Chapter Seven- Visit to Amador Castle

It was August fourteenth, midday. Hadrian had just gotten the ship back into port. The monks were waiting for them just outside the temple, and helped the Yula enter. Clarice had given her a cloak to cover her white wings, as to not attract too much unwanted attention. She was given a room in the monastery, and was gladly welcomed by everyone. She was asked many questions about Avalon, Aldlea, and the two countries’ histories.

“Well,” the White-Wing began, “Both nations were allies at their founding about 3000 years ago. More than they act like they are now, anyway. The Aldleans didn’t notice that the Avalonians were different from them, and vice-versa. That’s because Melanthios made them ignorant of the fact.”

“Melanthios?” repeated Abbot Castor. “Who is that?”

“My apologies,” Yula replied. “I had forgotten that no one knows of him any longer. He was the supreme deity of Avalon and Aldlea before the Schism of the Heir.”

Everyone present knew about this schism. It was an event that caused a split in the religion of both countries. The supreme god, whose name no one knew till now, had died, and only two other gods were the only possible deities to succeed him.

       Aldlea’s king had chosen Astraea, Seren’s ancestor; he believed she would be a mother figure to his kingdom. Avalon’s ruler, however, thought that Ravi, ancestor of Sorino, was the more appropriate choice because the god before him was also male. And every five-hundred years, the next in the Astraean or Ravian line becomes the next god or goddess.

“After he died five hundred years later, the nations saw the differences between their people. Wars broke out, killing many on both sides. Even now…” Yula whispered, staring down at the floor. “Even now, people are still dying. And not just from the fighting.  There’s still that awful plague.”

“That’s why we’re here, right?” Arthur asked. “Seren asked us to save her, and there must be a reason besides her own personal ones, right? We have to destroy this ‘Darkness’ she’s told us about. Maybe it will end all this suffering both of our nations are going through.”

Yula hesitated to answer. “I suppose so…” Taking a breath, she continued. “But this is not the first time that the Darkness you speak of has appeared.”

“Are you serious?!” Richard Caliburn exclaimed. “That can’t be true. There aren’t any records of this happening before.”

“Sorry to prove you wrong, Mr. Caliburn, but it has.”

Clarice was standing in the doorway. She explained. “There are records of this occurring before, but they’re really old. About five hundred years old to be exact.”

“That was around the end of the last god and goddess, Surya and Maris,” the abbot observed. “That was about when Seren and Sorino came into power.”

“That is so,” Yula confirmed. “Darkness comes every five hundred years to bring an end to the god of Avalon and goddess of Aldlea. The reason why there are no records of these events is because whoever will recall them will forget.”

“This book is written in Grehazu,” Clarice announced to all in the room. She had the air of a great adventurer who had discovered a new land. “If I’m correct, none of the White-Wings forgot when Darkness descended. Those same people recorded these events so one day someone could find out what will happen.”

“So you knew,” Arthur said, looking straight at the 1500-year-old Avalonian. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

“I knew you would find out eventually.”

“So, what do we do now?” asked the young Reginlief.

Clarice couldn’t help but smirk. “We go to Amador Castle.”

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Amador Castle was a sight to behold. It was made of a bluish-grey stone, and had many towers and a moat. It sat on a large cliff near the ocean, but was stable anyway. It was home to the Amador family, who had been ruling Avalon for the past 900 years. Arthur, Bartholomew, Clarice, Richard and Yula were on the outer side of the moat, the wind blowing intensely. The drawbridge was down, and Clarice proceeded to walk over it.

       “Wait a minute,” Richard said, grabbing the young Black-Wing’s sleeve. “You think you can just prance on in there, little lady?”

       “Of course I can,” she replied, getting herself out of the old soldier’s grasp. Just then, an ocelot approached the group.

       “In the name of the House Amador, I order you to leave-” The cat stopped mid-sentence. “Lady Young? What brings you from the Serenian monastery?”

       “I came here to ask Uncle Basil for a favor,” Clarice replied. Everyone else there was baffled, but the ocelot understood her request.

       “I see,” the cat said. “I’ll notify the guards at the gate to let you through.” At that, the group followed the Feline into the castle, then taken to Clarice’s uncle by another guard.

       “Oh, I hope I dressed well enough…” Yula sighed. “What position does your Uncle hold since he lives in the castle, Clarice? Is he a guard?”

       “I don’t think so,” Bartholomew said. “I bet he’s a cook. She did mention that her family has had quite a few cooks.”

       “I think her uncle is a librarian,” Arthur offered. “Clare’s a big bookworm after all.”

       “You’ll see when we get to his room,” Clarice said with a sly smile. The guard then opened the doors to a very large chamber. The others looked around for any men, save the guard. All they saw was a long trail of carpet, leading up to a small set of steps. The chamber’s walls were lined with statues and tapestries. At the top of the steps sat a middle-aged man, woman, and two young girls standing on either the left or the right of the seats. The man got up and smiled at Clarice.

       “I’m overjoyed to have you here again, my niece,” he greeted cheerfully.

       “Thank you for letting us into your presence, Your Majesty,” the girl replied with a bow.

       “The- the king?!” the others gasped. “Your uncle is the KING?!”