One Crown & Two Thrones: The Prophecy

by Iseult O'Shea

  “I don’t know where St Stephens Church is,” Estelle pleaded urgently. The soldier turned and pointed his left index finger down Wine Street.

  “If you follow this road straight to down until it bends left and cross over to Corn Street,” he ordered. “Make your way down Corn Street until you come to the first right hand turn off, which will be St Stephens Street the church lies about five hundred feet away.” Estelle followed his directed finger and nodded in submission, her need to get into the park futile. “Do you understand?”

  “Yes, thank you,” Estelle said flatly, turning from the soldier with Belle beside her.

  “Will she be at the church?” Belle asked as they made their way down Wine Street.

  “I hope so,” Estelle mumbled quietly, aggrieved by the destroyed buildings and weeping families that had lost their businesses overnight. It took them twenty minutes to walk up Corn Street before they found the turning for St Stephen’s Church and made their way up the crowded street filled with people who had been directed to the church for information on their loved ones. Heavy dust made it almost impossible to see as they came to the stand before the church. Estelle and Belle looked up into the smoke as a torn English flag fell through the air slowly, causing them to watch on in silence. Standing still the noise of a dog filled the atmosphere and they glanced upwards towards the steps of the church were the flag fell and met with the ground.

  “Evie!” Belle cried out, pulling her hand out of Estelle’s and running up the steps, her arms outstretched as the figures of Eveline, Galean and Wordsworth came into view. Estelle as though time had slowed watched on as Belle was heralded up into the arms of Galean, the trio wrapping their arms about one another as Wordsworth jumped up, laying his paws on Galean’s waist. Estelle felt her feet move as she ascended the steps and joined the embrace, her heart lifting with relief and love as they all held one another closely. After a moment, Eveline broke away from Galean and Belle and embraced her mother tightly.

  “I went to the church and thought you lost,” Estelle cried into Eveline’s hair.

  “Not lost mother, found,” Eveline whispered into her mother’s ear. “Galean found me and brought me to a shelter.”

  “I knew he would,” Estelle smiled ending their embrace so that she could turn to Galean.

  “I told you I would bring her back,” Galean said with kind eyes before being tightly enfolded into Estelle’s arms. Wordsworth jumped up and down with excitement at the joyful reunion.

  *

  Theodore stopped before the barracks and rolled down his window as a soldier walked over to him.

  “The road is closed sir due to heavy bombardment,” the man said, taking his hat off and nodding to Jophiel who smiled in return.

  “I am supposed to be collecting my wife from the grand hotel,” Theodore said as he glanced over the bonnet of his car. On the other side of the bridge, buildings had been ripped apart, fires burned and the once beautiful park lay in ruins.

  “I’m sorry sir but you can’t drive over the bridge,” the soldier re iterated. “But if you park your car close by you can walk over and make your way towards St Stephens Church, do you know where that is?”

  “Yes,” Theodore answered clearly.

  “That is where you will find information on anyone that was within that area yesterday evening,” the soldier said, his head lowered so that he could see Jophiel.

  “Thank you officer,” Theodore returned as he turned on the car, rolling up his window. Jophiel didn’t say anything, seeing the distress in Theodore’s eyes she thought it best to simply stay quiet. It didn’t take long for them to park the car nearby. “Do you want to stay in the car?”

  “No I will come with you, you may need the extra help,” Jophiel said as she opened her door and rose out of the car, closing the door behind her and taking a proper look at their surroundings. The street was bustling with soldiers and emergency services. She had become accustomed to the raids in London and so didn’t find it as distressing as the local citizens, able to keep her mind focused and rationale. “Which way do we go?” she asked Theodore.

  “We can cross the bridge,” Theodore answered as they made their way back to the bridge, finding a narrow gap that allowed them access, following nurses and doctors, many with stretchers. The stench of blood and fire caused Theodore to bring a hand up, covering his nose as he and Jophiel crossed the bridge. He had grown accustomed to such scenes but they still caused him to feel stressed, memories of his time in the RAF clouding his mind. Jophiel unbuttoned her coat, the rays of the winter sun warming her body. She tried to stay close to Theodore, who strode with purpose and intent, his eyes unwavering as they walked up Wine Street coming onto Corn Street.

