POWER OF LOVE

Two Conflicting Lands

 It will take 10 hours to drive toward Blessed Land but only two hours aboard a plane. Waldo made sure that they travel light and safe so he will be the one to pilot the royal family’s private plane. The plane is smaller than the royal jet but it can load up to five people and King Maxim wanted to take two security and an interpreter if in case they will encounter a native on the Waste Land. The itinerary for the trip is rent a nearby villa which the Montfort Family owns part of the land area, the Blessed Montfort Villa is towering between the Waste Land and the Blessed Land. This property have been with the Montfort’s centuries ago. Maxim’s dad and his forefathers used this place to meet with the families, kins and leaders of the two clans. It has been several years that King Cronus broke the treaty between the two lands but Maxim want to bring the peace treaty back and he knew he didn’t need security but only a few good and dependable men. He could’ve brought his wife Victoria but since her daughter is in a delicate condition, he can take care of this issue on his own.

           We’re about to land in 15, your highness!, Waldo announced. Okay, we’re ready, Maxim replied confidently. We can do this!.

           We have advised the leaders of Waste Land and Blessed Land to attend our meeting tomorrow afternoon. The two clans compromised to have it in a restaurant near the villa. It’s just about a thirty minute from here to Resto Valeria. In this restaurant the two clans can mingle and eat without any complications. Both agreed that since your forefather King James had the peace treaty signed since 1600’s.

           No wonder that I haven’t recognized him, he was the king my father told me about…the funny yet cunning king, Maxim added laughing. Maybe he had it wrong when he decided to make this kind of treaty with two dangerous and wealthiest clans on earth. The vampires and werewolves all together!

           Maybe!, but the good thing with that agreement is that, it never made Tunisia poor and we always had more than enough because these families were well off, Waldo explained proudly. You read, good for you, Waldo!, Thanks for the introduction to our family history. And now it’s time to do the real work!. Let’s rest well today, for we have lots of work to do tomorrow!, Maxim added breathing in and out then smiled tapping Waldo on the back.

           Maxim’s two security men held his bags inside to be brought the villa along with their high powered guns. It just shows that they are really serious with their job, and that is to protect the king at all cost. Pastor Samuel of Blessed Land and Coronel Wudrow received invitations to join the king at Resto Valeria tomorrow at lunch. The restaurant will be reserved the day since it is about the peace treaty that has been signed many years ago. King Maxim want to pay his respects with the two clans for their support and unconditional respects for the Crown.

           Pastor Samuel knows that his family followed the treaty but unlike the other clan, he is afraid that the meeting would be a b****y one. He has high hopes for King Maxim, that his crown be powerful enough to restore the peace between the two lands.

           Coronel Wudrow, on the other hand, is meticulous. He knew that the king knows a lot about their kind. There have been issues of citizens in Tunisia especially in St. Paul Vill who had been either missing or found dead on gutters or their homes bitten or eaten to death. Tomorrow will be a meeting that he won’t forget, ever.

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           Gisel is still recuperating in her bedroom when a vision came to her. She is in the middle of nowhere and suddenly a picture of her a little girl appeared. The girl is pretty just like her mother…Emm?!

Victory, my baby, I have missed you so much!, Em said hugging the little angel, then a blinding light blew up in front of them and a strange woman went out of the liquid type of hole. This woman is human but her right arm seemed to appear as steel and can break someone bone if used as a weapon. Victory???, Victory?, Baby, Em shouted to the girl but as if the girl and the woman became one and disappeared like a bubble.

Haaaaa!!!, huh, huh, haa!, Gisel woke up catching her breath and was really scared. It’s just a dream, but a sign that my granddaughter will live a life as a humanoid. But how can this be? Will I be able to change the future by trying to do something different today. This calls for a thorough research and I need to speak with Em about the future of her baby.

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At the meeting, King Maxim rode with Waldo and his security to Resto Valeria. While parking in front of the place, it’s a bit strange that the customers are simply busy and running about their own businesses. It wasn’t announced that their king is coming. But the owner of the hotel, Mrs. Valeria is already waiting at the resto entrance with a wide smile on her face. She is accompanied by two muscled men, maybe his bodyguards, a waiter and the manager of the restaurant.

Good afternoon, your highness!, Please come this way!, Mrs. Valeria said curtsying in front of the king. Maxim just bowed and greeted her politely. While walking inside the restaurant, it was a bit dim but one can still see the beauty and gallant view of its walls like silk with bright colored red and made out of dark brown hard wood polished elegantly with ornaments of gold and white trimmings, curtains and tables with small chandeliers but the modern ones from this day and age. The white porcelain china plates and glasses with gold and silver trims are precious for they have been used in the olden times yet preserved for the new generation to take pride on.

