~ Chapter 1.~

The Coronation ~.

HELENA CAME WALKING MAJESTICALLY on a plush golden carpet; you could see the diamonds at the soles of her silver-heeled shoes. Her maidens came carrying her robe behind her. The robe was made of satin and silk with a purple embroidery portraying the emblem of the kingdom of Elish - an eagle, a lion, and a lamb - The whole crowd applauded and cheered at the majestic appearance of the Queen. The entire place of Coronation was an amphitheater where over thousands of the inhabitants of Elish had gathered to watch this event. The whole place is decorated in grandeur style.

The king was the first to stand up clapping and nodding severally, Helena saw her father's face, it was still as bold as ever, he was a man who knew no fear and had nothing to be intimidated by. He had defeated several kings, fighting sixty thousand battles and winning every single one. He had a flawless record in his life and now he feared those records might not continue with his daughter should she take over the throne.

But she was willing, willing to rule and lead her people to the promised land of Zion. But he wanted her to be first proven and so as advised, he sent a letter to Alex the great lion requesting that his daughter Helena come over to Zion and learn the act of ruling and protecting a kingdom.

Alex gave his full consent and Helena was taken to Zion. The entire training had lasted for three solid years after which Alex released Helena to her father, Krispus II, and her soon-to-be kingdom.

Now she was back and this was just the day for her coronation. So whiles she approach the throne with her maidens behind, king Krispus was confident that his kingdom was going to be handed over to a trustworthy daughter. He didn't need a son to take over the throne because Alex was a true trustworthy coach.

Once in front of her father, she came kneeling as was their tradition in the royal family of Elish, heads bowed and face seeing the plush floor of the gold carpet. She gave him her right hand and he kissed them before pulling her gently up to himself. Tears streamed down her cheeks as he gave her a warm embrace. She could feel his heartbeat, it came softly and told of nothing but peace. She derived much solace from this embrace.

He released her and let her to her seat just by his side. As she sat, the entire royal family of Elish cheered.

They sat to see a play titled The king's Daughter, a prophecy pointing to the successful reign of a soon-to-be Queen Helena I of Elish. King Krispus smiled gracefully while watching the entire play.

It finally came to an end and it was just time for Helena. The king stood up from his throne, followed by Iris the priest bearing a horn of oil with which Helena would be anointed. All the royal heads were standing, the eldest, Gaius bore a square-shaped box containing the crown, (it came right from Alex to show his full consent of her ascension), and in his right hand a great royal staff, the staff of authority, they called it.

At last, the king spoke: "Inhabitants of Elish!" His baritone voice came resounding the entire theater. Silence. One could even hear the drop of a pin if thrown to the ground. "It's a great epoch in the history of our dear kingdom, Elish, the first of its kind our new ruler would be a Queen and not the other way round. Although having no male child, I'm confident about my only daughter, Helena, who is willing to take over the throne. She was sent to Alex the great and now she's back, ready to take up the throne of her father. So, today marks her coronation"

The crowd clapped whistling came alongside the silence returned and the king went on.

"And so, I'm glad to call upon my daughter, Helena to come up here" at this point Helena stood up and walked briskly, smiling. Her two maidens are behind holding her robe. She got there and knelt in front, of the priest. They brought out the horn full of oil and said, "In the name of the great King of Zion, the creator of the earth, I hereby anoint you, Helena Queen of Elish" both the king and all having the royal family watched him pour out the olive oil on Helena's deep blond hair and flowed down to her face and even to her robe. Following this act was a great cheer and applause. It was done as Gaius presented to the king the box now open. The king took out a glittering silver crown having a tag, a gift from Alex. But on it had superscription written in calligraphy: Helena ~ first female ruler of the kingdom of Elish.

Gently he bent over and placed the crown on her head. And also he placed the staff of authority on both hands. The entire theater went mad with joy. The air was rent with excitement.

The entire royal family sang their song several saying, "God saves the Queen".

Helena both smiled gleefully and also had tears streaming down her cheeks. When allowed to speak, she declined to say, "Thank you, father" and gave him a warm embrace.

Whiles the merriment started, both the king and the royal family took their leave, including Helena who would be speaking to the entire royal family that same day.

~ Wormwood ~

HIGH ATOP THE MOUNTAINS OF SLAUGHTER, came with strange sounds: a wizard's symphony. Drums played to the strange music of ancient enchantments, the air was moist: red-like flames kindled before twilight seem to dance to the tone of the drum, and a man keeps the fire burning, heating it to be as hot as the burning fiery furnace of the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar.

The wizard himself was no one but Wormwood, the arch enemy of Elish. He's the star that fell on earth eons of years ago and made the waters bitter, bringing anguish to the souls of men. Now he sets up a kingdom in opposition to the kingdom bequeathed to the great lion of Judah. He also prides himself as a king and a rival to Alex the great Lion. Alex had never given consent to his boastful challenges, neither did he think of anyone called Wormwood. He however empowered mortal men like Krispus to challenge and defeat Wormwood through his authority. And now not only would Alex make use of Krispus he has also empowered Helena the daughter of Krispus to stand against him.

This was his pain, this was the reason for his new plans to stop Elish. It was the plan he was working on high atop The mountains of slaughter. Hands behind his back, head bowed, seeing the Rocky earth as he moved to and fro.

Then he prowled about, accompanied by two lions whose faces were emblazoned with some drawings of rituals. He's certainly like the roaring lion seeking prey to devour.

Watching the sand which ran through the neck of an hour Glass, he grew impatient. Once the sand was exhausted he turned it again, making it stand with the other end. It meant an hour was gone.

"What makes her so long, what makes her so long to honor the invitation of Wormwood?" He said in a deep raspy voice, his moves were carried out in great pomp, both hands never touched his sides not because he was huge and muscular but because of pride.

Whilst he prowled with his hungry lions a messager ran into this dark chamber hastily panting so hard he couldn't easily catch his breath.

"My Lord," he cried

Wormwood turned, glaring. He gets angry for no reason. Silence hovered as he watched the servant, expecting more of his news. "The ships have been blocked from passing through the coast of Elish, Krispus has occupied Akryfa" the servant breath severally,

Wormwood would say no more. He sat back down on an ivory throne, fist-clenched eyes not blinking.

"And lady Godivah, how about her: is she coming?" His voice came resounding the entire cave.

"I. I couldn't get through to..."

Wormwood interpolated, "You didn't deliver my message!"

"No.. not so my lord" cried the servant, his soul was seeing anguish already. Wormwood took a deep breath after which he smashed the hourglass with his clenched fist.

"Reagan! Supper" Wormwood's voice resounded more. Just then the servant could hear the deep growling of the beasts behind him, and before the plea got out of his mouth, they both pounced on him. Those were Wormwood's hungry lions that always seek walked brisklywho to devour. In a few minutes, the lion was feasting on the flesh of the dead servant. Blood and bones are mixed up in various places in the cave.

Death was an emblem of Wormwood.

Angrily, he held a staff with which he hit the Rocky floor and vanished.