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~~The year 4086~~ Impatience coursed through her veins. A dusky blue had settled onto the evening sky awaiting the coming of the moon, just as she waited. She wondered how long she had been waiting, an hour perhaps or maybe forty-five minutes; time had been appropriately skewered and she only knew that he was not here yet. You're a fool, Illana. He's not going to come. You're wasting your time. Go back to your village before anyone notices your absence. A faint rustle in the woods signalled an approach. He's here! Isn't it good that you waited? She physically straightened her garments, carefully smoothing out non-existent creases in her skirt. The noise grew louder and closer. She turned, a smile on her face, only to greet a tawny wolf. *Gilk,* Illana mindspoke, *What are you doing here?* *You're meeting him, aren't you.* It was a statement not a question with no accusation in the voice but only the slightest faint of rebuke. Illana hung her head, half in shame and half in girlish coyness. *What am I going to do with you Illana? You do realise how potentially catastrophic this will be? You're so young, too young and innocent.* Gilk approached her then, pressing one of his paws onto her shoulder as Illana bent down to receive him. It was a sight to behold, a young girl and a wolf huddled together, and it was the picture presented to Tomis as he noisily entered the scene. "Illana..uh Gilk..." *He could at least be more quiet you know. It kind of defeats the whole purpose of a clandestine, secret meeting if he comes crashing through the woods like a berserker.* *Gilk! Be nice...* Illana warned before turning to the new arrival, "Tomis, you're late." "I know. I'm sorry. Council had some problems they wanted me to deal with. It took longer than I expected and I..." Illana quickly moved forward and effectively silenced Tomis with a kiss. The kiss was passionate yet sweet, a greeting of sorts that left the lingering promise of more. Tomis broke the kiss reluctantly and stared at the girl before him. She's so beautiful. She's mine. I love her. He wasn't sure how he managed to become so blessed but he knew the Heavens must surely be in his favour. There was future in those brown eyes of her, a future with lovely brown haired children and the two the them together. Something greater and more powerful than all the external forces presented on the earth, something instinctual yet deeply spiritual confirmed Tomis' belief that this was meant to be. It had nothing to do with the battles that were currently raging throughout the land. Even less to do with the continuous war that was being fought between his people and hers, a war that had lasted eons and still threatened to continue. Their love had risen above the mindless hatred. It was wonderful and fantastical holding the symbol of a possible union between the two armies and the possibility of peace among the land again. Their kisses became more frantic but always under the discreet observation of the wolf Gilk. Time was short due to Tomis' lateness and both knew that they would soon have to leave. "Same place, same time, tomorrow?" "Okay. And this time you won't be late?" Illana half-smile indicated that she was teasing. "This time I won't be late. Damn the council and damn everyone else, tomorrow I'll be here...and on time too." Tomis' tone changed from light-hearted to a fervent seriousness, "I promise you I'll be here tomorrow, waiting. No matter what, I'll be here. And one day soon we won't have to meet like this. I promise you that one day the whole world will acknowledge you as my wife and I your husband. I love you Illana and I want you to never to forget that fact." "I love you too." Illana smile as a few tears of happiness rolled down her cheeks. Tomis raised his hand, gently brushing away the tears, "I have to go. Don't cry. I'll see you tomorrow."
*He's late* *And that's new?* *You're not helping Gilk!* *I don't see why you're so worried. He's only 10 minutes late. Yesterday he was an hour late.* *But he promised he'd come on time. And Tomis never breaks a promise. What if something has happened to him. What is he's out there injured, besieged by bandits and needs my help! I can just see him lying on the ground blood flowing from his chest....I've told Father numerous times how dangerous those bandits are getting!....we should go look for him!...call the alarm!!...send out search parties....!* *Illana, calm down. Tomis is a very competent warrior you have nothing to worry about.* In the distance footsteps could be heard crushing the leaves. *There you see he's coming. All that fuss for nothing.* *Okay so I panicked.* The relief on Illana's face was evident as she moved to greet her lover. A stunning redhead appeared in Tomis' place instead. She was the obvious picture of perfection - all curves, creamy white skin, gorgeous, full lips and startling green eyes. There was no mistaking who this woman was - Sione of Westwood. Her pedigree was all noble and she was a bred courtier through and through; her success in court only surpassed by the legendary tales of her beauty. Sione moved forward whilst five built men stood at her wings, obviously her escorts. Her eyes travelled up and down Illana evidently critical and scorning with distaste of the girl before her. "So you're Illana. Somehow I expected more from Tomis' description." Illana tried to peer ahead to see if Tomis was behind this creature of beauty and her bulky guards, all the while trying to hide her feelings of inferiority and dread. "He's not coming, Illana dear. He does send his regards and apologies but he is so busy nowadays, what with the wedding preparations and everything." "Www..wedding preparations?" "Oh you haven't heard? Tomis and I are to be married this month." "But Tomis promised..." "Tomis makes a great deal of promises to the women he tries to bed. You were to be his last conquest before our marriage, kind of a bet between the two of us. I mean you're so virginal and innocent. And the daughter of the enemy too! I should have known better than to bet against Tomis, I mean the man is soooo charming. You fell so easily it was almost laughable. Anyway this little tryst is over. Tomis was just going to leave it as it is but I felt bad..I figured you deserved some kind of explanation." "I don't need your pity or his. No explanation needed." Illana's voice was cold and flat. Sione laughed, "No I don't suppose you do. I mean you honestly didn't think a girl like you could have kept Tomis satisfied. A man like that has needs.. Needs that only I am woman enough to satisfy." "I'm sure. Well you can send my congratulations to Tomis. I'm sure the two of you will be very happy." "Oh we will be..I can ensure you." Sione then turned and swept away leaving Illana to the silence and the woods. She stood there the moon casting an illuminating pale light over the girl, creating an almost spectral effect. Illana was numb, her pride had managed to maintain her during the encounter with Sion but now it had ebbed away and only immense pain was left. A pain so intense she could no longer feel. Illana fell to the ground sobbing tears that would not come. Gilk watched helpless and unable to offer any comfort.
Three months had passed. Now Illana stood in front of vast and attentive crowd as the Lord Chancellor made his announcement. "It is a most magnificent day. A day of celebration, a day for the history books. It is this Council's greatest pleasure and utmost honour to be here today, in front of the most loyal subjects - men, women and children who all recognise today as a progressive step for our country. This union will only strengthen us and we grow and expand, it is a symbol of our inevitable victory to have our heir apparent, the handsome, brave, intelligent Prince Doniel form alliance with our kingdom's most magical blood. We will defeat our enemies - King Lew and his son Prince Tomis and the Princess Sione and all that they stand for. The Kingdom Seretus will fall!!! Today we, the people of Atiivar, stand here to watch the union of our Prince Doniel and the daughter of the magician Quenton, the fair Illana." Doniel took Illana's hand and she felt herself propelled forwarded to be presented to the world as the now Princess Illana. The crowd's joy was evident, the cheers and hurrahs overwhelming and all that Illana knew was that she had just publicly signed her life away. *There's no such thing as true love Gilk. At least now I'm serving my country, my people.* Once again Gilk watched helplessly, knowing that the wheel of Time had spun and this was only the beginning - for Illana, Tomis, their families and for Seretus, Atiivar and the world Nova. |
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