Love and magic

Chapter Three

The king looks at his oldest friend with an almost sad look of confirmation on his face "Dora it seems like your visions were correct and I deeply apologies for not taking them seriously" he says bowing his head in disappointment of himself for not believing her "Darc don't you dare apologies, I never thought this is what we would have to go up against but now that we know what it is, it's time we took this seriously. Apsephion is no joke, you and I both know that." she turns to look at Mystia "I think it's time we took your training to the next level my dear, come" she says motioning for her to come over to her.

She looks over at Orym briefly before walking over to her grandmother and taking her hand "Okay, let's see exactly what happened shall we?" Esadora says smiling at her granddaughter, taking both of her hands into her own she closes her eyes, takes a deep breath and focuses on Mystia's memories of the fight. Mystia watches her grams closely feeling a warmth spread through her from her looking into her mind. "Well... i'm glad the two of you got out of there when you did and hopefully those beautiful souls there fighting come out of this battle unscathed" she says putting a hand on Mystia's cheek while smiling over at Orym

At that moment Randoul enters the room, blood splattered over his armor and face even though you can tell he tried to wipe it off before coming to see the King and Queen "Your majesties" he says bowing "Randoul, is everyone okay? Are you okay?" asks Queen Ochaudita rushing forward to make sure the boy she's raised as a second son ever since his parents died is alright, alarmed by the amount of blood on him "Yes ma'am i'm alright. There were some casualties but not a lot. I have my men working on identifying the ones who were civilians so we can notify their families. As for the raiders, only a few survived and we've taken them into custody for questioning" he says looking at the king while saying the last bit of information.

"Well, I'm glad you're okay and tell the families of the civilians lost that the palace will help with any burial needs. Nobody should have died today, especially innocent civilians." King Darcassan says laying a hand on his shoulder and healing any injuries he has from this battle "Now about these prisoners... have they said anything at all?" shaking his head Randoul answers "No sir, they haven't said anything. It's almost like they are in a trance." "Strange" Esadora whispers to herself "Strange? What do you mean grams?" Mystia asks, hearing her grandmother's whisper "Well it's just... why would a willing follower be in a trance unless they've given up their soul to him" she says looking from Mystia to Dracassan who looks at her alarmed "Dora... are you saying they are no longer themselves but a part of him? Like some sort of hive mind? How is that possible?!"

Esadora looks over to Ochaudita with a knowing look before saying "Well Drac, it seems he may just have a necromancer on his side" Ochaudita nods before saying "Yes... and a very powerful one it seems if they are able to control that many people. Now I haven't practiced necromancy in... years but I don't think those that you were fighting tonight were alive..."

"Wait, you're telling me that those people were... DEAD PEOPLE?" Mystia asks, quite shocked by this revelation "It's quite possible... Randoul dear reach out to the neighboring cities, see if there's been any similar attacks to this one we had tonight. I have a feeling that the people you fought tonight were theirs" the Queen says looking up to Randoul before looking over to her husband "Yes ma'am."

Randoul leaves the room to reach out to both Grimbourne and Shadestar to see if anything similar has happened. The king turns to his son who has been unusually quiet this whole time "Son... you look troubled. Penny for your thoughts?" Oyrm breaks out of the trance he's had staring off out the window looking at all the faces in the room before his eyes land on Mystia's concerned one "It's just... grandfather fought in the war that sealed Apsephion away. He was there when he was sealed. How is he free? It makes no sense at all" Esadora gives him an understanding smile before saying "I wish we had those answers for you dear but unfortunately, we don't but... I might know a way we could find out. I'll just need a few extra hands, what do you say dear? Wanna lend your grams a hand?"

Mystia looks at her wide eyed "Of course! Whatever it takes to make sure nothing else happens to the people of this city" Esadora smiles "Well then, we'll also need your mother and uncles help. Let's head to the cottage, yes?" Orym quickly steps forward next to Mystia saying " Esadora if you don't mind, could I come along? As protection in case another attack occurs" Esadora giving him a knowing smile says "Of course Orym. You're always welcome" turning to the king and queen she says "I'll get to the bottom of this and let you know we find, until then" she bows her head to her longtime friends and offers a hand to each of her traveling companions. Once they take her hands they are quickly teleported outside of a beautiful cottage, surrounded by woods, flowers and a small little pond that the two remember playing in when they were children.

The stone path to the cottage is lit up by fireflies which Orym, Mystia and Randoul would catch as children with her uncle Deron and her older brother Mistral. The cottage on the outside looks like a normal cottage to people going past but to those who have been here before know that's not true. Going inside and down a set of hidden stairs is the living quarters of Mystia, her parents, uncle and brother but it's also where they perform and practice their magic. Walking into their living area downstairs is Septos, Esadora's husband and Mystia's grandfather "Ahhhh welcome home dear! It's actually a good thing you're here, you can stop your son from burning this place down because he won't listen to me" he says smiling giving his wife a kiss on the cheek before pointing over to their son, Deron.

"My son? Don't you mean our son?" she answers jokingly looking back at Mystia and Orym rolling her eyes playfully at his antics "Yes. Your son since he apparently has decided to stop listening to me after burning the chicken.... Twice. Twice dear, in two weeks. MYSTIA!! You're home early, OH hello Orym" he says pulling both of them into a hug "Hello sir, it's been a long time" Orym says starting conversation with him "I wish I was here on different terms " Orym says "So it's true then. Your visions dear?" Septos asks looking over to Esadora, she nods before answering "I'm afraid so dear... Apsephion has been freed and I know a way I might be able to see how but i'll need the help of Mystia, Deron and Astra's help. Speaking of where is our daughter?" As if she heard her name being said Astra comes down the stairs holding a basket of freshly grown vegetables and fruits from her garden "I'm here mother... what's wrong?" she says before looking over and seeing Orym "Oh, hello Orym! Are you hungry? I was just getting some things from the garden to make since somebody ruined our intended dinner" she says smiling at Orym before giving her brother a pointed but playful look.

"Well Astra sweetie it looks like dinner might be on hold for a bit... But you're welcome to join us for dinner anytime Orym" Esadora says before continuing "I need your three help on a spell" Astra looks at her daughter before saying "Of course but... What are we doing this for?" Esadora answers "Well remember the visions i've been having recently? They've seemed to have come true. Apsephion has been released and we don't know how. I offered to find out for the king and queen but... I'll need your help" Astra looks at her brother who nods and then looks to Mystia who grabs her hand and squeezes before answering "Well then let's figure out who did this and see if we can figure out a way to put him back where he belongs."