The cave—no, it was more like a hole—huge, glistering, not-so-dark pit deep into the vitreous ground.
The crystals near the entrance were not as clear as those we passed in the gem forest. While Philip frowned, I dreaded at the sight glimpsing at Shaph whose red eyes were equally blurred by worries. There was still no news from Jes.
I dawdled on the holy path in the sacred shire of some sort to buy time. The sloping surface of the cave and my princess shoes cooperated with me on this mission, and I was hurt all over at only the first one hundred meters. The wall and the ceiling were of the same material as the ground, clear colorless crystal with glitters sinking inside like tiny stars, except that, as Philip said, it had gone a lot duller. He led the way into the deepest part and we arrived at a chamber where a large cluster of serrated crystal valiantly pierced up the ground in the middle of the circular room. The Crystal shined lighting the whole space with soft luminous warm glow, although there was a dark spot visible in the heart of it which reminded me that the time had come.
"This is it Kara." Philip regarded the center of the Crystal.
I stared intently into the dark spot. No more time to buy and message from Jes still had not arrived.
"Please clear the Magic Crystal." Philip announced my penalty.
There was nothing else I could do but searching through my head in hope to find a spell that could turn anything clear, but nothing was there and I was left in a tizzy.
Everyone was quiet. They must be thinking I was doing whatever to get the Magic Crystal back into its former state. When actually I was doing whatever to get my mind back into its former state. Finally, I let out a long silent sigh and cleared up all the emotions inside. Telling the truth was the best resolve I had come to.
Sweeping out the last guilt with a longest light breath, wishing Philip would understand since he was in the alike(fake) situation, I turned around and faced everybody in such calmness that surprised even me. "Philip," I said, totally composed. I did nothing wrong. I even tried to help them the best I could. They should spare me. "I have something—"
"My blessed!" Philip was distracted by something behind me. So did Shaph and the soldiers that were lining behind him. I turned round in time to see the last dark spot gradually shrinking away. The Crystal radiated brighter and its halo was shimmering like morning sun shining on a stream.
"Thank you so much Kara!" Philip took my hands delightedly. "Thank you! Thank you!"
"Ho—" My voice was drown by a sudden explosion and my feet teetered from an earthquake. Philip caught me in his arms when a soldier who was guarding the entrance ran into the chamber with panicked face.
"Prince Philip! Azmera is attacking us!" he spoke in hoarse voice.
Azmera? "Isn't that Fayn's Kingdom?" I asked Philip feeling about to be pulled into some political conflict which I very much disliked.
"Get out of here! Quickly!" Philip ordered everybody and pulled me along. "It's not Fayn." He said to me. "It's Queen Roseheart. She's back, taken over the Kingdom. Fayn has disappeared."
"What?" was all I could say as we scrambled out of the cave. The outburst of the battle was not far from our location. Philip put me with Shaph and went off commanding orders to the soldiers. Everything seemed hectic.
Shaph explained the rest of the unsaid. It seemed Azmera was once ruled by Queen Roseheart—he flinched at the name—who hated Beastskin to the marrow of her bones. She enslaved them and those who befriended the specie. Two years ago, Fayn captured the Queen, locked her away, became the King, and freed everyone from prejudice.
"Was that why he was so busy before he went back to his kingdom?" I asked Shaph.
"Yes," Shaph admitted and looked upset. "It seems because he was away from Azmera for too long. He was late in knowing the unruly Queen's escape from the jail."
And I told him he should go back. I thought remembering the so many hawks landing on his window.
A pigeon descended from the sky and landed on Shaph's shoulder. The rabbit steward eagerly took out a message tying to its leg.
"You're still using pigeon for communication." I asked and missed iPhone and internet all of a sudden.
"We use squirrel and other kind of animals too." Shaph said. "We used to be able to use Magic but the message kept transmitting out wrong since the Magic chaos so we stopped. It's from Master Jes!"
"What's he saying?" I peered at the small piece of paper excitedly. There was only capitals 'COME BACK AT ONCE,' but it was enough to give me joy. I got to go home now!
Shaph and I smiled at each other, and it was like the luck was truly on our side when Philip rushed up to say that I should go back to Coronale.
