2 The Calamity of Enphy (Part 2)
"Let us begin the debate over what to do with my new born daughter".
As these words were spoken by the King everyone in the room feels the a chilling sensation travel down their spine and a feeling of cold steel in there gut. Skalanis one of the elders after feeling this thinks to himself.
" It is a sad day indeed when a newborn princess must be judged for something she hasn't even done yet"
Volodar, an elf that has lived long enough to see his fair share of rulers is the first to speak.
"My King, we cannot allow this evil to remain within the royal family. I understand there is no way to know for certain which future this child will follow, but by removing it from the palace we can at least lessen the affect it will have if it decides to follow the path of the destroyer"
Hearing this elder Rathal snaps out of his surprise of the Kings indifference to basically a trial with his newborn daughter at the stake.
"Volodar have you thought that maybe the reason for the first future is doing exactly what you suggest? Think about it Volodar. How would you feel if your parents decided to disown you simply because you were something that threatened their reign? You would feel depressed and angry at those parents. These conditions would be perfect for nurturing the seed of darkness within her soul".
Elder Orym thinking on both Volodar and Rathal's answers decides to say the thing everyone in the room is thinking most but avoiding.
"If we can't send her away and if we can't keep her here, then we should kill her now to allow the herald of darkness find a new host and deal with it before it has a chance to mature in the royal family".
Skalanis thinks to himself that he cannot allow that to happen no matter what.
"Orym do you have no heart? This is the first born daughter of the King and Queen". "Seiveril is there anything you suggest aside
from these barbaric suggestions offered by the elders"? "What of the guardians of the forest? could they raise the child in our place"?
The King who had remained silent throughout the debate, looks at Skalanis with piercing eyes and murderous intent rolling off his voice.
"You want my daughter to be raised by unicorns"? "Have you finally lost your mind"? "You must have to suggest such a thing in my presence".
Under the piercing gaze and crushing presence of the King, Skalanis feels as if an assassin has thrust a dagger of frozen steel through his heart and into his spine. This brutal onslaught causes him to shake violently and removes his ability to speak even a whisper of a word. Skalanis can only sit in his chair paralyzed from fear and pray someone throws him a lifeline to remove the Kings murderous eyes off him. Thankfully Seiveril throws him that very lifeline.
"My King, what Skalanis suggests actually isn't that bad of a idea".
The King graze returns to its original state of being devoid of emotion as he turns to Seiveril, allowing Skalanis to breath in gulps of air and wipe the cold sweat of his brow.
"Oh and how is this a better idea then what has already been put forth so far"?
Seiveril reaches in the collar of his robe to pull out a pendant. After adding some power to it a large book is conjured out of it into his waiting hand. The book cover looks be a scene straight out the forest with trees covered in vines, thick undergrowth, and a pair of glowing red eyes of an animal laying in wait obscured by the bushes in the center of the cover. The feeling anyone gets from these pair of menacing eyes is that some type of unknown predator is waiting to pounce on anyone who dares to read this book and rip their body to bloody sheds of flesh.
"This is a Catalog of every known beast, spiritual creature, and Deity within the known forest territory of the elves". "According to what is written in here, the unicorns are a presence in the forest similar to our Gods that grant us protection from the outside races". "The exception is that these beings are more true to the forest then our Gods which can be swayed in our favor at times".
King Tharedar still not being entirely convinced yet but willing to listen to his friends idea asks for more details on this idea.
"Seiveril if we decide to move forward with your idea, how will you implement your plan"?
Seiveril thankful to not receive the same look the King gave earlier, looks down at the floor and brings his fist to his chin getting lost in deep thought for a moment before collecting his mind to reveal his plan.
"My King I will personally bring your child to the home of the unicorns as it is written in the book of beasts and explain to them the situation involving the princess then beseech their help in raising a champion against the darkness".
Queen Ara after listening to Seiverils plan gently squeezes King Tharedars hand.
King Tharedar knowing that this is the best plan for his daughters survival and knowing His Queen secretly wishes for it he wants it himself. The problem is that unicorns are cautious to who they reveal themselves to. Knowing this and feeling that this might be something that could cause the mission to fail he again questions Seiverils plan.
