The Bewitched Soul - Chapter 18 Meeting David 1

Julius woke up early the next morning. He took a stroll in the palace garden. They were servants quarters to the end of the garden. He carefully walked towards the servant quarters, pretending that he didn’t know much about them. He looked around as if he was confused. He pretended to be lost. Seeing the old man in such a helpless situation, a small boy poked his back gently.

“Are you lost, Sir? If I’m not wrong you’re our guest here for a while. Is there any way I can help you?” the little boy sounded so adorable which made Julius smile.

“Yes, I am. I was walking in the garden but then it seems I lost my way back to the castle.” Julius raised his brows in helplessness.

“Oh, I see. I’ll help you to get back to the castle. Yes, it is a bit confusing, more like a labyrinth?” the small boy laughed seeing Julius shrug.

“Thank you. What do I call you, little gentleman?” Julius smiled.

“My name is Mathew, and you are?” Mathew raised his little hands to initiate a handshake.

“Julius,” Julius secured a firm handshake with the little hand.

“Let’s go!” Mathew looked excited as he started to jump-walking.

Thinking this could be the perfect chance to know more about the palace,

“Oh wait, I’ve come so far now. Can we take a tour of this place? I’m sure you’re not in a hurry?” Julius smiled.

“Okay! I’ll guide you, Sir Julius. This way please…” Mathew held Julius’s big hands as compared to his and started dragging him with his full strength.

Julius smiled as the little boy was too adorable. He firmly held the little boy’s hand and followed him.

“So this is the fish pond. There you see golden fish! My mother said that the oldest one is about 40 years old. Strange isn’t it?” Mathew spoke as he had taken the responsibility of a tour guide for now.

“It is! Magic!” Julius laughed aloud as he spoke.

“Haha! You want to take a look at the sculptures?” Mathew looked up high at Julius.

“Sure, take me there?”
for visiting.

“Follow me!” the little boy took long steps to keep with the same pace as Julius.

Looking at the boy struggle to keep up the pace with him, Julius giggled.

“Come here, Mathew. Let me help you.” Julius carefully lifted Mathew in his arms.

“Now we walk together!” Julius smiled.

“Thank you, Sir Julius. I’m maybe just too small?” Mathew giggled.

“Haha! Yes, you are. Don’t worry you’ll grow soon. How old are you?”

“I’m 4 years old” Mathew smiled.

“Too small. Where is your mother?” Julius tried to keep the conversation alive while heading towards the sculpture garden.

“She went for army training early in the morning,” Mathew spoke as he circled his little arms around Julius’s neck.

“A warlock? Is your mother a warlock?” Julius asked as he tried to know more about the warlocks.

“Yes, she is under training. Master Eliana trains her”

“Eliana is the head warlock?”

“Yes, she took the place of Master David after he resigned from his post,” Mathew spoke without stopping himself.

“I see, where is the park? And what else do you know about Master David?” Julius asked carefully.

“To your left, walk straight. Um… I don’t know much about it. But, my mother said that something bad had happened a few years ago. She said I was too young to know about the bad stuff.” Mathew said as he pouted which made his chubby cheeks pop out.

“It’s okay. You’re too young.” Julius was a bit disappointed. But, he came to know something very crucial.

“Where is he now?” he asked tactfully.

“Master David? He lives in the master’s quarters.” the little answered honestly.

“It’s not that far from here. You see the white house over there? He lives there.” He pointed his little index finger towards his right.

“I see. Okay, let us see the sculptures first… we can meet him later.” Julius spoke as he continued walking.

“No one meets him. It’s not allowed you know…” Mathew whispered into Julius’s ear.

Julius was a little frightened listening to the little boy suddenly whisper into his ear.

“But why?” he asked.

“Because he did bad. I told you! You forgot…” Mathew whispered again.

“Okay… let’s get out of here!” Julius whispered.

“Yes!” the little boy giggled as he hugged him tightly.

After walking for a while, they saw a giant white rock.

“Here we go! The sculpture garden.” Mathew spoke as he pointed his finger towards the giant rock.

“Let me down, Sir Julius, ” he asked politely.

“Sure,” Julius let down the little boy.

Meanwhile, Alexander was busy reading a book, flipping its pages carefully.

