SHADOWS (BOOK 1)

001

Loud chatters echoed deep into the freezing misty dawn of Tadona, the city Kinod which is known for its wonderful views, rich lands, beautiful landscapes, rich socialite families have never seen so many people crowded in its path before, every corner and paths were filled with mothers with their babies shivering, kids crying of hunger and cold, and adults panicking in fear of death. They all came from different tribes in Tadona to Kinod to survive since it the only place in the Kingdom with high defenses to shield them from their pursuers and food storages to last them through this time of war.

In the gathering hall of the Castle, Nobles, Scholars, Generals and Strategists were seen rushing in, many mouths were struggling to get their point across, their opinion notified, and their wishes made, you can see it in their eyes it filled with fear and their voices with terror.

"We must escape now; they are upon us "

"Brothers settle, this is our home, and we can't leave it for the Kecaxoss"

"Settle, Gaius I cannot believe you will have such thoughts at a moment like this"

"Have you seen outside, or you have been cope up in the comforts of the castle you have not seen what is surrounding us at a moment like this, People from everywhere in the Kingdom are running to the city for shelter, diseases and hunger are in abundance, Citizens are getting killed and robbed and all you can do is stand here and babble " all eyes burned deeply into Maximus, as he is the King's brother he was permitted to stay at the Castle, being served by maids, enjoying taxes and not doing anything to help the Kingdom, he has been hated by the society for a long time...

"Gaius, do not slander me with your words, I have seen the outside but there is nothing to be solved if we bite our heads off "

"We will not but they will if we do not leave now "

"Leave, do you have anywhere to go tell us so that we can make haste "Tadona is the last Kingdom standing against the Kecaxoss, for 100 decades these two Kingdoms have fought bloody against each other, Kinod was built on a steep mountain overlooking the sea making it impossible to sneak in and attack but also making it hard to leave in case of a siege, their safe haven is also their doom...

"so , you want us to stay here, and wait for them to strike us down, you want to use your blood and your descendants as a sacrifice to them go on but count me out, Virato, Nuna let go "

"Take one more step and I will strike you down Gaius "

The whole hall quiet down as King Badu made his way up the stairs, his voice alone will weaken your brain and paralyze your body into complete submission, the King is known for his brute, harsh and inhumane nature, killing anyone who takes one step out of line, "you want to abandon the Kingdom" daring Gaius to challenge him

Fearful gasps were heard all around the room," n- no not that not like that my King" voiced out Gaius, he may be hot tempered on the King's brother, but he knows not to cross his limit on his King, he hurriedly came back to his place and tried as much as possible to disappear from his view ...

The hall finally tasted peace that morning with King Badu's presence, the beats of their hearts and breaths can be heard, He made his way onto his throne taking steady strides, his eyes lingered on the faces in the room, embedding them deep into his head, clan heads and their trusted men beside them,

"We have gathered here to decide what will happen to our people, it a hard time and we need to think about it wisely" he breathes out loudly and waited for anyone bold enough to speak, his eyes so deep like the darkest pit and so bored to be among these fools who get spooked up by the change in weather, bandits or a few hounds. "I have seen and hear all of you, and I think it time we show the Kecaxoss what we are made of , our people have been cornered for far too long and I for once will not accept this anymore " his anger has reached its peak, being summon by these bunch of idiots annoys him greatly, the Kecaxoss has been on them for as long as he can remember, they were their longest enemy and the strongest so far, being locked up by their Commander and trained like animals until they break, and they start again the next day making them half dead and blood driven crazy, they were the only nation shaming his family honor after all decades .

His thought were interrupted by a trembling voice "Yo.....your highness so....sorry to speak but t...the Kecaxoss are terrible be....beasts in war, their th...thirst for blood is their m...mo...motivation and I have heard they don't feel pain a....and, King Badu barked, with eyes piercing deep "I gave an order" Hundreds of feet hurriedly left the hall running for their lives from their mad King, preparing for the War on the way.

Generals started to give orders to their Captain s in charge of each divisions, "Men, suit up, we have war to go to ", Arm Masters getting the weapons ready, every warrior gearing up and preparing for battle, but her unit were always ready to go in their steel armor and with their weapons, their march echoed through the woods bringing terror and hope to the people because they knew the Dragon Army will save them as they have for years, they were the Kingdom's elite warriors made up of women who possess incredible strength and skills passed down through generations, they were the only ones up to par with the Kecaxoss beasts, King Badu walked out of his Castle to welcome his elite warriors, "General Rotama, thanks for coming when we called", she looked down on the King from her horse, getting off her steed she rejected his hand "it long overdue your highness, we will secure the premises" she turned around not bothering to acknowledge the King and his posse.

"Warriors, our swords miss the blood of those bastards, let them know we have waited for them for long and we will make them wish they never cross us again, we have our ancestors blood, and we have never feared anyone who stood in our way, Noorebella take first watch with your team "The Dragon Army have been around since centuries ago, they have legends whose names have been written in the skies, priceless history in their threshold, and weapons even the gods envy.

Noorebella daughter of Rotama, Granddaughter of Pera, and Great granddaughter of Lisa is next in line to head the army after her mother leaves her role, she is ruthless and ferocious like her ancestors before her, she is very skillful, merciless and a brave warrior who has a thirst for blood and never backing down from a fight. She is the Lieutenant General of the army, and her unit is among the best in the squadron...

War is coming and they will gladly meet it with smiles.........