Good News

A week later. 

According to what was planned, Aed Ruad was sedated despite his protests and sealed in the coffer. Ileus already knew the magic of the cerulean shimmering lights that he had learnt when he had gone to the kingdom of Zmjia to find Iona and instead, returned with Guarhaal in the casket. 

The servants had brought the casket up in the main hall of the east wing an hour before dawn. Haldir, Guarhaal and Anastasia were waiting there along with Ileus. Even though Ileus had asked his wife not to be present there because her reaction was something he winced at, she came. She had said that she wanted to see Aed Ruad leaving this place for good, so that her mind would be soothed forever. The servants placed the coffer on a raised dais. 

Ileus held Anastasia's hand and squeezed it. "Are you sure you want to see this?" 

She nodded with determination. "I don't want to miss it."