Chapter 15
- Because... Why are you here? -
asked the queen to the newcomer, those clear eyes of the woman looked at Stella, the little girl hid in her mother's torso when she felt her gaze on her.
- That child... - spoke Aisha.
The queen hugged Stella without taking her eyes off her, Aisha approached at a slow pace, when she was in front of the queen she smiled with irony.
- Really... you... you did it.
Those clear eyes were filled with rage as she pointed her sword at the queen, both gazed at each other, Aisha let out a laugh looking at them, a light wind began to envelop her, her platinum hair began to wave, magic circles began to appear around her, the blades that appeared from the magic circles were of a dark color.
- Aisha, that's enough! - shouted the queen.
Aisha did not flinch at the queen's shout, her gaze did not leave Stella.
- Get lost! - said Aisha.
Layla clung to Stella as those blades began to fall directly on them, the golden glow began to come out of the ground enveloping them, the queen noticing the energy immediately raised the barrier around them, the barrier had taken the shape of a dome.
Aisha, upon observing the barrier, frowned in annoyance, preciseing her attack to a single point of the barrier, the queen held the barrier firm without taking her eyes off the attack, Aisha's magic was different from the attacks of the magicians, Aisha's magic did not bounce as with the others, they remained fixed to the shield, that magic little by little was corrupting the queen's magic turning it into a dark color, noticing Aisha's invasive magic the queen looked at Stella who looked very scared.
When the queen heard the barrier shatter, she expelled all the energy accumulated inside the barrier with a single blow, the wave expanded in an instant, hitting the attackers, even Aisha fell to the ground due to the sudden impact of the explosion.
- Go away... Now! - shouted the queen pulling Stella away from her side.
- Mom... - Stella, hearing her mother's words, panicked, she denied with all her strength while looking at her mother - !come with me! -
- Hurry! - Stella ran to cling to her mother, as she felt those little hands clinging to her with fear, the queen choked back her tears.
- I... I want to be with mommy, I don't want to leave her! - cried Stella in tears - I don't want to! I don't want to!
The queen when she heard her little girl crying clung to her with tears in her eyes, she choked her cry while she tried to calm Stella down, as she had noticed her little girl was very observant, even when she was a child Stella when she heard her mother's words instinctively refused, her heart beat so strong as if it was a sign not to leave her mother alone, if she continued without her Stella felt that she would never see her mother again, when she felt that fear the youngest clung to her mother.
Stella did not know exactly what would happen, she was afraid, but she was more terrified to continue without her mother, as long as she was by her mother's side, everything would be all right, she did not care what the future held for them.
The pursuers recovered after the queen's attack, they stood up and looked at them, Aisha looked at Layla and Stella with annoyance.
- How ridiculous... - she looked at her men and nodded her head - kill them!
The mages nodded to her words while they began to recite an incantation, Layla just stared at the mages without letting go of Stella, her body was no longer responding as she wanted, she could barely stand up.
- Hmp... - Aisha observed how Layla's body could barely stand up - Goodbye, Layla -
The attack of the mages went straight to them, the queen wrapped her body around Stella while they both closed their eyes, a great roar was heard in the snowy forest, the great explosion formed a great curtain of smoke.
- Go -
Aisha sent her men to check, her men stealthily entered that thick smoke curtain, when they heard the sound of clashing swords and moans of pain Aisha stared at the silhouette of a person in the fog.
- What...? -
The queen slowly opened her eyes as she did not feel the impact of that attack, Stella looked around, those small amber eyes shone when she saw the silhouette of the young albino in front of them with his sword in his hands.
- Agnus! - shouted Stella, as he swung his sword at the men in black.
Aisha on the other hand did not look away from Agnus and the sword that had destroyed their attacks in a second, that dark sword caught her attention.
- So... a decidit is protecting you - her gaze fell on Layla - how ironic.
Agnus did not flinch at Aisha's words, he turned his gaze to Stella and the queen, a slight smile appeared on his face for a few seconds to see that they were safe, he fixed his gaze on the attackers, frowning he raised his sword and thrust it hard into the snow, the sword began to emanate a dark energy, the mages retreated.
Aisha upon hearing the whispering voice of Agnus while he recited the spell, fixed her gaze on the sword, that language that Agnus spoke she did not understand, she looked at her companions noticing the confusion on their faces upon hearing those words invoked by the albino, those crimson eyes shone with intensity staring at Aisha, that look bothered her.
- You... -
Aisha raised her sword against Agnus, the earth began to tremble with force, the magicians could barely stand, Aisha took a step towards the queen and the earth began to shake, the attackers retreated quickly.
Agnus noticed that Aisha also retreated, he took Stella in his arms and helped Layla to stand up, while they retreated, Layla's gaze did not leave Aisha.
