A Lifetime Ago

The Past:     "It is alright. No one will harm you here. You are safe in this palace." Avira comforted her cousins, Princess Debra and Princess Juma.     "What if they come here to kill us?" Princess Debra's whole body was shaking, thinking about the cruelest ways in which she and her babies could be murdered after their uncle, Prince Rocco defeats Prince Ragnar.    "Debra, Ragnar can never be defeated. Of all the people in the kingdom, you should be knowing it without a doubt." Princess Avira tried to make her calm down. Debra's poor little baby, on her chest was weeping loudly as if sensing all her distress.    "You don't under-understand, Avira. They.. They have plann-ed to trick him and.. and slay him to death." Debra’s voice came out as a merest whisper.     "What trick? What do you mean, Debra?" Avira's eyes widened with fear for her cousin's life. "Can you be more clear, for goodness sake?" she screamed in frustration.    "Uncle Rocco and his sons have a plan to trap Ragnar and.." Princess Juma looked unsure if she could continue any further. One thing that they have learned from living in the royal family, is that they were not supposed to believe anyone, except for their own self but she also knew if she didn't inform Avira now about their evil Uncle's plans, they would be murdered soon.    Both the sisters along with their children, had to flee from their castle at Riverlands since their father, Prince Oris had withdrawn his alliance with their Uncle, Rocco.     According to Rocco, his brother Oris had known too much of their plans to be left alive. His men were sent to the palace to behead Oris before coming after his daughters, their husband and children.     They had to disguise as commoners and secretly made a run to the Emperor's Palace at Highlands, as directed by Oris's council members.    She looked around to check, with scared eyes before continuing, "Your brother Nodin has joined hands with uncle Rocco's sons to kill The emperor and Ragnar."    "What? Why? And how to you know for sure?" Avira started to panic. If that was the case, then Ragnar would be in grave danger since Nodin was fighting the war beside him. He wasn't strong when compared to Ragnar but he was a sly snake to betray him.     Ragnar must have no idea of Nodin's betrayal. He considered Nodin as his own brother. How could Nodin do something so devious to Ragnar? She started fuming with anger thinking about her brother, Nodin.     "Juma's spy heard it when our father was discussing it with his council of ministers.    My father had promised to side with Rocco during the war but later when he became too guilty for plotting against his own brother, he withdrew his alliance with Rocco.     Rocco's army has killed my father and his ministers. They were after us but we fled the palace. They will come here once they are done with Ragnar." She sobbed against Avira's shoulder.     As young girls, they all grew up together in the same palace. The Emperor treated all the children of his brothers', as his own. He was such a great man and a powerful ruler.    The Emperor and his three brothers were born to different mothers and they all had different reasons for hating him.     Oris was supposed to be the Crown prince since he was the first born in their family but according to the laws of Vonentis, a man could inherit the throne only when he had sons of his own. Oris had countless concubines but they all could borne him only girls which frustrated him and he started killing his own daughters soon after their births.     Debra and Juma were lucky enough to have a headstrong woman as their mother, who saved her daughters from their merciless father. She brought the young girls to the Emperor's Palace in highlands and the Emperor sworn to protect the girls until his death.     Later when Oris was left with no children, he took back Debra and Juma to his own palace. They were married to their father's ministers and lived in their father's palace until the fateful night.     Rocco was born a year after the Emperor and was raised to become the King's enemy by his mother. His mother poisoned him with evil thoughts and his greed for the throne was too great that he had attempted to murder the King and the young prince, Ragnar several times before. King Regis had to exile his family to the drylands where he had to live in a deserted palace with his two sons, Aldeb and Ahava.    As for the third and last brother Robi, he was very obedient to the king. He loved and respected his elder brother without questioning his power to the throne. He remained in the palace with his wife, Tamara, eldest daughter, Avira and two sons, Nodin and Oren. The Emperor had no daughters, so he considered Avira as his little girl and loved her endlessly. Nodin, Prince Robi's son was very close to prince Ragnar until Aldeb corrupted his mind by arousing an endless hunger for money and power. Aldeb promised him with lands of his own where he could rule as he wanted, if he joined hands with him in secrecy. As for Nodin, his friendship with Ragnar was overshadowed by greed.    "I promise, no harm would come to you but promise to never leave my chambers." Avira looked at Debra and Juma firmly to which both the sisters nodded together.     "I have to go and help Ragnar. I cannot let that treacherous brother of mine to kill Ragnar. Now, I want you girls to close the doors behind me and never let anyone inside." She walked out of her chamber and lifted her right hand in front of the door before murmuring a short spell in order to seal it. No-one, other than her would be able to open it.     Avira’s mother belonged to the tribal community of the highlands. Prince Robi fell in love with Tamara, who was the daughter of the tribe’s chief during one of their marches to the mountains. Their tribe was well known for practicing black magic and sorcery. They worshiped stars and believed that stars were the only thing in this universe with the ability to time travel. Rumors even claimed that some of the members of the tribe had the ability to look in to the past and future while some could go into the past and future.    Avira was gifted with some of the unique abilities of the tribe too. At an age of five, she could make a large tree tremble just with a few movements of her fingers. Her maternal uncle, Jaheba who also had similar abilities helped her a lot to learn the art without losing control and taught her various new techniques every once in a while.  Ragnar was the only one, apart from his parents and uncle who knew about her magical powers. Her own brother were kept out of the secret. Avira would often fascinate Ragnar with her little display of magic. He loved to watch her wave hands into the air and start a fire out of nowhere.   Avira started walking stormily towards the battlefield. She was aware that it wasn't any easy thing for a woman to enter the battlefield but no matter what, she wanted to save her cousin. He did not deserve to die like this. He was a young, brave warrior and he would make a great ruler one day. People of this country adored him. He was born to rule the vast lands of Vonentis and she couldn't let him die by betrayal.    Her pace increased with time. She ran through the thick forests over the mountainous lands. She was panting heavily however she never ceased to run.       On the battlefield, Ragnar rolled over on the ground to grab the shield to defend himself from the soldier who was dodging and aiming the sword at his chest.     Ragnar, who was a gentle prince to his people transformed into a beast on the battlegrounds. He was known as 'The Ghost on Battlefield' by the people of Vonentis for his swift actions while fighting his enemies.    With one tactful movement, he kicked the soldier at his stomach, causing him to grumble with pain before falling on the ground in a fetal position. Ragnar pierced his long sword at the back of his neck finishing him off effortlessly.   He turned around and started fighting all the soldiers of his rival army that were in close proximity.     "Nodin, watch out." He shouted at Nodin who was wriggling under two of the enemy guard's firm hold. A third one was standing behind him, with his hands lifted high with a huge dagger to stab Prince Nodin.