Born to be Queen

8. Sensing the danger and the funeral.

Next morning with first beam of light King Albert with Saint Augustus and few others, all headed towards Oea city to join Artino’s funeral ceremony.

Horses were prepared for king and other influential people, Soldiers were also ready because they had to cross dark valley and forest of the Oea, there is darkness even in daylight with deadly silence. No animal lives there, only thorny bushes grows in that area and all the other trees are also wilted. As if it screams death itself.

Nobody wants to take this path, But because it was a short cut to reach the desired destination which is Artino’s mansion, The king decide to choose this path. Everyone was scared and aware of the fact what happens to those who ever dared to enter these area of Oea city. This place only brings bad omens and death. To keep everyone safe, king ordered to cross this place soon without taking any break. It’s been two hours they were walking continuously on the road. The horses and soldiers were all tired, It seems as if this place was absorbing everyone's strength, It was too hard to walk or breath in such a thick uneasy air.

They all stopped near lake to drink water and to feed the horses. Everybody was bewildered because for the first time they saw a lake with jade black water with no life. They feed horses with the food and water the brought with them, Somebody ambushed them before they could do anything. Those thing which attacked them did not look like a normal human, even the sword was not affecting them. Roy started creating illusions using his powers So that he can help save the ordinary people. Meanwhile Saint Augustus and the rest who had powers started fighting those things with their powers, So that they could not hurt anyone else. Because of the armour, They could not understand what that thing really is. As their hands and legs looked rotten Like a corpse. The fight lasted for an hour as they were coming back to life. Everyone tried hard, and accidently Saint Augustus burnt one's body then they found the way to kill them.

Saint Augustus did a little investigation before ordering Roy to stop creating illusions. What he found out was really disturbing as those things indeed were corpses, those were bring back from death to life by using black magic or dark powers. The head of a wolf or a bear was in place on those corpses head. He collected all the evidence so that he could find the root cause. Removing and hiding all those burnt corpses, Roy made everything normal as before. People who did not have the power do not remember anything regarding attack. The king ordered without delaying to proceed further.

Finally they crossed the while forest and dark valley, And reached to Artino’s mansion at 1 pm in afternoon. The police had returned the Artino’s body to the only relative Mr Myron and Sheriff Joe. Police could not find anything not even any kind of finger prints. And the skin found from Mrs Artino's nails was not that of any ordinary human, as that skin was blue green in colour with no DNA and no trace of blood.

Before Funeral, the king ordered everyone to not enter the room where Thomas and his family’s body is placed. Only four people were allowed to go there, king Albert, Saint Augustus, Roy and Sir Nicolsan. So that they can gather more information. Whenever they have been attacked before, that’s not done by corpses or strange creatures. It was difficult for them to understand, that how their enemy acquire and possess such powers which can destroy humanity, And if this is really his doing, then why he is not declaring an open war.

Saint Augustus sampled the skin found in his friends wife’s dead body. He uses his power to sense same as he tried with crystal, kismet was on his side this time as he was able to sense and concentrate on its source. He was zoned out as if his body is in the same room as other but his spirit was traveling in search of more clues. He got blur image of the army with corpses, animals and creatures who is ready to wreak havoc and death. His body was trembling and than he saw a throne and listened to someone who wanted to warn him. “You have reached here, hahahahaha.... I can sense your kings fear. You are unlikely to win this time. This time when I step on the earth, there will be only death everywhere. And you will not be able to cease and trapped me again, you are late. I heard the crystal is changing too. Augustus Darkness is spreading And likewise my strength. Hahahahaha......” evil laughter echoing in Saint Augustus ears.

He jolted back in conscious state, and by looking at him it seems like he got strike my thunder. He was sweaty, pale in colour, shivering and with lack of words, as if he is back to life after touching his own death. He felt a very powerful force, He could not see the face of the person who spoke to him, But he knew that, He is the one 'The Master'. He was not sure at this vary moment whether to share everything with king or not, but he assure his king that everything is okay, as first he need to speak with Sir Nicolsan. There are many loop holes in the things which he knew And only one person can fill the broken gaps of his knowledge.

“What did you discover ???, Did you find any thing that might work.” King Albert asked his eyes shining with hope but his voice uneasy and nervous.

“No My lord, It turns out that this is the work of a person who has been possessed by black powers.” Saint Augustus said frown visible on his face, as it’s hard for r recall the feeling that he felt a while back.

“I just hope you are not hiding something from me Augustus.” King Albert said in a probing as well as in a warning Tone. King Albert knew his friend Augustus since childhood and he can clearly read his face that something is troubling him dreadfully.

“ No Albert. I need some fresh air, I’ll be back.” With a small forced smile Saint Augustus said and leave the room indicating Sir Nicolsan to follow him cautiously without getting anyone’s attention.

Sir Nicolsan knew that Saint Augustus must seen something terrible, it was written all over his face which can be readable by the person who knew him well.

Outside the mansion where Mr Myron was preparing for funeral ceremony seems busy with the flower arrangement and other things. When he saw Sir Nicolsan with a man whom he didn't know.

They both were busy in deep discussion, Did not even notice someone else presence there. “I cannot go back after what I saw and felt, we have to figure out something soon, otherwise nothing will be left with us to save.” Saint Augustus said in worried tone.

“ first of all you need to keep everything with you right now, Try to send the king back after the funeral in any condition.” Sir Nicolsan said massaging his temples as if planning something.

Mr Myron could not resist himself and asked to them, “ Is everything alright...??? Did you find something....????.” he interrupted their discussion to know whether his daughter is safe or not.

