Beyond The Realms

Chapter 45

" The preparations for the siege are underway as we speak " Ghazanfar informs as we all gather in the study awaiting a preparing for an impending war as best as we can .

" Ayelet has the might of nine kingdoms combined we would need to ask every kingdom that has not surrendered to her to join us "

" The Burhims and Shahs in the north owe a debt to my father I can call upon them " I assert .

Jabeen arches an eyebrow looking impressed " You have learnt really well about your kingdom cousin " I have been devouring all books based on my kingdom , including records of old battles and treaties.

I shoot her a smile which dies the next instance as Ghazanfar informs looking sympathetic " The Burhims have recently surrendered to Ayelet's command "

" You are still doing well" Jabeen whispers giving me a consoling pat.

" We still have a few allies who haven't submitted to Ayelet yet " Prince Ruslan speaks " The army of my province will fight for you and so shall every solder of Khösirya"

" Will your father ----?"

" He will " Prince Ruslan cuts off Jabeen " He had his say the last time , I won't let him repeat it again "

The hard glint in his eyes and the somber look on Jabeen's face confirms that it is about the time when his father , King Maher refused to provide any aid to Princess Raniya and had wrongfully trapped the Prince .

" It might cause a conflict between you and your father " Jabeen points out the dire possibility.

" If it happens , do not worry , my army will face his and I will make sure to bring his army on our side no matter the cost " The Prince's face is set in stone as he declares " No harm shall befall this kingdom as long as I draw breath"

Jabeen is just as alarmed as I am at his words , he had very nearly said he will rip away the controll of his father's army from his grasp
" This could very much lead to a civil war " A war between Prince Ruslan and King Maher.

" Then so be it " The Prince strides out of the study shocking us with his declaration .

I instantly move to set out after him hoping to convince him but Ghazanfar interrupts " It is no use , your Highness " He says " The Prince has set his mind there is no changing it now "

Within an hour I hear the news of Prince Ruslan heading out of the fort towards his Father's kingdom and it sickens me with worry.

Jabeen sighs " He will be facing his father in King Maher's own Palace "

" Will he challenge his father to a combat ?" I question feeling anxious after all it is not unheard among the Djinn royalty to challenge the King / Queen, and once defeating the victor can ask the fallen for anything , anything.

" I don't doubt it " Jabeen replies " King Maher is not known for solving matters with any semblance of peace "

I stiffen with horror
" Will they rather draw each other's blood on the battlefield ?"

" It's a very real possibly " Jabeen sighs " King Maher is a remarkable king but when it comes to his son he isn't particularly kind "

I grimace recalling how he had let the Princess his son had loved die.

" We will not know of Prince Ruslan's fate until he returns"

Meanwhile , Ghazanfar has also called out for aid to our remaining allies in all four directions for help ,
" Five out of eight have agreed to go to the war with us against Ayelet " He informs " It is their stand against her as much as it is ours "

" The remaining kingdoms ?" I inquired.

" They are deluded thinking Ayelet's eye will not be drawn to their kingdom if they do not rise against her "

" Cowards " Jabeen hisses and I agree .

" How long before her army descends upon us ?" I question turning towards the battle hardened commander .

" No more than a week "

" Any hopes of more allies joining us ?" Any of them ?

The slight but immensely disappointed shake of his head is the only reply .

Kings are busy cowering in their palace.
Scared of the might of nine kingdoms she would unleash against those who would dare stand against her.

I take in a deep breath
" How are the preparations for the siege going on ?"

" Nearing the end , your highness " The commander replies
" Most of our citizens are within the safety of our fort walls.The grains and water are being gathered too "

At least this is one positive news but I brace myself as I ask him another difficult yet essential question "Should the war last longer than we expect how long will the siege hold ? and keep the people fed ?"

" I would say more than six months "

The confidence with which he replies eases the tight knot of anxiety in my chest a little.

A little mercy in such bleak circumstances .

Jabeen looks at me pride shining in her eyes
" We may have a smaller army but we are not unprepared " she squeezes my hard warmly " We can face her , Amelia "

I smile at her hoping I can share her confidence .

Preparations are underway for the war and steps are being taken to protect my people , but her army still vasty outnumbers mine .

How many of my soldiers will be killed ?

How many families will be destroyed?

How many children will be orphaned ?

Such suffering and pain , will my people be able to recover from it ?

The questions weigh heavy on my heart and mind, haunting my thoughts in the mornings and hours in the dark.

I wish I could spare my people the pain , as much as I can.

I gasp feeling the sudden tug inside my body bewildered I look down , then turn around, but the tug grows insistent I close my eyes against its force. But the force continues growing and growing until it starts moving my body , moving me in a certain direction.

Giving up against the urge to resist it I give myself over to it until my feet hurriedly begin moving over the stone floor . I cross the corridors and the rooms and floors until I'm standing in front of the library .

The sight that greets my eyes takes my breath away .

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Hmmm......penny for your thoughts

This story is taking longer than I had expected , so many things are happening the plot just keeps expanding !!

A huge thank you to everyone who have read this story and plan to continue reading it .Writing the story without you guys wouldn't have been possible .

I hope you guys will stick with me until the end of the story !! I 'm having fun writing it , I hope you are having fun reading it : )