The fever raged within Kiyoshi, his vision blurring as he dreamt of Nia's words. He dreamt of her laugh, her touch, and the hope she had given him. He yearned to be back at her side, fighting for what was right. But for now, he was trapped here, in the darkness, his body burning with the fever.
Kiyoshi slowly tried to get off the bed, his limbs weak from the fever. He was certain that he had dreamt of Nia, and her words still echoed in his ears. He had to fight the illness, had to find a way back to her. He stumbled across the room, making his way toward a small window. As he reached it, he pushed it open, letting in a rush of cool air. The fresh air revitalized him, and he took a deep breath, feeling a bit more like himself.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door and in came Thalasar, his face grim. "Kiyoshi, you must rest," he said, going to the bedside. "The fever has taken its toll, and you are still very weak. You must not try to do too much too soon."
Kiyoshi looked at his friend, struggling to speak. "I... fine. I must...fight...this." He tried to stand, but Thalasar held him back. "You cannot...you must rest."
"I am okay, Thalasar," Kiyoshi insisted, his voice barely audible. "Has there been any development with the investigation?" He coughed violently, struggling to catch his breath. "I need to know what's happening outside."
Thalasar sighed, his expression weary. "We have uncovered a disturbing truth," he said, taking a seat beside Kiyoshi's bed. "The plague's…cure…is very difficult to make. It seems that whoever is orchestrating this wanted to harvest the berries for profit, and is aware of their toxic properties towards humans, elves and vampires."
"Who would do this?" Kiyoshi croaked, his eyes widening with shock. "What sort of person would risk so much for a few coins?"
"It seems to be a bigger plot..." Thalasar began, his expression grim. "We believe it is King Grawl of the Blightfang Goblins. We found traces of Blightfang scent lingering around the outskirts of Arcane."
"And the children…" he croaked, the weight of the discovery settling heavily on him. "Were they…" started Kiyoshi, unable to finish the sentence.
Thalasar nodded grimly. "Innocent lives were sacrificed for Grawl's gain. Their bodies…" He choked back a sob. "Human children have been found outside Niameda. Their bodies were mutilated, their hearts torn out. It seems that the goblins have been using them in some sort of twisted ritual."
A wave of anger washed over Kiyoshi, even amidst the weakness of his illness. He could not allow Grawl's machinations to succeed, not while Nia and his people were vulnerable.
"We must warn Nia," he rasped, a flicker of determination burning in his eyes. "The alliance…between Niameda and Ivamis is more crucial than ever."
Thalasar hesitated. "Kiyoshi, in your condition…"
"Time is of the essence," Kiyoshi interrupted, his voice firm despite the tremor. "I may not be there in body, but my message must reach her. Send a raven, tell her…" He coughed, then continued, each word laced with urgency, "Grawl… Blightfang… plague… alliance… we must stand together."
Thalasar, seeing the determination in his friend's eyes, nodded. "Very well," he said, his voice grave. "I will see to it that your message is delivered."
Nia paced the throne room, her mind filled with worry and uncertainty. The revelation about an accomplice of the gruesome fate of the abducted children weighed heavily on her heart. She called for an urgent meeting with her advisors to discuss the new developments and strategize a plan to tighten their defenses.
As Nia entered the war room, she found Lord Edgar, Princess Serena, and Commander Marcus already waiting. The atmosphere was tense, with the news of the day weighing heavily on everyone's minds. Nia took her seat on her throne.
"Your Majesty, thank you for summoning us," Lord Edgar said, bowing respectfully.
Nia nodded, her expression calm. "We have received crucial information about the origin of the plague and the fate of the missing children. It is imperative that we strengthen our defenses and fortify our alliances. We cannot afford to underestimate the threat we are facing."
Princess Serena added, "I agree. The safety of our kingdom depends on our unity and vigilance. We must be prepared for any potential attacks."
Commander Marcus spoke up, "I'll ensure our military is on high alert. We'll strengthen our border patrols and be ready for any signs of trouble."
The advisors nodded in agreement, and as they discussed their strategies, Nia could not help but feel a weight lift from her shoulders. It was reassuring to know that they were all working together toward the same goal. As they continued their meeting, Nia found herself growing more hopeful. Perhaps they could weather this storm and come out stronger on the other side.
