Secrets of a War God

7.

Arelya

The news of the new War God had reached every kingdom, and the reactions within Arelya were ones to be watched. Many of the women were excited, loving the fact that one had risen to such a strong role, but the men, they were livid. Arelya was known for its rigid core beliefs, and many of the older families still continue to have the me as the top teir, where as the woman were only there to serve them.

It was something that Tyrone hated in his own kingdom, wanting the people to have the freedom that is shown more throughout Tarnon. Tyrone being the second son of the original King gave him more leeway with the rules of his kingdom, but being their own War God made him perfect in their eyes. And he hated it. The amount of pressure that was on his back was more than both his siblings, neither which were in charge of much in their land. 

He had made it back to the palace after the celebrations with only one thing on his mind, Calissa. The Princess. The War God. The favourite. It was obvious in the Wolf Kings eyes that she was his golden child, the one thing he loved more in this world than anything. And the fact that she had become so strong when she was so sheltered, it stirred something in Tyrone that had been dormant. Making him feel warm inside, almost like it was a comfort to think of her. 

"Mother...Mother I need to see you!" Tyrone was standing in the middle of the palace, not wanting to go the wing his mother shares with Damien. He refused to call him his father let alone his King.

"What do you want you heathen, your mother is trying to remain calm." She rounded the corner with a smirk, knowing that she could never actually be mad at her son. "Walk with me."

They both moved towards the gardens, favouring the fresh air over the stuffy rooms that are found in the palace. The Queens servants following them as they opened the doors, always seeming to be a shadow to the woman. Tyrone stepped forward to take a seat, waiting for his mother to dismiss her shadows. 

"What do you wish to discus then, you only seem to come to me when Damien has done something that annoys you. Tell your dear mother why you have asked for me." She was amused but hurt as well, knowing her son was only paying attention to her when he needed it. She shifted slightly in her seat, knowing it was probably going to result in him ranting.

"I've f****d up." Tyrone refused to look at his mother, dreading how to tell her what he was hiding. "I was in Tarnon last night, at the celebrations for the new War God. The one thing I didn't realise was who the new War God is, also known as the beauty of Tarnon. It's Calissa." He saw her tense slightly at his words but he continued. "She was beautiful that night, like an angel. But she didn't just have that, her animal was something new. It was from the trial, you know the barbaric thing that they do when someone of the royal family turns twenty, she didn't bring back a normal prize. She brought an actual dragon back." Tyrone had stood at this point, still processing what he had seen.

His mother was not moving, trying to think of a way to tell him about her history. No one had ever made it out of Tarnon before, but she knew someone who had. 

"Why does this trouble you Ty? It is a separate kingdom with their own way in life, focus on what you need to do here." She stood and moved to her son, caressing his cheek. "You have so much to look forward to here, please keep your mind clear." With a final look she left her son to his thoughts, knowing he needed the space. 

Walking through the palace she didn't have a destination, until she walked into the King. Damien too his queen into his arms and moved them to one of the stuffy lounges she doesn't like, wanting them to be alone. Damien moved his queen to one of the sofas and kneeled next to her, wanting to look into her eyes.

"Tell me what is wrong my love, let me help." Looking at her with nothing but love in his eyes, not wishing for any hurt to come to someone he loves. 

"Tyrone went to Tarnon." Damien immediately went on the defensive. "He saw Calissa and can't stop thinking about her. He's going to start asking questio-" Before she could finish Damien and pulled her in for a kiss, wanting to keep her quiet and calm her down. 

"That boy will think about her for a week, and then forget her. There is too much to be done here, his mind cannot be occupied with one of our enemies. Even if she is related to someone I know." Pulling back from his Queen, he didn't give her anymore information. Removing himself from the room he headed in search of Tyrone, knowing he needed to be put in place. 

Tarnon

After the reveal of Calissa, the kingdom had never seemed to be so joyous. They finally had a face to put as the War God and the celebrations were planned to continue for many nights. With Uther watching from his balcony, the people were joyous in the city of the capital. His private chambers overlooked his people, which was something he had specifically requested for the sole purpose of seeing those he is protecting. 

