Chapter 10: A Storm is Brewing
"He in his madness prays for storms, and dreams that storms will bring him peace."
- Mikhail Lermontov
Heatherfield, 9 AM
"Elyon's wedding is to be held on the 16th? But that's next month! What's the big rush anyway."- Irma commented loudly as she and her friends got in Cornelia's car.
It was a chilly Tuesday afternoon and they were going baby shopping in Reedrose- Midgale's biggest shopping center. Cornelia was going to be driving, as she rarely allowed anyone to touch her car anyway, with Irma on the front seat next to her, while Will, Hay Lin and Taranee were situated on the large back seat, holding Killian in his baby basket. Why did they have to go on such long-distance travel for such a short period of time, was beyond the Heart keeper, yet she chose to keep it to herself. Cornelia was pretty excited for this one-day trip and given that it was generally the first time they were all going out together after the disputes that had taken place in their group, her friends had decided to please her by coming along.
Harmony before everything, Hay Lin smiled as she rocked Killian's basket on her knees.
"What did you expect, Irma, the engagement was last month."- she pointed out. "I just hope that Elyon will let me help her with her dress because the time is limited and-"
"Yes, but weren't they supposed to, oh I don't know! Get to know each other before that? Elyon and Andan, I mean. I thought they were supposed to date before making the step to marriage, especially given the circumstances aro-"
"That was never the case. - Cornelia interrupted her as she drove off. "Their marriage has to happen on a short notice, what I told Elyon was that she should meanwhile date him and get to know him, in order to turn their political marriage into a love one. Even after they wed, they'll have enough time to do all that. What is good, is that Elyon is actually already liking Andan a lot, I spoke to her-"- Cornelia deliberately made a pause and smirked mysteriously. Her friends watched her in anticipation.
"And?"- Taranee urged her.
"Spit it out, Corny! What did the Prince say to her the other day? He insisted on meeting her, didn't he? Did they make out?"
"Irma!"- Taranee scolded her, but Cornelia only smiled even wider:
"Yes."- she announced to the others' shock. "Andan kissed her in the gardens. And it was passionate."
"I knew it."- Irma folded her arms smugly. "I knew that 'Desperate in Meridian' won't miss a good chance."
The blonde shot her a rebuking glance but didn't snap back. She knew that Irma was sincerely happy for her best friend, as were the other girls. It had been a while since they had heard such a story from Elyon. Actually, the last time she had been falling for someone, had been over ten years ago when they had all trashed her date, mistaking the boy for a beast of Phobos. The now women were all exchanging small words of warmth for the Queen, as the car slowly made its way to the end of the city; it was only the redhead who remained silent and thoughtful. Cornelia noticed that in the rearview mirror and turned her attention to the other woman:
"Wi..."
" Following the news of the posing maid, they have deliberately scheduled the wedding earlier."- Will said more to herself than to anyone else. "Of course, it all makes sense. That's why Andan went to see Elyon so very suddenly on the same day that we informed Magana about that Arzu."
"And what is that supposed to mean?"- Cornelia demanded, her voice cold and hostile all of a sudden.
Will sighed. Cornelia herself had been suspicious towards this marriage, but now that Elyon was accepting it better, she was, of course, oblivious to her previous position. As if she had never even voiced out her thoughts on the Coronians. She often did that lately, like an underground lithospheric plate that moves, forgetting all about the earthquakes it has previously caused. But before Will could reply, Hay Lin was already talking on her behalf:
"Will's right, Cornelia, it's normal for Andan and his mom to want to speed things up. She meant that they might fear that this freaky situation may ruin the engagement if they don't hurry up. Phobos is kind of an extremely unpleasant factor when it comes to weddings, I'm sure that the Coronians are already aware."
"Yes."- Cornelia snorted. "I'm sure that was what Will meant."
"Shut up and watch the road, Corny."- Irma cut her off. "What's with that Midgale shopping spree, anyway? Can't you buy baby stuff from the mall like everyone else? We have to check-in at the hotel and..."
"I just spoke to the manager before we took off."- Taranee interjected from behind. "Our rooms will be ready in one hour, long before we make it there. One of us can go to check-in and the others can just head to the shopping center."
"I volunteer."- Will said, wanting to escape the possible conflict arising between herself and the young mother.
Cornelia managed to raise her chin up, even as she was driving. But she obviously considered Will's retreat a victory. The other girls got involved in a silly conversation about their better halves, but their leader sighed again. Matt was traveling, so she didn't quite have a story to be a part of her friends' conversation with, plus she had other things on her mind. Some time alone would also give her the opportunity to think over the situation once more. There was something fishy going on in Coronia and she knew it. Nerissa knew it. The Heart knew it. Even Cornelia knew it, even if she had chosen to ignore it, for Elyon's 'sake''. But she and Nerissa, on the other hand...
Maybe because the two of them were both somehow connected to the mystic object, both keepers and wielders of Xin Jing's power.
Will took her phone out of her bag with an unhappy face. She couldn't believe that she was about to try teaming up with the ex-guardian who she had had no trust for, whatsoever, up until very soon. Not that Nerissa's actions regarding the Heart of Nimbus deserved much trust, no, she was definitely always going to be a cheater. But at least she hadn't hurt anyone on her way to it...No, she had never exactly hurt Heart keepers, she had mostly tricked them into giving her their free will and powers all the time, yet this time, Mr. Cuddlefleece had indeed given her the Heart willingly. So, did that count as an improvement? The young redhead knew that a compromise was to be made. She and Nerissa had to work together, otherwise, the current situation with Phobos was only going to be prolonged and worsened.
The Hidden Mansion, 12 PM
"Forgive me, Leonida."- Phobos uttered in indifference. "But we're running out of time and I had to do what I had to do."
