Chapter 4 Glory and Betrayal
Sabrina was given a warm welcome in the palace. She ate at the King’s table, attended council meetings, and quickly became his favored companion following him everywhere like a lucky charm. For the first time, she felt valued. This made Priestess Huruna’s face twist with purple rage and jealousy.
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One afternoon, the King and Huruna watched from a balcony as Sabrina gently interacted with the palace horses, her laughter carrying on the breeze.
“You should be careful with her,” Huruna warned. “So she doesn’t turn against the kingdom for revenge.”
The King smiled. “She loves the people. She is pure hearted.”
Huruna let out a sharp, mocking laugh. “You cannot be sure of that. That girl possesses tremendous power. The moment she realizes her full potential, she will become uncontrollable. She will take over everything… including the throne.”
The King stopped breathing for a moment, his expression hardening. “Don’t you think you should be preparing for the war, Priestess? We would be needing all hands on deck.”
Huruna’s jaw tightened until she could barely breathe. She gave a slight bow, her eyes locked on his with cold fury. “Yes… my King.” She turned and left.
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The day before the war, a hawk delivered urgent news to Sabrina. She ran to the King’s chambers, heart pounding.
“I must see the King! It’s urgent!”
The guards blocked her path. “No one is allowed inside.”
Huruna appeared, her voice deceptively calm. “What is this urgent news you bring?”
Sabrina shook her head. “This news is for the King alone.”
Huruna’s face squeezed with rage. Sabrina slipped past the guards and burst into the chambers, causing a commotion.
“What is the meaning of this?” a councilor demanded.
“I have urgent information for the King,” Sabrina said breathlessly.
“Let her speak,” the King ordered.
The room fell silent. Sabrina stood tall. “The Zorora Clan… they are coming. They are already close. They will strike by sunset.”
“How do you know this?” a councilor asked in disbelief. “The war was set for tomorrow.”
“A bird I sent scouting told me,” Sabrina replied seriously. “They have crossed the river.”
The room erupted in shock. The King rose, his voice booming. “Prepare the men! We march now!”
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They positioned themselves on a large field before the river as the sun dipped low. Sabrina stood at the front lines, her stomach tight with nerves. In the distance, the sound of enemy warriors grew louder shouts and the thunder of marching feet. They waited until, everywhere was still.
King Rahul stepped forward. “How thoughtful of you to break the agreement and try to take us by surprise!”
The enemy king laughed. “Yet here you are. I wonder how you knew. Do not make deals with the devil. last war we had, I promised to take your head on the next. Today will be the end for you and your men.”
His warrior, a giant at about 18.5 foot tall , huge marched forward, throwing a bag filled with severed heads at their feet. Rage boiled inside Sabrina. She stepped forward, but the King grabbed her arm.
“You can’t go. He is dangerous.”
“Not for me,” she said firmly. She walked to the front and stood ready. She meant business.
Their soldiers laughed at the sight of a young girl. The giant roared, “You bring a girl before me? How cruel can you be? I have no heart Rahul I will send her head back to you!”
As he charged towards her, Sabrina raised her hand towards him. Adrenaline surged through her veins. The warrior’s head suddenly caught fire. He roared in agony, clawing at his face, and ran wildly into his own men, trampling them before collapsing.
Silence fell. Everyone gasped in horror.
The enemy king signaled. A volley of arrows flew toward Sabrina. She raised both hands, a fierce smile on her face. The arrows froze mid-air, then reversed direction. With a flick of her wrists, their tips ignited in flames and rained down upon the enemy like fiery death.
The invaders shielded themselves in terror and began to retreat.
“Get them!” King Rahul roared.
The battle exploded swords clashing, screams echoing, blood soaking the ground. Sabrina stayed back, protecting the King, her hands trembling from the immense effort. The clan was defeated.
The war ended in victory.
Sabrina marched besides the King as the entire village chanted her name. For the first time in her life, she felt truly accepted. She laughed a real, heartfelt laugh filled with deep relief.
Everyone was happy except the Priestess.
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That night, a grand feast was held in the palace. Soft flutes played in the background amid laughter and celebration. Sabrina sat at the King’s long wooden table beside him, wearing his royal coat draped over her shoulders. Her cheeks were warm with happiness. Kids and women coming to her, giving her flowers.
The King stood and raised his cup. “To our youngest warrior!”
Everyone roared, “Sabrina! Sabrina! Sabrina!”
He continued warmly, “On behalf of our great clan, I celebrate you Sabrina and apologize for everything that has happened between the villagers and your family. Whatever you need from my possessions shall be yours.” He decreed.
The room fell silent. Sabrina smiled, looking around at the admiring faces.
“I want a new, big home in the town for me and my mother,” she said, gesturing with her hands. “It should have plants, flowers, and space for animals.”
The King smiled. “Done. As you wish.”
Suddenly, someone shouted, “She should be made our new Priestess!”
The entire room took up the chant. Priestess Huruna’s face twisted with fury. She stormed out. The King followed her.
“You will not allow them to humiliate me like this!” she kissed her teeth.
The King sighed. “Huruna, I had no hand in this. The truth is… you have changed. You have defiled the gods, and they have turned their backs on you.”
Huruna stepped close, venom in her eyes. “So you will make her Priestess… over me?”
The King remained silent.
Huruna gave a knowing nod and bumped past him, her long black dress spreading like shadows.
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Later, while the King was eating, Huruna approached with fake remorse. “Forgive me, my lord. I was just upset.” As he nodded, she discreetly dropped something into his drink and slipped away.
Moments later, the King clutched his throat and collapsed, convulsing violently. The crowd panicked and rushed toward him. Everyone was shocked, needing answers. Then Huruna pointed dramatically at Sabrina.
“She bewitched the King!”
No one believed her at first. But Huruna bent over the King, pretending to examine him, and pulled a long red hair from his mouth. Everyone gasped in horror, staring at Sabrina.
“I didn’t do it!” Sabrina cried, eyes wide with shock.
Huruna insisted coldly, “If she is truly innocent, let her drink from the same cup!” She handed the over to Sabrina.
Desperate to prove her innocence, Sabrina took the cup with shaking hands and drank. Almost immediately, violent sickness overwhelmed her. She clutched her throat, her vision blurred, her stomach burned, and she collapsed to the floor in agony.