- Hold on! - said Agnus seriously.
- No!" shouted Aisha.
Aisha brandished her sword against them, when she felt Agnus' crimson gaze she froze, with a movement of her sword Agnus destroyed Aisha's magic.
- Damn you! -
Aisha shouted with annoyance raising her sword, not finding Agnus anywhere nor the queen she tightened her grip on her sword.
- "Transport magic" - look for them! They can't be far! -
The mages nodded as they scattered.
Agnus fell into the snow along with the queen and Stella, his breathing was labored.
- Are they all right? - Agnus asked.
Stella remained silent in Agnus' arms, which worried the albino, he looked at the queen who was standing.
- Sorry for the delay my queen and princess - answered Agnus kneeling in front of the queen.
Stella rushed to Agnus surprising him, Agnus placed his hand on the princess' head relieved to know that she was safe and sound, when he felt how Stella's body began to tremble Agnus hugged her.
- Princess, forgive me, it is my fault that the princess went through so much pain, I should not have left the princess alone - said Agnus as he waited for the queen to speak.
- The others... how are they?
Agnus lowered his gaze slightly, Stella looked at her mother without understanding what they were referring to.
- Come with me, queen - silently she stood up, with Stella in her arms she began to walk.
Agnus stopped his walk before leaving the forest, while he looked at the princess.
- Princess - Agnus covered Stella's face with his cloak - please do not move....
Stella nodded silently as Agnus walked with the queen, as she felt them stop their walk Stella moved slightly, hearing her mother's sobbing, Stella clung to Agnus.
The queen's eyes were filled with tears as she saw the camp completely destroyed.
- No.... - the queen's voice was barely audible as she watched the horrible scene - this can't be - Layla clung tightly to her, choking back her tears.
- Mom... - she said with her voice cracking, the queen when she heard Stella's voice wiped her tears and took a deep breath, she sat up and approached Stella.
- It's all right, I'm fine... - said the queen in a low voice while she placed her hand on Stella's head, Agnus looked sadly at the queen while staring at that scene - Stella should not see this... - Stella slightly raised her eyes to her mother who only kissed her forehead - everything is going to be alright - the queen's face looked pale, her hands were trembling while she caressed Stella's face, her golden eyes were crystal clear, she could hardly hold back her desire to cry when she saw that the people who accompanied them had died, placing her forehead with Stella's she spoke - somnum - whispered the queen, Stella after hearing those words began to close her eyes little by little in Agnus' arms.
- Princess! - Agnus shouted scared, when he noticed that the little one was sound asleep he sighed relieved - My queen, what did you do? - The queen silently caressed Stella's face.
- To protect her - answered the queen
Agnus did not understand the queen's words, Layla silently began to walk towards the place where the massacre had taken place.
- Wait, Queen! -
With Stella in his arms, he hurried his pace reaching her, the queen did not flinch as they entered that place, as they walked the smell of blood was getting stronger, in silence Agnus followed the queen with Stella in his arms.
The queen's body trembled with every step she took, her tears ran down her face without stopping, having completely crossed that place she fell to her knees in the snow, she clung to the snow with rage and sadness, those who accompanied her were only doing their duty, they were innocent, their only sin was to be under her command, those lives were lost in a second, whoever did it must pay.
- My queen, why did you do that? - Agnus asked as he looked at her with concern, the queen's complexion did not look good.
- Distraction - said the queen without looking at Agnus - they know our essence, but if we mix it then they will lose track of us - Agnus doubted Agnus' words.
Agnus doubted the queen's words.
- Is that all? - Agnus asked, the queen was silent for a moment.
- Their souls... I couldn't leave them in this place, they belong to Nakahud, so at least their souls must be free from this place - the queen answered quietly.
Agnus looked behind him at the bodies of those who had accompanied them, he turned his gaze to the queen trying to understand the reason for her actions, it was strange, the queen looked so sure of her words as if, thanks to this walk, the souls of her people were freed, he still could not understand it, those lives had already been lost, so why worry about their souls, they had to look after them right now.
- It is better to go, those men must still be looking for us my queen, we must reach the border of the kingdom - Agnus said seriously while he looked at her.
The sound of approaching footsteps alerted Agnus, he handed Stella to the queen while he unsheathed his sword, the queen raised her gaze towards the magicians, the fear she had felt still did not disappear, even so, she also felt upset with what had happened to her own, cruelly they had finished with each one of them, to her mind came the words of her majesty "I'll be waiting for you".
Remembering the words said by her majesty, the queen raised her gaze fixedly, those golden eyes looked around without hesitation.
- Retection... - after saying these words a golden light began to emanate from within her, towards the forest - "Retection?
