-Unknown POV-
The sun had fallen and dusk took over the city below. I was back in my office, waiting for the head meister and Rikard. The magical static was growing and so was my headache. It felt more like a migraine at this point. I poured myself something to drink to try and ease the pain. As I was sipping from my cup, there was a knock.
"Come in," I said in a raised voice breaking the eerie silence, and the two men I was waiting for entered. "Thank you for coming back. I trust you both have something?"
They both nodded and Meister Dravis was the first to speak up, "Ah yes, sire, I would like to note that I confirmed Lady Lana Violet is, or was, the late Queen Lana Windsor. And just as we suspected, her and King Rurik had a daughter who turns eighteen tomorrow. As for a plan, I wasn't able to think of one while trying to confirm our thoughts. At least not with other meisters around. I am deeply sorry"
"That's alright Meister Dravis, you did well. That was the most important matter. Without the confirmation, we could have gone through with a plan for no reason." I responded. "And you, Rikard? Were you able to come up with any ideas for a plan on how to help our little witch?"
"Ah yes, master, I did. Now I know that Criba has banned all magic and supernatural creatures, but I think you should go there yourself. In disguise of course. I would have suggested someone else, but you are the King, and therefore your powers cannot be matched." he proposed.
"You never cease to amaze me Rikard, that's about the same plan I had! Well done. Bring me some money from Criba. I have some traveling to do. Thank you, gentleman. I shall meet with you when I get back, and share any news."
"Yes, sire," they said, and retreated out of my office.
This should be interesting. I haven't traveled in disguise in quite some time. I hope I still have what it takes. Eh, who am I kidding? I'm the king, of course I have what it takes. It's the perfect time to travel as well. I should be able to cross borders without being noticed, and get to their castle before 11:30. That should give me enough time to do some looking around outside.
Rikard returns with an ample amount of Criban money. As he hands it off, he wishes me luck. I thank him and tell him to keep things under control while I'm gone. Then I grab my cloak and I head out the door.
As I'm traveling through the halls of my manor I pass some of my other servants. They avert my gaze, bow, and scurry past. It's nothing out of the ordinary. When you live as long as I have, and have done even half of the terrible things I've done, you would get the same reaction, too.
It's not just my reputation that invokes such respect and fear, but it's also my lineage. My father was an unforgiving and brutal man. If you could even call him that. One time as a child, I made the mistake of talking back. He had me chained outside in the midsummer noon-time sun for an hour. It was so hot I thought I would die. I was bedridden for a week after with a severe case of sun poisoning. Some of the blisters were so bad, they left permanent scars. My mother tried to have them healed, but my father stopped her, saying that they would serve as a reminder to always remember my place. So they believe if a father can do that to his son, then he could do even worse to a servant. The joke is on him though, because now he's dead and I sit on his throne.
I exit my manor and my horse is ready. The old steed is enchanted to have higher stamina and better speed than most. Add that onto his already impeccable stature, and you have a horse that can go twice as fast for twice as long. I could travel by myself, but I want to have the energy and time to spare when I get to the main castle of Criba.
I climb atop him, and settle into my saddle. "Let's go, Nero. We have a witch to find," I say to him as he takes off through the city, my cloak flowing behind me.
As we near the border of Criba, I stop Nero just before exiting the treeline.
"Whoa, boy. Let's stop here for a minute. I swear you beat your record in getting us here. We should have some time to rest. You can drink this, and I'll get my disguise ready," I say as I lead him to a nearby stream. "How do you think I should disguise myself this time?" I ask. He responds with a whinny. "That's a great idea, Nero. What would I do without your horse brain?" I ask with a hint of humor.
After putting the finishing touches on my disguise, I saddle back up. Nero saunters out of the woods and up to the border. Just as I thought, there are guards stationed every so often. The closest two stop us.
"You there, halt and state your race and business," the left one commands.
"Hello there! I am a human, obviously. Why would a supernatural try to get into Criba? They know they're not welcome here. Besides, I'm here for Princess Estelle Windsor's engagement ball. I wish to add myself to her list of suitors." I say.
"You would be surprised at how many threats try to make their way in. We just lost a guy last week to a werewolf. The damn thing escaped before we could take care of it." the right one stated with anger as he looked off towards another section of the border. I can only assume that's where they encountered the beast. He looks back at his companion and they share an unspoken conversation. "You may enter," he says.
"Thank you. May your watch be safe and uneventful," I wish them, and I make my way into Criba.
After getting out of eyesight, Nero takes off at record speed again. In no time we arrive at the capital and slow down. It's 11 o'clock just on time. "Come on Nero, let's find you a nice stable, and then I will have to leave you for a while," I said to him.
We come to a stop at a little inn, just outside the capital. I pay the innkeeper for a room and my horse, then head back outside. I walk the streets until I come upon the walls to the castle. I scour the area to make sure it's unguarded and there's no one to witness what I am about to do. Then I use a nearby tree to get over the wall. Well that was easy.
I wander around until I come across some large windows a few feet off the ground above some bushes. There is a light from inside so dim that a human wouldn't be able to notice it without actually looking for it. Curious, I step through the bushes and begin to climb. As I peek inside, I notice it's a grand library. Upon further inspection, I can see three feminine silhouettes standing around a book as one of them seems to be reading out loud. If I listen closely, I can hear some of what she's saying. And if I'm not mistaken, I can hear that it's a book about witches!
After a minute, they stop reading and stare at something on one of the walls. It's as if they're waiting for something. Could it be? Could one of the women in there be Princess Estelle? It has to be, otherwise why would they be ready a book on witches. After a few minutes of them all staring at the one wall, two of them look at the other expectantly. Whatever they were waiting for, didn't happen. I can see their disappointment as they whisper amongst themself and the tall one puts things away.
Now they start to walk as if they're going to leave. However, they walk past the door and make their way to the other side of the library. They're almost there when the last one in their line glances back up at the wall they were all staring at, and stops.
***
-Elle POV-
Nothing. Absolutely nothing happened. I'm not sure why, but I feel…disappointed? I mean, I'm relieved because now I don't have to hide my magic or run away, but I don't know, I guess I got my hopes up.
"Well that's depressing." Dee mumbled.
"Hey, at least we don't have to come up with some sort of escape plan or how to hide some glowing hands!" Bina said, trying to be optimistic. " I mean really, what were we going to do if you were actually a witch? Run away? To where? The only survival skills we have is what we've read in books."
"Yeah, you're right," I said, "let's get out of here and go to bed. We better get some rest if we don't want to look half dead tomorrow during the ball."
"Yeah," Dee added, "I just wish we hadn't wasted so much time looking for that book."
"Hey now, at least we had a real sense of adventure and purpose, unlike all the times we had to pretend growing up." Bina countered while putting the book away. She picked up the compact we had found earlier, taking one last look before putting it away where we found it. "Wasn't that the most fun we had in years? Even if it was technically a waste of time," she added while looking a bit somber. "After tonight, our lives will change forever. We won't be able to escape as easily as we did today. We'll have duties, and lovers to take care of. And when we have children it will be even more difficult."
"Woah, Bina. What tragedy novel did you just step out of? That was kind of dark and depressing. Last time I checked you're getting engaged, not being led to the noose." Dee quipped, lightening the mood. "So let's go already. I haven't gotten any less tired."
I couldn't help but laugh at her remark. Dee always had a way with words to bring peoples' spirits up. As we started to head out, I followed behind and glanced back at the big clock on the wall.
12:13
And then I felt it…a tingle in my palms.