Lore of Eternal Shadow: The Fugitive King

Chapter Seventeen

There was a knock at Vidente's door. This time Vidente was much more relaxed. Varadan had come and gone that morning, all trace of his existence departing with him. Inanna was with Enki in his room, teaching him something much more mundane in the eyes of the establishment. Vidente had just returned from the castle court and was still in full regalia. He had retired for the day but Vidente had learned long ago that Argon's demands were effectively endless and unpredictable—you either existed solely to serve the King or you were put to death for not meeting Argon's standard of devotion.

Vidente answered the door to find not the typical seven foot tall demon ready to "escort" him up to the palace. Instead a young Zey^Rey girl in dark clothing met him. She didn't make eye contact. "Hello," she said awkwardly, "You don't know me..."

"I do," answered Vidente, "You are Penelope. Your family has served our King since he first enlightened this world. I have seen you in court many times."

"I'm... I'm surprised you remember me," she nearly whispered.

"I remember all who come before our King," Vidente answered, "and more importantly, you're all Alva thinks about—and I don't need divination to tell that." Penelope let a tiny smile of bliss warm over her lips, "Tell me, what brings you to my humble abode?"

"I," she began, "There's... something I have to ask you."

He read her expression from under his heavy, long cap. He nodded, his gaze darting around, "Won't you come in?"

She looked at the ground but nodded. Vidente closed the door behind her, "Follow me, please." He looked at the closed door of his son's room. Inanna and Enki would be safe for the moment. Argon knew about both of them and so they were allowed to exist. However, Vidente felt the less people knew about them, the better. Argon would not protect Vidente's wife and child if someone else grew resentful enough to strike at them to get to Vidente.

Vidente led Penelope down to the cellar. The stone slab was in place and it looked like an ordinary storage and mushroom-growing chamber, a common feature. "Excuse the gloom," said Vidente to Penelope, "but there are often too many ears."

Penelope nodded, "Alva's left for Galgaroth."

"Hm," mused Vidente, "I strongly suspect our King did not authorize this. Do you know why Alva's returned to Galgaroth?"

"He hunts his brother," she answered. Vidente's posture stiffened at this. "The last time I saw him," Penelope continued, "he spoke about some sort of prophecy but he didn't go into it. Do you know what he was talking about?"

"The Isducainia brothers must be allies, fighting for the same cause," Vidente recited, "If Zicone and Alva realize they oppose each other, they won't be able to co-exist for long. If one can't be turned to the other's cause, one will be destroyed."

Penelope gasped, "Alva's going to get himself killed! He can't do this! I have to—"

"You can't go to him," Vidente stated, "No one can."

"What are you saying?"

Vidente paused for a few seconds, pondering his thoughts deeply, "Do you know why Alva is so important to Our King?" Penelope shook her head. "Interesting... You were born here. You remember the time before Alva came to us, don't you?"

"Well... Some of my memories are... fuzzy."

"It's easy to forgo the truth when your reality comes from one place," Vidente pondered. He looked at her, "Alva is the only person capable of opening the portal between Galgaroth and this world... Actually, that's not quite true. Theoretically, Zicone also has this ability."