To others it seems like an illusion which they would think their mind were playing as the silvery-blue sparkle only appeared on a whim which not everyone could see even if they were a vampires, but not to Chervil and Céllistáh. They noticed it immediately especially Chervil who never leave his sight on the young man. It may appears like nothing happened but Chervil could feel it- felt something, like a barrier was being made inside the room around them when the silvery-blue sparkle appeared. He also noticed his second-in-command who glanced at him like giving him a silent message of warning just like when they were children which he didn't react to it as his attention was still on the third elder's proxy.
When Céllistáh looked at the third elder's proxy who introduced himself as brother of the said third elder and a Kyrios of the Paladines of Rose named Leonard... Or just Leo which he preferred, she thought. And an Annus family relatives which she would like to ask Dion when they meet again, she decided. Then her eyes widen as she saw his eyes that become just like the big portrait she saw earlier on the wall outside. She was shocked.
Chervil too was shocked, but he learned a little long time ago how to compose himself and control his emotions, and thus he didn't react to it and just kept silent like the others as it was just a moment.
"This link-up with the Western Land only concern to you Your Highness.", said the young man named Leonard looking at Chervil with his black eyes. "And the other members of the council doesn't have involvement in this... Except of course some elders and the head council which has the high authority, third to yours."
The first authority was from the former ruler which if they want to take part... or something under that... Second was the current ruler, and the third was... which was given to the Q council and the Royal Court, thought Céllistáh mentally trying to remember the authority system of their empire.
"As you already heard some that are part of the methodology that we will be using.... I'll be explaining the behind of this link-up and about the parchments which was founded by the former Arch-King. And his decision of why he wants you Your Highness than your own father the current ruler to handle this stuff.", said Kyrios Leo looking directly at Chervil.
"First. We'll discuss about this...," Thashie unwrapping the bunch of parchments that's wrapped in a lace fabric. "Since this is the reason why the link-up was made again going after this empire rejected the open-land with the west so many times in the past." The parchments looks neat and new as she carefully unwrapping it out. "This is the original parchments which your grandparents found more than a hundred of years ago on their journey to the Kingdom of Grey-Sea, MacQuíd."
As Thashie brought it up for everyone to see, Chervil recall something from his young self about a vivid memory of his father asking his grandmother why he couldn't read the one book that his grandfather lean on his son to learns, asking what the purpose of it when even him cannot make sense of its words, and asking why he himself doesn't learned it; and his grandmother's only replied, you choose your wife, your destiny, your life without knowing where your fate lies, and thus the book also chooses who will and can read it, and what it holds is where the reader's fate lies.
"The parchments which we distributed earlier to the councilors was a summarize copy from this book as a sign of solid evidence, since only few people can actually read this one.", Elder Avis said. He take it from Thashie flipping the pages and brought it to Chervil and Céllistáh to see. "Your grandfather said that he couldn't read this, however it's different when it comes with your grandmother. Because she could read it. Tho, it is a very special thing. And very specifics on whoever has the grace, I believe."
Chervil and the other look at the pages that elder Avis flip over which Chervil silently read:
{Zúlak ĕnďac affrāg tûrnic réďeŕl faľmuťe xayit
Găwřak țuýar nuķcoţyet įn àsteś čúwèr
Țipàh awgâshe vilãrey rűsart kaťsu zàpsaf muoat
Vanitš es lèàt intuĺel kaiģaff balâhùpoh
Xefűver pútsax munui uy sàéğbay te ëñyaí noťell
Näjaffè ut puteľu axeliś mùt ñòi noinpazaŕ
Énuch véyat questêt ghosa qéyauŕ}
"As far as I can recall when I was young it's not about making alliances. Or something about what to be done with Kingdoms and Empires.", he said looking at the elder.
"True. However, this book isn't an ordinary one.", said elder Avis. And further explain, "This is more like a warning, or more likely an instructions, or a letters from someone who knows what's happening and just needs to understand the old stories and stuff."
