The King's Intervention
ROWAN'S POV:
To his surprise, Rowan noticed the King's presence in the infirmary.
The King was wearing a cloak, a sign that he doesn't want his identity to be known.
'This is unexpected,' Rowan muttered. But he was unfazed.
"What happened?" the King asked with a grim expression.
Rowan's voice was steady as he began to explain the situation.
"Your Majesty, the woman and her phoenix were caught in the fireball incident. They're among the casualties we've been attending to. The physicians are currently treating them."
The King's expression remained blank. Rowan doesn't know what he was thinking.
"Is there hope for their recovery?" he eventually asked.
Rowan nodded, his response confident.
"The physicians are doing everything they can. We've encountered some challenges due to the ban on using magic for healing."
The King took a moment to consider the situation, his gaze thoughtful.
Then, he asked directly, "Where is the lady?"
Rowan motioned to the physicians, who led the King toward the woman's bedside.
"This way, Your Majesty."
As they approached, the King's presence commanded attention.
"Leave us," he ordered, his voice carrying authority.
Rowan, along with the physicians and other guards, respectfully withdrew from the room. And they gave the King and the woman privacy.
"I will just be outside the room, your Majesty," Rowan bowed down.
Rowan positioned himself, awaiting the King's orders with unwavering focus.
As he stood, his thoughts churned with questions.
'What is the King's relationship with the woman? And what kind of creature is she? Does the King know about her powers?'
He watched the door, his mind calculating the possibilities.
'If she has powers, is she a threat or an ally?'
Time seemed to stretch as he stood there, his mind running through scenarios.
'Is she from a different realm? Could she be the answer to the bizarre events in Veridia?'
The King's call echoed through the hallway, and Rowan wasted no time in entering the room.
"Rowan, take charge of her care," the King commanded. "Ensure her needs are met. When she's well enough, bring her to the palace."
Rowan nodded in acknowledgment, his response prompt and respectful.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I'll make sure she receives the best care."
Rowan's attention was drawn to the young lady as she unexpectedly opened her eyes.
She addressed the King with a smile, "Lord Shadow?"
The King responded with a bow. "Yes, it's me, Lady Sparkle."
Rowan's mind raced, but his expression remained composed.
'Lord Shadow? Lady Sparkle?' he wondered.
Before the King departed, he leaned in and spoke to Rowan in hushed tones.
"Do not reveal my identity to her."
Rowan nodded in understanding, his loyalty to the King dictating his actions.
"Understood, Your Majesty."
—---------
CASPIAN'S POV:
Caspian breathed out a sigh of relief. 'Lady Elara and her phoenix are safe now.'
He still wasn't aware why she was in this part of Veridia.
'But I will make sure that she will always be safe from now on.'
He glanced back as he recalled how he used his divine abilities to restore their health.
'At least I am certain that my powers weren't affected by what's going on,' Caspian concluded as he gazed at his palms.
He glanced around making sure that nobody saw what he did.
'Magic was forbidden. But I didn't break that rule. I used my inborn abilities,' he reassured himself.
He took one last look at the Infirmary.
'I apologize, Lady Elara. I wish I could stay. But the incidents in Veridia demand my attention. I must ensure order and stability,' he thought to himself.
Caspian took a deep breath, his mind focused on the task ahead.
'I have ordered every Pyromancy Forge to stop making fireballs. I am already in the West and I will pay them a visit,' he reiterated in his mind what he needed to do.
'I will go to the nearest one first. The one that almost killed Lady Elara's phoenix.'
As soon as he got there, Caspian looked at the workers. Then he asked in an authoritative tone, "Tell me everything that happened."
A worker spoke up, stuttering.
"W-we were doing what we always do, your Majesty —making fireballs and keeping them safe. But then something terrible happened. The fireballs suddenly went wild, shooting everywhere. And there was an explosion that caught one of us on fire."
Caspian's voice remained steady as he asked, "Did you follow the protocols?"
The worker nodded quickly, "Yes, we followed them exactly."
Caspian's gaze intensified, "Was it a new worker who caused the explosion?"
The worker hesitated before answering, "No, it wasn't a new worker. It was an elf. He's been working here for over 400 years."
Caspian's mind raced, thinking about the information. "An experienced elf causing chaos for centuries... There must be a reason. Bring him to me."
The worker nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Caspian turned his attention to the fireball-making equipment, his mind calculating possibilities.
"Your Majesty. It's an honor to meet you," the elf bowed to him.
But Caspian's gaze remained firm.
He inquired, "Was there something out of the ordinary today?"
The elf responded promptly, "Yes, Your Majesty. The fire magic I crafted held a different quality. It appeared murkier and slightly darker than usual."
Caspian's analytical mind assessed the information.
'The description matched what the physicians in the Infirmary had reported. The healing magic that was once vibrant, had taken on a murkier and darker hue.'
'But the ban on the healing spell has already taken effect. So they didn't use the corrupted magic anymore.'
Caspian couldn't help but inhale as he imagined the corrupted magic being used on lady Elara.
He shook his head and pressed on, "Carry on. Tell me the rest."
The elf spoke further, recounting the events.
"As the fireballs took shape, their flickers resonated with the shadows… I apologized, your Majesty!"
The elf bowed to his knees with his head on the ground. "I should have been more careful!"
Caspian acknowledged the elf's dedication but addressed the harm caused by his negligence.
"Your commitment to your work is valued. However, your lack of attention has led to negative consequences."
Caspian's thoughts turned to Lady Elara and her phoenix, who now resided in the infirmary.
Then he spoke with authority, "Guards, escort him to the dungeons."