Mark of the Princess (23 page)
Read Mark of the Princess Online
Authors: B.C. Morin
He continued on his way to the clearing, but was stopped dead in his tracks by a thought returning him to the previous night’s events…
He had been laying in a small clearing, he had already protected with spells so that none would know he was there. None, but the one that was sent for him, the looming dark figure blocking out the light of the moon that Maligo had fallen asleep staring at. He was surprised that he was not more afraid when he saw him, perhaps because he had dealt with so many demons by now.
He rolled out of the way, and hurriedly scuffled to his feet when he saw the demon lunge itself toward him. He began casting spells at him but they seemed to have little effect on the dark mass.
Suddenly throwing himself to his staff that was propped up against a rock, he aimed it at the demon while chanting a destructive spell. The demon began to struggle at the sounds of the spell, and the vast amounts of energy that was shot at him, his dark mass seemed to boil and a sudden explosion filled the air around Maligo with the scent of sulfur.
“So then the demon that came after me the other night. It was
him
! He sent it! That was why the demon was not a strong one. His powers are still not comparable to mine and he couldn’t call upon a great demon.”
* * *
Brennus walked into the Kingdom and was immediately surrounded by several of the most powerful and expert of the Magi, known as the Magisters. “Brennus! What happened?”
“Masters.”, he bowed his head toward them. “I have managed to stop her bleeding but she is very badly wounded.”
“Follow us.” The Magisters said, walking ahead of him to the center of the Kingdom where the palace was located. Brennus looked around as he walked. Noticing the new buildings that had been erected since he had last been there. He walked swiftly behind them as they flew ahead of him and into a building that was to the right of the palace, although it seemed to have all been connected.
They arrived at the two large wooden doors. There was heavy iron work that held them together. The two guards had already begun to open the doors when they saw the Magisters heading toward them.
One of the Magisters turned to face him, although the hood of his robe covered most of his face. “Who is this girl?”
Brennus looked down at the girl he held in his arms, barely breathing and frighteningly pale. “She is Princess Evyette, the adopted sister of Princess Alannah of the Forest of Meira in the Kingdom of Meira. We were ambushed when coming to you for help and shelter.”
“Ah yes, we had heard about the kidnapping.” He glanced over to another of the Magisters and nodded his head. This one had his hood down but not as far as they others. His eyes were dark and larger than most of the other faeries.
Probably an apprentice,
Brennus thought to himself quickly.
He nodded his head in return and without any words spoken he left. They walked down a corridor and turned to the left into a large white room. There was a bed in the center and tables and shelves around the room with potions and open spell books.
Brennus walked over and gently placed Evyette onto the bed.
Magister Torin, one of the greater masters of the Magi Kingdom, walked over and began examining Evyette. He saw then that Brennus himself also had several gashes and injuries that he hadn’t tended to. “I would offer you help as well, but I’m sure you don’t need it.”
Brennus half-smiled, nodding his head, “I will take care myself soon. Should I stay with her?”
“That will not be necessary. We will take care of the girl. Elias will show you to the room where you can heal yourself and wait for news of the girl.” As he walked out he saw the other two remaining Magisters chanting spells and preparing potions.
Elias walked ahead of him. Much like the other he saw earlier, his hood did not cover most of his face.
He must also be an apprentice
. They walked down several corridors that seemed to lead out of the healing rooms, and had come to a hallway with several doors on each side. Each with a bed, table and changing area.
“These are our recuperating rooms’ sir. You should be comfortable here. Should you need anything else I will be happy to oblige.” Elias said, dropping his gaze to the floor and bowing slightly
“Elias I do have one question. Which is the way out?”
“Out? Sir? But you-”
“I know, but I am expecting others and I will need to lead them back here as well. A few of them will need some healing spells.”
“I will advise the other apprentices and the guards sir and have them brought to you as soon as they arrive.”
Brennus turned back into the room and began his healing spells.
The guards walked through the front gates with Alannah, Tristan and Kaleb behind them. Alannah looked around at all the amazing buildings, shops selling food, other shops selling potion materials or spell books. The homes were situated toward the back of the Kingdom. Some homes or group of homes fashioned within a tree. She noted that most of the faeries here wore cloaks or capes and they were all looking at the new guests.
There was a lot of mumbling between them and most of them curtseyed as she and Kaleb walked by.
She leaned over to Kaleb. “News travels fast, huh?”
“I guess so.” He responded lowly, putting his arm around her
Suddenly another cloaked faerie appeared before them, this one with a hood, bowing at them.
“I am Magister apprentice Elias. I have been sent to escort you to the infirmary.” Elias who noticed that Tristan was limping badly motioned for two of the guards to assist him in walking.
“The Magisters have begun work on your sister your highness but I have no news as of yet on her condition.” He spoke over his shoulder to Alannah who was a few steps behind him.
“Thank you Elias, your help is much appreciated. And Brennus? What of his condition?” she asked, taking a step forward, causing Kaleb to retract his arm.
“Brennus is just fine.” The voice came from behind two guards that were obviously trying to stop him. The guards turned to face Elias. “Sir, we tried to stop him, but he would not stay.”
Elias waved his hand indicating for them to stop and that it was alright.
“Brennus, you are almost completely healed!” Alannah walked over to him examining him.
“Surprised?” He questioned sarcastically, his lip curled, raising an eyebrow at her.
She cocked her head to the side and raised an eyebrow to him in return. “Not really I suppose.” She smiled at him as they all turned to follow Elias.
