132
❤️ Unveiling the Unknown Man❤️
Arriving at the army camp, Kando announced why he and his brother were here and began to separate two thousand armies from the rest.
***
Ashland Kingdom:
Storm's Room:
Gwen was through with her bath and was putting on her clothes when she realized something. Her dress had become tighter than before and hardly made her breath. She tried her other dresses but it was the same thing. She has no choice but to remove it and wear one of Storm's shirts and trousers, making her look like a whale in it. She didn't sign up for any of this.
Once she was done, she sat down on the bed and her thoughts drifted to Kando.
A knock on the door startled her that she nearly jumped out of her skin.
"Who is it?" she asked, hoping it's not Morgan. She realized how hungry she was but was scared to come outside. She couldn't face Morgan yet.
"Open the door Gwen, it's us." Storm replied.
Hearing Storm's voice made her rush to open the door knowing the 'us' he meant was him and Juno and she was right. Once they were in she quickly locked the door and went back to sit on the bed.
"You know we are here with you so there is no need to bolt the door. We are not doing anything bad here," Storm said with raised brows at Gwen as he noticed the clothes she was wearing. How can he tell her the only person he wants to be wearing his clothes is Juno and no one else. Telling her will hurt her feelings so he kept quiet.
"I am not locking the door because of that, I am only locking it because of Morgan. He wants to marry me with my pregnancy, can you imagine?" Gwen told them. "And stop staring at me like that Storm, I could have preferred Kando clothes than yours but sadly none of his belongings are here, and besides, none of my clothes I brought with me are entering me." she added.
"Speaking of Morgan," Kira began going to meet her and sitting beside her. "Do you really love him? You can tell us the truth Gwen."
"I have told you before and I am still repeating it again, I once loved him but not anymore, the one I love is Kando. If possible can you go to Kudarma and beg him on my behalf?"
"Gwen, are you really sure? Tell me, when did you know that you have fallen for Kando?" Storm asked this time around.
"When I began to see him in the light was when he took my punishment, I had loved him but was too blind to see that from the start. Is that enough to convince you both that I am truly in love with Kando or should I go deeper on how I literally threw myself at him the night he brought me to Altamon?" She asked, breathing fast.
"It's okay Gwenevere, calm down. Is just that we find it so hard to believe you, me especially, so you won't blame us for still doubting you in the first place." Storm said.
"I understand," Gwen said and her stomach made a grumpy sound.
"Hungry?" Kira asks with a lopsided smile.
Nodding her head. "Yes, I am but I am scared of going outside, I don't want to meet Morgan forever." Gwen told her.
"Why would you be scared of him? Have you forgotten who you are and where you grew up from? If he troubles you then kick his arse. I am giving you a go ahead." Storm said to her with a serious tone.
"Do you think the thought hasn't crossed my mind since today? I don't want anything that will hurt my child." Gwen said her hands going to her stomach.
"It's okay." Kira said in understanding.
"So will you go and bring me food? My child and I need plenty of food, please."
Kira gestured with her head towards Storm who understood, rolling his eyes at her, he left the room and headed for the kitchen.
"We won't be staying in this room with you anymore, so you will have the room all to yourself." Kira said to her. There was no better time than now to bring out the discussion.
Gwen's eyes widened and she grabbed hold of Kira's both hands in hers. "No, don't leave me alone, please don't. I will be scared to stay alone here. Stay with me until I give birth then you can leave. I am scared of staying alone, please." she pleaded. "I know you and Storm will need some privacy but please for my sake just stay a little while." she added with pleading eyes. "I could have gone to stay with Emera but I am not that close to him like you are and you are related to me."
Kira nodded in understanding, she couldn't say no to that. "It's okay."
Gwen smiled. "Thank you."
Storm returned at that moment.
"I have instructed them, they will be bringing your food soon," he said and without another word went to have his bath.
"I will be going to see someone, will you like to come with me?" Kira asked but before Gwen would answer, a knock on the door Interrupted them. "Come in."
Three female servants entered the room, two of them were carrying a large tray of food filled with rice, fried chicken and meat broth. The last of them carried a jug of water and as soon they left the room, Gwen quickly dug in.
"So what do you say?" Kira said as she took a lap of chicken and began to chew.
"I would like to follow you." Gwen told her as she swallowed the food in her mouth. "Where are we going?" she asked as she filled up her mouth.
"To see Eve." Kira answered.
"Who is Eve?" Gwen asked, trying to see if she could recall anytime Kira had mentioned any Eve to her but nothing came. "Do I know her?" She asked again.
"No you don't," Kira answered laughing, "Storm has met her though. She is a dwarf."
Gwen paused to stare at Kira, her facial expression no doubt showed how shocked she was.
"Do dwarfs exist? I mean they are real?"
"Yeah since our father was the King who ruled over the dwarfs and elves. Eve and the others are the last survivors of the last war."
"There are more than one?" She asks to be sure she heard right.
"Yes," Kira said with a smile. "Don't worry you will meet them soon."
"When did Storm meet her?" Gwen ask.