Chervil looked again at the words that he remember when he was a child and studied, and understand what it means which turns unsettling to his parents as they couldn't make sense of it. The words of what he understood turns out to be like a poem that says:
(Dying is not, gone is not
Death is not, yet similar
Wait, and you shall see
What you lost was not taking away from you
It is for you, yet for it as well to last longer than normal
For love is stronger, yet fragile when early
And solitude was just temporary, and is just for it to matures
Hence love is powerful, which death cannot hold
It is always with both, which is made as one
The moon is good and gracious, and is always there for its adored ones
When you meet the other, the alignment which was broken will align again
Wait and see, the path is clear
The stairs might be long, yet worth a trill
There, a fancy garden of gold and diamond flowers
And yet, chooses an almost dry and less fancy one
For the treasures is not made of gold and diamonds
Face the pain of the past
Live the purpose of the present
For the bright future ahead
And you will learn and see how it all aligned altogether.)
"I remember that I am the only one who can make sense of its words without any help with understanding the words, though its my first time seeing such words and language.", he said in a low voice but everyone can hear his murmurs.
"Well, I also did study that.", said Ulysses casually after taking a sip of his coffee. "My mother sure to gave me some understanding about what's behind the riddle poetry. Every stories has a little bit of truth, that's what my friends always say."
Aaliyah taking the white cat that Eilwe still hanging, and put it to her laps as it curl to a sleeping position. "The same goes with my father. My father couldn't make sense of its words when he tried to read it, but I could. And I did read that before as a test of my versatility which the third elder gaves to me.", she said.
Kyrios Leo was staring at Chervil silently who seem distracted with his thoughts about the parchments. And he sighs inwardly letting them converse. He glance at Eilwe from the corner of his eyes who walked toward the side where the small pantry were.
"Zà-Zàpsaf frģreśa tooț sètió mù-mùt moníť in dal-dalfèŕ-blah blahhblaah blah blahh... I don't understand!", Céllistáh said trying to understand the words. She could read some of the words, but understanding the words of what it says is making her crazy. "I think only those crazy people were the ones who knows what this means. I can't make sense of the words."
Snapping out of his reverie Chervil looked at the head of the table. "Could you read this and understand the words?"
"I could. However, I am different to most...", Leonard answered uncertain. He gesture his hand towards the elder who's at Chervil side. "Like what Neith said, only few can read and understand that. Only those who have the grace, for they are chosen by the book itself. The book would choose what you're allowed to read, and thus thy most understand what it means. But its different to some people. And I already memorized it since I could read all the pages, but I still don't know what some of it means yet. Like what the first few pages says which was:
("Good that remains, yet not so good to hold
Tales as ancient as the tempest
And yet not so primordial like epoch
Bearer of anamnesis, bearer of woes
Forget not, for thine are the fundamental one
Thy living was not so in vain
Curse is not, yet thy thoughts of it as one
Purpose is here, yet not always seen
Forgotten by many, yet not by fews
Uncleared memorial by fews, yet not by one
The one who knows all, yet not everything
Thy purpose is to live
Not in curse, but in doing the wishes
Do the works, for the ones forgotten is with you
What is forgotten, is not forgotten at all
For thine works is to fulfill the whispers of volition
For thine anamnesis is a life treasures of who thou most special one
Protect, not detriment
Guide, not mislead
The descendants, the ancestors, and the kins is in thine hands
Hence afraid not, for thou are not so alone.")
"Seriously!", said Céllistáh more confused. She flipped the parchments repeatingly to the first few pages to have a look, but she doesn't see anything. "Why it isn't appearing?", she asked.
Eilwe chuckled lightly listening to them while pouring some tea in the teacups which was at the troller where the snacks were placed. After then, he distribute it at the table where everyone was and still in session of explaining. And he say, "Well, probably because the book needs imaginations or people who saw something with great emotions, and since it was being written in dreams of someone... which we assumed."
