Chapter 98

It's kabal's first day in Julian's room. It's the first time he woke up in royalty. It's weird, as expected. He was woken up this time not by noisy crows of Roger's birds, but the rustle noise made by royal maids. He had stayed with Julian against his mother's wish. He assured her that he'll be fine. She do not trust the demons at all. He rose up, had his bath and joined Julian at the dinning table.

"Morning Sire." He bowed, taking a seat across the table. His meal was served and they ate quietly.

Julian was glad he got at least comfortable enough. He didn't expect him to be shy but he know how much pretence or rather impersonation, another being will put off if asked to live with the crown prince.

"Your training commences today." He announced. "Its a tournament with me. There's really nothing you need to learn. I'd like to see your skill."

Kabal was shocked. He'd fight with the demon Prince. That is just beyond his dreams, if he ever had any. It's practically impossible.

"Master, it's..."

"No complaints."He cut him short. "Get your coats on. I've got little time."

Kabal hurried into his room, rushed in his legion wears and got out. Julian was ready also. He wondered how fast he does his things and if he ever smiles. He hasn't seen him smile ever. Only once, he caught a glance of his smile when he was with Claudia but since then, even now. He always have this dark bland expression on his face.

The moment they stepped out of the oak door, a guard came running towards them. He curtsied.

"Milord, the king calls for you. At the council room, Milord."

Julian hissed. This is just too sudden. He had enough plans for the day and now it's just been crashed.

He glanced at kabal whose jaw was already touching the floor, disappointed.

"I'll join him soon."He dismissed the guard.

"You'll still train. Let's go to my garden"

He took him to his garden, a large expanse of land with well trimmed flowers. Kabal looked so happy. He has never been in any place as beautiful as this.

"No one comes here without my permission. You'll be safe. I'll join you when I'm done with the council meeting. Train with that."He pointed to a grave image that stood at the far end of the garden. Kabal bowed as he watched him leave.

*

"My king, I advice you go on with the war. We are fully ready. Besides..."

Julian walked in, causing everyone in the hall to fall silent. All eyes were fixed on him, like they didn't expect him there.

"Crown prince Julian, you are welcome."A council member said.

"Well, it doesn't look like that."Julian retorted. He sat on his throne, at the right side of his father.

"We thought you would not come. His highness explained how devastated you have been. We guessed you'd be resting." Another jeered. Julian casted him an evil glare. 

"We were talking about the war Julian. The white coven do not want negotiations any more. They want war. How prepared is the army?" Roger said.

"You should not ask me that father. I'm no longer assistant remember?"

A wave of murmur passed through the room, it died down in few seconds. He just disrespected the king. He does that a lot anyway.

The new Army head, Kron, who sat at the far end of the room cleared his throat. "We are ready your highness, As always."

Roger grinned. " Are our walls all guarded. Are they in good shape?"

"They are your highness. They have always been. All our gates, your highness are guarded, in and out. We are ready for any war at anytime."Another answered.

"Do we have enough weapons? Kron?"

"Weapons are never enough your highness." Kron grinned. "All I need is your go ahead. I'll instruct the Goldsmith to carve more. We need as many as we can acquire. I sense it is going to be a big war." Kron answered.

"Like the one in history."Another added.

"But what must have prompted the white coven to suddenly seek war? They were just about to accept a negotiation. We should be vigilant My King."

"Vigilant, you say? I agree with that but we can't be afraid of them. The demons rule the world. They are ready to give up the rest of their lands. That's what the war means. It's not worth the waste of time. Let's get to the..."

"It is not as easy as it seem Ereal. Their lands are still guarded. Even more now. The damn shield is back. Why are we all paying no attention that? "

The room fell solemnly silent. Everyone was thinking except Julian anyway. He had other things to worry about, fortunately.

"They have the key. We lost hold of it. Their shield is stronger. Isn't that something we should be worried about?"

"But they asked for war. They must have other plans. Why does it look like a revenge mission on the demons? Definitely, we have a traitor among us."Raleigh was the one who said this. He hasn't taken up his throne at the northern province. He asked the king to suspend the position because Katrienair ignored him. Well, he had real reasons, he only made that up for the king to understand he had a good reason (like he needed a queen.)

"We do."Roger finally spoke.."we did. It's the past now, let's focus on the future."

"I have an idea though."Raleigh said. "They asked for war. We should only. be prepared. They'd come to us. Beyond their shield. I believe they have a mission, let's just watch. I mean prepared. The witches can't stand up to us never." He stopped, leaving all of them in suspense.

"You've not profered any solution Raleigh" Julian finally spoke. 

"The almighty crown prince finally spoke!"Raleigh jeered. Julian just ignored.

"Well, I suggest that we choose a meeting point. The Sante Hill at the northern coven connects our lands with theirs. There's no shield there. We should meet there."

Roger thought for a while. He would not want it look like he's scared of the white coven.

"We are stronger than that Raleigh. We would win this war, however it goes. There's no need for formalities. A war will remain a war."

Really, war is war.