Catastrophe

Chapter Seven

They all proceeded towards the Ivory Courtyard, where the court was held everyday.

It was situated in the outer gardens of the castle, to the immediate right of the castle gates.

An absolutely splendorous establishment, with a transparent ceiling, surrounded by huge, shady, Cherry and Redwood trees and the gushing river, Lore.

It had steps made of white limestone, for people to sit and a huge stage and witness pedestal, in front of the King's throne.

The throne itself, was gigantic and was surrounded by individual chairs, for the Dukes and advisors.

Sarah could feel her heart threatening to beat out of her chest, to say she was excited was an understatement.

The very noisy assembly, quieted down instantly as the King entered, with the young royalty in tow.

The King took the throne and everyone settled down.

Sarah and her friends were all seated beside the King on massive white chairs, with velveteen cushions.

Carry and Sarah, on one side of the King and Ilai and Timothy, on the other. Beige was seated near them too, flanked by Zen and two more trusted guards.

Victor didn't accompany them and Sarah was a little angry, but then he had some important work, so he asked Sarah to later give him all the details and the princess immediately forgot her anger in that excitment, Victor just knew his sister too well.

People had come in huge numbers, which made Sarah wonder, if it was usually like this.

Sarah had seen a court in session before from afar but, she did not remember it being this populous.

Ilai was convinced it was because of his presence, causing Tim to roll his eyes.

The atmosphere surrounding the crowd was strange, making Sarah's heart sink, did her people not want her here?

"Let the session begin." Announced King Bernard.

The authoritative, gestured for a man to come forward and he climbed on the stage.

He looked like a hardworking citizen by appearance, probably a peasant.

He was worried stiff, and so was everyone else in the court.

He bowed at the them, “Your Majesty," he began.

"What is your dilemma, countryman?" Asked the King, attentively.

"My name is Roha and I'm here to voice the harsh plight of almost all peasants in Abernoir, Your Majesty." he said grimly.

Sarah and her friends looked at each other in confusion.

"There is a strange blight of crops," he said, "we have tried everything but with no result, sire."

The King passed a glance towards the Duke Roseworth, of Arroway, sitting across the hall, Sarah remembered him being in the castle talking to her father yesterday.

The Duke gravely nodded his head.

"It is all over Ivory, I suppose." The King voiced, making people break into anxious and noisy whispers.

A blight not only in Abernoir but all over Ivory!?

Ivory was huge, existing with three more cities apart from it's capital Abernoir.

It was beyond the bounds of possibility.

Sarah immediately clasped Carroll's hand for comfort, the Jadelight princess intertwined it.

"This is a grave crises," said the king tensely, "what do you suggest comrades?" He asked the members of the court.

"A blight all over Ivory is unbelievable, I don't think there might even be a possible cure." Said Duke Roseworth.

"I think we should go visit the fields father." Said Sarah.

"Yes, we should." Her father agreed and so did everyone else.

The King was proud of Sarah, but he was worried for her too, he had promised his Queen, he would protect their daughter, and he was conflicted a great deal, for he didn't know, what was this catastrophe that hit his kingdom all of a sudden.

He did allow Sarah and her friends to help with court affairs, but he was willing to culminate the involvement of all of his children, if the situation would turn out to be the one which he feared the most, even if it meant breaking Sarah's heart.

When they reached the fields, it looked like a disaster.

The condition of the fields was poignant.

There were withered remains of crops in patches and the land had turned disturbingly dull, with black veins, protruding like claws from various places.

"How did this all happen?" asked Sarah, visibly shaken.

The four friends, King Bernard, Beige with Zen, all had come to witness the tragic blight.

They were all upset to see how parched, the generally flourishing Ivory fields, had become.

"We do not know of it's cause, sire," the same peasant who had put forth the inquiry said, "when we had sown the crops they were healthy, but after a few hours, they were completely decayed." He finished.

"Are there any toxins in the land that maybe, take effect with passing time?" Asked Ilai.

"No, Highness". The farmer said.

"Anything that might lead to crop decay, pests, manure, anything?" Timothy asked.

"No, Highness." The farmer replied again.

"How can there be a blight without a cause?" The King voiced his thoughts, concern etched over his face.

"There is only one cause that I can see, Highnesses," said an older farmer, coming forward from the gathered crowd.

"What could it be?" Asked Beige.

"The lands of Ivory have been cursed." He said.

Sarah couldn't believe what she was hearing.

The King's posture immediately stiffened.

"Sarah, go back with everyone to the castle." King Bernard ordered, without emotion.

"Father-" Sarah started, but Beige put a firm hand on her shoulder, making her stop.

"Just do as your father says, this is something you cannot handle." Beige explained, in a calm voice.

Sarah took one glance at her father's worried aquamarine eyes, she knew he was concerned about her.

"Okay." She nodded sadly, as she turned towards her friends, to go back to the castle.

Beige felt his his heart ache, at the way Sarah looked so dejected, but they had no choice, he could see dread reflecting in the King's eyes, a dread, only he could understand.

Nobody spoke a word until they reached the castle, they were all speechless.

"Cursed lands?Unbelievable." Said Sarah, collapsing on her bed looking crestfallen, tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

"There's no other explanation for it Sarah." Said Ilai, settling down beside her.

Sarah was rarely sad about something, she was always jubilant, and looking at her so forlorn, made Ilai and the others feel worse.

They were back in Sarah's room in the castle and were trying to make some sense, out of the disturbing chain of events.

"A curse would mean the end of prosperity." Said Timothy.

He was sitting in front of them on the pearl coloured sofa, of which the remaining part, was entirely occupied by Carroll with her stretched feet, and back resting on Tim's shoulder, thinking very deeply.

None of them had been expecting themselves to be facing with such an absurd and scary challenge to their future.

This was their first session with the people and they couldn't do anything, they couldn't find a way, they had failed.

"We didn't fail." Said Ilai firmly, taking Sarah's hand in his, as if he had read her mind, "we will find a way, I promise." He reassured, determination reflecting in his amber eyes.

"We promise too." Said Tim and Carry in unison.

Sarah smiled gratefully at her friends, despite everything.

Somebody knocked at the door, making all of them turn their heads towards a peeking head.

It was Victor.

"I heard what happened." He said and enveloped his little sister in his embrace.

"I will be going myself to investigate later in the evening, I believe a certain someone would like to accompany." He pinched Sarah's nose, making her giggle.

"Really?" Sarah asked her brother gratefully, he nodded his head, not seeing a point in why their father wouldn't want them to not get involved.

"This blight is something that Ivory has faced never before," he said "the more people try to find the solution, the better." The prince finished, smiling at all of them.

"We all will go with you." Sarah said.

Ilai suddenly counted to three and the next thing Victor knew, was that he was getting crushed in a group hug, filling up the room with laughter and positivity.

Sarah felt her hope restored, as long as she had her friends and family, she would conquer every obstacle that fate shoved her way.