- Queen? - Agnus looked at the queen with concern when he saw that she was using her magic, Layla kept silent while her detection magic took effect.
- ten... no twenty... - the queen raised her gaze towards Agnus as she stood up, one of the mages attacked Agnus directly, with his sword Agnus parried his attack, another one appeared behind the queen, seeing that man with the sword pointing at her, the queen frowned slightly, she gave a glance to Stella with a smile - everything is fine....
- Queen! - Agnus shouted as he cut the man down and went to the queen.
-Sagitta lucis! - said the queen firmly, the man remained motionless, golden arrows fell from the sky and pierced the body of the attacker, the man's gaze remained fixed on the queen - you must pay for your sins - the man spat blood, stretching his hand towards the queen - return to the ashes - the man's pupils became opaque, releasing his last breath of life - it's over - said the queen as she passed by the body.
Agnus, seeing the coldness in the queen's eyes, hesitated for a second to approach, when the queen turned her gaze towards him, Agnus looked worried about the queen and princess, although he was relieved that both were safe, in fact, how was the queen psychologically.
- The queen must not stain her hands, I will take care of them - Agnus knelt down in front of the queen - I will get them out of here, I promise my queen, no matter what the sacrifice, they must live -
The queen observed Agnus in silence, those words could not be taken lightly, Layla was sure she could trust Agnus.
After a few hours of walking, Agnus noticed the queen's tiredness, he looked for a place in the mountains where they could rest for a few minutes, after finding a cave Agnus took them to rest for a few minutes, their journey was very long, to reach the border they would need half a day.
- You can rest queen - Agnus handed Stella to her - I will keep watch.
- Thank you... - replied the queen -
Agnus stood at the entrance of the cave, the queen was trying to rest as she felt a stabbing pain in her arm she uncovered it slightly, noticing some dark spots she tightened her grip slightly and covered her arm, her gaze fell on Stella, she felt worried, if they kept resting as they went along they would never reach the border in time.
Their magic on Stella would not last long, Aisha knew Layla's magic perfectly well finding them would not be difficult, the queen stood up surprising Agnus.
- Queen? -
- Agnus you know, Stella loves Agnus very much - said the queen.
Agnus raised his gaze staring at her, the queen smiled sadly approaching Agnus.
- For Agnus, Stella is also important, isn't she? -
After the queen's question Agnus remained silent without being able to answer, Layla noticed that doubt in Agnus, in silence the queen gave him Stella.
- Queen? -
Agnus looked confused at the queen while she placed her hand on Stella's face, noticing the sadness in her eyes as she looked at the youngest, she spoke.
- Queen! What are you thinking about? -
The queen turned her gaze to Agnus smiling, that smile did not please Agnus who clung to the queen's arm.
- We must get to the border as quickly as possible - answered the queen.
- But, the queen is exhausted, at this rate she could collapse - said Agnus - that's why.... -
- They are close - answered the queen, surprising Agnus - they will catch up with us if we continue at this pace - said the queen.
- I'll take care of them - said Agnus.
The queen stared at him.
- Agnus, do you remember the words I said before - asked the queen, those golden eyes stared at him - the price must be paid... and the time has come to do it.
Agnus opened his eyes full of surprise looking at her, the queen nodded slightly while uncovering part of her arm, Agnus noticing how most of the queen's arm was contaminated with dark sores choked her words, without letting her go.
- The wizards.... The wizards can heal her, the queen must no longer use magic...- Layla heard the trembling of Agnus' voice with each word - your majesty, we must go to her majesty! -
Shouted Agnus looking at her, Layla was surprised to see how those crimson eyes were crystalline, it was the first time Agnus' feelings were visible, the albino always kept calm.
- Apparently you can also put that kind of expressions - Layla put her finger on Agnus' brow - calm down... listen to me, there's no turning back now -...".
The queen placed her hands on Agnus' shoulders, who had remained silent.
- That's why, Agnus, we must... - The queen knew that this would happen.
- The queen, I knew this would happen - said Agnus, surprising the queen, she averted her gaze - it can't be late unless the contaminated magic was stored in her body for more than half a year - said Agnus.
The queen remained silent, Agnus did not hear any answer from the queen and looked up.
- Since when? answer the queen! - Agnus shouted - Because... Why didn't you tell anyone?! Why didn't you tell her majesty?! -
- If your majesty had known, she would have tried to find a cure at any cost - the queen clung to his arm - to think how desperate he would be if he knew of my condition, I could not forgive myself.
- That same suffering his majesty must be feeling right now - answered Agnus - surely he is already informed of our situation - the queen stared at Agnus - Did the queen think his majesty wouldn't know, his wife and daughter are in danger! -
Agnus watched as the queen paled when she heard him.
