Chapter 1
Soldiers bowed, as a tall man with a regal aura walked hastily through the polished corridor lined with soldiers. Both his arms clenched tightly around a pile of cloth. The man took a pause and hastily adjusted the lump, hysterically he looked around to check if any of the soldiers had somehow noticed what was inside.
He continued his haste, thankfully the soldiers haven't noticed, or else he had to get rid of yet another evidence today. It was necessary, things have to be done for the greater of the nation, he repeatedly told himself.
"Your Majesty" a man in a massive gleaming armor bowed.
The King's eyes ran through the armor, it was always a delight to look at these masterpieces, it just looked like just one single piece of metal covering the whole body of the bearer. 'God armor' they have named them, a suitable name. Power unparalleled, origin unknown truly god's own work.
"At ease my friend." the King gave a subtle smile to his old friend Varus and gestured him to open the door.
Varus did what was asked of his King.
"Let no one in." He commanded and entered the room.
As soon as the door behind him closed, he took a long sigh of relief. If only someone knew what he was hiding, what if 'HE' knew, the King swallowed the hard lump.
"Gustov? Why take the trouble. Should have sent for me." a beautiful woman, in her mid-thirties spoke out. "Is everything alright?" She further added as her green eyes fell on her sweating husband.
"Everything is great Fiona." he slowly unwrapped the cloth and a small hand rose from it, then the legs followed by a head.
"A baby?" Fiona looked at her husband quizzically. An 'illegitimate child' her eyes narrowed but her doubts soon washed away. Gustov was too busy handling the council then there were neighboring nations, rebels, kingdom finances, councilmen and not to even mention those exhausting meetings.
"Beautiful." she gasped, as the baby looked at her with his light blue eyes.
"Who is this little one ?" Fiona asked playfully rubbing the baby's puffy cheeks.
"A weapon." Thomas replied immediately.
The queen chuckled but her amusement was only short-lived when she glanced at her husband. Gustov's expressions were somber, he wasn't joking.
"You cannot be serious Gustov" she asked in disbelief.
"He is a mag-.. potential mage Fiona."
"Potential ?" she looked at her husband unsure what he even meant.
"He is not yet...awakened... but there is a.....stream of mage energy in him." he spoke out, recalling what the examiner had told him earlier.
"Awakened? Stream of energy? Do you even know what you talking about?" she knew her husband too well, these were not his words, he was as clueless about the term as she was. But what scared her was Gustov's resolution-filled eyes.
"I have got him examined from a dependable source, he might awaken to be a mage. He is not as physically weak as mages are when they are born, who knows better than you, look how strong he is."
"So are we adopting him ?" Fiona eased and she smiled facing the baby, who returned her smile, it was the most enchanting smile she had seen in her life, he was just adorable.
"Adopt" Gustov gave out mocking laughter- "Then what, watch him kick Jamine to a side and take over the throne. This is what you want for our only son and for this kingdom which my father's and forefather built on their backs ?"
"He is a child, he will grow up on we raise him." Fiona opposed
"That is what I have been trying to make you understand. The almighty has sent this boy for this kingdom. Look how strong his heart is, he has not once shed a tear and he is just two weeks old."
'Two Weeks.' she had to admit the baby looked at least six weeks old, but that was no justification.
"Gust-"
"Think about it realistically Fiona. A mage, who is unparalleled in weaponry and who could assassinate in broad daylight. How beneficial would this baby be to Jamine and this kingdom? You know our kingdom doesn't have enough battle mages."
Thomas warily looked around and whispered-"Do you think we would be able to resist other nations when 'HE' dies."
" 'HE' has been here for six generations, what makes you think 'HE' will pass away now. All for we know 'HE' even may be immortal." Fiona spoke with a hushed voice.
" 'He' called for me a few months back, and trust me Fiona 'HE' is all but a skeleton now and I can assure you 'HE' won't live for long."
"Even my father said the same a decade back and see who has outlived whom."
" 'HE' has gone into slumber last month, we have just one month, just a month to settle this kid into the fort I have built for him. If we don't we have to wait yet another year."
Fiona looked at him defyingly, she did not even consider replying. Gustov was hiding something she could tell it.
The King sighed furiously.
'Give me your real motive already.'
"Fiona"
'Finally.' Fiona sighed inwardly.
Gustov paused for a moment, and after carefully inspecting his surrounding he spoke in a hushed voice, his face flushed with anxiety -"Listen to me carefully, and think about it with an open mind."
The Queen's brows furrowed, she could see how nervous her husband was. There was only a single person in this world who could make the King of the strongest nation act like a cat and she was hoping, her gut was wrong.
Steeling his nerves Gustov spoke- "Think what if....what if The Ancient -"
"Gustov." Kiara cut in with a raised voice. "What are you doing, it is taboo to name 'him' ."
Gustov ignored her and continued-"The Ancient has been in control of this kingdom for too long, and I can tell you he is not as strong as he was earlier. Tell me Fiona what if the Ancient decides to come out and tramples all over us, who would stop him ? You or those councilmen? Or are you expecting some soldiers to stop him when even battle mages tremble to his name? Or people of this kingdom who think 'him' to be just a myth." Thomas looked at the baby, eyes burning with resolution "He would stop him if need be and he will take out anyone and everyone who is a threat to this kingdom and to Jamine."
Gustov's expression eased a bit as he held his wife's hand gently-"You know I am doing it for this Kingdom and our son."
Fiona listened to her husband with rapt attention. She was not much startled by what her husband had just said. Honestly, she herself has thought about it quite a few times and she was sure the kings and queens previous to them did too, but no one has a backbone enough to accept it or even tell another soul.
Fiona knew her husband was being earnest, just doing what was right for this kingdom, but she has decided otherwise.
"I cannot Gustov, I just cannot let this baby shoulder our responsibilities and give a sacrifice so big. This is not his battle to fight, and I have never heard of someone awakening. You are born a mage or you just aren't." she spoke dejectedly.
"Don't soldiers give away their lives in battle? You have seen soldiers dying closer than anyone, tell me were you able to heal them, bring the dead to life. What about their children, their families?" The King lashed out. "This one baby can save hundreds of lives. Can't you see? It is our duty as King and Queen to keep our feelings aside and look at the grander picture."
Fiona stood there unfazed, she had made her decision and so had Gustov.
Saddened he continued- "I was here not to discuss but to let you know of my decision. I don't like doing this but someone has to take the responsibility and I cannot see you taking any. I just would have been a happier man if someone I love could understand me and my decision just for once."
Fiona turned around, disgusted.
"Everything has been taken care of already." Gustov spoke stoically, wrapping the child again and leaving.
"Just know this Gustov, I bear no part in this brutality of yours, as I cannot watch an innocent child purposely turn into a monster in the name of this Kingdom and its future," Fiona spoke aloud with gritted teeth, she could hear her husband stop.
"Don't Gustov please." she whispered under her breath, but it was all in vain. The king had made up his mind. A tear soon trickled down her eye as she heard the door open and shut close behind her.