CHAPTER 140: THE WAR OF BLOOD AND CLAW

"Wait," she spoke quickly, and the maid who had been pushing the wheel suddenly halted. Ariana’s eyes remained fixed on the knob as she waited for it to move, but it did not.

Were her eyes playing silly pranks on her? She didn’t understand—she just stared at it, waiting. She was sure she had seen it move; her eyes weren’t deceiving her, Was it?. Yet it remained still. With a sigh, she leaned back against the chair and finally spoke.

"Let’s go."

The maid bowed gently and continued pushing. Ariana fell into deep thought. She was certain she had seen it move, but then again, perhaps it was just her imagination. She decided not to dwell on it.

Maybe the next time Raven came, she would ask him herself. She was now in charge, and even though her husband wanted her safe, she needed to know in order to keep herself even safer if necessary.

****

"Husband, I heard they sell tops and blouses for ladies at the General Market for only two pennies. That’s way cheaper than I thought so you were not pulling my legs after all," Ava spoke to Mr. John as he buttoned his clothes, preparing to follow her to the market.

Ava sat on the sofa, sewing the folds at the end of her gown where it had torn a little. Her face was calm as she raised her head from her work.

"Husband," she called again this time more curiously and almost hesitantly.

Mr. John turned toward her and watched as she tied the thread and gently dropped the needle into the thread case.

Then, she finally asked,

"Why are the Vampires and Werewolves enemies?"

She had been curious about this for a long time and had always wanted to ask but never knew how as she did not want to say what would come accross as disrespect to the vampires. Now her curiosity could no longer be contained.

Mr. John fell silent as he walked toward Ava. He sat beside her on the sofa as his shirt was now fully buttoned, his face neutral for a split second before returning to normal. Leaning in, he spoke.

"Vampires and Werewolves were once together. They were known as the best partners for exporting and importing goods. The Vampires were rich in foodstuffs, and the Werewolves were rich in labs and equipment for processing those foodstuffs."

He paused. Ava listened intently, silent as she absorbed every word. Then Mr. John continued, holding her hands in his, their eyes locking before he continued.

"But everything turned upside down when the king realized that the Vampire king was secretly sleeping with his wife."

Ava gasped, her body straightening. Her hands flew to her mouth in shock. She had not expected such a revelation. No wonder the hatred ran so deep.

Mr. John went on.

"It seemed that the Werewolf king’s wife and the Vampire king were lovers, secretly consummating their affair in secret that had caused the war.

After that, the Werewolves and Vampires fought again because they shared boundaries. People often crossed over for vacations or visits, and soon violence erupted.

Vampires were killed in Werewolf lands, and Werewolves were slaughtered in Vampire lands. That was how the war began. The Werewolves no longer wanted to share boundaries with the Vampires. Eventually, the Vampires moved, and now what separates us is a desert—a desert so vast it takes days to travel."

He paused again. Ava had not expected this at all.

"So what happened after that?" she asked, her curiosity growing. Perhaps she was enjoying the tale more than she should, but maybe it was because of the way he narrated it.

"We will discuss that once we return," Mr. John said.

Ava pouted. If she had known, she would have asked this question when they had returned from the market, so he would tell her without delay. Why leave her in suspense? Still, she understood—if he continued, they might never make it out.

"Oh, now I don’t want to go anymore," she said, leaning back in the sofa, arms crossed and lips pursed.

Mr. John chuckled at her cuteness. "Don’t worry. When we return, I’ll make sure to tell you everything. Take that as my way of apologizing for not completing the story.

Ava nodded with a smile, then stood. Mr. John rose too, and together they walked to the door. Ava paused, speaking softly.

"But husband, how do you know this?"

She immediately mimed zipping her lips shut and quickly added, "Okay, I’ll wait till we’re back. But promise me you’ll answer all my questions."

Mr. John smiled and nodded. "Of course I will. I’ll answer every single one of them."

Ava’s face lit up as she jumped and hugged him tightly. Her lips curled into a wide smile.

Mr. John hugged her back and lifted her gently, making her laugh softly.

"Let’s go. We wouldn’t want them taking the exact skirt and top you had found," he teased.

"Very true. I must say you’re very observant," she replied with a smile, and he nodded approvingly.

They stepped outside. The place was alive—people fetching water at the well, some returning from the market, others chatting with their neighbors. A lady carried a baby on her back while spreading cloth to dry under the perfect sun.

As Ava and Mr. John walked in comfortable silence, a breeze swept across the place. Then Ava spoke.

"We would need a new shirt," she said.

Mr. John turned to her in surprise. "Oh? I had no idea my wife wore shirts. That’s new," he teased.

Ava smiled softly and wrapped her arms around his. "Not me, husband. I meant for you."

Mr. John halted, looking at her in surprise, while Ava laughed at his reaction.

"Don’t you need them?" she asked.

He nodded gently, and they continued walking. Ava smiled. "Good. I’ll get them for you, then."

A warm smile rested on Mr John’s lips as he nodded.

***

Pandora walked beside Raven as they headed for a break, making their way to the guards’ quarters.

She had been silent ever since Raven scolded her. Her mood was dulled, her lips pursed slightly, still unsure what she had done wrong or why everyone had reacted that way this morning.

As they walked, a guard stopped in front of Raven, holding out a book.

"This was found in the forest—the exact place His Majesty often goes hunting," the guard reported.

Raven nodded, taking the book. The guard left.

Pandora stared as Raven opened it. The pages revealed an unknown language...not the mermaids’, not the tigers’, but something entirely different. Raven studied it closely.

Pandora’s lips parted and closed before she finally spoke.

"I can read that."