The Lost Kingdom: The Stone of Destiny

7

I followed William in the main shop where he put down a large map on a table. I leaned down to examine it.

Instinctively, I looked for the landmarks and the sehalian names that were familiar... I was surprised by the way my heart pinched when I realised that I was completely lost.

The map showed the continent of Erydd, divided in three main kingdoms: Banderve in the east, Gharmen in the south, and the third called Melahel. The territories were separated from one another by mountain ranges or rivers. A huge lake could be seen north of the mountains. The territory of the Kingdom of Melahel was itself divided in a dozen domains represented by different coats of arms.

It wasn't the country where I had grown up.

I was pulled from the study of this map by William:

"Let it be clear, we must go to Lelawala who lives in the Edyrn Mountains. From what I know of her, her mother was a powerful witch who died during the siege of the palace, but no need to explain it to you, isn't it?"

He grimaced. It was confirmed: he had heard the entire conversation with Isolde.

"Not long after the siege, we don't know what happened exactly at court, but Lelawala has been accused of black magic, of being a charlatan and she went to hide somewhere in the Edyrn Mountains."

"You seem to know a lot..." I remarked.

He shrugged and continued in his distant voice:

"I have my sources."

William put his finger on the main road the 'Gyllenhaal Road' and traced a path towards the first intersection:

"This is from this place that we might be caught by the Agramians but we need to reach the Clan Shanedor. We will go through the forest to avoid Agramians."

"That will make us slower," I commented worriedly.

"Don't worry, it'll only be for a couple of days before we can go back on the royal road."

He traced the path from Azraald to the Shanedor Clan, which was right next to the hideous word 'ogres'.

"We must be careful not to make a mistake, otherwise..."

He could be expressive when he wanted to, after all.

"Isolde told me the origin of the conflict, and what it costed you. I'm sorry, William, and I thank you for having helped me so much."

He looked hesitant, as if he didn't know what to say to such words. Isolde suddenly arrived behind us:

"Prudence, you still haven't eaten, come get some strength. You've been through a lot and you need rest."

"I... alright."

She dragged me back in the kitchen, putting food in front of me, but I wasn't hungry. The nightmare had reminded me the fate of my mother, the events that had led me here, and the thought of going into this dangerous quest made me lose all appetite. Even though I feared another nightmare, I decided to rest. I followed Isolde upstairs but I stopped to observe from afar William who kept looking at the map, far more worried than he had let show a moment before. I hurried after Isolde who guided me in her bedroom.

"I'll let you rest in my bedroom for this night, I'll stay with William. Here are clothes to get changed. I'll come get you tomorrow morning. Do you need anything else?" she asked, putting down a night gown on the bed.

"I... no, I'll be fine, thank you, but I have a question."

I pulled out from my pocket the ointment I had taken from the palace this morning. It already seemed so long ago.