The Protector

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

I don't even hesitate as I fly straight over the top of the castle and land clutching Edmon's window knowing he will be awake by now. He was always the first to rise, especially on an important day. Spotting he is awake I tap on the glass of his open window before jumping down onto his sil.

"Hey." I smile wearily at him. He jumps slightly at the unexpected entrance but otherwise doesn't react.

"Ali, hi. Just got back?" He asks flattening his hair and buttoning up his shirt.

"Yeah, not sure how today's going to go but I think I'm going to have to use my gold." I confess not wanting to hold anything back from him.

"I won't tell. I think you're going to need it. You look tired. What did you find out?" He asks. I take a deep breath and attempt to quickly gather my thoughts. I need to tell him something.

"I meet them tonight at the ceremony. I know how too." I add dryly knowing it's because one of our closest friends is not who they seem.

"How?" He asks now giving me his full attention. I crouch on his window and sigh. I might as well let him know, he has a right.

"I know who is killing your parents. My prophecy gave me the answers to my Soulmage through it. I out him tonight. I think he challenges me to a fight, or just attacks me I'm not sure but during the fight I have to draw on their powers. I know exactly who my Soulmage is but I can't tell them until tonight. I can't tell anyone." I add as an afterthought figuring the next question out of Edmon's mouth.

"Who is killing my parents?" He asks barely keeping his anger in check.

"I can't tell you. Sabina warned me about telling too much before it unfolds. I wish I could but it could put us all in more danger. Just trust me?" I beg jumping off the sil and standing directly in front of him. He nods stiffly and reluctantly. "I better go. Need to change into our knights clothing for the tribulation. Meet you outside Rhoald's in fifteen minutes?"

"Alright. Don't be late. We're going to be cutting it fine already Ali." He warns with a slight edge to his voice. I nod, smiling slightly and hop out his window.

Edmon's room is on the other side of the corridor to mine so I quickly use my magic to pull myself up to the roof. Crouching on the peak of the roof I glance to the skyline just in time to see the sun begin to rise. Better hurry up. I think and allow myself to slide down the roof, stopping just before I would fall off. I'm just about to swing down through my open window when movement across the courtyard catches my eye. Focusing on the movement from one of many open windows in the queen's private rooms I spot a black shadow moving quickly towards the Queen's rooms.

I channel my gold into my eyes, enhancing my vision slightly. This allows me to see into the darkened corridor and catch a glimpse of the man stalking. By the way he is moving, hunched and dressed in black I just know this person is up to no good. I decide to check it out, not able to see exactly who it is though I have a feeling I already know the answer. I use my gold to pull myself to the corner of the corridor pressing myself close to the wall I peer around the edge of the wall just in time to catch a glimpse of a man I've grown to know and trust over the past year. This just confirms my worst fears. Knowing I need to see him casting the curse I use my gold to allow myself to glide along the ceiling. I following him as quickly as I can to the door that leads to the Queen's rooms. Her bed chamber where she will no doubt be resting is just behind there. Where are the guards? Where is the light? I ask myself noting the lack of palace guards. It would be too easy for an assassin to get in here. He must be paying them too, either that or there must be a gap during guard changeover. I will have to see to that with Edmon and the King before tonight. I watch as a black glow leaves his hands and snakes its way under the door just as he begins to mutter his incantation. After only a couple of syllables I know what curse it is. The same one I've been studying for the past half year, the same one that I have seen in the queen and is sure to be in the king too. Tacet caedere, the silent killing curse.