HER SOVEREIGNTY

New beginning

Derek was sitting at the backyard of the inn,hold a jar of liquor admiring the full moon when he heard footsteps at his back.

"Papa is that you"?

Derek turned back just to see Elena standing with her two hands wrapped around her shoulder then he responded

Derek:yes…Elena. And why are you still up by this time?(He asked.)

Elena:I could not sleep,so i decided to come to you. Derek smiled

Derek:Come sit with me( he said)

And she sat with him.

Papa are you admiring the moon?

"Yes i am" derek replied

(There was slience for a long time before Elena spoke up)

"I Can't help but wonder, what fate awaits us if we arrive Juka"(Elena said staring into Derek's eyes)

Derek:you think too much.

Mhhhhhh!!(He Exhaled) Tomorrow will take care of it's self my child.You only have to worry about sleeping tonight( he said smiling at Elena)

Elena:"Papa tell me a story".she said while leaning on Derek's shoulder.

Derek: Okay i will.he began telling her story. He was still halfway the story when Elena fell asleep

Derek gently carried her to her room,laid her on the bed and covered her with a qulit.He said to her "Who knows what fate awaits us.But i can tell the journey ahead is a tough one" sleep well my child(He gently closed her door leaving her to sleep)

The next morning they continued their journey to the capital city Juka,on their way the encountered a group of soldiers at the boundary between Novo and the capital city juka.

Derek saw the soldiers coming towards their direction he hid with Elena in other to avoid been caught by them.

The following conversation transpired between the soldiers

General:Make sure everybody in that household is been slaughtered,Leave no stone untouched

Soldier's:Yes sir!!

General:Do not alert anyone,Make no mistakes this time

Soldiers:Yes sir!!

Elena:Papa who are they going to kill?

Derek:Shhhhhh!!(he said covering her mouth with his hands immediately)

General:"Who is there"

(No response from them)

The General signaled one of the soldier's to go check out the noise.

Soldier:sir here they are. dragging Derek and Elena out of their hiding spot.

General:Intersting( huh!) Drag them back!!

Soldiers:Yes sir

Derek and Elena hands were tied on a horse and they were led into a prison by a soldier.

This was during the reign of Emperor Declan he was a ruthless,Corrupt,Greedy and Vicious emperor.He was called" The Ugly Monster"by the people.

His Officials where also corrupt.The capital city Juka Elena dreamt about slowly became her nightmare. The stories she heard about how great and mighty the capital city was, were all it's past glory.

Whim …whim… whim..whim

Came the sound heard from the prison. sound of prisoners been whipped.And their cry for help.The prison was a dark and cold place.Elena never imagined herself been there.

Derek and Elena:where put in the same cell.the following conversation transpired between them.

Derek:Are you okay Elena?

Elena:yes…but it's just cold in here (she said while embracing herself tightly)

Derek held her and said

Listen Elena you must hold on,before i find a way out of here.And remember if i don't make it out of here alive you must live on.

He dipped his hand in his pocket and brought out a folded note,Listen to me Elena if i don't make it out of here alive you must find Official Leo he is in charge of Imperial Academy hand this note over to him, your stay here will be less tougher.

Elena could not understand a word derek was talking about.

Elena:Papa are you leaving me behind?

Derek:No my child…it's just that..(he paused) you would not understand.( Elena still looking confused with a folded note on her palm)derek continued

And remember to hide your identity,Elena look at me( he paused, this time around holding her tightly by her arm and looking straight into her eyes)

"YOU DO NOT KNOW ME"

Elena was at the point of crying

Elena:Why would you say that papa?

Derek:Elena the soldiers will be here any moment,remember when you are been asked Any question always say "You do not know me" Elena there is no time for explanation.This is the part were you have to be strong for what's coming.

At this point Elena was already crying,she had many questions going through her mind but she couldn't speak.

Derek hugged her tightly and said" I love you my child" you have to be strong.

"Well….well… well, Look who we have here". came a voice( oh! its the General)

Former Assist Minister of intelligence/information Affairs

You aged nicely,Almost didn't recognize you.(showing derek a young portrait of himself)

How have you been all these years?

Derek replied: chief Commander in charge of Imperial Army, Did i disappoint you?

General:Oh you know me?Interesting indeed.

Elena was very Confused.what is going on?how and when did her father who never left her sight become an Ex-Official,but this was there first time of coming to the Capital city.What exactly is going on? she had many questions but no one to direct her questions at.

General:This must be your daughter huh!!

Derek:"I do not know her"derek replied.

It was as if a bucket of cold water has been poured on her..Is this a Joke or something she asked herself.

Elena:papa i….

Derek cut her short saying

You can go ahead and ask her i do not know her and why would i keep a weakling by my side? Derek said turning toward Elena.

Her world has shattered "papa you called me a weakling" she said in a coarse tone looking straight into Derek's eyes.

Derek turned towards the General saying i met her on my way here,if not i wouldn't be dragged down by her.

Elena muttered to herself "is papa calling me a burden"?

The General asked derek

Why did you return?

Derek:Why do you ask?

(The general smriked but continued)

General:I heard you are a prideful creature

Derek:Creature you said?I'm no animal you know.

General:How does it feel to be in the hands of you enemy?

Derek:You are not worthy to be called my enemy.All my enemies died in my hands during the great battle(he smirked)when i was an Official you've probably never been recruited into the Army, so what makes you my enemy?

Elena has never seen her father talk in that manner before. So he was once a soldier she said to herself.

General:My patience is limited you know?

Derek:Does a dog have patience?

General:A dog?(he asked in suprise)

Derek:Yes a dog.Are you not just a dog to your master?Listen kid don't bark too much or one day your owner will get tired and get rid of you.he said in a mockery tone.

The General was already furious

General:i can see there is no room for negotiation

"Drag him to the Execution ground"!!he ordered. Leaving the soldiers to do their job

(Sounds of chains unlocking)

Derek turned to Elena and muttered silently

"I love you,be strong"

Two soldiers held him by his arm,dragging him out.

No..no…no please Leave my father,i beg you please let him go please Elena wailed

Pulling the soldier by his cloak, he forcefully kicked her.

Papa….papa …papa Elena cried out but Derek could not turn to look at her one more time.

She pinched herself so as to confirm that this whole situation is not a dream.