"What about you Philip?"
"I sent for a backup." He said. "I will stay here and fight. I won't let Roseheart intrude my land."
"That's a spirit!" I couldn't help beaming despite knowing what he was about to face. "But be sure to be safe. I'm sure Coronale will send you supports. Please convey my sincerest apology to Queen Dia for not saying goodbye to her in person and for not being able to stay longer."
Philip made a prince bow. "And thank you for what you've given to our Kingdom. I will never forget. I believe we will meet again."
Without further delay, I boarded the carriage with Shaph and the coachman whipped away the horses at full speed. Philip had one soldier coming with us to lead the way. I arrived at Coronale around midnight. Jes was pacing left and right restively in front of the palace.
"Jed!" I called out, almost liking him now.
"Finally!" Jes said and dragged me into the main hall without proper salutation. Shaph came after us closely, too excited to notice anything. "Did you find her, Master Jes?"
"Her? Who?" Jes seemed perplexed. "Oh, the Princess. Sorry, still no clue."
"What?!" I relented the pull; face turned stupid. "Then, why did you call us back here?"
Jes walked on to the door that led to the throne room and swung open the heavy panels inward. "Because of this,"
Inside the throne room, gold as ever, was an old man with a crown sitting on his head. I had a thought for a second that he was Princess Carla's father. But then, if he was the King of Coronale, I should have met him long ago. So, brushing creases out of my dress, trying to look princess-like, I presented myself to the man who looked rather VIP.
Jes took over Shaph's job announcing, "May I present you, King Nikko of Bila, Princess Carla of Coronale!"
Shit! It's Eldrin and Elise's father. What does he want anyway? "Your Majesty." I made a deep curtsy while cursing in my head. "My true and honest apology for the long wait."
"Prinncess Carla," The man's skin was very pale, like his children. "I've heard so much about you. I hope you don't mind my abrupt visit."
"Of course not." I hope you heard it in a good way. I thought and smiled. Smile! Smile is the best problem solving tool in the world!
We both sat down. And Shaph, recovered from shock, began to serve tea. "Is your Majesty here to visit the Prince and the Princess?" Or maybe to take them back? Oh, please, do take them back!
King Nikko shook his head. "My purpose here is to entreat you a favor."
Not something like Philip again! I have no power! This morning was pure luck!
"In truth," the King sighed and his forehead folded into wrinkles. "Keon has declared war against Cimon, and in a very short time, to my despair, it will reach Bila."
Keon? Prince Valentine? Both my eyes and mouth automatically formed and 'O' shape. "What is happening Sir?"
The King furrowed his brows. "One is the homeland of Sorcerers; the other is the Magician's birthplace. Naturally they are enemy within their veins. Now that you have returned and every land has come to peace with Magic, the long gone fight restarts."
I needed Princess Carla back here, RIGHT NOW!
King Nikko continued with increasing grim expression. "I wish you would permit Eldrin and Elise to live here until the war end or until we can assure safety for their returns."
I accepted the request without demur. They had been here for a month to begin with. The old King thanked me gravely and quickly left saying he had to go back to his Kingdom and prepared for the battle.
"Aren't you going to say hi to the Prince and Princess your Majesty?" I asked.
"I will," the King said. "when the peace once again returns to us."
I was about to ask why must he wait for the peace but the King of Bila swept out of the golden room, Shaph and white rope billowing after, in no time I heard hooves galloping away in the ink night.
I slumped in the chair amid the yellow glowing. Shiny thing was starting to get on my nerve after Witrin's trip. I did not know what to do next? Just carried on with the magic lessons? No, I couldn't take it anymore.
"Jed!" Walking out of the room, I called for the former steward's grandson. My eyes caught a shadow moving behind a gold-gilded pillar and I walked over there to find Jared, cross-armed, deep in thought.
"Jared?!"
"Kara!" Jared's shoulder's jumped. "You—you're back!"
"I am." I said. "What're you doing here?"
"N—nothing." Jared said tersely and walked away. It was very unlike him. But I was so tired with Magic Crystal this morning, the whole day trip, and the meeting with the King of Bila, I decided to go back to my room and take a rest, once again wished to wake up from this tiring nightmare.