Ciel Michaelis walked along the hallway which seemed endless. Beside him, his Mate Sebastian reread the letter.
"I wonder what could be so urgent that your father would send for us this late." Ciel commented.
"I haven't the faintest idea, the summons does not elaborate, I suppose we shall find out when we get there." Sebastian replied with concern.
"I'm sure everything's fine, It's probably just something about-"
"Ciel, Sebastian, please come quickly." Ann cried, Ciel noticed the tears in her eyes and saw her hands shaking.
"Mother, what is it, are you alright?" Ann wrapped her arms around her son.
"Your father needs to see you, there isn't much time, please?" Sebastian had never seen his mother so upset. They followed the panicked queen to a darkened room. Sebastian stopped in the doorway.
Candles were lit around the room, Sebastian could see a large bed with curtains around it, his heart sank. He felt Ciel take hold of his hand and give it a comforting squeeze.
"Come in, both of you please?" Ann called as she sat down on the bed beside her mate. They obeyed making their way slowly closer to the bed. Sebastian dreaded what his father may tell him.
"S-Sebastian, my son, Ciel, join me." The deep voice which had once been strong and fierce was now weak. Sebastian moved to his father's side with Ciel and both knelt beside him.
"We are here Father." Sebastian said quietly, tho devil reaeched out his massive hand to his son and smiled when he felt him take hold of it.
"It is good to see you both here at ny side, tell me, how are your little ones?"
"They are very well father, please, tell me what is happening."
"My son, I have not been the best Father to you, Mordred and Beth, nor have I been the best mate to your mother-"
"Father, you have always been a wonderful father, you cannot believe that."
"I thank you for these words, but you must let me finish. I have little time."
"There must be something that can be done."
"There may be Sebastian, your father has called you here for his final words, He doesn't wish me to tell you of the stones."
"What stones Mother?" Sebastian asked.
"Rhiannon, my heart, please you do not know if such things exist, there are many dangers and they have children of their own, I am old, I have lived my life."
"I cannot let you go." Ann sobbed carefully stroking his head.
"You must. I am old, I have lived my life."
"What stones Ann?' Ciel asked.
"The ten stones of Hell, each has a power all its own, legend says with all ten, you can either kill the devil or grant him life in great times of illness. It will not be easy, and no demon can pursue them alone."
"I forbid this quest, there is no proof they exist. I will not risk their lives." The devil coughed harshly.
"The healer does not know the cause of your illness, we must do something."
"Your king has spoken. Rhiannon, you know I do not like to pull rank this way, but I cannot ask them to leave their children for something that may not exist." He sighed.
"I am sorry, I must rest, Sebastian, you will make a fine king, Ciel, you have stood at my son's side and have given him so much, he will do well with you ruling by his side, I love you both dearly." The devil closed his eyes and slept.
Ann waited until she was sure her mate was asleep before motioning for them to follow her down the hall to the library.
"Are you certain you are willing to do this?" Fresh tears fell from her eyes.
"Yes." Ciel and Sebastian said in unison.
"Very well, I will provide you with all you need, please be careful, look after each other and be sure to take the guard. I am so sorry to ask too much of you."
"Ann, he's the world to you, I know what It's like to feel that way about someone, I can't tell you honestly that I wouldn't ask for help too if it was Sebastian." Ciel said, in truth he would go himself if Sebastian were dying, and so truly did understand the Queen's pain.
"Thank you my dears." Ann said as she packed several of the books into a small sack and handed it to her son.
"This is all the information I have found, best of luck to you both." The door creaked quietly causing the group to turn and find Beth entering.
"Bastian!" She yelled rushing toward him, he knelt down to her as she threw her arms around his neck.
"Father is-"
"It will be alright Beth, Ciel and I will do all we can to help father, but you must not tell him."
"I promise. I love you Bastian, you and Ciel are the best brothers ever." She said before turning to Ciel and embracing him as well.
"
"You look after your mother and we'll do what we can alright?" Ciel felt bad for the young child.
"We should go, there is much to do." Sebastian stood up and gave his mother a kiss on her cheek. After they left, Sebastian sighed.
""What shall we do my Love, father forbids the only option we have and should we go, he may-"
"The way I see it, there's only one thing to do Sebastian."
"Which is?"
"Assemble the guard of course, we have a lot to look over and it would be easier if we were all there so there wouldn't be any time wasted in explanations."
A/n: I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. No flames please.