Chapter 103: The Sorcerer's Revelations

Kael leaned over the table, drawing lines across a map, furrows deep on his forehead. "We have been acting on rumours," he said, and his voice was pulled tight. Smaller footprints of Addams Weasley's kind have been spotted all over the north border. They move in and out, rarely sticking to one place long enough to find them easily. "Are you certain you haven't found where they are operating from?" I asked, my tone sharper than I intended. 'Not yet," Kael replied, his eyes rising to meet mine. "We are close from what he could spill, though he proves tougher than I expected.' Daisy ever the voice of calm, laid a reassuring hand on my arm. "Reika, you are doing everything you can. The kingdom still stands because of you." I nodded but her words gave me little comfort. "What about the sorcerer?" I asked, changing the subject. Kael turned back toward the door. "He should be here momentarily. He is. eccentric, but they say his knowledge in magic is second to none. As if on cue, the creaking of the door announced his presence, and a tall wiry figure stepped inside, draped in a dark robe that shimmered faintly on in the light, his eyes-one green, one gold, cut through me. "I am Zephyr," he said, and his voice was like silk. "You called me here to investigate the alpha." I struggled to my feet, took a deep breath, and gathered the little composure that remained. "Yeah, he has been in this coma-like state for days. He's under some kind of spell that we seem powerless to dispel. If anybody can help him, it's you." Zephyr nodded. "Then take me to him." We led Zephyr into Ileus's chamber where he lay, quite still upon the great bed. The only sounds within that silent room were the slight crackling of the fire, the shallowness of Ileus' breathing. I watched him step forward with measured grace. The hands of the sorcerer hovering over Ileus, his eyes closed, and a low humming noise sounding through the room, thickening the air, it seemed. A few seconds later, Zephyr opened his mismatched eyes, all weight of it deeply etched inside. "The spell is of the ancients-a binding of strong nature, contrived not only to weaken but also to drain life force over time." My heart clenched. "Can it be broken? Zephyr hesitated, and in that moment, I hated him. "It can," he said finally, "but the process is.delicate. The curse is tangled up in with his spirit. If we try to forcibly remove it, it could kill him. He has to fight it from inside." I slumped back in a chair, my hands shaking. "So there's nothing we can do? "There is one thing," Zephyr said, his voice softer now. "I can strengthen his bond with this world, give him something to anchor himself to. But the rest is up to him." As Zephyr laid his spells on Ileus, I returned to the war room, where Kael waited for me. His face was grim, and I knew the news was not going to be good. More villages took oaths of allegiance with Ariadne and her peoples, spreading vicious rumors that you were unfit to rule. Still others have said that Ileus  is in his condition because of you. I clenched my fists. Injustice smarted like a blow. "Let them say what they want. We'll prove them wrong through action, not words.". Kael nodded but an edge of doubt clung to his face. "What of Addams? Shall I apply a few screws?" I glanced up at him and seemed to falter. It smelled too much like torture to me, but time, we had none. "Do what needs done," I said very quietly. "Just don't trade away our soul for the doing." Kael nodded. "Will report ASAP if I hear anything. By noon, I sat in the great hall, meeting with representatives from each province. Thick in the air, they aired their grievances. "The people are frightened," one of the elders said. "They need reassurance, not just words. What are you doing to bring order back?" "I am doing everything in my power," I said, trying to keep my tone even. "But this kingdom won't heal overnight. We have to have patience and work together." Another elder launched to his feet, his face incredulous. "And what of Ariadne? Her powers grow stronger by the day. Do you really think you can take the lead against her?" I didn't even have time to form a reply before the doors burst open and Daisy scampered in. "Reika," she panted, "there's a protest out by the palace gates. They're asking for you. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. 'Assemble the guards but keep them non-lethal. I'll address the crowd myself." The yard was full of citizens, and in their eyes, there was a tale of anger and desperation. Banners with Ariadne's name on them gently blew in the breeze as the chants "A wolfless Luna can't lead us!" reached across the air. I stepped onto the balcony flanked by Kael and a few of his guards, raised my hand, and the crowd silenced themselves. "My people," I started off, my voice carrying across the yard. "I know your hearts are scared,so is mine. But this is a state that has lived with dangers for centuries and we have soared over them with elegance. And I would humbly beg that you extend patience with me, as I promise that in my powers I'll be there guiding us through to the times when Ileus shall join us again.". "You'd have us follow a queen without a wolf?" someone shouted. I out stared his glare, my eyes cold as marble. "A wolf does not define strength. Strength is inside of one. From love, loyalty, and the will to protect whom we love." Much later that night, I sat in my chambers and Daisy brought me a tray of tea. "You handled that well," she said with a smile. "Did I?" I returned, the edge of exhaustion creeping into my voice. It feels like I'm just holding things together with string. "You're stronger than you think, Reika," Daisy said. "And the people are starting to see it too." 'I know Daisy but I can't just help it, there's more. Ariadne is up to no good, I can feel it." I replied.