Arakim's Legacy(#Wattys2015)

Chapter 34

Arakim waited two days for Mena to wake up but left for Damawa Kingdom on the morning of the third day when she still slept on. He knew that he could not put off any longer the threat that this order master posed. He had already showed how resourceful he could get with the assault on them at Gumbe Mountain. But he left Izumi, Myra, Djou and Gnar with Hauwani to guard her and left with an order that if anything happened to tell Tyr immediately, not wishing to enlighten them that he could easily read their minds.

Arakim was now riding towards the palace with the rest. He wasn't happy about taking Adani but felt that the people might need her soothing touch and Ren wasn't about to let her out of his sight even though Ashago gave him his word to protect her. Or maybe after he gave him his word. Arakim smiled at the thought. Ren didn't understand that even though his cousin might be a ladies' man, he would never poach and Adani was too sweet and nice compared to the type of women he liked. Maybe Myra or even Mena would suit him more.

Thoughts of Mena brought to his mind what occurred the morning after their ordeal in the mountain when he woke up suddenly with the feeling that someone was in the chamber with them. For a hopeful moment, Arakim thought it was Mena but realised immediately she was still the same and the humming in his mind was coming from the window, behind the heavy drapes. Knowing that he barred the door from the inside last night before tumbling into bed and there was only one other way to gain access to the room and only one person could attempt it. Izumi, of course and recalled their ensued conversation.

"Izumi, what are you doing?' asked Arakim.

"I'm watching while I wait.''

"For what?'

"Mena.''

"But why would you wait? She's resting. That's what Tyr said.

Izumi shrugged. "I need her awake.''

"Alright,' said Arakim, beginning to understand.

He couldn't really fault her for her concern when he felt the same way. If Mena would just open her eyes for a moment then they could all relax. Arakim decided to look in on her essence as he was too exhausted to do it last night. He found that her essence was still growing in size, getting brighter while enmeshing deeper with his. That part gave him immense pleasure.

"Are you going to sit there till she wakes up?' asked Arakim, and wasn't surprised when he heard her answer and wondered how she got up there because there were no footholds on this side of the Castle.

"I climbed the wall.'' Shrugged Izumi. "Claws.''

Now remembering that conversation was one of the reasons he could leave Mena while she was lying there so defenceless to come here and the quicker he took care of this problem the sooner he could go home to her. At least he got to spend time with his family during the last two days especially Neha who was equally fascinated with the large bear shifter who gave his word that he would do nothing till she was older. Arakim didn't know how he felt about it yet and not really sure he was happy about it to Tyr's and Edum's amusement.

He was pulled from his thoughts when Adani gasped. Arakim looked up to see what brought on the reaction and the sudden silence from the group. A reaction that was the opposite of when they passed the desolate looking town, where they left the three units of soldiers that were at the Castle.

It was the first sight of the white Ofala'lel Palace in its imposing glory with its mountain backdrops adding to its magnificence. The only thing marring the picture was the presence of all the thousands of people in front of the palace and tents and carriages scattered across it. The banners flying on parapets also bore different crests on them. No more the painting of lions but of the master of this order.