CHAPTER TEN

Herbert stood from his chair abruptly, and Melissa held Ramiel's hand in fear. I sat unfazed at his declaration.

"Are you certain?" Herbert asked, "She's frail and-"

Robert held the woman's chin forcefully "Don't let her appearance fool you, your grace, she attacked my men with a gust of wind. And look at her eyes, like fire"

Duke Herbert turned to Ramiel "What say you, my king?"

Ramiel's gaze turned cold as he looked at the witch, his eyes held disgust and a hint of fear "My ancestors have fought the good fight against the abomination known as witches for centuries, beings like her undermine my authority and defy their legacy. Take her to the dungeons and prepare for her execution at dawn"

Robert smirked and bowed to my brother. He dragged the woman out, doing so, her gaze shifted to mine once more. As I looked into her golden eyes, I saw a silent plea, she was asking me to help her, but there was nothing I could do.

But that doesn't mean I wasn't going to try "My king, should we not hear what she has to say first?" I asked. This wasn't going to stop the execution, in truth I had no idea what this would do, but I couldn't just stand by and let this happen.

"There is nothing for her to say, she is a witch, and the penalty for those who practice sorcery is death" Ramiel declared.

"But-" I tried to speak, but duke Herbert silenced me.

"The king has spoken!"

And with that, I watched her being dragged out of the dining room. A woman whose only crime was being born a witch.

I lost my appetite after that, I left the dining room and made my way to the gardens to find some solace.

I took a seat in one of the stone benches under an archway, my thoughts drifting back to breakfast. People always said that witches were scary beings that would sooner curse you than speak to you, but when I looked into her golden eyes all I could see was fear, fear of being captured and executed, I bet she was trying to sneak out of the kingdom, at least I hope so. That would be the smart thing to do.

I walked into the castle, leaving the tranquil garden behind me. my footsteps echoed as I climbed the flight of stairs to Acrisius' office.

I knocked on the door but got no response, so I helped myself in. he was doing the usual, scribbling away at documents. Though I could not fault him, he was now baron of Temeria and Sundara, a huge burden.

"Cousin, welcome" he greeted, as he put a stamp on an envelope, sealing it. "How was breakfast with the family?"

"You're going to need a drink for this one" I said as I took a seat opposite his table.

I told him everything that happened at breakfast, and about the witch and her impending execution.

"What is going to happen to the witch is a cruel thing indeed, I do not agree that all witches are evil" this made me smile. Acrisius and I get along well because we are of like mind when it comes to certain things, and I'm glad we see this in the same light.

"What re we going to do about the witch?" he asked.

"What makes you think I want to do something about it?"

Acrisius chuckled and leaned back on his chair "Natalya, we grew up together, I know you like the palm of my hand"

He was right at least, I did think about what I was going to do, I couldn't risk setting her free, she was probably locked in the most secure dungeon in the castle, the black cells. No prisoner that has been there has ever escaped.

"I will speak to her, find out more. She looked at me like she knew me, I need to know why"

"You won't try to free her?" he asked surprised.

"You overestimate me cousin, even I am not stupid enough to try and free someone from the black cells"

As I stepped out of Acrisius' office, the heavy wooden door creaked shut behind me, enveloping me in the chilly air of the castle's corridors.

I navigated the narrow passageways, my footsteps echoing off the walls as I descended into the depths of the castle. The air grew thick with the scent of decay and desperation.

My heart quickened with every step, my senses heightened as I approached the notorious black cells.

"Who goes there?" a guard called. I moved closer, and when the guard saw me, he gave a sharp nod. "Your highness" he greeted. "I've come to see the prisoner" I told him, my voice stern, leaving no space for argument.

"My lady, we are under strict instructions-"

"By whom? The king himself?" I questioned sharply. I was satisfied when he nodded in disagreement.

"Then I outrank whoever gave the order wouldn't you say?" I did not wait for the guard to answer as I walked past him and unto the cell where the witch was held captive.

The witch sat facing the wall. Her cell was small, hence there was no bed, only a patch of hay on one corner and the only source of light was a small window above reach.

"Hey" I called to get her attention.

She turned around, and when she saw me, her eyes widened in surprise. Even in the dark her eyes shone, they were like little torches.

She rushed in front of me, the bars the only thing separating us, and bowed.

The gesture took me by surprise, as I stood there speechless. "High priestess" she whispered. "You came, like I knew you would"

And there it was, those were the same words the woman in Sundara said to me when I helped her, what exactly does she mean?

My heart raced, but I had to ask "What do you mean? What is a high priestess?"

The witch looked at me, as if I was supposed to know what she was talking about. When I asked again, she pointed at me "You. You are a high priestess of the old religion"

I frowned, a shiver running down my spine "I do not know what you mean" I repeated to her, but she only smiled "You will… in time"

I needed to switch to the reason why I came here "I don't think we've met before" I told her, remembering the way she looked at me, with so much familiarity.

"No, we have not, but one can always recognize its kin" again she was speaking in a way I could not understand.

"You are to be executed at dawn" I told her, she nodded, and this time she didn't look scared, but she looked as if she welcomed the idea, and it confused me more.

"Do you have any family, you may want to deliver a message" I offered, not knowing why I did.

"I have no family. I came into Korghon looking for you, and I found you. I must say it is an honor to meet you, I can meet my end happily now"

All this made no sense, we did not know each other, so why did she risk her life looking for me?

"Why?" was all I managed to ask.

"You are destined to bring back the old ways" she answered.

"The what?"

She was about to answer when the guard from before came in "I'm sorry your highness, it's time to go"

"A moment" I said through gritted teeth.

"Remember, High Priestess. The old ways are not forgotten." With a swift motion, she slipped a silver pendant through the bars, and I caught it, feeling an inexplicable connection to the metal.

"Go," she whispered, her eyes never leaving mine. "But know that I've found you, and soon, you must find yourself."

"What is your name?" I asked.

"Regina" she responded.