10 PRODEA’s MYSTERIOUS ARTS (2/2)

Yosh stood up standing straight striking his right hand to the sky shouting his Yahoos and Yeah-Heys. He then ran outside the door with Stella and Luna following him faster than a rabbit being startled by a wolf. The three were left there silently as they are with Narra, taking his time to sip his hot tea. He then broke the ice and asked.

”So, I know you visited Juni Merl. Anything you want to share with me?”

The two were surprised with Narra's knowledge on what they just did. They began to reveal their sad faces that they've been hiding from Yosh.

”I think Juni needs our help Gramps. He's sick or something. He's mumbling about what he and our father talked about which is kind of vague,” said Kayzar with his gloomy eyes looking straight to Narra.

”Oh? Don't worry. I'll arrange something for him to make him feel safe and for him to join us in our travel to the north,” Narra assured while standing up squeezing his chin in deep thoughts.

This troubled them so, seeing as he only squeezes his chin when thinking critically on a plan or just plain angry thinking of a way to punish someone. Given the circumstance, it is the former not the latter.

”No!” forced Karus standing up, ”Juni said no Daomagarians. He's beginning to lose his focus to the real world. He said that he had conjured the white fire without him doing it on purpose. He might hurt the Daomagarian soldiers that you'll post there and that would attract some attention at the Outer Rim.”

”Yes, and that would lead him to be captured by soldiers. Then, his weird irrational fear of being captured by our Aunt will come true,” calmly added Kayzar. ”I know Aunt Prodea is a wicked aunt, but I don't think that she'll be capturing old retired sages, rounding them up and killing them. I think she's not that evil yet.”

”Yes, and I believe he said that he'll only be talking to father. He doesn't want to see anyone but dad.”

”Hmmnn, then we'll move our travel by tomorrow,” he grabbed his coat and drank his tea in a single gulp which the two noticed as they squirm inside their heads thinking how he could have ever have swallowed a searing cup of that horrid tea and how painful it must've been. He then rushed through the door with the twins following him at the back. ”Tell Yosh to hasten his preparations. I'm going to send my sentry to the southern villages where Reus is and order them to ready your brother for the travel. Get an early sleep and be ready to wake up five hours before sunrise,” he then walked striding fast into the hallways like something's on fire.

”I don't like this Karus.”

”Yes, I don't like it either. Gramps knows something that we don't and clearly, we really should know about that.”

They walked out the door, gently closed it, then moved walking along the corridors resuming their discussion.

”But you know Karus, they say that ignorance is bliss which is quite true on so many occasions. If we really poke around in this prophecy thing then we'll be in big trouble. That'll lead us being cautious to what's happening around us, causing us to be paranoid in every event.”

”I might have to oppose on that idea Kayzar. I think ignorance is nowhere near anything blissful. It's violent and unfair and could kill you in a lot of different ways. Certainly, if you don't know what you're up against then you'll be a sitting duck at the lake swarming with murderous crocodiles waiting to be preyed upon. That's what ignorance is for me. And I don't want to end up like that duck and what happens to him after a few minutes of blissful humming down at that lake!”

”Alas - we're at a dilemma tonight,” he chuckled seeing Karus being riled up about describing ignorance, ”To know or not to know will be the idea that we'll be contemplating about tonight. The adverse repercussions will surely hit not only us but our brothers as well.”

”Negatives of not knowing: it will leave us being ignorant of what's happening and being slaves of time, unable to change the course of the future,” Karus started smiling.

”Positives of not knowing: it will lead to us enjoying peaceful living at the North being free and happy and content of what it is and what will come to pass.”

”True. Negatives of knowing: we'll be detained by father knowing that we pose a threat to the world as we clearly heard what Juni said last time, the things that I'll do - me becoming a murderer...”

Karus's face began to look pale making him walk slower than Kayzar which he noticed. They then took a few seconds of silence then Kayzar pushed on to continue.

”But Positives of knowing: we can do what we can to contribute either in secret or in the open. We might be able to squeeze out information from dad up north if we're lucky or just spy on him, the usual. Besides, if you know things you can easily circumvent the negative situation allowing you to maneuver it to your advantage.”

”Hah, I wish that that part of the prophecy never comes true. From now on I'll be shaving my blade to a blunt.”

”Yes, that's right! We circumnavigate our destiny so that we can avoid things - if we are lucky. It's much better than being ignorant of what's happening and just letting other people take course of our life being puppets to their thoughts and ideas.”

”Heh, sadly that's not us. This inquisitive brain that Bathala gave us is sometimes a pain. Though it makes our lives miserable by fixating with trivial things, sometimes it helps us to think clearly on a different perspective.”