When they entered through the large wooden doors Elias took Tristan and the guards to one of the healing rooms. Alannah stayed behind with Kaleb and Brennus. As Brennus explained the layout of the infirmary and pointed to the corridor where they had him take Evyette, Magister Torin turned the corner.
He looked serious. Alannah examined him as he walked closer. He was an older faerie from what she saw of his face. Unlike the other magi’s she saw his robe was closed along the front. His hands peered out from under his sleeves showing his age and the wear of potion-making.
He partially bowed when he approached them. “Your highnesses.”
Alannah and Kaleb inclined their heads toward the Magister.
“Princess Alannah I presume?” His hood still hiding his face, they could only see his lips moving.
“Yes Magister. You can just call me Alannah.”
She could see a slight smile from beneath the hood.
“Alannah. I was told by Brennus that the girl I am treating is your adopted sister?”
“Yes sir.”
“I need to speak to you about her condition. Do you feel that it is alright to speak in front of Kaleb and Brennus?”
“Yes sir. I trust them with my life and I know Evyette does as well. We are only missing-“
As if on cue, Tristan appeared walking with a slight limp down the hallway where they all stood,
“We were only missing Tristan but it appears your healers are quite skilled.”
“Indeed” Magister Torin agreed seriously.
“Follow me then. There is no need to keep you all standing after all you have been through.”
Torin turned and began to walk in the direction that Tristan had been coming from. He stopped short of large white wall and waved his hand. The wall seemed to dissolve in its own place giving way to a door. “Recludere” he said lowly as he waved his hand. Suddenly locks from the other side of the door unhinged and the door swung open. “I thought we would be better off in this room. It is made so that no one here can see us or hear us.”
Alannah’s heart dropped. What could he possibly have to say that would require for them all to be in such a private room. The room was much more inviting than the rest of the infirmary. There was a warm color on the walls and the seats all had pillows adorned with silks. There were five throne like chairs along each wall. Each was tilted slightly to face the front of the room where there sat another throne chair.
“Please, take a seat.” Torin walked directly to the front of the room and sat down in the main throne. Alannah followed and sat in the first chair to the right while Brennus sat in the chair to the left. Tristan limped over to sit behind Brennus and Kaleb sat behind Alannah, but not before giving her shoulder a re-assuring squeeze to let her know he was behind her.
Elias stood toward the back of the room by the door.
The Magister stood and pulled his hood back enough so that his face could be seen.
He was an older gentleman. His grey hair could be seen beneath his hood now. His eyes were light green, and there were lines around them. His face was thin as were his lips but they were not sinister. He reminded Alannah of her grandfather.
“Princess Allan-“ Alannah smirked at the magister, raising an eyebrow.
“Alannah. How long has Evyette been a part of your family?”
Alannah didn’t know what kind of questions she was going to be asked but she didn’t think that this would be one of them.
“According to my parents, she was left at our home when she was but a couple of weeks old.”
The Magister leaned forward and put his elbows on his legs and his hands on his face. He rubbed his face for a moment and sat back up.
“Do you know who her parents are?”
“No, we do not even know who left her in our forest. Magister, what do all these questions have to do with healing her?”
“Nothing. At least not for the wound she acquired during battle. However in connecting with her spirit while trying to heal her I found something that was buried deep within her soul.” He stood and began to pace in front of his chair. “I have not seen a mark like this in a long time. It is a mark that comes from very dark magic.”
Tristan and Kaleb looked at each other.
“Either her parents or someone prior to her in her bloodline promised an heir to the dark world… to the demons.”
Alannah brought her hand to her mouth. Tears were streaming down her face but she wasn’t making a sound.
“The Mark on her soul is not easily removed. It is usually only satisfied with a death.”
Alannah’s eyes widened.
“Oh, No dear girl we will not let her die. Her wounds were almost fatal but we have stabilized her. However her wounds are not what concern me most, it is her soul. To be honest I am surprised she has lived this long. Something or someone has been protecting her for quite some time.”
Tristan stood, bracing himself with the arms of the chair, “she was attacked a few nights ago by soul hunters. Kaleb put protective wards around her to keep them as far away as we could but they even attacked her in her dreams the very next evening.”
“In her dreams?” Torin brought his hand up, rubbing his chin for a moment. “The bind is deeper than we thought. Well, you have all helped a great deal I will go back to her and speak with the other Magister about what we have uncovered.” He walked over to Alannah and grabbed one of her hands with two of his. “Do not worry, Alannah. She is in the best place for the care that she needs. I cannot tell you when she will be better or when she will regain consciousness from the wounds she incurred, but be sure that she will have a Magister with her at all times.”
“Thank you.” Alannah sat back down releasing the Magisters hand and burying her face in her hands. It was obvious by the way her shoulders shuttered that she was crying.
Brennus stood and hurried over to Torin. “Magister, is there anything that I can do? Anything at all?” He pleaded, with a hint of desperation in his eyes.
The Magister thought about it for a moment. “We will perhaps be able to use you at a later time, but not right now. Thank you Brennus.”
Brennus turned watching Tristan and Kaleb kneeling by Alannah’s chair trying to comfort her a tinge of jealousy creeping up his spine.
Elias stepped forward, clearing his throat in order to catch their attention. “I am sorry, but The King and Queen would like to meet with all of you.”
Alannah stood and wiped her face.
~
Chapter
22~
They walked out into the hallway and followed Elias past the recuperation rooms, stopping at another wall. Elias waved his hand over the wall in the way that Magister Torin had. This wall gave way as well, but behind it were two very large and intricately carved doors. He waved his hand over them again and the visible locking system turned in several places, came undone and the thick, heavy doors swung open slowly.
