Cobalt Crown - Book One

3 Plans

     Caiaphus awoke in his chambers, on his bed. His staff and wand were in their usual places. The corner and his night stand, respectively. He rubbed his aching eyes, and felt a harsh dryness, clicking his tongue against the roof of his mouth. He spied a tankard of water on his nightstand.

     Astor. He thought. That boy really is like the gallant knight in all the fairy tales. He drank. It wasn't totally water. There were hints of herbs inside. Caiaphus' trained tongue tasted ternom and lidvic, powdered compounds made from two different plants. Ternom was an anti-inflammatory, while lidvic was a jumble of vital nutrients. The combination in water was commonly referred to as "The Jubilant's Savior." Sometimes a nice tavernkeep would haphazardly mix some with cheap ale as a parting drink at the end of a night of strong drinking. At the very least it would allow the person some quick recovery of vital salts to fight the stages of dehydration. But more commonly was it concocted for hung-over wedding guests who had the sort of wealth to be able to pay for such a luxury as pain medication.

     Ternom was a good choice, but aleterin tastes better... and Astor knows it. His eyes narrowed. Maybe he's not quite like those gallant types after all. He sighed. I suppose he will be wanting an explanation. I'd better summon for him.

     Caiaphus got up, and sat back down realizing how foggy his head was. The room spun. He finished the Savior and waited until he felt its effects. Then he tried again and managed to keep his balance. He bent over and picked up his wand from the night stand, tucking it away. Then he went over to the corner and grabbed his staff. With the wide-eyed vigor of a stupefied patient in the Academae infirmary, Caiaphus set out to find the royal siblings.

----------

     Hours later the effect of the Savior started to wear off, but he had collected both Astor and Corinne and brought them to his little corner of the castle grounds. He ushered them inside and closed the door behind them, gesturing for them to sit in open space. When they bent, Caiaphus focused, turning his mind blank. He sent two chairs hurtling toward them from behind. It was a ritual of sorts. Caiaphus enjoyed the spectacle of it. The room was small, but cozy. A fireplace slowly crackled in the far wall. Otherwise, the chamber was dark. Another piece of furniture flew out of a dark corner of the room. A table with tea. He poured them both cups, never once touching a single piece of the fine china.

     "Alright, you've been very secretive about this, but now that we're away from prying eyes and eavesdropping ears..." Corinne trailed off, widening her eyes at the wizard expectantly.

     "Astor and I have spoken a little about this, your highness, but I fear I will need your help in the matter to come. Yesterday I had a conversation with your father-"

     "-Oh Gods, of course." Corinne interjected. "What sort of nonsensical drivel is going around about him this time? Did he mistreat a travelling witch and now our family is cursed for an age and a day? Did he manage to find the fabled but forbidden treasure of some Thyriseti god-king's magic tomb? Did he steal the blue from the sky? What else will the seated lords say about our father to undermine his reputation?"

     Caiaphus shifted in his seat. "No, it's nothing of that sort. This time. But I fear it may be even worse if what I suspect is true."

     "And what do you suspect, Caiaphus?" Corinne said pointedly.

     Caiaphus took a deep breath. "I think something has affected your father's mind."

     There was a pause. Corinne looked at Astor in disbelief.

     "I had my doubts as well, Cori, but I ran into him earlier today. He looks... haggard. At the very least something bitter is biting at his thoughts." Astor looked away. "Something he doesn't trust his children to attend to for him." His voice trailed off.