Edwin returned to the palace shortly before sundown. He and Lars had hoped to reach the palace earlier, but Edwin found himself stopping to talk to many of the citizens to discuss their issues. One woman he met lost her husband and three children in the plague. Edwin found her cooking a large pot of stew and feeding various people and guards. Even after all the turmoil, the people of Hailgrad were laughing and hugging, and children were playing some made-up game with a ball in the nearby street. The atmosphere was warm and inviting under the low glow of the cooking fire.


    When Edwin had asked how she was able to keep going with such high spirits, she replied, “There is nothing to be done for those that have gone to Areandel, but I can help these people here with me now.”


    This stuck with him as he passed through the palace doors. He would remember his parents and those fallen, but he had to find a way to help his people now. He had to be doing more for them to not only survive but to thrive.


    Lars and Edwin entered the great hall to find Elizabeth, Johanna, Charles, and Rowena seated around the long wooden table in the center of the room. The candles were burning low, and the room was dark. There was food on the table that was barely touched. The group seemed far too solemn for food, but they had partaken in some of the wine.


    “You all look to be having the most dismal party ever,” Edwin said in a cheerful mood. After seeing Edwin and Lars approaching, they did not even try to smile. Edwin frowned, “What is the matter, what has happened?”


    Elizabeth finally said after a prolonged silence, “We have news for the king to hear.”


    Edwin was going to note she forgot my lord but could see something was truly troubling them. Lars took a seat at the far end of the table, and Edwin sat at the throne. “What is this news that has everyone in this mood,” he asked.


    Rowena stood up with confidence. “First, I must begin with a demonstration, my lord,” she said. “Are you aware of the differences between good and bad magic?”


    “There is a difference?” asked Edwin. “I will admit I had thought it was just the way people used the magic. It was neither good nor evil.”


    “This is true,” said Rowena as she began to walk around the table. Most magic is just that, magic. Take my abilities, for example.” She stopped and put her hands out with her palms facing one another. She took in a breath and closed her eyes. Rowena’s hands started to glow with a pale green hue. “Do you feel that? The bright glow in your heart?”


    Edwin felt a joy glow brightly deep inside himself. The room began to feel warm, as if it enveloped him in soft blankets. “I do. I have felt this before when a healer is using their magic, but I have never thought of it before.”


    “You see, when someone uses magic for good, it gives a radiance of positive energy. Many times in war or horrific tragedy, when people have lost their wits after just a few moments in the presence of a healer, can calm them down and put them in a meditative state.”


    “I have been in the presence of orators and soldiers who called upon magic to imbue their bodies with strength, but I have not felt this before. Why is this so?” asked Edwin. This was intriguing, but Edwin did not see where this demonstration was going.


    “Well, some magic is neutral. When it is used in a utilitarian manner, it is often unnoticed. Similar to when your father, King Edward, called upon magic to strengthen his mind. If you were in the room with him, you would often not be able to feel it. Another gift that is like this is the ability to connect with animals. This is very prevalent in our kingdom since our people are herdsmen and often ride horses. Baldric, we know, can ride atop his bear, Garnothred, but the ability to tame and befriend a predator is another he and a few of his bodyguards possess. However, all magic does vary based on the use, as I mentioned.”


    “How is that?” Edwin asked.


    “If Baldric were to use his strength to protect you, you would feel this positive aura. Conversely, if Baldric used his strength to take the life of another person, you would feel a deep dread in your heart. The same is true for orators skilled in speech that can use their voice to persuade others to do evil.” Rowena responded.


    Edwin was amazed. He had not yet shown any sort of large amount of skill in the use of magic, so this world was foreign to him. He did have a connection with his horse, Aneorthor, but that seemed to be instinctual and not by magic at all. Maybe that is what magic was, instinctual. These practices were never overly common or visible in his life, and since he did not show any strong signs up to this point, he was never interested in its interworking growing up. “Are there other types of magic that we know of that can cause these effects?”


    “I will admit this is out of my depth a bit, but your friend Charles has learned much in his short time at the academy,” Rowena said.


    Charles stood up and slightly bowed, “Thank you, Rowena. My lord, we do know of some people who can create elements such as fire or ice, but powerful displays of this have largely died out. As you know, we have a small group of soldiers that can still achieve this, but it is only a handful. Years ago, people were known to be able to hurl fireballs from their fists, but now our people with the skill can mostly set their hands ablaze or freeze them for hand-to-hand combat.”


    Edwin remembered these people, a small force of operatives used for special missions or protecting the King and Queen. They were amazing hand-to-hand fighters, but due to their skills, many feared them, so they often stayed out of the limelight. “Ah yes, I am aware of them,” he paused, “sorry, I believe we are going down a line of thought that is getting to be unproductive. What was it that you said needed to be discussed? What does magic have to do with our current predicament? Was Charles correct in his theory?”This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    “Now we come to it, my lord,” said Rowena with a slightly more shaky voice. She took a sip of wine to clear her throat, “I am convinced that this plague was conjured by dark magic. Some sorcerer has been able to create a devastating blow to our kingdom.”


    “So, is Charles'' theory true? I will admit that I gave it some thought, but it seemed to be far too unrealistic. Is it possible someone has this sort of power?” asked Edwin. A pit in his stomach began to form, and creeping fingers seemed to try to needle into his heart.


    “Well, it is possible, but the how is difficult to manage. I will say that the sorcerer would not have to be in or near the city. They would need to have a connection with someone or something near the epicenter of the spell’s effect. Since the sickness was worst near the palace, we know that this epicenter should be near the palace grounds.” Rowena paused thoughtfully, “As for the who, I believe my theory and Charles’ align.” She looked over to Charles with a nod.


