War At Your Doorstep
Through the woods.
"You've not been yourself!"
The Princess complained, holding unto one of Aynea's hands.
"Aynea be pity all the warriors."
The Dryad replied without looking at the princess. The bickers of the warriors marching behind them was heightened enough to swallow their conversation.
The both of them were walking before the troop of a thousand warriors behind them. Before them was the group of Prium on horses and the commander of the warriors appointed by the King of Aoiwa. The King didn't bother to follow them. He had left them both in the care of the commander of the warriors and Aynea's.
"Why do you pity a thousand warriors? Do you think the odds isn't at our own favor?!"
The Princess argued further but then the Dryad took a glance at her and scoffed,
"If it be Athena truly, hundred thousand warriors are but dried twigs before her."
The Princess hated to give up.
"And what if she isn't really Athena?"
"Then Aynea be fight the witch."
The Princess wanted to stop walking but she didn't have the luxury of time. The troop behind her had all the warriors on horses.
She had argued to walk on foot with Aynea since the horse Aynea would travel on neighed in rage and wouldn't let Aynea on it.
So, reasonably, the troop travelled in the pace of a walking man.
"Does that mean that if she truly is Athena you won't assist us?"
The Princess revived the argument. Aynea looked at her and nodded her head,
"Even the warriors will be afraid. No fight will be hold. Believe Aynea."
The Princess grunted and shook her head in frustration. She glared at Aynea and looked away to the front. Obviously, she wouldn't be saying anything to the dryad anytime soon.
The fluttering of the leaves were gentle but sporadic as the winds varied in their lustful dances. The path was dry but filtered, broken twigs scattered everywhere. Of course there were sequence of movements in the nearest undergrowth which reached their wings into the path.
The Orangutans seemed scarce and some of the warriors had argued that twas a sign of the gods' approval of their impending arrival at I CHÓRA TOU VULCAN. While few had under their breaths whispered their doubts of the stance. They on the other hand believed that twas the other way round.
Suddenly, a raven cawed and zoomed past them, traveling in alarming velocity in the other direction, as if twas headed for Aiowa.
"What was that?"
Prium severed the silence. Her horse was next to the commander of the warriors. The both of them were at the forefront.
"I believe it's a sign. But of what sign I have no idea. I think we've had more sign enough for the day."
The fellow said. He had a rough but round face, 5"4, brown eyes, large lips and straight nose. He had bounty beards drooping from his chin, reaching from the base of his ears.
He looked like he was the eldest of them all but then, he had only done things he shouldn't had and made tricks he shouldn't had which by extension had a effect on his looks.
"And what does that even mean?"
Prium argued.
"Not of which you should be worried about. We've been hired as a token of vow to send the witch on her heels. And that we will do. Even in few minutes from now."
He turned slightly to his back,
"Aside the Dryad, whom I think reluctant, the sorcerer would assist us. We shall not fail our king, nor the duty, nor Aiowa."
He paused then called on top of his voice,
"For Aiowa!!!"
And all the thousand warriors echoed what he had said.
Prium turned slightly to her back to hold the sorcerer in her gaze. He was a typically old man but 6"3. He was wearing a long robe and had a black circular pad covering his left eyes.
The sorcerer widened his eyes at her and she looked away to Ivan and Hava.
"Freak. "
She cussed and concentrated on the path again.
Back with Hava and Ivan, the old said to the young,
"This might not go as we've planned. It might not go well."
Ivan shot the old man a gawp and teased,
"Is that fear I sense?"
The old man scoffed,
"I'm preparing your feeble mind and courage for the task at hand. Who we are dealing with here is a witch."
Ivan looked away thoughtfully, then argued without looking at Hava,
"What if she's truly Athena but we've been misled by the jealousy of that bitch."
He tossed his head at Prium at the front,
"What if she really is the witch and only using us to achieve her own goal. Of course we already know about her secret desire for the young king. What if all this is but a force driven by jealousy? Of course, her jealousy!"
Hava turned to him, shooting him a curious gaze,
"How many tusks of mead did you take, Ivan?!"
Ivan grunted in frustration and shook his head.
"Whatever."
He gave up.
* * *
The Palace. I CHÓRA TOU VULCAN.
"When will you tell me about what she said?"
Athena asked, staring at her lover. As usual they were both seated on the throne, probably awaiting the unending arguments and disputes amongst the villagers.
"Nothing of which you need to worry yourself."
He lied and she chuckled.
"You seem to had forgotten that your queen is a goddess, husband."
He sighed and took a peek at her,
"If you know already, why ask?"
She nodded,
"Does it bother you that she loves you or do you love her?"
He snapped at her,
"Don't be ridiculous. If I love her, did you think I would had returned. Or do you think all mortals are unfaithful and change their mind after promises."
She stood up from her seat walked to stand before him. She knelt,
"Forgive me my Lord. And do not take it for jealousy."
He put his hand on her crown and traced it down to hold her cheek. He caressed it gently,
"You embarrass me by kneeling."
She chuckled,
"What's embarrassing about love?"
Suddenly, a man rushed into the palace but was restrained by the guards at the door. Both the queen and the king turned to them,
"Let him be."
Vulcan sat up. The man in a torn tunic rushed towards the throne and crumbled at its base,
"What hastens you?"
Vulcan asked, tracing his face down the fellow's unkempt body. The fellow said hurriedly,
"They are here. A thousand warriors in the woods. I was fetching woods when I heard their cry of battle. Then with my life in my legs, I took a risk of spotting them. I thought to bring this to you, my Lord."
Vulcan stood up. Athena was beside him, standing as well.
"You shall be rewarded. But now, you may go."
Vulcan dispersed the fellow and called for one of the commanders of his own army.
"Get ready for battle."
He ordered the man who had one knee up, one down, in a bowing manner.
"No, we won't need that. Take my advice, my Lord."
Athena interrupted and Vulcan stared at her for a while. Then he walked off the throne towards the exit. Athena followed him.
