Royal Challenge

Sophia’s escort to the royal castle of Eulire resumed. Between trying to hold her body together from immediate panic and fighting the joint pain that rose, she struggled to decide which she hated more. And likely for her escort’s relief, no more interruptions or distractions to their duty. If someone in the capital had any interest in her it didn’t show. For as far as her notoriety carried in the Academy, she felt certain it ended at their walls. She was just an unknown face in a sea of others. Though being marched by knights didn’t add positive ideas to the strangers.

That anonymity ended at the castle gate though, with another pair of knights spotting them and joining. ‘Four now? I’m just a student, one of you is too much for me. I’m really in trouble, aren’t I? Ust. Hui…’ The more guards around her just made it look even worse. She knew she was going to see the King, but even still. Ust. Hui. Feur. Wueh.

The only relief for her was that she didn’t gain further escort. The four knights had her completely surrounded, as though she was of any risk in escape. She couldn’t even fathom how she would run from one of them. Her back pain would probably stop her in her tracks before she ran out of stamina.

A large wooden door that stretched nearly to the ceiling, far beyond her reach, stood before them. The men stopped immediately at the door. She had never even seen the castle but from a distance poking over houses. It was surprisingly plain and difficult to navigate. ‘Is the King behind this door? Or is this where they’re going to behead me with him watching? What is the kingdom execution method, I don’t really know. I think it was public hanging, but I don’t remember that recently. Maybe it’s changed.’ A firm knock on the wood snapped Sophia back. She clutched her hands together.

Ust. Hui. Feur.

Her guards surrounded her with one ahead getting permission. “Your Majesty! Sophia Therodis has been brought forth as you requested.” The voice rang clear without emotion or intent. She couldn’t read still if she was under threat. But any other reason seemed impossible. They had no reason for her.

Creaking of the door pulled it back until the entire chamber greeted them. Based on rumors and reports, she expected to see advisors, nobles or soldiers filling the hall. A whole court of people that both served the King or wished to meet with him. Yet it was empty. ‘A private execution!’ Only the knights that opened the door were present beyond that of the King and two others.

The chamber itself didn’t look much larger than one of the lecture halls in the Academy. It certainly could hold dozens, but wasn’t nearly as vast as she imagined it to be. Light poured in from the large windows at the back of the throne. The light wood paneling gave it a far warmer invitation than she felt, given that she still didn’t know what was supposed to happen to her.

From the throne, she could see the ruler of the entire Eulire Kingdom. He was fixed on her, though she was unsure if he was angry from this distance. Feur. Hui. Ust. Her nerves weren’t calming. It was only getting worse. Even counting backwards didn’t work.

“Sophia Therodis, enter,” the voice ordered in a deep rough tone.

Sophia coughed fighting with her cold. ‘I’m going to die. I’m dead. Ust. Hui. Please mother…’ She stiffened up and she awkwardly marched into the hall, like an invisible hand connected to that voice grabbed her. The knights followed behind. Once the King became clear to her eyes she stopped. She didn’t dare approach more and it was likely inappropriate. Her escorts stood on her flanks.

With a wave of his hand, he ordered them out. “Leave us.”

The guards within the chamber came to attention. “Your Majesty? Our duty is to remain at your side.”

“I gave an order. This is a private matter.” He gave an intense stare crafted from age and experience.

‘I really am going to be privately executed! I didn’t know they were so sadistic!’

“Yes, Your Majesty!” All the knights vacated the room and closed the door behind them.

Sophia looked nervously back as she heard it thump shut. ‘Don’t leave me with him!’ Immediately she shrank. Ust. Hui. Feur. Fears were quickly becoming reality.

“Sophia Therodis.” She almost jumped to the ceiling, impossible as the feat might have been. Finally seeing the King undistracted, she realized how old they were. She knew he hadn’t been ruling for more than twenty years, but he was already completely gray. His grandfather held the throne for fifty years and all the records she read said he always seemed full of vitality. It was unfortunate such traits didn’t pass on to his grandson.

