Astasha had never run through the halls of the palace faster. She was depleted and desperate to get away, get away from the thing her heart was crying out for the most.
Finally, she stumbled into the Magic quarters and flung herself into her chamber, slamming the large oak door behind her. The room was large. In one corner was a big canopy bed, its thin drapes pulled back, and a wardrobe next to it. A large bath and washing basin were in the corner. On the other side of the room looked to be what could have been a study, but was converted into a witch's workshop. There were dried herbs and crystals, a scrying glass, bottles, and containers of all kinds. Above it was a window built into the ceiling, opening up to the sky above.
Astasha rushed to the fireplace next to her workstation. Usually, she could bring fire from her very fingertips, but she had nothing left in her to do so. Fumbling with a flint, she desperately tried to light the wood within. Pulling energy from flame wasn't as stable as from the earth, but she was a fire witch and she needed the power to contain the rush of her beating, breaking heart.
A small fire sparked in the hearth and she blew on it, fanning it to spread across the log. Closing her eyes and kneeling on the floor before it, she reached her fingers toward it, once again muttering under her breath. She could feel the warmth flow into her, dancing in her blood, swimming in her veins. She breathed deep and relaxed, focusing on consuming the energy before her. It was like a high, one that she craved, and as she filled herself with that warm swimming feeling of power, a small smile crept across her lips.
Satiated, Astasha leaned back and breathed. She used the energy to slowly build the little bubble around her heart and steady her mind.
A knock came at the door and she turned. "Sorceress Astasha!" It was Errant. That man never gave her a moment.
She quickly stood, and with the utter of a couple of words and a wave of her hand, extinguished the fire before approaching the door and opening it.
"Yes, Grand Sorcerer? How may I be of service?"
She could tell he was reading her, but she had made sure to quiet her energy and balance herself before she answered. The doors in the castle had all been sealed with magic so that none could hear or feel what was happening behind them, something she was extremely grateful for at this moment.
A crease appeared in Errant's brow, but he could sense nothing too far out of the ordinary. "The King has requested our presence. He wishes for us to authenticate the Prince's journey."
Of course, how could she forget? It was their job to read into the Prince's past and ascertain that he had in fact completed his journey. The King calling for a celebration ahead of this was par for the course as no prince had ever dared try to lie and cheat his way to the throne, especially with the Royal Magic Advisors able to read him like a book.
"Of course. Lead the way." Errant turned and she took a deep breath, focusing on the little orb in her chest.
There were three main rooms within the palace walls aside from the many apartments and gardens. The throne room, banquet hall, and what could only be described as a war room. The latter was where the two were headed.
It was a vast room with a large round wood table in the middle and several smaller ones set off to the side. This was where all the advisors would gather to discuss and plan and plot. But through two great doors at the back of the hall was a garden used only for rituals and ceremonies of the Royal Magic Advisors.
Astasha and Errant entered the war room where the remaining three sorcerers and the King were waiting. There were always a total of five sorcerers in the King's cabinet. Four represented each of the elements, and the fifth was the Grand Sorcerer, the spirit of all combined. Errant looked around at the other three; Cordelia, a tall, blond witch of water, Bryn, a stout sorcerer of earth, and Zephyr, an old and lanky sorcerer of air.
"Ah good! There you are!" Said the King. "Calder is waiting in the garden for you all."
He turned and headed to the doors where two guards stood. They opened them as the group approached, revealing a medium-sized garden that bordered on the forest.
Astasha enforced the small bubble around her heart, knowing this was no time for her feelings to get in the way. She followed the others out into the opening, her eyes somewhat downcast. There were five points where large stones stood in a circle and a stone table in the middle. Each of the stones was inscribed with an element and had each element represented, a small fountain trickled by the water stone, ivy grew over the one of earth. Astasha took her place in front of the one representing fire which had a small ever-burning pyre.
Finally, she looked up. The other members had taken their respective places, and laying, stripped down to his pants on the stone table, was Calder. There were a few scars visible on his chiseled chest, but aside from that, he was flawless.
Astasha's mind ever so briefly drifted to a memory, fingers on his chest. There were no scars yet. She closed her eyes for a moment, shaking off the memory and clearing her mind. She had to focus.
The king came to stand next to his son. "Advisors of my most trusted council. I ask you to call upon the powers of this earth to search my son's past to authenticate the completion of his quest so that he may be worthy to sit upon the throne of Trenue!"
Errant opened his arms wide. "As we shall do."
Astasha knew this ritual, as she did all the royal rituals. When she had been accepted into the position she had spent months studying and learning all of the common spells and rituals of the palace as well as the traditions and expectations. In a single fluid movement, the five sorcerers reached out to their elements and pulled energy from them before stepping forward to the table, each taking a place around the prince. She was grateful her place was by his leg and not closer to his chest or face. Reaching out, they each held their hands over his body and focused.
Errant began muttering under his breath and in turn, each of the four followed. Astasha pulled her focus into the circle, linking with the others and then Calder. It was as if she could see everything he had been through; the journey, the battles, everywhere he had been, everything he had done. She could feel his emotions, feel him, everything about him. It was all so familiar, so, him. Every choice he had made, everything was exactly as she knew him. But suddenly, something shifted. It was only a split second of a change, but it was enough.
Astasha's eyes which had been closed flashed open and her breath caught. And the first thing she saw, was ice blue eyes. Calder was looking right at her, and there was something there, something, off. But as fast as it had come, it was gone, and the ritual was over.
Errant calling the ritual's end brought her swiftly back to herself and Astasha caught herself just in time to step back along with the others. The group bowed to the King and he lead them back towards the war room, leaving the Prince on the table.
Once inside, the group gathered around the large table in the middle. The second they were there and the large doors closed, Astasha knew what was about to happen.
"Astasha?" Errant was looking at her with that crease on his brow.
The King was looking from Errant to Astasha. Clearly, he was not expecting this. He had expected Errant to announce his son's journey complete, but everyone else who had taken place in the ritual had felt that something was wrong, whatever it was Astasha had picked up on.
Astasha took a deep breath. "I'm not sure. There was nothing to show that he failed, yet, I sensed something, something wrong."
"Are you telling me my son's quest was incomplete?" The King looked somewhere between shocked and confused and angry.
"No your highness, not at all." Interjected Errant. "Everything we saw authenticates his achievement. However, it may serve well to look into whatever it was Astasha felt."
Relief washed over the King's face. "Well, as my advisors I shall allow you whatever is needed to do that, after tonight's celebration. It would not bode well to raise suspicion."
"Of course your majesty. I would, however, ask that you not mention this to the Prince. If there is something to discover, we cannot risk him hiding it."
The King nodded. "Very well. Now if you please, the Prince and I have much to discuss and a party to prepare for."
And with that, the group of advisors nodded and left the room.
Errant took Astasha's arm. "Since it was you who felt something was wrong, it must be you who sorts it out. I trust you know what to do?"
Astasha nodded. "Yes, Grand Sorcerer."
"Good, I expect full reports." Errant hastened away leaving Astasha alone. She knew what this meant. She would have to get close to the prince, the one person she wanted to avoid the most.