An Eternity of Nihility

Chapter 14: Magical divination

— PWAHAHAHA THIS IS THE BEST ONE, he laughed.

Hucral looked away, ashamed of the situation.

— It's all right, you don't have to shout it from the rooftops either...

Her boss wiped away his tears of laughter and tried to calm down.

During her last stay, Hucral had tried her best to give the queen a dose of the drug. Miraculously, it had been a great success. When she had returned, she had told her employer of her stupidity about the move-in period.

— Oh, I'm sorry, but that's the funniest thing I've heard in my 2,000-year career, he said, holding back a laugh. Here's your paycheck.

When Hucral saw her paycheck, her jaw dropped to the floor.

— All that?!

— When you're healing important personalities, the pay is just as important.

The diviner nodded and took her reward.

Before heading home, she stopped at the market to buy some seasonal fruit. She was about to leave when she sensed someone watching her. She turned and saw a woman standing behind, her hand outstretched, as if she were about to pat her on the shoulder.

— Can I help you? She asked abruptly, observing him in minute detail. (Anastasia, 1,562 years old, works as a messenger at the royal palace every day, married to Elros, a teacher).

— Are you Miss Hucral?

— Why are you asking me when you already know? Please hurry, you're wasting my time.

— The king and queen wish to meet you, she said simply.

The witch frowned, suspicious.

— No thanks, I don't have all day. Goodbye.

— It's an order from the king, you can't refuse.

As she was leaving, the diviner turned and approached the woman. As Hucral stared at Anastasia, the latter lost more and more of her composure, giving way to growing panic and fear.

— When would they want to see me? She asked coldly.

She swallowed, before answering with a trembling voice.

— Today...

— In that case, let's go. She said, squinting angrily.

The messenger simply nodded, and guided her to the palace. Half the journey passed in silence when Hucral broke it.

— When I've gone, could you pass on a message to His Majesties?

— Yes, of course. What would you like to tell them?

Even though the witch wasn't looking at her, Anastasia could feel the weight of her gaze on her.

— That I don't take orders from anyone, and that they're in no position to give them to me. Is that clear?

— Very.

They continued walking when Hucral sensed a phenomenal amount of magic in their surroundings. She wanted to ask the messenger, but refrained.

— (If she hasn't warned me, it's because I'm not supposed to know about it. Yet I can feel a mass of magic coming from the west. And I also feel that we're being watched from the same direction. I'll stay on my guard, then decide).

Hucral snapped out of her thoughts and concentrated on the road ahead. She looked surprised when she saw the royal palace in the distance, surrounded by four towers.