The New King (Sequel to The Prince Behind the Veil)

Chapter 8: The Great Sorcerer

"Well, we made it through the night!" Simon said, emerging from the cave he and Violet had stayed in the night before.

Violet sat outside by their fire, fingering her wedding ring. There was a sad look on her face. A tear ran down her cheek.

"What's wrong?" Simon asked, sitting down beside Violet.

"I miss him," she said, leaning her head on Simon's shoulder. "I miss him so much!" Violet started to cry harder.

Simon put his arms around her. He had a clump of guilt forming in his stomach. Thomas could, and mostly likely was, dead. Or, he was on death's doorstep.

"I'm sure he's making it through, Violet," Simon said instead. Then, he thought, what if they went all this way, got Harvey's help, and then found out that Prince Thomas was dead? Simon looked down at Violet. She had so much hope that things would work out, so why bum her spirits?

"Oh, I'm being silly," Violet said, standing up. "Sorry, Simon," she said, blushing.

"Oh, no!" Simon said, standing up beside her. "No, you have every right to miss Thomas, princess! He's the love of your life!"

"I must be bringing you down, though," Violet replied.

"No, I've been through worse," Simon said. "My father died when I was just five years-old. And then my mother, she died when I was 13 years-old. I've been through grief too," he put a reassuring hand on Violet's arm.

"I'm so sorry," Violet said frowning. "That must of been terrible!"

"Oh, no use worrying over something that already happened, and that you can't undo," Simon said, approaching the cave. "Let's get going. Should only be a few more miles, right?"

Violet pulled the scroll out from a sash tied around her waist. "Let's see," she said, unrolling the paper on the ground. "We head left for a few hours, and then we should see the cottage!"

"Good, we're almost there!" Simon threw his fist in the air in excitement. There was still a ball of guilt in his gut as he walked in the cave. Should he tell Violet Thomas could be dead? No......right?

Simon grabbed both of their travels bags, and stepped out of the cave. Violet was untying the horses. She hopped on her's, and walked it over to Simon. She put her hand out for the travel bag. "Here you are, princess," Simon handed her the bag. It was black embroidered with purple flowers that he assumed were violets.

Violet sung the bag over her shoulder, and waited for Simon to get on his horse. The two headed off up the mountain.

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Violet and Simon arrived at Harvey's cottage three hours later. The cottage had a beige stucco with green shutters. It looked rather cozy.

Violet tied her horse to a tree near the cottage, and walked up the cobblestone path that led to the cottage's green door. She knocked once Simon was beside her. What was she going to say?

The door opened, and a pair of gray eyes peeked out between a crack. "Yes, who is it?" The voice was rough and scratchy.

"Um, hello sir. Is 'The Great Sorcerer Harvey' here?" Violet asked.

Simon looked through the crack. Behind the man was a young woman around his age drinking tea while reading a book. She had dark, wavy hair and green eyes. Simon felt his mouth open a little, his eyes widen. She was beautiful......

"You're speakin' to 'em, lass," Harvey replied. He spied the scroll tied around Violet's waist. "That's the scroll I gave to Hatchett," he whispered, then looked at Violet's eyes. He gasped. "I recognize those eyes! You're Madeline's daughter!"

"Yes, I'm Princess Violet," Violet said with dignity, then noticed Simon staring at something inside the house. Strange, she thought.

"Harvey," she said, refocusing. "We have a very important issue to discuss with you. It's about Prince Thomas, my husband."

Harvey opened the door all the way. "I would be honored to help any of Hatchett's family, Violet. C'mon in," he gestured towards a sofa.

Violet elbowed Simon in the side, and he stepped in with her.

The cottage was a circle room, having a very nice kitchen and foyer. There were two doors that lined the back wall.

"Everett!" Harvey called over to the girl sitting in a green chair. "Everett! Come, we have guests!"

Everett looked up from her book, and smiled at Violet.

"Are you Princess Violet?" She asked.

"Yes, I am," Violet replied.

Everett curtsied. "I am very honored to see you, dear!"

Simon still was staring at Everett. Her name was as pretty as she was. She was dressed in a black blouse, and and ivory skirt.

Everett walked over to another sofa that lined the opposite wall, and sat down next to Harvey. Violet and Simon took a seat on the other sofa, Simon (of course) took the seat across from Everett.

"Ooh, someone likes her," Violet whispered in Simon's ear. Simon looked up and glared.

"Now, what is the matter with Prince Timmy? Or was it... hmmm...." Harvey said.

"Thomas," Violet interrupted. "Prince Thomas,"

"Oh, yes!" Harvey said. "That was the name!"

"I'm afraid it's a rather severe case," Simon said, hoping he looked important, and strong so he could impress Everett.

Harvey leaned forward, and cupped his hands. "What's the problem?"

Violet explained everything about King Provost, how Prince Edward of the Kingdom Evalin had turned evil, how Edward had created his own kingdom, how he also had captured Thomas, and was torturing him. Violet then let Simon explain Edward's plan, mostly so he would stop staring at Everett.

Harvey paused, considering for a moment. "Yes, I see," he said, standing up and walking towards the kitchen. "And you want my help in getting Thomas back?"

"Yes, please," Violet said. "My magic isn't very powerful, and I don't think I could defeat someone as strong as Edward. He might even be as strong as Provost was..."

Harvey poured four cups of tea, and brought it out to the group, setting the cups on the table. Everyone grabbed a cup.

Harvey took a long sip of his tea, then addressed Violet. "I can help you," he said. "But, you must train and get better at your magic first,"

"But, I want to help Thomas as fast as possible!" Violet argued. "He could be seriously hurt!"

Harvey, in a soothing voice said, "I know, dear. But, it's best you prepare and get better at magic before facing one as powerful as Edward,"

"How long will training take?" Violet asked.

"Oh, maybe three or four days..." Harvey replied, looking thoughtful.

Violet sighed. "I suppose it's worth it,"

"You two can stay here," Everett said, putting her tea down.

"Yes," Harvey said. "Besides, we'll need to make the leather outfits,"

"Leather outfits?" Violet and Simon asked at the same time.

"What we all will wear when facing Edward," Harvey said. "A leather shirt and pants. Very comfortable when attacking a whole kingdom!"

"We need a plan first," Violet said.

"Hmmm," Harvey sighed, sipping his tea. "Yes. Here's what we should do..." Everett, Simon, and Violet leaned in towards Harvey, and created their attack plan. One that, hopefully, wouldn't fail.