Ch 46: The Simple Solution

It was a silent walk back to the castle.

Astasha had performed the protective spells around her mother’s house as Calder had filled Talib in on what they had discovered, but she was grateful neither pressed her as they made their way through the village.

She could feel Cal watching her from the corner of his eye, and the raging mix of emotions emanating from him wore on her already downtrodden soul. He was scared, and worried, and she knew he was trying to figure out any way to change the fate she was tied to. But there were no answers and it frustrated him.

Talib had sent his man ahead to inform Errant that they needed to call a meeting of those involved as soon as the others returned, and so they were all waiting in the High Sorcerer’s study when they arrived.

Still, Astasha said nothing as the Prince filled them all in on what they had learned. She stood in downcast silence as she felt the energy of the room shift from anticipation to fear and nervousness.

They had brought the ritual offerings and the sketch of the symbol with them and it wasn’t until Norelle spoke up that Astasha broke her dead stare at the ground before her.

“I know this symbol.” Said the water witch.

“I recognize most of the runes in it, but I’ve never seen them all together.” Responded Errant.

“No, I’ve seen this exact symbol. It was in a children’s book, in the story of the dark mage. It was her crest. She wore it in the pictures.” Norelle looked up at the group.

“So it’s true, this dark mage, she existed.” Whispered Helia.

“Perhaps it’s her followers that are trying to complete her original goal.” Interjected Zephyr.

The King had stood silent, as Astasha, as everything was explained. But his face was red, and she could feel his anger brewing. “Whoever they are they shall pay the price for thinking they could use my son as a piece to their sick endeavors.”

Errant shook his head. “We have no proof of this cult, so to speak. It could simply be Astasha’s grandmother following some long taught family nonsense.”

It was Helia’s turn to disagree. “Errant, you feel the magic in these bones as much as I do. This is dark magic like we have never experienced. Even if it is one witch, she is powerful beyond measure.”

“If this is true, the High Council must know, immediately.” There went Terrin again, running to his masters.

“So they can cut Astasha down where she stands? I think not.” Calder stepped protectively in front of her, his temper flaring.

“They may have answers we do not see!” Countered the earth sorcerer.

“We are all blind in this. There has never been a situation in written history to aid us in this kind of an enemy.” Errant was trying to keep control but he was failing.

Everyone seemed to begin arguing at once, each person’s opinion the most important to them.

This was all too much. The energy in the room was unraveling. Her world was spinning. The answer was simple really. Errant had been right all along. Astasha knew it now. The risk to Calder was great, but he had come back from the dead, he could survive it.

“Perform the extraction ritual.”

The room fell silent at Astasha’s words.

“Astasha—“ The High Sorcerer was hesitant but she could sense he was teetering on agreement.

“Errant, we both know it is the only solution that would render this entire thing over and done with. Perform the extraction ritual on me. Take my magic. If it is the weapon they seek, disarm them.”

“Absolutely fucking not!” Calder’s face was in shock. She knew he was confused and hurt and bewildered by her sudden decision, but how they felt didn’t matter.

“I agree with my son.” Said Josnen. “We tried that already and it almost killed you both.”

Astasha turned to her King. “Calder is strong, my lord. He has faced worse and survived. It is the right thing to do. Not only will it stop whatever it is my grandmother sought to do when she performed that ritual, it could very well sever the bond between the Prince and I and rid him of whatever magic has taken hold in him. He would be free to rule as a proper King, unhindered by my meddling.”

“Tasha—“ Cal was trying to get her attention but she refused to look at him. It would break her resolve and she needed the others to agree to perform the extraction before that happened.

She took a step toward Josnen. “Please, your highness, for your son’s sake, let him have the life he would have had, had I never come along.”

The silence was deafening. No doubt the others waiting for the King’s decision. He and Astasha weighed each other, and she could feel him begin to turn to her side.

“May Sorceress Astasha and I have the room please.” Calder’s voice was cold.

There was a pause.

“My lord—“ Errant was no doubt going to try to reason with him but the Prince wouldn’t have it.

“As the Crown Prince of Trenue I am ordering you all to leave this room so that I might speak with Sorceress Astasha alone!” It was rare Calder used that tone, but it broke her heart to hear it. He was exercising his right as ruler, and she knew no one would defy him.

Errant bowed to his Prince. “As you wish, your highness.” He dared to cast a glance at Astasha who held her composure but nodded slightly in acknowledgement that at least he was on her side.

Josnen stopped before his son but he would not meet his eyes. “I am not saying this is what I want, but what I do desire is for you to have the life you deserve. Please consider that.”

The King left before Calder could respond and the room emptied.

The vastness between the two that were left grew to a pinnacle.

“Cal—“

“Look at me.”

She still couldn’t bring herself to do so. “Please, Cal, you know this is the right thing to do.”

The pain in his voice crushed her like she couldn’t believe. “If you love me, look me in the eyes and tell me you truly fucking believe this is the only way!”

She finally spun to face him. “Maybe it isn’t! But you can’t tell me it isn’t the solution we’ve all been looking for!”

“No. I won’t allow it.”

“What are you going to do, your highness? Lock me in a tower until you find another way?” She didn’t mean for her words to sting so much, or maybe she did. She needed him to let her go, for his sake, for his kingdom’s sake.

“If that is the only way to keep you safe then so be it!”

“Listen to yourself Cal! You would chose me over your entire kingdom! I thought the reason it was so easy for me to throw away my vows to save you was because of my love for you. But now, I don’t know if it was that, or because I’m predisposed to tend toward an immoral nature. Or because I was destined to be this evil power that seduces you into ushering in a time of darkness when you were born to lead your people to the light!”

It took no time for Calder to cross the distance between them and his hands grasped her arms with a fierceness she had never experienced in him before. “I chose you because you are the light that leads me! I would be consumed by death and torment if it weren’t for you! There is nothing evil or immoral in you Astasha, not a bone in your body could do something that wasn’t good.”

“That isn’t true and you know it. Everything I have done has been for selfish reasons, to serve my own needs, not those of the greater good. I deserve this Calder, I brought this upon myself—“

“Your grandmother did this, not you. She cursed you to a life you would not have chosen. That, that is why you are not evil Tasha. Because you continually take the responsibility that isn’t yours to bare, and the punishments that come with it.” A tear fell down her cheek. She hadn’t noticed the sting of them in her eyes. Calder released his grasp on her to gently wipe it away. “Please, don’t throw your life away because you’ve dubbed yourself the villain when you aren’t.”

Astasha knew there was no convincing him. But what else could she do? She needed him to understand that she wasn’t doing this because she was the villain, but because it was the only way she knew how to be the hero, the only way she knew to save him, to save them all.

“Cal—“

She never got to give her argument though. A horn sounded through the keep, cutting her off. But unlike the one she had heard that fateful day the Prince had returned, this one wasn’t of a welcome guest. This was one of warning. The enemy was there.



**Author’s Note:** *Hello lovelies! I wanted to get an extra chapter out this week, so here ya go! Are you ready for some action? And some heartbreak? There are some intense chapters coming up so I hope you’re all ready! I’ll have another one up tomorrow as well so enjoy! Love & Light Everyone!*