The Princess Broken Wolf

6

“You.” Rosamund seethed when her eyes fell on the culprit, Edward. She really wanted to punch the hell out of his face. Her blood boiled and she couldn’t contemplate enough why anyone would have this dumbass as a commander in the first place.

“Yes, me” Edward cheekily smiled. He knew he was gonna get the beating of his life the moment Rosamund was free. Thinking about it caused a shudder to pass through him. Let’s not think about it, he thought to himself.

Edward made his way inside the room, careful not to let Rosamund see what was outside the door. He knew she would probably have guessed where they were by now. She was indeed the best commander in the realm, no doubt about that. Dragging the chair, he sat down, not too close to her but not far away. Rosamund was prompted up on the bed, her hands still tightly bound, her legs still attached to the magical brick. He was unsure whether he should let her go and put everyone’s life in danger or let her be like that till the day passed. There were only 13 hours left. Weighing the consequences of either choice, he decided on the latter.

“How many times do I have to f*****g tell you this mess will cause us war!!” Rosamund’s voice boomed in the room.

“It wouldn’t,” Edward replied confidently. He sat on his chair, looking smug and resolute in his dark velvet coat and black trousers.

“How?” Rosamund sarcastically replied. This was getting ridiculous. They were Commanders for God’s Sake. They should know better about the consequences of their actions other than anyone in the Kingdom. This was no different than the battlefield. One mistake and it could cause you your life and your friends.

“I have a plan.” Edward said, getting serious. He sat forward, Lizbeth and Demir listening carefully.

“Enlighten me.” Rosamund’s sarcastic remark quirked an eyebrow from Edward.

“I have umm…friends in Sahar Bagh. They agreed to help cast a spell.” The way he whispered the spell caused goosebumps to rise in everyone’s arms.

“What spell?” Demir asked. Somehow, this feels too ominous for him to sit still.

“A transformation spell.” the moment Edward said the words, everything came to a halt.

“This f*****g…..” Rosamund thrashed in her bounds. She was gonna kill him, there was no question about it.

“Are you out of your mind? Do you know what you are saying?” Lizbet screeched.

“Why the f**k did you not tell us about this?” Demir demanded. It was chaos. They were sure to be killed by Rosamund as well as the Kingdom too.

“Listen to me. Calm the f**k down everyone. I told you I have a plan.” Edward defended himself, getting irritated every passing second by the dirty looks thrown his way.

“You dumb fucker. We were already doomed the moment you guys abducted me but, transformation spell? It’ll bring another f*****g war.” Rosamund bellowed. How stupid could he be?

“It’s in Maseer. They’ll perform the spell there.” everyone fell silent yet momentaryly.

In Sahar Bagh, there were spells that were forbidden. Being the master of spells, the King refused to give out all the secrets of his spells. Four spells were entirely forbidden even in Sahar Bagh. They were the Transformation, Soul Bond, Reverse and Birth. Everyone has heard about these spells, forbidden to the point that if someone was found to try to attempt them, they would be stoned to death or worse tortured in the Valley of the Snakes. The transformation spell could create any artificial divinity. These were unnatural powers, usually only casted on people who were trained to be spies for the Marigold kingdom. It was one of the ugly secrets of Marigold with its gilded palace and beautiful towns. It was a well hidden secret only few people knew about. Rosamund’s Grandmother had told her about it when she was young. This spell needed the human body and blood of a special magical beast that could take the form of a human. This spell would bind the creature to the Marigold blood, obeying without a question till their last breath. The other spells were Soul bonds, a spell that could make a person choose his soulmate, by placing a curse on him. It worked like a love portion, creating a hallucination that the person was the soulmate even though it wasn’t the case. Reverse was another spell that could bring back the dead curses. It used to be permissible a long time ago for kings and the Queen. A way to undo curses placed on generations, but with power comes greed. The Elders and Advisors, in search for greater power, used this spell to cast curses on the previous King and the Queen, destroying the kingdoms and the generation to come for their own purpose. Rosamund was reminded of a story her grandmother told her of how the current King became King although he was the last of the princes, in the 14th place, as a candidate for the Throne. He had used Reverse on his brothers and sisters, casting a curse of early death. Only she knew about this secret. Birth was another spell that was forbidden due to the fact that this spell created…creatures unknown to the people. Anyone who has tried casting this spell has created beasts that are too strong for any kingdom to control. Many of the creatures were still present in Maseer, a place protected by the Wall of Veils. It was a deserted city at the far end of Sahar Bagh, away from the people’s eyes. Being so secluded that many people have forgotten about it. It was also in Maseer where the priests and magicians of Sahar Bagh experimented. The only place in the realm where no spell was forbidden, not even the four spells.

“How do you know this?” Lizbet asked, fully attentive towards Edward.

