Alpha’s Virgin Wife by Baby Charlene
Chapter 234 The Hall
It had taken Shilah and the sisters hours before getting to the place she had prepared for them. It wasn’t something big – just one hall that was enough to contain all of them for the meantime.
It was an abandoned hall she had found some weeks ago. And considering the mission on ground, she cleaned it up and got it ready.
But the witches looked a bit surprised, wondering if that was where she actually wanted them to start from – just one hall.
As they entered the hall, they kept looking around and wondering how they’d begin. Thus, Shilah decided to address him. She budged forward to stand in front of them. And with a clap of her hands, she got Everybody’s attention.
“Listen up, sisters”, She called and still gave a few minutes to be sure they were all listening.
Sukie was in the front row. With the entire hall being quiet and attentive, Shilah continued.
“First, I’d love to thank everyone of you for agreeing to do this with me. It takes a lot of courage, determination and sacrifice to leave the home you’ve always known, the law you’ve always obeyed. But one thing we must remember is the fact that the law was made by past witches and not the Spirits themselves. So, no matter what we do, no matter the laws we obey, the Spirits will always be with us.
“Now, I know this place is nothing like the Palace you grew up in, I’m sorry it was the best I could find. But, I’m promising you it’s only temporary. Soon, I’ll have a meeting with the Wolf King, tell him of our willingness to partner with them. And that way, they could provide a better place for us. I have a very good feeling about this. Today, I feel I’ve done the greatest thing in my life. Believe me, the Spirits are with us.
“Go around, grab whatever you can and have some rest because first thing tomorrow, we’ll be riding out to the Daekrahm village”.
“Daekrahm Village?” One of the sisters asked. “Why are we going there?”
“I heard it’s a small, poor village with most of the Villagers sick but too poor to take care of their health. In a revelation, the Spirits instructed me to go there and heal as many as I can. And it’d be so awesome doing that with you all by my side”, she let out a small smile.
“When we’re done from the village, I’ll proceed with my meeting with the King. In no time, we should be settled. Then, we can talk about our leaders and how to push things forward”.
“What if the other witches decides to strike?” Another sister asked. “We all know the Supreme Sister – she can be very dangerous and might want to…”
“Not as dangerous as I can be”, Shilah cut in, her eyes holding so much credence.
“Kylie wouldn’t want to try anything stupid with me. Although, I sincerely hope they change their minds and decide to join us. But, if they don’t, there is nothing bad in having two groups of witches”, she paused and gave a sigh.
“There is some food at the back. We should get something to eat and find some rest afterwards. Weldone, sisters”, and with a slight now, she walked away while the hall got a little busy.
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HOURS LATER ✍️
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It was night already.
Shilah stood in the front yard, hands crossed below her chest as she stared into space. She had so many thoughts running through her mind, she didn’t even know which of them to think on. So, she just stood there, praying silently to the Spirits to lead her and make everything come to and end.
The rest of the witches were in the hall, probably getting some rest as they had finished eating.
Shortly, one of the elders – Sister Elphaba – walked up and stood beside her. Shilah only shot her a glance before returning her gaze to the sky. And the duo stood in silence for sometime.
“Thank you, Shilah” Sister Elphaba suddenly said, but Shilah made no attempt to look at her.
“Thank you for being the voice of the sisters. For years, we’ve all been tired of this law. But nobody could say anything, nobody could even voice out. And with that, we had no idea we were all thinking the same thing. But today, you made us realize that. Thank you so much, Shilah, for making our dreams a reality”,
Done, that was when Shilah looked at her.
“It wasn’t by my power, sister Elphaba”, she sighed. “But the Spirits’. Either ways, I am happy I made the other witches excited. It’s nothing I dreamt of”.
“I understand, dear” Elphaba held her hand. “And I am so proud of you and happy you survived”.
A small smile touched Shilah’s lips. She withdrew her hand and fiddled with her nails for sometime. Then, it suddenly dawned on her to ask a question…
“You’re an old witch”, she began. “So… you must’ve known my mother, right?”
Elphaba had expected that question. So, when it came, she looked down and smiled.
“Ayita and I were very good friends – close to sisters. Although, she was very very close to the Queen but … I was just like a sister to her”, she answered wistfully.
Shilah looked at her and could read the memories from her face. It was apparent that they had good memories together.
“What was she like?” She asked. “I mean, her behavior. Was she a good person?”
“Ayita was a sweet soul”, Elphaba laughed. “She was like… the sweetest soul I knew. She could risk her life to save another, do anything to make sure everyone was happy. And just so you know, you’re a replica of your mother. I’m very sure if she were here, she’d be so proud of her dear child”, she lifted her hand to cradle Shilah’s cheek.
“She’d be so proud of the human she had. Although…”, she dropped her hand from Shilah’s cheek. “The only problem she had was…she found it difficult to forgive”.
Shilah’s brows quirked as she asked: “She did?”
“Yes. Ayita could love you to the fullest. But just one betrayal from you and she’d forever hate you”.
Elphaba paused to exhale deeply.
“There is something you need to know about your father”, she continued. “Lord Achlys. He is not exactly a monster like everyone thinks. Yes, he was wrong for denying your mother in the first place, but he had done that to save his life, Shilah, and his throne. I am in no way justifying what he did, but I believe he was just scared. But even after he denied her and left alone in trouble, he never gave up on her.
“You know the story? Ayita had luckily escaped from our prison and went into hiding for months before birthing you. How do you think she had escaped? I was responsible, Shilah. I had unlocked the gate and aided her escape, but what she doesn’t know is the fact that I did it on Lord Achlys’ order”, she gave an intentional pause.
“Yes. Lord Achlys found a way to meet with me and convinced me into freeing your mother. Of course, I didn’t want to because it was too risky, but when he threatened his life on it, I had to. He had also given me a location to give to her- a safe place he had prepared for her. When I helped her escape, I gave her the location, but obviously she didn’t go. Lord Achlys waited over there for a week, but she never showed up. And I guess that was because she was angry with him and didn’t want to see him. But it doesn’t change the fact that he tried to amend his ways, Shilah. So yes, I know he was wrong from the beginning, but he really loved your mother and wanted to help in the end. He’s not so much of a monster like you think”.
When she was done, Shilah couldn’t find her tongue. The story was coming like a shock to her that her father was behind her mother’s escape. So, he hadn’t just abandoned her completely? He actually made an effort?
Sister Elphaba could see how deeply the story had gotten to Shilah and concluded the poor lady prolly needed some time alone.
She tapped her shoulder and had turned around to return to the hall when she suddenly heard a scream.
Shilah could hear it too, and it had come from the hall.
She turned swiftly to look at Elphaba, wondering what was happening in the hall. Was there a fight?!