After speaking with Santi, he had been made aware of an intruder that was present during the celebrations. Someone from Arelya. As his third child, Santi was never one to be in the spotlight. Preferring to work in the background, he had become the self appointed leader of the palace security, as well as having the important job of leading the spies. Throughout the kingdoms in the world, Tarnon had spies everywhere, tracking their movements and decisions. The third Prince had heard from one of his spies in Arelya that the second prince was talking about Calissa, to his mother.

Neither Prince nor King liked the idea of their family being the topic of conversation in any enemy terriroty. But in this particular territory, it was ruled by someone who he grew up with.

Uther had been educated within the palace by private tutors, and normally they would bring along any other children they were teaching. It gave him more of an idea of schools and the atmosphere he would have if he wasn't royalty. During his studies, one of the kids had made it obvious that he was to be the new best friend of the future King, taking no time to introduce himself and prove his worth. Over the years, he had started to resent the royal though. Hating everything he had grown up with, and wished for a fair chance for him to understand how some live in the city.  And what killed him the most was the affection that Uther was showing his sister, not realising the hatred that had started to boil into his friends emotions.

"Whats bothering you? You have barely spoken to me today." Uther had decided to confront his friend, not wanting anything to bring them apart. 

"Why have you started to show your affection to her?" A look of confusion passed over Uthers face, not clear on what he was getting at. "You have anyone you could possibly want, why would you go after my sister." It was clear now how affected his friend was, all Uther wanted was to be included with people. 

"I had no intentions of this but truly, she is an amazing woman. I would do anything for her. And why would it matter to you anyway?" Uther had backed up slightly, knowing his friend might do something. He had a knowing glint in his eyes, showing anger and hatred. "Your sister spoke to me first, she approached me Damien! And she will stay in my life until i say otherwise."

"Teresita will never be yours! She is not going to be dragged into the horror and entitlement that is your life. Leave her alone!" Damien backed off and moved out of the room, anger radiating from him in such away that the guards followed him. 

When he had made his way back home he found no one was there but his sister, barging into her room. She was reading, not expecting anyone to have been in the house for hours.

"Damien?" He was furious, pacing her room. "What's the matter, why are you here? You are supposed to be with Uther studying-" She was cut off by her brothers hand covering her mouth, pushing her against the back wall.

"No. You do not say his name whilst I am here."  Moving his hands slightly, they cupped her face. "You do not speak to him again, okay? He is not worthy of you Tere." Damien was not looking at her as his sister anymore, he saw a young woman. A young woman who was attractive yes, and had caught the eye of the future King. "I cannot share you with him."

Teresita moved away from her brother, not liking the way this conversation was going. "I do not belong to anyone brother, not even my own family. I make the choices I wish to make. Uther is one of those choices." She was heading towards the doors when Damien pulled her back, closing her door.

"You are not to be shared with anyone!" Pushing her on to the bed, he trapped her down with his body. "And I will prove you are mine right here." 

Uther was reliving all of his old memories recently, not liking how they are linked with the present and potential future. 

"Did I tell you about Calissa's mother, about how she came to me?" Santi nodded slowly, recalling the talks he had with his father. "Well, her brother has been found." They both started to find seats in the room, not wanting to have this conversation standing up. "He is currently the King of Arelya by marriage." Both showed no emotions to this, not wanting to accept what was truly going on.

"He was banished correct? For the brutality he showed towards his sister." Uther gave a slight nod towards his sons revelation. "So if he was banished from the kingdom he would have been welcomed into Arelya due to the circumstances, including the fact that he had a personal connection to one of the Kings children and favourites." Santi started to realise the truth as he was speaking.

"It would have given him the stepping stone to be noticed by the royal family, and in time becoming close with the Queen after her first husbands death." Uther finished. "The King of Arelya is Calissas uncle."