”Yeah, I'm with you. That's just saying that our intellect is meant for something. The prophecy states a lot of killing and destruction. As prince and sentinel of Nagozul and of Bathala's Holy Lands, we must protect its sanctity and make sure that it never happens.”

”Henceforth, we'll be searching for the truth.”

”I second the thought.”

The two ran sprinting towards the kitchen, trying to find Yosh and to reveal their newfound plan that Narra instructed them to do tomorrow morning.

-------ooO0Ooo-------

A knock for three times at the door startled Reus while he was reading five books simultaneously that laid perfectly around his bed. He's at a small village a few miles from the Palace and the villagers there gladly gave Reus the village elder's hut for his lodging which gave quite a shock to those Daomagarian Guards that escorted him there. Normally they have to order them to give way for a royal blood such as Reus - forcefully even, but they didn't. It's as if the elders gave theirs automatically and with true joy in their eyes. Little did they know that the village where they were staying is one of the villages subsidized by the brothers - specifically Reus himself. He's the one paying the villager's taxes coming from their business schemes all scattered all around Nagozul. They all need it to be their secret, so no one knows about that but the village elders there.

He's having a great time there perusing their medical books and mythical legends which he founds to be very promising and interesting at best. He has his spectacles askew - again as usual - with his hair unmanaged and scattered all around his handsome face almost blocking his round blue eyes. He still can't move about with his thigh having a cement cast, but he stubbornly stood up to open the door anyway, even though they said he can't.

”Go-good eve-ning~” uttered nervously by a beautiful Princess wearing a white gown with her shiny golden hair fixed curly covering her elbows. She has a white silk sling bag that she holds in her clutches with much stress as if guarding it.

”Eh - ah, H-hello Princess? Uh - Illyriah? um - what's up?” blurted Reus as he fixed himself shocked at the sight of her finding him there. No one really knows where he is, even his brothers, and that surprised him to his senses. ”W-would you - uh - like to come in?”

”Y-yes please,” she replied softly revealing her rosy white cheeks turning red blushing.

Reus closed the door as she came in and limply pulled a chair for her to sit in at the middle of his room. The princess shyly went near him and sat gracefully at the chair which he pushed gently to set it on its place. He then moved about to the far side to grab two cups.

”What happened on your foot Grand Prince Reus?”

”Oh,” he stalled scratching his head thinking of a way to make his lie believable, which normally results to the contrary. Good thing only Illyriah believes every single word coming out of his lips. ”I-uh-fell down from a great height...”

”Would you like for me to inspect the wound and possibly heal it if I can?”

”Oh my, that's gracious of you but I'm afraid I want to at least make my body work for it. Call me old fashioned but I want my wound to heal as they were to heal normally, all in their own.”

Illyriah pouted, distressed hearing his explanation. She knows Reus knows she is number one in her class, having the highest elemental essence within, and possibly the best Caster in their generation given her age.

Reus hurried to explain so as to avoid misunderstanding, ”It's not that I do not doubt your medical expertise as a Water Caster. No. You're a wonderful, the Best Medical Caster! Yes Princess! It's just that I want my body to fix it on its own. I read about it on some book that there is a correlation in pain and the immediate medical healing of the casters, that is if we rely much on Water Casters, our threshold for pain plummets down gradually to a point that when Medical Casters are not around when we experience tremendous physical trauma in old age, the pain itself will drive the person more ill, fainting or worse. But there's no recorded history of that happening, no statistics to follow on, since as you can see there's no war to make that happen - you can only find that out when people are injured and when there's no caster around to immediately take care of them but that only happens around wars - or something equally terrifying - not that I am wishing that, so it's a working theory. I'm just thinking of experimenting on that.”

Illyriah smiled at his long explanation almost giving up a chuckle which Reus noticed. She knows Reus is strong-willed but this side of him being strong about his convictions made her respect him even more. But Reus doesn't know this. He's oblivious to what's happening. He would like to go on and discuss the theory extensively, but he doubts she would be interested.

He noticed that she's always paying great attention with what he's saying and that's making it hard for him to figure out whether she's genuinely fascinated with his findings or if she's just really faking it just to be polite. Girls are hard to read, he thought, so he just changed the topic.

”Tea? Oh- right - uh, water?” he asked nervously failing to remember that no one in their age likes to drink tea except him. He has acquired the taste of tea because of the torturous tea sessions with his grandfather. He didn't like it at first, but he grew accustomed to it and now he fully appreciates the taste.

Illyriah stood up and rushed near Reus which gave him a fright.

”Oh - I'm sorry Grand Prince Reus, I'll take that. You go ahead and sit at the table,” she said while asking the cups at Reus' hands seeing that he can hardly move about back and forth.

