章 5: CHAPTER 5 The heart of the great mountains

present day in the magical realm

The magical world is bigger than anyone can imagine. It consists of ten kingdoms. And these kingdoms have wards, each ward has a warden who is in charge of the ward on behalf of the king. At least that is how it used to be.

A long time ago there was no segregation among the supernatural. Everyone was treated equally no matter what kind of species they were.

All supernatural beings agreed a long time ago that to preserve their cultures they needed a species that would live long to lead them. So that they pass the knowledge to the generations that came

They had two options, the dragons or the vampires. The dragons refused the responsibility because they preferred to be on their own away from other species. So the other species chose the vampire bloodline of the Chungu bloodline of the Crystal Kingdom, one of the most ancient bloodlines to lead them. They are believed to be the oldest bloodline among vampires. All ten Kingdoms were to have kings but those kings were to answer to King Chungu the king of all ten kingdoms.

This arrangement worked for a thousand years until some vampire bloodlines and other species decided to challenge the leadership of King Magnus Chungu the king at the time. Bringing separation among the supernatural.

Many supernatural beings died during the war. The war has ended and the magical world has started to look as it once was but the pain still lingers.

Among the people who are still loyal to the chungu bloodline and the Crystal Kingdom is lord Davon Lungu, a hybrid and warden of the great mountains.

Lord Lungu's family has served the Chungu Royal family for thousands of years. A thousand years ago, Lord Davon Lungu's great-grandfather, Prince Stephen Lungu was friends with Prince Titus Chungu, heir to all ten kingdoms. The two princes met when Prince Stephen Lungu's father, King Rodgers Lungu who was the werewolf king at the time went with him to Crystal Kingdom to visit King Mike chungu who was the king of all ten kingdoms at the time. The friendship between Prince Stephen and Prince Titus grew as the years passed, their friendship brought a good relationship between the werewolves and vampires.

After King Mike chungu's death, Prince Titus was crowned king of all ten kingdoms. After King Titus's coronation, the throne was threatened by those who thought he wasn't capable of ruling. When the threats became worse, King Titus asked his friend Prince Stephen lungu, to move to the Crystal Kingdom and become the warden of the great mountains, the holder of the source of pure vampire magic. Pure vampire magic is the most ancient and dangerous magic that can only be controlled by the royal chungu bloodline. Prince Stephen Lungu accepted his friend's request and left the lunar kingdom with some of his trusted men and their families. The Lunar Kingdom is the home of werewolves where Prince Stephen was fourth in line for the throne. When Prince Steven left the lunar kingdom, he gave up his rights to the throne. When Prince Stephen gave up his title and became warden of the great mountains the species who were plotting against King Titus chungu stopped because they did not want to cross lord Stephen lungu who was known in the entire magical realm as the bringer of death, because of his giant black Wolf. After lord Stephen Lungu's death, his descendants remain loyal to the chungu bloodline and continue to protect the great mountains.

The Great Mountains is one of the most breathtaking wards in the magical realm. It is believed that this majestic land was once a home for Pelah, the God of nature who created it with his powerful magic. The great mountains is proof of the beauty and the magical realm. With towering peaks, lush forests, and crystal-clear lakes that sparkle in the sunlight. The air is filled with the scent of pine and wildflowers, and the sound of rushing rivers and chirping birds fills the air at night. It is a ward full of mystery and enchantment, where the gods once walked among species and left their mark on the land. It is said that the spirits of the gods still linger, watching over the species who call this beautiful place home. It is a place where one can truly feel the presence of the divine, and be filled with a sense of gratitude.

Lord lungu is known for his good heart and generosity. When the war ended and different species looked for somewhere to settle, he welcomed everyone who came for sanctuary in his ward. The Great Mountains is the only ward in the Crystal Kingdom with different kinds of species living together in peace. They have differences from time to time but they are never big enough to cause any harm to their peace.

After his true mate went missing twenty-one years ago, lord lungu lost a part of himself and has not been himself ever since. He keeps on thinking of the things he could have done better to protect her.

"My lord, I think we should bring our warriors home. They have been away from their families for months now. I know you still think Princess Rose is alive but we have sacrificed so many of our people to your cause. But now it's time for them to come back home." one of the council members, lord Tembo, a werewolf, tells him.

After Lady Rose, his true mate went missing twenty-two years ago, lord lungu made it his mission to find the people responsible for her sudden disappearance. One of his spies told him last year that the brotherhood was involved and so he sent some of his best warriors to find her.

"I was about to tell you about our warriors in our next subject. But since you have brought It up I will just say it now. I sent word to our warriors last week to come back home. I am sure they will be home to their families any day from now on, Lord Tembo."

Lord Tembo has always wanted to be the warden of the great mountains and will do anything to attain it, including making lord lungu seem like an incompetent leader.

Lord Lungu knows that if he wants to please his council he has to do what they want and right now all they want are their family members. One of his spies told him about lord Tembo's plan to provoke him at the council meeting. And so he acted before lord Tembo could, and sent word to his warriors to come back home.