“Y-Yes?” Ust. Hui. Feur. She forced the rhythm to calm her heart. Sophia felt it in her hands. Ust. Hui Feur. She was going to die just from standing.

“I have heard about your theory. I wish to have a direct accounting from you.”

Sophia felt the heat run out of her face faster than students at the dinner call. She almost felt lightheaded. Ust. Hui. Feur. ‘I’m really going to die.’ Ust. Hui. Feur. The shaking wouldn’t stop for her. The numbers didn’t help. She couldn’t push out the thoughts. Everything mashed in together. “I’m really going to die.”

“What was it that you said, Miss Therodis?”

Sophia snapped out of her thoughts hearing the King’s voice. She had thankfully heard his question. But that immediately made her freeze. ‘I said that aloud!’ That only sent her nervousness into overload. Ust. Hui. Feur. She did everything that she could to keep her mind properly on attention.

A snap gesturing bow in apology tried to sweep it away. “Y-You said you wanted an explanation, Your Majesty?” She clutched her hands together keeping the shaking to a minimum.

“That is correct.”

Suddenly, a second voice, another one that she didn’t recognize came out. “Dear, you’re frightening the poor thing. She can hardly speak.” Sophia jumped a little not seeing that there was a woman standing next to the throne. Given that the King had ordered the chamber empty, she could only assume they were always present.

Based on the familiarity she had with the King, Sophia guessed that this was the Queen Hestalia. If her studies focused more on contemporary events rather than ancient dusty tomes, she might have even recognized her. But the woman looked about like anyone else she might find in the capital. Naturally, there were more extravagant clothes on her than someone Sophia might speak with. Nobility and royalty were obviously no one she had any experience with. But despite it all, the Queen had a more simple dress than she would have imagined. It still had bright reds and greens stitched into it with a soft silk-like appearance, but she wasn’t gaudy as Sophia might have guessed.

She looked in better health than the King, though still worn from time and the position. Queen Hestalia carried a softer smile, one that felt like she was used to tempering that of her husband’s tone. “This is your first time before anyone higher than a Professor?”

‘Other than the Headmaster…’ Sophia nodded, doing everything to keep her mouth sealed. One mistake was already too many. That the King wanted her to speak about her research was trouble enough in her mind. The Headmaster couldn’t even make it through the whole thing. She could only imagine that the King called the knights after two sentences. Though it might have required five before it got to the part some people would start objecting to. She didn’t know how much he knew, let alone that he actually knew about it. The mystery still bothered her.

“Perhaps a more familiar face would put her at ease?”

“Maybe you are correct. Henri, if you would convey to her our intent.”

Sophia looked around quickly, half expecting a student. ‘What familiar face? I don’t know anyone in the royal family!’

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Snapping to a second person she completely missed as though they were all completely invisible. There was a young man dressed in a soft green uniform. It came as another surprise that she could have even missed him. The uniform stood out sharply, even if it was the royal colors. ‘He’s so beautiful! I didn’t even know men could like that good.’ Though Sophia trapped herself in libraries and desks. The best of her experience was other students, while charming, they were background decoration to her studies, unfortunately for them. Her scale of beauty didn’t have much refinement. Still First Prince Henri had a reputation for an ocean like beauty, deep and alluring while being also dangerous.

Platinum hair and blue eyes like the Queen, Prince Henri carried himself with a strict care in each step. Though there wasn’t intention in his footsteps, there was a presence that Sophia couldn’t ignore as he approached. He wasn’t trying to be commanding in the way that the King had been, but still just with his eyes he wanted obedience all the same. He really was trained to be the heir. “Miss Sophia Therodis. We have been told of your research into the Balstar Oracles and that of involving Euthemia’s Saint. Is this correct?”

‘I don’t know him. Why would he be familiar? I would remember someone so gorgeous. I have to stop!’ She counted her numbers to clear her mind. “Y-Yes. My area of expertise is the Sulish language and interpretations of ancient works.”

“Which specifically focuses on the Oracles.”

