The Sacred Stone Barsphirine

Time frame: wartime

Upon learning of King Valdemar Clementine's visit to Clearport, King Reinald and Queen Mother Oda were thrown into a panic. Not a single member of the royal family had participated in the war against the Ostrill Kingdom.

Not even the royal nobles, who were still engrossed in parties every week. Nor the Crown Prince, Navarro Pynsia, who continued his pattern of gambling, heavy drinking, and frequenting brothels.

Queen Oda wielded significant influence over the policies enacted by her husband, King Reinald Pynsia. Her refined and effective mindset was evident in the majority of policies that were put in place.

However, her influence didn't seem to transfer to her children, who lacked the same capability to lead the kingdom.

Despite Queen Oda's remarkable impact on her husband's policies, her children had yet to demonstrate the same level of proficiency in governing the realm.

While the Queen had played a pivotal role in shaping the kingdom's policies, her children showed little interest in following her example. In light of this, Queen Oda found herself seeking alternative strategies to ensure the continuation of her legacy.

Queen Oda's excessive coddling of her children had resulted in the Crown Prince disregarding his moral responsibilities as he grew older. Princess Chalde Pynsia was similarly indulged, with both children insisting on their rights while neglecting their duties as heirs to the throne.

Their lack of discipline and commitment only heightened the threat they posed to the stability of the monarchy. Queen Oda was left grappling with the challenge of instilling these values in her children to secure the kingdom's future.

The extensive favoritism shown by Queen Oda towards her children had caused public sentiment to shift towards Lady Sophia. She had gained considerable popularity among the citizens of Cescil.

In secret, some members of the public had even drafted a petition advocating for Lady Sophia's designation as the next in line to the throne. This was due to her exceptional qualities and character.

This growing public sentiment reflected the belief that Lady Sophia was a superior choice for the future ruler compared to Queen Oda's children.

Lady Sophia chose to live amongst the commoners outside the kingdom, dedicating herself to enhancing the well-being of the less fortunate. She achieved this by frequently visiting impoverished areas and actively participating in charitable activities.

Her endeavors were backed by her wealthy husband, Sir Arthur, who wholeheartedly supported her cause. As a result, Lady Sophia garnered admiration and respect from many Cescil citizens, who now regarded her as an ideal candidate to assume the mantle of leadership.

The pronounced shift in favor towards Lady Sophia exacerbated Queen Oda's deep-seated animosity towards her. This resentment was further fueled by the historical affair between King Reinald and Lady Severa, Lady Sophia's mother.

This only served to further alienate the Queen from the people, leaving it uncertain whether Queen Oda could mend the divide or discover an alternative approach to preserving her family's legacy.

Lady Sophia's influence gained further momentum when she volunteered to join Cescil's army on the battlefield. Queen Oda saw this as an opportunity to distance herself from Sophia without taking direct action.

Unlike her mother, she secretly hoped for Sophia's honorable demise on the battlefield.

However, Queen Oda's equilibrium was disrupted when news broke of King Valdemar's visit to Clearport from the Kingdom of Gamaaloth. She began searching for ways to locate Crown Prince Navarro Pynsia, who was found inebriated at one of Everkeep's brothels. It was crucial to sober him up and expedite his journey to Clearport.

The Queen recognized that Crown Prince Navarro's misconduct posed a potential threat to the kingdom's stability, especially with a visiting king from another realm.

Once found, Queen Oda summoned the royal physician and requested a potion to swiftly counteract the effects of Crown Prince Navarro's heavy drinking.

The Queen comprehended that her son's impaired condition could jeopardize the stability of the kingdom, particularly with a visiting monarch from another realm. She left no stone unturned to ensure her son's behavior wouldn't tarnish the family's legacy.

Meanwhile, in Clearport, King Valdemar sat in a circle at an impromptu and humble banquet alongside Ragnar, Uzana, and Sophia.

The room, dimly lit and adorned with a scattering of flickering candles, carried the aroma of freshly cooked meats and vegetables. Occasional clinks of silverware against plates punctuated the air.

The king, Ragnar, Uzana, and Sophia occupied seats around a rustic wooden table, their gazes locked on one another as if engaged in an intense debate. The palpable tension hung heavy, and Adeline's presence seemed to amplify it.

Unfazed, Adeline poured tea into each glass with steady hands, her eyes darting between the group. As she turned to leave, Uzana halted her with a gentle touch, urging her to stay.

"Please, Adeline, join us. You are Lady Sophia's confidante in caring for my brother, Ragnar," Uzana said, pulling a chair closer.

Uzana's invitation did little to sway Adeline. She exchanged a quick glance with Lady Sophia before receiving her nod of approval. Only then did Adeline take a seat, though a hint of hesitation lingered.

