EXOUSIA Book One

THE BANQUET

CHAPTER SIX

The Banquet

The banquet garden was beautiful. It was set up like an arena. The table arrangement went upward spiral on the Rock Mountains and the mountains stood in a circle with a beautiful flower garden in the centre of the circle. The green vegetation was beautiful. The multi-coloured roses and flowers beautified the place. The mountain shined and glittered with precious stones because the sky was dark. It was beautiful.

Ann stood in awe of the beauty before her eyes. Her lovely, light, and airy dress complemented the environment. Though her dress was white, it glittered with many colours. Her arms were decorated with precious scales that glittered. Her natural look makeup made her innocence radiate. She wore a tiara made from glittering shells and pearls of many colours. When she walked in, the noisy banquet went silent.

Ann stood, feeling a little embarrassed with the attention she was getting. Ashley stood next to her. Ashley had gotten dressed before she brought Ann to the banquet. She too looked beautiful in her sky blue transparent dress with precious stones to complement its beauty.

Olokun suddenly appeared next to Ann and took her hand. Everyone stood up and bowed in respect for the queen.

"They are all here for you," Olokun said whispering to Ann. Olokun took her to her throne and had Ann sit beside her.

"Announcement! The promised child is home. The prophecy is real and we are all here to witness the promise of the Creator come to pass. When mankind and Nephilims shall work together to maintain the balance between good and evil. When the true punisher of evil shall emerge and bring forth an era where true justice shall reign through all the realms. Praise the Creator!" A loud voice announced and everyone made a jubilating noise rejoicing at the news.

The same voice continued. "With 1000 crates of precious metal and stones the king of the Centaurs, King Zebulon, high king of the Earth realm under the treaty

and protection of the Ark of Promise pledges his allegiance to the great goddess of the sea!"

Ann saw a man, half-man, and half horse advancing toward the throne where she and the goddess sat. She was surprised but kept silent. She had read about centaurs but they were believed to be a myth, just like the great goddess was believed to be a myth too but here she was, sitting right next to her. These people were both real, and she was truly amongst them or maybe, she was really kidnapped and they had drugged her with some strong hallucinogens. It was hard for her to determine what was real and what wasn't. She would wait it out.

The king of the Centaurs spoke.

"To the great goddess of the sea, I pledge my loyalty and allegiance and uphold the treaty made by the Creator. I bind myself, my kingdom, and all the Treaty kingdoms in the Earth realm to the Ark of Promise. May it continue to protect our realm and keep us pure." The Handsome man said and suddenly there was a strong green light in his eyes. It flashed for only a second and then it was gone. The light confirmed he was bound to the ark. The man smiled and continued to speak.

"To the princess, I gift the power and ability to control and communicate with the beasts on land and nature." King Zebulon walked up to the throne and wore a necklace with a bronze pendant carved like a tree around Ann's neck. "Wear this at all times and keep it hidden from the eyes of the world. You will know what to do with it in your time of need. Wear it and you shall never be lost." He said then bowed. King Zebulon transformed into human form and returned to his table. His transformation amazed Ann. It was magic.