Chapter 22:, Investigation
In segund.
After the long wearisome journey he arrived at segund. Though he was not tired because he had few stops on the way to rest.
Home sweet home. He drew a long breath of air in his lungs. "It feels nice to be home". He muttered.
The cold foggy weather in yakutsk almost took his old life away. He almost froze.
His left foot still hurts,a little.
He managed to travel with the injured foot all the way from yakutsk. It was not an easy one,but to him it was worth it.
His sweat,his pain,his blood was worth it.
Just to see nakir in shambles and ruins.
To have segund soar above other kingdoms in power, population,wealth and prosperity.
First it was the king's desire, now that desire has been passed unto sirocco. Somehow it did. It consumes him. The zeal,the passion to be on high.
Sirocco went to the upper room to check nakir's body.
*
The upper room is another world entirely. A very big room sculpted and unusual writings. It is highly furnished and the silver lavished carvings.
It holds the history of segund, the stories of the past kings and warriors. There is more to it than it's hype. Sirocco opened the large door. He walked inside and proceeded to where he kept nakir's body. He could not see it anywhere.
Sirocco developed a cold feet immediately.
Did nakir came when i was away. He thought.
Nakir will not be able to enter his body because it's not complete. The body is without it's fang. He had taken nakir's fang,far far away.
Nakir will disappear into thin air because his spirit cannot continue to stay in wherever it is, he will need his body.
He could not inhabit a body... Scorned sirocco. It will be impossible.
According to the laws of power,they would be a great imbalance. It will be way too much for a normal body.
"Nakir should also know this". He said.
But at this point i cannot trust nakir. I cannot trust anything.
Someone must have seen him come here. The guards.
"Did not they stand at the entrance to see him." But wait.
Nakir did not come here himself. Someone else did.
The spells were still intact. Everything strong and defending. If nakir didn't then who did. Who is strong enough to neutralize this spell in a short period of time,take nakir's body and still leave the spell intact.
"Who is the black leg of segund".
"Who did this?". He stormed out.
"Assemble all the upper room guards and official in the court now. He ordered liam.
"Sirocco". The king called. "Where have you been".
"Far away, your majesty. He answered in a rush tone. "It's of a high secrecy".
"Do you think am a rat. Do you not trust me. He said In a rather calm tone.
Sirocco stared disdainfully at him. At this point he could not trust anyone. Not even the king.
"Nakir body is gone and the spell is as strong as when I cast it. Nothing changed. Only the royal family can go inside the upper room because I have excluded them from the spell effect and you are aware of this your highness.
"So what do you imply sirocco.
"That there is a rat. A big one and I will find it. If you're not too busy, your majesty, let the royal family join me in the court room now.
"Let us go now". The king said firmly. Sirocco doubts me. He thought. But why.
*
"We have a rat,a big one, here in the palace". Said sirocco.
"Who were the guards appointed yesterday to watch and secure entry of the upper room.
They all stepped out away from the crowd.
"Very well. He said.
Sirocco walked to where they stood.
"You must all swear to say the truth,for anyone who keeps a thing will drop dead.
The courtroom was dead silent. Everyone froze. They know sirocco mean it for sure.
"I swear to say all that I know". They chorused.
"Good". Said sirocco.
"Who went inside the upper room when i was absent". Sirocco asked.
"Prince brandon... One guard said. He was quick to answer.
"Fair enough. He loves his life.
Sirocco eyes,wide open in disbelief.
"Prince brandon,why did you go inside the upper room yesterday. Sirocco asked.
"Forgive me sirocco but I do not recall. Prince brandon answered.
"You don't recall. "You. He pointed at the guard that mentioned brandon's name.
"Come to me. He walked to where sirocco stood.
"What is your name?" Sirocco asked.
"My name is lucas. He answered.
"Do you tell me the truth.
"Yes I do. I value my life.
"Hmm. "Liam bring the truth detector. He ordered.
Here you go. Liam handed it to sirocco.
Here is how the truth detector works. It turns blue when you say the truth and it turns red when you tell a lie. This little ball will determine your fate lucas.
"Now again. Who went inside the upper room when i was absent.
"Prince brandon. Lucas answered firmly.
The ball turned blue.
"He is saying the truth. Sirocco said and he turned to face brandon.
"Now again brandon. Why did you go inside the upper room yesterday.
"I do not recall.
The ball turned blue.
"He is also telling the truth sirocco. The king said.
Sirocco scanned brandon's body for a while.
The truth detector cannot lie.
Something is definitely up.
He noticed brandon is without the royal ring.
"Brandon... where is your royal ring?"
Brandon checked his hand. It was always on his index finger. Always on it.
"I don't know sirocco. I honestly don't.
The ball turned blue again.
"You don't recall again. His eyes did not leave brandon's face.
"Do I suppose the truth detector is defective. Perhaps someone tampered with it. To be sincere none of this makes sense to me. He said. He was a little confused.
"Someone tell a lie. Sirocco said aloud.
"Sirocco is in the flower of his age. A voice said. The ball turned red.
"That's a lie. The king said. The truth detector is not defective nor is it disfunctional.
"So do I suppose the prince has lost a part of his memory. Said sirocco.
"Yes,you can say that. Because all this is insane, without the royal ring my future will be a mess. Do you honestly think I would betray my own people that I will one day rule over. Said brandon
"No,I do not think that,I want to prove that... I need something. Somebody tell me something.
"Well the truth is in front of you sirocco. He cannot recall anything. Said the king.
Sirocco's eyes widen in realization. He figured something now.
"Perhaps he was compelled to forget.
"Is that possible. The king asked.
Yes,it is, your majesty. It is possible.
"Can someone tell me something that has not been said. Sirocco asked.
"I remembered something. Said another guard.
"What is it.
"The prince came back yesterday like a drunkard,we helped him to his room.
"Do you perhaps have an idea of where he was coming from.
"No I don't know. That's all I know.
Sirocco turned to face brandon again.
"Let me guess, you don't remember.
"Sincerely,I do not.
The ball turned blue again.
"He was compelled to forget. Sirocco concluded.
"Liam could you get me the spell requirement.
"I certainly will.
It was as though liam was sirocco's apprentice,the sorcerer's apprentice. But he is not. He only knew a few things which makes him useful for sirocco.
Who would go. Liam will.