The Claiming (Book 3)

Chapter 9

     The Oracle stood in front of King Obram with her eyes closed. Her eyes moved behind her eyelids as if she was having a chaotic dream in a deep sleep. She had thought that she was going to have to lie to him about not being able to find Cera, Brae, and the others. Now that she knew she didn't have to lie, she felt more at ease with disappointing him.

     "What do you see? Where are they?" Obram hissed at her. He was rubbing his fist with one hand, trying to control his impatience. He had never been one to wait for anything and every encounter with the Oracle since the girl arrived had been nothing but an exercise in patience. Each time his irritation grew as did the urge to knock the oracle on her backside and now that urge was quickly taking control of him.

     "I'm sorry, sire, the block is very strong. I think I can see the inside of what looks to be a home, but I do not recognize any surroundings and there are no windows. They will not be found because only Brosmavia knows the location of where they are, but that will not make a difference now. Something is wrong. Things have changed because of the pregnant girl so they will leave wherever they are sooner than they were planning. Tomorrow, just before dawn is when they will go to the valley. Pivane will then follow them into the valley, unseen. The girl moves ahead of the others." The Oracle frowns and then gasps in surprise, "I do not know why she wants to keep the family together, away from her, but she will lead Pivane to a cave."

     "And?" Obram began to pace in front of her, "I do not need to know every single detail this time, Oracle, just the outcome. If you plan on telling me next that she starts to scratch her nose then I will have to kill you right now."

     "Pivane will kill her." The Oracle opened her eyes and kept the final moments of the vision to herself. Hoping to keep him from asking questions, she covered her mouth with her hand and feigned shock. She watched as King Obram stopped and turned to her, checking her face for any signs of deceit. The Oracle knew she had deceived him when he began to laugh.

     "Finally!" Obram balled up his fist and gloried in the news. "Victory will be mine!" His laugh changed from that of a madman to a triumphant one. Obram turned and walked away from the Oracle. Each loss of the siblings made no difference now. The girl would die and then he would finish off the so-called royal line. Looking toward the door where he knew Pivane would be waiting, he shouted "You may leave now Oracle. Pivane! Get in here now."

     "Sire," the Oracle frowned at his dismissive wave, "I must warn you; I do not believe that they all are meant to be going to the cave. It looks like she made the choice to stray."

     "Yet she still dies. Her decision to go to the cave proves valuable to me so why does that bother you so? She is alone, Pivane kills her, and then he can get rid of the siblings as well. He will have the element of surprise. Why is there a warning there? Is there something that you are leaving out, some important piece that you have not told me?"

     The Oracle blinked slowly hiding her boiling temper. She lowered her chin toward her chest and raised her eyes to stare up at the King, "Of course not, sire. I would not dare leave out any part of my vision."

     Pivane walked in and bowed in front of King Obram. He knew he was going to receive more orders regarding the girl and was looking forward to encountering her once again. Only this time he would be the one inflicting the pain.

     The Oracle looked at Pivane and then back to King Obram, "But I do believe she may be planning something. I cannot be sure of what that plan would be but..."

     "She is planning to let herself be killed. Very interesting Oracle. It seems a victory awaits you Pivane." Obram smiled and motioned for Pivane to rise.