"Then... if only few people can read and understand it more accurately, who translated these book to make a summarize copy from this?", asked Céllistáh.
The five people on the room raised their hands without hesitation in regard to what Céllistáh asked, including Chervil on which Céllistáh looked at him wide eyes and contorted face.
Chervil said glancing at her amused as he lowered his hand. "Not that I am with them. And I don't even know some of them until recently which was a coincidence. However, I did some translated one similar to this when I was ten or...," he explained thrillingly knowing her temperment ones they were back at the mansion. "Perhaps... when I was twelve years old which my grandparents gave and asked of me to do and learn."
August chuckled a little looking at Céllistáh whose face was like a woman being cheated by her lover for a long time and just discovered it now. He could see the betrayal, frustration and puzzlement of the situation on her face which give way even if she's trying to compose herself to hide it.
Leonard cleared his throat. He looked at Céllistáh and then at Chervil to get their attention. "The book called "Malachi To Guide The Will Graces One.", he said. "Thus, as its title stands, it is a guide that only those who have the grace are compatible to read and understand what was being written in full savvy. But still, you must grasp what you understand to know what it truly means, because it's hard to understand when you don't know the old folklore stories."
"If not being tampered.", Thashie added in a serious voice. "The stories of an elder ones were sometimes all based in reality.", she said looking at those who were at the table.
"Your grandmother was one of those who had the will of grace.", August said softly. He looked at Chervil with tenderness in his eyes that made Chervil wondered if they knew each other. "We deciphered it, and when we do have some sally of what your grandmother's will, your grandfather acted on it fasted which was a result of this link-up now. Your grandmother's will that the Malachi shows was about the empire's down falls, raise of the infernals, and allies making with one land to another and sharing a life to one another." He added in the end, "That includes being open minded with every possibilities and opinions of others."
"The book which was in the table was authentic, and it has one copy which was already deciphered by my family...,", he trilled, "And was now different from that,", said Leonard leaning at the elder's table looking at Chervil who was at the other end. "It was now kept at your mansion's library, which by the way was being put on there by your grandfather years after your official ceremony of being a crown prince."
Chervil stared at the book expressionless as everyone stared at him waiting to hear his reaction, but none. Céllistáh too was waiting for him to say something while sipping her tea, because as many questions as Chervil had then so does she, but hers could wait. After awhile Chervil looked up from the book to meet everyone's gazed, and to his surprised an encouraging look at their faces except for Thashie, Leonard, Eilwe and Avis who was expressionless staring at him.
He wants to ask so many questions but Chervil knows he won't be able to get it now, and he must wait until he reads the letter from his grandfather and ask his grandmother; at least that was his hunched before he could, maybe talk with the others especially the third elder.
A knock was then heard suddenly coming from the double door which interrupt Chervil's thoughts. Eilwe quickly went and opened the door, then came a young man wearing fine clothes and followed behind him was a young girl wearing something similar to a man who went in first excitedly as she bow.
"Looks like we're late,", said the young man scratching his head after he bowed. "Apologies everyone."
"Oh, no.", said August dismissing the young man's words by waving his hand. "Not at all, Zamier."
"We aren't late, their just early.", protested the young girl. She then pointed out her hand at the head table where Leonard and Thashie were currently standing. "Besides, his responsible for us being late. He purposely did it knowing we're just arrived here in Q Court! He made us walked through stairs! You know I would come that's why."
Thashie sighs and whispered to herself, "Fired up as always."
"I remembered you in her.", Kyrios Leo whispered covering his mouth to suppress a chuckles. "Glad to see that you're energetic as ever, Bellatrixe.", he said amused by the girl's complaints.
Zamier bowed again while holding the young lady's hand to restrain her from doing anything. "I'm very sorry about this little thing's rudeness.", he said and stood up. Then he gave a small smile as he said, "My sister just needs more comeuppance at home."
