The Prophetess

Prologue: Chapter Two

"Alright. What is going to happen today?"

"No. That's not right. And that's not what you want to know, either. Is it?" 

The King shook his head. 

"Then ask what you came here to ask," The woman said.

"We're going to battle today-"

"I am aware."

"And I want to know that my wife will be safe," he said. "She is not in the right condition to run if necessary."

"She's not?"

"You don't know?"

"Do I look like God?" She asked, her voice high and hysteric.

"No, but I just assumed that if you knew about the battle, then you would know about my wife?"

"Market day, Charles."

"Pardon?" The King asked, confused.

"I go down there every week to gather food, and other necessities. I talk with the merchants and whatnot. Really interesting people." She said, then tilted her head with a small lift of her lips; her attempt at a smile. "Do you not know of your own subjects' whereabouts?"

The King was perturbed. "Of course I do. But people say you never get out of this cave."

"People say all sorts of things."

"True, but-"

"Did you come here to argue with me, Charles? Or to find out what is going to happen today?"

The King could almost swear the old hag purposely mentioned his name as often as possible. "I came here to ask that my wife be protected."

"Why is it so important that she be kept safe?"

"She holds the next heir."

"Oh my, " The figure sucked in a sharp breath, "She's with child?"

"Is that not what I just-"

The King was cut off as the woman started mumbling to herself, and moving about, knocking things from their place.

"Are you alright?"

"The next one. . ." She said. "It was all true. . . but so soon. . .? Not enough time. . . Where is it?"

"Aha!" The woman suddenly proclaimed, as she stepped into the light, letting the King see her for the first time.

Her skin was wrinkled, the folds forming into her face, and her long silver hair was in a braid, swishing about her ankles as she walked towards him, but the feature that struck him odd the most, were her eyes; bright blue gemstones, that seemed to shine from the inside.

"Have you ever read the Bible, Charles?"

"But of course. What type of King would I be if I didn't?"

"Wrong questions, Charles."

"I already read it. Why do I need to read it again?" The King asked, exasperated.

"Wrong again, so I shall save you the trouble of thinking." She said, shoving the book into his hands. "This is not the Bible. This is a record from all the prophets ever known. From the old days."

"Prophets?"

"Prophets. Goodness, Charles. Did you ever pay attention when your Mother was talking?"

"She had always been a bitter woman. . ."

"That is not what we need to be thinking about at this moment, Charles." She said, a frown framing her thin lips. "Do you know why I hide out in this cave?"

"Because you are a bitter woman, too?"

"Try again, Charles. My patience is running thin."

"You don't like people?"

"No."

"I don't know then."

"Think harder, Charles." The old woman was exasperated, hey eyebrows knit tightly together.

The King thought long and hard, but only drew short. "Alright, I got one. Who is coming to battle with me today?"

The old woman answers gladly. "The people who are about to invade your kingdom today, are the reason I hide out up here. They know about your child, and they want it."

"They want my child." The King repeated, disbelief lacing his tone as he arched a brow.

"Is there an echo here? There must be."

"You really are a bitter woman." The King was ignored, as she started flipping through the book that was still in his hands.

"Here. Read here." The King leaned down to read, but could not understand the text, for it was written in another language. The king wanted to rage, perhaps the old woman was knowingly doing this, making him seem foolish. But the livelihood of his wife and their unborn child, rested in the balance of his patience with the woman that was his only chance.

Teeth gritted, he finally said, "I can't"

"Then this doesn't make sense at all."

"What doesn't make sense?"

"Hush, Charles. I'm trying to think."

"Think?"

"Hush. If you can't read that book, then you are not of our line, which I knew the moment you stepped into this cave. But then, why is your daughter the next one? It was supposed to be of my offspring, the reason why I never wanted any children. I could never put them through this."

"Daughter?"

"Yes. Did you not know?"

"The doctor wasn't sure. He said there was a higher possibility of a boy, though."

"Of course. Her power is manifesting, and interfering with the doctor's reading. But rest assured, it is a girl."

"Her power?"

"Will you pointedly repeat all I say, Charles? You should be asking the right questions, not those useless ones."

The King was furious now, "What is all these nonsense about my unborn daughter got to do with this book I cannot read?" He finally erupted, but the woman did not fire back, instead weathered lips pulled back to release a pleased smile.

"Now you're asking them, and I will tell you what this has to do with your daughter. But first, sit down. I'll tell you a story." The King perched himself on the available edge of a book-piled stool, leaning in close, curious of what the woman was about to say.

She pulled her rocking chair closer to the King, and took the book from his hands. She took a deep breath, and began.

Author's Note:

Hello there. Sorry to end on a cliff hanger XD. Did you enjoy this entry? I sure hope so. Stay tuned for more of this book, as I post a new entry every day. Later.

Peace out.