- No... he can't come to this place, she... she can't see him! she mustn't! - said the queen.
- She? - Agnus remembered how the gaze of the woman who had attacked them before, that gaze always rested on the queen - How many secrets does the queen have, who is the queen? -
Those golden eyes lowered their gaze to such questions, squeezing her hands the queen looked at him.
- I am her majesty's wife - Layla answered - and Stella's mother, that's the only thing Agnus must keep in mind, well now I can't afford that her majesty and her meet, so, Agnus take Stella to a safe place -
- What?! -
- What you heard, surely your energy must be at half, because of the spell you used before, so you must protect Stella -
- If anything happens to her... her majesty won't stand for it! - said Agnus.
- She will, I know she will, because in our marriage there was never only one option, you must know better than anyone what I mean, right? - said the queen seriously, Agnus could not contradict the queen, he knew what she meant with those words - apparently they were after me, somehow, I am glad she found me in this place and not in the kingdom of Nakahud - he said with a smile - if the people of the kingdom were involved because of me I would not forgive myself, I already have too many sins on me, to carry more with me, at the end I thought I would not involve anyone, but I miscalculated the time, Aisha arrived earlier than I thought.
- How much did the queen have planned, not only was she aware of her condition, but also, did she know this would happen? -
- I had a premonition and as always, it seems that I was right - answered the queen - I also know how the story should go on or rather what I intend to happen, for that I need you, otherwise no one will get out of here alive - the queen's voice was serious towards Agnus - you are strong, I don't deny it, but against magicians your strength will not be enough - said the queen while she stared at Agnus - and much less against Aisha.
- Even if the queen knew that I refuse to leave her - answered Agnus firmly while looking at Layla - I am her servant, if someone has to stay behind, it will be me! - Layla refused to Agnus' words - Queen!!!
- I can barely stand, I couldn't get Stella out of this place - her gaze was serious towards Agnus - this body is reaching its limit.
Agnus silently observed Layla, the queen's complexion was pale, he shook his head looking at the queen.
- The queen must return to her majesty," said Agnus, "her place is always at her majesty's side.
Layla looked with surprise at Agnus when she heard his words.
- You, how can you say those words, you know that for him? -
- Her majesty is still waiting for her - said Agnus interrupting the queen - that's why, that's why she cannot die in this place! The queen must go with us! - replied Agnus.
- I will only delay you - said the queen in a low voice, placing her hand on Stella's face, drowning her tears with a smile.
- So, will you abandon the princess? - said Agnus -
- I would never abandon my daughter! - replied Layla annoyed - never repeat those words again! -
- Then, the queen must... -
- I'm dying... - said the queen, surprising the albino - that's why I'm so persistent with you - the queen put her lips on Stella's forehead - I want more time, she's still little and I haven't been able to see her grow up yet, but... - tears streamed from the queen's face as she caressed Stella - I can't, sorry, I can't be with you in the future - the queen held on to Stella's hand as she took Agnus' hand and handed it to him - but you won't be alone - her gaze fell on Agnus - Agnus....
The named one clenched his teeth and hands, in one movement he drew his sword pointing it at Stella, to his mind came the words of her majesty, if you must choose between the life of one of them, the one you must save is the queen, Agnus' sword trembled as he brought it close to Stella's neck.
- The order you must obey is mine!!!! - shouted the queen while Agnus turned to see her with his crystalline eyes - the moment Stella dies so will I! - she said determined, while Agnus did not know what to do - I do not regret... my life... I fell in love, I married the person I loved and I even had a beautiful daughter - she said looking at Stella - but... my daughter has not lived yet, she has the right to live and to go on!
cried the queen in despair as Agnus with his crystal eyes lowered his sword, the queen looked relieved that Agnus heard her words.
- Thank you, Agnus - the queen gave a warm smile to the albino, who could not keep his gaze on Layla, the consequences of his decision would bring chaos to the kingdom - Agnus take Stella to a safe place... - the queen placed her hand on the little girl's face while the palm of her hand glowed slightly - Agnus... - the named raised his gaze slightly - you are free.... - the albino's eyes widened in surprise as he heard the queen say those words.
The queen smiled as she placed her hand on Agnus' head and stood up.
- Go away... - said the queen without looking at him.
Agnus clenched his hands and teeth as he took Stella in his arms and left the cave, as soon as his feet touched the snow Agnus began to run towards the border.
- "Please let her be on time!" - Agnus thought with all his might.
The queen looked for a moment in the direction where Agnus had gone and with a sad smile she spoke.
- I'm sorry, my little one, it's all my fault... - said the queen - but... you must not be dragged with me... live... My... Stella... you must survive...