History

Since returning home, Brayden spent much of his time with the daily duties of running a kingdom; ensuring his people were fed, the land was maintained and the walls were protected. Battle had not been easy for him as of late; every turn he made his plans there was always something that got in his way. Harper was ensuring his loss at every turn, he was sure of it; yet he had not seen her since the time she sent him to the forest.
It had been three months time since he left Christian and his mind had not settled yet. There was a nagging sensation that stayed with him that he just could not shake; a feeling of unknown. He was beginning to question himself; who he really was, who was really loyal to him and who was not. Trust was no easy feat for Brayden, it was something he had struggled his whole life with; until he met Harper.
She had shown him the better side of life; one with peace and harmony, love and respect, unity. He had loved her so much he would’ve gladly left this world to protect her. That is until he learned the truth; she had a harboring connection to his mother’s death.
Harper was sent to destroy him; implement his heart, manipulate his mind, control his emotions, all just to bring his kingdom and family to its knees. Luka had shown him his vision; he had seen the death of his mother as she tried to protect him. They were on the grounds, Brayden was but three years old, and the skies began to rumble and turn dark as the leaves from the trees shook and fell from the branches from the wind. She appeared out of thin air just a stone’s throw from him and his mother; the two women just stared at each other. Although he could not understand what was being said, Brayden watched through Luka’s vision as the woman raised her arms to the sky, her eyes closed as her head tilted back. Her hair began to spiral and twist from the wind and she brought her arms harshly down to her side; bringing with it a loud booming sound and the bright rays of the lightning. He fell from his mother’s arms as he watched her gasp for breath and fell to her knees. As the winds subsided the woman disappeared as quickly as she came and Brayden was left with a lifeless mother.
The memory was taken from him by Luka shortly after it happened and he was not shown it until he returned from his time with Harper. Luka told him the woman that killed his mother was the Queen Witch from the Abyss Coven and had cursed his family; swearing an oath to destroy their lineage. Brayden only survived because his father and Luka rushed to their side after hearing the roar of the thunder.
Harper was the descendant of the Queen Witch and was assigned a mission to continue her plan of destruction. He was furious when the truth was revealed; his heart turned to stone as his soul darkened with rage. Wanting to seek her and kill her himself, Brayden was halted by his father and Luka. “Her powers are too great for you, even with your anger. It is much too dangerous for you, this must be planned and executed without fault,” he remembered his father’s words very clearly. Sending Horace in made more sense, he had no connection to Harper therefore her mind tricks would not work as easily; but he failed at his mission and now they were in a downward spiral because of it.
After seeing Luka’s vision it became very clear as to why his father was so headstrong to take over the Kingdom of Abyss; not only was it rich in land and controlled most of the southern kingdoms, but it was revenge.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of his father entering the room, “I thought I would find you here,” Henis said as he walked past Brayden and sat in the large wooden chair beside the fire. “Here, come sit with me,” Henis told him as he pointed to the bench opposite him. As Brayden sat his father took note of the solemn look on his son’s face. “What bothers you? Is it the bad luck we have run into?” Shaking his head, Brayden said, “nae, my mind is tired. It seems I cannot silence it as of late. I am restless.”
“You haven’t spoken much since your return; the forests can be brutal, maybe you just need some rest. I can have Luka mix you something to help you sleep. There is no mistake that witch has placed some spell on us; but heed my words, son, we will be victorious. You need to be well rested and clear of thought if we are to defeat her.”
“You are correct; I need to clear my head. I think I will sleep tonight at the cottage; I need to be alone in silence,” Brayden stood and walked to the door where he saw Luka standing. “I need you to mix a drink to help me sleep Luka, I will be in the cottage; bring it to me there,” he spoke low and defeated.
“He worries me, Luka. His mind is heavily on the witch; I think he is beginning to question,” Henis knew the importance of keeping the truth hidden; much was at stake. Allowing that witch to rustle emotions in his son was not something he intended to do; he had to ensure his son stayed focused.
“Did I not warn you many years ago that this time would come? He is grown, this is mightier than a lie. His whole existence is being questioned, what do you think will happen when he finds out? We will all be a target,” Luka’s worry did not bode well with Henis. He was well aware of the disaster that awaited them all if Brayden ever found out; and he was hell bent on making sure that didn’t happen.
“Mix a strong tea, one that not only helps him sleep but ends his confusion. He needs to rise in the morning focused again on the war at hand and not rising of emotions from a memory past. Do not forget, Luka, your hands are just as dirty as mine,” Henis was growing angry, he could not afford Luka’s doubt or warnings to be exaggerated. “Just make sure his mind is eased,” he said as he left Luka standing alone in the room.
Sitting outside the cottage in front of a small fire he built, Brayden allowed his mind to wander back to Christian. As angry as he was while listening to Christian, Brayden couldn’t help but feel some sort of certainty in his words; maybe that was why he got so angry. If nothing else, his past was starting to not make sense anymore; none of it.
Luka appeared, carrying a wooden jug of tea along with some items in his huge leather bag. “Come inside and eat; I’ve brought you food from the dining hall and some tea to help you sleep.” Brayden followed him inside and sat at the small table just inside the door. He loved this little cottage; it was small but quaint and definitely peaceful.
Luka put the food in front of him and poured the tea into a wooden cup before turning to leave. As he reached for the door he was stopped when Brayden began to talk, “Luka, what caused the riff between the Abyss Coven and our kingdom? I was never told the reason why the Queen Witch sought my mother and me out; I know you know.” His hand dropped to his side as he slowly turned and looked at Brayden, “It has been a centuries old feud, one that started with your ancestors. It is said that a truce was broken when your great grandfather killed a coven warlock. We had lived in harmony for centuries until then; a peace that was arranged and upheld by the highest of counsels.”
Walking towards Brayden, he sat on the bench across from him and continued, “your great grandfather fell in love with a witch from the coven; this was forbidden as mortals and supernaturals were not allowed to blend. Their love was strong and pure but they had to keep it hidden for everyone’s sake. The warlock found out and threatened to take it to the counsel which would have surely led to the deaths of both. With the help of his beloved, your grandfather planned the warlock's death and executed it. The witch rendered him motionless as he plunged his sword made of silver steel that was oiled with poison straight through the warlock’s heart.”
“This angered the coven; especially the Queen Witch as it was her mate your grandfather killed. She swore there would never be peace amongst the Landen Clan; she saw the opportunity to kill you and your mother and she took it. If your father and I wouldn’t have interrupted her she would have surely killed you too.” Brayden was speechless; his grandfather and a witch? His mind began to reel; so many questions were now coming in droves.
“Why have I never been told this? I do not understand why so much of my history has been withheld from me?” Brayden was growing irritated; he felt as if the most important parts of his life were hidden; and for what reason? There had to be more; something Luka was leaving out, but the tea was beginning to take effect and Brayden was feeling dizzy. Luka helped him up from the table and walked him into the room, laying him across the bed. As he watched him begin to doze off, Luka placed his hand on Brayden’s forehead and whispered, “sleep now, allow your mind to drift to somewhere peaceful. Your soul will ease and your sights will be refocused.” He tossed a linen over the sleeping warrior before leaving him to his rest.