Chapter 14 - THE CALL

" Sire the people have been assembled". A guard said breaking Gabriel from his thoughts. "They wish for their king to come address them before volunteering to fight ".

Gabriel did not want this war, he had ruled for years with peace and abundance in Arish, the war would only make the land miserable as farm activities would stop due to attacks from the opposing sides, women and children would move to higher grounds with food supplied that would last for less than a month, men would loose their lives trying to defend the kingdom they love so much. * NO!. I won't see my kingdom fall, I must take the fight to Garistona*. Frowning, he furiously stormed out of the throne room to the balcony to see hundreds of thousands of men which even exceeded the castle's gates. Renoe stood besides his father as the General, he had to be present for the King's speech. At least few hundreds of thousands would return with victory. He thought soberly.

" Our kingdom had reigned for thousands of years handed down from ancestors to ancestors, kings to princes and yet we still stand..." he said calmly. All the men hit their chest at the words of their king. "They have raided our lands, killed our sheeps and they threaten our people with death. Answer me, will you let them tear our land?..." He said raising his voice this time.

" NO...!"

" Will u let them take our women and children for slaves...? "

The was a huge uproar of voices. And some cursed and spat.

"By our blood they won't..."

" They have to die first..."

" Never..."

" we will feast on their flesh..."

Gabriel sighed " If it is a fight they want, it's a fight they'll get" He shouted this time around and they all began shouting while hitting their chest violently. * Garistona will pay *. " Renoe get them prepared ". Gabriel left for his chambers leaving his son and his guards behind. clearly they knew he was In no good mood.

******

" What's going on? " Winter asked Morbius while looking out the window.

" It's the call "

" The call? "

" It's what the people of Arish call it. it is a call to war ".

" With my people?... I already decl...". Her countenance began to change before Morbius interrupted her.

" With the kingdom of Garistona "

" Oh ok then I assume it is non of my concern ". Winter said leaving the window only to meet the frowning face of Morbius. She didn't know what to say so she bluntly asked " why do you stare at me Morbius? ".

" The whole world is your concern Winter ". Morbius said turning his back to leave.

" Where are you going?, we are not done yet. I have much to learn".

" You are not ready to learn ". He simply stated. " We are done for today, we would have another tomorrow at noon ". He said not looking back and then left.

Was it something she said?, Winter asked herself, why did his mood suddenly change?. It then dawned on her. YES!, THE WHOLE WORLD NOW WAS HER CONCERN. How could she have been foolish to say something like that. Yet again Morbius should not expect her to embrace it just like that.

Winter didn't begin with the world, now, she would hold it till it's end. It was a huge weight. She used to be a killer of humanity and not it's protector. Would it be easy to adjust when, she was raised to be a ruthless person?. Growing up demons never possessed emotions. Although when little she had few forbidden emotions, Her mother Antana made sure to hid it and he decided to. But, now it's all coming back. It has always been part of her because she wasn't a demon. Winter was something much more special.

After all, she is the spirit that will bind...