The Sea of Valour -The Ocracidia Series 1 by Lottie F Yinka Page B

sitting in the front row of the
temple with piercing grey eyes before he continued. 'She is the
only god whose power can defeat that of Diagus.'
    ‘ Aye.’ echoed
all the elders.
    Oscar was a six foot tall man,
with huge shoulders and strong muscles, his presence filled the
room as his spoke. His long blue green hair was held high in a bun
at the top of his head, and he wore a long, dark brown tunic over
his clothes. He took more steps towards the fifty seated elders who
sat listening to him.
    Cezar shifted uneasily where he
sat fearing that his father would notice him but Oscar did not seem
to.
    'Everything in Ocracidia has
changed since Zedia was captured,' Oscar said. 'And that is because
her spirit no longer feeds the land.' Oscar turned and pointed to
the two marble structures of Zedia. 'We must free the goddess,' he
urged emphatically.
    Cezar looked to the two marble
structures of Zedia wondering if they too would come alive.
    Cezar knew Oscar spoke the
truth. Everything in Ocracidia had changed since Diagus came down
under the pretence of a visit and captured the goddess Zedia. The
atmosphere in Ocracidia was now cold, dark and horrible. Everything
and anything warm, bright, lovely or beautiful had left the land or
been destroyed by Diagus' spell.
    Cezar thought about the
beautiful fairies that had once taught him how to fly by making
wings from tree leaves and tying them to his back as they lifted
him into the air. He reminisced over old times, and bit his lip in
regret wishing he could see the fairies again.
    'We need a warrior to travel to
Goreloth and free our goddess by killing the evil beast of Goreloth
and break the spell,' Oscar said.
    The Elders in the room remained
quiet. Their faces filled with dread and anticipation. No one in
the land of Ocracidia had ever before fought in battle. Most did
not know how. They had been specially bred for peace, kindness and
joy and it was even more difficult for them to comprehend fighting
a beast.
    No one replied and Oscar looked
from face to face. He walked to the two marble structures of Zedia
and gazed at them as if expecting some sort of sign. Moments later
he walked back and faced the elders he had been addressing.
    ‘ Are there
any volunteers?’ He asked hopefully.
    All around the temple, heads
hung low and eyes looked away from Oscar. The smile on Oscar’s face
was slowly replaced by disappointment. Cezar read Oscar's
expression well. He knew Oscar would have volunteered if his
position as high priest of Zedia hadn’t prevented him.
    ‘ Any
volunteers?’ Oscar asked again, this time his voice was low, quiet
and unsure.
    Cezar’s mother Annabel, said
nothing; her face showed neither surprised nor disappointment at
the silence that followed her husband’s request.
    Cezar thought to himself that
surely one person in the room would volunteer and he waited. He
hoped for just one person but not a single soul did. What Cezar saw
were people whose courage eluded them.
    Then something stirred deep
inside Cezar.
    ‘ I
volunteer,’ he shouted. His hand shot up as if a bolt of
electricity had run though him. His body trembled slightly and his
heart beat so fast he thought it would burst.
    Many faces turned to see who it
was that spoke. Questioning looks confirmed that not everyone was
happy at his boldness to speak at an elders meeting. But Cezar did
not let that deter him. If Zedia needed a warrior to help her
escape Diagus' clutches then he would perform his duties to her
especially when there was no other.
    Silence filled the temple and
one by one, the elders turned to face Oscar.
    Oscar himself did not look
Cezar’s way; it was as if Oscar hadn’t heard Cezar speak.
    Cezar crossed his fingers,
closed his eyes and wished very hard that the elders especially his
father would agree for him to go on this quest. He was convinced
this was what Zedia wanted of him.
    ‘ I
volunteer,’ Cezar shouted out again. This time his voice was
louder, more confident and