Key To A Goblin's Heart

Cassadrei's POV

"Take care. And don't do anything foolish." Michael muttered, and took my hand in his. 

I didn't know how to respond to this intimate gesture, on one hand my emotions were overtaken by the new about my mother, on the other I just wanted to stay here with Mike. After all, we had met after so long, and all my dilemmas about him were finally cleared. But, I had no time to spend with him now. Duty call, and I must respond to it. 

"Stay low. Don't leave your apartment, and try not to raise any unnecessary suspicions. I don't really think that the assassin is after your life, she is after mine. I hope she'll not bother you any further, but it always helps to be a bit careful." I warned them. 

"Don't worry about me." Mike grunted, "I have pretty cool powers to defend myself. And, didn't you see how I just burned those two deadly creatures? You worry about yourself, Cassie...and don't hesitate to ask for my help at any time."

Jake nodded, even though I doubted if ahe understood it all. It was a form of a relief to know that he had returned to his original jovial self, not too burdened with Linda's death and I think I have kinda missed his lively presence. Of course, Maland must be feeling really awkward, I bet he never saw this side of Jake. I watched him eyeing Jake uncomfortably, and maintaining a safe distance from him. 

I chuckled despite myself, and then immediately remembering my mother's condition, my smile disappeared. Sofosys was busy instructing Maland about something and Jake listened to them closely, so no one really read my expressions. Except for Mike, who looked at me suspiciously. 

"You sure that you are alright?" He said looking doubtful, "If you are not upto it, don't you think you should let someone more experienced handle all these battle stuff?"

I sighed, willing to do just as he had said, but I knew that it was not an option. Without the Royal guidance, the Army would collapse and no amount of able leadership can overcome that. The people were too used to following the directions of a monarch, and independent thought wasn't something that comes naturally to them.

I knew that it would be quite impossible to explain all these to Mike, so I just squeezed his hand and told him that I would be fine. We looked at each other, preparing ourselves for another farewell without knowing if we would meet again. I really wanted to kiss Mike at that moment, maybe it would be the last time I do so. I have never acted very rashly in my life, being brought up as a Princess had instilled certain values in me. But, at this moment, I forgot everything. 

Learning closer, I pressed my lips on Michael's…. taking him in for one last time. He didn't object, and even though the kiss lasted only a few seconds, I felt as if the time had frozen in place. When we broke apart, I found myself crying. 

"Don't." Mike said, in a broken voice, "We will meet again and till then I have full faith in you to lead your army to victory." Saying so, we parted. 

Sofosys opened the portal again, and led me back to my country. This time, we teleported right inside the palace walls, and as I entered it, I found the place in complete uproar. People moved around in flocks, shivering in fear and all the daily activities had come to a standstill. A booming voice that came through the walls, instructed everyone to be prepared for an incoming assasults. 

I saw a small group of servants, huddled around a corner crying. There were young girls running around cluelessly, elderly people who moved in a dazed fashion. No one knew when the attacks are going to come, or how to prepare for them. There was no scope for escape, and it felt like an inevitable doom.

Sofosys led me down the long corridor to my Mother's chambers, where she lay under layeres of drapes. The room was a bustle of activity, with healers moving around in flocks, trying to dab herbs on her blackened limbs. Some tried to put a concoction of potiond down her throat, but she was unable to swallow it. The healers were doing everything in their power, but the situation seemed irreversible. 

They all stood in a respectful silence as they saw me approach. I creeped to my mother's bedside, and saw her lying on it peacefully, as if she were sleeping. Her face was bloodless and pale and her lips were turning to blue. I touched her forehead, and it was deathly cold. 

The Head Healer came towards me, and stood by my side. She lay her hands on my shoulders and tenderly said, "I am afraid there's not much we can do, Princess. The curse has already spread through her body and as you know, this type of curses have no remedy. It's a miracle that she had survive so long. We have to let Her Majesty go now, the least we can do is try to reduce her pain as she passes."

"No!" I shouted, eliciting a ripple among thd crowd if healers, "She...she can't die just like that. My mother…. she's strong." I felt hysterical as tears rolled down my cheeks, "We need to wait for Victoria, she... she'll come up with a cure."

The Head healer nodded her head in despair, but perhaps she sensed mine too so she kept her quiet. I don't know why I was unable to accept my mother's inevitable death, but I can't just let her go. I will fight for her life, whatever may come and my resolve strengthened. 

I caressed my mother's long hairs and said, "I know I have not been a perfect daughter to you…. I have been silly and imprudent and my folly has cost you a lot. But, I promise to reverse the damage that I had done. I will fight those Arphoelians on your behalf, and defeat them….and I will make you proud. Please, please...just stick around for that."

My voice pleaded to her, even though I knew that she won't be able to hear what I was saying. Grief choked my voice and putting my face on my mother's chest , I cried softly. 

"Cassadrei…" my father's gentle voice brought me back to my senses, and I saw his looming over me. 

He sat down by the foot end of the bed, and stared at my mother with tender eyes. His eyes were filled with tears too, but he exerted an amazing level of self control as he said

"I know how you feel, Cassadrei. But right now, you have much greater things to attend to. The Arphoelians are near, and our Army has not assembled yet. We need you Cassadrei, to lead the men, otherwise I am sure we will fall."

His voice brought me back to my senses, and I could finally gauge the reality. It would not do to give in to sorrow because I have a job to fulfill. I wiped my eyes with the hem of my clothes, and strode out of the room with my Father. 

He kept filling me in on the current situation. The Arphoelian attack, it seems was totally unpredictable and there's no plausible cause as to how they found us out. We had been careful to cover our steps, not to leave behind any trails that would give away our location. How then, did the Arphoelian Army found us?

There is only one explanation for this. There is a traitor among our ranks, someone who had spied on us and reported all our moves to Arphoelus so that they could find a suitable opportunity and chance upon us. And what better opportunity would it be than my mother's sudden collapse?

The traitor must have been from close quarters, as not many people knew of my mother's illness. But who can it be?

I was preoccupied by all these thoughts when I ran into my old trainer, Cresylee. She is the General now, and I have been meaning to talk to her for a while. 

She bowed on seeing me. 

"What is the condition of the Soldiers?" I asked. 

"Dismal." She replied, "I had tried my best to train them, but I am afraid there's only so much I could do. I think, it'll be better if we surrender, because there's no hope of our ever winning this war."

Cresylee's defiance shocked me.

"How can you say like that? We can't surrender, we are not cowards! We will fight till our last breaths and defend our Kingdom!" I said. 

"And what good will that bring?" She sneered, "Thousands will die and our entire race will be wiped out. Oh come on, Cassadrei, don't pretend to know more about warfare than me! I have trained you, and I know everything about you inside out. You are trying to impress your mother, but at what cost? Don't be a foolish child again, let me handle it all, this time."

"You dare not speak to your Monarch like that." I said coldly, "Remember, if my mother dies, I am the crown. And now she's incapacitated so naturally I will take charge! Do as I say, gather the forces and prepare for an attack. And, don't you dare defy me again!"

Cresylee froze, then nodding her head stiffly she went forth to carry out my orders.