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" No one survived the attack on the village. " the sister of light explained to the councilmen and the king who sat in the throne room. " They killed everyone there and invoked their spirits turning that village into a haunting ground. Anyone who steps in there will be haunted by the souls that linger on. They don't just haunt, they haunt for blood. "
" What is being done about it? " the king asked.
" My sisters are there right now sealing off the village. Anyone who steps into the village will find themselves on the other side of the village, so they don't have to encounter the haunted village itself. But to purify the village and undo what the dark witches have done will be quite hard. I believe it will take a couple of months or even a year. That much blood sacrificed, leaves a mark. There's no telling if the souls will ever truly be appeased. But one thing is for sure, until the spell is fully lifted, no one can go near the village on a full moon. It is the one time the souls will be free to haunt and our barriers lifted. "
The king nodded in understanding. " I will have guards positioned around the village. Thank you for your help. And the man whom you saved, how is he doing? "
" To say the least, he's traumatized over the loss of his family. But he's come to understand that all he saw was just a hallucination. His mind was also badly affected. When he's done with his treatment, we'll let you know. "
" I am grateful for your help and I'm glad you didn't lose your life. Your bravery has prevented the loss of many lives. I heard you were the one who helped with councilman Ernest. " the king said without question.
" Yes, your majesty. "
" The kingdom of Haven's Peak thanks you. If there is anything you wish for, then let me know. "
She bowed her head in thanks. " I have no wish other than to make sure the Eradains do not succeed in their plan to conquer the world. "
" Still, if there is anything you need. Anything at all, the offer still stands. "
" Thank you, your majesty. " she said bowing once more.
" If there is nothing else, you may take your leave. "
She bowed and left the throne room in search of someone else.
The king could feel the nervousness and fear in the air.
At this rate, the dark witches could easily wipe out his entire kingdom.
" Your majesty, this is a clear warning from the dark witches. " councilman Donald said clearly afraid. " If they could do this in one night, imagine what they could do if they really put their mind to it. "
" Has anyone been able to find their hideout like I asked last time. " the king asked the room in general.
" I've met the sisters of light and they don't think the dark witches are actually here, at least not the way we think. " councilman Sebastian replied. " They might meet here and even have a few living among us but they are coming from Eradain. "
" How? " another councilman asked. " The guards at the four gates haven't seen them pass by. Even the spells placed at the gates by the sisters so everything or person concealed by magic becomes exposed is still strong. So how can get in and out without our knowledge? " the exasperation in voice was clear.
" They believe the dark witches are using portals and I believe they're right. "
" Portals? " he questioned. " But that should be impossible. Portals can only be created by the sisters of light. "
" Not if there is a sacrifice of blood made. " councilman Sebastian said shocking them. " The dark witches have no issues making such sacrifices. They very well could have their own children killed just to achieve their desire. Another important fact we've found out is that they can harness the power of the moon and summon the moon as well. "
The king sat up shocked. " What do you mean summon the moon and harness it's power? "
" Exactly what I said. Apparently the moon makes them strong just like the sisters of light and we are yet to find out why? But when the sisters searched for more clues,they found out that with a sacrifice of blood, the dark witches could summon the full moon two weeks after it has risen but not before. "
The king looked at councilman Sebastian, having a feeling as to where this conversation was leading.
" During the full moon they can bring as many people as they can through the portals and if councilman Ernest had told them our plans, then that attack might have been more than a warning. They might have been telling us that they are coming. Your majesty, " he said gulping. " I believe we've received our final warning. "
Those words set a panic in the room which spread like wide fire. All of the councilmen were giving their opinion as to what they should do and some let out their fears.
The king was confused as to what to do. Was this how his kingdom would be destroyed? He asked himself.
" Have you made the princess aware of our plans to ask the vampires for help? " councilman Sebastian asked cutting through the noice with his question.
All eyes turned to the king with hope.
But he sighed knowing he was about to disappoint them. " Yes, and she has refused. "
" Refused? " councilman Donald asked shocked. " How can she refuse? Right now she is our only hope to save the kingdom! Her refusal is practically a sentence of death to the entire kingdom. "
The king looked at the Councilman who seed to be forgetting how stubborn the princess could be. " It seems I have not properly explained to the princess how dire our situation is. Perhaps you would like to do that, who knows you just might succeed. "
The whole room went quiet, shocked at the king's words. They knew of there was anything they would succeed in, when it came to the princess, it would be in having their heads cut off.
" Your…your majesty, that is not what I meant. " councilman Donald stuttered in fear.
" You have done your part your majesty, perhaps it is time we do ours. I demand we speak to the princess. "
All eyes turned to Councilman Sebastian, looking at him like he had gone crazy
" Have you gone mad?! " Councilman Donald exploded hotly.
" The thought of the princess might scare us but if we continue to fear her, in two weeks time the kingdom of Haven's Peak will fall to the Eradains. So even if it cost is our lives, let's make sure the princess is aware of what her stubbornness might cost us. "
They all worried within them unable to say a word in agreement or disagreement, knowing that he was right.
This unanimous choice they and made would determine their fate.
" As you wish. " The king said.
Author's note
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