CHAPTER SEVEN

Lord Halalnik forgot to close his door after his children had left him. He was still dwelling on his past, wondering where he was going to go fo from here. What will be his essence in this life as his best friend turned brother has left this cruel world?

He sat down on the edge of his bed with his face buried in his hands, as his tears continued to roll down his cheeks, making his hands wet.

He recalled how he had met Lord Haimi. It was just like every other regular day. He had gone to the Murky forest to hunt any animal he could find.

Luckily, he had spotted two gazelles, peacefully grazing. He started to wonder if he was going to spoil the peace of the animals that had done him no wrong.

"Are you thinking what I am thinking?" A voice said to him as he laid down close to him with his bow and arrow

"I doubt not" Lord Halalnik looked at the strange face. He had never seen him before. He looked at his back to check if there were more people behind him.

"Don't worry, I was the only one that came"

"Okay?" Lord Halalnik still wore the strange face on.

"Ohh sorry, I am Haimi by name. I am from Karak" Lord Haimi extended his hands to shake his newly found friend

"Halalnik from the City of Del" he shook the hand that was extended to him.

"So are we going to spare them or what?" Haimi asked

"What do you think?" Halalnik asked

"Let's let them go for today. I came here out of boredom. Besides, they will feed and be fatter, for next time"

"True" Halalnik smiled

"Aren't you scared you wi encounter the humans here?"

"They will meet their death, if they try anything funny" they both stood up, dusted their body and walked back to their horses as they clung to their bows and arrows.

They went on that day and talked for hours. They talked about a lot of things that troubled them. Like the loss to the human side that had just happened a couple of years ago. It was so annoying how the two of them had to live a completely different life from what they were given birth into. They brainstormed possible solutions out of the trouble but couldn't find any.

That was the fun part about the two of them. Their friendship just kickstarted the moment they met each other. All their conversations flowed naturally, it was not forced like how many people conversed those days because of the tension that was in the air. It was fun to realize that they were all crown princes of dead kingdoms. After that day, both of them were certain that with each other by their side, the sky was their starting point.

"Lucky you, Haimi. Now you will be reunited with your Queen" Lord Halalnik raised his head and used his hands to clean the tears that were flowing from his eyes. Some had already settled on his lips.

He smiled because he had already forgotten how salty a tear was. He looked at his wife as she stood by the door. He noticed her red eyes also. She was close to Lord Haimi also.

"Come sit beside me," he said. She walked into his room. Sat down beside him and laid on his shoulder. She said nothing, then she started to sob slowly. Lord Halalnik had no clue if it was the death of Lord Haimi or because of how weak he appeared, either way, he knew the love of life was broken.

"I am sorry I distanced myself away from you, Andriana. The world struck me with a mighty blow" he apologized

"I know. That was why I did not bother you after all these days"

what Andriana did not mention was that she came to his door since she heard of the death of his best friend. She hoped he would survive the blow, she prayed to the moon goddess that he won't break up and die from a heart attack. She could not imagine a world without the love of her life.

"I am grateful. I needed a break from the world. Everything was just moving super fast"

"I get it Halalnik. I do" she said as laid down on the side of his bed using his leg as a pillow

"Thank you very much Andrianna" The place was quiet for a while, only tears flowing from both the husband and wife's cheeks.

"I heard you sent Zafira to Karak with Richard" Andriana chuckled

"Her face beamed with excitement the moment I told her" Halalnik smiled also

"Zafira took after you. That I am certain"

"She took after her mother. You also had that fire in you when I met you"

"Did I?" Andriana looked at her Husband's v-shaped chin that already had white beards on it

"Oh my God. You were the first woman to participate in a duel in Karak"

"It was a crazy experience and I wished I won. I thought I had everything figured out"

"You won your first fight though"

"Out of ten? Thanks for the motivation besides I hate you"

"I love you also. Look at the brighter side. The man that won went on to become the champion until I beat him" Lord Halalnik smiled as he cleaned the tear from his face again"

"Yeah true. Besides, I have won you in a duel, making me the defending champion"

"You wouldn't let us have a dull anymore"

"Hell no, I am taking that victory till I go and meet the moon goddess" They all laughed hysterically.

"I was devastated after my loss. I wish Zafira will know how I felt. I don't want her to ever feel that way. She has to be ten times better than any man to survive in this world that she wants to live in" Adrianna said

"Then get her equipped. Give her a reason to be like you. You might have given up but that doesn't mean she would fail also. Besides you might be surprised to see her win you in a duel. I have seen her fight Richard, to be honest, she is very good." Lord Halalnik said.

Andrianna raised her head and looked at her husband.

"Win me?" She placed her hands on her chest in disbelief. "You know that is not possible" she added

"Only one way to find out" Lord Halalnik smiled.

"True" She laid back on his legs. Lord Halalnik started to run his fingers through her hair.

"And Richard?" He asked

"I am super proud of Richard. I see him being a better Alpha than you" she smiled

"That is a fact I won't deny. I am also proud of him. To be honest, I am proud of all of them, Zafira will be a great Luna also"

Andriana shook her head in belief. "I pray the moon goddess grants them journey mercies. Both through and fro" she prayed. Lord Halalnik looked down at his wife and said

"Thank you. I am glad I have you in my life. I will forever appreciate you"

"Me too," she said and kissed the Alpha Lord