“That’s correct.” Ust. Hui. Feur. The shaking wasn’t going away. She really wished for the nervous heat to come back. The royal audience drained every bit of warmth out of her. She could turn to ice it felt like in just a moment. And having the First Prince staring at her only gave her more chills. “He really is beautiful.”

A clearing cough came from the Prince along with a small bit of laughter from the Queen. Sophia blinked looking between them before realizing she did it again. She immediately dropped into a ball clutching her knees. “I did it again…”

“I believe we’re straying from the topic.” Henri knelt down trying to catch her eyes that were buried in her knees. Though that alone didn’t seem to be enough. She was shaking visibly like she was trying to start her own earthquake. Placing a hand on her shoulder was enough to get a reaction. It was sharp, but he could see her face again. “Are you well enough to speak?”

Her body didn’t really calm down, but she could see that she didn’t really have much of a choice in it. She was before the King. Silence wasn’t going to be allowed. Sophia would just have to do her best to hold it together. She slowly nodded before bracing herself to stand back up. If she felt any smaller, she’d have returned to a child.

“Now, we would like to hear from you. The findings of your research that had the attention of the faculty.”

“Attention might be the wrong word.” She covered up her mouth, slipping again. She had lost any control she had. But they didn’t stop her. “My research was on Sulish authors and contemporary interpretations of their writing. Due to the nature of the ancient language, it is difficult that any researcher comes to complete agreement on the interpretation. So it’s a field of great debate. Except for that of the Balstar Oracles, which have been unquestioningly accepted for centuries.”

“Yes, the Church makes use of the research from Thistel for anything written by Balstar.”

She nodded counting again in her head to keep her voice down. Speaking with the Prince was starting to help calm her enough that she had control again. Though she still felt her teeth chattering. “His work is a large focus of my research.”

“To debunk it.”

“N-No! I’m trying to validate his work!”

“Yet your theory claims otherwise.”

“That…is correct. It is supposed to be our duty as researchers and students to question everything. To make sure the truth is maintained. But no one will listen to my findings about Thistel. There are mistakes that are being ignored.”

“And you would know the truth?” The King spoke once again, breaking the air of ease. Immediately Sophia took a step back feeling his deep tone breaking her. Even if it wasn't delivered like a threat every part of her body screamed that the answer she gave would judge her future.

Sophia looked at the First Prince seeking any sort of grounding. He gave none. Though he still had the same calm soothing presence, it wasn’t enough to swallow up his father’s intimidation. He wanted an answer as much as the King. “Ust. Hui. Feur.”

“Miss Sophia.”

“Yes. What? No!”

“Do you know the truth?”

She shook her head rapidly. “Of course not! It’s Sulish, we’ll never know the truth. Just the best interpretation.”

“And you have a more accurate one than Thistel can provide?”

“I haven’t even attempted to make my own. That would be a life’s work to deliver. One that Thistel never finished. I’m just a student!” As much as she might have dreamed of taking that work on, she couldn’t imagine it ever being approved. She had no status or position to make that happen. It would have to come from the Headmaster or someone even higher.

“Then what was your purpose in your paper?”

“To start a dialogue. If no one questions it then we’ll never arrive at what Balstar meant.”

“And you would swear upon the Judgment of Euthemia?”

Sophia took a slight step back. She didn’t imagine that they would bring out the sacred relic used in trials. “I’m not in a trial, am I?” She clutched her head, already catching herself again too late.

“No, but it is also used for oaths and promises held before the Goddess herself.”

He just accepted it, even though she didn’t mean to say that part. She nodded to him. “I would.” There was nothing for her to hide. If it allowed her to leave the chamber with her head still attached she would do anything. ‘No death for me? I’m safe?’

With a clean and silent turn, the Prince walked away to the back of the throne. There wasn’t even a word exchanged. He just returned, presenting in his hands a highly decorated sphere. It was nearly clear with a slight cloudiness to it almost like a pearl, but impossible for such a massive size to fully fill the palm. It rested in a green felt cushion never touching any part of the young man as he held it out.

