My Black Heart

Chapter Fourteen

Lucy's Point of View

I watched the Prince take a deep breath in front of me. He was such an unusual character and I slightly doubted how on Earth he could help me to keep the magical peace. However he was brave, I could give him that. Not many men I knew would willingly take on the Quest of the Black Witch. The thing that shocked me the most was how kept in the dark he was. He did not even realise the connection between him and I. That was the most terrifying part. When I finally met Zack, I hoped that he would recognise the similarities between us instantly, but of course, nothing ever went according to plan.

Later, Zack decided it was time to ask questions again so I listened patiently.

            "What exactly can this sword do?" he asked. I looked towards my Grandfather to answer this one; he was the one who knew of it the most.

            "It is...special," he began, still sounding detached. His strange lack of enthusiasm worried me - I would have to talk to him later. "The sword can freeze and opponent, but only if the intent is for the right reasons," my Grandfather continued. I watched Zack's eyes light up in surprise.

            "So that is the reason for its name?" the eager Prince asked. He was a little more excited than when we first spoke of his true destiny.

            "Only part of it," I said. He gasped.

            "What she says is true," Grandfather stated. "The sword also received its name, because it has been passed from user to user through each time," he explained. "When the last owner died, the sword selected a child to become the next owner. The owner of the sword would have a pure heart and have outstanding magical ability."

            "Wait, outstanding magical ability?" Zack asked, astounded.

            "Well you can control three elements, Zack," Grandfather chuckled, sounding a little more like his old self, however it wasn't long before he sank back into sadness.

            "Pure heart?" the Prince then asked. I smiled at this one.

            "You have kept your ability a secret for such a long time and never once used it for personal gain," I explained. It was Zack's turn to smile. His smile was almost an exact mirror of my own, yet of course, he did not realise. I did not like keeping my own secrets, but I wanted to keep our connection a secret for now. It would definitely not be a good revelation at this time.

"What am I defending against?" Prince Zack then asked. My Grandfather would be the best to answer this question, I thought.

"Back in my homeland, there is a greater evil than even the Black Witch herself," he started. Zack's eyes looked up in horror. I realised that his innocence could possibly be his downfall in this experienced job. "They go by the name of the voices, and nobody knows who they are."

"What do they do?" Zack whispered, wondering what on Earth could be worse than the Black Witch.

"They enter the minds of the innocent and manipulate them. The give them their most desperate desires, but not without a price. Zack started to say something, but Grandfather interrupted. "Think of only the Black Witch, for now Zack. It is she that is your biggest problem at the moment." Zack nodded, a little sadly, but he could not complain. The voices were horrible creatures. I had only met one once, and that was not a pretty sight. Zack continued asked questions about his role for quite a while, and then decided he was tired and needed a rest. This provided me with the perfect opportunity to speak with my Grandfather.

After the Prince left, we sat in silence for a few moments, neither of us wanting to ask the questions which were sat so readily at the tips of our tongues. Becoming slightly impatient, I decided to fire away first.