorused. At once they looked at the Dryad.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

Have asked Ivan, but the latter did well to ignore.

* * *

Back in VULCAN, two of the three men who had fled had returned to the palace and were kneeling before the king. The elder started, panting,

"Forgive me dearest Athena. I have wronged you and your authority. Myself and my brother here out of foolishness and misjudgements have been blinded to your generosity and supremacy."

"Get to point."

Vulcan interrupted, looking away from Athena. The fellow continued,

"Some of us think that you are a witch and were plotting against you. Then we left with Prium to the woods to find a way to dethrone you. But then we saw a magical creature. A creature who's half lady, half goat. We were scared and ran here. Then I realized that twas the rain you sent to our land that brought this creatures here. I'm stupid to had think you a witch. I'll willingly take the punishment."

"So will I."

The other man complemented. Athena stood up,

"And where are the rest?"

"Still on the course, my lady."

She sighed,

"You may go and your brother."

"Freely, my queen?"

The man shot in happiness looking up. Athena nodded,

"Freely."

The fellow bowed severally that his head almost split into two.

Athena watched the both of them walk out. Then she turned to Vulcan who already was plunged into his thoughts.