The Silver Crescent Alpha Prince

Elize was in the bedchamber feeling as if she had stepped into a movie set of a fantasy movie, which just got real. Even as the inky blotch in her left eye was increasing rapidly and she thought that might become blind in that eye soon, she couldn't help feel upbeat about her new surroundings. When Caleb came back, he found her adjusting her head oddly in order to look at the intricate paintings on the ceiling. He bent over her, pressed his elbows on either side of her body and pressed a kiss to her lips. "How are you feeling?" he asked as he tucked hair behind her ear, while still balancing himself on his elbow so that he doesn't crush her with his weight. 

His warmth suffused her. She smiled as she rolled her head to look at him clearly and replied, "I am doing good." 

Knowing that she was only saying it to him to not draw attention on her ailment, he kissed on her forehead and then tucked her head under his chin. "I love you."

"I love you too, Caleb," she murmured and closed her eyes as she wrapped her arms around his body. Moments later when he removed himself much to her disappointment, she said, "Am I imagining things if I say that I feel that the room is whispering things… in a language I just can't understand?" 

Caleb jerked his head and frowned. "You hear those whispers?" 

"Aye!" she said in a heavy Scottish accent. "Do you no' hear the whispers?" 

"I do! And I thought I was imagining, but I guess if both of us are listening to them, then we better clarify it. Daryn warned me about the spells this castle is surrounded with." 

"D'ye ken that it could be servants speaking beyond the walls?"

"I don't think so…" He said and got up. He looked at the walls and felt as if they wanted to convey something to him. Soft invisible tendrils of magic touched him, caressed him and sort of clung on to him. Caleb felt… drawn, entranced. He liked it when the wisps of magic dandled around him.

"Caleb?" 

He whipped his head towards her with reluctance and realized his heady feeling. "I am sorry, I got carried away…"

She smiled. "I ken it. I think all of us are kind of spelled? Or spooked?" 

Caleb laughed. It was just the opposite for him. "Did you like your new home?" 

"Tis no' mine!" she replied promptly. 

Caleb seemed hurt. "You are a cruel woman Elize. Why did you say that?" He went to sit right next to her. 

She held his hand, which was now resting on her waist. "Because I am no' yer wife." 

He bit his lip and became quiet. A moment later he said, "Whatever belongs to me is yours." He paused to glance at the door as a knock sounded. "Come in." 

The door opened softly and a servant stepped in. With excitement coloring his cheeks and a strained expression on his face, he bowed to him. "My liege, the meeting with the chiefs has been arranged and the high priest has asked me to inform you that they will be meeting you but in the lands surrounding their homes."

"Why? Why won't they come to the palace?" 

"I don't know my liege," he said. "The meeting will take place before dinner."

"Okay. You may leave," Caleb dismissed him. He found it extremely odd, but conditions were conditions and if he had to end this rebellion, he had to concede to them. When the servant left, Caleb lightly kissed Elize and said, "I have to talk to Daryn about this meeting." He got up and then suddenly remembered. "There's one more thing Elize."

She rolled her head again to look at him, as he pulled up her soft blankets to tuck her in. "What is it?" 

"Daryn and Dawn had suggested that it is possible if they have a cure for you in Ixoviya… I mean there might be something in the magic here that may shrink that tumor in your head." He glanced at her to gauge her reaction. She was only seeing him with more interest. Encouraged, he continued, "Would it be okay if they use their skills here…?" 

After a moment's silence, which seemed like eternity of torture to Caleb, she said, "I would be fine with anything at this point of time Caleb." She shook her head and smiled. "I just want to live long and spend time with you." 

Relief washed over him that she didn't reject the idea. He grinned and said, "I'll be back soon. In case I am not, then have you dinner and sleep, okay?" 

"I will," she nodded. 

He gave her a goodbye kiss and left to talk to Daryn. 

Daryn was pacing in his chamber and as soon as he saw Caleb walking in, he stopped and threw his arms up. "Brother! Man! I have been waiting for you." 

Caleb took a deep breath. "Now elaborate on what you told me in the council meeting." 

"You know that I had gone to meet Sherwin, the blacksmith." 

Caleb walked to sit on his bed and pulled his legs up. He was too tired. "Yes, you have told me all that?" He crossed his arms across his chest.

"He said that there are some people here who are with Mozrath and that worries me. Because if that is the case then almost everything that is happening here is being relayed to Sedora." 

Caleb exhaled heavily and pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. So much to mull over, so many tensions surged through his mind that there were knots on his back. "How do we find them and how can you be so sure that things are being relayed to her? What you are implying is that there's someone in the palace?" 

Daryn once again paced the room. "I can't say for sure," he rubbed his palms together. "I am afraid that if that is the case, then they know that Dawn is alone at Bainsburgh! They may harm her." His chest grew uneasy at the thought. 

"Do you want to go back?" asked Caleb. "Because if you want to, I won't stop." He understood Daryn's restlessness. 

Daryn shook his head. "I will go after you are crowned."

"Hmm… In the current scenario, let's focus on meeting the chiefs." 

They talked to each other about various other things in which Daryn explained to him about the whispers he heard. "The castle speaks to its king and queen. Last time when you weren't here, I used to hear these whispers. However, now I don't, because I am sure that they have recognized that you are the king of Ixoviya. This place is heavily enchanted. With thousands of years of sorcerers kings and queens, this castle has developed its soul." 

"Wow!" Caleb was mesmerized. 

They went on to talk more and soon it was time for the meeting. 

"How do we go there?" asked Caleb. 

"I think Canton will be ready with a portal."

"Ah!" Caleb chuckled. "The benefits of magic!" 

Canton was ready with the portal right outside the main grand hall. 

"Are we going alone?" Caleb frowned. 

"No, my liege," said Canton. He pointed to a group of forty men to the left. "They will go with us." All of them were without weapons. 

"Are we going to walk in the midst of the enemy with not a single weapon!" said Caleb. He should have brought his gun from Silver Mansion.

Canton frowned. "Why would we need weapons?"