65 The Late Kings Summons (2/2)

”You and the King ask the same question, yet I must wait for the whole reception.” Cainus said as he watched more men and women entering the hall. ”I do not wish to repeat myself.”

Maya

Waiting as patiently as she could, Maya folded her arms and stared at Will who wasn't Will as he relaxed within the granite throne.

The last time she had seen the late king, he was tying her essence to Will's in order for her to gain her lineage weapon. She remembered the power behind his voice as it boomed. She remembered the vows she had made when she placed the ring on her ring finger. Maya knew that Cainus had only little to do with the transformation she had gone through that night. She knew that most was Will's intention.

Will wanted some way to rid Maya of the darkness that had been fueling and siphoning off of her. He knew she was on a time limit. She had no control over her body at the time. She could only do as Aremesis asked. With all the desperation at the time, as they embraced one more time before the final battle, Will had given her a new aura which allowed her to gain her freedom.

If that freedom wasn't enough, he had also given her a weapon which had shown his complete trust in her. As she placed the ring on her finger, Cainus came to her and bonded her to Will, changing her aura once more.

Even though the darkness hadn't completely left her, she had the gold lining within her dark aura to show her free will through the curse. Though the flame had given her back her life, no one knew what type of side effects if any the gold flame would give.

Maya's eyes snapped back to reality as she saw Cainus rise to his feet. She heard the closing of the hall doors which she turned to. The hall was full of the orphans she had made and the slaves she had freed. She looked back to the doors through the crowd and saw that Leo was guiding a tired looking Bianca through the wielders.

As Maya inspected Bianca as she approached, she noticed how pale she was. Her hands had a slight red appearance, as if she had washed blood off of them so many times it may have stained. Her tired eyes met Maya's and she gave a small half smile which was returned.

Not too long ago, Maya had chased Bianca off as she selfishly tried to bring Will home instead of continuing the responsibilities which had been forced upon him. For only a moment, she had worried that he would follow his old girlfriend through the archway.

Will had surprised her when he turned Bianca down. He had basically given up his old life for that of the prince he had become. He had shed off the carefree life he had before he had met Maya, and instead turned to the hundreds in front of him calling out for his aid.

When Bianca returned, Maya didn't know what to think at first. She kept an eye on Will as he slept. She didn't want Bianca to get too close in case she had ulterior motives. It wasn't until she noticed the scorned ex girlfriend healing all of the wounded that she finally decided to sleep.

Bianca and Leo took their places by Maya. Michael and Jonathan stood behind them. She didn't even see them approach and had to wonder how long they had been in the hall.

”Everyone is present and accounted for.” Maya called to Cainus. ”Where is Will?”

Cainus

”What are you talking about, Maya?” Someone shoved his way to the front. ”Will's right there.” Roy pointed at the prince. He winced a little as his sore chest where the bullet entered throbbed.

”Careful Roy.” Bianca said in a motherly tone. ”Your wound is sewn with my aura, but try not to move your arm too much until it's completely healed.”

”That's not Will.” Maya said with certainty. ”This is Cainus, First King of Ebonhart.”

There was a small murmur from the crowd. Even though they tried to be quiet, the hall amplified the noise, making it hard to hear over.

Cainus couldn't blame them. Not many knew about the blood pact that all of the heirs to the throne make. His teaching was meant to be secret. He was never meant to be a stand in for one of his students.

”Enough.” Cainus called out calmly. Though he spoke quietly, everyone could feel the power within the words. ”I called this meeting today to explain the chain of events and what will be transpiring with your prince for the foreseeable future.”

The hall quieted down instantly. ”Your Prince William is now training with my master in order to attain new understanding of then elemental gifts. He will be gone for as long as it takes. It may take as short a time as this meeting, or as long as ten to twenty years.”

”Why so long?” Maya asked in a panicked tone. ”Can't your master just tell him a training routine and send him on his way?”

”That would be the case if he had continued his training the way he had before facing Aremesis.” Cainus said. ”But he used power he had not yet unlocked, destabilizing his body and throwing him off balance.” He allowed the words to sink in for a moment. ”If he doesn't learn how to master the ability he has awakened, it will take over his body and destroy him from the inside.”

”You are here,” Jonathan said quietly. ”It doesn't look like my son's body is damaged beyond repair as you stroll around in it.”

”I am a wielder within the line of kings, Jonathan.” Cainus turned his attention to Will's dad. ”Holding this power is something extremely dangerous even to myself. It is taking everything just to have me stand here and give you this information.”

”This is coming from Ragnos himself.” Cainus shouted throughout the hall. ”Your prince will be gone for some time. He suggests you continue with your improvements to the land. Train your young wielders.” A weary gaze went to King Ragnos. ”There will be no more wielders to be born from your aura, William.” He watched as the king weighed his words carefully. ”This is what you have until your son finishes his training, make sure they are ready.”

”I have finished what I have come here for.” Cainus said wearily. ”Take the prince's body back to his chambers and look after him until he returns.”

Jonathan and Michael put their hands under Cainus's shoulders to catch him as he fell. ”Train them well.” He said before his eyes closed and demeanor of a sleeping prince replaced that of the late king.