178 Nearly There

BACK IN THE PALACE

The great hall was covered in white. Long sheets of satin drapes hung from the ceiling, oozing with class and extravagance. White candles were placed on the gold floor candelabrum in every corner of the hall, as servants in blue shearlings lighted them one by one. The walls were adorned with thick red and gold heavy curtains, pleating perfectly in such high class, while a long red carpet has been carefully rolled out by the servants. Everyone was bustling for a major event in the palace.

The long wooden pews were polished and arranged in two columns facing the altar. The great hall has been filled with the freshest callalilies, white roses and sage that its entirety smell of sophistication. Over all, the ambiance simply emanated purity and hope for an important religious event organized by the church today. High profile visitors, distinguished guests, ranked warriors and members of the council upsurged exactly on time. Gradually in succession, people fill the empty pews to witness the solemn ceremony of ordaining the new high priest of Nether.

No Wiccan was invited. Syria, who had good news about the King's passenger talisman, was asked to visit His Royal Highness after the ceremony for the King wishes to personally attend the religious event. The high priestess had no choice but to delay her discovery, without giving the King a hunch how important it was.

Wearing an off shoulder, long loose sleeved gown made of red velvet with gold lace studded with precious gems, Queen Isavelle looked at herself in the mirror with the traveler's stone in her hand. She sat on a lavish low back chair in bronze and beige with her legs crossed. A servant tied her hair up, while another place a gold crown full of diamonds and pearls on her royal head.

"You don't know how crack it", Celeste assumed as the servants finish putting the crown on Isavelle. They immediately left after they have finished attending to the queen's needs.

Isavelle stared at the rock by the mirror as she take a closer look at it. "Of course I do. I'm one of the witnesses of how this piece of a rock that was dug from Snow Mountain", she then kept the rock inside her pocket as she stood up. She glanced at the burning candle with a few more inches left before it's all melted, thinking that she's almost running out of time from possessing the illusion of the Queen's physique.

"Then, what are you waiting for? You have been waiting for this moment, haven't you?", Celeste asked again. "This body bores you, the sight of Silvius makes you vomit, and you're tired of the immaturity of their son", Celeste followed the Queen to the drawing room as they prepare to go to the great hall. The unison chants from the hall have started to be heard in her chambers.

Isavelle got caught up with Celeste's persistence. As a sorcerer, she must have ways to crack the powers in the traveler's stone and yet, she couldn't. In all actual, not only a person with great magic can release the power of the stone, but also, there's a proper way to do it or else there will be grave consequences. The stone was first used by Caluso's merchants before it was handed over to the imperial palace. They were adept to its use, that they pledge for its secrecy to preserve the powers of the chosen people of Snow Mountain. By extracting the stone's power, one will be able to magnify soul traveling, amplify healing abilities, summon dark healers in soul travelers even without blood, and manipulate the earth, wind and waters. All of a sudden, she felt being pushed by the Wiccan.

"Celeste, why do you still loaf in even after Rowan's death? He was your master, was he not?", Isavelle suddenly asked.

"Dead men can't rule", Celeste went closer to the queen who had a look of uncertainty. "You, Argus, the ruler of Caluso, who can summon dark healers from the innocent vessel of soul travelers, deserve my loyalty. I shall be your right hand whom you could trust severely," she simply said.

Suddenly Isavelle was plagued with doubts with the sorcerer's words. Celeste whom have had such an angelic face with the right hand that might stab Isavelle in the back, suddenly appeared awry in her eyes. "The merchant at the foot of Caluso. He knows how to crack its powers. There are proper ways to do it. With one mistake, the stone will be destroyed forever.", Isavelle revealed with tensed jaw. Celeste stopped bombarding her from there. That was when Argus completely read and understand the room.

In a sudden, the doors opened freely and a man come into view as he walk inside the queen's chambers in a hurried pace. "Mother", Galen called as he step inside the room.

"My son! Y-you're b-back!", Isavelle tried to greet Galen with cheeriness. Her eyes landed on the sword kept in the prince's scabbard.

The Sword of the Kings. The very same sword that buried Argus in the snow of Caluso.

"Forgive my insolence, Mother Queen, I went here as soon as I arrived", Galen held his mother's hand with tender eyes as he kneel on one knee. Celeste gave the two a much deserved privacy as she step aside.

"Where have you been to? Look at you", Isavelle brushed his son's cheek as she lean forward. She tried to hide her discomfort being close with the damned sword. "Where are the damned servants? How could they let you look this way", she intensely searched for the prince's escorts, looking for a reasonable way to dismiss the prince.

"I heard you were hurt, so I come rushing back. How are you, mother?", Galen asked without taking his hands off his beloved mother.

"Oh dear", Isavelle covered her mouth as grief in her eyes. "It was awful. I was attacked by a dark healer. I was mortally hurt and emotionally agonized.. It was all gloomy, but seeing your face now makes me feel… better", she said with a smile. "On your feet now lad, let me hear the stories of your journey next time", she said.

Galen parted his parched lips followed by a sigh. He raised his face showing his dazzling blue eyes, with a glorious smile. "That's marvelous to hear. Let's have the stories morrow.", he stood up and grazed the cheek of his mother. "For now, please excuse me. I'll just attend to myself as I feel fithy and unworthy to be at your feet. I just came in rushing because I was worried about you", he said as he let go of his mother. "Perhaps… there's a ceremony at the hall that's about to commence that I didn't know about?", Galen asked as he walk towards the door.

"You've been gone for a while, son. A new high priest will be ordained today. Go ahead my love, I'll see you at the hall.", Isavelle said dearly. "By the way, have you found the celestial, my son?", she asked before Galen steps out of the room.

"Nearly there, mother", Galen said as he close the doors.

Celeste was about to trail the young prince but Isavelle opposed. "Tsk tsk. Leave him untouched. He'll find the celestial for us", she said with gleaming eyes."The prophecy is true after all", Argus have realized that the knight to rule all with one sword and ignite chaos in the kingdom have appeared in the young prince, Galen.