”No, no. Please, I insist. I'm going to be a worthless host if I didn't at least offer this to you myself,” insisted Reus smiling and with that the princess began blushing again and shying her eyes away from Reus. She gently walked to the table and sat again to be waited. ”And for the last time, my father isn't the King yet so you can't call me Grand Prince, I'm just a prince. You can call me Reus. Just Reus.”

”Well, Reus...” she said with her soft voice almost hesitating. ”You can call me Illyriah too. A-and I'll be taking up your offer with your tea, thank you.”

Reus snickered as he poured hot tea to the two cups from the canister that's been keeping it warm. ”Two teas coming up,” he said as he grabbed the cup and began placing it on opposite sides of the table and sat on a chair facing Illyriah.

Illyriah smiled nodding. She then took a glimpse of the cup of tea with it swirling in its greenish black mystery. She picked it up and found out a fragrant smell that's invigorating. She's not accustomed in drinking it and there are many rumors among the other princesses that teas are very nasty and bitter, but she thought that if Reus finds tea refreshing, so must she - forcefully that is. The thought of the taste lingered in her mind as she gazed in its dark whirls. It may not be that bad she thought taking into consideration the aroma that now fills the air.

”Uh - Is something wrong?” asked Reus while sipping his cup.

Illyriah's beaming face stowed away the fear she has on the horrible idea that is tea. She then mustered all of her courage, with her gulping in anxiety, and then took a tiny sip from the cup.

Reus saw her eyes widening with hands shaking. This concerned him so that he leaned forward to ask. ”Hey, Illyriah, are you alright?”

She then forced a smile as she put the cup down trying to control her poise nodding on what Reus' question. ”I-it's v-very delightful, t-thank you,” she said with her mouth slowly moving as if trying to rid of the taste of what she just sipped. This made Reus to burst into laughter. He stood up and grabbed the canister of water and another cup and gave it to Illyriah which she then gulped hurriedly.

”You should've said no when I asked. That's a nasty brew isn't it? I'm sorry but all I have right now is the nastiest most-bitter tea that Gramps personally made. There's tea... and there's Gramp's tea. I assure you. Nobody can beat his tea. Even Grandmama says so.”

Illyriah started to giggle in reply. ”Yes, how can you ever stand that dreadful taste? Yes, I know it smells good, but it doesn't really go well with everyone's palate.”

”I knew you'd say that.” he replied as they gave some time to laugh together, ”I told it to my grandfather too a few years back. I grew accustomed to it I guess, but don't worry, I made that same face the first time I took my first cup so you're not alone.”

”Oh!” cut Illyriah as he grabbed three books hidden in her sling bag and put it on the table. She pushed it gently to let it get near Reus which he then grabbed. ”I know you're really fond of reading books. When I was at Hishma, my friends and I found a stash of books hidden there. I never told father about that and, well, I thought you'd like it.”

As she was saying this Reus eyes were opening wide being filled with excitement as he flipped the pages to see that first book entitled Last Volume: Rare and Mythical Beasts of the Pastwritten by the Great Narra, a Daomagarian scholar who is famous for the Compendium on Mythical Bestiary that is known to have been lost forever. The second is the historical records of the Karshivyk incident written by the Grand Seer a thousand years ago and the third is the Memoirs of the Great Elven King, Kyrin. He stood up shouting in excitement and joy.

”NO WAY! How'd you - do you know what you've found!?” he ran to her side and pulled her up. ”This is the one of the thousands of articles that were thought to have been burned a thousand years ago! This will at least try and complete the history of Nagozul! You've found three of the Lost Books. I mean there's thousands, but this is an impossible find! Of the thousands, you've found three of the most important ones in one swoop!”

Reus hugged her in his excitement, thanking her with her present. She then gave a big smile beaming at Reus feeding off from his energy. She knows that it will be a very big find but she decides to give it to Reus instead. The feeling of his happiness gave an indescribable warm priceless feeling to the princess.

”Of course, I'm going to give these to the museum after reading all of it. I'll be burning the midnight oil for this. Karus and Kayzar will be envious with these books.”

Two knocks on the door startled the two in their joyous celebration. A gloomy voice began speaking as if shouting for them to hear.

”Master Reus,” the voice said, ”I'm sorry to have disturbed you but Master Narra ordered that we move the plans early so that we will be traveling tonight instead of our previous plans in order to catch up with them as early as before daybreak tomorrow. You need to go to our tent to be briefed in our journey. He insists that we move as soon as possible.”

”Oh, OK!” shouted Reus as he held her hands tightly thanking her and limply grabbed all of his things to be ready on the move.

”Can I come in to carry you sir?” politely shouted by the guard outside.

”Oh, no. Dear Bathala, no,” he replied smiling looking at Illyriah as if that was the worst absurd, possibly humiliating, thing that can happen to him, ”I can take care of myself, Thank you!”

”Are you sure sir? It's no problem at all.”