The young blonde growled barely heard as she stood up from the king-sized bed, holding the remains of her shred robe. She had to go for a shower. Lying with this prince every night had been tolerable up until he had started to overshoot. Leonida frowned slightly as she watched the man get dressed in his pretentious garments.
"We're not running out of time. I know what I'm doing and I know my body."- she snapped before making it to the door. "I already told you. Being gentler for a change, certainly wouldn't do you bad either."
"I was just underwriting our plan once more."- Phobos sneered. "You know that we can't allow any mistakes or unpredicted circumstances to stand between me and what is rightfully mine-"
"Ours."- Leonida interrupted him. "What is rightfully ours."
With a little smile playing on his lips, he approached her and gently reached for her face. Oh yes, he could be quite the charmer, but she knew his true nature. He was the one in for a surprise with her... The young princess submissively allowed him to run his fingers through her hair and hold her face in his hands, as their eyes met. His gaze was so cold, yet magnetizing. She responded with a playful glance throwing sparks which she knew would work out.
"You know what, my squeeze. Before meeting you, I've never considered making any woman my Queen."- he admitted. "But you are not like the rest. There's something in you. After everything you did for me, if you only succeed to make me this last big favor as well, everything that I will have will indeed be yours too. I promise you."
Leonida smiled widely, locking her fingers with his.
"And I promise you. All will happen as we want it to."
Meridian, earlier that same morning
The early morning sun bathed Meridian in thousands of golden hues. Two young men of different kinds and races, but best of friends, were out on their morning workout.
Drake saw himself out of breath and unable to catch up with his galhot friend and co-rebel. Aldarn was as fast as a flash of lightning lately. He was even if the blond man dared say, faster than Caleb himself. And that was an achievement to be admired.
Training surely had helped his agility. Drake shook his head when Aldarn turned around and flashed him a challenging gesture.
"That's it, I'm through with this!"- Drake announced after straining himself to the limit, in one last, desperate attempt to catch up with his friend.
It was of no use. Aldarn still sped off, what appeared to be a good 20 meters in front of him, while the other man chose to stop by a rock to lean against and catch his breath.
The dusty gravel area they were running through, was perhaps not the best choice for such an activity, because of the large dust clouds that emerged from the ground whenever they ran more hell-bent. And in Aldarn's case, that was all the time. For Drake, who was behind him since the crack of dawn, it was especially unpleasant. He coughed to clear his lungs from the last dust curtain Aldarn had wrapped him in. For real, what had gotten into him? Once, he was slow and gawky, and now he was running like a tiger.
Drake smirked. It must be that new woman in his life, he wants to impress...
"Drake!"- his friend's voice came from behind one rural wooden building. Years ago, it had been where one of the entrances to the Infinite City had been hidden. "Drake you have got to see this..."
"Nice try, Al."- Drake snorted back. "I told you, I'm through with running! I'm already drenched in sweat and humiliation, I don't care who you tell about this."
"Drake, it's not that!"- Aldarn insisted, his voice growing higher. "Come here at once!"
Drake frowned in perplexity but did head for where his friend was calling from. What could he possibly want to show him there? When he got there, the first thing he noticed was Aldarn's face- lost all its color which was supposed to be there after the heated running. What was the matter with him?! Then, Drake's fair eyes fell on the reason for his friend's distress and he barely contained his gasp. Thankful that he hadn't eaten breakfast yet, he strained to look back at the other man, but in vain. The appalling sight had caught his attention in the ominous, iron grip of shock.
"Drake..."- Aldarn finally said. "Isn't this- "
"Yeah, I think so."- Drake confirmed. He didn't need to hear him out first. They could both tell who the poor creature, murdered in a cruel manner, was.
"Come on, Aldarn."- the ex-rebel murmured, finally moving his eyes from the deformed corpse. "We have to report this to the Palace."
Coronia, noon time
"You really think that this will work?"- Caleb asked firmly, as he looked at the plains bellow from his hill.
The sun was shining. Coronia looked so very constantly welcoming and beautiful with its clear skies, enchantingly green meadows and blue waters. Too bad it was only a facade.
"I'm sure of it, Caleb."- his mother responded with a glance focused on the palace in the distance. "This ream hasn't seen dark clouds in hundreds of years. But do not let yourself be fooled by that, even the brilliance of the sun can be deceiving. Just because there is no actual darkness, does not mean that darkness can't lure its way around. Darkness can't be without light, just like the light can't exist without the darkness. Тhe rain, which I will now conjure, shall serve as the perfect diversion. When the Coronians gather outside in distress, dumbfounded by the odd weather changes, we'll storm the ''Aureate Edifice''."
Caleb gave what he had just heard a hard thought.
"Mother, are you certain that this is right."- he asked in the end. "I mean, we have no reason to doubt Magana and her words. Why would she hide information about the enchant..."
"Oh, but we do."- Nerissa interrupted him and smiled. She then placed her hand on the young man's strong shoulder. "If Magana was all so sincere and open like a book to us, why did she send her son to Meridian and urged the wedding to be held on an earlier date? Almost a month earlier, to be exact? Caleb, take this as a mission of inquiring, like the ones which you went on during Phobos's reign. All this is, after all, for Meridian's good. We have to know everything about our associates before stepping in such a serious union with them. Besides, we have to inform them of the tragedy."
The rebel leader still looked discontent. She was right about that. Even he couldn't deny that the ''tragedy'' appeared to be somewhat too convenient for some...
"Mom, you were among the first people who wanted this union to happen. If our actions now cause some sort of halt, then..."
