PROLOGUE
Vasudha Mountains, Miraya, 1850.
As the dawn approached, the Queen Mother gazed upon the destruction the night had left in its wake.
She walked barefoot on the still aflame grounds of the mountain. Her face contorting with a wide range of emotions as she passes through the remains of her people. Searching for any form of life left in any of the deceased.
She had witnessed and lived the most dreadful night of her life and wished she could have done something about it.
But that was the rule of destiny. One cannot interfere in its course, no matter who it was.
She stopped and knelt down. Careful of her movements and placed her hands gently on one of the deceased’s eyes.
“I’m sorry. I should have intervene before everything went out of control. I should have done something. I’m so very sorry, my precious.” Came a plea from the Mighty Queen Mother.
She closed her eyes and remembered each and every moment that led to the night of destruction. Trying to control the rage she felt towards herself.
“I, Goddess Vasudha, condemn the people
And the creatures of Miraya-
To dwell in eternal despair,
To thirst for the blood of their own kin,
And to feast upon one another’s flesh.”
The voice of the Goddess revibrated around the Queen Mother like an echo. Mocking, Accusing and reminding her that she failed to protect Miraya, that she failed to protect her people, that she failed to protect HER.
‘What have I done? Its all my fault. Oh, Goddess Vasudha, you have always been merciful to your devotees. Have mercy on this servant of yours and provide me with that one chance to redeem myself. Help me face my people again.’
A silent tear slipped past her closed eyes. The pain of not being able to protect her people, of not being able to stop it, of not being able to stop HER, was eating her out from the inside. As such as it was becoming difficult for her to breath.
“Vasudhaee....!!”
A choked sob wrenched from deep within her leaving her grasping for breath. Her cheast tighten as she started to struggle with her tears.
“UDIPTI!!”
Aditi, Queen Mother’s friend and confidant, rushed to her side seeing her condition.
“Its okay, Udipti. Its okay. Take a deep breath. Calm down. Calm down.” She asked her while reigning in her own emotions.
“Where is SHE?”
The Queen Mother asked in a faint whisper.
“SHE has to be okay. SHE has to.”
But before Aditi could say anything, they heard the voice of hope amidst the chaos that had surrounded them.
Just like a spark of light in the mist of darkness, they heard their salvation.
“Queen Mother.”
Turing slowly towards the voice and hoping against hope that they both were not hallucinating, the Queen Mother and Aditi, stood on their shaky legs to witness a Witch. Covered in blood and dirt, cupping her pregnant belly and just about to give up on life.
“Queen Mother, we are trying and searching every nook and cranny of the mountain and beyond but we are unable to find HER.” An helper informed in a solemn and tired voice.
But the Queen Mother was deaf to his talks, as she was still busy reading the eyes of the Witch who has given her hope.
“Get her help. And see to it that the child is born safely. But keep in mind that it should be discreet. No one should know about her.” She ordered.
“Who is she, Queen Mother?” The helper asked confused of the hopeful glint in his Queen’s eyes.
The Queen Mother just smiled and turned towards the rising sun, thanking her Goddess for providing a chance at her redemption, for forging a way to right what has gone wrong.
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