"What measures will you take to make sure that you will indeed meet with the unicorns"?
"I shall invoke a blessing from my God to cleanse my spirit of any impurity for a short time and I believe that your child's future will be the real catalyst that will resort to the unicorns appearance". Replies Seiveril.
"I am willing to put my daughter in your care, but what if you fail"? Asks King Tharedar.
With a somber expression Seiveril replies.
"If I fail, I will accept responsibility and so what must be done for the good of the kingdom allowing you to pin any ill will on me for it".
"Very well my old friend, make your preparations and notify me when you are ready". King Tharedar says to Seiveril as he turns to the elders and says.
"Summon a detail of Watchers to go with Seiveril when he is ready and make sure they know they are going to be guarding the royal princess".
All four elders bow at the waist and say in one voice. "Yes my King!"
With that everyone leaves the room to fulfill the orders they were given until only the King and Queen are left alone with the princess who is gentle sleeping on here mothers breast.
Meanwhile Seiveril packs his things for the journey ahead of him. A series of cloaking devices and disguise kits and one use defensive trinkets that could be their saving grace if they run into trouble on their journey into the forest to the home of the unicorns. After finalizing everything he yells out for an attendant.
"Duredale I know you are out there, get in here i have a task for you".
The curious Duredale is once again surprised by this old mans keen sense of his surroundings as he enters the chambers of the royal court mage once again taken aback by the vast size that defies logic as to how it fits in the palace. Once again taking a knee he waits for orders.
"Duredale go to the King and tell him that I am ready for my travel to our neighbor kingdom and that I would be thankful if he would meet me at the teleportation circle to send me off with his good graces".
After Seiveril finishes giving his orders Duredale stands up immediately and gives him a nod before leaving in haste to carry out his task. "Hard working fellow isn't he" Seiveril says to himself before heading to the grand teleportation circle that is normally only used for emergencies or for sneak attacks against approaching armies. The teleportation circle is no secret to the other cities in fact its existence is a widely known fact however most people think its range is limited to twenty miles. The real range is safely one hundred miles which is a fiercely guarded secret known only to the King and the royal court mage. As he arrives at the chamber he is greeted by the elders and the King dressed in full elven plate with a long sword strapped to his waist. Looking at the King you would think he was a hero from the legends ready to drive every foul evil creature from the forest with his armor shining in the evening sun holding his daughter in his arms making sure the child is properly swaddled in the softest wrapping he could with a pendant enchanted to create a calm atmosphere in close proximity to it.
"My King it is time". Says Seiveril as he steps into the circle.
Looking at Seiveril, Tharedar gazes loving at his daughter for the last time with sorrow behind his eyes.
"My Lovely daughter I have only known you for a short time but in that time I have been introduced to horrors that no parent should have to bare. I am so sorry to have failed to removed this dreadful curse from our lands and I am sorry that you will have to grow up without your parents. Know that where ever you go, you will always be loved. Be well my sweet Enphy".
The King gently holds out Enphy to Seiveril as if not wanting to let go of his daughter. Mournful looks being found on everyone present Seiveril cradles Enphy in his arms and tries to comfort his long time friend.
"My friend you may see her again someday, you must continue to push forward for that future".
Tharedar relaxes a small amount before saying to Seiveril.
"Thank you, my friend. The Watchers are waiting for you at these coordinates. They will guide you through the forest and protect you until you get to where you are headed. After that it will be up to you to finish your task".
Tharedar hands Seiveril a piece of paper and turns to the elders.
"Active the circle, be well my friend and I shall see you again Enphy"
with loud hums from the circle and bright light the royal court mage as well as the royal princess are transported a hundred miles away.
As they land they are met with a group of 6 elves all dressed in armor that looks like tree bark and moss and with every movement they make, their bodies blur slightly. One steps forward and Seiveril hears a voice in his head.
"Royal court mage we are here to guard you on your journey, this is the last time you will see or hear us. Worry not, we will stay with you until you say otherwise".
Seiveril steps past this Watcher and simply says. "Very well let us make our way to the princesses' new home".
