Chapter 6: Thalorian

“Limiria!” Thalorian called down the hallways of his house, “I need you to come look at something!”

Limiria sauntered into the room, a cup of tea in her hand, “What is it?” she asked. Thalorian showed her the Eternal Balance, the bloody text scrawled on page six hundred sixty-six seemed to jump out at her.

A shattering noise sounded as Limiria dropped her cup in shock. A bead of sweat dripped down her forehead and she covered her mouth.

“The Crown…” she muttered in shock.

“What do you think it means?” asked Thalorian, putting the book down.

Limiria choked down a sob, “I think it’s pretty clear. Somehow, the Crown has come back.”

Thalorian sat down on the bed, he couldn’t believe it. He didn’t think it was possible for him to come back. They’d made sure of that. Thalorian was sure that he’d made sure he couldn’t be revived. Did Haverian die for nothing?

“Limiria we… we can’t tell anyone about this. We don’t want to cause a panic,” said Thalorian, holding his head in his hands.

Limiria nodded, “We can’t spread the word about this,” she sighed, “but how could he have possibly left this?”

“I don’t know,” replied Thalorian. “It’s impossible right? He can’t be alive,” Thalorian paused, “could he?”

Limiria stuttered, “I don’t know.”

***

Thalorian was supposed to have met with Crown Draylum an hour ago. He’s late. Draylum was almost always late for meetings, but never like this. Draylum must have run into someone.

They were supposed to meet about some impending threat, but Draylum hadn’t told him what it was. Thalorian tapped his finger against the guardrails impatiently.

“Come on Draylum, where are you?” he muttered, pacing in a circle. Thalorian was going to tell Draylum about the message in the Eternal Balance, the Old Crown was his father after all.

Finally a group of guards approached him from the hallway.

“Sir, Crown Von Forensberg will be here shortly, sir,” the one in the lead said. Thalorian recognized him as Charles Bedard II. He was a member of the Fifty Knights of the Crown, which Thalorian commanded. He wasn’t the First Knight of the Crown, but he was their leader as the Head of Varelion Defenses. A fancy title for a simple job. Limiria was the first knight, but he didn’t know the other members very well.

Draylum walked down the same hall that Charles had and into the meeting room. As Thalorian sat down he began, “Sorry for my tardiness Thalorian. There was an… incident.”

Now that he said it Thalorian noticed that Draylum was a little rough around the edges. His crown was slightly dirtied and his cape seemed a little off, as if he’d just been in a fight.

“Is everything alright Draylum?” he asked.

Draylum’s face turned to concern, but he quickly masked it, “Of course Thalorian, couldn’t be better,” he said. “Now to the meeting. We have received intel that the Magical Investigative Society, also known as the M.I.S. are encroaching on our land. We sent scouts to report on their behaviors, none have come back.”

“Draylum,” Thalorian interrupted, “I have to tell you about something.”

“I’m sure it can wait,” said Draylum, turning back to his notes.

“It’s about your father Draylum,” said Thalorian.

A shocked expression crawled against Draylum’s face like a disease, “But- but he’s dead.”

Thalorian sighed and pulled the Eternal Balance from his satchel and flipped to page six hundred sixty-six. “He’s back. Winsworth is back.”

Draylum stifled a cough, “Surely it’s nothing,” he said, shaking his head, “anyway. We’re sending out a strike team comprised of the top five knights along with you to see what is happening at our borders.”

Thalorian was disappointed that Draylum didn’t pay attention to his news, “I’ll do my best.”

Draylum smiled, “Great. I’m counting on you Thalorian.”

He stepped out of the meeting room and into the hallway. Thalorian walked through the halls of the castle and ended up in the war room. Inside were several knights, standing around a circular table, all eyes on him.

“Well then! Let’s get started,” said Thalorian.