Cursed by the Gods: Cleopoda CBTG Book 1

10 months ago, Camelorn, "She will be tall and graceful as the columns of the temple of our great god Robos," The whole court and the people shouted "Ay!" The palace was filled with men and women, both nobles and common; although the nobles could easily be seen in all their glorious lengths of expensive clothing. The rich silk robes and gowns, the rustling of satin scarves, the expensive wool of their coats and the hard, black, shiny boots of the men, boots cleaned and blackened with coal by the commoners for 2 copper coins, the women in their expensive slippers, intricately and delicately made by hands of the commoners for at least 5 pieces of silver if the design met the approval of the rich buyer. The commoners if not recognized by the fray edges of their clothing alone, the fact that they kept to the shadows as did the servants made them easily recognizable. It was a day of joy, a day for all freeborn of Camelorn to rejoice but one never f

How it started in Camelorn… Octavius van Camele before he became King Phillip IV rode on his majestic black horse with his brother and best friend, Angus van Camele, riding by his side on an equally majestic steed. "Do you think she will be there?" Octavius asked, his brow laced with worry. "We will never know until we get there," Angus replied, laughter in his voice. His brother was definitely in love with the young Intavian princess, Emilia. His eyes shone like stars whenever her name was mentioned and his arms failed to work every time she came near.  Even now his elder brother rode his horse with fury in his haste to meet with his one true love. His coat of fur billowed behind him and his breath came out in vapors as he rode hard in the harsh winter towards the Summer Palace. The guards at the tower looked down, sighted the coat of arms on the saddle of the horses, and gave the signal to open the gates. Octavius and Angus rode into the bailey

The village was a bustle of activities. Villagers moved around with carts filled with goods for sale, sacks of clothes for sale at the market, trays of fruits, bread, cheap pieces of jewelry, and many more articles. The shacks of some traders housed flour, wheat, jars of milk and honey, and some even goats. The crowd, though busy and occupied with exchanging services, made way for Octavius as he approached and it helped that another guard wearing the complete armor went ahead of him and Dextus. As he approached the men bowed and the women genuflected, a few of the soldiers who were off duty among the crowd went on one knee to pay their respects. Octavius raised a hand to everyone without sparing them much of a glance for his heart was not in their respect but on seeing his father and knowing the reason for his summons. The temples of the gods were built long before the reign of his father and then the population of the people was still at a hundred but years have pas

The robe covering Octavius' tunic scraped the floor gently as he made his way to the Counsel Room where he knew his father and his court were waiting. He wasn't supposed to have kept them waiting but he had received news from Emilia that morning elaborating on the plan they had made during their previous rendezvous and he had sat back to write a letter to her sending it through the ever-faithful Angus who had waited to collect it. His father would be furious that he had kept the court waiting when were supposed to be judging matters and making plans for the battle preparation. The guard in front of the Counsel Room dressed in complete armor except the helmet bowed before him before opening the huge doors for him. The court was a restless group of men and one woman, Liliah, who was the noble in charge of Camelorn festivities. Maids with platters of cheeses, figs, and apples came and went with from a side door hidden behind the large velvet curtain that covered the room. As Oc

Octavius shifted his weight from one leg to another as he looked down at Emilia. She crooked a finger at him and started towards an alternate entrance. The main entrance was covered with flowers of different colors but this one was without the decorations and no one used it but a priest who stood there with his hand tucked into the folds of his cloak. On his forehead, he had a black dye dot at the center. Emilia approached him and whispered. He shook his head looking from her hooded figure to Octavius and tilted his head indicating they should follow him. He led them to an alcove where a tray with two jars of honey and baked pastries covered with crumbs of sugar laid for everyone knew Psagon, the Intavia god of love had a sweet tooth. "My lady, you requested for these," the priest said. He picked the tray and handed it to Emilia, reached over to Octavius with outstretched hands, took his hands in his, and led it to the tray in Emilia's. "Lovers who seek favor from Ps