CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE

I gripped the stone railings as I approached the balcony overlooking the large space below.

Rows on rows of men stood below me, I stared at each and everyone of their scared faces, devoid of hope.

No longer.

Amenadiel strode beside me, his armor made clanking noises as he approached my side.

"You stand in the presence of Queen Natalya of the House Kastillion, the first of her name, rightful queen of Korghon, protector of these lands, the lady of Moonspear-"

I raised a hand to stop him before he pressed on, feeling my cheeks redden at the mention of the titles, some of which I wasn't aware I had.

He stepped back, leaving me to address the men, their eyes were on me now, waiting, something like hope flashing through their faces.

Well, those I can see of course.

I made my voice as audible as possible as I spoke, using a spell to make my voice reach even the last man.

"All your lives you've been slaves, marching to the capital to be used and discarded when not needed. But I did not bring you here to subject you to the same fate you would have faced should you have marched to the capital"

Confusion crossed their features, but I ignored it and pressed on.

They would understand soon.

"I am here to tell you that from today, you are free! Any man who wishes to leave will be given a horse, a cart and supplies, and no harm will come to you. You have my word"

For a moment, there was hesitation as to whether to leave or stay, but at the end only a few dozen men walked out if the space, leaving the rest to listen to what I have to say.

I nodded to Amenadiel and he understood immediately, he would see that those that left would get horses, carts and whatever else they would need to leave here comfortably.

I continued.. "I will not lie to you. Apart from deposing my tyrant brother, a dark force looms over us, threatening to envelope our kingdom in darkness. I ask you to fight for me to repel this evil, to free this kingdom from the clutches of a tyrant so that what happened to you may never happen to anyone else. Will you stand with me?"

~

Silence hung in the air for a while at my question, this was the deciding moment, I would know now if they would stand with me or leave. My anxiety swirled within me wildly.

A man spoke up from the crowd,

"Do you offer us your protection?"

I answered immediately, without a single shred of doubt in my heart.

"I swear it on my crown"

He smiled softly and nodded his head.

"Then I will fight for the queen!" He bellowed, it brought a warm sensation to my heart, another man yelled "For the queen!" And little by little, the men began chanting until that was all that was heard throughout the area.

"For the queen!"

~

The city was busier than I had ever seen it since I arrived.

Men marched through the streets either transporting bows and arrows to the archers in the towers or sending a cart full of weapons to the training yards so the soldiers could commence training without delay.

The blacksmiths, weapon smiths and armourers would have so much work on their hands, but luckily we had enough of those for the work to be evened out.

The gates had been sealed shut and fortified, soldiers were positioned at every corner of the city, leaving nothing to chance.

Soldiers bowed in greeting as I walked through the city, I returned a warm smile before they jogged off to continue their duties.

I smiled at the sight before me, even as the cold realization hit me once more.

We are at war.

So lost in thought, I didn't hear the footsteps that approached me.

Kaida wore black pants and a loose white shirt, her hair tied up in a messy bun.

"The witches will see you now, your majesty" my heart sped as I nodded and walked back into the palace.

~

Drazhan trailed behind me as I walked to the council chambers to address my guests. Damon on the other hand was helping Amenadiel train the new recruits. Acrisius was getting better as I was informed, and is expected to make a full recovery by tonight or tomorrow morning.

Nathaniel offered to help Kaida with whatever she needed to start enchanting some of the weapons and armour.

"Don't you have something to do? Another guard could escort me you know"

"They are witches in there, they could ambush you"

Warmth crept to my cheeks at his concern, but I quickly gathered myself, thankful he walked a few steps behind. "The runes around the city do not allow anyone with ill intent to cross the gates, I'm not worried"

"Still" he added.

Two guards came into view was we approached, they nodded in my direction and opened the door, revealing the chambers and the witches that waited in there.

The door closed shut behind me and Drazhan stood in front of the wooden double doors, his hand rested on the hilt of his sword, ever ready.

The women before me all wore gowns black as night with hoods that covered half of their faces, they said nothing as I approached.

"Take off your hoods" I said, and one by one, they did.