However, before he could even say a word to her, she jumped forward. The nervousness burned away like a letter in a fire. Her eyes glowed as she leaned in around to stare as close as she could without touching it, recognizing the age and importance. “This is a relic of Solis! I’ve always heard rumors that there was a treasure of the ancient kingdom in the vaults, but never would I have believed I could see it. To see real Sulish script carved straight into the surface. Is this glass? Did they use a magic scribe to make these etchings? It’s so perfectly spaced. It couldn’t have been by hand, right?” She finally looked up at the Prince who held his same even expression.

She jumped back. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry. Forget everything I said!” She waved her arms and tried to bury herself again before the Prince caught her hand. That immediately froze her. “The First Prince is touching my hand!”

“I am. And we’re waiting.” He still presented the large orb balancing it well in just one hand before she calmed down. Once she could find her footing again, she nodded and he released her. Respectfully taking the relic back in both hands, he held it out to her once more. “Before the Goddess Euthemia and King Renald Eucris, swear that you will.”

Cautiously, she approached with the bright relic of the ancient Magical Kingdom staring at her. “This has to be more than a thousand years old. I shouldn’t be touching it.”

“Hundreds have. You will do no harm to it.”

“Yes.” She still felt like it might break or be damaged with just a touch. It might have been crafted by the best mages of their age, but time wasn’t kind to anything. Yet the Prince insisted and the King as well. She had to proceed. It was part of the ceremony. Sophia tapped her finger on it, almost feeling giddy and then hating herself for thinking so disrespectfully of an old relic. But she had to keep going. The First Prince wouldn’t allow any less.

She placed her hand fully against the surface feeling the designs carved into the material. It might have been some magical circuit, but that wasn’t her field. She looked over at Prince Henri. His eyes told her to speak. “I-I swear that my research is only to better understand the ancient writings of Solis. I have no intentions of trying to cause societal change or break religious faith. Something like that? Honest! I just want other scholars to be able to debate it like any other work.”

The First Prince turned to look back to the throne. His father gave him a firm nod in silence. Returning to Sophia, he spoke clearly again. “Speak the words, ‘Irst Eurten Whelin Catholid’.”

“Sulish?”

“To seal the promise before the Goddess.”

The words weren’t ones that she knew well. But the construct had that of a command or statement, it could be either depending on context after the word Irst. She could only guess that it was a statement of intent to the Goddess. But it was what they wanted. She wouldn't be allowed to leave otherwise. “Irst Eurten Whelin Catholid.”

With a confirmation from the Prince, she was allowed to take her hand back. Part of her wanted to keep it there, but she knew they wouldn’t allow it. ‘I touched an ancient relic of Solis! I don’t mind if they kill me now!’ She would be burning this memory into her mind forever.

Taking a full step back, she closed her hands up against her chest hoping this would all just pass. However, there was a strange breeze in the chamber. She looked around trying to see if the door was open. ‘Are they taking me away? Was that sealing the promise?’ Nothing had changed, but she definitely was feeling it. Her uniform from the Academy was being pulled and twisted around her.

A bright sudden light flashed around her completely consumed her vision. It muted out everything, even sound. “What’s happening? Was I poisoned?” She didn’t feel worse than before. But whatever it was was all around her. She tried to step forward, but it didn’t release her. She was trapped in the white void.

And then it broke with a snap. The royal audience chamber stood around her again. The royal family as well stood, though in shock, a strange reaction. But then what she felt they saw too. She looked around her, seeing sparkles of light floating into the air around her. It was almost like seeing dust through sunlight, but they twinkled every color that she knew. It was no dust. This was something different. Foreign, strange. She never knew anything like this. ‘Why is my body humming?’

The King stood up from his throne. “Goddess has spoken after twenty years of silence!” The tone of his voice lacked the same threatening deep assault as before. It was strange to hear. “She has selected a new Saint!”

Sophia jumped back to attention at the declaration. “Saint? That can’t be right! I don’t want to be the Saint!”