Cohen of the Rebellion Volume 2 – Chapter 19

Characters in this chapter:

Cohen Kheda: The main character.

Winslet: Daughter of the Elf Queen, rescued by Cohen from hunters at her youth.

Jack: Homeless boy, Cohen’s childhood friend till then.

Meeting adjourned. I found a place on the outside lawn and sat with annoyance.

“O, Winslet, how am I supposed to explain this?”

A tail-lighted firefly danced by and swayed in my sight. I reached and caught it in my palms and whispered, “I’ve got to keep you here for a while, buddy.”

Then I ran towards Winslet’s tent.

“Ms. Winslet isn’t back yet.” An elf who sat by a blue tent told me, “She could be anywhere.”

Then, with a feeling of shame, I searched every corner of the elf camp, still no signs of her.

“Where could she be?” I figured her mood.

“Are there any rills or lakes?” I grabbed a he-elf, “Somewhere quiet with that?”

“Yes&h.e.l.lip;” Or perhaps I scratched him, he twitched his mouth, “There is a river that might fit.”

“Thanks!” I loosened him and dashed to the direction.

Annoyingly, after a long run by the bank, I still couldn’t see her.

“Darn it!” I kicked a piece of cobble into the river. Sprays of water splashed with a clear sound that broke this silent summer night.

“What are you doing!” Then and there was a voice came across the river, though sounded rather unfriendly, it was a heavenly sound to me.

“Winslet, why are you on the other side?” I jumped into the water and walked across, thankfully the river was not so wide, “I’ve looked everywhere for you.”

“What’s your order, Viceroy?” My dropping wet clothes did not serve the expected dramatic outcome, Winslet said, her face grim, “If there isn’t, leave me alone.”

“There is, sure there is!” I distracted and said, “I have something for you.”

“What is it?” She looked listless.

“See.” I unclenched my fist right in front of her eyes, “It’s your friend.”

How unlucky, the little bug did not float up as I antic.i.p.ated, though, it was struggling in my sweaty palm.

“Such a jerk!” Winslet carefully unleashed it and fawned, “Why are you being so rude to her?”

“I’m sorry.” I was glad, at least this incident had eased the tension between us, “I was nervous.”

“Don’t be sorry to me.” Winslet rested the firefly on her fingertip and blew, “Poor thing, forced here by someone she doesn’t like.”

“Well&h.e.l.lip;” Heard her pun, my blood froze, “We could always send her back and give her life back.”

“Is that it?” Winslet murmured, “Is it the way to forget things?

“I&h.e.l.lip; may I sit down?” My instinct taught me to clarify before answering, “You know, I’m not used to standing.”

She said none. From her face look, I took it as a silent yes.

“Winslet, if you are calmed down.” I sat and said while looked at her, “I have vital things to tell you.”

“I’m listening.”

“It is&h.e.l.lip;” I said, “A lot of things happened since I left for DC, and the marriage between the Rohnas and me was intervened by Queen Nashor.”

“Flynn and Carey are Winslet’s friends.” Winslet said peacefully, “I am glad for them.”

“You&h.e.l.lip;” My tongue was tied, “Could you please let me finish?”

“Okay.”

“The situation in the Empire was not favorable now.” I settled and continued, “Thus my father and His Majesty Climos have proposed a plan, and as part of the scheme, my wedding was decided for next month.”

“And?”

“I hardly had time to tell you.” I said.

“I see, you're done talking, right?” Winslet welled her eyes, “I have to go!”

“Wait!” I b.u.mped and stopped her, “I am telling you! Please at least let me finis.h.!.+”

“There is more?” She gazed at me and dropped tears, “You are getting married in Darkmoon, and the brides are my friends. Can you alter that fact?”

“I can’t.” I said, “But you can marry me as well.”

“No!” Winslet was quite decided, “I will not!”

“Why?”

“You have two wives&h.e.l.lip;” Winslet lowered her head with sorrow, “And they are my friends&h.e.l.lip;”

“Winslet, look at me!” I rounded my arms on her tiny figure, she trembled and faced my eyes, “Please tell me, the long days since we’ve met, you’ve never felt my love? Days by the river near DC, and by the Dark Forest, aren’t they better than a marriage paper?”

Winslet bit her lips, her eyes blurred.

“Don’t be sad.” I carefully wiped away her tears, “As long as we are in love, it wouldn’t be a problem.”