Sir Nicolsan flinched a little because of sudden interference, but he maintain his calm face. By seeing Sir Nicolsan's reaction and studying the person standing next to him Saint Augustus understand one thing that there is so much left to know in this picture.

Without any delay Saint Augustus introduce himself to Mr Myron. “ Hello. I am Augustus Emmerich, Saint of Eliades Royal court and close friend of Late Thomas Artino. I am here for joining funeral ceremony and to know the where about of my friends death.”

Mr Myron nod a little and introduce himself as a distant relative of Thomas Artino, At this moment, he did not want anyone to feel that he was hiding anything, specially his precious little angel Akira.

Sir Nicolsan intrude in-between their discussion to save Mr Myron as If he stayed there for a while, Augustus would probably have known everything. “ let’s go it’s time for final farewell and good bye to our dear friend. We can talk about other things later.”

Everyone was gathered together to pay tribute to Artino’s family, whether close friend, business partners, Colleague and neighbours. Everyone was sad, Everyone knew how brutally they were murdered. And the most sad thing was that no one could be saved, nor was the murderer caught. The most surprising and disturbing thing was that, since the death of Artino’s, the weather was not the same as before. The air was heavy than usual, and atmosphere was dense and disturbed with continues storm. If one thinks intensely then that too gets caught in deep thoughts of their own. The weather was also full of misery and dilemma, as if fighting something within.

Everybody knew somehow that all this was due to Artino's death. And why should God not show grief, on such a tragic event.

“It was a heart-breaking event, in which I lost my closest friend and his family. I am very sorry that I could not save him, While he has always been a loyal friend to me. I still remember that he always said to me that what ever happens in our life, happens for a good reason. And I don't know what could be good behind all this, I just want my friend to be happy in heaven. And I want to thank him for everything which he did for me, for you for Oea and for Ellipso.” King Albert said his final words with shaking voice and shedding tears in the memory of his Friend Thomas Artino.

Saint Augustus and Sheriff Joe were not in the state to dedicate anything to their friend. As both were unable to protect and find out about who killed their friend.

Mr Myron was already in dilemma to know more about secrets related to Artino’s which will help him to protect his daughter and family, he doesn’t want such a horrible end.

Artino’s family were buried together in garden area of the Mansion, And mausoleum was built in the honour and memory of them, to show the immense respect and gratitude towards each of them.

It was evening, the funeral ceremony was also over. When king Albert notice the two of his friend standing with an unknown man, He approached them. “Who is this gentleman, I have never seen him before.” King Albert asked staring in the direction of the unknown man, He suspects that everyone is hiding something from him.

“ Your Majesty, Marcus Myron I am distant relative of Mr Thomas Artino.” Mr Myron introduce himself bowing in front of King Albert Aten Eliades and hiding his nervous face from him.

He nod a little and turn towards the remaining to, “ You guys know him, And you did not introduce us before.” King Albert asked raising one eyebrow in a probing manner with complex expression.

“ There is no one left in Thomas’s family, And I called Marcus, So that i can hand over the him according to the Thomas’s will.” Said Sir Nicolsan in hurry.

“ How does Thomas find out that his entire family is going to die...??? That he had prepared his will accordingly. And have you come here for this work ??” King Albert asked suspecting both of them.

“ Your Majesty, I came here to meet my friend Dr Star Stale. And I am Thomas's legal advisor, so I am handling everything. According to the will, if anything happens to the family, then all the properties will be passed on to the closest relatives. If you want, you can read it yourself.” Sir Nicolsan said in clear authoritative voice to king Albert. He knew it very well what the king Albert wants to impose and why he is behaving so impulsive.

Even before King Albert could speak anything else, Saint Augustus clasped him to the corner of the garden. “What are you imposing on them Albert, I can understand that you don’t know Marcus but Sir Nicolsan...???” Saint Augustus said with disbelief.

“ After what my cousin did, I can't think of anything straight. He came here from Sidon on the day of Thomas's death. Just thinking the same, brought these kind of thoughts in my mind.” King Albert said in low voice, regretting what he said to them.

“I can understand what are you feeling right now, but you can’t impose something on someone on the basis of doubts. The thing that killed Thomas and his family was not human. And Marcus Myron is an ordinary man. He has no power.” Saint Augustus said in annoyance not believing that his friend can say such words without even thinking once.

“ I'm ashamed that I spoke all these rubish things to them.” King Albert said in regretful manner.

“ let me handle everything here, And you go back and start investigation against Evan. Soon we have to find everything. And don't consider it an order, this is my request to you.” Saint Augustus said in a pleading tone. As he just want to persuade his friend to return Sidon.

“ I know you saw something, and don't want to reveal it now. If you want me to go, then I will leave tomorrow morning. Just promise me you won't come empty handed.” King Albert said showing confidence in Augustus.

“ Just trust me Albert, Because things are much worse than you think. And now we can not wait.” Saint Augustus said patting King Albert’s shoulder.

And they both walked in the direction of Sir Nicolsan and Mr Myron.

“Your Majesty, Your stay has been arranged in my Mansion.” Sir Nicolsan said Bowing in respect.

“ I owe you an apology, i shouldn't have spoken in such a way with you or Marcus. You are my friend no matter what call me by name Nicolsan.” King Albert said apologizing for his behaviour.

Sir Nicolsan and Marcus simply nod with a smile on their face.

“Thanks for coming Your Majesty, it’s mean a lot to Thomas.” Mr Myron said showing gratitude towards King Albert.

King Albert returns a friendly gesture to Mr Myron.