Meets and Plans

As Ariana chased the beast it occurred to her that her veil was coming off again and again. She took a moment to breathe and covered her face properly. Just then, a man grabbed her from the waist and pulled her behind the Holy Oak Tree. She wasn't prepared for it and so couldn't defend herself.

"A girl on the hunt, Interesting." He had a deep voice that sounded like the roar of a thunder. He was smiling in amusement and was staring at the face of Ariana.

Ariana blushed. "I was not hunting. Just roaming around in the woods. Who are you? Never seen you around."

"You will see me around a lot more now. I have fallen in love with the beauty of this kingdom. If you weren't hunting then why the veil?"

Ariana pushed him away and gasped for air. She took out her sword and was ready to fight the man if he didn't let her go. But he just laughed at her.

"I don't fight women. Haven't been taught to use a sword against them."

Ariana fumed. Such sexist comments always got to her. She was very disappointed and instantly decided that she didn't want to see this man ever again.

"That is sad then. Anyways I am late and have to leave. I hope I don't see you around, Mr. Sexist."

In a blink of the eye she was gone and all Ryan could do was sit and wonder what this girl might have looked like without the veil. He wondered if he'd ever meet her again. And just like that, he smiled.

It was a beautiful kingdom indeed.

..............

Ambrosia was at the brink of war and every single member of the judiciary, army and rulers were well aware of this fact. And so each one of them tried to convince the king to try and get healed. Ariana was done with the pleading. She decided it was time that she visited Ether. Her mother would have done the same.

.............

Ryan had called a meeting with all his officials. He didn't want to wait anymore. It was time for the attack and he wanted a thumbs up from everyone before he sent the letter to Ambrosia.

The only man that would be difficult to convince was Amada, his younger brother who had returned just a few days back. Amada was a strong man but had never been trained well. However, their father valued his opinions and so he had also been made a part of the Council. Amada came and sat on the chair right in front of that of Ryan. He knew what Ryan had in mind and would do anything to stop it. He knew the magic that Ambrosia had. Every stream, every tree, every flower that bloomed could heal some problem and not only the people, even nature in Ambrosia had a way of fighting back. It was not a coincidence that it hadn't been conquered in almost half a century.

Ryan cleared his throat.

........

She prepared the saddles and told the chief executive officer of the Kingdom that she was going to the woods. Ether was a secret between her mother and her and she did not plan on disclosing it ever or else she would be risking the magician's life. In two hours time she had crossed the Tenessee river and was standing in front of the small hut. She knocked thrice.

Ether knew it was time.