"No, I wasn't!"- Nerissa argued hastily. "Ok, maybe I was, but not before Miriadel, Alborn and Galgheita started everything! Besides, I'm now Mage again, thanks to you, my dear boy. I am responsible for the people of Meridian because of that and my word to you. I promised you that I'll keep Meridian safe, and as if to obstruct me, that little wretch had her brother freed! Queen Elyon who you so venerate and respect, my son, is an absolute fool. She doesn't deserve you; she doesn't deserve to be Queen, to begin with-"
"Mom."- Caleb softly stopped her rant by taking her hands in his and bringing them to the level of his face. "You don't have to start with this all over again. I already know your motives. I'm here, aren't I? I came with you to Coronia. Naturally, I'm on your side, and I will do as you say. I just want to make sure that you are certain about this plan before we step into action."
Nerissa looked into his beautiful, clever green eyes, identical to hers, and saw his affection and loyalty. She smiled and framed his face with her hands:
"I am certain, Caleb. My instincts tell me that there is something to be revealed about the royal family and their past, something that might endanger our people. And as you know, my instincts are rarely wrong...But this time not only I feel like that. Our little redheaded friend and her mystical Heart share my opinion."
"Will?"- Caleb asked almost incredulously. "I thought that she, Cornelia, and the girls are off to Midgale-"
"We had a quick chat over the phone."- his mother declared. "And we planned this. I already knew that the perfect time to come here would be now when Cornelia is away and unable to talk you out of it, but when Will called, I was convinced. These things are no coincidence, Caleb. When two guardians of the Heart, as different from each other as me and her, unite around one premonition, then there is certainly a reason worth the efforts."
Caleb finally gave a firm nod and the last trace of hesitation left his face. His strong, handsome features tensed, this time, ready for action. He stepped back with hands behind the back, as his mother raised her arms up, pointing at the sky. With the Heart of Nimbus, she subjected the rain to her will very easily. A single flash in the sky was enough to unleash an entire storm. The suddenly arrived black clouds, spread in an unnatural circle, as if drawn into a great whirlpool.
"Now. Let us blend in and make our way."- Nerissa smirked and waved her wrist, starting the glamouring rings around both herself and her son. "The storm alone will not be enough for the quest to come."
"A storm?!"- Magana stared at her most loyal advisor as if he had just stated that water boils at 0 degrees. "How is that possible?"- she cried and ran to the balconies of her chambers. Visser wasn't kidding. She could hear the thunders- the skies were dark. So unsightly dark.
"Your Majesty."- Visser began with concern. "This occurrence is so peculiar; it has the people in shock. They are scared. The Coronians have never seen such a storm in... well, never! This is so very unnatural for our climate, lay and nature...Everyone has gathered at the Square of Yellow Glory. Your words of reassurance are needed to comfort your people."
"My words of reassurance..."-the beautiful queen gulped and shook her head. "How can I comfort my people, when we know nothing about this uncanny natural disaster...Oh, Leonida, what have you done..."
"Pardon, what was that, your Majesty?"
Magana blenched. She had said it so faintly, of course, the old man hadn't heard, yet she cursed herself. She had to be more careful. Too much innocence was at stake for her guise to fall into this category too.
"I said make sure that Dua is safe in his room with but at least four guards and one of his nannies. Give them the Order of Coronia as well. Then find my son and send him to the Square. That is where I'll be, I'll tend to my people's needs."
"The Order..."- Visser looked a little dumbfounded, but he didn't argue. He couldn't quite understand as to why one of the strongest magical weapons in the entire kingdom was required for the few minutes during which young Dua was to be apart from his grandmother, but then again, she was Queen. And she was extremely over-protective of the child. After what had happened six years ago though, who could blame her... "I'll send the majority of the soldiers to accompany you to the Square, your Majesty. Better take one of your sun umbrellas...It will hardly help in this terrible rain, but it should be better than nothing."- the old man bowed one last time before leaving the royal chambers.
Queen Magana took but a minute to catch her breath. Her heart was suddenly like lead. She had this sinking feeling, telling her that the cause of this irrational storm was more than she could afford to reveal to her people.
"What is the meaning of this?"- Phobos raged. "I thought that your planet was supposed to be the ultimate sun resort, my squeeze? This sudden rain is tampering with my rest, how am I expected to regain forces and powers lost during ten grisly years in jail with such foul weather?!"
Leonida didn't answer right away. She looked more than confused as she lifted the skirts of her dress and walked out of the protection of the shed under which they were located. The cold water soaked her in seconds. It almost scared her. She had only experienced rain once in her life, as a child, and it had been but a light shower, conjured by her mother and father to help the harvest of their realm. Rain didn't just fall like that in Coronia, let alone a storm of such magnitude, a natural occurrence she had only read about in books. Leonida's worried frown was just taking over her beautiful matte face when the Prince of Meridian pulled her back under the shed:
"Foolish girl, don't just stand there! Have you never seen rain, you look ridiculous! You'll only catch yourself a cold and that's not welcome given our current..."
"This storm is something no one around here has ever seen, my Liege."- a familiar voice interfered. "It's a phenomenon."
Phobos and Leonida watched a drenched Cedric approach the Hidden Mansion. He had removed the turban from his head and hence his loose blond hair was wetter than ever.
"He's right."- Leondia told the scoffing Phobos, who used his magic to dry her up. "This rain is striking for anyone born and raised on Coronia. It's uncanny."
"Oh, I see. Is that what you've been doing whilst dawdling around this annoyingly perfect realm, Lord Cedric? Learning more about the planet."
"Excuse me, my Prince, but there really is not much that we are doing as for the moment. Which is why I decided to take some walks every now and then. Your Highness granted me permission to..."
"Don't bore me, Cedric."- Phobos cut him off and gave one last cold glance to both him and the blonde woman. "We're about to do quite a lot. Soon. Soon everything shall fall in its place, have patience and don't test mine. Both of you should find your inner humility and start listening to me."
"My Liege, please. If I could interest you with my revelation that I'm about to make."- Cedric was quick to say, as if insulted to even be compared to Leonida.
