Gold and stones
The next day, everyone was seated in the courtroom, nobody spoke to the person that sat beside them. The silence was deafening. Everyone was nervous except the Queen. She was eager to know more about what the Prince was about.
The doors and the windows of the courtroom were all left open. This was done whenever this particular priest was summoned. This was a sign to her that she was completely welcome.
Suddenly, a gentle subtle wind meandered its way through the open windows and through the door. The wind moved through the courtroom, caressing everyone in the building. They were all left shivering in their seats. Suddenly, an old woman walked in. She was bent over and she heavily depended on a walking stick to take her rigid steps. Her whole body was filled with lots of gray hair. The hair on her head, given how thick and unkempt it was, covered her face from anyone who wanted to see her.
She walked slowly towards the center of the room, and as she entered deeper into the room, the room got cold while the wind got wilder with each step she took as if there was a whirlwind in the building.
On arrivial to the center of the room, she sat down with her legs folded after which the wind ceased.
"The doors are open but the wind tells me I'm not welcome here." she said. Her voice was sharp and haggard. A voice no one could miss.
"Wise one, I was the one who sent for you. Do not pay attention to these little children, You are greatly needed in these times." The Queen said in a respectful tone.
"There is no problem, daughter. I am never welcome anywhere unless a problem arises. Your Highness, your fear of being overthrown gives off a pleasant aroma. It is a lot more than any of the people in this courtroom. Now, I am interested in your case. What troubles you?"
"Immediately the prince got to Nether, he was snatched away from us. At first, we thought he was useless and powerless, but since that moment, every group in the underworld has been after him. As we speak, majority of the soldiers of Jotunheim are chasing the bandits who stole him from us. In fact, they have reduced their rampage on other villages as well. Not only that, all bounty hunters are also after him. Wise one, what is going on? Have we made a mistake by not chasing after him?"
"My Queen," she called, while opening her palms which held two black stones, "Are you aware that the stone age era didn't end because of the lack of stones?"
"Yes I am aware, wise one."
"In terms of gifts,that boy is not valuable. He is not a warrior like everyone else in the underworld. As things stand now, he is utterly weak, but it won't stay that way."
"I told you" Jamie whispered to Michael who stood beside him.
"The boy is valuable because he is not dead. Therefore, he has the power to return only one person back to the land of the living. It could be himself or someone else. He has that power"
On saying this, everybody stood to their feet, shocked as they all murmured.
"Whoever gets hold of that boy can switch his life for theirs and return to the land of the living. Leaving the underworld.
As a matter of fact, most of the bandits that are after him are not aware of this.
The soldiers after him are not aware of this.
They all chase after him because they want Will's power. However, do not be deceived, whoever consulted the oracle knows this truth. When the truth spreads to the whole of the underworld, a great war will arise. This war would be the end. Your Highness, be careful with this news, if this news leaves this courtroom, there will be disunity among your warriors. Permit me to say this. The ears to which this information has been graced with are no longer loyal to you. Do not believe or trust anyone who knows about this because there is no soul in the underworld that doesn't want to return to the land of the living."
The murmurs became louder.
"Silence!" The Queen exclaimed.
"His giftless life is gold compared to your liveless gifts which are dry stones. He is the most valuable soul under, therefore yes, Your Majesty, he is the price you should chase after." The old lady said as she stood up, and began walking out the building, the wind leaving with her.
"Wise one, wait!" The Queen exclaimed.
The old lady slowly turned around, "What is it, Your Highness?"
"Where is the Prince?"
"He is on the outskirts of the underworld. Go after him, all of you. Jotunheim is close behind, and numerous bandits are also lurking. If he falls into the wrong hands, you'll remain here till whenever because this has never happened in the history of the underworld. You have Nariah to thank for that." she said as she dissipated into the wind and out the window she went.
"Gather all the horses, all the soldiers, all the priests, eveyone. Tell them we are chasing after the prince, but no one here is mentioning why. This information stays between us. Am I understood?"
"Yes Ma" they all responded.
The Queen of Nether, fully armored and saddled on her horse, with 500 of her silver warriors surrounding her led the way of her battalion of a thousand soldiers who were also armed and geared up for war. She trusted no one except the silver warriors that surrounded her. It was a great battle ahead. She could tell that the rumor was already spreading among her men. All her army generals were aware, and many of the regular soldiers were already getting to know.
She couldn't trust anyone, but thankfully, her silver warriors were by her side so no one dared to try anything funny.
The army marched out of Nether's gates, the noise from the horses they mounted shook the whole Kingdom. Everyone knew that something more serious than the previous time had arisen as the civilians watched them march into the dense forest, with over a hundred hounds leading the way.