"Actually, we've met her when we were young before and also recently."
"I can't wait to meet her."
"Yeah me too, take your time to eat." Kira told her when she saw Gwen rushing the food.
"Oh I'm just extremely hungry Juno." Gwen said. "What about Morgan? I don't want him to see me."
"You have me with you right? I can take care of him so don't worry." Kira assured her sister.
***
Kudarma Kingdom: Dean Palace:
Soon Dean left his dragon den and went to his room, going to take a quick shower. When he left the bathroom to his room, he paused when he saw his visitor.
"You?" Dean said in shock. "I thought you are just a figment of my imagination but you are real and you just confirmed that it's you all along." He was still in shock.
The mysterious unknown man smirks. "Oh you don't know everything so don't just conclude yet Dean."
"So you are here to kill me after you made me do as you told me in my dreams?" Dean was trying to act strong and not his fear. He didn't want this man to see how his legs were shaking or his short breath or how his heart was hammering against his chest.
The mysterious man laughed as if what Dean had told him was a joke. "Kill you? If I wanted to kill you I would have done that twelve years ago when you recused Juno but I didn't. I know we have a score to settle but for now to defeat a bigger threat I will push that aside and let us work together." he told Dean who breathed out in relief.
"Why are you here then? You could have come to my dream as usual." Dean said to him. He has no other choice than to do whatever the fo.ol wants from him for now.
"Because after years of waiting I can now come out as I want," The mysterious man said to him. "But that's not why I am here." he added a second later and then closed the gap between him and Dean, standing a foot away from him. "I came here to tell you to attack Ashland today instead of tomorrow like you planned."
"What? Why?" Dean asked, not expecting that.
Turning his back and going to stand close to the window. "Change of plan, it's what I want." he said, turning back to face Dean. "You will do as I say or else..." He threaten.
Dean understands the unsaid words of the man in front of him. "I know what you can do, you don't need to remind me." He told the mysterious man.
"Good, and while you are at it, try to forget about Juno. I brought her to you not to make you fall in love with her. She is mine and everyone will soon know that." he told him and was gone leaving Dean alone in his room.
It was at that moment Dean remembered he was stark naked and quickly put on a trouser and black loose shirt. He went to sit on his bed and what the man had told him made his fist tightened.
Going on war against Ashland is something he can do, after all without being told he had planned to fight Ashland for its throne. He wanted to rule the whole kingdom.
But...
Leaving Kira just like that didn't sit well with him. He had watched her grow into the beautiful woman she is now. He had been patient with her, he had wanted her to be strong, a stronger Warrior than anyone else apart from him and that was why he had trained her to his taste. Giving up on her will make him look weak but going against the man who had paid him a visit was a different war entirely. He can't let go of Kira or whatever name they are calling her. He won't let her go without a fight.
"It is at this point I need you Sarah," Dean said to himself. "I have magic but not as powerful as yours." he added and then remembered Rumi, daughter of the late dwarf and elves king. "She is in Ashland, I will have to give a strict order not to harm her. If Sarah could send her to me it means she already knows who her father is."
___
Kando and his brother returned back to the palace to report to Dean how prepared the two thousand armies were. Kando became rigid all of a sudden which didn't go unnoticed by his brother.
"What is it?" Cando asked with narrow eyes.
"I feel a presence here."
"Is it Rumi?" Cando asked.
"No it's not her, don't you think I would have known if it's her? It is a different person, somehow it has the same scent as the one I met that night."
"Should I put everyone to sleep then?" Cando asked with raised brows, slightly disappointed that it wasn't Rumi.
"No, it's coming from Dean's room," Kando said after a while. "Come on let's go and check on him." he added and without waiting for another response from his brother, he ran towards Dean room, followed closely by his brother.
When they got to his room, they entered without knocking and met Dean in deep thought, his head bowed. He neither raised his head to acknowledge their presence. Kando went to the window and stood exactly in the same place the mysterious man had stood.
"He is not here, master." It took every power in him not to cringe at the word 'master'. Aelfric had made sure you either called him by his name or 'King' or 'my Lord' but never 'master'. He has to pretend he is still under Dean's spell.
Dean lifted his head to stare at him as if he was just noticing their presence in his room.
"You smelt him?" Dean asked in surprise.
"Of course, I do." Kando said, nodding his head. "Who is he, master?" he added.
"Someone of no importance," Dean answered almost immediately. "Why are you here instead of the camp?" he asked, changing the topic. He has forgotten he has these two strong creations of Aelfric with him. He shouldn't be scared of a mere threat.
"I have arranged the two thousand armies that will march to Ashland tomorrow."
"Make it today."
"Sorry I didn't get you master?"
"You are attacking Ashland today, right now." Dean answered not in anger. He wouldn't blame Kando, if he was in his shoes, he would have asked the same.
"But I thought you said tomorrow." Kando said in panic. There will be no time to warn Storm or Kira and his Gwen.
"Change of plans Kando, make sure you don't hurt Kira and Rumi, especially Kira, kill whoever you want to kill." Dean told him.
