Chapter 2: The Prophecy

Opening the massive door, Alex found himself in the lobby of the central building. A giant chandelier hung from the ceiling, and on the walls hung flags with the family coat of arms on a dark blue shield on a white background. The simple-looking coat of arms meant a lot to the Ward family.

I can think about it later. Alex interrupted himself again. First, he needs to get to his grandfather's office, he needs to approach the secretary who is sitting at his desk in front of the main staircase on the second floor. After walking 50 meters down the corridor.He stood at the table and greeted Alice.

-Hello, Miss Alice, I've been summoned by the head of the family, Pitter Ward. Could you check this email to make sure? A 30-to 40-year-old woman looked up from her papers, ready to spew curses at the man who had disturbed her. But when she saw me, she broke into a sweet smile.

-Hey, Alex, I haven't seen you in a while. You've grown so much since I last saw you. How's your mom doing? Has she returned from America yet? You're a little pale, maybe you should go to the doctor?...The stream of questions doesn't stop, covering me with my head. After listening to a few more questions from the attentive Miss Alice, I interrupted her.

-Miss Alice, I have orders to report to the head of the family. And I need to hurry. - Alex said, louder than usual.

The secretary, hearing that I had come to see the boss, quickly calmed down and took the letter from my hands. After verifying its authenticity with her and, she returned it to me and finally allowed me to climb the stairs. Alex climbed one flight of stairs and entered a smaller hallway. Portraits of his ancestors flashed on the walls. Some of them were heads of families or elders, or just powerful wizards. After passing a few more forks and offices. Alex approached his destination. After checking his clothes again for cleanliness and taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door.

-Come in,- a stern male voice called from the other side of the door.

Alex opened the door and walked to the center of the office, looking at his grandfather and trying to keep his eyes on him. Bowing slightly, he said:-Hello Grandpa, did you ask me to come?

-Yes, Alex, you and I will have a meeting with the elders. And it's time for us to hit the road. -Getting up from his big chair and heading for the door on the right, he beckoned me to follow him, and we entered a small room. The door slammed behind us. I flinched, and my grandfather only smiled faintly at that. As we turned to face the entrance, I felt that we were beginning to descend. My grandfather, who was not going to start a conversation, looked about 60 years old, although he was 97 years old. His broad back, white hair, and short beard would have made him a loving grandfather. But at work, he always looked as serious and collected as possible.

After standing there in silence for several tens of seconds. We stopped and got out of the elevator. In front of my eyes was a large hall, reminiscent of the Muggle parliament that Alex had seen in one of the photos from his history book. It was designed for several hundred people. Although there were only 10 people in allright right now, including me, my grandfather, and 8 elders, each from one of the main branches of the family. Grandpa took his place at the head of the nine-person table. I, in turn, took a seat in the center. Alex began to feverishly go over in his head the purpose for which all the oldest people in the family had gathered. Maybe I did something wrong and I will be reprimanded? Although, wait, this month I didn't do anything at all, except sit at home and read books.

My grandfather's voice interrupted my thoughts.

-Today we are all gathered on an important issue that does not require any delay. For those who just arrived today on an urgent call. I'll fill you in. Yesterday at 12 o'clock in the morning, Miss Katie Ward, nee Wood, had a true vision, witnessed by her husband and a member of the internal security team, Charles Ward. He immediately reported this to Elder Sean, who in turn gave me this information and the text of this prophecy. With your permission, I will read it out. -the head of the family announced this to the concerned elders.

(The prince born under the blue shield.

9th May.

He must expose himself to darkness and light, or all that is dear to him will come to an end, and he will receive an eternal dark mark on his perverted soul.)

After reading these words, there was a dead silence in the room. Everyone thought about their own things. But Alex was more scared than he'd ever been in his life. He was born on May 9 and is the only grandson of the head of the family. His father died when he was 2 years old and he barely remembers him, and he was the only son of Pitter Ward. So, he is a prince born under the blue shield. What to do, how to live on after the truth has been revealed to him. Grandfather and the elders had already begun to argue and discuss the prophecies, but Alex was in his own world, trying to gather himself and understand what was happening and how his life had changed so dramatically in one morning.