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The healer was brought in a short while later. She was thrown on the floor by Cleona's feet. Her auburn hair was messy, as if she had been running. "She was caught doing blood magic," the guard snarled, looking disgusted." In this kingdom, blood magic was forbidden by her father. Outsiders might consider them dark and evil, but at least they did not use that wicked magic.
The princess managed to look down at her without showing her revulsion. After giving her a menacing glare, she spoke. "What is your name?"
"I am Tanya Plematha," she murmured.
"You have wronged my father," Cleona said softly, though not gently. The healer whimpered quietly, making sure to keep her eyes on the princess's feet. "I will give you the opportunity to confess whatever you have done wrong, and I will not harm you. But, if you refuse, you will wish you were dead."
The healer dared a glance up at her. "I- I can't say anything, or my sister will be tortured and killed. Please," she sobbed.
Cleona frowned. That was inconvenient. "Who is threatening your sister in such a way?" She demanded. "I will flay them alive."
She was crying hard now. "Your Highness, I cannot say! I cannot say!"
Sighing, Cleona tugged at her arm, trying to get her to stand up. She rose to her feet and towered over the princess. Silently, she cursed her height. Well, it wasn't that she was too short, it was that everyone in the castle was taller than you're average person. "Well, I already know it was you who stole my father's soul, but I don't know why or who blackmailed you into doing it." Without another word, she motioned to the guard to take her. "Put her in a holding cell and make sure she's comfortable."
"Wait!" she exclaimed. "Take this." She withdrew a small, clear bottle that contained a kind of glowing, wispy air like substance from her cloak. Cleona took it from her and immediately recognized what it was.
"Thank you," the princess whispered in her ear. "Your partial cooperation will not be forgotten. Nevertheless, you must be put into custody and tried in court for practicing blood magic, but know this--I will be on your side." She paused and looked at the guard. "Find out who her sister is and make sure she is safe."
The guard then guided her out of the room, leaving Cleona alone with her father. The bottle that the healer had given her contained Father's soul. If she did not return his soul to his body after 48 hours of it leaving the body, then it would be to late, for the soul would be free to enter any body it wished. Well, any except for its original body, which would leave the original body soulless. You would then be a zombie, physically alive, but without a personality or feelings.
She had learned how to return a soul to its body a few years ago by an old witch named Nicolea. Hopefully her memory was correct. She could ask someone for help, but they might take advantage of the situation to kill Father or blackmail her with her father's life into doing whatever they wanted. Despite Cleona's negative feelings toward him, she did not wish for him to die, for she did not think that she was quite ready to rule the kingdom, even with an experienced king like Micah by my side.
She took a deep breath and gingerly held the glass bottle with both hands. Then, she started chanting. "Anima perdita, audite verba mea et reverte ad ei corporem," the princess recited, partly from memory, and partly from her limited knowledge of Latin. As soon as those words left her lips, she opened the bottle and tilted it towards Father's lips. His soul was immediately accepted into his body, much to her relief, leaving the glass bottle and floating into his mouth. The color returned to his face. She placed a hand on his forehead and found it slightly warm, no longer the icy cold teperature.
"Thank the gods," she breathed. Also, now that she had saved his sorry life, he was indebted to her. Cleona now had leverage over him. Smiling to herself, she left the room to wait by the gates of the palace. Today, her best friend, Lisa, was coming back from Gyfron. Cleona had sent her there a few months ago when she got word that the Arlentians might attack the palace, although her father had said they wouldn't. She had sent my maid, Melinna, with her, but that rascal had escaped and returned to the palace, refusing to leave her princess, despite being just a little girl.
Ignoring her grumbling stomach that was begging for food, she sat on a bench patiently, both enjoying the light breeze and morning sun and contemplating how she would greet Lisa. Cleona was in deep thought when she heard a carriage pull up to the gates. "Who goes there?" a watchguard shouted down from a tower.
"It is Lisa Halbar, mate of Sir Damian," called a feminine voice. The gates opened, and the carriage drove up to the entrance of the palace. A young woman who looked to be about 21 stepped out of the carriage wearing traveling attire. When she saw her best friend, she pushed her white blond hair out of her face and raced towards her. Squealing with delight, Cleona embraced her warmly.
"Oh Lisa, thank the gods your here," she murmured into her clothes.
She hugged her back just as fiercely. "I've missed you too."
Suddenly, a large pair of arms wrapped around the both of them. Cleona squeaked, squished between the two of them. She then growled softly, a warning to step away from her and to leave her precious Lisa alone. Wiggling around to face the interrupting little brat, she barred her teeth and hissed viciously.