Chapter 5 Coverage spell

The sky rumbled, insects chirped and wings unseen fluttered. Endless trees blacked out the sky.

The wind howled demanding the trees to dance madly, the howling of wolves echoed in the forest.

Gentle snapping of twigs suggested movement of some sort.

"Casper, the torch is burning out" Matilda said as she pushed away the leaves and cobwebs that covered her face.

"I know but nothing to worry about, we're almost home."

"Is he still unconscious? "She asked referring to the man Casper was carrying.

"Yes he is and....

He was cut short as Matilda tripped over a fallen branch.

"Careful" he said trying to lift her up.

"I'm okay. Do you know who he is?"

Casper looked at her, giving her a 'what kind of question is that?' look.

"Yes. I know him. He is the head of Elderville. For a 24 year old, you sure do ask stupid questions. How am I supposed to know a man we saw unconscious by the river"

"OH! So you don't know it all like you claim"

"See, I'm already annoyed as it is. Don't add to it please"

"Fine! I'll let you be. Hopefully father might have an idea. He knows a lot"

"Whatever"

They soon approached a seemingly deserted house. It was dark: only a candle light illuminated the outside. An elderly man was seated on a bench. He stood up the moment he saw the two of them.

"Thatnk the heavens. Where have you been?"

"Good evening father" they greeted In unison.

"Goo.... What are you carrying?"

"It's a man" Casper said. "we found him by the river Bank. He's unconscious"

"Take him inside"

The room, which served as the parlor was almost empty. You could tell it was an old house. The furnitures too were old. The furniture was mismatched and outdated. Some of the wall papers were worn.

Casper entered the room, walked to the corner where the bed was and placed Casper on it.

The old man approached the bed the bed slowly. "Did you find anything on him?"

"Just his phone" Matilda replied. " but it's down"

"Hmm. It'll be hard to identify him then. Let's tend to his wounds first. Hopefully he'll wake up soon and most importantly, he'll have his memory intact"

"Yes father" the siblings chorused.

"Matilda , get a pail of water and a piece of cloth. Casper , bring the medicine under my bed" said the old man.

Matilda took off the shirt of the stranger so she'd be able to wipe him. She gasped at his physique . He was very well built. His six pack abs even looked firmer than her brothers. His washboard abs contrasted his wiry chest. Her eyes fell on his massive biceps.

"My God!" the old man exclaimed.

"father!" she exclaimed. "What's with the reaction?"

"Father, what is wrong?" Casper asked.

The man only pointed to the mark on the strangers chest.

"It's a tattoo" Matilda said

"Oh! It's not just any tattoo"

"What do you mean?"

"He's royalty" he said shocking his children.

"What!" They exclaimed.

The old man was trembling in excitement as he paced about the room.

"I'll recognize that mark anywhere. He was born with it. I was there...

"Father, you're not making any sense to me right now. What are you talking about?" Casper asked, confusion written over him.

"It's a long story but everything tops up to the fact that we just hit jackpot. This is the crowned prince, heir to the kingdom." he clapped.

"Okay, okay, let's say we believe you. What do you plan to do. Ask for a ransom?" Matilda asked.

"No, I've got a better idea. But first, listen to a story. It...

He stopped talking. He couldn't let them know the prince was here. He knew there was a witch in the place and she would try to use her peers to find the prince. He needed to cast a hiding spell.

"wait here." he said and went out.

He drew a circle round the house and began to chant . He cast the spell of stealth so that no one would know he was here. He held his breath so his voice wouldn't carry and cast the spell with speed and precision. He knew it was safe.

***

Ariel met the queen and her lady in-waiting outside. The queen suddenly looked twice her age. She paced anxiously about.

"Abigail , Why is she out here?"

"She refused to go inside. I've tried talking to her but she wouldn't listen."

"My queen, you shouldn't be out here. It's cold and you're not in perfect condition"

"Ariel , my son is...

"Is fine. Have you checked in with the airport?"

"Yes. His flight landed hours ago" Abigail said.

"The police?"

"We reported it. So far we've only heard there was a car accident but he wasn't found among the victims....

"Why would he be among them? Wasn't there a car to pick him up? "

"The driver returned without him. The prince refused to go with him: he said the convoy was too much attention and....

"Then why was he born a prince. He should have been born to a pauper or something. He's been nothing but a headache and I'm going to give him a piece of my mind when I meet him. I hope he's glad worrying his mother." she sighed. "Then they should be checking hospitals"

"They are but nothing yet."

"What if something happened to him. Ariel , I won't be able to take it"

"Nothing has happened to him. He's the son of a lion. And If he's anything like you, then I'm sure he's alive"

The queen gave a light chuckle.

"Oh Ariel ! If I had only left him to remain in the.....

"I'd have gone to fetch him myself. Does he want you to die before your time?"

"What do I do now?"

"Let the police do their work. You will go inside and rest...

"I don't think I can."

"That's why I'm here. Let's go. Abigail keep me posted on everything"

"Yes ma'am"

The queen laid on the bed, sleep eluded her. She tossed and turned. She eventually sat up.

"I can't sleep"

"I can see that but you have to try"

"I'm trying but I can't..

"You don't want prince Gregory to meet his mother unhealthy "

"I.. Okay, I'll keep trying"

She laid back down and the room returned to silence again which was soon interrupted by a low growl.

The ladies pretended not to hear but it repeated itself again and again.

"Are you going to do something about that?"

"I'm sorry my queen. I've not had a chance to eat...

"See why I told you not to.....

"It doesn't happen all the time."

"Yeah! Right. Go get something to eat"

"I will. Right after you sleep"

"Come on Ariel . You know it'll be hard. I'm a worried mother"

"The more reason I can't leave you alone"

"I'll be fine dear. You can come back once you've eaten"

"How about I make a calming incense? It'll make it easier for you to sleep."

"Okay!"

Ariel went to the small shrine by the door where she kept all the potions, and other healing powders. She opened the jar and grabbed an orange-flavored one. She picked a yellow one. And a pink one.

She poured the powders into the small wooden basket she kept on top of the closet.

She gave them a light swish and cast the incense stick into the bowl.

She took it to the queen's room and set it on the queen's night table beside her. She lit the incense and walked out.

Ariel came back some minutes later to see that she had fallen asleep. Even in her sleep, she still frowned. She covered her up properly before leaving.

She entered her room and after making sure the door was shut tight, she went into her shrine and took out a crystal orb. It was blue in color. She held it in her hands. It was supple and yet was cold and yet warm.

If prince Gregory was anywhere in Amok, she should be able to see it through this crystal.

She placed the orb on the stand and settled down beside it. It was time to begin the real work.

She sat there for some time before her thoughts drifted into a meditative state. She listened to her heart beat. Her breathing slowed and steadied. Her eyelids grew heavy.

Her fingertips tingled. Slowly, her aura began to radiate out.

Then the blue light became more intense. And then it began to move up her body.

It flowed through her palms. It left its wake on her cheeks. It infused her entire body and was now coursing all around her and up her neck.

She lowered her eyes to the bottom of her sphere and saw the glowing light beneath the crystal.

"A coverage spell? Who could have casted it?"