Celestials and a Demon prince

Chapter 2: The Spell

CHAPTER 2

With a teary eye, Queen Audre sat on a stool beside princess Elnora's bed as she watched her, still enslaved in the witch's spell. She had not blinked an eye open for once in days and it broke her heart knowing that they were yet to find a solution. While In the throne hall, The King sat on his throne in despair refusing to eat or hold any council meeting. The officials were getting worried and requested to meet with the king but he refused commanding that no visitor be permitted to see him. He had confined himself for days soaking in sorrow and thinking endlessly of no solution.

Elnora had the largest part of the King's heart, not even the Queen had that much importance.

His son prince Edgar, never received affection from him, he was trained to be a warrior, to be the best in the kingdom, having the best tutor from tender. Edgar had grown to show no affection for anyone but to fight loyally for the kingdom as he was, one day to be made king.

His swordsmanship was unmatched and his sword was secretly called the devil's sword. Ferocious and merciless in battle he paused no thoughts when taking the life of an enemy. One thing he never learned from the king was love for the people. He never saw his father go easy on his own people through out the years, when he increased taxes or forced young males to battle when he needed to satiate his thirst for power by conquering smaller nations. He cared for the people's suffering but had no way of showing it and for the most part of his existence he was forever loyal to the throne, abiding by every word his father commanded and defending the kingdom even if it meant his own life.

Seeing Elnora lay on the floor in the woods the day he found her, he felt emotions he had never felt but only knew existed, the leaping pound of a relieved heart. He was unmoved when he learnt of her dissapearance and was convinced he would find her. He never failed in a single mission, even if he failed in battlefields he always took victory in the wars. The king was always proud of him but cared little to show it only when he needed to brag to other kings who sought-after his alliance.

The gates to the throne hall were opened and Gilbert the royal physician walked in. He was the only being the king had called since he went into isolation.

"Your Majesty." He said as he reverenced the king. He kept his head slightly bent as he dared not to catch the king's expected fury that would soon rain down on him.

"King Egbert sustained a long silence doing nothing but glaring into space. Gilbert had started feeling very uncomfortable, he feared the king's temper and never wanted to be at the receiving end of it. He was one of the few people the king was ever nice to but this involved Elnora the child he loved the most, not just for his blood runing through her veins but for the power and importance she possessed in the kingdom.

There was no single soul existing in and out of the kingdom that had a beauty compared to hers. She was one of the ancients, one in a lifetime and descendant of the celestials and her birth was the greatest gift to the king. Having a celestial offspring was what every king ever wanted. King Egbert had married Queen Audre, her mother for the sole purpose, she was a half celestial bearing the blood of the ancients and she was favoured to carry the gifted offspring. Her presence in the royal family ensured good fortune to the royal household and the entire Kingdom. Edgar was a half celestial as well and why he commanded so much strength in battle. The king was assured of a long reign as a result of this gift and no mortal man could ever go against him.

He was feared even beyond the kingdom and many sought-after the kingdoms alliance else they be made an enemy of.

"Gilbert."

"Your Majesty." He answered with a shaky voice as the King walked slowly around him. His face squeezed as he tried to mute the pain he felt as the King gripped his shoulders tightly, he was an old man and strength was getting out of his reach.

"Three days and the princess is still unconscious. I called you here so you can tell me what solutions you have come up with these last few days."

"Your Majesty if I may...."

"Speak." He said with no patience.

"I dare to s... Say." He stuttered, the king stopped as he came to face him.

"What is it you find hard to say?" He said with a calm tone and a curiosity filled eyes.

"I fear the princess might be under a spell."

"What?" He looked at Gilbert in disbelief.

"Yes, my king. That... I can only think of."

" Are you suggesting that this is the work of a sorcerer?"

"Most likely."

"Gilbert!" He said furious. He refused to welcome the thought that it was possible. One of his greatest acheivements was getting rid of the sorcerers in the kingdom. He burned alive all that were alleged and proven to be witches, it didn't matter their age he killed every one of them and the rest fled into hiding. It was known everywhere to all king's and nations that he had scared them all to their deaths and the few that remained out of the kingdom. Now having such words out would make this achievement crash to nothing and all his years of fighting against them would be for nothing.

" Apologies Your Majesty. I have tried everything within my powers but nothing has worked so far." He said feeling helpless.

" Maybe your age is gradually taking your knowledge and skills. I am beginning to have doubts in your capability. Is there something you are hiding?" .

"I have no secrets with you my King." He was partly dissapointed that the king had not believed him and rather let his pride blind him to a potential cause of the princess predicament.

"Perhaps you need some rest. I can permit that."

"I appreciate your Majesty's concern. I promise I am well and will not rest till I find a solution."

Taking a more relaxed composure the king smiled hearing him. He never doubted Gilbert's skills and knowledge, he only hoped to preserve his honour.

"Very well said. You may leave." He forced a smile as as he watched the old man leave. His right hand man Garret comes in.

"My Lord." He bows to the king who is now seated on his throne.

" Garret it is not possible that in this entire kingdom, there is no one person who has a solution to this." His breath was deep, he tried to surpress his worry as he clutched his hands on the the throne's arm rest. He looks at Garret, who looks troubled as well. "What is it that bothers you Garret?"

"I hear words about the princess have gotten out to the ears of the people and if nothing is done, the rest of the world could know." The king grew furious, no weakness was to be spotted, if the very person that brought blessing to his kingdom was known to be in such state then he risked having nations war against him, especially, the witches would come hunting him for revenge.

His eyes were red with fury, he wanted to kill everyone who had the words in their mouths but then he had to remain calm. "There is no confirmation from the royal house, the people can only see it as a rumour."

"I am afraid to say your highness, this rumour also has it that she is under the spell of a sorcerer." The king shut his eyes trying to contain his anger, he released them soon while his breath and fury gradually faded."

"Inform the prince that his presence is needed."

The king had issued a secret command, a reward for any skilled and knowlegable person who had the solution to the problem. Words had gone far across the kingdom. It was inevitable, the rumours were fast spreading and he had to save the princess and his ego. Letters bearing the royal seal were pasted across the kingdom. It wasn't a letter with words but a symbol which could only be understood by great physicians. The people could not understand the message from this symbol so they stared and wondered what it meant.

Amongst the crowd who gathered and watched as the soldiers pasted the letters was a man, dressed in a long black robe with the half of his face covered with a black scarf leaving his sparkly golden eyes that burned hot with flames and his long dark hair the only beauty permitted to be seen. He watched the people who struggled to catch a glimpse, even though they had no idea what it meant they knew it was important bearing the royal seal. He got closer and stared more intensely at the symbol knowing exactly what it meant