The soft heart of magic I

1357

-Too bad you can’t see it pops. The sunset looks amazing from here.

Arko had another sip from his flask and poured the rest on the grave he was sitting next to.

-You know... It’s hard being the hand of the king. I don’t like it. But I know you would be proud of me. I have to go now, Nate will kill me if he finds out I am slaking off.

Running on the stone streets of Palestone, Arko dodged and slipped through the crowd, hurrying back to the palace. People chattering and strolling around, children playing around, the soft tune heard from a tavern full of laughter. All of those brought a smile to Arko’s face. It was a peaceful life. But the feeling never lasted long. He kept his eyes to the shadows. He was out there.

Arriving at the Palace, Nate, his brother, was already waiting behind the door in the kitchen from where Arko snuck in and out when he is not supposed to. The place was empty at this time so Arko slowly shut the door behind him and froze when he saw Nate.

-I can explain...

-Visiting Cael’s grave again?

-Oh good, I don’t have to explain, said Arko as he was stepping away towards the halls of the palace grabbing an apple from the table.

Nate followed him. He didn’t like it when Arko avoided a subject.

-Brother listen to me! Hold up for the love of the gods!

Arko turned around, chewing on his apple.

-We’ve gone through this before so I will not lecture you again but try to take your title seriously. You are the hand of the king! Your place is by the king’s side. You’re lucky he did not need for us today.

Arko shrugged and continued to walk towards his room.

-Also! Don’t make any plans for tomorrow. Be in the throne room by noon. Won’t bother you with the details.

Nate hated when Arko acted like he didn’t listen or care. But he knew that the recent death of his father is why he is like that. His killer was still loose on the streets targeting nobles and other high born. He passed the rank of Hand down to his son before his death, but people still looked up to Cael. The fact that someone could best the hero of Palestone chewed away Arko’s morale. Nate knew that his visits to the grave are just an excuse to search for the killer.

(Must be a lot of pressure on him) Nate thought

Arko and Nate were born of different parents, but growing up together they ended up calling each other brother. Nate was the only son of the king.

The next day

Arko, And Nate stood behind the king. Guards were placed on both sides of the room across its entire room.

Arko leaned towards Nate slightly so he wouldn’t be noticed and whispered.

-Guests?

Doing the same, Nate responded.

-You could call it that.

The door to the throne room finally opened and trough it, two guards walked behind a girl with tied up hands. She wore a long black simple dress and an oversized hat to match it.

-Sire! The witch you requested to see!

The girl raised her head just enough to see the king and his two most trusted from under her hat.

The king scoffed and cleared his voice

-What do they call you?

-Oh, but why would the mighty ask us, the impure, the filth, our name?

-I can have your head any moment so it would be wise to answer.

-Blank, she said with a sigh.

-I was told you made many “miraculous” concoctions and ointments back in your village. Is that true?

-“Miraculous”? I’m flattered. Yes, you could say that I did.

Blank expression suddenly changed, looking around the room like something was out there. Her eyes set on Arko for a moment. He frowned right back at her. The king noticing her behavior he paused for a bit looking briefly around the room. Blank’s mood for jests was over.

-As I was about to say, witch. I make you an offer to create this medicine for me and my man.

-I accept.

Her quick and clear response took everyone in the room by surprise.

-Good. I will have a room ready for you. Tomorrow I will send someone to help you with the supplies you need.

-A condition, if I may. Send the man to your right.

The request left everyone in the room puzzled.

Third day

Arko hesitated to knock on the door of the newest establishment of the palace, the laboratory. After a brief pause, he gathered the will to do it.

-Come in!

Blank was frowning into one book she got from the palace’s library. The desk was full of others alongside flasks, bowls, and other tools for her craft.

-I never taught that the library of a palace would have such outdated information. This is unacceptable! I will rewrite them myself.

Arko cleared his throat to get her attention.

-Why did you make me come here?

Blank walked right in front of him. She was considerably shorter than Arko.

-What’s your name?

-Arko.

-Show me your hand.

-What? Why?

-Trust me.

Hesitating, Arko stretched his arm towards the witch with his palm facing upwards. With a swift move Blank tapped his palm with her fingertip. Blue circles of light appeared above his palm and around her fingers.

-As I thought. There’s a magic source inside you Arko.

His jawed dropped mesmerized by the light coming out of him. A moment later he snapped out of it.

-Don’t cast your magic on me, witch!

-First. I’m a Wicca. Second. I do not possess a magic source, but I can channel one. I can tell you more about it if you want. If not, you can just go fetch me the things on this list and we’ll never talk about this again, said Blank as she pushed a piece of paper on Arko’s chest.

Arko calmed down and followed Blank with his eyes as she reopened her book.

-I guess you’re telling the truth. A Wicca with no magic, huh? Is that the reason you’re named “blank”?

-Who knows? My parents haven’t been around long enough to tell me. Your people have a knack for burning mine. I just hope that being here is a step towards peace.

-I see... Uhm... Sorry.

-For?

-For yelling and the “witch” thing.

-All in the past. Now, about my herbs.

-On it.

Arko left the room just to pop his head back in a second later.

-By the way. I do want to know more.

-Then hurry with my stuff!

Arko shut the door behind him and went after the items on the list.

Blank leaning back in her chair with her eyes in the book she let out a soft chuckle