" You sent for me sire?" Morbius asked bowing his head to show respect before raising it to look back at the King. Somehow he knew why the King had requested for him. It was about Winter and the fact that a peace truce that was never ever possible between Oreb and Arish not to even talk of men in past thousands of years was established by Morbius. To them he knew things beyond their understanding but never really considered the wisdom in it until now, it was time to listen. " I must say your highness you keep summoning me more often than you should, seeing I am a very busy man I request for no further interruption during my working hours" Morbius said raising a brow.
" forgive for my disturbance young mage but we are in need of your wisdom. And perhaps you can enlighten us on the incident of yesterday and how you put a stop to it. "
" you are mistakened my lord. I hardly played a part in it" He didn't lie fully. " I simply told her everything thing I had told you all the previous day". He said almost sarcastically. The king never took him seriously when it came to supernatural activities and now he had a change of heart because of yesterday's incident.
" Morbius I don't think this is a good time to play around with my father. Whatever did you do to make that witch call off the attack?" Renoe who was standing by his father stepped in the conversation.
Morbius and Renoe were such good friends while growing up seeing, their fathers had a good relationship as well. However, things changed as Renoe payed more attention to his responsibilities seeing he was a general as well as a prince.
" I must apologize then " Morbius laughed out. "sire I must apologize but there is work I need to attend to, am I permitted to go now seeing am not needed. Morbius had received a visitation from Mania the previous night not to clear the King's doubt or things would end ugly. Winter needed to be reunited with her sisters which meant there was more of her kind out in the world. If the King knew the truth of her existence and word got out to other kingdoms about Winter as an element in form of a mortal being, her life will be at great jeopardy seeing as she could bee seen and possibly killed to avoid repetition of time.
Morbius turned his back to leave not waiting for the King's response. He paused for a while and thought - maybe he could lead him astray. " sire she doesn't seek for war. She was angry we kept invading her Land to kill her people. Her mother was from this Land and she seems confused right now, if you would only give me time and I'll show you she means no harm. I think we all saw that yesterday. " Morbius walked out of the throne room leaving the king with those words.
" Father I think Morbius speaks the truth, why don't we focus on Garistona for now. we have been recieving threats from them claiming some people from Arish come to their land, steal their women and children and run away with them''
" since we share borders, it's reasonable they think that way " Gabriel placed a hand on this throne rest, while sitting up properly. " am afraid my son we will have to have this discussion at noon I need rest now as I will now retire to my chamber".
Renoe bowed and left. He too had things to worry about. The kingdom had been recieving threats of war from the kingdom of Garistona for the past two weeks and all response was to no avail.
Morbius still remembered everything mania had said. Last night was the first time she visited him. He knew she was aware of what was coming but he couldn't tell what. Mania wanted him to prepare Winter, how could he?, when he barely knew her. The real question is ' would she let him? '. Mania must have thought he could train her because he could perform magic himself. Even at that he knew his powers were no match for her so how could he maintain her in the right position. Morbius heaved a sigh. Looks like he'll pay her a visit today, he thought.
*******
" How could you make peace with our enemies? " Antana roared. " They defiled our land and killed our people..."
" We killed theirs as well mother" winter shouted back.
" Because they trespassed in our lands" her voice coming in full force shaking the foundations of the cave. When she saw this, she calmed down to look closely at the daughter she raised, the look that Winter gave her made her angry with herself. She was furious at her for doing it without her consent but she never meant to scare her. "what did you gain now papi?". Antana was calm this time
" Peace mother, peace - I've thought about it we need food to survive and we can't live in the shadows anymore and rot in starvation. We need them mother". Winter said this time calmly trying to see reasons with her mother. She wasn't going to tell her the real reason. She feared her mother would see her as a threat and hate her for who she was. After all, she wasn't her birth mother.
Antana facial expression changed, this time softer. " I hear you papi but humans will never change. They are afraid of us so they would always be on guard to create commotions". Papi was the name Antana would call her when they were no more in a heated argument.
Just as Winter was about to respond Poa strolled in. He stamped his foot two times while looking straight into Winter's eyes. Antana and Winter looked at each other, " a visitor? " Winter said questioning. Antana gave her a nod. Understanding, Winter jumped onto Poa's back and together they left.
Antana watched as Winter and Poa rode of into the forest. She had never felt anger towards Winter before, but earlier, she did. Was she scared Winter mingling with her kind would take her away from her and Oreb?, She didn't mean to go off towards her daughter to scare her like that.