After the meeting, Nia walked down the hallways of the castle, her thoughts still on the recent developments. She could not help but feel a sense of determination and purpose. As she approached the council chambers, she overheard hushed conversations between Lady Elspeth, Prince Daemon, and some councilmen.
"I have heard troubling rumors about Queen Nia and King Kiyoshi's ability to handle the kingdom's affairs," Elspeth whispered to a councilman, her voice dripping with deceit.
Daemon chimed in, "Yes, there have been whispers among the people. They doubt their leadership in times of crisis."
Nia's brow furrowed, and she silently approached, concealed in the shadows. The councilmen, wise to the political games being played, exchanged wary glances.
Councilman Galen, an elder with a keen sense of discernment, raised an eyebrow. "What proof do you have of these doubts, Lady Elspeth?"
Elspeth, feigning innocence, replied, "Oh, it is not about proof. It is about perception. We believe the people deserve stronger and more decisive leadership."
Daemon added, "We only wish to serve the kingdom in the best way possible. If that means stepping up when our current rulers are faltering, so be it."
Councilwoman Elysia, known for her straightforwardness, crossed her arms. "You speak as if you have already been crowned. The current rulers are facing a crisis, and your power-hungry schemes are the last thing we need."
Galen nodded in agreement. "The people are not fools. They recognize the true leaders, and they know Queen Nia and King Kiyoshi have been tirelessly working to protect Ivamis."
Elspeth's eyes narrowed; frustration evident. "But can they really handle the threats we're facing? A queen without a king, a kingdom left vulnerable."
Councilman Galen spoke sternly, "We won't allow you to undermine the rulers we have chosen. Your ambition for the throne is ill-placed, especially in these troubled times."
Daemon scowled, realizing their plan had backfired. "We only seek what is best for Ivamis."
Elysia shook her head, unimpressed. "If you truly cared for the kingdom, you would support our current rulers instead of plotting against them."
Nia, who was listening carefully to the conversation and could not hold herself any longer, stepped forward. "What is the meaning of this, Lady Elspeth, Prince Daemon?"
They turned to face her, their expressions shifting from confidence to surprise.
"Your Majesty," Daemon stammered, attempting to regain composure. "We were merely discussing the kingdom's welfare and how we can contribute."
Nia's eyes narrowed, unconvinced by their feeble excuses. "Contribute? Your actions seem more focused on undermining the current leadership. This is not the time for power plays. Our people need unity and strength, not internal conflicts."
Elspeth sneered, "You may have fooled some, Queen Nia, but we see through your weakness. We believe the throne should be rightfully ours."
Nia's eyes flashed with determination. "Enough of your petty ambitions. The kingdom is facing a grave threat, and it requires true leadership, not selfish desires for power. I suggest you focus on the well-being of our people rather than your futile plans."
The council who were watching the altercation looked at Nia. One of them, a wise elder, stepped forward. "Queen Nia, we stand by you. These power-hungry schemers have no place in our council. We will not entertain their foolish notions of taking the throne."
Nia nodded in gratitude. "Thank you for your loyalty and wisdom. Now, we will work together to face the challenges that lie ahead. Our strength is in unity."
As the councilmen dispersed, leaving Elspeth and Daemon fuming, Nia turned away as well, lost in thought. Despite their failed attempt to sway the council, she could not shake the unease in her gut. The threat they faced was growing more dire by the day, and she knew that they could not afford to let their guard down.
𝕾𝖍𝖊 𝖓𝖊𝖊𝖉𝖊𝖉 𝖙𝖔 𝖋𝖎𝖓𝖉 𝖆 𝖜𝖆𝖞 𝖙𝖔 𝖚𝖓𝖎𝖙𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖕𝖊𝖔𝖕𝖑𝖊, 𝖙𝖔 𝖘𝖍𝖔𝖜 𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖒 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖘𝖍𝖊 𝖜𝖆𝖘 𝖈𝖆𝖕𝖆𝖇𝖑𝖊 𝖔𝖋 𝖑𝖊𝖆𝖉𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖒 𝖙𝖍𝖗𝖔𝖚𝖌𝖍 𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖘𝖊 𝖉𝖆𝖗𝖐 𝖙𝖎𝖒𝖊𝖘.