  “I think we turn this way,” Theodore said, turning without acknowledging Jophiel who followed him at a slower pace, unable to keep up to his speed. The street was busy with everyone following each other in the same direction. It wasn’t long before Theodore turned right and made his way up St Stephens street, taking his hat off against the heat. Jophiel a few feet behind Theodore stopped when she realised that he had stopped, his face suddenly filled with anguish. Jophiel followed his gaze and found her eyes stopping to take in a heart-warming scene of a family embracing one another their wolfhound jumping up and down beside a tall man, a tall man she suddenly recognised.

  “Is that Galean?” she said aloud coming to stand beside Theodore. Theodore didn’t answer he simply crossed the street and made his way up to the group, leaving Jophiel behind to watch on with raised brows. As she stood upon the pavement, women and children passing her by she observed the young woman with auburn hair as she realised Theodore was behind her. The young woman wrapped her arms about Theodore tightly and kissed him firmly on the lips as Galean stood by and watched his own brows furrowed. He was kissing his wife, Eveline, the woman who had stolen his heart. With a gulp she wiped her eyes and took in a deep breathe forcefully urging her lips to curve into a smile as she crossed the road and made her way up to the group.

  “Jophiel?” a familiar voice rang out. Galean descended the steps before her with a look of shock. “Is that you?” Jophiel smiled up at the handsome man.

  “Galean! How lovely to see you!” she burst out as he quickly enveloped her into his arms tightly, thankful to see a friend and thankful for a distraction.

  “How are you here?” Galean asked as he leaned back to get a closer look at her, still beautiful as always, her eyes filled with intelligence and a hint of sadness. He knew the source of her sadness and wondered how exactly this new dynamic was going to work.

  “A long story,” Jophiel replied quickly, shielding her eyes from the sun. “A story that is best kept within closed doors.”

  Galean frowned slightly at her response a feeling of curiosity sprouting within him.

  “How did you come by Theodore?” he asked with confused eyes.

  “Barnes Cemetery,” Jophiel replied solemnly.

  “You went with Lier and Theodore?”

  “No not exactly,” Jophiel said with a withdrawn look. “It is as I have said a story best kept for another time when we are awarded a little privacy.”

  “I understand,” Galean replied as he gently lay an arm about Jophiel, an amazing young woman who had helped to keep London safe over the last century. Jophiel was greatly respected by those working to keep shadows at bay and she had been to him a source of logic and comfort after the death of his wife and daughter, both of them grieving in a similar manner. When Theodore has morphed into a young boy, Galean had left for London and spent a year scouring the land for Jophiel, finding her in Scotland and spending the next two years with her before heading back to Meer. She was bright, strong and wise and had been a friend in time of need, both had held each other in high regard, a relationship much akin to a relationship that lay between a brother and sister forming. He knew that in this very moment her heart was shattering into a thousand pieces, to have to stand before her first and last lover who had marri
ed another woman. He regarded her with love, acknowledging how well she was presenting herself.

  “Come let me introduce you,” Galean said as he drew her up the steps, coming to stand before Theodore and his wife. Jophiel looked into the young woman’s eyes and drew her mouth into the shape of an ‘o’. She had heard of her rare beauty but she had never anticipated just how alike she had been to her mother. Jophiel was not shallow and understood that beauty ran deeper than the skin, but as she looked into those golden eyes she could see fire and life and against her better judgement instantly found herself liking Theodore’s wife, however complicated and irregular that felt.

  “Jophiel may I introduce you to my wife, Eveline,” Theodore announced, his face much changed now that he had his wife in his arms. Jophiel felt her heart twist, she had known that face, filled with love once. “Eveline this is Jophiel an old friend.”