"Hey! That wasn't discourteous, big brother.", Bellatrixe said struggling to unhand herself, and when her big brother let go of her she went to the other side where the others were previously playing chess. She sat down facing the windows and crossing her arms under her chest, "I am being at my best attitude and being polite at that. Thank you. "
"Indeed. Considering the bloodline...", August commented playfully. Chuckling he added, "Yeah, Accusing seems to be like a small greetings, I assume."
As the door was already opened, a man wearing a gray suit and a white gloves entered the room. He went and stood beside Thashie who bowed at him, then a few seconds later following the man in gray suit was six people entering the second elder's quarter.
A young man who has a deep scars on his arms and neck visible since he only wore a clean commoners shirt and a green trouser, next to him was a vampire woman in her classic purple-black elegant dress who smiled upon seeing everyone; behind them were two man wearing a council robs in their late twenties and forties, then a young blonde-hair vampire girl and behind her was a man wearing an eye patch on his right eye who whispered something to the girl that made her flustered which made the man chuckled lightly.
They went into the chamber and found their spot inside where they sat or just stood waiting for their meeting to commence.
Chervil recognised the woman immediately as one of his acquaintance many long years ago, and also was the vampire girl whom he had met at one of the regale eight months off the time, which makes him confused and curious. What does Vella doing here? I thought she's busy with her theater acting career. And that young girl was Miss Élburgh, the heiress of her family's inheritance who vanished fifty-five years ago and just appeared eight months on that celebration. What was they doing here?, he asked himself. Is this worth their time? Is it really this one hell of importance to discuss?
He was surprised because they would discuss about the link-up with another land even though he doesn't make any decisions yet, like they've knew what his decision making. He still needs to read the letter and talk with his grandmother before he could make a clear decision; But perhaps they were just advance of their planning, and perhaps they were including him now to have a clear view of the matters. But why include a young girl at this meeting?
"Lady Marvella, Miss Faljha and Mister Armzile?", Céllistáh said in question looking at the lady then at the young girl before her eyes landed at the man behind the girl. "You were here too?"
"It seems we meet again my one that got away.", the man with an eye patch said realizing who she was who knows him. He bowed eyeing the Prince and walked to Céllistáh, "Hello, dear Céllis. And it seems we're fated to meet again, and always at times of meeting such as this too."
Ignoring him Céllistáh's eyes went on everyone in the room and realize something, these people were the highest rank of this empire's powerful family she noticed.
"Of course, dear.", Lady Marvella said bowing at them. She went over to Leonard, Thashie and the gray suit man then bowed as she said, "Greetings. On behalf of us my highest gratitude for letting us participate in this discussions regarding the procedure of the council tests and also the link-up of two empires."
"Same as we, Lady Marvella.", replied Thashie politely while the two man only nod their head.
Lady Marvella then went to where Bellatrixe was sitting and sat down beside her followed by the one eyed patch man who just stood leaning the window frame.
"Mmmm, I don't think we have met,", the girl said to Céllistáh as she walked to the tea table near the terrace door and window. And joining her was the scars man and the two human councilmans. "Well, besides His Highness who I acquainted eight months on Sir Tahpilul regale."
"Don't be so indifference now,", said the man who sat on the other side of her. He took one rose from the vase on the table and gave it to the girl, "Or do you want your crush to will be disappointed of you, Faljha."
"Shut up, you scars man!", Faljha snap out at the man who just grin at her amused. She ignored him giving her the rose.
The young man just smiled and shrugged. "Are we late,", said the young man who has scars on his arms and neck. He looked at the others, "Or were you all still in the middle of explaining to his Highness about things and stuff?"
"Not that late though." Leonard smiled, then glancing the grey suit man he said, "On the time, Karlt." He looked at Chervil after who seems wants to speak but decided not to by his face and his jaw as he observed him. "We're done.", he said, "The rest can be explain in the future, and also, his grandparents can explain things regarding some details once he read the letter and ask his grandmother, Docellia about it."
"Is that okay with you Your Highness if we cut the explaining about the parchments or the book that we were discussing at the time being?", questioned August staring at the parchment on his hand.
