a tale of finding inner peace( mature )

Leila smiled back at Valefor, her spirit soaring now that his smile was genuine.

He doesn't hate me.

She addressed Wolf's question.

Loss probably would have thrown him in the old dungeon... I know where it is. I used to play down there as a child.... Against my parents' wishes, of course.

Now that they had won, she couldn't help but let her natural sunny nature shine through again, even if she was talking about a dungeon. She took Wolf's hand and led him through the twisting halls of he elaborate stone castle, hearing Rai and Valefor following. They finally approached a huge oaken door that was chained and locked from the outside. Leila didn't have the key that her father had given her; she usually wore it on a chord around her neck along with the elixer, but when she reached for the key, it was gone.

No! It's gone! How will we get him out now?

She kicked the door in a fit of anger, making her foot throb.

Well, that was a stupid move. Ow!

Valefor reached down into his pockets and took out a large key."this should do it" he placed the key in the hole and twisted it, unlocking the door. as they opened the door, the king was chained up, on the verge of death, his personal guards around him lay lifeless on the floor. Wolf slashed the links of chains that held him up and catched him, placing around his shoulder."we should take him somewhere to rest." said Wolf

Leila gasped in terror when she saw her father curled up on the cold, hard stone ground. Tears welled in her eyes and she placed a hand on his face when Wolf slung him around his shoulders.

Father.... Look what they've done to you.

Her voice was a low whisper, hoarse with tears.

Wolf looked at rai." release the rest.." he then looked at leila" your father... he will be fine" he said as valefor opened the door."I'll show you to his room." he replied as Wolf followed him

Leila sniffled, fighting the tears back. She nodded, holding onto Wolf's arm in a shaky grasp. Her father had always been a strong man; it hurt her deeply to see him like this.

Wolf made it to the main chamber and placed the king down on his bed.Valefor looked away.Wolf then quickly checked at his wounds, checking for infection."theres a mixture of old wounds and new wounds...none of them are infected or have signs of an infection."Valefor knew what he done, he caused some of those wounds, he looked out through the window. Wolf reached down into his pocket and pulled out a small bag."just some Rai gave me before the battle." he then took out small silver orbs and placed them on the king's worst wounds. they slowly sunk into his skin."they rapidly increase the healing factor...he will wake up in a few hours." the healing was already taking affect. the minor wounds almost healed up instantly

Leila knelt next to the bed and held her father's hand. She was crying softly, the tears streaked her face. She buried her face in the sheets by her father's side.

Wolf placed his hand upon her shoulder."Dont worry" he whispered."Valefor stood in the corner, noticing the king's eyelids fluttering about."hey I think he is waking up" he said walking closer

Leila's breath caught in her throat.

Father...?

the king's eyes slowly opened. he looked around, seeing his son, Wolf and Leila."Leila?..." he then slowly sat up. holding his head."what are you doin here?" he asked in a confused state

Leila rose and sat on the bed beside him.

I'm here to help you... You were being held captive by Lord Loss. I came back with my friends to set you free.

She bit her lip, not sure how he would respond to having her home.

he smiled and embraced her in a hug."my dear...I'm glad your safe...were you safe?" he asked. Wolf bowed infront of the king."yes...I made sure of that sir...and now I love her." he was surprised and smiled even more happily."is this true?" he asked, Valefor was shaking, the king's wrath was fearful

Leila laid a cold, gentle hand on her father's arm.

Yes, Father. It's true. Wolf has kept me more safe than I would have been on my own. And... I love him too.

She cast a glance in Wolf's direction, as well as a dazzling smile. Then she looked at Valefor and half smiled at him reassuringly. Don't be afraid, she mouthed. I'll take care of this.

Valefor nodded to leila.the king smiled and nodded to leila."he is welcome to stay...I have a job in mind" he retorted.valefor stepped forward, with his head down."valefor...you have dishonoured my people...my kingdom...and your sister..I should lock you up...execute you." Valefor gritted his teeth and shouted."the reason why I betrayed you was that you always treated me like one of your guards...you never trusted me to d anythin without your spies..."he glared at the king."watch your tone Valefor...if you feel like that then you can take your things...consider yourself an exile." Valefor bowed."I was hoping you would say that..." he then stormed out, slamming the door.

Leila cringed as the two men yelled back and forth at each other. She felt tears spring forward when Valefor left the room, slamming the cedar door behind him. She bit her lip.

After all you've been through, you'd think you would stop crying about everything, Leila.

She leaned against her father's shoulder. She reached out and grasped Wolf's fingers in one cold hand.

Valefor looked down the hall, he knew that if he were to return, he would be executed. he wanted to go back in and apologize for his outburst, but the king would not have listened. he walked down the hall, holding his spear.

