Chapter 19- Things of the wicked

To fear death,

is to fear life.

~ Seneca.

***

 Out of greed, it became an obsession to these Dark Lichs and their Lord. He craved for it like honey to the mouth of a child as they days passed. His entrancement to power was like a magnificent voice of choir from a great singer.

 Plagued by this, a great war broke one dark day, in the time of Heir Luc and Heiress Evana, the protectors of the sacred treasure. But they died trying to protect it; they lived up being the image of the true protectors they sacrificed themselves for, which unfortunately fell into the hands of these evil creatures.

 As time went on, months, years and eventually few decades, the Dark Lichs including the Lord, became much stronger than any being, conquering and controlling every creatures. He ruled over all kingdoms, building new laws of the land.

 They were the strongest, mightiest, and most powerful amongst all. Turning humans into meal and other creatures as slaves. But with all those years, the Book hadn't been fully opened without something; something that holds the power to unlock the abilities.

 It was known as the Key.

 Within those span of time, half of the abilities went to the Lord due to the numerous amount of witch blood he had sacrificed. According to the sorcerer, it was only the blood of the key that held the power to open the Book. He had turned, twisted and searched for this unknown key over yet another decade but nothing. It was as though the so called 'Key' had also gone missing.

 After the war, as the daughter and heiress to the lost treasure, she made a vow to return it, to prevent darkness from reigning, returning it to the Order where it rightfully belong.

 After many years of plan, she appeared as a spy to the kingdom where it laid. From a slave, she grew wiser and stronger only to gain the Lord's attention. She was made the Advisor over all cases and grew closer to him with her success, gaining his trust and support. But even the years she had served him, never had he made mention of the whereabouts of the lost and hidden treasure.

 It all happened one faithful day she spied on the Lord's movement, to realize an underground passage beneath the walls of his chambers. With stealthy movement, she followed his trails and waited until he disappeared before making her way.

 That midnight was when it all occurred… 

.

 Elvera stealthy walked into the room and made access to the underground path, and was welcomed with the sight of the treasure.

 Time froze as she stared at it. With her head heavy with different thoughts, the only thing she was focused on was retrieving it. As she intended to grab it, a sudden sharp-like arrow came flying to her direction and a force that pushed her to the ground.

 One of the arrows bruised the side of her cheek and she hissed at the scratch that got her bruised. She was stunned. Did she miss something? If it wasn't for that force, she was sure she would have been good as dead and gone right now!

 Her eyes fell on the tombstone besides the statue and the words carved on it. 'Sangius Clavis.'

 Latin. She realized. She pronounced it again, getting the faint meaning of the words. She translated the first word as 'Blood' and the next was 'Key'. It took her another second to realize the meaning of the ancient language.

 And a silver knife was kept at one far corner. Elvera got on her feet with a low growl and rushed towards it. With a terrible hiss, she sliced her palm and let her blood flow into the silver statue's mouth.

 At first, nothing happened. The place was generally silent. Elvera's brows squinted in confusion. Before she could take a step, the ground shook slightly and rumbled under faint pressure.

 The Book glowed both in darkness and light, as the illumination shone upon her ghastly face with the brightness and shadowy nature it brought. She trembled upon the sight.

 Elvera was so lost at the magnificent view that she forgot her purpose at that moment. She shook her head and quickly grabbed it out of the statue's hand. But the moment she did, the light died out from the Book and she made her way out.

 It hadn't been up to another minute when she was caught with the Lord's most trusted aide that appeared to be making his way there.

 He stopped her. "What are you doing here, Advisor?" He spoke in a foreign language, his brows curled up in surprise as he observed her.

 Elvera's eyes stretched at his sudden appearance before returning back casually. "I-His Grace sent me on an errand," she said with a straight face, her courage never wavering. The veil that covered the lower part of her face moved with the movement of her lips. "I shall take my leave. His Grace seemed to be in a hurry when he sent me." Her hands held the Book securely hidden behind her back.

 He didn't look quite satisfied with her response and it made her uneasy. "May I remind you His Grace never sends anyone to this part of the castle, most exclusively, his chambers," His voice was rough and gawky, with the way he spoke as though emphasizing every word with its incomplete teeth and ragged skull.

 He wore a red garment that covered his skeletal body and his bony fingers dangled mindlessly to his side when he floated not walked, approaching her without any reasonable doubt of his last sentence.

 All these years he served the Lord, never had he been sent down here to retrieve or run errand. Having a mere advisor whom he was in a far bigger position over was nonetheless unconvincing to him. Other reasons be it, running an errand in a place other than his chambers didn't settle with him well, knowing fully no one else knew this particular passage. Including him.

 He had only followed the strong intoxicating scent that led him to this place which he was certain didn't belong to the Lord, in his chambers. And the guards securing the entrance were off sight. And it could only mean someone else were in there.

 And when he trailed, it got him to see the person he least expected to see.

 Elvera struggled with the words to come up with not liking the twist. Still keeping her façade on, she spoke with that same demure as before. "And I don't need to remind you how His Grace trusts me with his personal assignment concerning the development of the kingdom. You know me too well to arouse unnecessary suspicions against me,"

 "Not at all," he responded. "Pardon my intrusiveness then. If His Grace had sent you, it's only right that I know of it." His eyes trailed from her face to her hands behind her back. He sniffed. "What's behind you, Advisor?"

 Oh no! She cried internally. It was only a matter of time before he realized what had gone missing.

 "I need to attend to His Grace immediately," she diverted when he blocked her way. Damn! She cursed for the nth time. With a raised brow, "Yes?" she asked.

 "What was the thing His Grace had sent you on? I assume I should have been aware by now," his curiosity bubbled up again.

 "His instructions were strictly not to let any eyes see what he had requested for. Oh, pardon, I forgot you lack the balls. Skull perhaps?" she shrugged lightly when he responded with a low growl. "I'm simply following orders." She completed. "I'm sure you are very conversant with the punishment for breaking a rule. You wouldn't want me disobeying, would you?"

 He raised his head to meet her eyes with displeasure in them. Ever since this lady appeared, he caught the smell of something fishy about her. From her all-too-good façade and polite demeanor was something he found hard to accept. Humans were known for different facades and he suspected she was one of them. A spy? He believed.

But to his disappointment, he couldn't trace a finger at any fault. Whatsoever he dug into, came out abortive, and her future, he predicted no harm. She was like the others. Even with that, she as still suspicious in his eyes.

 "Hmm?" she asked, snapping him out of his thoughts and gaining back his attention.

 His face hardened briefly before he opened his mouth to speak. "I apologize… I was only being security conscious. Pardon this one," he gave a small nod, his pride not letting him bow.

 Her eyes dimmed as a result of her false smile. "You wouldn't mind if I will be excused. I have pending matters to attend to. His Lord isn't found of tardiness."

 He nodded and excused himself, giving her way.

 Elvera sighed in relief internally when she sneaked the Book securely to her side and to her front, making her way out. She felt his menacing gaze burning her back, but she gave no effort than to ignore his stare.

 As soon as she was out of sight, it was then his eyes fell on the empty statue's hands. His anger flared at his clumsiness.

 "THE BOOK HAS BEEN STOLEN!" He alerted…

***