"A revelation?"- Phobos stopped in his place. "What kind of revelation?"
Cedric smiled wryly.
"As I was taking my walk, my Prince, I happened to pass by the main Square. The Square of what was it-"
"Yellow Glory."- Leonida called, winning herself a frown from the Lord.
"- yes, as important that actual name can be. Anyhow, I was saying that everyone, the villagers, the wealthier and more important people, all gathered there. Even the Queen herself approached with a large number of men behind herself. That square must be some sort of point for emergency-related meetings-"
"Something like that."- Leonida agreed, not impressed by the man's annoyance. She had interrupted him for the second time. What did his Prince see in this pathetic bimbo was beyond him, but then again, he knew that Phobos always had his good reasons.
"When do we get to the revelation?"- the Prince asked snidely.
"As I said, everyone gathered at the Square of Yellow Glory. Everyone but this odd pair- an elderly lady and a man with a big dark beard. They didn't notice me, because I was standing behind the crowd, but from my position I could openly see them head for the Palace. I found that notably odd, hence I followed them. Not long after though, I stumbled, bumped into a garbage can of some sort. That gammer locked in place. She turned back abruptly and unleashed a spell right in my way. The only reason I was able to avoid it, was because I had already changed shape, and hid in that street dumpster..."
"That's unusual, magic users don't just roam the streets around here"- Leonida interrupted him for the third time. "Who could this wo..."
"If you had let me finish."- Cedric raged. "Maybe you would've understood better, Princess Leonida."- he added icily. "After the old woman did what she did, she spent a minute in looking around. There was definitely something strange in her; a minute more or less, and she would've found me. But then that bearded man assured her that I must've been a rat and they went on, still headed for the Palace. He called her mom. And even through that glamour, I could instantly recognize that voice, the voice of a bastard child who has found his so-called mother after years, calling for her with such despair and the insane fear of her denying him again-"
"The sorceress!"- Phobos and Leonida gasped in unison.
"And the rebel leader...But of course, she made this storm. She's using her old tricks. But why is she here, secretly from your mother?"- Phobos raged. "Now that she's officially Mage, I don't see as to why she'd need to lure in the shadows as someone else, as she did before!"
Leonida frowned. She had already promised herself to never underestimate the so-called Nerissa, for whom she had heard quite a lot through the years. No, she wasn't going to give her that kind of precedence in her own kingdom for sure.
"I don't know, my King, but if she is headed for the Palace in Magana's absence, she must have a good reason."- the blonde said. "I will see to that problem at once."
"What?!"- Phobos frowned darkly. "What are you trying to achieve, exactly, foolish Leonida? Break our cover and inform the abominable mother of the rebellion that I can be found here in the damn realm you call your own? And will you betray your identity as well? Can you think at all, girl-"
"I will do no such thing!"- Leonida assured him. "Trust me, I know what I'm to do. Our plans will not be distorted. I know just how to handle the intruder without giving out any information to her."
"Then I'll also come."- Phobos declared all of a sudden. "Maybe if I glamour myself as one of her allies I can kill her once and for all-"
"No, my Liege, you mustn't go!"- Cedric exclaimed. "She is the one who might kill you if she notices you! Besides, the guardians are not with her-"
"You dare underestimate me, Cedric?"
"No, all I'm saying is that for now, it is essential that you remained incognito, Prince Phobos. Nerissa has been able to sense you before. If our people behind the veil can be trusted, she has recently acquired a new power as well. A new Heart. You shouldn't risk yourself, let the girl do what she does best! If she knows what she's doing, she will protect you and the master plan."
Phobos went silent. He had another thing to say, but it repulsed him. No, he wasn't going to defame himself with such petty showings of concern or care! What did it matter anyway? Cedric had a right. They had Leonida to do things for him as long as he needed to collect his own powers.
For a long second, there was nothing but the hard falling rain to be heard around them.
"Your Lord is right."- the princess said in the end, breaking the unusual silence. "I'll be back soon. I'll take care of Nerissa without even going near her."
Caleb exited yet another room, already discouraged. The ''Aureate Edifice'' was enormous and even though it was practically empty, that didn't quite help them find anything. Not that he knew what they were looking for, of course. Not even his mother knew. Apparently neither did Will. Perhaps storming the Royal Palace was going to turn out to be not only too dangerous but also too pointless.
He took the broad staircase down. He knew that his mother was still there, for some reason, currently going through the dungeons of the Palace. He, himself, had been on the ground floor, going through some royal records regarding the castle staff. Arzu hadn't lied about anything, or at least her story matched that of the real Arzu. According to the records that he had found, she had been a maid in the Coronian Palace for many years, ever since she had been only ten years old, left with no living family or relatives. They had all ended dead after a gruesome fire in their village. She had now, of course, vanished without a trace, only to end up dead, as the enchantress had taken over her image and persona. Arzu was no more, and it was pointless to look into it twice.
Caleb frowned as he finally saw his mother in one narrow, but well-lit corridor. In the form of a short, old woman, he hardly recognized her. At first, he had thought that she is some left-behind woman from the castle staff.
"Mom, what are you looking at?"- he asked as he approached her and followed her gaze.
Nerissa stood before the big, golden door, inlaid with thousands of gemstones forming a magnificent image. Image of an enchanting and beautiful looking spring, which she was staring at with an odd spark in her eye. Her glamoured form's eyes- green as were her own were the only thing which he could recognize her by when in this appearance. Caleb rested his hand on her shoulder. Glamoured as a fragile old lady, his mother who was normally almost as tall as him, even if in heels, barely reached to his chest.
"The Sealed Room. It only opens up in front of the true heir to the Coronian throne and her will."- Nerissa narrated. "This room is one of the many reasons for Magana's haste when it comes to getting her son married. And I only recently realized it."- she sneered bitterly. " I've grown unreflecting, Caleb."