"Yes,", Chervil replied after some thought, "Well, since you all won't tell me anything aside the link-up and its methods. And I still needs to read the letter which my grandfather wrote... that I hope would give me some enlightenment of this matters, hence, also about the third elder, about you all who just surface now, and so does about the Malachi book."
"Very well,", Eilwe said going to stand next to Leonard after closing the door, "Let's be-"
"Only those who wait can understand more clearly,", said Bellatrixe suddenly interrupting Eilwe. She turned her head to Chervil who also turned to her and said calmly, "The enlightenment is worth of the wait, and of the future when you will be the one discovering it."
"Trixxy!", said Zamier asking his sister to stay quiet.
"Of course, Bellatrixe you're right about that.", said Leonard tenderly. He then addressed everyone in the room, "Lets now begin the real reason of this gathering. Everyone, the final decision can only be done by His Highness, and thus we decided to let him be part of this link-up discussion with his friend and trusted subordinates. Sir Owen given him a month to decide, and whatever his decision will be we'll need to understand and respect it. The outcome of it isn't his alone to hold. But let's hope that His Highness will be guided by the former teaching."
After Leonard finished addressing everyone he gestured the grey suit man to step forward. And as Karlt did so he said introducing himself, "Your Highness, I am Karlt... your grandfather's old acquaintance, and the one tasked to your Highness's sister learning about some things." Karlt could see Chervil's astonishment as he revealed it. "I will tell the locations of each test which will be proceeding if this is being approved by you. The others were just here as a representative of the underling Kingdoms of this empire. You can have their opinions on assessing you in your decision making."
Chervil listened to Karlt attentively while staring at him. He indeed remembered the man infront of him teaching his sister way back sixteen years of the past about plants, and teaching his sister about self defense by his grandmother's request, but after seven years of continuously teaching his sister he just then left without informing them, like he just vanished without any trace.
His grandmother then said after two weeks on one of his visits: "Don't bother finding him as he was done teaching your sister what she needed to survive now. You'll see him again in times to come."
But he wasn't expecting that time would be this one. Is Karlt also one of the Rose Paladines or not? One of the councilman might be? But his attire was like one of those formal attendant of the royal nobles, unlike before which his just like a normal noble professor.
"There will be three stages: the writing, the solving, and the survival skills which will be proceeding in this Southern Empire territory,", explained Karlt to the ones in the room gesturing his hand of what he said. "Plus the additional two bonus tests that only the elder and the elders of the Western Council only knows. This two tests bonuses is only to assist the main tests of what or where the participants knowledges limits. And only the elders knows when they would place the bonus tests."
August then gestured Karlt to look at the parchment he was holding after the grey suit man was done speaking.
"The first test that the elders and the head council agreed to was the solving that would be held on MacQuíd Kingdom three days after the western participants arrive.", said Leonard as he rubbed both his hands and down on the table for weight support of his body.
"Why not the writing first? Then, the solving, the last one was the survival,", asked Lady Marvella. "Isn't that the right coordinates?"
"Indeed. That's the right arrangements... But only in this empire.", answered Thashie.
"As you can see, the Southern and Western Council decided to conduct the tests not only in one place alone. Just like how its done on the Western Land, we'll be adopting theirs to ours. But only if this first trial succeeded here."
After he was done looking the parchment that August asked of him to take a look, Karlt once again said, "The main two tests can be exchanged with each other except for the survival skills which whatsoever happen must remain last. With this, the first test will be done on MacQuíd, which is the solving. The second test would be writing, and it shall be held on Dylarianion Kingdom. The homeland of the former Arch-Queen. And the survival skills will be held here in Questillia. We still haven't know where the exact place of the survival test would take place here."
August stood up from his chair and gestured Eilwe to clear the table which Eilwe obliged. After the table was cleared August then stood infront facing the others and Chervil.