Pastor Samuel and Colonel Wudrow are already seated in the middle round table from each sides. They both have two men at their sides standing and appeared to in serious moods. I came in and both heads of the clans stood and bid their respects. I nodded my head and sat before them. The traditional way of greeting their leader much more their king.

Gentlemen, I know you already were briefed about our meeting for today and we will need to have a closure on some issues pertaining to several reports on the killings and deaths at St. Paul Vill. I don’t blame anyone but I want both of you to tell me what you think about these issues. Who want to go first?, Maxim asked and smiled at the two men who glanced and one another as if getting weird about what’s happening.

Pastor Samuel talked first and told about his family and their ideals as a clan. He also mentioned about their food and ways of living. Even though they’re vampires, they respected people and found ways on how to deal with their thirst. His ancestors believed that sucking blood is the only way to survive, but his late fater advised him to swerve away from the traditions and find a new and alternative of living without killing or sucking blood. And that is by blood donations and blood banks. Though hospitals need blood for their patients. Pastor Samuel made sure that his family and village would have enough supply of food so that they won’t experience shortages. However, there were years of famine in Tunisia but the former King Cronan did everything he could to maintain food supply even for the two clans in the Blessed and Waste lands. So their ancestors respects from Cronan is so high, Maxim now don’t know if he can outweigh his dad’s generosity and kindness.

           Then, it’s Colonel Wudrow’s turn and just like him he is thankful for King Cronan for his generosity and good heart. However, this several months, the Waste Land had been having drought and food or animals became scarce that even the pets they raised died due to climate change. Trees have been cut in their area and for several years now, there hadn’t been any flowers or plants growing in their so called barren land. Colonel was a high and mighty military man who is so proud earlier when he entered the meeting. But now he appears to be a helpless sheep not knowing what to do and where to go to ask for help. He is asking for forgiveness and wanting to make amends by personally look into the reports concerning the deaths of several people in St. Paul Vill. Maxim put his hand onto the Colonel’s shoulder and smiled. I will help you, Colonel, and my kingdom will provide financial aid for you. Waldo, please!

           Waldo came right in with a brief case and then gave it to Colonel Wudrow. Colonel’s face was pale and he is teary eyed maybe from shame and sorrow. He opened the briefcase and found money which he can’t even bring to count how many. Ahhh!, my king, what is this?...Colonel asked astonished.

           That is the years that my father has offered you help but I think it never came since a lot has happened in the kingdom and the Montfort Family in the recent years. I am sorry that you have been struggling and I hope I am not too late to save your land and your people from hunger. Our kingdom is rich and because your ancestors wealth in our forefathers time, they were able to make our country rich. And this is just a part of the aid we will be giving. We will make sure that your needs are met and Waldo will personally make sure your finances will be in tip top shape until the time that you and your land can stand on your own again.

           Oh, thank you, your highness, thank you!, Colonel said reaching for the king’s hand, the king’s security were alerted and about to fire their guns, but Maxim stopped them. No, thank you!, Maxim added feeling happy and relieved he is able to help him and his clan.

           Pastor Samuel’s eyes lit when another briefcase was also presented to him. Waldo handed and opened it seeing money worth thousands. Pastor cried, for many years now, he has been trying his best to make ends meet for his clans and people. They have been half starving since they only lived eating what they’ve grown and animal farming. But due to climate change it’s been hard to grow plants that would actually bear fruit unless it is the right season to grow them. The animals they petted and took care of were the only source of their income for several years but due pests and epidemics, some of the animals died and some weren’t even edible to eat because they incurred diseases not congusive for his people to treat and eat.

           I love my country and as your king, both of your clans are part of my kingdom. So no matter what, I will be here to support and help you whichever way I can. I better head back, the country is calling for me, haha! It was a pleasure to meet and talk with you two, sirs, Good day!, Maxim said then stood from his seat and walked out of the restaurant not being able to hold his tears. He went straight to the car service and cried his heat out, realizing that some of his people were suffering because of his fore fathers past mistakes. Correcting their mistakes now is such a relief but still, many has suffered and died because of poverty, greed and injustice. The land owners then were rich businessmen who bought lands with his uncle Cronus and they didn’t know that these selfish lords sold the lands to companies and other owners using the lands for mining and construction building until the land that once was rich and precious turned to lands that are now barren, dry and lifeless.

           Hey, you know, crying is bad for the health. You forgot to thank Mrs. Valeria, there, she is waving goodbye of course with tears in her eyes as you went out. The colonel and pastor seemed to can’t stop thanking you, Waldo said teasing the king.

           Shut up and drive!, Maxim answered back while wiping some of the tears with his arm. I just got something in my eyes. Let’s go, Waldo.

           You’re still new to this job, being a king, but you have grown to be just like your father. I am sure he is proud of what you did today. I am proud of you. Alright, if you say so, boss!, Waldo added motioning his head for the security men to come inside the car. Hmm!, tsk!, Maxim reacted and smirked at Waldo then both of them laughed together.