Edward sighed, he knew he had to give them something other than his passing explanations. They were Commanders, the strongest and the most intelligent among the crowd.

“Pandora told me about it.”

“Pandora? How would she know?” Lizbet asked, confused. Rosamund was silent.

“That woman always gave me the creeps.” Demir shuddered. Edward, casted an amused look towards him and looked back at Rosamund, who had now gone completely silent.

“She is from Maseer.” Surprised by her admission, everyone looked at Rosamund. How did she know? No one had a clue.

Nodding in agreement to Rosamund’s admission, Edward continued,“She told me to contact a priest there. He was more than willing to have a chest full of gold and jewellery and a piece of World Stone.” Edward asked. Anything could be bought in gold, anything.

“So it means Rosamund is safe?” Demir asked, his tone was too hopeful for Rosamund’s taste.

“Who will the girl be?” Rosamund asked. In order for the transformation spell to work, a human was to be killed, taking all her blood to the point that the body would only be left with bones and dried skin. The magical beast used for this spell was rare, Feraus, which could only be found in Sahar Bagh and Darunkoom. It was a magical beast with eight tails and four heads, with wings similar to a fairy. They were white aside from their black wings. They were sacred to some clans in Darunkoom.

“She’s a criminal. Her offense was that she killed her two girls in order to perform the Reverse Spell,” Edward answered.

All of them understood. This could be a one in a lifetime chance for Rosamund. A girl, transformed as herself and with divine power, trained as a spy, could take her place and kill the Karkonz Prince. She could live. The war could be stopped. Once the girl is presented and the Karkonz sign the Blood oath, even if they come to know about the fake, there was nothing that could be done. It would be too late to go back on their oath. Under the Blood Oath, clans can not wage war, neither can they kill even a single person from one another. It was an eternal oath, working till the 5th generation of the Kingdom. It would be eons for them to get revenge. It was a very tempting deal.

“Did they find the Feraus?” Rosamund asked. It was extremely hard to capture Feraus. They were cunning creatures with human-like intelligence.

“Yes. Everything is set. The transformation will be done tomorrow when the sun is at its peak. I have made the arrangements for the girl to be present when the parade makes its way towards Karkonz. Rosamund, everything is set.” Edward did everything he could to make it happen. He would do anything for Rosamund. She was the most important to him, more than anyone in his life.

“So, basically she is saved, we are saved and the day is saved?” Demir confirmed. It was too good to be true, but one can hope. Edward nodded as a reply and a collective sigh from Lizbeth and Demir could be heard.

“Please, Rosamund. Agree to it. I beg you. Let us save you.” Edward regarded Rosamund, his eyes hopeful.

Rosamund didn’t know what to do. It was only yesterday that she had spoken her unsaid goodbyes to everyone dear to her. It was only a few hours before that she had readied herself and her heart for death to come. She was so sure that she wouldn’t come back, so sure that she would be killed within a span of a few hours. Could she give her insolent heart, hope? Could she leave everything behind and live, for once? Did Luna present this solution because she wanted to give her a chance? Could she give herself a chance? For once? Rosamund didn’t know the answers to her questions. But she knew she had to take this chance.

“I agree.” She said, regarding each one of them with newfound respect. She could call them her friends now, a warm feeling filled her heart. Edward was smiling, looking directly at her with admiration and hope. Demir was on his way out to get the rice rum for the celebration and Lizbet was taking out the cheese and meat from the basket which apparently Edward had bought with him.

The fireplace was lit, their chairs facing it. Still bound, Rosamund was moved to the chair by Edward. A side table was placed between them, different types of cheese and meat were placed on a wooden board. Demir was pouring each person the rice rum he had bought for him. The atmosphere was good, Rosamund thought. If only she was bound free.

“Can you free my hands and legs?” Rosamund said, halting everyone. Edward stopped cutting the cheese, Demir lost his grip on the glass and Lizbet dropped the meat on the ground.

“Umm if you promise not to kill us or torture us or bring us harm,” Demir replied. He feared for his life, there was no shame there.

“Promise first, please Commander.” Lizbet said while picking up the fallen meat.

“Come on guys. She would do anything for her friends. Right?” Edward gave a dismissive wave, waking up to undo Rosamund’s bounds.

“NO…no… let her promise first. For the sake of our fragile hearts. Right Lizbeth?” Demir pleaded. So did Lizbet. Rosamund sighed. They were like children afraid of their mothers' punishment.

“Alright. I promise.” Rosmaund succumbed to their helpless eyes. She really wanted to atleast beat the crap out of Edward.

“See….we are fr……” before Edward could stop speaking, the ground shook and the roof fell on the ground with a loud boom. A disaster was waiting to happen and boy would it happen.