Before me stood fifteen gorgeous women, the colors of their hair ranging from blonde to chestnut and judging by the damage they caused to my cousin's party I would say that they are very powerful witches.

"Sit, please"

Wooden chairs scraped on the stone floors as they took their seat, and so did I.

I stared into their eyes, their gazes were unflinching, like mine.

I've met a few witches in my life, most of them which were now dead. Pain shot through me at the thought.

"So you are the famous high priestess, we've heard so much about?" A blonde witch said, and my gaze turned to her.

"And you're the witches that decimated my men and sent my family back in bruises"

Emerald magic flared to life in my palms unknowingly, they noticed, but didn't move.

"We were under orders, we had no choice. We offer no apologies."

Another witch added, she had raven black hair and lilac eyes. Defiance shone in her gaze, and given the circumstances, I would've admired it, instead I asked,

"Why are you all here then?"

"Because of the same reason you decided to keep us alive. You need a coven of witches of challenge Herbert's forces" the dark haired one spoke.

"Just a few days ago, you stood as his protection detail and now you want to serve me?"

They exchanged a glance at each other, before the dark haired one spoke again. "Yes. We already recognize your authority as the last high priestess, it would be against a witch's nature not to. This coven offers to recognize your authority as the rightful queen of this kingdom if you're prepared to offer us what we want"

Curiousity bubbled within me "And what's that?"

She looked at her fellow witches, a devilish smirk played on her lips.

"Revenge"

~

My mind zoned out for a moment at her words, so I only said, "what?"

Her face held no expression as she answered. "You heard me right. Herbert is building an army of witches and dark creatures to tear through these lands and to take the throne. Half the witches in his army follow him because of the promise he gave us"

"And what's that?"

"To bring glory to the witches and bring back the ages of magic"

Shock rippled through me, I stared at her confused, what the hell was she talking about?

She continued."The ages of magic was a time when this kingdom's rulers were creatures of magic,. Witches. People were free to do magic as they wished, and magical creatures roamed the lands freely."

So that was what it was called? The time when magic was practiced freely in the kingdom, under the rule of a witch.

Her words reminded me of the prophecy a witch once told me. You are destined to bring back the old ways.

"That's exactly what I'm trying to do" I countered.

She shook her head in disapproval.

"Except he believes it's his divine right to do so, and the creatures he wishes to use to achieve this are summoned from the darkest pits of the seven hells.

"If he plans to restore glory to the witches, then why are you here?"

She took a deep breath, then continued "Because I see through him, he only wishes to sit himself on the throne and use his armies to rule with an iron fist. He doesn't care about witches, all he wants is revenge"

"How do we stop him?" I asked. She rolled her eyes at the question.

"If we knew how to stop him we wouldn't be here now would we?"

"Mind your tongue" Drazhan snarled behind me, but I motioned for him to calm down.

She heaved a great sigh "We can only hope that you'll be able to defeat him with your power and cunning, because he is not stupid."

A lot of information was laid before me, Herbert is summoning creatures from another realm, I didn't have time to dwell on it when she said.."I must admit that there is another reason we sought you out."

"Why is that?"

"There is a legend about a spell only a witch powerful enough can cast"

My curiosity piqued as I moved my seat closer. "In the centuries since your ancestors took the throne, witches and magical creatures alike were hunted to near extinction, most of the creatures are dead, but the rest have been in hiding for five centuries by trapping their essense into mortal creatures, like deers, birds, snakes, horses and if the legends are true, humans.

You can channel that essense and allow them to take back their true form"

My brows furrowed, confusion showing on my features. "I've never heard of such a spell. I have grimoires and spell books of the last high priestess before me"

"They say the spell is lost to time. That is why Herbert uses so much energy summoning creatures from hell and turning his guards into abominations"

The hooded guards.

This was too much to process, I need to sleep on this, speak to the council and most of all speak to Kaida about this, if anyone should know about this spell it would be her. The last priestess before me was her grandmother after all.

I stood from my seat, drawing all their attention to me.

"I am prepared to grant you your revenge in exchange for your loyalty"

The witch smirked, "This coven accepts you as it's leader. I'm Amara.