”Haha,” he snickered hiding his embarrassed face to Illyriah, ”Yes, I'm sure. I'll be meeting up with you there in just a minute.”

”But I carried you there last week, sir, and...”

”N-No you didn't!” he shouted forcing a smile.

”Very well, sir. We will be waiting at the tent.”

He limply went to his bed and collected the books that lay scattered there. He then piled them up in a neat alphabetically organized stack and placed them at a desk near him.

”I'm sorry princess but I have to rush in packing.”

”Where are you going?”

”Uh - to the north. We'll be spending our summer there.”

”Oh,” and that's all she said. She has never been this close to Reus. She wanted to speak what her heart is feeling but she can't. She lacks enough courage to speak her mind and stand up to herself. But this is not surprising as it was always her problem even as a child. She got all the trouble creating this kind of atmosphere and yet she fails to do the last thing on her list which she painstakingly practiced for hours on her way there.

He stood up fixed on the door with his hair tidy and his spectacles evenly placed.

”After you milady.”

She sat at the table and smiled at Reus. ”Oh, it's all right you go ahead I'll finish up my drink here.

”Oh - are you sure? 'cause...”

”Oh right, sure go ahead. I don't want to be a trouble. I'll see you again when you return.”

”Right-O! Take care now, and thanks again for the books. I'll cherish it... I mean, I'll take good care of it making sure it's in its perfect condition before sharing it to the museum.”

”Oh - Reus...” she stood up trying to summon her strength. She knows that she's not going to see him for a very long time. The twins have been bragging about not returning at all giving her her birthday gift for three years in advance that's why she did all the trouble in gathering the precious books and scouring the villages looking for him. She only wants Reus to know what she feels and what he would feel just in case he knew. She stood up with her serious eyes forcing her lips to invoke those hard words that have been forming in her heart.

”Uh - what is it? Are you alright? You seem kind of sad or something?” asked Reus seeing her stressed eyes almost crying.

”Nothing,” she replied rapidly sighing, beaming her beautiful happy face. ”I just want you to take care of yourself too and don't ever fall from those trees again,” she said lively trying to make a joke to remove her teary eyes, ”may Bathala bless you on your journey.” She forced a smile as she clasped her hands bowing which he also did.

”You too. Be safe and may Bathala guide you.”

He then limply ran outside closing the door behind him. Illyriah was left there sitting in her chair slamming her forehead at the wooden table in humiliation. She can't forgive herself for being too afraid, too weak, to speak her heart in the face of Reus - the love of her life. She then grabbed the cruel cup of tea in front of her, with its dark twirling vileness, looked straight in it in anger and drank it all in one gulp.

-------ooO0Ooo-------

”High Eminence, the messenger has been deployed and will be arriving at the rendezvous point tomorrow evening. He'll be riding in his horse day and night to join with Duke Tabarius of Farindhal.”

”Excellent,” weakly uttered Emperor Balthazar wheezing in his throne looking sickly.

The dark throne room of the Emperor, which was lit by only a few candles, was deafening with its silence. The flickering of the fire as it burns the candles and the wind bouncing back and forth from the wide brick walls were the only ones that can be heard. The voice of the soldier and the Emperor reverberates to the halls creating a chilling sensation of loneliness. The Emperor felt that someone will strike him over and will take advantage of his empire if someone knew of him being that weak and ill - which is true as his spies revealed - so he had himself locked up with only his faithful guards updating him with information. He had spread some rumors saying that he went to the further north to inspect the garrisons there but in truth, he remained at the heart of Leonus, in his throne room, waiting. '

Some of his loyal soldiers have been spying and they found out a great plot against him and the empire. Some dukes are planning on joining the Gnarshu Rebels, others are thinking of a possibility of creating a treaty with the Gnarshu so that they can divide the empire for them to create their own country - especially the ones that are near the border. This helped the Emperor to be vigilant and truly focused on finding the mythical Holy Lands. If by chance that the legends are true, he might be able to have his transformation into something youthful and that will lead for his people to unite to defeat the rampaging enemies. Relying on chances is not enough for him to go on. He knows that he needs action for him to counter this impending doom. He knows that death lingers around; waiting for him to fall down and be reaped but his mind is determined and hopeful. He knows that his only trustworthy friend and cousin, Duke Tabarius, is as focused as he is in finding the fountain of life. He's the one that he's been counting on as he gave all of his plans and his best men in his command. He believes that he'll succeed, and this success will surely give them victory to aid them in their plight against their enemy.

”Fly an eagle and send Duke Tabarius my regards. I believe he'll be closing in with the Princess's guide anytime soon.”

”Yes, your liege.”

”Tell him more important matters are at stake. Tell him to not forget our arrangements and prioritize on the mission I gave him.”

”Yes, your liege.”