AURORA

Chapter 9: Part I

            "David, gather every guard and surround the castle. Leave no exits and no entrances bare of protection. Kill every knight, man, or woman that tries to escape. You will mold the men and women into warriors. Make sure that strength is the only thing they know. Hold every child prisoner. Send word to Dubar to transfer every last soul from there to here." "Your wish is my command evil queen." I turn to my mother and speak in an empowering voice. "Mother, I now have another kingdom. One that doubles the area of my reign. I have more power than ever. I will not stop. I and I alone will rule these lands. I will raise every man, child, and woman to become tough. They will never love. They will grow to become fighters. Knowing nothing but to protect. I will give this vile world the queen it deserves. Together, we will be unparalleled."

              Long robe like streamers fall from the ceiling with a giant letter A on them. Everything from the lamps to walls change everything to a solid black and gold. The ground shakes beneath my feet and caves in. I sink into the earth and sprout back out with rocks clunking together. Forming a throne that only someone truly malicious could make. Black vines spring from the ground, grabbing hold of the chair legs and arm rest. Covering them with a prickly design.

             A rupturing sound emerges from the windows. All the glass in the room shatters, barely missing my mom. Hitting the floor and breaking apart. The glass shifts in color from a transparent white to an opaque black. Each piece of glass piecing itself together to form the ultimate protection. A giant black glass man. He stands tall. His serrated edges pierce the very eyes that stare into it. He takes his place next to my throne. He freezes into position. Only to move in the heat of danger. "Your heart will beat as mine. No harm shall come to me."

            On the side of me, another chair appears. Its red and gold. Roses line underneath it. A random thought crosses my mind. Cara. She's still back in the prisons in Dubar. Staring through the cold air, void of light. I wonder...there is someone else who I wonder where they might be. Amoura. She could very well be in these lands. She might even still possess that book. I could possibly propose a task to Cara. Her vengeful spirit could be useful. Stepping out of my thoughts.

         "This throne is for you mother. The roses represent your loveliness. For your protection. A brown grizzly bear. He will not engage anyone unless on your command. Do not fear him. And do not fear me. Take your rightful place in your throne. However, I must ask something of you. I must go back to Dubar immediately. There's something that I have to do. I need you to keep everything in control here." "But Aurora I'm not you. I can't instill fear in these people. "You need them to fear you. Search deep into your soul. Make them fear you.

          Use your voice to your advantage. Demand respect. Demand that your voice be heard. Walk the grounds and show your face. Show them who you are. Explore Denmar. These grounds belong to me, which means this is also your domain. I will raise every child to become tough. They will never love. This is only the beginning of it all. Solidify your place here. Now, I won't be gone long." I grab her hand and she worriedly sliders her hand off my skin.

          I walk towards the giant doors that have seen the horrors inside these walls. I head towards the outside. I can hear the screams of women. Women that have tried to escape. Men being held back as their wives are being slaughtered. Children screaming, being separated from their parents. I walk through the turmoil callously. The skies above detailing a gray and black oil paint. I can see David wrangling up some children.

        I walk over to him to notify him of my leaving. Children. They know nothing. They have no clue what's to become of them. I could sculpt them into whatever I wanted. I lay face to face with David and the other guards helping him. One of the little boys begin to beg. "Please, let me go. I miss my mother miss." I stride over to him, casting a dark shadow over him. "What is your name child?" "Eran." Do not beg to me Eran. You miss your mother? You will never remember her." I place my cold hands on his chin, gripping it firmly; feeling the imprint of his jawline. He begins to tug in pain. "To beg is to be weak. I will not have any weak children in my kingdom Eran. You will toughen. Or you will die."

        I let him go as his face reveals fright and confusion. "You will train them non-stop. They will learn to fight. They will learn to use hammers, swords, and bow and arrows. Prepare a fighting area for them for tomorrow and give the eldest a head position for each weapon. The best guards will watch over them. Every day and every hour you will fight. The men will train in an arena. Their fight will be treated as a bloodsport. The weakest of the children will be thrown into the fighting pit. Take them away." I back away and address David as I had intended to.

          "David, I must head back to Dubar. I have some business to handle. Maintain stability in my absence and watch over my mother. She will assume command in my absence. Accompany her everywhere. Make sure no harm comes to her. My raven will fly around the kingdom day and night. If something goes wrong, I will know. And disregard my orders to send word to Dubar. I will bring my kingdom here myself." (David thinking) The queen was quite capable of fetching the kingdom and bringing them here herself. If anyone crosses her path, they'll regret it." "I will protect your mother and this place in your absence evil queen. You have my word." "Good, now off with you."