The Plan

After she spoke those words, Aelis fainted. Her body was weak from the absurd amount of magical energy that had flowed in her. The guards decided to go with her back to the castle. They also reported what happened to the King. 

“Mmm, interesting,” said the King. “So that is what she said.”

“Yes, my king,” responded one of the guards. “It was all so sudden. She immediately screamed and spoke those words. However, she spoke as if she was not the one that was speaking.”

“Are you implying that she was under the control of someone or something else?”

“Yes, my king. I am only insinuating that.”

“Thank you for letting me know this,” the King replied. “I shall speak with her after she wakes up,” he said to himself. “You may leave.”

“Thank you, my king.” The guards bowed to the King and left. The King also left for his private room.

The King started to deeply reflect on what he was told. “So one of my children shall be able to use magic soon. But who will it be? How will I be able to explain it to them? Should I let them succeed me as the next ruler after I die? What will-”

“KNOCK! KNOCK!” His pondering was ceased again by a familiar knock. “You may enter,” he responded. Faron entered the King’s private room.

    “My guess is that you have come to ask me if I need anything, am I right?”

    “Indeed you are, my king.”

    “Sigh. Why do you always worry about me Faron.”

    “It is simple, my king. If I do not check on you then no one else would. Even you wouldn’t check on yourself. You’re always worried about the Kingdom that you forget about your own wellbeing.”

    “I don’t even know what to say.”

    “You do not need to say anything, my king. I shall always be concerned about your wellbeing. I guess I should be leaving the-”

“Wait! I need your advice on something.”

“What is it, my king?”

 The King explained the whole situation to Faron. Faron thought deeply for a moment.

“Well then, my king,” he began. “I suggest that you let the Royal Mage spend some time with your children. Since she was the one who made this prophecy. She might be able to predict the one who will be granted this pure magical energy”

    “Thank you Faron,” the King said. “Your advice and knowledge always helps me.”

    “You are welcome, my king. Apparently, the more you age, the wiser you beco-.”

    “I guess you are pretty old,” the King interjected.

    “What is that supposed to mean, my king.”

    “I was only joking.”

    “I know you were”

The two of them burst into laughter.

    “It is very late now, Faron. You should probably be on your way.”

    “Before I leave, my king. I hope you remember that your children are coming back tomorrow. That means that this place is going to be as lively and rowdy as it used to be prior to their departure.”

    “You’re right, Faron.”

    “Anyway, good night, my king.” the butler left the King’s private room.

    The King smiled.

        “Looks like I get to see my children tomorrow. Finally, after two months.” He went to bed in a happy mood.

    The next day, a few hours after sunrise, the King went to the gates of his castle. He awaited the arrival of his children. After waiting for a while, he began to hear sounds of carriages approaching. He looked out and saw four carriages; the occupants of these were his five children, some guards, and of course, the drivers of these carriages. The carriages stopped at the castle gate. The king’s children got out of the carriages and the King rushed to them.

        The King said, “Welcome back my children! So-”

        “Thank you father. The voyage back here was long so we’d like to rest up a bit,” said Aubrey, the eldest prince. 

        “Okay then, you all can rest up in the castle.”

    The King and his children went into the castle. Not long after, the King summoned the Royal Mage.

        While bowing down, Aelis said, “You called for me, my king.”

        “Indeed I did,” the King replied. “I have a request for you.”

        “What do you need my king?”

“First of all, you should rise up. You do not need to be very formal with me.”

She stopped bowing and looked directly at the King.

“I need you to spend some time with my children. Maybe, just maybe, you might be able to figure out the one who would be granted magical energy.”

“That is a very smart idea, my king. I would be happy to do this.”

“Thank you, Aelis.”

“You do not need to thank me, my king. For the future of the kingdom, it is crucial that we know who would end up being able to use magic. And, I would also get to know your children more.”

“Alright then, I shall tell them after they are done resting up.”

“I would be back in about two hours then. See you soon my king.” Aelis left after bowing down once more.

“She reminds me of both of you,” the King thought to himself.

Two hours later, Aelis returned and the King had met up with her and his children in his throne room. 

 “I have a very important announcement to make!” The King yelled. “For the next two days, Mistress Aelis, the Royal Mage, would spend some time with each of you.”

“Why is that so?” Questioned Azel, the fourth born, and the King’s notoriously deviant child.

“One of you would soon be able to use magic! That person shall be the one to forge the path to the future of this Kingdom, or maybe of the world!” The King responded.

Four of the King’s five children looked astonished.

The King continued, “Since the day is far from ending, this plan can commence today! Aelis would spend some time with each one of you from the oldest of you to the youngest. Aubrey, Adrian, Archer, Azel, Annet, your series of hangouts with Aelis starts now!”

Aubrey said politely, “Well then, could you please come with me, Madam Aelis.”

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