Chapter 48

At first light of a cool and chilly day in Blackmount, General Haul arrived at the capital after two weeks of riding hard with his men. It usually took three weeks riding from Prophis to Maldonia, and another week riding to the capital. But as the general put it, "It's a ride of life and death" to his men and they did ride for their lives. The aim was to join Prince Ambrose's men and Lucian Mithandir. However, no one told Haul that Lucian was in House Horriss and not in the capital.

His arrival at the capital was a shock to even Artemis himself. He wasn't expecting a lot of men marching on horses to his capital at such early time of the day. He was however expecting his lords next week to discuss the fate of the war.

"Who is this man?" Artemis looked from a fifth story inside his council chambers. Lord Balon woke him early to witness the march from a mile away. The men wore full black, it was no shock they came from Prophis where it's heavy cold. The sigil which represented a free army was symbolized by a white bird flying above the sky. That's the sign for every army which belongs to no king — even Aprophil's men bare the same sigil.

"They are Prophisians aren't they?"

"I'm afraid so, Your Grace."

Artemis asked himself. "What do they want from me?"

"I suggest we go down and welcome them properly."

Artemis sighed and walked away from the window. Then, he looked at Lord Balon. "Is it true? The rumors..."

Caught off guard, Lord Balon was stunned. "Rumors, Your Grace?" he asked.

"About your marriage. Your wife is set to return to Nemphis, so I heard."

"Yes, I have requested her to go back. Especially with the upcoming war and —"

"That didn't stop you from housing your whore so I've heard."

Lord Balon hesitated to reply as it seemed his secret was out. It was a disrespect for the Hand of the King to house a whore from Cooperstone in the hand's castle.

"And I've also heard she's from Cooperstone. You found her the night when you and Vaith took off and visited pleasure houses."

"It was King Vaith's idea..." Lord Balon tried to explain himself.

"I know it. One thing about Lord Balrus is, he has eyes even when he is sleeping. You are ought to be careful while you are here, my lord hand. This is Maldonia."

"Yes, Your Grace. Thank you."

Artemis reached out for his cloak and put it on himself. There's usually a man who helps him dress but the arrival of General Haul was so unexpectedly at court that it made him nervous. He yearned to see where will all this turn out to be, the royal announcer already rang bells of emergencies to Maldonians preparing them for the war to come.

"Before we make haste to welcome this new guest, be sure to get rid of your whore. She's a disgrace to the realm.". Lord Balon had no other choice but to bow and accept the king's order.

Aurora was in the hallway waiting for Artemis. It's too early but she was summoned by Artemis, he wanted Aurora close to him. When Artemis got out of the council chamber, he went straight to Aurora and planted a peck on her left cheek. "What's up with you?"

 "I'm exhausted. I could use an hour or so of sleep. I feel deprived." Aurora yawned and covered her mouth.

"Do pardon me, I could use your assistance in this."

"What is going on?"

"I want you to look into this Prophisian general marching into our gates with a free army and tell me if he I should trust him, or not."

Aurora turned to the side, and then she whispered slowly. "I am not a seer Artemis."

"But you can predict people's future just by seeing them, right?"

Aurora hissed. "I can't, I have told you that."

"You've wrote to your mother about it?"

"I hope she's read it by now and she's chosen to ignore me, just like how my father ignores me."

A somber look on Aurora's face led Artemis to stop walking and turned to her. His King's guards passed through them and waited a few distance away. "Your father is a man without honor, he is a disgrace to himself. He ignores you just like how he ignores himself, I haven't ignored you and I will never leave your side." Artemis assured Aurora that he is devoted to her.

But awkwardly, Aurora found herself saying unusual thing which left Artemis shocked. She said, "I think it'll be wise if you summon Lord Gandalf to the capital and wed his sister, lady Aryan. They have mighty lions and I have seen —"

"What?"

"I know I sound crazy,"

Artemis was not only shocked but displeased. "Which you are. What happened to seeing us on the Sweet Waters throne together? You said we will be wed and we will rule the realm side by side. How can you tell me something like this after I've fought everything and everyone just to be with you?"

Then, he didn't have time to deal with Aurora's disappointments, nor did he want her at his side anymore. He took off with Lord Balon, and now Lord Balrus and Akirbus who had joined the parade. They were all on horses heading to the gates of the capital. Aurora gazed as Artemis disappeared from her view. She was conflicted about what she saw in her dream. The dream she had last night was full of terror and warnings. If she was a seer then she would be able to translate it, but unfortunately she wasn't.

Princess Sansa, as always she was eavesdropping and watching up close. She heard of Aurora's request for Artemis to wed lady Aryan of Old City, a shocking proposal. In an attempt not to appear as if she's been eavesdropping, Princess Sansa waited for Aurora to walk back inside the palace. Then, she pretended as if she was passing by and collided with her.

"Apologies my lady..." said Aurora and picked up a plate Princess Sansa was holding — it was empty by the way.

"Do watch where you are going."

Aurora took a step forward, she attempted to walk away from the princess. Princess Sansa stopped her when she pulled her hand. Aurora turned to face her. "I hear you are a healer." Princess Sansa made a remark.

"A healer? I'm afraid you've been misinformed, my lady."

"Oh!" Princess Sansa again pretended to be so shocked. "They also say you might be a witch, are you...?"

The accusations and the audacity. Aurora didn't say a thing to Princess Sansa, she just walked away and that's when Princess Sansa ran after her with apologies.

"Please do forgive me, I shouldn't have said that. The witch part, it wasn't kind."

"I'm not offended."

"Really? Why's that?"

"Because, I'm not a witch."

Princess Sansa cleared her throat and then leaned on to Aurora. "I know someone, a healer of some sort. She owns a small outlet in the heart of the market. She will help you."

"Help me?" Aurora was stunned. "What−" Before Aurora could finish, Princess Sansa winked at her and walked away. So it happens the woman who has been serving Princess Sansa with portions was Aurora's grandmother. For so long she's been looking for her and she even wrote a letter to her mother in Forewater, while the woman she wanted to see was right there in the heart of the city.

Aurora's grandmother, Visera knew of her granddaughter proposition when she moved back to the capital. She's been away for far too long and that's because her daughter, Huyan forbade her from teaching Aurora anything relating to her powers as she thought it was magic and witchcraft. Visera knew Aurora would inherit her powers and she must be there to guide her. A power of a seer is the most powerful one and if not properly handled, it could kill the one who yields it.

"The omen was foretold. A powerful seer will lead the battle of men, lions and dragons. A war to end all wars. Some even say it will be the end of the humanity." Those were the quotes from books passed on from generations, dating back to two hundred years ago.

Visera saved the notes and the secrets she's been carrying for countless months yearning for the day her granddaughter will find her. She had to tell Aurora the truth before she dies, the secret will be safe with Aurora and if Aurora dies, then the secret will continue to her heir until the chosen one is born. There was only one test to determine the chosen one, and Aurora hadn't been tested yet. She didn't even know there was a test, Huyan made sure Aurora knew nothing about the powers she had.

But time had come for Aurora to find her path. Hence, when she knocked on the door of the outlet as per what the Princess described earlier, Aurora came face to face with her grandmother, Visera. Her eyes widened with amazement, she didn't know how to react.

"Babushka..." she exclaimed.

"My love, I knew you would find me. Come inside, I have something to show you." Visera pulled Aurora's hand and they walked inside the outlet.