-Azax-
The journey was long but rewarding. Hearing the complaints of my people. Carrying them with me. To see the weight lifted from their shoulders the more they spoke. It made every day away from her worth it. It had been four days since I left Pelmora and I was finally arriving at the capital. Tonight, there would be a feast and tomorrow I meet with my father and his advisors to relay what I had heard.
During my travels, I hadn't received any news on the happenings of Pelmora or the Kingdom, tradition dictating I be solely focused on the problems of the people meeting me. So, it was no surprise upon our entry to the capital, Itrix disappeared to gather information on whatever we had missed.
"There he goes." Wuzahl laughed.
"He takes his job seriously," I jabbed, "Unlike some."
"I'll take my job seriously when you actually need protecting." he countered.
"So, hopefully never." I laughed.
"That would be ideal." He agreed with a laugh of his own.
"Isn't this all a little strange?" Nothall said from her place looking out the window.
"What are you talking about?" I asked.
"I'd heard that we could expect crowds but there literally no one around." She informed us.
Looking out the window, sure enough, there was hardly a soul in sight. The few people I did see seemed almost frightened. It was eerie. What happened while we were traveling?
Arriving at the palace, the mood was no less somber. What was meant to me a large gathering ready to greet us was reduced to just my father. He was dressed like he'd just come from a war meeting. I bowed in greeting.
"Father, what's going on?" I asked, standing up straight.
"My son," He placed his hands on my shoulders, "You must promise to keep your temper in check."
"What's going on?" I asked again, tension filling my body.
He sighed, backing away. His hand coming to rest on the sword at his side.
"Princess Victoria, along with Princess Ustrea, has gone missing."
I barely registered the shocked gasp that escaped Nothall's mouth. There was a ringing filling my ears. My magic didn't respond because I had no thoughts in my head. It was unnerving how still I felt.
I saw Itrix approach. He stopped next to Nothall taking a moment to comfort her. He took another step to me, testing the waters. He had information that I needed. I flicked my head so he'd step forward. He whispered what he'd learned into my ear.
"The headmaster is also missing." I stated, causing my father to sigh, "Is that why everyone is on edge?"
"He is Aivorian," My father said, head hung, "He was my choice."
"Surely King Udel doesn't think…"
"My spies tell me the King hasn't done much thinking," He told me, "Mostly raging. I worry, with the wrong suggestions, he might turn that rage towards our people. We need to be ready."
"I need to go back to Pelmora." I swayed on my feet before turning to leave.
My father caught my arm preventing any movement.
"You need to be here," He said, "Pelmora is a hot bed of distrust right now. It's not safe for you. I've already sent an envoy to aid in the search. But if war does come, I will need my strongest magic users. Especially you."
"If King Udel hears that I am hid away here in the capital while his daughter remains missing…" I shook my head at the idea, "It might as well be a declaration of war. I have to look for her. I have to find her."
"My son, you must put our people over your desires for this girl." I shook off my father's hand.
"It's my fault." I half whispered, "It's my fault she's been taken."
"That's not true," Nothall cried, "You'd never do anything to hurt her."
I turned to face her. She was only looking at me. Tears filled her eyes for her lost friend. She couldn't see the guilty faces of the men behind her. They knew what we did.
"It is though, Nothall," I informed her, grief weighing on every word, "Because her enemies have been trying to take her since the winter solstice. Compulsions in her food, on her clothes. Would be kidnappers hiding around every dark corner. I stopped them all."
"You were protecting her," Nothall argued, "That doesn't make it your fault."
"I never told her." I breathed, guilt crashing down, "She didn't know there was still a threat. I didn't teach her how to defend herself against their attempts. In my desire to protect her, I left her defenseless."
I turned back to my father. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. Tears I would not let fall.
"Please, father," I begged, "Let me find her."
"Son…" He shook his head, eyes downcast.
"I will have one of the spies in the Varezian court inform me if King Udel makes any threat towards our kingdom," I assured him, "If that happens, I will drop the search and return here immediately. But finding Victoria is the only way to assure peace."
He stared at me. I could see the wheels turning in his head. He stood a little taller, hand once again settling on the hilt of his sword.
"Then go," He commanded, "Find your princess. Return her safely. Do so quickly, for all our sakes."
I gave a stiff bow as he turned away. I paced back to my friends, taking Itrix and Wuzahl by the arm. Itrix pulled Nothall to him tight.
In a second, we were just outside the massive gates to Pelmora. I could feel the anxious energy rolling off the walls like waves. Varezian guards stood tall at the entrance. They looked like they wanted to deny us entry but couldn't. We were students after all.
Upon entry to the main hall, I was greeted by Professor Ethar. He bowed which I waved off.
"What's the situation?" I asked.
"Tensions are high," He informed me, "Classes are suspended. Meal times had to be separated after spells started flying."
"So fast." Nothall muttered.
"Our kingdoms have always been on the brink of war even in peace," I said, "All it takes is a spark. What's the status of the investigation?"
"Sir," It was Itrix that spoke up, "Seems no real progress has been made. The inspectors working this case have been hindering more than helping."
"They're meant to be searching for their future Queen," I snarled, "Have they no loyalty?"
"Those that show any actually initiative in solving the case are sent on wild goose chases across the realm." Itrix said, "Seems if we are to find her, we'll be on our own."
"We should ask Anna and Ani," Wuzahl suggested, hand stroking his chin, "Also, Professor Zekora. If anyone would know what she was doing before she went missing, it would be them."
"Zekora has been busy," Ethar told us, "She's going between trying to break into the headmaster's private office and being the voice of reason through King Udel's rage."
"Then we start with Anna and Ani." I declared.
"They've been confined to the Varezian common areas," Itrix told me, "For impeding the investigation."
"Nothall, can you get in and get them out without being detected?" I asked.
"Easily." She smirked, fading from my sight.
"Bring them to the rooms." I ordered the air, "Let's go."
Itrix and Wuzahl followed me through the halls to mine and Victoria's room. Two Varezian guards and an inspector stood watch. They tried to prevent our entry but I would not be stopped. A wave of my hand and they were sound asleep, slumped against the wall.
Entering the room felt strange. A place that was filled with love and magic just four days ago, now felt cold and desolate. I could tell no one had been in here since Victoria's disappearance. The only traces of magic were fading. The people outside nothing but a show.
Papers scattered across the floor and a meal still sitting on the table. I did my best not to disturb anything. I'd have my own inspectors come to look at the scene. See what they could uncover.
A fleeting thought entered my mind to go into Victoria's room but I pushed it away. Instead I entered my own, untouched since I'd left that morning. I stripped out of my royal attire, changing into my more casual Pelmora robes, and sat stiffly on the end of my bed.
I felt something nudge at my magic which had been tightly coiled since I'd heard the news. It caressed it as if to tell me it was ok to let loose. I slowly released the anger that I'd been containing.
The floor shook and the walls cracked. Objects in the room began floating as I released a scream which pulled at my very soul. Everything crashed to the floor, shattered beyond repair, as my magic pulsed around me, finally free.
Fully settled into my anger, I stood from the bed and near ripped the door off the hinges. My inspectors froze, having been summoned by Itrix. All of Victoria's friends were gathered now. Most held looks of despair, tears threatening to fall.
"Save your tears," I commanded, "We have work to do."