Chapter V, The High Priestess

A very uncomfortable, grown Alefric woke up with a pounding head. He looked at the story book in his arms, confused. He... he was in a much too small night shirt. He found his new robes already in his wardrobe too and changed into something that fit. A servant came in with warm milk and scones. He politely refused them. His mind was racing. What had happened? He went to find Nicolaus.

Nicolaus was in his room. He wanted to grieve and cry, but he couldn't. Instead focused on preparing for his coronation as well as the former king's funeral. He hadn't slept a wink and had asked that visitors be sent away. There were so many plans to be made, people to meet with and he needed to check on Aelfric. A servant informed him that Aelfric was here and he allowed him in, expecting the child but the spell must have worn off.

"Did I..... turn into a child?" Aelfric asked, "I know the answer is yes, and that means my spell worked. Listen, we can use it for your Father if you want, but it seems to have some odd side effects. I remember it, but it feels like it happened 10 years ago. You... don't have a brother named Wendel, right" Aelfric was pacing and talking rapidly.

"No, I never had siblings. I told you that lie to make things easier. Trying to explain what had happened would be too confusing to a child." The erratic pacing and speech was annoying the prince. "My father passed last night..." Nicolaus said solemnly, sounding empty. There was no gentle way to word it, and Aelfric would have found out soon enough, but knowing how close he was was going to hurt him as a sorcerer. "Perhaps its better. Magic like that tampers with the natural order of things."

Aelfric froze. He was... sad... that Prince Wendel wasn't real for one, and, "I'm so sorry... I'm sorry I couldn't help." Aelfric knelt before Nicolaus, "I failed you..."

"No, you didn't fail me. You gave it your best effort and it was successful. Though only temporary. If you can create something like that so quickly then I look forward to what you'll create in the future with more time." There was a small encouraging smile on his face. But it was difficult to maintain. "I didn't sleep last night...do you have anything for that?"

Aelfric nodded. He came back with a vile of something and a cup of tea, "This is an extract from a root all the way from Asia. It's called ginseng." Aelfric poured the vile into the cup, "It's a little bitter." Knowing how much he needed to get done today he would have to accept it. Nicolaus couldn't help how his face twisted up upon tasting it. However he did feel more energized after he finished drinking the tea.

"Thank you." His servants entered to dress him.

Aelfric smiled and left. He returned to his tower to think about the whole ordeal. Prince Wendel wasn't real, but yet, he was. He was Nicolaus. Nicolaus had cared for him in his altered state. He had played with him read him a story and carried him to bed. Another thought came to him. Aelfric had blocked out memories on purpose, he realized. It had taken him a long time, but aging down seemed to have scratched at their surface. He never liked to think about how he came into the earls... possession, but now he had to know now. He knew it had something to do with the river. Something about he and Nicolaus playing there. Aelfric decided to visit the place and see. See if being there helped him remember. He walked out of the castle, past the gardens and to a secret passage he and Nicolaus knew about that led outside the walls. He found the place quickly and upon seeing it, his mind began to mend itself some. Aelfric remembered, this is where he was taken, some men came and took him and Nicolaus had tried to fight but... Aelfric cast a spell and made Nicolaus fly away. He thought he could hear these men's voices but he realized they were really there, and getting closer. He panicked and ran into the forest, being chased. He was caught, as these men were on horses, he realized they were Nicolaus' guards and they had him in the witch's magical iron chains. "Trying to escape, dark sorcerer?" one sneered, before dragging him back to the castle.

Nicolaus was alerted that his sorcerer had attempted to escape. Which was equally confusing and hurtful. Why did Aelfric want to leave? Nicolaus had been nothing but kind to him since he arrived. Going out of his way to make him more comfortable, and now Nicolaus needed Aelfric more than ever. Did he truly want to be free that badly? He let Aelfric sit in the dungeons for a bit before heading down to question him. Truly the soon to be king hoped this was merely a misunderstanding. Aelfric was stoned faced and quiet. He didn't know what to expect. Would he get lashing, burned feet, or something much worse? He was used to being alone and in the dark. He hadn't expected it from Nicolaus. He thought.... he should've known better. He was only a tool. He wouldn't look at Nicolaus, let alone talk. Why would they think he was running away? His magic was bound and he had no place to go. He escaped into his mind, and clung to a memory that felt so old, but had only happened days ago. Prince Wendel reading to him, holding him, carrying him to bed.

Nicolaus soon appeared outside the cell. "Aelfric, I need you to answer me honestly. Were you attempting to flee?" He asked simply. "And if so...why?" That was what he didn't understand. There was no reason for Aelfric to run away. Aelfric sneered and look away from him. "No, I wasn't. Why would I? I can't use my magic unless you allow me, and I have no place else to go! I didn't even have any coin on me! They chased me so I ran. I didn't know I was your poisoner."

It seemed sincere, even if Aelfric didn't sound sincere, he had valid points. "Release him. For now I think its best if you stay within the walls. If you truly need to leave you can ask for an escort.'

Aelfric said nothing and was eventually taken back to his tower. He sat fuming in his window seat. How could he ever think Nicolaus cared for him? He refused al his meals, he was too upset to eat. He could now remember they were friends when they were children, but it was plain to see all Aelfric was to him was a tool. A weapon, a morning pick-me-up, a means to an end. He didn't cry.