"Why, what's the deal with this room? It keeps something about the Golden Spring?"- the man guessed, judging by the incrustation.
"Oh, more than just something, my sweet Caleb."- she whispered almost trance-like. "This room keeps everything. It holds all the secrets of this realm, including the secret path to the Spring. A path which only the heir to the throne gets to follow once in her life. But don't let yourself be fooled. When I say once, it means once. Once the rightful Queen has been to the Golden Spring, she instantly forgets the path to it. Magic rules of this realm. Soon enough, Magana will not be able to access anymore, and if she doesn't get a female heir to the throne by getting her son married, she will forever lose the paths and powers of the Golden Spring. She'll lose the Heart of this realm!"
"But why?!"- Caleb didn't understand. "Why is the Queen losing her position so early, she's not even in advanced age!"
"See, I didn't catch that either. At first."- Nerissa confessed, letting the jeweled necklace which the Heart of Nimbus was, float close to the golden door. "But when Will told me the entire story of their visit to Coronia from years ago, it all became clear. When the Queen of Coronia gets to visit the Golden Spring at the beginning of her reign, she also gets to bring a bottle of the water back with her. It is kept in this room. The Sealed Room. A magical bottle indeed, but still, a mere bottle. It is supposed to supply her until her death until she has a daughter or daughter-in-law, who can take over the throne. Each Queen must drink this enchanted water till the last days of her reign, but Magana wasted a big fraction of her bottle to break some spell placed upon her daughter. Her dead daughter, that is. One makes the other meaningless, of course. Leonida is dead and Magana's bottle of enchanted water is running low. She must get herself a daughter-in-law in order to save her kingdom from everlasting drought. Without the Golden Spring, this realm will lose all its glory, all its riches and symbols of pride. It will become a place perfect for criminals, thieves, and other vultures to blossom with success."
Caleb stared at the door. He didn't quite know what to say.
"Good for her Majesty then, she has found a worthy daughter-in-law. "- he pretended not to have noticed the look which his mother gave him. "That's of course if she doesn't plan on just using Elyon to get more water for herself."
Nerissa shrugged:
"I wouldn't blame her if she did. Elyon stinks, Caleb. She's a terrible Queen to Meridian, what is left any other realm where her birthrights are not present to keep her untouchable. The sooner you and Cornelia understand that, the better."
"Anyway, mom, we came here with another purpose."- the man started to gently push her towards the stairs. "Let's take a final look around the royal bedrooms and flee. The Queen and the staff may return any minute."
Nerissa abandoned her attempts to alter the rules and bend the golden door to her will. It wasn't going to give in and she knew it. She let her son lead her up the many stairs. Disappointment was there, yet she wasn't quite ready to go down in the dumps and label this mission as barren.
The royal floor wasn't as rich and magnificent as the rest of the Palace. It was much more than that. It was like an exquisite painting, making Meridian's Palace look like a plan little sketch when compared to. This Palace was a work of art. And it was normal since Coronia had always been so rich and exuberant.
"Hey, what are these guards doing there."- Caleb hissed as he pulled the woman behind a large diamond column. "Look, this room must be important. Maybe..."
But he didn't need to finish. Having seen the men in front of the beautiful doors of that particular eastern room, Nerissa raised her left hand. In a swift minute, they were down on the floor, unconscious and out for the turn.
"Set these two aside."- she ordered as she grabbed the handles of the double-wing door.
Caleb nodded as his mother entered the room. The moment she did that, the two guards inside turned around with swords in their hands. Nerissa saw herself forced to throw them in the air where they made a fast swirl before hitting the opposite wall, much to the other woman in the room's horror. She screamed ear-piercingly, making Nerissa frown. Why were these people still here, what were they left behind to guard...and then she saw it. The little boy trembling on the big bed behind his nanny.
"Oh, work! Please, work!"- she squalled rubbing a big golden pendant in her hands. "Please, do something, you useless trinket! The Queen will kill me if anything happens to the young Prince!..."
"Mary...I'm scared..."- the boy whispered with tears in his eyes.
"You don't even know what you're doing."- Nerissa noted as she watched the woman struggle with the supposed mystic object.
Mary lifted her eyes up with utter horror and just shook her head.
"I-I...I don't know anything about magic...Oh, please, mercy! Have mercy, please. Mercy!"
Nerissa growled, fed up with her screams, and waved her hand. Mary fell down, sidelined by a deep sleep.
"What was all that noise?"- Caleb showed his head in the room. "M... Oh, shit."- he murmured as he saw the trembling young boy step back in fear, as Nerissa approached him. "The young prince, right? So now what?"
"Nothing, C-...Carlos."- Caleb frowned at the name his mother had just used to call him with, but then remembered. They were, after all, supposed to be undercover. "Give me a minute to calm this child down and we'll continue."
"I'll wait outside."- the man announced, not wanting to scare the child even more than they had both already did.
As her son closed the doors of the room behind himself, Nerissa carelessly pushed Mary to the floor and seated herself on the big bed. Dua was keeping his distance as much as he could, still afraid, though his curiosity appeared to be taking over.
"Don't be afraid, sweetie."- Nerissa said gently. "And I'm sorry for what you just had to see. Don't worry, they're all alright, they're just sleeping. You see, I wanted to keep a low profile and they were all over the place screaming unnecessarily...Say, why are you here all by yourself?"
"The strange rain."- the boy replied after eyeing her carefully. This old lady didn't seem very frightening to him, yet he had just seen her overpower four men, so he knew he had to be careful. His grandmother had taught him that. "Everyone went to inspect it and talk to the people. But who are you?"
"I'm...a friend."- Nerissa said. "Look Dua, I don't want you to be afraid. I will do you no harm. In fact, I'm leaving."