"That's wise lord Lungu. You did well to bring our family members home." another council member lord Mwansa an elf says with gratitude.

All the council members thank him for his generosity and love for his ward. Lord Tembo thanks him too, to avoid suspicions from the other members of the council. But lord Lungu can see through his fake smile. Lord Tembo has always found fault in lord lungu since they were young.

After concluding the meeting with his council members, Lord Lungu goes to his bed chambers where he finds the mate his family chose for him.

"How was the meeting with the council?" Lady Lungu asks, sitting on the bed beside him.

"It was okay, with lord Tembo wanting to make me seem like a fool in front of the council. I don't know what his problem with me is. I have always tried to be good to him but he is so focused on wanting what belongs to me." he answers with frustration.

"I am sorry, but I am sure he will not have anything against you once the warriors come back home. You know, people are worried that your search for Princess Rose is going to cost us more lives," she says.

"Of course, and I am sure you are happy that I have stopped the search for Princess Rose," he answers standing.

"You know that's not true, I admit I never liked Princess Rose but I would never wish for her to be in the hands of those monsters. There is only one thing the brotherhood would want with her and that's her powers. And if they have her then we should all be worried. So no, I am not happy that you have stopped the search. I am not that cruel" she says, with tears in her eyes.

"I know Ruby and I am sorry. You don't deserve to be treated like this, but I can't stop but feel her absence. It has been twenty-one years but I still feel the pain. I also know that hearing me talk about her hurts you. Please forgive me."

"It's okay, I knew what I was getting myself into when I agreed to mate with you. I knew of the possibility of you finding your true mate but I still married you. And I also can't imagine what you are going through, But I will not tolerate you venting your anger on me." Lady Lungu says, leaving Lord lungu to his grieving.

"Where is our father?" Rachael their eldest daughter asks lady lungu the moment she enters the dining hall.

"He is in our bed chambers, he will be here soon." lady lungu says.

Lord lungu and Lady Lungu have three daughters, Racheal the eldest is a quiet and modest young lady. Nichole their second-born daughter, is neither quiet nor loud, she is good with people and loves the art of magic and spells, she is the split image of her father. Their third-born Sarah is mischievous and a free spirit who is always pranking her sisters.

"Is he languishing over his lost mate again?" Sarah the youngest asks.

"Sarah stop, not now" Racheal tries to stop her sister.

"Why should I stop? Everyone knows that he still grieves for his lost true mate and does not care what Other people say about his mate who is our mother. He has spent years looking for her when he should have spent it on showing affection to our mother."

"Enough Sarah, not another word." Lady Lungu scolds her youngest daughter.

"What's going on here?" Everyone turns after hearing lord Lungu's voice.

"Nothing Father, it's just Sarah getting under our skins as usual." Nichole the second born answers.

"Well, you know how your sister is, just let her enjoy teasing you before you find your mates and leave us." he smiles looking at his daughters.

Some people consider having daughters only as bad luck but not lord lungu. For him, his beautiful daughters are the greatest blessing he has ever had. He loves them so much and he makes sure everyone knows.

"Sarah will thank the gods for us, for the meal before us," Lord Lungu says.

Lord lungu knows that the one thing his youngest daughter loves is thanking the gods for their kindness and love. And so he makes sure to let her lead the prayers from time to time.

Sarah is about to give thanks when one of the guards walks in.

"My lord, I know you don't like to be disturbed when you are at the table, but the seer is here, and he's saying it's urgent."

"Send him in." Lord lungu says.

Every ward in the kingdom has a seer who helps them in Times of crisis and warns them about future events. Seers are respected and every word they say must be taken seriously.

"What would be so important for the seer to decide to come here himself?" Sarah asks no one in particular.

"I am also wondering the same, dear." her father responds, giving her one of his rare smiles.

A few minutes later the guard returns with a very old seer trailing behind him, holding his staff for support.

Lord lungu stands up and pulls a chair for the seer to sit on.

"Good evening my lord, my lady, ladies. I am sorry for disturbing your evening but I had to come." the seer says.

"It is no problem, it's good you are here. It has been a long time since we dined together." lord lungu says sitting back in his chair.

"I would love nothing more than dining with you my lord, but I have pressing matters to discuss with you." The seer says looking at him, silently asking permission to continue.

"If it concerns the good of the realm you can say it in front of my family. This way they won't come running to me for answers once you leave." Lord lungu says.

"It concerns Princess Rose, your missing mate, my lord. Do you still want me to continue or do you want to talk in private?" Lord Lungu's heart skips just by hearing the name of his fated mate.

Lord lungu looks at his mate and sees hurt in her eyes. She has gone through so much pain from the moment Rose walked into his life. She has endured people's taunts for years because of him. If it was someone else in her place they would have left him a long time ago. And now the seer wants to tell him something about Rose but he doesn't know whether it's good or bad and if it is going to affect his relationship with lady lungu. If he decides to go with the seer somewhere private Lady Lungu will be offended. And if allows the seer to say what he wants to say in front of his family it might create problems too. Both options are going to affect everyone; he only hopes the gods are on his side and that his decision will not cause damage that cannot be fixed.