Chapter 85 2 Days Left: The Black Stone and a Butler

(The Butler POV)

I was awoken by a constant knocking on my window. It was not even daybreak, yet a bird was already out and about and chose my window to play with. I open my window to shoo the bird away, but it flies inside my room and lands on my bed. I scratch my head in frustration. It was the Great Shadow, visiting again. I open my closet and the bird flew inside towards the black stone I had placed on one of the shelves when I took it from the temporary quarters of the Great Shadow. There was something alarming about the stone... I could not rub off the feeling the stone was watching me so I decided to cover it with a piece of cloth and rarely opened my closet doors.

The bird looked at me and chirped, seemingly trying to convey to me that it was time for me to transport the black stone to the Great Hall. I took a deep breath to steady my nerves. If The Rogue Lord learned of my association with the Great Shadow, he may deem me as a traitor. However, I can not be blamed for wanting to do everything to win the war that lies ahead. We had suffered consecutive defeats by the hands of the daughter of Adella, mine being the most expensive. I needed to avenge myself after the humiliation I received by her and her cohorts.

After experiencing defeat firsthand, I certainly knew The Rogue Lord clearly underestimated the daughter of Adella. Sadly, this would be his downfall. I couldn't allow this happen. I will not!  Through this unearthly black stone, The Rogue Lord will be invincible and I, for one, will finally witness a triumph against her. Under the brightness of the Harvest Moon, I will taste victory and watch the she-wolf named Hope burn with the rest of the wolves.

I take a blanket and tie it to form a sling. I gently take the black stone, with its cloth covering and place it in the middle of the sling. After placing the sling over my shoulder, I quietly trek the corridor, the cold from the stone floor piercing my feet like needles.

The Rogue Lord usually sleeps on his throne, but for tonight he decided to sleep in his chambers. I look around hoping the servants were not up yet. I couldn't afford someone seeing me and telling The Rogue Lord that I was skulking at the Great Hall. He would think I was betraying him.

I paused. Why should I skulk? I am The Butler, The Rogue Lord's right hand man. I decided to walk nonchalantly and if questioned, I would answer I had some last minute preparations for the arrival of the daughter of Adella, that is, if she surrenders.

The Beta had succeeded in his task and was now a celebrated hero within the Rogue Army. The Rogue Lord was extremely pleased upon hearing the media announce the sudden demise of the High Elder. "The High Elder has been a constant throbbing headache. Now, he is gone." He growls. "When I kill the daughter of Adella, the Council of Elders and the Clan of Wolves will be weak. They will have no one of power and all of them will ultimately bow down to me!" The Rogue Army broke in cheer, confident of victory.

However, after I had informed The Rogue Lord there was a newly appointed High Elder, his face darkened with frustration. "So the High Elder has a successor. Who?"

"A woman, according to the Beta. He has yet to discover who." I tell him.

"A woman?" The Rogue Lord laughs. "Find out who she is and tell my Beta to kill her. No one will ever dare assume the post once she is killed. With no High Elder, the Clan of Wolves will be in chaos."

I tried calling the Beta to inform him of his new task, however he could not be contacted. I also tried calling his ward Lucy to convey the message, but I was also unable to reach her. I will try again later in the day. Right now, I have to place the black stone in the Great Hall, inconspicuously, to be ready for the alignment of the planets when the Harvest Moon is high in the sky.

Unbeknown to The Rogue Lord, there was a small hollow space on the wall of rocks behind his throne. Part of a rock chipped off when we experienced a strong earthquake a very long time ago.I tried to fix it by placing a smaller rock to fill the void from the outside. Aesthetically speaking it work, with an additional benefit of a small hidden space for me to store things I don't want found such as the cursed ring I had sent the daughter of Adella.

My toes were already numb from the cold coming from the stone floors. I hurriedly find the rock which conceals my hidden space and place the black stone inside it. It was a tight fit, but I was able to put it inside. I take the rock that conceals the space, satisfied there was enough space to place the rock, a voice echoed through the great wall. It made the hairs on the back of my head stand.

"What are you hiding behind my throne, Butler?"

----

(The Great Shadow)

As a little bird, I flew high near the ceiling to get a bird's eye view of the Great Hall. The Butler was so engrossed with his thoughts, that he did not see nor hear The Rogue Lord enter. The Rogue Lord stopped in the middle of the Great Hall, watched the Butler as he took out a rock from the wall and placed the black stone inside.

"What are you hiding behind my throne, Butler?" The Rogue Lord kept his voice low, but the Butler sensed The Rogue Lord's anger and he quivered in fear knowing betrayal meant death. I saw this as my opportunity.

I flew down, exited the bird and entered the body of The Butler.