“But&h.e.l.lip; you are getting married.” She said, “Isn’t that a problem?”

“Yeah, I am.” I said, “But no one said there will be only two girls!”

“I&h.e.l.lip;” She widened her eyes at me and said desperately, “There’s more?”

“It’s you!” I said, smiling.

Winslet was clearly unprepared for such, “I&h.e.l.lip; don't&h.e.l.lip;”

“My lovely Ms. Winslet, I am proposing to you.” I said, “Don’t you say yes? This was my very first time, proposing.”

“No!” She pushed me away, blushed, with a hint of a smile, “I’m not!”

“Ah, headache!” I touched my head, “Looks like I have to meet Auntie Elf alone.”

“I dare you!” She pretended to be angry.

“There’s nothing I can’t do.” I hugged her once more, “You know, people are calling me Viceroy Rascal.”

“Ah!” I sneaked and left a kiss on her lips.

Winslet, who lost her first kiss, was so bashful and blushed. She glared at me and gave up, dashed away like a swirl, left me laughing by the river.

It was very peculiar how elves communicate, and within three days, the Elf Queen’s reply appeared on my desk.

“Boss!” Jack came running in, “What’s the big news, laughing like that?”

“Jack!” I signed, “Come and take a look.”

“Can I?” Jack came over happily, “Can I really?”

“Your a.s.s!” I caught and kicked him down, “I forgot to wreck you!”

The next morning, after I had everyone’s a.s.signment released, I took Winslet and guards and went back to Darkmoon.

End of chapter 19

Extra Piece 01 - Love

By the time Cohen came back to his consciousness, he has found himself unable to see clearly of the surroundings. All he had were dim lights and blurred visions. He tried for a while, the figure of Flynn, who has been sitting beside him, became a bit clear. The wound has compressed his control over the body. But the pressure came from his wife. She was a woman who followed the rules and required mutual respect between the two. And this time, Cohen initiated the cursing spell behind everybody’s back, causing this unresolvable result. Now Cohen felt pity, and a bit ashamed.

But there was no regret.

“Dear,” Forced himself to bear the pain, Cohen made a bitter smile at Flynn, “Aren’t you going to rest?”

“Watching my husband,” Flynn stared at Cohen, smiled, “is better than sleeping.”

“I&h.e.l.lip; I was wrong again, please forgive me, this will be the the last time,” Cohen signed, “From now on, there will be no more chance for me to make a mistake&h.e.l.lip; it’s just&h.e.l.lip; you&h.e.l.lip; it’s going to be hard for you now&h.e.l.lip;”

“Why say that? My husband isn’t like this.” Flynn took out her handkerchief, carefully wiped the blood off Cohen’s mouth, “My husband is a proud, funny man, and he never gives up.”

“I know myself.” Cohen breathed, and almost lost control, “My body, I know&h.e.l.lip; I know&h.e.l.lip; I’m not d.a.m.n making it tonight&h.e.l.lip; you&h.e.l.lip; blame me, while I can hear&h.e.l.lip;”

“I had a lot of dissatisfaction, but I always know, my husband is a great man.” Flynn fetched another handkerchief, “As a son, a husband, a king&h.e.l.lip; even on Rontgen, I saw a father. My dissatisfaction&h.e.l.lip; I was asking too much&h.e.l.lip;”

“Is&h.e.l.lip; that so?” Cohen has never dreamed of hearing any compliments from Flynn, “I'm dying&h.e.l.lip; but I don’t need that&h.e.l.lip; Flynn, you&h.e.l.lip; don’t have to do this&h.e.l.lip;”

“What I said was true, all this time, the problems were on me, not you. I was asking too much,” Flynn held Cohen’s hands, and spoke with tears, “my fault, I can’t change myself&h.e.l.lip; I can’t change it&h.e.l.lip;”

After confirming what Flynn said was not intent to make him die regretlessly or his hallucination. Cohen was confused, with all the strength left, he asked, “What&h.e.l.lip; why?”

Cohen’s mouth was widely open, but he couldn’t say anything. After a series of devouring and rejoining, the vicious evils that left were comparably strong. Their harm to Cohen has increased dramatically. He was getting worse.

