The Pillar Of Nebuwah

Jenifer

Standing on my toes to have a clearer look at the the engravings , I brushed off the dust on the pillar with my hands. The engravings weren't very clear but you could make out the words.

"It's written in the common language." , I stated recognising the few words of the common language which were imprinted on the pillar.

"Go on." , urged Jason softly as he stood at the foot of the pillar , waiting for me to continue.

"What hath begun
Shalt be brought to an end
What begins with a woman
Shalt end with her as well
The fire of vengeance
Shall be lit long before her birth
The Son of Lostoringia shall be
Her guide
The war long before waged
Shall end at the hand
Oh Immanuel !
Oh the blood !
Oh Immanuel !" I read out loud.

"I've jotted it down on my parchment but might I ask does this prophecy convey someone's demise ?" , John asked looking up , at me whilst the others remained silent.

"I agree with you brother on that line but whose death does it speak of ?" , Christopher asked placing his hand on John's shoulder.

"The prophecy involves only three people , Frost , the lostoringian prince who could be any of the boys from Frodangram and of course you Esther.", Jason concluded , his eyes analytically glancing on the pillar.

"But I for once question , why do you think of me as this princess ? It could be anyone of the girls." , I whispered softly , looking on the ground.

"Father believes it's you. He says he feels it in his heart and soul. He can't be wrong although , he doesn't mention why he strongly believes you are his daughter." , John said putting his arms around my shoulders in reassurance.

"Esther , you are the princess believe it." , Daniel stated looking at me straight in the eye.

I stared right back at him. Throughout the journey , it seemed as though Dan and I were mere strangers. We rarely spoke and I couldn't let ho of the fact that he chose Silvia over me. I never realised that it mattered but it hurt to know that someone whom I was once close to had left me for good. His statement reminded me of the time when he promised to be by my side and never leave but I guess I was too naïve not to notice the lie.

For a moment I stared right back at him but then , he realised what had said and his eyes widened in shock. He immediately looked at Silvia who exchanged the same look. It seemed as though they were communicating with their eyes.

Although , was confused at their behaviour,  their sudden close relationship with each other bugged me. I hated to admit that I was jealous that the bind Daniel and I once shared was slowly braking and Silvia was making the same kind of bond with Daniel which bothered me.

"Well , we best get going ." , I said braking the silence bur as soon as I said that , the ground shook , the snapping of twigs and the sound of footsteps had us frozen to our spot.

There stood an army of Nerezza before us , their claws waiting to tear our skin , their feet at athletic angles letting us know that they were waiting for a signal to charge at us and their six beads , both on their hands and neck shone making me aware that their appearance was gonna change.

My eyes wandered estimating, the number of creatures surrounding us but they stopped infront of a pair of grey eyes.

The stone cold eyes faced me as I backed away in shock.

"Well well , looking who we have here ?" , Jenifer cackled smirking. She took hold of the dagger.

Daniel growled in anger as he stepped in front of me ,"We kept our promise, Dianea. We made a deal."

"Well , darling , you seem to forget that the deal also prohibited you from encouraging her in any way." , Jenifer said smugly. She looked at him with a unmoved expression her left hand on her hip and her right hand taking hold of the dagger tied tightly to her waist.

I was too confused to even move an inch. It really surprised me to find Jenifer to be someone who I hadn't expected and to think that I blamed most of the attacks on Silvia when it had even Jenifer  , well , Dianea all along .

"Well, I can't say you haven't made things easier for me. I had least expected a prince to make a mistake like such, how will you ever rule a country,  Daniel?  Or should I say Prince Michael of Lostoringia ?" , Dianea smirked her hands swiftly taking the dagger.

"What ?!" , I exclaimed , raising my voice in shock of the recent revelation. I glanced at Daniel who hung his head low whilst Silvia placed her hand on his shoulder indicating that she too had known of his identity long before I did.

"Esther ....." , Daniel began but didn't continue once he saw the look on my face.

"How long ?" , I whispered not even wanting to know.

"A couple of years." , he mumbled hid face clouding with an unknown expression which I couldn't decipher.

"You knew all along ? And you didn't tell me ?" , I questioned. Our friendship had been strong until proclamation but after that it dwindled slowly , both of us were equally responsible. But it hurt me to know that Daniel knew of his identity before I did and he didn't even try to let me know. Was I not a true friend ? Or was I too girly to understand his boyish problems ?

"Look Esther , I'm sorry but it was only to protect you." , he said softly as he took a step towards me but took one back letting him know that I wasn't going to let this slide. 

"I'm sorry Daniel but I never realised that true friendship lacked within me in such a way that you thought it was unfit for me to let me in on your secret." I spoke , my voice wavering towards the end but I put on a firm face before locking my eyes with Dianea.

"I trusted you but I guess I shouldn't have." , I said with a sigh. I looked at Jason who gave me a tight smile letting me know he was with me through it all.

But before any of us could react we heard - "Attack !"