    Edwin looked at them and narrowed his gaze. “You believe the Northern raiders were able to conjure this? We have not seen them be able to use any sort of magic on this magnitude before.”


    Charles cut in, “It does not have to be them necessarily. Many neighboring peoples could be in league with them, using the northfolk as mercenaries to sow fear and doubt in the empire and to hide the true enemies behind this attack.” Charles paused and looked down, a bit unsure. After a moment, he continued, “I do not wish to put this out there, but I must, for it is possible. This could have been done by a traitor to the crown.”


    Edwin’s jaw nearly hit the ground at this thought. “You mean someone in the palace?”


    “Possibly from the palace, my lord,” said Rowena uneasily. “It could even be someone such as Sylvester or Helewise. I do not mean to accuse, but after our talk, they seem to be likely suspects in that line of thought.”


    “No one is more frustrated with them than I,” said Edwin, “but I do not think they could be so treasonous. I know they love Hailgalad as much as the most fervent supporter.”


    “You saw them at the council meeting, my lord,” Johanna said defiantly. “They do not believe in you, and we know Helewise’s dislike of the monarchy line. This would be their opportunity to take power. This is outlandish, I know, but it is just as possible as any other scenario.”


    “Why are you suddenly supporting this theory with such passion, Rowena?” Lars cut in. He had been silent but was anxious to get to the point before the group spiraled into more accusations. “What additional evidence do you have for us?”


    “My suspicions happened the day before the plague started. I felt weak as if my soul was heavy. The clouds began to darken out of nowhere, and there was a great heaviness across the city. The king and queen even discussed this when everyone was gathered in the great hall for our monthly council meeting. Then, the sickness started. I had never dealt with anything that powerful before. No one was able to survive being infected, and any amount of healing was useless. I felt powerless. The heaviness and despair began to multiply amongst the people. This is not how a normal plague acts in the slightest. There is death and despair, of course, but not so unyielding."


    "What if it is only a new strain of virus that you have not learned how to deal with?" Lars countered. "This could be just a series of very unfortunate tragedies."


    Rowena furrowed her brow in thought, “If you remember what I said about magic and the feeling it gives off, this has every sign of evil works by a cruel, twisted soul. An evil soul that wields much power and is connected in some way to the palace. Then, the king and queen died, and quite literally overnight, the illness was gone. From all reports, still, not a single person died of the illness after the king and queen. Then, during the council meeting, I heard about your ambush by the northfolk, who were so far from the border they would have no way to reach Hailgrad at that time once they heard the news. Finally, I heard about the news going dark from the North. These cannot all be coincidences. There is or was a greater plot to destroy our capital and all those who sit in power in it. I would be willing to stake my life on it.”


    Edwin slumped back into his chair. After a few moments, he spoke, “Aunt Elizabeth, Johanna, you two were the most skeptical of this theory from the start. What say you about all of this?”


    Elizabeth was the first to begin. She looked greatly distressed, “Well, I never thought I would see the day Hailgalad would meet such disaster. I cannot be sure of much anything at the moment.” She paused and looked down in thought, “What we need is more news. We require information about the North, and it would be a great help to take one of those raiders alive.”


    “Unfortunately, we have heard that they either fight to the death or escape through the nearby wooded areas,” Lars added.


    “Johanna,” Edwin said, turning to her.


    Johanna sat back in her chair with her teeth clenched. Then, she took in a breath and said, “I believe the evidence Rowena and Charles presented. There is too much smoke not to have a fire going somewhere. It is possible that all tragedies and dissension might not have been planned by the same group, but it is clear someone orchestrated the start of this mess. All the others not involved from that start may be taking this opportunity to scrounge up what morsels they can from the table. Regardless, we should be prepared for anything, and, like Elizabeth said, we need more information from the North and these northfolk.”


    Edwin sat back at the table and replayed the last few days in his head. Is it possible that his parents were murdered? The coincidences did seem to be too far-fetched not to be related, but were Sylvester and Helewise a part of this treachery? It was possible they simply saw an opportunity to grab power, but it is equally as possible, and most likely in Edwin’s mind, that they were just condescending to a new king over twenty-five years younger than themselves. Nevertheless, it was quite odd they were missing from the palace immediately after he left for the square. Edwin had invited them to pack their things and stay on the grounds for the sake of safety and comfort, but they refused and brought Gerrit with them.


    “I take it Gerrit is still with Sylvester and Helewise? It would be excellent to have his thoughts on this matter since he and Charles also discussed this theory at length,” Edwin said in a concerned tone.


    “As far as we know, he is still with them, my lord,” Charles said, sharing in Edwin’s concern.


    “We need to get someone to find him and to get Helewise and Sylvester back here for more discussion,” said Edwin impatiently. “Please also send word to Baldric. We discussed breaking up capital and royal army troops to help the people, but we need to dispatch him to Frostwatch. I know we sent a rider, but there is a sinking feeling in my heart that we should have sent more soldiers. The rider should be on their way back so the army would pass them on the road regardless.” Edwin stood up and clapped his hands together, “Let''s move!”


    At that moment, an orator came into the hall. “My king, you are needed at the city walls.”


    “There is no time for this. Go get Baldric and bring him here. We have a task for his troops.” Edwin snapped back.


    “That is just it, my lord,” said the orator uneasily. “It is Baldric that is calling for your aide. There is an opposing force outside our gates.”