"But."- Dua hesitated. His grandma had also taught him not to unnecessarily keep people around him when they were putting him in danger, but his child curiosity was stronger. Besides, if this old lady had wanted to do something to him, she would've done it already, right? "Why were you here at our Palace?"
Nerissa hesitated. What answer could she give to that young innocent child? Could she just put him to sleep with magic too? No, no. That wasn't needed. He was just a child, and sleeping spells often resulted in minor headaches. She didn't want him to suffer that. But before the ex-guardian could think of a proper reply to give to the young prince, the doors opened abruptly.
"Step aside, old woman! Don't you dare come near my grandson!"- Magana had just entered, angry as a lioness, but also shaking like a leaf.
Nerissa cursed under her nose and looked for Caleb behind the Queen. She had to see him in order to teletransport...
"Look, I'm not here to harm your grandson or anyone, I'm..."
"Really?!"- Magana exclaimed angrily, just now having noticed the people on the floor. "You're the one who caused this rain to distract us, what do you want? Answer before your Queen!"
As she said that, Magana conjured a ball of pure energy that she threw at her. Nerissa halted the ball in the air with almost no efforts. Magana's eyes widened at that and she screamed:
"Dua! The pendant, now! Use the pendant!"
The scared child did as she said. When Nerissa turned around, he was already under a bright gold dome of energy.
"I don't know who you are, witch, but you better retreat instantly."- Magana began warningly. "My kingdom is no place for people like you. Surrender and..."
"I have a better idea."- Nerissa interrupted her. She hated this glamoured voice. It sounded like Elida*. "You'll let me and my s... companion go."- she said as she saw two guards lead Caleb into the room.
Magana seemed hesitant. But before she could say anything:
"In your boldest dreams, trespasser."- Visser came on stage in his turn. "You've committed crimes against the crown! You and your companion are going nowhere but to the dungeons! And don't try any magic on us, or your companion will lose his life!"- he pointed at the sharp blade which one of the guards held close to Caleb's neck.
Nerissa clenched her teeth at that open threat, and managed to suppress her desire to send all of these fools to oblivion for even daring to speak like that of her son:
"Queen Magana, I did your grandson no harm. Return the favor and let me and my son leave."
Magana looked at Dua and then back at the captured man. Her eyes were oddly avoiding his, as they avoided Nerissa's. With a lowered head, the beautiful woman said quietly, yet firmly:
"Very well. Guards, let this man go."
"My Queen, pardon me, but this is unheard of!"- Visser exclaimed in outrage and turned to the ruler. "You're just going to allow these criminals to leave free? This is a mistake."
Magana turned her head to him, her face as hard as a rock. Her gentle brows knitted in a hard grimace, she uttered:
"Do you actually deny my orders, Visser? Let me remind you, that I still am the Queen of Coronia!"- she said firmly.
"But they are criminals!"- the old man was sincerely dumbfounded, not to mention upset over his Queen's reaction and words. She was too, she hated herself. He was like a father, but she had no other choice...
"I make the decisions around here!"
"Mom, let's get out of here."- Caleb whispered in his mother's ear as soon as the guards let go of him. He figured that it was a good thing that he hadn't started a fight after all. Queen Magana was letting them go. They could still flee undetected, but Nerissa wasn't moving. She was studying the Queen with an arched eyebrow. Her lips were stiff. "Mom!"- Caleb whispered angrily, a little louder than needed. "What are you waiting for?! This mission was a total failure, we might as well leave before we have to fight for it!"
"No, it wasn't a total failure, after all."- Nerissa murmured under her nose, still looking at the Queen. For a second their eyes met and Magana hurried to break the contact. She went over to Dua under her guards' astounded eyes. The boy deactivated the dome and jumped in his grandmother's arms.
"She acts as if these criminals are people she knows."- they heard one of the guards say to the other. "Look at her."
"She does, doesn't she."- Nerissa smirked.
"What?"- Caleb tried to speak only for her to hear, yet his strong, booming voice found it hard to oblige to. "She knows that it's us?!"
"Quiet, Caleb, yes! I believe she does."
"But how?!"
"I have a few theories."- Nerissa whispered back slyly. "And I will find out."
"Oh, would you just leave already?! Gods, this is a travesty waiting to happen! Travesty!"- Visser gave up and left the room with arms raised to the ceilings in outrage.
"Guards, you're dismissed."- Magana called from the bed. "Take the unconscious men and the nanny, and give them aid."
"Oh, they will wake up momentarily, do not worry."- Nerissa interjected and smiled as she watched the Queen tremble.
"Your Majesty, you want us to leave you alone with these people?"- one of the guards couldn't believe. "But..."
"Why is it that everyone is disobeying me today!"- Magana almost screamed with tears in her hazel eyes. "I said take the fallen ones and get lost!"
"Grandma, don't cry."- Dua insisted and wiped the woman's eyes with his hands, as the guards pulled Mary and the other two out with themselves. "They're friends."
Magana seemed to tremble as he said that, but Nerissa smiled even wider and sat herself on the bed again, much to her son's astonishment.
"That we are, little Dua."- she said calmly.
"Please leave."- Magana mumbled, avoiding the green eyes. "You're scaring my grandson."- she claimed, holding onto the boy, pressing him against herself.
Nerissa couldn't keep her chuckle at that:
"Are we?"- she asked, eyeing the young boy who looked almost completely calm by now. "I'd say we're scaring you, and I don't see why, given that you see through this little facade. Unless of course, you have something to hide."
Magana bit her lips and exhaled deeply. She finally found the courage to look back, both at Nerissa and her son:
"Look. Just because, the circumstances demand my humility, doesn't mean that this is right. Trespassing my kingdom, creating this terrible weather, scaring all my people just so that you could sneak around the palace doesn't help build trust. Trust is something that is very much needed between us and you, given the ordeals that are about to face together-"
"Ordeals?"- Caleb couldn't stop himself from interrupting her. "You call my Queen's marriage to your son an ordeal? Well, that's not too trustworthy either! We wouldn't have come here if all these strange things didn't happen around you, you know, your Majesty."