  “Lovely to meet you Jophiel,” Eveline beamed glad to make a female acquaintance. “You’ll have to forgive my appearance, I was caught up in the raid last night.” Jophiel looked from Theodore to Eveline.

  “It is of no matter,” she said with a smile that nearly verged on being earnest. “I rather think you would look beautiful in any state.”

  “I doubt that,” Eveline said with reddened cheeks. “What is the phrase used by Homer…” she lifted her gaze to the skies and then snapped her fingers. “In youth and beauty, wisdom is but rare!”

  “That is me told!” Jophiel laughed, amazed and thankful that another person liked to read Homer.

  “My wife is a great believer in the saying that beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” Theodore said with pride, kissing his wife upon her temple. Eveline quickly tapped her husband on the wrist before pushing herself away from is embrace slightly embarrassed.

  “You must meet my mother, Estelle and our little friend Belle who is an evacuee staying with us for the foreseeable future,” Eveline exclaimed as she bid her mother to come over, Belle at her side. Jophiel shook the hand of Estelle before kneeling down in front of the shy child who hid behind Estelle’s skirt.

  “You’ll have to excuse Belle she’s had a rather trying few weeks,” Estelle announced, her hand upon Belle’s shoulder.

  “Well of course!” Jophiel said, observing the round face of Belle, her green eyes wide and curious. “Hello, I’m Jophiel.”

  “Hello,” Belle whispered through her smile.

  “I think you must come from London?”

  “How do you know?” Belle asked mystified, finally coming forth with Wordsworth at her side, guarding her protectively.

  “I am from London also, we tend to have a more refined accent I think,” Jophiel said with mischief in her eyes, causing Eveline to rumble with laughter.

  “That’s what my tutor said,” Belle replied with rosy cheeks.

  “Well your tutor was a fine man,” Jophiel winked.

  “She was a woman,” Belle laughed finally coming out of the shadows, her green eyes upon Jophiels green eyes.

  “That’s even better,” Jophiel whispered. Belle smiled as her new friend stood up, giving her some space. The group stood around one another for a while before deciding to walk back to the grand hotel to see if they could retrieve any of their belongings. Belle found herself perched up in Galean’s arms as he walked alongside Jophiel, behind Eveline, Galean and Estelle who were all chatting together seriously, no doubt about everything that had happened in the last few weeks.

  “It’s good to see you again Galean,” Jophiel announced as they walked behind the others.

  “And you although it would be rather rash to say under good circumstances wouldn’t you agree?”

  “Entirely,” Jophiel nodded, understanding his gaze.

  “Have Ada and the rest arrived in Bath yet?”

  “Yes and they have been driving me to distraction!” Jophiel sighed with content for despite the perilous circumstances that had brought them all together again she was glad to see her old friends, their comfort easing her pain a little. “Shall you be staying long with Eveline and Theodore?”

  “For as long as they need me,” Galean replied, his eyes on Eveline. “But I will have to leave within the next few weeks, my father needs me to return home.”

  “I will be sad to see you leave,” Jophiel admitted as they crossed another road, passing by some injured children that were lain upon stretchers.

  “It is time for me to take up my true responsibilities,” Galean said with seriousness as Belle twirled his thick curls about her fingers, keeping her eyes on him as told so that she did not have to observe the horrific scenes surrounding them.

  “Time for you to become King once more,” Jophiel whispered attentively.

  “In time.”

  “You will make a fine leader Galean I promise you.”

  “As always you are my biggest advocate Jophiel.”

  “I always will be,” Jophiel smiled broadly. “I just wish I could see you take up your rightful place upon the throne of Meer.”

  “There is nothing to prevent you from coming with me Jophiel if change is what you really need,” Galean replied with curious eyes.

  “I too have many responsibilities which happen to be in London,” Jophiel rolled her eyes. “And with Lier gone, someone has to take up his place as keeper.” As the words rolled out of her mouth she realised that she had gone too far. Galean stopped instantly and turned to her with alarmed eyes.

