The Girl With The Owl Mark

Chapter 2

Light from the sun flooded into Damien's room as the sun rose. He was already awake, he hardly slept anyway, he was leaning back on his pillows intently observing the burnt piece of cloth that was left from last night. He couldn't stop thinking about Miranda, even though he was convinced she was a witch but she didn't kill him even though she was supposed to, whatever that meant, he had no idea. He mentally slapped himself into focus. There was a slight knock at the door.

"Enter"

Mary, his maid entered, he was quite disappointed it was her because he thought there was a chance he could meet Miranda again, she informed him that he was summoned by his father and he got ready. Michael,his half brother, entered his room looking as sharply dressed as ever, he had the same dark hair as Damien but he looked more like their father, hazel eyes and his body was really muscular of course Damien was too but it was his facial expressions, they were exactly like their fathers that it made Damien sick.

" Mary could you please excuse us."

Mary hurriedly finished her work and went out. He smiled at his little half brother, Damien was not in the mood to talk to Michael, he blatantly ignored him as he finished up getting dressed.

"I heard what happened yesterday. Why did you take the route through the marsh?I thought you knew that route had barbarians."

" It was just another attempt of getting rid of me"

" I'm sure Father made an honest mistake, why would he want to get rid of you?"

Damien glared at Michael, his ignorance towards father's hate for him was so infuriating so he chose not to respond. We got to the throne room, one of the largest rooms in the castle, it's black marble floors and high ceiling filled with paintings of the history of our kingdom. It was truly magnificent and even though he saw the throne room everyday of his life, he could simply never get enough of it and it was the place where he had most of my fondest memories with his mother, he remembered her laughter as she chased after him, her heart warming smile was forever embedded in his heart. His Father was seated on his bronze throne and anybody who was somebody was there given a seat, all his advisors, the bishop. They bowed, both looked very confused because they had no idea what was going on. Perhaps his father took the issue with the marsh too far. It wouldn't be the first time anyway he thought. There was a deathly silence when they rose.

" Our kingdom was founded on truth, founded on fairness and the Kings inherited the throne by not only being but showing that they were the best and capable of taking care of this kingdom." The king's voice echoed. " As I did, my father did, and his father's father did. Now it's your turn to show us if you're worthy."

They realized what was going on and Damien's throat tightened, his father was resigning from the throne. One of them would be the next king.

"Do you agree to it?"

"Yes." They replied in unison. Their eyes met for a brief second and marked the beginning of the true rivalry between the two brothers.

" Good." He smiled slightly. " I must say this will be a tough quest but there is no doubt that it is the only way to save this kingdom. Long ago, when your great grandfather ruled there lived among us people blessed with gifts, some controlled the rain, others made plants appear from the ground and many many other gifts. Their powers relied on the existence of a precious stone called the Owl's eye. We lived in harmony till the kingdom fell under attack and when your great grandfather asked for their help, they ignored us and left. They betrayed us when we needed them the most so your great grandfather made them outcasts by making a rule that banned them from the kingdom and if spotted they should be killed on sight, the gifted have owl shaped birthmarks on their shoulders and that is how we identify them. You must be wondering why I am telling you this, as you well know our kingdom is being plotted against by three kingdoms, our defences are strong but not strong enough to stand against three large armies and so our only hope of saving this kingdom is the Owl's eye."

" Father excuse me for interrupting."

" Speak Michael."

" How can the Owl's eye help us?"

" The holder of the Owl's eye is given tremendous strength, I have never seen it myself but your great grandfather told me."

" Where can we find it?" Damien asked.

" The Owl's eye has a single holder who is chosen from birth to be it's carrier and protector. You must beware though they have more power than a normal gifted, You have a year before the planned attack."

" Yes, Father."

Damien felt confident a bit because he had actually met a gifted, which meant he was ahead of Michael, all he needed to do was find Miranda but he was confused, was this the reason she had tried to kill him, do they already know that they're after the Owl's eye?

After the meeting Damien frantically searched for Mary, he knew she must know of her replacement "Katy". He bumped into her as she descended the stairs from a tower.

" I apologize Master Damien."

" It's okay, may I have a word with you?"

" Certainly."

Mary followed him to his room, she was excited and red in the face, she never knew the prince would like her of course she was beautiful and a lot of men told her that, with her red hair and captivating dark eyes but she never thought she would reel in a full blown prince. They entered his room and he checked the hallway before closing the door, before he could fully turn Mary launched herself at him and kissed him deeply, he was caught off guard but kissed her back, his hands worked their way up her dress but once again Miranda's showed up in his mind and he broke the kiss, she looked longingly in his eyes.

" What's wrong?"

" We shouldn't do this. This isn't why I brought you here Mary."

"Oh really?" She said loosening the lace strings on her dress showing off her full shaped breasts but Damien tightened the strings and tied them.

" Just answer my questions."

"Oh okay." Her voiced tinged with disappointment.

" Do you know anything about Katy your replacement who came here yesterday." Damien could see the jealousy form in her eyes.

" I had only met her the day she volunteered to be my replacement, I had never met her before that but she was staying at a nearby Inn but I recently learnt that she left the kingdom."

Damien's heart sunk.

"Could you show me the inn she stayed in?"

"Certainly."

" Finish your work and come back after."

She bowed and left. Damien could not believe what just happened, he had never turned down a beautiful woman but ever since this Miranda showed up in his life, he couldn't stop thinking about her. He had to find her.