Alcingeria

Chapter Fifty Two: Dark Magic

Chapter Fifty Two Dark Magic:

Tuesday July 6th 1690

Queen Yuka's medical examiner studied the body of the servant that Preston had found for a whole day. Francella and Ceberus were sent for, as they were in their rooms. A servant came to each of them as the Queen had asked and they were brought to the throne room. Beside her stood a young man with a scroll in his hand. This was probably the medical examiner, Ceberus thought. When Francella and Ceberus were ready, the man spoke.

"I tried to pin the servant's condition on any disease or illness that fits the symptoms and description of the body, I didn't want to believe that dark magic is involved. Alas, I have confirmed that it is indeed dark magic that caused the death of the servant. It can't be anything else." He nodded towards the two newcomers, "and you said you found the body stuffed into a closet?"

"My servant, Preston, found the body on the floor. Potentially stuffed into the closet, but it must have come open."

He opened his scroll and read from it.

"In that case, foul play is most certainly involved," he cleared his throat, glancing at the Queen, who gave him a nod to continue. "You see, the man was killed instantaneously. I found a bruise under his shirt on his side where he must have fallen on his arm. If we was killed by a disease, the illness would not have taken effect so quickly. This suggests that he was killed very, very quickly and dropped to the floor. I believe that since it was dark magic, he was dead before he even got there."

"This isn't good, there is a dark magic user roaming around and we have no idea who it is!" Ceberus shouted. "Your Highness, what would you have us do?"

If Queen Yuka was stressed at all, she didn't show it. She remained composed and turned to a servant who was standing behind her throne and was now in view.

"Send for the guards. I need a team to search every room in this castle. Tell them to keep an eye out for anything suspicious, anything odd." She said. "Let it be known that I advise them to use caution. This is a volatile force that has worked its way into my castle, and will surely fight like a caged animal if confronted."

"Yes, your majesty."

The servant hurried off with a brief curtsy. The Queen turned back to face her audience.

"That should deal with the problem," she sighed. "I will see to it that a stop is put to the killings. Ceberus, William, I thank you for your service. Also, send Preston here when you see him next. I have a reward for him."

"Yes, your majesty."

They were dismissed and walked out of the throne room, both heaving heavy sighs.

"The guards have this under control now." Ceberus said. "This will all be over soon."

"Good thing, too. The sooner they're caught, the better."

They walked out of the foyer to see dozens of guards streaming in from outside, presumably from the barracks, and running back and forth in every which way. They were being ordered around by officers, scattering to find the dark magic user. They went upstairs, where the sound of doors being opened, knocked on and closed could be heard. They went in the throne room foyer and began checking rooms there. The guards were searching all over the castle.

"It's crowded in here, we don't want to be in the way." Ceberus took Francella by the arm. "Let's go to the garden and wait for more news."

Francella nodded and they both walked off into the garden, where they found Erin, Martha, Raymond and William.

"There you two are!" Erin sighed with relief. "What are all those guards doing?"