If Magana could go paler at hearing that, she would've been as white as a sheet.
"I-I...I am afraid that I don't understand what you're trying to say- I don't know you people and I c-certainly don't..."
"Oh, please."- Nerissa interrupted her. "You may have little enchanted water left, but it must be enough to keep your ability to sense and see glamours. Let us talk about trust here, Queen Magana, and why we didn't believe you when you said that you didn't know anything about your maid's fate."
"That is totally unfounded!"- Magana argued. "My words regarding Arzu were the truth. I have no idea what happened to the real Arzu, nor do I have any idea when and why someone started to pose as her and..."
"Sure you don't, you keep pretending that Phobos doesn't exist!"- Caleb raged, making the hazel-haired woman flinch. "I noticed it back at the engagement too! That's too much, your Majesty! I know that Coronia has never suffered Phobos, but you can't pretend that he has never been a threat to the Universe and just ignore the fact that he is currently free."
"What is more, the real Arzu turned in near the Infinite City earlier today."- Nerissa went on. "Or rather, she was turned in."
"What?!"- Magana appeared to be sincerely surprised for the first time this afternoon. "The real Azru is in Meridian? She's well?"
Caleb and Nerissa exchanged glances before the ex-guardian replied with a stone look:
"You might want to send Dua elsewhere for this part."
"Send him elsewhere, but..."-having realized the graveness of the situation, the Queen sighed tragically and gently slid her hand against her grandson's forehead. "...this is his room. Never mind. He won't be hearing any of what is to come...How bad is it?"- Nerissa watched the other woman put the child to sleep with magic, something she had restrained herself from doing to such a young boy, mentally giving herself a point for having better maternal instincts.
"She's dead. Her heart has been torn out."- Caleb announced grimly.
Magana gasped and put her hands on her mouth, although the entire time she had sensed this coming. Ever since that psycho had revealed to be posing as Arzu...
"But I guess that doesn't raise anything, does it, your Majesty? Maybe now you'll consider Phobos a threat."- the rebel spat at the deeply-grieved woman. For all so many reasons, he just couldn't feel sorry for her. She was, as Cornelia would say, way too sketchy.
"So, I guess that this masquerade is no longer needed."- Nerissa waved her hand, giving herself and her son back their original looks. "Anyhow, since you recognized us from the beginning. I have to ask- did you see through my glamours or were you tipped off?"
Magana shot her neck up straight, her pale cheeks glowing with affliction:
"Mage, please! Arzu, I have to get her properly laid to rest... This is so terrible, I knew nothing about this, I swear! But you could've informed of that instead of breaking in here today, I really don't understand why you did that."
Nerissa narrowed her eyes at her:
"Well, I guess I could've. But this is how I process better. See, I came to your Palace today to look for information that you might be hiding, Queen Magana..."
"Hiding?!"- Magana exclaimed. "Why, I'm deeply saddened that you'd even suggest such a thing! Look, I apologize if my, at most collected attitude, has made you think that I underestimate the threat which your former ruler is, but I would never risk the union between Coronia and Meridian! We both need this marriage to happen, I take it that the girls, the guardians of Kandrakar, have revealed to you why I need it. And I also know, forgive me for saying this, that our resources interest you. Therefore, neither of us has benefit of deceiving the other. Which is why I fail to understand what made you proceed like this today?"
Caleb seemed to be hesitating. He was ready to take her words and leave before leading things to a bad note for his Queen and people. But Nerissa wasn't over:
"You're such a good actress, your Majesty, but there's this one thing that keeps betraying you."- she stated accusingly. "You're just way too smart to perfect that role of an oblivious fool! Don't take it at heart. It happens to the best of us."
Magana blinked as if she had just slapped her. Nerissa stood up from the bed and dusted her clothes off.
"Hear me out."- she said with a glare. "I'm leaving now, but not before I make one thing crystal clear to you. I know that the enchantress helping Phobos is from this realm. I know that she has some connection to you, and when I uncover the truth, which trust me I will, you shall regret trying to play me for a fool!"
"That's enough, Mage."- Magana stood up too. "If you're going to come to my kingdom with such accusations you better have some proof to support them! If not, then please have some decency!"
"Mom, let's go."- Caleb said quietly.
"Decency?"- Nerissa almost screamed. "Ha! How's this for decency. You changed three tones and tactics ever since you were told about Arzu's demise! You're hiding something, alright, I know how people dissert when they do! There's something which you're not quite telling us and then you have the audacity to talk about trust and decency! Listen, Queen 'My days are numbered' as I give you an ultimatum and final chance! Tell us the entire truth or forget about Elyon marrying your son!"
Magana's eyes widened in horror:
"Y-you...You can't do that! This is ungrounded...This is unacceptable! You don't have the authority to-"
"You'd be surprised what authority I can demand if I decide to."- Nerissa interrupted her coldly. "You brought the enchantress to Meridian with you once, and that's enough of a ground for me."
Caleb sighed but saw what his mother was doing. He decided to side with it. That way, he was going to support his Queen, which was his duty, yet show Nerissa that she mattered more to him at the same time:
"You know what they say, your Majesty. Money and resources are easier to find than an heir to save the Golden Spring for the royal family."
Upon hearing that, his mother looked at him in awe and gently leaned against his strong arm.
"Final offer, Queen Magana. Take it or start looking for a new daughter-in-law."
At that moment, the ruler found herself at crossroads. She had two ideas to go with, that suddenly came in her head. She chose the second:
"Very well, then. How should I prove that I'm not lying?"
"Why not try giving an oath."- Nerissa suggested with a sinister spark in her eye. "A special oath of course."