Wolf held her hand and smiled at her."Wolf...I knew I had heard you name before..."The Wandering Hurricane.."retorted the king.Wolf nodded, as he didnt like the nickname."hows about being commander of my elite guard?" he asked as Wolf's eyes were wide with shock."Commander?...I dont know what to say." he stuttered."after all...who will protect the queen?" he smiled to leila

Leila frowned at Valefor's exit but was distracted by her father's offer to Wolf. She grinned at him.

You should take the offer, love. I think we've proven I can handle myself.

She smiled up at him, her eyes glittering like sapphires.

Wolf nodded to the king."I accept your offer sir." he then bowed. the king smiled and then slowly got up."leila...when ever you are ready...you can take over my position...and become queen...thats if you feel ready...i want rush into it" he said, leaning on his rapier for support."what did you do to Lord Loss?" he asked curiously

Valefor walked into the throne room and saw his father's spear resting on the wall.he looked at it thinking what he should. he then climbed up and took the spear from its perch."he wont be needing this anymore." he thought to himself, as he quickly made his way out of the castle.

Brutus shook Rai's hand."so whats next for you?" brutus asked."I'm thinking of starting my own band of thieves...theres so many places I have left to plunder..what about you?"he replied smiling."me?...continue my duty...if I can that is."Rai nodded and jumped onto a horse."tell leila, if she ever needs help, I will be there" he said as rode out of the gates, out of the realm

Leila bit her lip.

well.... Actually.... I hit him once in the back of the neck... He turned into a beast, insulted me, and ran. So I'm sure we haven't heard the last of him. But I am ready to become queen, I believe. I know I can rule the people with good judgment and a fair hand.

She smiled softly at her father.

And with Wolf by my side, nothing is impossible.

He nodded and smiled happily."thats that then...Tomorrow I will hold the ceremony, and celebration of your victory over that demon...but before then was there anyone else who helped with the battle?" he asked Wolf nodded."my freind Rai, he got his uncle to bring his army of dark elves...brutus, he gave us a home for when I was injured and Leila aged by Scairos...and Jackal, he made the remedy, and helped us...may Jackal please be second in command.?" asked Wolf."ofcourse...its the least I could do" he saved smiling."Wolf...can I speak with my daughter in private?" Wolf Bowed and waited outside."he turned to Leila."did Loss tell you anythin?" he asked, with a hint of worry in his voice

Leila swallowed and looked down. Her face reddened with shame. She nodded.

He told me... That I am half demon. And that my first born shall be claimed by him. But none of that is true. He was just trying to mess with my mind.... Wasn't he, Father?

Her voice was full of hope she knew was false. She was grasping at nothing and she knew it.

he looked away, with shame."I...fell love in love with a demon...she wasnt like the others...actually she had ran away from home...I married her, but Loss...wanted a somethin in exchange for her...so I killed my father and mother...I was blind to his power...months later you and valefor we're born leila...your twins...but a first born who is half breed could never become heir...so I asked Lord loss to...to take out your demon blood...but he demanded for me to give him Valefor...my love refused, and she was taken...away from me...to which he said he would take my first grandchild..."

just then a robed, hooded man walked in."your mighty...May I speak with the soon to be queen?" his accent was a really thick cross between italian and russian. he was clearly human but his eyes were pure white."Leila...this is lord Vieri...he is my personal assassin, and head of the assassin's circle." Vieri bowed to her

Leila stood, head held high.

Speak. Lord Vieri. I will hear what you have to say.

She sighed inwardly.

If I have to do this sort of thing every day... Act regal and such... I really will need Wolf to keep my sanity.

A smile wavered on the corner of her lips.

he smiled and shifted about."first of...my services are yours...if there is an enemy you want taking care of, I will gladly send or personally deal with it.." he then smirked and looked out the window."your brother...he was a valuable student of mine...sharp reflexes, tactical mind..its a tradition in this kingdom that the ruler's son could be trained in the arts of the assassin...may I train your first son in the ways?" he asked as he knelt

Wolf waited as the king exited the room."is leila okay?" he asked."yes...she is talking to Lord Vieri...my personal..."assistant"he replied as he looked away."I never thought you would have the services of an assassin."Wolf looked at the king."he..he takes care of my problems...he was in the middle of taking care of one as Lord loss attacked." the king then turned back to Wolf and smiled.Wolf was unsure about the idea of an assassin in the castle

Leila's brow furrowed in concentration. She did not want to break with tradition, but she also wasn't sure how she felt about her first son becoming a trained assassin.

I must speak with my soon-to-be husband about this. We will make the decision together.

If my son is already projected to betray me, I don't know how I feel about him being trained to kill me.