The Prophesy

Chapter 2

Redual? Was that the name of the man holding me? I tried to shift in his arms, to look for the voice. I could barely move, so gave up after the third attempt. The man had tightened his grip on me, as if trying to prevent me from seeing whoever was talking. So far he had been right, so I decided not to fight anymore. I felt just a little bit better and the pain had mostly gone, but I was still very weak, as if my strength had vanished. All I wanted was to sleep.

‘You cannot kill your only court sorcerer, my king’ Redual calmly replied. ‘And you know better than I do that sorcerers are hard to find and even harder to subject to any ruler.’

‘Don’t be afraid of him, he’s just like a dog – barks but doesn’t bite’ I heard his thoughts.

'He scares me!' I thought.

'Stay put and let me handle this'

I felt confidence surge though me. I saw pictures of a little boy laughing in the hands of an old man, running along meadows and playing with wolfcubs. Were these his memories? I heard the words 'home', 'safe' and 'family' in my head. Was it positive that he had let me seen his past?

'Yes, that was my past. I was only seven when I came here.' I heard his thoughts again. 'and you forgot I can hear yours. I grew up here and yes, my name is Redual.'

‘Yet you are my subject and are to obey me! But instead, you are getting on my nerves, every time you want to get it your way!’ the old king's voice echoed in the hall and made me cling to Redual. ‘I will have no more of you insolence here!’

'I am not insolent, my king.' Redual replied.

'And who are you to intervene?' the old man's voice cracked like a whip.

'I would simply not allow anyone to hurt that little sorceress here.' Redual shouted back.

I heard a collective gasp and that was when I realised it was not just the three of us there. I couldn't look back and I was clinging to Redual for support, but I really wished to see who else was there. And yes, I did have the Sight, I had inherited it from my mother. But I had never used it. No real power, just some useless visions. I was not a sorceress, just a nobody everyone would make an extra effort to shun.

'A sorceress, you say?' the old man mused and I heard footsteps coming closer.

Along with the steps, I heard the tapping of a cane on the stone floor. He was limping and by the way he dragged his feet across the floor, I could tell he was either ancient or exhausted, or both... It crossed my mind that he would now take me to be executed. They called me a spy, after all... I didn’t want to die. Who does at 19?

'Redual, please!' I thought desperately. ' Please don't leave me alone here!'

'Shhhh' he whispered and kissed my hair. 'don't fret, I'll sort things out.'

I heard another set of steps coming closer. Those were brisk and heavy. Someone else. I felt Redual's body tense. Maybe I was not the only one in trouble. The old man told him he would have his head on a spike. I gathered a handful of Redual's clothes in my fist and clung to him.

'It seems our sorcerer here has more than mere sympathy for the spy, my king' another voice replied.

It was a man again, but how servile did he sound! As if he had buttered his voice before speaking. Flatterer, I hated those! They would always stand with the one who was stronger and throw the weak ones in the gutter.

'I see Igal has already seen an opportunity to shine' Redual said his voice trembling.

I could feel his resentment for whoever that Igal was. I put my hand on his shoulder, but he didn't move or think something for me. The only thing I felt was that of given the chance, he would kill that man.

Igal laughed. A squeaky, girlish laugh that scratched my ears.

'I am where the king requires me to go he said 'which is so unlike you!'

'I do what my Sight commands me to. And this is greater than any allegiance.' Redual snapped. 'My king, if you would let me keep the girl and heal her before we question her, we may be able to get more information. She could barely move now and if I let her go, she will be in agony from her injuries.'

I heard pacing back and forth, accompanied by the tapping of the cane.

'Granted.' murmured the king.

'Your Grace, this is...' Igal started.

'I said I have granted permission!' the king snapped. 'Know your place Igal, or I'll show you how you should treat your king! I may be old and sick but I am still your liege lord!'

'Forgive me, your Grace!' said Igal and I heard his steps moving further away from us.

'Now, Redual, scoop up your girl and get out of my sight!'