138 The Priests

AUTHOR'S POV

"This is very well written… my father-in-law truly is an honorable man who would do everything for his beloved wife", Queen Isavelle tossed the book on the table as she wave at the servants to serve her afternoon tea. Deep inside, Argus wanted to tear the book apart for mentioning his beloved son and having written all the lies connecting to his kind.

"He surely is", Lord Nero said as he sit on the carved hardwood, purple velvet chair across the queen.

"Unlike my husband, who never visited me ever since the attack. I am forlorn, and I may die of loneliness anytime soon if this persist any longer", Queen Isavelle uttered with apparent displeasure and longing for her husband.

"The King sends letters and..", Lord Nero tried to explain the situation but the queen argue easily.

"I don't need his letters!", the queen gritted her teeth as she stood up. She walked past Lord Nero and positioned behind him. "I need him in my arms. The nights get lonelier and the days are longer", she whispered with a sigh before going back to her seat.

"If you read the letters, you'll know your Majesty. The King has fallen ill and may take some time to recover. You can visit him in his chambers instead, now that you have recuperated. His doors are always open for his lady", Lord Nero said as he find the queen a little bit odd. He could hardly believe the sudden change in the queen's way of behaving from meek to daring.

"I am a woman with reservations. I don't go in a man's room", Queen Isavelle said as she sip her tea. She personally made another one for Lord Nero, but he respectfully refused.

"But… he's your husband", Lord Nero remained seated with his hands across his chest, confused with the queen's response. Crinkling his nose, he could smell the strong stingy scent from the queen's tea.

"I'm tired of this discussion. Make him come to me. It's the least that you can do after defying my orders… making Syria the high priestess instead of Celeste", Queen Isavelle expressed her contempt after being ignored.

"It was a unanimous decision, my queen", Lord Nero simply answered. "There's nothing I can do about it", he shook his head with his tight lips.

"But Celeste saved my life, Nero", the queen said. "It's an honorable act that needs to be equalled with an honorable prize", she justified.

"But she isn't recognized by the council", Lord Nero reiterated. "Syria is trained by Yereah, and was endorsed by the Wiccans as the successor of the High Priestess. That position is rightfully hers with or without the votes", he explained to the disappointed queen.

"Still", Isavelle briefly said with a pout. Then she put down her cup tea that's almost half empty.

"If you insist, you can make an appeal, Queen Isavelle.", Lord Nero said as he stood as soon as he heard a carriage arrive. "If there's anything more, please call for me. I'll have other matters to deal with at the moment", he respectfully said.

"Who's that?", Isavelle noticed the carriage alarmed the lord.

"Survivors from the Holy Land", Lord Nero said that made the queen pique her interest.

"Priests?", Isavelle instantly felt delight hearing about the arrival of the unexpected guests.

"Yes. They were found by Stellan, and were brought to Beorg Mountains", Lord Nero said. "Alesso escorted them here to see the King", he added.

"My, my.. What a remarkable day it is", the queen clasped her hands together with her glimmering eyes. "Allow them to make a courtesy visit to me. The King after all is too sick to see them. Perhaps you could do that, Nero", Isavelle said as she stood up.

"As you wish, your Majesty. Please excuse me", Lord Nero left the chambers while the queen make a change clothes for her visitors.

MEANWHILE

Alesso arrived at the palace with Father Bertram and Father Elijah. The servants of the church were to meet Lord Nero, and discuss what have happened in the Holy Land. Enthusiastic and optimistic, Father Elijah looked forward for a brand new life after the horrors in the Holy Land. As for Father Bertram, he constantly felt edgy with the traveler's stone in his possession.

The palace crusaders guarding to front refused the paladin an access to enter. With a threat to fire his energy bows, the crusaders agreed to take him to Vesta and personally ask permission to enter the palace with his visitors.

"Please wait here, I will look for Vesta. She's in charge here now", Alesso let the priests wait in the antechamber while he and the crusaders standing by searched for Vesta. Fidgety and nervous, Bertram continously tapped his foot on the floor and circled his thumbs perpetually while he look around.

"Will you stop?", Father Elijah sat on the bronze curule chair by the entrance.

"What's with you? We are in the palace, this is the safest place there is", Elijah becomes pained seeing how uneasy Bertram is.

"I'm sorry, Father Elijah.. Maybe "I'll just step out for some fresh air", Father Bertram led himself to the covered wallwalk connecting to the courtyard.

"Suit yourself", Father Elijah rested back and closed his eyes to enjoy the silence.

Father Bertram found himself nearing the

King's chambers. The guards let the priest pass with a little white lie that he was allowed by Lady Vesta to come in and see the King. Swallowing a lump in his throat, he opened the door and peeked in. He saw the King leaning by the open hearth, with a seemingly ornament in his hand. Staring intently, Bertram mustered all his fortitude to go in and hand the King the traveler's stone. As he was about to enter, the King suddenly groaned as if in terrible pain. Betram held his breath as he watch the King grab his hair looking up the ceiling. Bertram was about to call for help when he saw the King's eyes turn to gray while he catch his breath. The frightened priest gently closed the door and turned away believing that the King himself is a traveler.

MEANWHILE

Father Elijah absent-mindedly dozed off while waiting in the antechamber. He's too tired from the journey from Beorg Mountains to the palace, that he didn't even heard the footsteps coming forth. "Are you the priest from the Holy Land?", Celeste's voice woke up the priest who jolted out from his quick nap.