"My Lord, inside the wall is a black stone of great importance. On the day of the final phase of the alignment of planets, it will give you great powers. Powers which will make you invincible to everyone and anyone, especially against the daughter of Adella." I said through the Butler.

"Where is the stone?" The Rogue Lord asks.

I take out the black stone from hole in the wall, remove its cloth covering and present it to The Rogue Lord. "This is the black stone, Sire. I was to present it to you before the beginning of the second phase of the alignment which is to happen later today."

"And what happens later today during the second phase of the alignment?"

"It will provide you enlightenment, Sire." I tell him.

"Enlightenment?" The Rogue Lord scoffs.

"Sire, it will provide you foresight so you may plan accordingly." I bow to him.

"When will the second phase begin?"

"Exactly two hours after noon. The alignment will be visible in the blue sky."

"Very well. Let us see what powers this stone holds." The Rogue Lord places the stone on a pillow beside his thrown.

This was going to be easier than I thought. I just hope the Butler can last until tomorrow.

---

(Jacques POV)

*Meré: mother, Mon fils: my son

It was very refreshing to be with someone who was just like me, orphaned, hidden, but with great power. Meré would always tell me stories of her dear friend Adella, the one who made it possible for her to build her perfume empire.

Meré said Adella was just like me, special, and if Adella's daughter had survived the onslaught of The Rogue King, that stormy night 18 years ago, she would probably have been raised as my sister. Meré regretted ever listening to Adella when she said she was fine giving birth at Crescent Moon territory; she should have flown to be with her instead of waiting to see the baby. She prayed everyday to the Moon Goddess, if Adella's daughter was alive, to keep her safe.

When the news of Alpha Alexander's surprise mating ceremony on the night of the Summer Solstice to the woman with the golden eyes, Meré wanted to fly to Dark Moon, however High Elder Arthur cautioned her not to since he was not sure if this so-called woman with the golden eyes was the daughter of Adella. She could only prove she was the daughter by opening the vault her mother conjured. After which, she would be named CEO of Stella Foundation. And when Hope Ulrich was presented to the world, Meré cried. The Moon Goddess answered her prayers everyday all these years.

"I need to get back to my territory as soon as possible. There's a battalion of rogue soldiers outside the territories. I would love to stay, however duty calls." Hope tells Meré.

"I understand. The car is waiting for you to take you to the airport. That goes also for you Jacques. You need to go with Hope, mon fils. I told you earlier to pack a suitcase of clothes for a holiday. I am sorry I lied." Meré tells me.

"I understand, Meré." I give her a kiss on her forehead so she wouldn't worry.

"Your suitcase is already in the car. I'm sorry I can not go with you. Arthur has told me to stay here. I believe in you, mon fils. You and Hope will defeat it. Je t'aime mon fils." Meré hugs me.

"Je t'aime ma meré." I hug her back. I was born to this. I will not let my mother down.

It was the first time I flew in the private plane with three other people. Usually I was alone or with my mother, but never with women my own age. Maria, who had a crush on me, tried to keep me entertained by talking about everything and anything she could think of. I told her we should join Hope and Leia's conversation who were both just looking at each other, clearly mind linking one another.

"May we join the conversation?" I sit next to Hope. She was one of the most beautiful women I have ever had the privilege of meeting. I could never get enough of her golden eyes which glowed brightly, proof of the power Meré would speak of. Alpha Alexander is a very lucky man.

"How did you know we were talking?" Leia asked. She apparently didn't trust me even if I was Amelie's son.

"The blank stares. You both were mind linking each other." I answer her.

"We were discussing our plans regarding Hope's surrender. We have less than 48 hours. High Elder Arthur will be informing The Rogue Lord of Hope's intention to surrender after the second phase of the alignment." Leia replies.

"You are going to surrender?" I ask Hope astonished she would ever consider surrendering.

"Yes. It is the only way I can get close enough to The Rogue Lord and it is an added distraction. With me in his custody, he will delay the attack on the territories, giving us a fighting advantage. Will you be accompanying us when I surrender?" Hope looks at me for an honest answer.

"What do you mean by "us"? I ask, not sure if I should join them when she gives herself up to The Rogue Lord.

"Me, Leia and Maria. We are all going. The power of the circle of The Ring is strong. Together we will be strong enough to fight The Rogue Lord, The Great Shadow and The Being." Hope tells me.

"Sure, I will join you however, I know I will be the first one The Rogue Lord beheads." I tell them of my assumptions. All three of them laugh.

"Not when you're invisible." Hope puts a small cosmetic case on the table in front of her and opens it. It was full of all the scents my mother has made used for disguises. I couldn't help but smile. I like how these girls think.