When a Stars Teardrops Become Jewels: Eclipsed Garden

| 11 | Reverberation

Alta rubbed the flat part of his thumb across the smooth stone of his necklace. He did so while looking upwards to the night skyscape. With his eyes he traced the stars of the royal families' ancestors -his ancestors- from one to another until he reached the biggest star in the night sky with the purest light. It was the Goddesses ancestral star, the first star, the moon. The holy light filled Alta's mind with ease despite the turbulent events and seemed to wash away the memories and exhaustion of the past two nights.

He leaned forward against the banister. Cold from the stone seeped into the bones of his elbows. He did not mind the chill since it pulled him away from the conversation in the room behind him. In the room beyond his mother sat braiding, untangling and re-braiding the hair of his younger brother who sat beneath her chair fiddling with his now empty scabbard. Opposite of them was the King in an armchair, holding his injured arm out to be bandaged by the Master Physician.

Frequent servants fluttered in every few minutes to give the king reports of the events happening outside. With every report the king took a sip of wine from the cup in his uninjured hand, the veins in his neck and forehead becoming increasingly taut with irritation.

Report, the entire west wing of the palace had been burnt down to bones.

Report, the bodies in the courtyard and west wing were currently being tallied. Estimated to be over three dozen dead at this time.

Report, the Saint of Stars was nowhere to be found and was last seen heading to the west courtyard.

Report, Master Mensa was among the deceased bodies.

Report, General Argon and the kingsguard had caught and killed some of the fleeing demons, but others managed to escape.

Report, General Argon suspects there must have been a spy working with the demons.

Asterlos slammed his hand down onto the wooden armrest of his chair. Standing up he yelled that he would find the rest of those goddess-damned demons himself. He staggered on his injured leg, slipping, however Leo caught him before the prince fell.

"You will do nothing about this matter." The king said.

Asterlos turned his head. "Father."

"It is not just tradition, but necessary for you and your bonded to remain in isolation for the first moon cycle of your bonding." King Rune's deep voice echoed off the stone walls.

Asterlos seemed like he was holding his breath. He grit his teeth, bowing his head to not let his father see his dissatisfaction. "I understand and will do as is required of me, my King."

A pall of silence and gloom lurked over the room.

Another servant scuttled to the front of the king and kneeled on one knee with his head down. The King acknowledged his presence, allowing the boy to speak. The boy servant lowered his head further and told the King that the Saint of Stars had been found. All of the royal family's heads turned towards the boy, eyes wide with shock.

The King ordered him, "Bring her."

"Yes, sire."

One of the double-doors swung open. Through the threshold, being supported by a kingsguard, the Saintess walked into the room. The white fabric of her dress was splattered from the hem to the shoulders with small circular droplets of dark red.

With each step she took towards the center of the room Alta's heart pounded. Each thud bringing a sharp pain to his forehead. Eventually, the pain became so immense that Alta had to place a hand on the banister to steady himself. Light-headed, he took deep breaths to prevent himself from fainting.

As he took one breath in, his vision was suddenly overtaken by flashing images. A silver chalice fell onto wilting rose petals. Hair as white as snow was let loose from its constrictors. The images were so vivid he could almost smell the roses, almost touch the softness of the hair. As Alta released his breath, the images vanished, replaced once more with the white light of the moon.

The warmth of a hand was placed on his back, Alta looked up to find his Master Orion.

"Prince Alta," He spoke in a soft voice, "Come in from the cold."

Master Orion held out his hand. Alta released a breath he had not realized he had been holding and took his master's hand. Orion guided him inside, sitting him in a chair and then handed Alta a cup of warm water. Alta stared at the cup. A silver chalice with branches etched onto the sides. It looked exactly like it. The one from the image. Shocked, Alta let the chalice slip from his fingers. It fell onto the rug with a dull clunk.

Orion kneeled in front of Alta. He picked up the chalice then looked up at Alta. Upon seeing Alta's expression, he placed a hand on his knee.

Alta stared at the wet spot on the rug, confused. The rug was patterned with vibrant red flowers. His head was pulsing, throbbing with all of his thoughts that were being tossed around his brain, defying his logic.

"Master?" Alta whispered, "Is the rug made of roses?" Orion scrunched his eyebrows together, forming wrinkles in the center of his forehead.

"Your mind seems to still be up amongst the stars, my prince." He said, keeping his voice low. Lifting his hands, he rubbed the temples of Alta's forehead. The massaging pressure relaxed and soothed his headache.

Because of this he missed most of the ensuing conversation between the King and the kingsguard who had brought Arabelle. He caught a couple of phrases such as 'the library' and Asterlos cursing out Lord Pogue Nixey as a traitor and scum. Closing his eyes, Alta took another deep breath in and released it slowly. When he opened his eyes again, he made direct eye contact with the King.

The King was observing him, silver eyes staring through him and petrifying his soul, but Alta did not have the energy to even be nervous anymore. Ceremonies and visions and warfare aside, he had not slept for near three days now.

"You all need rest," the King stated. He ordered the kingsguard to take each of them to their chambers and send the imperial doctor to those who need treatment. Being led back to his bedchambers he had just moved into this morning, he had never wanted to be curled up by the fire in his masters rooms more than right now.