The Northern Gate: Two Worlds

IV. - The Princess of Darkness Part 3

Amy felt a shiver run through her bones as she listened to the Duke. "So," she started, "Does it mean she'll come for us? Or just her family who banished her?"

Duke Henri looked at her. "We do not know for sure," he said. "However, it is safe to assume she will. That is why the King has ordered the High Court to alert. We should act swiftly, without letting the public know."

"Why?" Amy asked. "I mean, shouldn't we tell the people that there is a threat out there? Their lives are in danger, too. They have a right to know."

The Duke let out a sigh, similar to an exhale an adult makes when tired of answering a toddler's questions. "The King wishes to prevent the spread of unnecessary panic to the Kingdom. If the public knew that the former Crown Princess went rogue, there would be chaos. Panic will complicate things. It will make it harder to resolve the issue." He cleared his throat. "Noira has just achieved peace after the Hundred-Year War. The Royals do not want to ruin it under their regime."

"But, what would they tell the people if they notice that the Crown Princess is missing? I mean, obviously, the people won't be seeing her around, and they will look for her for sure," she protested.

"Princess Margaux did not appear in public that much before. She spent most of her time inside the Castle. I doubt the public would notice her absence," answered Duke Henri. "If what you think happens, the King will surely come up with a cover-up. In the meantime, our task-at-hand is to locate the Princess and the artifact."

"Okay. I get it. How strong is this Noras anyway?"

"Norax, Your Grace," corrected Lord Andall, one of the Scholar Mages. "There are forces more ancient than history itself. Even older than the Kingdom. The Norax is one of them. Legends tell that the Norax contains the spirit of Darkness itself, trapped inside by one of the first mages ever to exist." He shuffled in his seat. "Whoever wields it gets consumed by an evil so immense, it drives them mad and," he paused for a moment, "when the user finally dies, the Norax absorbs its user's soul."

Amy swallowed the saliva pooling in her mouth. Who would want that? A power so vile it consumed you, literally. She shuddered at the thought. "What do we do then?" she asked.

"First, we need to find the Princess," answered War Lord Sven. He was sat next to Lady Annabeth. With his broad shoulders and huge muscles, Amy thought Annabeth looked like a child. "Then we need to destroy the Norax. We could not allow darkness at large in the Kingdom."

"Utter nonsense," interjected Lady Annabeth. "We all know that the Norax is indestructible. No blade in Noira can ever pierce it, and even if we knew how to destroy it, how would we find the Princess?" She looked around at each of the Council members intently. "I know the King has deployed his men, but Noira is huge. It would take months and maybe even years--"

"Margaux will show herself," said Duke Henri, cutting Annabeth short. "Soon. I know it. The disturbances in the powers can already be felt. Any mage would feel it. It is like there is something wrong in the air. Terribly wrong," he said, his face set hard like stone.

"Heavens," Amy muttered under her breath. She tried to catch the Duke's eyes, but he seemed lost in thought. In fact, everybody looked like they were in a trance. She turned her head and looked at Ser Gideon and saw that he was looking right at her. Their eyes had locked for a moment that felt to Amy like years. Looking at him, she yearned to stand up, exit the room and escape the horrendous discussion in the Council. She was about to stand up when an insistent knocking came from the door. Everyone turned their heads and looked at Gideon.

"Open the door, Ser Gideon," commanded the Duke.

The Knight did as he was instructed to and opened the door. A hyperventilating Mathilde stood at the other side.

"Y-Your Grace!" exclaimed Mathilde, her hand clutching her chest. She was breathing hard and fast as if she'd been running. Her hair was pasted to her forehead with sweat. "I received a raven from the Royal Castle. Robinsdale is under siege. The Dark Princess has attacked!"