The Bewitched Soul - Chapter 15 Welcome

Time seemed to pass quickly. Soon after the new year’s day, Julius started preparing to leave for the land of Ostbarrow. He arranged everything necessary. Duke Isaac was called upon and asked to stay in the Brookville palace until the Lord returns. Alexander was busy signing the important papers. He had asked Isaac to handle all the council matters in his absence. Before leaving, he tried to settle the important matters beforehand. As the final day was approaching, he felt more anxious.

Soon, the day arrived. Alexander was in his tuxedo. Julius waited for him in the carriage. Two carriages were already in the front yard, one for the Lord and the other for carrying the luggage. Soon, they left the Brookville palace. Julius sat opposite to Alexander. Seeing him reading an old book, “What are you reading, Master?” he noticed that Alexander kept on flipping the pages as his eyes scanned the pages thoroughly.

“Witches,” Alexander kept his answer short and simple, one word.

“Witches? It’s nice to know about them before you visit Ostbarrow.” Julius spoke as his eyes looked outside the windows.

Listening to his words, Alexander lazily looked at him.

“Tell me what you want to say. What do you know extra about the witches?” his eyes gave a sharp stare.

“You need to get shadow guards, Master.” Julius’s eyes met Alexander’s, giving a sense of insecurity.

“Continue,” Alexander closed the book, placing his hands on it.

“The shadow guards, are highly skilled dragons. You need to find one or maybe two for yourself. The Dragon King’s army train dragons, the one who qualify all the levels, becomes the shadow guard. The Warlocks of the Witch army and the Shadow Guards of the Dragon might be of the same level. No one knows about them, unlike the Warlocks.” Julius spoke as he grew more serious.

“Why Dragons now?” Alexander was confused.

“I had a vision, Master,” Julius took a deep breath.

“I had the same vision when Prince Jacob died.” he lowered his voice, his eyes couldn’t meet Alexander’s.

Alexander’s expressions didn’t change. He gave a hollow stare to Julius. There was silence, except for the running wheels and the wind buzzing past his ears.

“It’s been nineteen years, Julius.”

“I’m sorry, Master. I thought it was just a dream. Until the next day, I saw Prince Jacob’s body lying near the stable. Forgive me, Master.” Julius pleaded. his glistened eyes begged for forgiveness.

“How do you know about the Shadow Guards? You told their identity was a secret,” this struck his mind at the right moment.

“I researched.”

“Aren’t such secrets meant to be confidential?” Alexander questioned.

“Last time, when the Dragon King visited our province, I sensed something strange. One of the three Shadow Guards was standing close to me, yet I couldn’t see him. But, right after the meeting was over, I saw a come out of the walls.” he continued.

“I somehow caught hold him. This is from where I came to know about them.” he stopped.

“Why do I need Shadow Guards?” Alexander couldn’t understand.

“Because, as I said, I had a vision,” Julius emphasized the last word.

“Speak,” Alexander ordered.

“You are a pure-blood, high on ranks. I just want you to be safe.” Julius spoke as if wanted to say many things but failed bitterly.

“I do not have the authority to speak about this. You shall know once you reach Ostbarrow.” being a butler, who serves his Master, he didn’t find appropriate for him to spill the beans about the never spoken secrets.

“What you know about my mother?” Alexander knew that it was better to know the secrets from the direct authority.

“Lord Gerard shall answer this, Master.” Julius bowed, indicating that he also had no right to speak about this.

“Looking forward to it” Alexander maintained his calm demeanor.

Sometimes, the deepest secrets under the wraps are supposed to be disclosed behind closed doors. For years many secrets were shrouded in secrecy, only very little was known about them. Even Alexander preferred to keep his cards close to his chest. But this time, he had a right to know about the skeletons inside the cupboard. His father even kept a secret which Alexander himself, found out after centuries. He had many secrets to unwrap, slowly.

Looking at the trees which looked like they were sprinting past the moving carriage, he held the old book firmly. The ring on his finger made a soft sound against the wooden cover of the book. He carefully adjusted the ring, the crystal was turned down. He clenched his fist, the finger only showed the ring band, with the crystal secured inside the tight fist. Julius noticed the small change in his master’s mood, which made his lips arch slightly upwards.

The three days stay in Ostbarrow will be quite exhausting.

They were ready.

Soon after a day, they reached the Ostbarrow palace. The rusty iron gate squeaked open for the carriage to get inside. Julius stepped out of the castle and hurried to the other side of the carriage to open the door for Lord Alexander. Stepping out, Alexander saw the huge palace. The old palace was extended over the centuries. The pillars stood tall beyond the big entrance gate. There was a huge white statue of a lady, left to the garden. Alexander walked slowly, his eyes scanned his surroundings, noticing every minor detail. Julius was behind him, his eyes moved cautiously. As soon as they reached the palace door, an old man in a white and black suit, opened the giant entrance door.

“Good morning, Lord Alexander. Welcome to the Ostabarrow palace,”

“I’m Robert, the butler.” the old man bowed before Alexander.

“Good morning, Robert,” Alexander’s lips arched upwards to give a graceful smile.
for visiting.

“Good morning, Robert. I’m Julius, the butler of the Brookville palace.” Julius’s eyes didn’t miss the strange look Robert’s eyes.

“This way, please,” Robert gave a sweet smile, making his wrinkles more prominent.

Entering the door, they saw a series of paintings hung on the walls of the huge hall. Those were the paintings of the great witches of all time. Looking one after another, Alexander’s eyes carefully noticed each and every painting. In the end, he saw a lady’s painting. She looked smarter and wiser than most. Her wisdom was evident in the brow and curve of her full lips. Her hazel eyes showed her soul. Her skin looked pale, but her face glowed with confidence. Her dainty nose was imposing. Long, wavy blonde hair, so smooth and silky, almost as it looked like a pastel painting. With her hair of wool and her head held high, she looked confident.

She was his mother. Alexander’s face showed no emotions. He continued walking past the paintings and also his mother’s painting as if he didn’t know about her. Julius didn’t miss his master’s action and reaction towards this. It was the same painting, but this one had a golden frame around it.

Lord Gerard was standing on the stairs, looking at Alexander. He smiled when he noticed that Alexander didn’t give any reaction when he saw the painting. He slowly climbed down the wooden stairs. Hearing the footsteps, Alexander looked towards the approaching figure.

“Good morning, Alexander.” Lord Gerard smiled widely.

“Good morning, Lord Gerard,” Alexander smiled gently.

“Many years… after many years… you’ve grown to be the most powerful king. Just like your father,” Lord Gerard admired how the little kid back then had grown up this big and powerful.

“Thank you, nice to meet you too.” Alexander took two steps forward to give a hug.

The hug was warm and welcoming. Lord Gerard was tall, but Alexander was even taller than him.

“Come, I’ll show you your room.” Lord Gerard gestured him to walk beside him.

“My greetings to the great Lord Gerard,” Julius bowed.

“Join us, Julius.” Lord Gerard was happy to see him.

Climbing the stairs, they went straight to the guest room. Alexander’s room was adjacent to Lord Gerard’s. Julius being the butler, had his room next to Lord Alexander’s.