“No need to hide,” he spoke as he sensed someone’s presence.

“Over there, behind the portrait.” he continued flipping the pages carefully and slowly without looking that the portrait.

“Milord, my apologies. I was searching for Julius.” a shadow slowly came out of the portrait.

“How can I see your shadow form?” Alexander was a little confused as Julius had earlier said that no one can see the shadow guards until they change themselves into their original visible form.

“I’m wondering the same, Milord.” the shadow spoke as it bowed its head.

It was a mass of black smoke which could camouflage with its surroundings.

“Show your true self,” Alexander ordered.

“As you wish,”

The black mass slowly started to swirl, Alexander watched it carefully with no sign of surprise. As the black mass of air vanished, a man appeared in traditional robes.

He was handsome from the depth of his eyes to the gentle expressions on his face.

“Greetings to the great King, Lord Alexander.” he bowed placing his fist on his left chest.

“I’m Gruzus, the shadow guard. It’s my honor to meet you, Lord Alexander.” he maintained a stern expression on his face.

“Pleasure,” Alexander spoke.

“Does the Dragon King, Lord William know that you’re here?” he continued.

“Yes, he was the one who asked me to come here. The day I was caught by Julius, I was asked to serve the Vampire King in exchange for my punishment.” Gruzus continued speaking.

“Julius saved me from the death penalty. Our shadow guard army is supposed to be a secret from the outside world. It was for my carelessness I was caught coming out of the wall without seeing Julius was just behind it. The Dragon King spared my life when Julius assured that this secret wouldn’t be disclosed. He made a vow.” Gruzus was grateful for what happened.

“Strange,” Alexander spoke as he closed the book and kept it on the table.

“So, why are you here?” he continued.

“I am here to serve my new master,” Gruzus bowed.

Alexander knew what was coming. It had something to do with his father and Lord William. Not digging deep into this,

“I hope you do your work with honesty and dedication,” he smiled.

“My honor,” Gruzus smiled back at Alexander.

“Lord Alex–” before he could ask something, he heard someone knock on the door.

“Come in, Julius,” Alexander said calmly.

Julius entered the room, bowed before speaking

“Good morning, Master. I’ve found out–” he stopped in between when he saw Gruzus standing behind Alexander.

“You? And how –” before he could complete, Alexander interrupted.

“He was there right behind the portrait. I thought you’d bring him to me.” Alexander smiled as he spoke.

“How did you see him?” Julius was shocked.

“I didn’t see him. I sensed his presence in this room.” Alexander spoke as if it was something usual for him.

“But, that’s not possible,” Julius spoke as suddenly something struck his mind.

He gave Alexander a deep stare. Now he knows why Alexander could sense the shadow guard.

“It’s okay, nothing stays hidden from our great king.” Julius smiled sarcastically.

Alexander glared at Julius.

“Okay, so this is our plan for today.” Julius tried to escape Alexander’s glare.

The three of them discussed the plan. Julius used an old map of the palace and started marking circles over certain regions.

“I met a little boy named Mathew. I came to know a little about David.” Julius sounded serious.

“No is allowed to meet him because he did something bad. This is what Mathew told me.” he continued.

“The strange thing is that there are no guards near the gate. His house is quite big as compared to others. And it looks pretty clean as well. I wonder what kind of punishment it is. He was once the Army head before Eliana replaced him. Eliana is the new army head of the witch army and Mathew’s mother is a trainee warlock under her guidance.”

“And where does Eliana live?” Alexander asked.

“I don’t know,” Julius spoke looking at the old map.

There was a sudden pin drop silence. Julius felt chills run down his spine. He looked up only to find Alexander glaring daggers at him.

“He was a little kid. And I forgot to ask him about this,” Julius’s voice was low while he spoke.

Gruzus couldn’t help but laugh.

“I’ll find out where she lives,” he took the responsibility of finding Eliana.

“Thank you, Gruzus. I hope you don’t disappoint me,” Alexander spoke which sounded more like a taunt.

“I have a meeting with Lord Gerard after lunch. We will visit a few places as well after the meeting gets over,” Alexander was hopeful and looking forward to the meeting and the visit.

Today was the most important day. If the plan will be a success, then it would be easier for Alexander to find the lost key to his vault full of secrets.