Chapter 3

Nyla sat beside her father, who spoke softly to Lilo beside him, in the banquet hall of Juno palace. The melody of a harp and steady beat of drums sounded throughout the hall accompanied by the chatter of the many Juno Magistrates and Guarde who were invited to the feast.

The feast was to commemorate the convergence of the five Preators, a rare occasion that Roland felt needed celebrating. Nyla thought that the resources could be put to better use and that this whole feast was a waste of time. Her father had given her the ‘customs and traditions’ speech upon her voicing her complaints and told her to enjoy the company of her peers. Unfortunately, there was not much company to enjoy as Enid was deep in conversation with Rowan, who smiled at his words, Ezra ate her food, clearly trying to avoid eye contact with anyone and Kai sat quietly by his brother’s side.

The Preators and their Sybils had the honour of sitting at the High Table with Preator Roland, his wife and two sons. Rowan’s brother, Rory, could be no older than seven, as he sat comfortably on his mother’s lap playing with a tiny wooden sword. His jet-black hair matched the rest of the family with the exception of his golden-brown eyes which he got from his mother. He smiled joyfully at his father who caressed his head with affection.

Tired of the otherwise tedious event, Nyla excused herself saying she’d like to retire for the evening and got up to leave. She walked through the stone archway of the hall and was on her way toward the guest quarters. After walking for several minutes, Nyla feared she had gotten lost. She turned a corner into a hallway that began to look slightly familiar. She realised that this was the hallway that led to the throne room where Roland’s dismembered throne lay.

She pushed one of the heavy stone doors open and winced as it groaned. In the centre of the room sat the broken throne, the rocks of the shattered throne were spread across the ground. The once magnificent stone throne was now a morse symbol of power. Almost as though the thief wanted to prove a point, that without the seat of power, Roland had no power, and in turn, Juno had no power. It had to have been personal. Or perhaps, a means to an end. A reason to gather all five Preators in one place, leaving their regions leaderless and defenceless.

“I don't member the feast, including this part of the palace.” Nyla turned quickly to see Rowan leaning against the doorframe. He smirked. “What are you doing, Petal?”

She sighed. “My name is not Petal.” She turned to face the throne again. “I just stumbled upon the room whilst trying to find my way back to the guest quarters.”

“I see.” Rowan was about to join her when another voice demanded,

“Who's in here?” Rowan and Nyla turned to look at the Guarde who stood by the door. He recognized them immediately and straightened his back. “Access to this room is restricted, even to you, Sybil Rowan.”

“That’s alright, Jendry.” Rowan replied, “The Lady and I will see ourselves out.”

Nyla’s shoulders sagged slightly as she walked out the room. She had forgotten that the throne room was to be investigated the next day. Any visitors beforehand would be seen as tampering with the evidence.

The two Sybils walked side-by-side in silence which Rowan broke. “Would you like to join the investigation tomorrow?”

Nyla stopped in her tracks. “Really?” he nodded with a smile. “But I thought only the Juno Guarde would be allowed to investigate.”

“You forget that I am the Sybil of Juno. I’m pretty sure I can sneak you in.” Rowan’s eye twinkled as he smiled.

Nyla knew she shouldn’t, as it was an issue for the Juno clan, she had no right to interfere, but to get the opportunity to get involved in a first-hand investigation was a gift wrapped in mystery that she so desperately wanted to accept.

She sighed, “If Preator Roland grants me permission, I will gladly join the investigation.'' She knew the chances were scarce as Roland would see this as another occasion a Lady should not be involved in, but she had hope that maybe, just maybe, he might see her value in this investigation.

“Alright then.” They continued their walk to the guest quarters where Nyla’s father was waiting which could only mean one thing. Nyla bid Rowan goodnight and excused herself from his side as she went to her father. His foot tapped the ground lightly and he raised his eyebrow as Nyla stood before him.

“How did you find out so quickly?” she asked with a wince on her face.

“You’d be surprised.” Her father replied with a stern look.

Nyla sighed in defeat. “I was just-”

“You were just nothing.” He stopped her. “You knew the throne room was not to be disturbed until the morrow and yet you did.”

“I just-”

“That being said, I have convinced Preator Roland to allow you to assist in the investigation.”

“That's not fair! I just- wait what?”

Oriel laughed at his daughter’s confused face which turned into one of annoyance. “I knew you would eventually want to join the investigation, I just did not know you would be so impatient.”

Nyla pouted as she crossed her arms. “I had no intention of going there tonight. I just happened upon it.”

Oriel eyed his daughter before he nodded. “Very well. I suggest you get a good night’s rest if you are to have sharp eyes tomorrow.”

Nyla smiled and hugged her father. “Thanks dad,” she felt her father’s chest rumble as he chuckled, stroking her hair.

“Goodnight, Filla.” Oriel walked over to his room, leaving Nyla alone. With a smile, she retreated into her own room, washed up and went straight to bed.

Nyla walked into the throne room the next day where several Guarde were skimming the walls with their magic, trying to find any traces of who might have infiltrated the palace. She watched as Rowan walked over to her and couldn’t help but smile and raise her head a little higher.

“Seems you were able to join the investigation without my help.”

Nyla tried to hide her smile. “So it would seem.” She wanted to thank him for offering to sneak her in but knew it would only boost his ego, making him think she owed him one. Instead, she brushed her bangs from her face as her eyes combed the room.

“So, where would you like to begin?” Rowan clasped his hands together with a clap.

Nyla clicked her tongue and nodded toward the throne. “There.”

“Very well. We shall leave no stone unturned.” Rowan picked one of the scattered pieces of the throne and studied it intensely. Nyla groaned, rolling her eyes. “What?” He smiled. “I thought it was quite funny.” she shook her head, unable to hide her smile and walked over to the throne.

“So, what are we looking for?” the two Sybils stood before the throne.

Nyla breathed out heavily as she knelt before the throne. “Well, if the thief used magic to break the rock, it would have left a trace.”

“Right, but we already agreed that even if you found traces of Natural Energy, it would not lead you to the thief.”

“I’m not looking for traces of Natural Energy. It has no signature to trace, but do you know what does?”

“Spirit Energy.” Rowan said pointedly. He dropped to kneel beside Nyla.

She turned to him. “Right, so, how often do land shifts occur in Juno?”

“Rarely.”

“Which means?” Nyla rolled her hands, insinuating for Rowan to think further.

“Wait. You think someone caused the land shift?” Nyla clasped her hands together with a nod. “So, they would have used their Spiritual Energy to create the shift and that would have left a trace.”

“Exactly,” she smiled.

“Why didn’t you tell the Preators this?”

Nyla sighed. “A Lady’s opinion is not worth the ear of men.” She turned her attention back toward the throne and passed her hand over its surface. A slight glimmer caught her eye. “Did you see that?”