“I’m willing to marry you, you are the only man I would give my heart to, I don’t want to share with other women. When you brought Winslet back, I can’t accept this. But, they offer you the love that I can’t give you&h.e.l.lip; I have asked too much, I never found how selfish I was.” Tears welled her eyes, “I had to lead them, I had to spend all my time on work, but all I want was your happiness. I merely made you smile&h.e.l.lip; those days&h.e.l.lip; you can always find happiness within the bitter&h.e.l.lip; and me&h.e.l.lip; I love being with you&h.e.l.lip;”

“I am a selfish woman, but my love for you is more than anyone, I care about you more than anyone. My love for you exists&h.e.l.lip; it&h.e.l.lip; really exists. Tears dropped, Flynn held Cohen’s hands firmly, “The flowers on my windows knew, how much I wanted you to succeed, and come back to peace, and live a life that only belongs to us. I have prayed to the moon, how much I wanted to throw everything away, the empire, the people. How I wanted to be with you as an innocent girl&h.e.l.lip;”

“I’ve tried and prayed for that day to come. I tried, and I didn't even have time to listen to your greetings. When working, I thought, these days will pa.s.s, and I will have more time for you, to give you happiness&h.e.l.lip; but this time&h.e.l.lip; this chance will never be there.” Flynn finally cried, like a Winslet, “Forgive me&h.e.l.lip; I was afraid&h.e.l.lip; I didn’t want this&h.e.l.lip;”

Flynn’s words became ever vague, but Cohen wanted to shout out and tell her. What she said was what he wanted to say. When he knew that they were on the same side, he also found himself dying. Unable to do anything, Cohen could only curse the d.a.m.n world.

“Your world&h.e.l.lip; and my world&h.e.l.lip; are separated&h.e.l.lip; you treat me like a family instead of a lover. I was bossy. I don’t blame anyone. It’s my fault.” Flynn leaned forward and kissed on Cohen’s forehead, “I ever wanted to come into your world, and ready to accept the day that you truly fall in love with me&h.e.l.lip; but I have an unfinished destiny, I can’t&h.e.l.lip; forgive me, my lover, from the day I was born, I was shackled.

As Flynn talked, Cohen was unable to hear a word. He watched her talking with tears, his hands held firmly by hers. Eventually, his vision blurred again, and he felt his body drawn into the floor, part of which floated in the air&h.e.l.lip; again and again, he was pulled back by Flynn’s words.

“I&h.e.l.lip; I can’t&h.e.l.lip;” Cohen felt, he couldn’t fight against the inner evils any longer, and he knew the evils are able to manipulate dead bodies. Cohen shouted silently, “Flynn&h.e.l.lip; don’t stay here&h.e.l.lip; danger&h.e.l.lip; Raven!!.. Hurry up&h.e.l.lip; kill me!”

Raven has been standing by the door with his sword. Not for long, the door opened, he found Flynn with red eyes crying.

“What I said, did you hear?”

Raven nodded.

“Then stay away!” Flynn said something she could never speak, rudely.

Raven stood up and walked aside silently with obedience. He sat down once again and said, “What you said last, he didn’t hear it.”

"That’s not your problem,” Flynn said coldly, colder even than Raven,  "Can't I say it?"

Flynn went back in the room and shut the door.

“That’s also not my problem. I don’t like you. I never do.” Raven said towards the door, “But at least, I was saved by someone tonight. I knew when the self-righteous you want to keep him, at least tell. He will appreciate that.”

Bluntly ignored Raven's words, Flynn came to Cohen’s bed, stared at him, and put her fingers on his face, said, “Thank you, my dear, from now on, I can drop my responsibilities.”

Cohen lied on the bed twitching, said nothing.

“Tree whispered when we met. Moon sighed when you left.” Stood up, Flynn ran fingers through her hair and crossed hands on her chest. She closed her weepy eyes “I, am ready to offer my precious belonging, in exchange for my sleeping lover, you that sunk in dreams.”

Raven kept a distance from the door. Still, he heard a piece of enchanting left the room.

“Watch upon me, ancient stars. Hear my call, mysterious deities. With sorrow and grief from the deep of my memory, I’m chanting this song of life. If only tears were taken away from farewell, and feelings were missing for eternity. I shall not be myself. Leader of souls, I pray for your return. Please reverse the choice of life and death, and redeem the ancient agreement. I’m here to offer, my [bee][1] blood&h.e.l.lip;”

Night breeze traveled in the darkness unaware of what’s happening at this moment. Cold raindrops landed on Raven's face.

Footnotes