.Elementals.

-46-

"--and we resealed it in its box." I finished the tale of the dybbuk incident to the queen while setting the box on the table in front of her.
This was the war room, the royal family, us mages and a few council men were present as this was getting really serious, not something we could hope would stop if we foiled their attempts.

"So what do we do now?" The council man I had danced with the first day I met Audrey said.

"To resume." Belladonna said, stepping up to the evidence. "Soul sucker poison, an ambush, a wild magic attack, a Shade and now a dybbuk box.... These aren't the works of someone wanting Eleric to take the throne anymore, no this is pure treason to the crown and an act of war."

"Then what are we waiting for?!" A more... Hands-on council woman said loudly. "This ring and dybbuk comes from the south and even the soul sucker plant is more abundant down there."

"Are you saying we should declare war of king Malark on simple assumptions?! How do you know it wasn't some of his people and not him?" Calypso said.

"Maybe it was you, you are from his court, admit you are spyin--" "Council woman Elian that's enough!" I cut her off coldly. "Calypso is a mage of her Majesty's court like all of us with no ties to that kingdom and if you would have listened the soul sucker came not from her birth land but from ours and if she'd have been the one behind the Shade or the dybbuk I would have been able to connect the residual magic to her but I cannot and the last little point you forgot.... Elementals cannot create Shades as they are pure wild magic being like the Devines."

"B-but."

"Are you really questioning my words council woman Elian? I would know, I was the target of that Shade when they realized I would protect the princess with my life. If it was my fellow mage here that was the traitor, as you insinuate, she'd have come after me first thing she could, they are all knowledgeable to my magical prowess." 

"Now that that's settled what shall we do? My sister's life is at danger." Eleric said.

"I'll just stick to a mage being around." Audrey said, laying a hand on my shoulder, I had the slight feeling everyone but the council understood what was going on with us but I'll never be sure.

"I can keep her safe." I agreed.

"That I know, you have done many things to ensure her safety already." The queen agreed but before she could say anything the door was opened by.... Betelwan? "What is the meaning of this?" The queen wasn't happy.

"I am sorry to interpose Majesty but farmer William Gasket evokes the last wish law to see mage Mystery on his death bed."

I straightened up with a grim look in my eyes, so his time has come huh?

"Absolutely not we cannot afford to loose a mage and not one in the tournament."

"Mother! We can suspend the following trials under the guise of them being given time to prepare." Audrey was the most appalled of the siblings, I wanted to go but I understood the worry of the queen if I were to go.

"We need her to keep you safe."

"I'll go with her so I am not without her."

"I'll go with them to ensure their safety." Em said right away after Audrey spoke.

The queen looked really displeased with this, the expression mostly made out of worry and having to deal with the trials being pushed back, not a look made out of anger.

"Alright, I'll allow it." The council barked up a disagreement storm before she silenced them with a glare. "I'll allow it, you have one week understood."

"yes Majesty." I said, voice neutral.

"Then go prepare to leave, you two too and you mages, never let her out of your sights."

"Right." Em and I both said.

"Betelwan." I called as we exited making him follow. "We leave right away, get the food."

"Right."

I sighed, I knew he wouldn't live next winter but I expected him to at least last that far.

At least the last wish law let me see him again as his final wish in life.

At least I'll get to say goodbye.