Azriel walked into her father's study hesitantly. The steel band on her finger felt like a heavy weight and not a symbol of joy and happiness. She had turned and tossed all night, wondering where her life was going. In the early morning hours, she had crept to Eva's room, to find her sister sitting awake, pensively looking out of the window.
"Eva? What are you doing up so late?"
"Late? It's early morning sister! Father told me once you leave for Irismus, the Duke of Ascan will be coming here for my betrothal."
"Leave for Irismus? But will I not be going after the wedding?", Azriel had panicked.
Eva shook her head, "The Duke wishes to take you to Irismus to train you to learnt their ways before they take you to court for your debut. Who knows, even I might meet you at Court then, if my wedding takes place sooner."
"So soon?"
"Yes, apparently, the Duke can't wait to marry me," Eva smirked. But her eyes were sad.
"Say no sister. He is so old and wizened. Even his son is elder to you."
"And a spineless fop who loves men!" Eva fumed. "Why do you think the Duke wishes to marry me. He wants more children, or let's say sons from me. His son can't do much in that department it seems."
"Andora has had women Viziers, so has Travalan, and..."
Eva held up her hand.
"Things are tougher than that sister! If Andora's mines cannot be sealed, then they will shut Andora off from the rest of the Kingdom to stop the blight. It seems Alvaran has no qualms about using the most powerful mages and witches to seal Andora away to rot and die. Why do you think Father has shrunk so much since my debut."
Azriel reeled in shock. She now understood what her father doing. He was trying his best to forge alliances to keep Andora safe. In this deal, perhaps, she might even be better off than Eva.
"Malvin and Galvin?"
"They are spolit young men who have never seen adversity Azriel. Father and mother have spoilt them. What can they do anyway against the blight? They can fight wars, and yes, Malvin can apparently whisper to the land..."
"Apparently.....?"
"Well, none of us children inherited the whispering ability, did we. Malvin is only 2 years elder to you Azriel. Father didn't want to take a risk. So he was declared a whisperer, but is he one? I have no idea. Neither of us went for the whispering ceremony did we?"
Azriel had watched the sun come up with Eva in silence then, feeling as if her life was being torn apart by forces she did not recognise anymore.
Eva gave her a hug and said, "You have shadows under your eyes now. Come let me show you how to hide them, else your fiance will think he is engaged to a panda and not a woman."
Eva's magic had worked as Azriel watched in amazement on how her face transformed with the few unguents she used on her.
"This is..."
"Amazing I know.... let's not tarry, come have but to eat and let's not keep the men waiting at the war council."
Azriel looked up at her in amazement and asked, "Will you be joining?"
"Yes, sister. I have no talents in the field, but I have other talents I have learnt in the past few months. I can read eyes and faces and expressions. I will not let you go alone today, don't worry."
Right now, Azriel stepped hesitantly into the room. Eva was already there, sitting in a corner, watching the brothers intently.
Vizriel's face lit up as he saw her. "Come daughter, let the council begin, Ashdeer. We are all here."
Malvin and Galvin sat in a corner as well. They were very quiet and probably as stunned as her, with the sudden turn of events. She wished father had not kept them all in the dark. But maybe he had hoped to contain the damage beforehand.
Duke Ashdeer spoke, "We went to the mines today at dawn and spoke to your men Vizriel. Things have become very grim. Everything around the Blight has begun to change. The mines have begun to change. They are darker with all sorts of phantoms and creatures whispering in the dark. The area around the Blight has begun to rot, and there are now fights breaking out among your men. This happens once the Blight grows but and starts affecting all around it. That means we have less time. We will need to abandon a reconnaissance mission and plan a full mission itself. I need 4 of your best men, two whisperers and there is something else!"
'What?", asked Vizriel
"We need to search the ruined castle for the Book of Secrets, and we will also need to take the Cup of Joy with us."
"What?", we all asked in unison.
It was Ashmeer who spoke this time, 'The Blight will need a blood sacrifice if we must close it. We are hopeful we can use the Cup of Joy without killing someone from the bloodline."
We watched him in stunned silence.
Eva's voice rang out suddenly, "I will come with you. I will carry the Cup of Joy till the Blight!"
Vizriel kept his council and asked, "What about the Book? How will we find it?"
"It will find us," Ashmeer said and suddenly his eyes were on me. "However, I would suggest for Azriel and I to go and look for the book."
"But Azriel cannot go to the ruined castle....it's wards would destroy her."
Ashmeer looked at me and said, "Azriel, maybe it's time to tell your father the truth."