Magana returned the glance without hesitating.
"Good. I swear on my l-late daughter's memory, that I will not keep anything from Meridian. I'll give out even the smallest details. I swear."
She closed her eyes in visible defeat and when she opened them again, the Mage looked contended:
"Perfect."- she said melodiously. "Now, let's take this conversation to a more appropriate place, shall we?"
Heatherfield, 7:20 PM
Will walked in circles in the living room of the Hale/Crossnic household. She had teletransported from Midgale to Heatherfield half an hour ago, upon talking to Nerissa over the phone. She had had news. Her mission had been ''more successful'', '- than you'll ever be as a keeper, dear Will', as she had boasted smugly. The redhead had frowned at that, but after all, that was Nerissa. She couldn't go without bragging and rubbing it in her face, especially since she was practically her replacement. Everything had been good. But the news Magana had shared with them had blown the redhead away:
"Would you stop that, you're giving me a migraine!"- Nerissa barked from the sofa. "And why didn't you bring my grandson for at least a few minutes..."
"He'll be gone for less than two days, Nerissa, and today has already passed."- Will rolled her eyes. "Besides, Cornelia was already giving me the stink eye ever since I mentioned my suspicions for Andan's family, what do you think she was going to say if I vanished off with her son? No offense, by the way, Queen Magana, even though you kind of lied to us."- she eyed the royalty strictly. "Even if you were sort of forced to, I guess."
"It's alright, I realize my mistakes and fault and would like to hold to them."- the hazel-eyed woman said as if she was now shorter than the grass.
"So what do we do now?"- Caleb demanded standing up from his place.
"We start compiling our strategy against Phobos."- Nerissa said as she made her son sit next to her and framed his head in her hands. "Worry not, Caleb. I've already managed to exploit all his weaknesses and greatly helped you and the guardians bring him down twice. This time he will be brought down forever."
"Good, but how do we start our strategy without letting Elyon know."- Will pondered out loud. "I mean, we could always tell her, but then again..."
A round of applause had her shut up. Everyone turned in surprise as they saw the young blonde woman who had just teletransported behind the keeper of the Heart.
"Cornelia!"- Caleb exclaimed.
"Oh no."- Will sighed and face-palmed herself. "What are you doing here, Corn-"
"What, you ask what I'm doing in my house?"- the Earth guardian shot spitefully. "Or are you feeling awkward because of the fact that I uncovered all of you decided to use it to hold meetings of propaganda, going against the promises which you gave me! Good job, Will. I told you not to ruin Elyon's happiness and what did you do? You forced Andan's mother to come here, didn't you! And you helped her!"- she pointed accusingly at Nerissa.
"Cornelia, you don't get it. We're on Phobos's trail!"- Caleb walked to her. "He's hiding on Coronia, we are close to defeating him, we just have to act together!"
"I don't care about Phobos, Caleb!"- his girlfriend spat. "He might as well go die somewhere! He has already taken enough of Elyon's life with his schemes of evil! I'm tired of him taking her happiness away! I told you that Ely asked me to be careful, she really likes Andan. She wants this marriage to take place and all of you are about to ruin it! Why did you do this behind my back after you promised me not to?"
Caleb looked over to his mother helplessly.
"She really likes him? Please, they met like yesterday."- Nerissa crossed her arms on her chest. "That's pathetic even for her!"
"Oh, I get it."- Cornelia shook her head snidely and glared at her boyfriend. "It was my word against hers again."
"Cornelia..."
"You can't be serious, Cornelia!"- Will couldn't stop herself anymore. "Did you forget your own words from the engagement or did you suddenly go dense!? You wanted to make sure that Elyon is going in good hands, now you just want to ignore the threats?! What the hell is wrong with you?!"
"You shut up, Wilhelmina!"- Cornelia yelled. "I suspected that you'd start acting behind my back when I saw that face you made in the car, but I couldn't even imagine that you'd team up with my mother-in-law and start such a big mess! It took you forever to accept her and now you're allies? What the hell is wrong with you, I ask! You're supposed to lead us, but you make decisions without us! I swear if Andan gets to know about any of this and that affects his feelings for Elyon-"
"Cornelia."- Magana took the word before the dispute could get any worse. "I give you my word that none of this will reach Andan's ears and that his and Elyon's relationship is not to suffer because of anything. There is no reason for that, actually. You've got it all wrong. Once we remove Phobos from Coronia, my son's relationship with Elyon will only get stronger. But it's important to act fast!"
"See, that's what we knew you'd never understand."- Nerissa announced coldly. "Not when blinded by your friendship with the Queen, at least. Neither of us is at fault, we only did what was necessary. Now we just have to organize the rebels and plan Phobos's seize-"
"No."- Cornelia raised her chin up. "We're not going to do anything like that."
"No?!"
"This matter is going to remain a secret from Elyon. We're going to take Phobos down on our own. Nobody on Meridian should learn about this."- Cornelia said firmly, further shocking everyone. "It's time we worked in harmony for a higher good."
"You don't get to decide for all of us."- Will shook her head. "You can't just lower our chances of capturing Phobos by cutting out on the number of people who can help! Cornelia, think like a sensible adult, Elyon's not a child herself, why must we..."
"All these years ago, when you decided to keep Elyon in the dark, you were wrong."- Cornelia reminded the redhead with ice in her voice and gaze. "You didn't listen to me then, but you will listen to me now, because this time Taranee, Irma, and Hay Lin won't leave you another option. And you know why? Because they care about Elyon, unlike you, and they understand the situation. As for our chances, they're not lowered. We just need to maintain harmony. We're the guardians of the Infinite Dimensions. I'm pretty confident that we can handle one psychotic prince on our own."
Elida*- Nerissa's elderly neighbor from "Heart of a Mother"