The room descended into a deeper silence as Adeline settled in. The expressions of the four individuals grew even more guarded, and it became apparent that this was far from an ordinary banquet.

The clinking of silverware faded into the background, and hushed whispers began to circulate around the table.

Adeline remained composed, her focus on the king, whose gaze was now distant, lost in contemplation. A few moments passed before he spoke, his voice measured and low.

"Lady Sophia, could you enlighten me on how you managed to cure Ragnar of the deadly Trurian poison?"

With some difficulty, Sophia swallowed her bite of food, wiping her lips before responding, "Your Majesty, Adeline Shad assisted me in healing Lord Ragnar and Qedren. Adeline Shad was diligent and skilled in her search for the Trurian poison antidote."

"Did you find it?" he interjected.

Sophia fell silent.

"The antidote," he prompted. "I am curious to know if you healers managed to find it."

This was a fabrication. Their attempts to create the antidote had failed. Lady Sophia had employed her magical abilities to separate the Trurian poison from Ragnar and Qedren's bloodstream.

In the process, she had fallen unconscious numerous times, striving to prevent the poison from reaching their hearts.

But Adeline, of course, couldn't confirm the truth. She simply clasped her hands on her lap.

Uzana's hand gently gripping Adeline's offered her the courage to speak. She looked at him, a tinge of embarrassment on her face as she realized her trembling hands hadn't gone unnoticed.

His grip was reassuring, imbuing her with a sense of calm. She managed a faint smile.

Uzana's grip seemed to grant Adeline the courage she needed. "Your Majesty, we were unsuccessful in replicating the antidote. We believed it might not work, but it did. Subsequent attempts were futile. I beg your forgiveness for my inadequacy."

"Is that so?" King Valdemar responded, feigning acceptance. "You were rather careless."

"Please forgive me,

  Your Majesty!" Adeline responded fervently.

Sophia felt a pang of guilt watching Adeline take the blame. She opened her mouth to protest, but Ragnar's discreet touch on her hand beneath the table halted her. He shook his head slightly.

"I understand," King Valdemar said once more. "The king of Gamaaloth before me, my brother, succumbed to the same Trurian poison. Unfortunately, he did not have the fortune of encountering you." His voice lowered as he explained his conviction regarding Ragnar's death.

Ragnar cast his gaze downward, fixating on his food for a moment. It was the first time his father had displayed concern for him.

If not for Sophia, he wouldn't have known his father had flown from Metaena alone to retrieve his lifeless body.

Valdemar hadn't entrusted anyone else with his son's body. He had been the one to see it and bring it back. He had even taken out the sacred royal weaving to shroud his deceased body.

"Thank you for coming, Father," Ragnar spoke, breaking the silence. "I apologize for the journey you had to undertake."

His father looked at him, a touch of pride gleaming in his eyes. "Son, there is nothing I wouldn't do for you," he said, his voice gruff with emotion. "You are my flesh and blood, and I will always stand by you."

Ragnar struggled to hold back his tears, blinking them away quickly to prevent revealing his emotions.

Although their faces were concealed by cloth, with only their eyes visible, Sophia still managed to discern his tears.

After their modest welcome banquet concluded, King Valdemar stood before Sophia and Adeline, gazing at the two young women in turn.

"You two will always be welcomed in Gamaaloth. I guarantee your safety indefinitely." He extended his large hand, offering two ruby blue pendants made from the sacred Barsphirine stone.

"Wear them. When you do, all of Gamaaloth will stand as your protector."

"Hm, indeed, I will protect them, Father," Uzana affirmed.

"Be quiet, you useless child! You can't even care for yourself, let alone protect others!"

Adeline pressed her lips together tightly, suppressing her laughter. Uzana grinned, scratching his forehead with his index finger.

Sophia retrieved the two pendants, handing one to Adeline. Sophia's gaze inadvertently fell on the identical pendant hanging from the iron chain of the wristlet around Ragnar's right wrist. The chain connected to the iron ring on his index finger. Uzana also wore a similar wristlet.

"Father," Ragnar said, his hand on Valdemar's shoulder.

Valdemar turned to Ragnar, waiting for his words. But Ragnar exchanged a quick glance with Sophia and opted against speaking further.

He was intrigued to discover how far Sophia would harness the power of the pendant she had received.

Ragnar had almost disclosed that his father had given the pendant to the wrong girl. That such potent power shouldn't be bestowed casually upon someone else. But Valdemar believed the two healer girls deserved it after saving his son.

Valdemar assumed the pendant would see limited use. He anticipated that the lives of the two girls would remain tranquil and uneventful.

He failed to realize that the two girls before him would employ the pendant's power to such great effect in the future. He had bequeathed a significant legacy to two seemingly fragile and oppressed healer girls.

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