  “Lier has died?” Galean whispered low, careful of Belle. Jophiel rested her hands upon her hips and lowered her gaze to the pavement.

  “I shouldn’t have said that, at least not like this,” She retorted lowly. “He is the reason I am still living.”

  “What do you mean?” Galean set Belle down upon the pavement, holding her hand within his own.

  “I can’t speak of it in front of a child Galean, it can wait till we are alone,” Jophiel said with firm eyes.

  *

  The journey to Bath didn’t take long, when finally they had collected their belongings and drove away from the dismayed city. Eveline found that her mood had considerably darkened with no indication as to why, she simply felt darker sitting in the back of the car with Estelle, Belle and Wordsworth, who were all quietly gazing out of the window at the destroyed houses that had been destroyed after the German raid. Eveline replayed the moment she had been reunited with her oldest of friends and husband, the moment in which he lifted her into his arms and kissed her deeply, a ripple of shockwaves coursing through her tired body. To feel the safety of his arms about her gave her added strength at a moment in her life when she felt herself being gripped by an unspoken darkness within. She chided herself inwardly for feeling slightly abashed by Theodore’s public declaration but decided that he must have missed her very much indeed, considering all that had passed in the time they had been apart from one another.

  When she had awoken within the comfort of Galean she had felt a pain within her heart, a pain the flowed from the bite in her neck and for a second she felt different, something dangerous and unknown within her had stirred and for that briefest of moments she felt dark. With Galean’s suspicious eyes and intuition he had awoken with a shock, as though feeling that speck of darkness too.

  “Eveline? Are you alright?” he had asked with his usual calm demeanour, never intruding always curious and observant. Eveline had carefully deceived him into believing she was alright and that she was just suffering from the aftershocks of the previous night, to which he had fallen prey too, insisting that she have her wounds attended to by the nurse once more. Together they and Wordsworth had been taken to St Stephens Church in which they were fed and given blankets and a place in which to wait for Estelle and Belle. They had not been their long when Eveline had felt herself moved to get up and walk over towards a stain glassed window which stood tall before her. She gazed up at the scene which was of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The two characters were draped in leaves before a tree. Eveline stepped forward a little and f
ound the serpent weaving its body around the tree with malicious intent. When observing the snake she felt something shift within her, again something unknown, something malevolent and timeless. As she looked at the snake it began to move, hissing at her as though casting a veil of submission over her body and mind and she in turn hissed back as the snake made its way down the tree, moving across the grass to where Eve stood. Eveline watched as the snake made its way up Eve’s body, curling its head about Eve’s neck before biting into it. Eveline felt the bite within her own neck and lifted her hand instantly to tame the burning that soared through her veins. As she clasped her neck she found herself looking into the reflection of the glass and for a split second swore that her eyes had turned the deepest shade of black, quickly reverting to her own golden gaze.

  “Eveline?” a gentle voice had called from behind. Eveline held herself still, dropping her hand from her neck.

  “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil,” Eveline whispered darkly, feeling a hand upon her arm.

  “Behold I sent an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared,” Galean returned feeling the fear in her body.

  “Tell me Mr Edwards, is the God we humans so willingly submit to and wage wars over in true likeness to your God?” Eveline turned around, her face pale and drawn, dry blood within strands of loose hair.

  “What has darkened your gaze Eveline? Have you had another vision?”

  “Answer my question Galean,” Eveline said quietly, her eyes flashing.

  “Heiden is many things, He has similarities to the God that men believe in, but He is also different, in ways that not even I can describe,” Galean replied calmly. “That is what is so frustrating about Him, He conceals a part of himself from those who love him and serve him.”

  “He places a mirror in front of Himself so that we see our own flaws and not his?”

  “No, I believe he is fully aware of his faults,” Galean argued, bringing her over to a bench and sitting her down. “I think it accounts for his behaviour, greatly altered by the deaths of his daughter, three sons and wife.”