***   “Your majesty?”, Cleopatra said with a bow, the others followed suit.   Javaid ignored their greetings, “Who are you?” “I am Cleop…”   He snapped his fingers and a ball of fire began to float in his palm.   Cleopatra straightened up and began to fidget. She curled her hands into fists and controlled her emotions, “I am from Averna, I am Averna’s leader”   He quenched the flame, “I believe you know why you are here?”, he asked, “I was made to believe that someone from Averna possesses magic and I want to meet with whoever that is…”   “I have been Averna&rsquo

                                ***   “I figured by now you would have come up with an appropriate answer to my question”, King Javaid growled out.   She swallowed, “My Lord I wish I had a positive answer to give”   “And what do you mean by that?”, he bellowed out.   “I am afraid no one in Averna has magic”   Cedric and Aileen walked in that moment. Cedric stared at her for longer than was necessary.   Javaid stayed silently brooding.   “Yes my Lord”, then a thought struck her, if there was something about the royal family that she had noticed was the fact that they were proud. She made a decision to feed his ego, &ldq

                                ***Queen Charis brushed invisible speck of her blue gown, a pearly crown sat gingerly on her hand. Olivia trailed besides her as usual. It was easy to act poised as a queen as she slowly approached her husband’s chambers. It was unusual for her to refer to Javaid as her husband. She preferred the title king. Years of practice and she had perfected the art of putting up this façade, even though deep inside of her she was in turmoil or undergoing some mental torment of some sort.The corridors were littered with guards and maids moving from one end to another, they all bowed on sight of her and went about their duties, unlike her family. She got to the door of his chambers, she heaved a deep breath and paused to compose herself.Olivia reached for the queen’s hand and squeezed reassuringly. Charis looked back at her

                                  ***    Cleopatra walked into the house, “What happened pa?” she questioned, her eyes scanned the area.   “I can not say exactly what it is that has befallen Averna but the number of sick people have spiked", Edgar explained, “We have lost 9 people in total, 3 children included.   “When did all of this begin?”   “Not long after you left for Salvador”   She dropped her bags and quickly washed her hands, “How can I help pa?”   “No no Cleopatra, you have just come back from a long trip. You should rest and hel…”   “Pa you have been worki

 Cleopatra rushed outside of the house as she heard the wailing from outside, Edgar followed behind her.   “Please help me I did not know she was coming down with the plague", she cried out, “I thought she was down with a small sickness…”   When Cleopatra ran outside, she saw a woman on the floor, she recognized her from before clutching a small child. Although she was ashy, Cleopatra recognized her as lily. She stood up abruptly and retraced her step. Edgar leaned towards her, “How long has she been like this?”   “She was cold, I thought it was a simple cold and then I covered her up and this morning her temperature was burning and she was ashy, I had no idea…”  Edgar looked behind him to see Cleopatra standing from afar, “Come on Cleopatra, come and help me"