The Strange Wind..
733 Words
Chapter 9
Jeff watched the King's brother with a mixture of curiosity and gratitude. The old man had clearly messed with the King's brother's memory. The King's brother's expression was now blank, and Jeff felt a sense of relief.
In the arena, Prince Anderson sat among the crowd, awaiting the King's judgment. However, the King's eyes narrowed as he spotted Anderson. "Guard, seize him and bind him forcefully to his room upstairs," the King ordered a nearby Knight.
The guard and others approached Anderson, who laughed, sensing mischief. "Sorry, Your Highness, this is an order from the King, which must be carried out," one of the guards said.
Anderson stood, his eyes daring the guards. A Knight stepped forward, grasping Anderson's elbow tightly. Anderson moved swiftly, hitting the guard, who stumbled. The arena fell silent, with all eyes on the commotion.
"Come on, seize me! Obey your king," Anderson mocked. The King's brother, seated nearby, smiled, enjoying the spectacle. "This is going to be fun," he whispered.
The head guard, angered by Anderson's defiance, moved forward. Anderson's feet seemed frozen in place, and he couldn't move or attack. The head guard seized him and dragged him away.
"Please forgive me for what I'm about to do, Your Highness," the head guard requested before throwing Anderson into his room like a prisoner. "There's something off about that guard. Why couldn't I do anything?" Anderson wondered.
Meanwhile, in the arena, the King clapped his hands, trying to regain the crowd's attention. His brother looked on, his eyes filled with jealousy. "It is time for the first hearing," one of the wise men, Lord Damien, announced.
A criminal was brought forward, his wrists and ankles shackled. He was accused of practicing sorcery. "How do you plead?" the King asked. "Guilty," the criminal responded.
According to Eryndor's tradition, every prisoner with a death penalty had the right to make one wish. The old man desired to see the King in private. The King agreed, and the head guard escorted them to the arena's inner room.
"But you are also guilty, yet you sit there on the throne like a just hero," the criminal said boldly, his words cutting through the silence. "Death by hanging," the King declared, trying to silence him.
"My son, I want to see my son before I die," the criminal said, his voice steady. The King's expression changed, and he seemed taken aback. "Who is your son, and what does this have to do with me?" he asked, his gut telling him something was off.
"Jeff Xander," the criminal replied. The King's eyes widened, and he stood up, his hands gripping the chair handles tightly. "I am his grandfather. I watched you send his parents to prison. They still rot in there today. You are a heartless man."
The King's face turned pale, and he ordered the guard to take the prisoner away. "You are a liar, and I refuse to believe anything you've said," he said, trying to hide his guilt.
"Jeff will be your doom one day. He is not just a boy, a servant; he has his father's blood, my blood. The blood of a Zorek," the criminal declared before being dragged away.
As the case files were opened, the atmosphere shifted. A storm brewed outside, and the King's unease grew. Suddenly, the clouds cleared, and the sun shone brightly again. The people rearranged their seats, unaware of the turmoil brewing within the palace.
Mistress: "What's happening?" she asked Princess Aria, who was struggling to control the weather.
Princess Aria: "I don't know. Someone is intercepting my spell."
The mistress turned to the spy, who nodded and vanished quickly. She reappeared in Eryndor, sensing magic coming from within the palace. She teleported back to Zorek and reported to the mistress.
Spy: "Someone is using intense magic to stop your spell, my lady."
Princess Aria heaved a sigh of relief. "Can't we try this again some other time?" she pleaded, her eyes pleading for mercy.
The mistress walked away, her anger evident. As soon as she was out of earshot, Princess Aria turned to the spy.
Princess Aria: "I don't like her. We should have never asked for her help."
The spy nodded in agreement. "We are strong enough together, aren't we?" she whispered.
Princess Aria hesitated, weighing their chances against the mistress. Were they really capable of taking her down?
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