Battle For Ashina

Chapter Three

When the king got to his chamber he offered his brother a place to sit, Adolphus sat down, and the king tried to tame the fire that fueled his rage as he forged calmness, he said to his brother; “You are my flesh and blood, as I rule, you rule. Why do you oppose me in front of the people?” His brother replied: “My king and brother, you’re not getting this right, do not let the serpent of sin wrap around your heart; quench the flames of wickedness before they consume thy soul. I urge you to please take wise counsel, get some elders of the city that will give you wise counsels; these people are your subjects, treat them with love and you'll enjoy your reign, but when you treat them with iron hands, you'll get oppositions and hatred, they may be afraid of you because of what you can do to them, they fear for their lives and the lives of their children. This is not the way Father handled the city, these people tremble like leaves before a stormy weather, and they cower like they’re enslaved by fear’s heavy chains: a wicked monster that stalks the land. Your reign has instilled so much fear in them. They wake up every day with their lives in their hands because they do not know what the next moment of their lives entails with you on the throne.”

The wolf king responded “Our father was like a monarch, feeble like a fading flame. His crown became fragile like a leaf that trembles in the rain, perceived as being weak. I don't want to be seen as a weak king, I have given you a position to handle, join hands with me let’s rule together.” Adolphus replied, “No such thing will happen!” This made the king angry the more, “Just leave my sight at once!” The king shouted in anger. Adolphus left his chambers and went back home immediately.

Ashina’s mother began looking for her daughter everywhere, she asked her sisters if they had seen her, and her first daughter Terra replied “Mother maybe she commenced her palace duties”, Daciana got up and slapped her eldest daughter on the face, and Terra became sad, Kristen her third daughter said “Mother I saw her leaving the palace”, “so what are you still doing here get up, all of you let’s go” their mother commanded and they got up and joined their mother home. As soon as they got home, Daciana went straight to Ashina’s chamber only to discover that her daughter’s eyes became swollen because she was crying and she had a high fever. Her mother quickly carried a bucket, filled it with warm water, took a small towel, and mopped her body, she made her sit up and eat something and then gave her some herbal remedies for treatment, she laid her on her bed as she slept off, Daciana kept checking on her daughter from time to time before she went to sleep. Her husband told her not to worry, and that she would be fine.

In the early hours of the following day, Daciana went into her daughter’s room to check on her. She realized that her daughter who was like a fragile leaf was now a mighty oak. “You’re already awake and much better but you need to rest your wings and let the winds of time blow gently till you fully recover.” She said approaching Ashina who had sat up on her bed already. “Thanks, Mum,” Ashina said, “what happened to you yesterday? Her mum continued, “You left without informing anyone; what if anything had happened to you on your way home? I have told you all as my children to learn to control your emotions, and let the balm of peace inspire you. Remember the things I always advise you against, let them guard your heart.” Ashina tried to explain, “Mother my heart was shrouded in a dismal gray. Why would the king make such a pronouncement without asking me how I felt about it in the first place?” She started crying again as her mother hugged her.

“You need to be strong my dear, you’re no longer a baby,” her mother said as her sisters walked into her chambers and met her crying. “Why do your eyes, like morning dew, overflow with grief anew?” Terra asked Ashina, “You should be happy, this is every girl’s desire and dream.” Sarah jumped into the conversation with a gleaming look as she said “I wish I was the one the king gave that instruction, don’t worry we can go on your behalf if you are not interested.” “That’s enough with the lustful wishes,” Daciana said. She gathered her daughters together and told them that united they should stand, like branches on a tree intertwined by harmony, adding that together they’ll weather life’s stormy seas, while anchored in love and unity. She continued, “Ashina you’ll have to go whether you like it or not, that is the word of the king. He doesn’t take NO for an answer. The king might see this as total disrespect and I don’t want anything to happen to any of you. You are all special to me and all of us. You will go but you’ll always be in the company of your brother so that no harm might come to you, especially with those his two sons who are as cruel as he is. Don’t worry my dear, your brother will protect you, I will talk to him later during the day about this arrangement.” Ashina smiled as her mood lightened up a bit, her sisters gathered around her and still insisted that they would love to follow her when she was going to the king’s mansion, Ashina agreed but insisted they told their mother about it to get her approval. Ashina’s sisters weren’t the only maidens who felt this way about the king’s sons as many other young females fantasized about this every day, even during their peer gatherings; this became a constant topic for gossip.