CHAPTER NINE.

Half an hour ago.

Just as he sauntered out of the throne room into the busy walls of the palace, Aeon found a quiet place and sat down. A lot was going through his mind and he was using that opportunity to study the palace. The Magnus had thousands of people who worked for him and he could see the orb glistening with energy from where he was seated. Aeon began to wonder how many people’s powers were contained in that orb and what would happen if it was broken.

Well how could he break it? He hardly even knows how he got here to talk more of doing anything to save the people of Persia. He was also like a lost cause.

“Aeon” someone called his name from beside him and he turned to see that old woman from the market which made his eyes light up. He was actually looking for her and thankfully she brought herself to him.

“Do you know me?” This was the first thing he asked and the old woman chuckled lightly before taking a seat beside him. She was not scantily clad like the rest of the Persian women but all their ornaments adorned her body and from her face she used to be very pretty as an adult.

“You have come at a time when you are needed my son” the woman began and a bewildered look appeared on Aeon’s face, now what the hell was she saying? He wanted to know why he was here and how the woman knew him, but now she was speaking in parables and he was not a fan of parables.

“What do you mean, old one?” He inquired after a while, “make me understand what you mean”

“Do you know for how long Persia has existed?” The old lady asked again, the smile on her face continued to grow by the minute.

Aeon didn’t even know if he was to answer the question, she was being so mysterious and he wanted to leave. He didn’t have time to play around but somehow something inside of him kept telling him to listen.

“Persia has being in existence for over a thousand years my boy and I have seen it fall and rise every single time”

This piqued the big guy’s interest, if this was true then she was a very old woman who ought to be dead by now. How the hell was she still alive? He was thinking a lot but nothing seemed to be adding up.

“What do you mean old one?” He inquired again, “how are you still alive if you have watched the fall and rise of the Persian empire? The books of history have only talked about the rise of Persia to fame and glory, no other empire was able to defeat it and it stands great till this day”

The woman nodded and produced a gourd from under her tunic.

“You want some wine?” She shoved it into his hand without his response and Aeon was once again marbled, she also took strong liquor.

“It was much more peaceful when the gods resided among humans I tell you” the longing in her voice signified how she missed the past years, the years when everyone lived in peace and harmony. Now everything was in chaos and no one could stop it.

A look of remembrance flashed across his face as he gulped the wine, he remembered Ayita had told him about the gods residing among humans.

“I think I know that story”

“You don’t know it so well my boy” the old lady interrupted, “no one actually does except for me” a look of pride was hovering over her face, “i know why the gods have left Persia and we have been suffering for it for over a thousand years”

“If you are really that old, why are you still alive?” Aeon had to ask, was she some kind of a witch or something?

“Aeon” she turned to him, this time the smile on her face was no longer there.

“How well do you think you can survive under the wing of Magnus bane? Do you think you can survive?”

His eyes opened wide in horror, how did she know?

“How did you know? Are you a witch or a priestess maybe? How do you even know my name?”

“Thread carefully child, you are the only person who has the power”

After talking she stood up and made to leave but he halted her, he wanted to know what she meant and why she was speaking in parables.

“Why are you leaving when I still have a lot of questions for you?”

“A cry for help lingers in your heart Aeon, listen to it”

Before he could talk again, she was already gone and he could already hear the pleas of Ayita in his ears. Aeon immediately became alarmed, was she hurt? How was he able to hear her?

Without further ado, he quickly rushed towards the direction of his mind. The palace was vast and big but he had to find her, he was responsible for her safety no matter what.

Hiding away from the many guards that toured the palace, he was able to get to where the screams were coming from and that was when he threw the huge doors open to reveal the chambers of the Magnus.

The moment he saw blood dripping out of the side of her mouth, Aeon rushed towards them and stood in between her and the Magnus who didn’t have a not so pleasant look on his face.

“How dare you, Aeon?” He asked through gritted teeth, “how dare you enter my chambers and interrupt me?”

Aeon swiftly looked at the woman on the ground before turning to Magnus, his anger was already on the rise seeing how dishevelled she looked.

“My lord” he suddenly went on his knees, “ an old woman has said something blasphemous about you and I have come to inform you to find her” he sneakily looked at Ayita again who had a questionable look on her face, “i didn’t get a good glimpse of her but I am sure we can get her if you so wish”

He watched as the man’s chest rose and fell and the only thing Aeon wanted to do at that point was to hit him hard against the wall, the Same thing he did to Ayita.

Magnus bane moved over to him and placed his hands on his shoulders,

“You could have told the commander, why do you interrupt me. I am in the middle of something important”

“My lord” he glanced at the woman on the floor again while gritting his teeth , “you can deal with her later, this woman may get away. I have pledged my allegiance to you and I will not want any injustice to be done to you”

The Magnus sighed as a smile appeared on his lips,

“Very well then, you will lead the chase for this woman”

“As you wish my lord” he bowed again.

With one last glance, he sauntered out of the room and he hoped Magnus followed him.

Initially he wanted to beat him up but it dawned on him that while he was still powerless, Magnus Bane had a lot of magic powers at his disposal. Getting rid of him would be too easy a job and he decided to lie about the woman without caring about the consequences as far as Ayita was safe from the beast called Magnus bane.

After Aeon was gone, Magnus bent in front of Ayita who was cowering in fear and he placed his index finger under her chin.

“Make sure you are lying naked on the bed by the time I get back”

“Yes my lord” she hastily answered while trying to bite back the tears that were threatening to fall, this man was much more ruthless than she thought.

Aeon, who was still standing outside the door, cringed when he heard what the magus had to say and he immediately began to think of plans to keep him busy for the night. Nothing was Ayita’s fault and she shouldn’t have to suffer for it but how could he do it? For two days now, he was the only one who was able to go against Magnus but for how long would he continue to do that? He was going to be killed even before he would be able to do anything.

“Aren’t you coming?” A viscous voice filtered into his ear and he jolted back to reality, Magnus was standing in front of him and he had a sly smile on his lips.

“I just zoned out my lord, pardon my manners”

“Make sure to catch this woman then” he ordered before turning on his heels.

With one last look at the huge doors, he followed the Magnus.

**

Ayita, who heard the resounding footsteps, managed to drag her already wet body from the ground while spitting some blood out.

She totally understood what Aeon did, he came to save her yet again from Magnus but she was scared. What would he do to him if he realized that Aeon lied to him? A lot was going on in her mind while she whimpered in pain, the attack was massive and it had an impact on her. Her whole body was in pain.

She wasn’t even allowed to think much as the doors opened again and a group of ladies filled inside.

“Who are you?” She managed to ask.

The one who seemed to be the leader bowed and nodded, “the lord Magnus has asked us to dress you in purple linen for your wedding night”

A silent gasp escaped her lips, her wedding night? They were not even married. She was forcefully a member of his harem.

“But…”

“I am sorry my lady” she was interrupted again, “it is the lord’s orders”