"But I thought we were just going to scare them and not kill them."
"They will be killed eventually, war is war Kando and people will die. I don't want to be those who beg for mercy." Dean said. "Now start marching to Ashland. Cando, prepare the remaining armies. You will be leading them tomorrow."
"Yes master," both brothers said at the same time and left his room.
"What made him change his mind about the attack all of a sudden?" Cando asked in a whisper as they walked back to the camp to inform the armies about the change of plans.
"I don't know but whoever that visited Dean is the cause."
"What are you going to do? Won't you warn Storm about the danger?"
"I will."
"But how are you going to do it?" Cando asked. "You know two hundred armies will be with you as the rest attack."
"I know, I have a plan and I hope it works." Kando said, hurrying in his footsteps.
***
Ashland Kingdom: Palace:
Storm was through and Kira went in to have her bath. He had already changed his clothes in the bathroom and threw the dirty one in the laundry basket.
"Are you really happy Gwen?" he asked.
"Very, though I will be the happiest if Kando is here with me."
Storm smiled and waited for Kira. There was something going on in his mind.
Soon enough, Kira was out and flinging her dress inside the laundry basket.
"Me and Gwen will be going to meet Eve as soon as she finishes eating." Kira said. "And I don't want you to follow us, we can take care of ourselves."
"Okay, I won't be following you guys even if you want to. I have an investigation that I am carrying out."
"What investigation?"
"Apart from looking for my father's killer and searching for my mother, I have also been searching for my father's remaining Ninja's." Storm told them. "My brothers have gone to where my father has always kept them but didn't find anyone there. They are gone."
"You mean, there are more of them?" Gwen asked, referring to the five Ninja's, not the other five guards, who had come with Storm on his first day at the Garden of Edenis.
"Yes." Storm answered.
"And you didn't even bother to tell me?"
"I just found out recently too, they told me. I didn't know my father had them that much."
"How many?" Kira ask
"There are many." Storm replied.
"Where could they be if they are many?" Kira asked.
"Same thing I wanted to ask."
"I don't know, that's what we have been investigating, they have gone around Altamon but didn't get anything. So I won't follow you guys to see Eve." Storm told them. "I will be with my Ninja brothers." he added and left the room.
Gwen finally finished what she was eating and together both girls left the room. Taking one of the horses they left the palace.
___
Market:
The horse galloped until it reached the market and Kira stopped it at the place she wanted it to, not too close to where the portal had opened. Gwen was sitting behind her and she waited until she had come down before she came down herself. Feeling Gwen's stomach from the palace down to the market has made her imagine her and Storm's child. Well, she can't wait for her stomach to be like Gwen.
Securing their horse, Kira and Gwen greet the market women and men they met and close the distance between them and the empty shed. Reaching there Kira looked around and noticed none of the market women or men were looking in their direction. She smiles knowing it's the handwork of Eve.
Bringing out the two pendants and joining them together, she hoped it worked since Storm isn't with her. And she can't kiss Gwen. A thought came to her.
"Hold the other edge," she said to Gwen who did as she was told. A portal opened and Kira smiled. "It worked, you're truly my sister." She added and dragged Gwen with her inside the portal which closes behind them.
The dwarfs and elves all smile at them as Kira leads the way to Eve cave.
Eve smiled at Kira and Gwen when she saw them and she waited for them.
"I can see you've seen your sister, Juno."
Kira nodded her head. "It was a miracle," She said. "I didn't know we were sisters and I know you know that already."
"Yes I do." Eve said and stared at Gwen. "I'm Eve, one of your late father's priestesses." she added. "Sometimes we allow fate to play tricks on us, are you ready for that?" she asked Gwen.
Looking confused as she didn't understand what the beautiful shorter woman was saying. "I don't understand you Eve," she said truthfully. "Care to explain."
"Have faith in your sister," Eve said and returned her gaze back to Kira. "Same goes for you."
"Thank you." Kira and Gwen said in unison, smiling at each other.
"The prince was never yours to begin with, my Princess, so don't feel sad for leaving him, Gwen."
That lifted Gwen's spirit the more. "I won't." She promised.
"Good." Eve said. "Do you want to eat? It's meat broth."
"Yes, I won't miss your food for anything," Kira said to her then face Gwen. "You need to really taste her meat broth, it's out of this world."
They ate to their fill.
"I wonder how you keep eating, you are before coming now you are eating as if you haven't tasted anything for the past 3 days." Kira said as they walked out of the cave.
"You wouldn't blame me, her meat broth is sweet and Kando child needs more." Gwen told her. "Thank you Eve."
"You are welcome."
"Juno, be careful."
"I am always," Kira said as a portal appeared in front of them. "I will get to see you again Eve, probably with my mother."
Eve smiled and watched as they entered the Portal, then her smile faded and was replaced with a frown. She was worried about them. Something doesn't feel right and it seems someone is blocking her vision. It was just an impulse to tell Kira to be careful but don't know why she was telling her that.
"I hope everything goes well with you." she closes her eyes as if she was praying and the portal closes.