"Mrs. Annus, please.", he said passing the parchment to Thashie who glared at him as she took the parchment to which he chuckled, "Stop with your glaring now. Sometimes I just forgotten how to address you, that's all."
Others could see how unplease Thashie was calling her that way while glaring at August like she would want to skin him alive.
Still glaring, Thashie walked beside him. "Stop being mischievous.", she said annoyed. She then raised her left hand over the table. "Are you done with this?", she asked August still annoyed while waving the parchment on her other hand who nodded at her before passing it on Leonard who then tore it to pieces.
"Virlàc Cizac Dailac Saiviclus.", said Thashie calmly closing her eyes. She then opened her eyes and slam her raised hand at the table, "Arcade conjurer: Land replication activate."
Red light appeared instantly then red line that form like a sketches of land.
Some of them looked at the table wide eyes and shocked, while other looked at it amazed.
Chervil couldn't compose himself looking at the table. He looked at it a little shock. First, he just saw a vast sketch of lines then the red line continue to stretch and change forms turning into different sizes and shapes, then after sometimes the formations stopped, and another formations starting to form again, and then after sometimes it form like a landscape and continue forming until Chervil realized as he saw what the final outline, which was a mapping sketch. Not just any map, it was a complete details sketch map of the whole Southern Empire.
"Wha-What kind of magic is this?", Céllistáh asked shocked looking at the table that's still proceeding. And when its done, "Ho-How, how could this be?"
Before Céllistáh or the other could add another questions, a soft gentle wind was what they feel even though the windows were shut closed soothing them in the process.
Chervil looked up from the table ignoring his second-in-command's questions and saw infront next to Thashie who moved to the side a little was the young man named August whose eyes were closed as the wind surrounding him. He saw August raised both his hands hovering the table as the wind continuously breezing around them, then after sometimes he noticed how the wind was strong around the man.
August slowly opened his eyes looking down at the table which has the full sketch map of the Southern Empire glowing in red, he then smirked.
'Arcade endowments is indeed one of a kind.', he thought while the wind spread above the sketching map obeying the gesture of his hands, and it was like being coon only within the table as it never went pass the edge.
He then said in a melodiotic like voice, "Song of Mirage: Nature Wind Hologram..."
Then, a soft voices of many that was like being carried by the wind was heard, but no one could ever tell if the voices belongs to a woman or to a man. They could not distinguish of which the voices belongs to. They could only hear a song like it was being carried by the wind, however, they couldn't seem to understand the meaning.
🎶"Hashla Lashhu elgaz faerta,
Verdi biirdela Ile Zelludea,
Ette etfa everr eve halsamaese,
Atzer berkall ilze masfa ette...
Zelladulla zamra elfa Ile kaeat,
Biirdela verdi elgaz faerta tallue,
Lazwe everr balzer ilte opaenae,
Zàpsaf verdi Ile verallwe etfa..."🎶
As they heard the song they could also see that something was happening on the table.
The red sketching lines of the map slowly dissipates and changed into one of those animated books that whenever you flip the pages it looks like it comes to life.
They then saw the lands becoming just like in reality: the busy people of harbor, shores, ships and boats, the sounds of waving ocean, the crushing of the seas water on the shores and cliffs in the western part of the empire, MacQuíd.
The vast sceneries of green grass lands, the people working lively, children's laughter while playing around, others were helping out their friends and family, the trees were swaying like dancing, the forest animals could also be seen running, hopping and playing around as they could also heard the sounds of it on the eastern part of the empire, Dylarianion.
And then on Questillia, as the most populated in the whole empire where most of the elites resides were the most audible as the streets, alleys and sidewalks were full of people, carriages and horses; Chervil and the others could also see the castles and palaces, the three council buildings of the three lands in the empire, the twin mountains, the vastly forest in the center the whole empire, the triplets river and water falls that's adjoining each other of the three lands. Moving.
And as the song ended and the wind subsided, the revealing views were like the whole table were the entire empire itself, like they were merely a watchers of everything as they looked the unfold events.