Light from the Shadow

Chapter 40

"You should eat something. You haven't had anything since yesterday." Kuan brought in a tray of food for both Rishi and Jyaga later in the evening. The two men had not moved from Ayna's bedside for hours. Both did not answer him. Kuan placed the tray on the table and approached the bed.

Jyaga looked up and stared at the prince. His face looked tired. His eyes were red. Kuan knew the knight had cried alone at the back of the building the night before.

"I'm sorry..." Kuan said, lowering his head. He did not know what to do except apologized.

"It's not your fault." Jyaga said with a faint sob. Rishi did not utter a word. His forlorn gaze never left the princess.

"Both my father and Helten are awaiting the court's verdict." Kuan added sorrily as if the news could lift up the gloomy mood in the room. He knew whatever punishment given to them would not bring Ayna back.

"I'll never forgive them... they killed her!! They made the princess drink poison..." Jyaga clenched his fists. Tears formed up in his eyes again.

"It's not poison." Rishi finally spoke. Both the Remblan and Solbaru knights turned to him.

"What do you mean?"

"Ayna... she used magi on herself." Rishi leaned forward and held her hand. He showed them the darkened mark on her right hand. "When a magi wielder passes away, the mark will not change color like this. It will retain its deep blue color."

"The princess can use magi? But..." Jyaga found it hard to believe. For years the palace had searched for numerous ways to awaken the power inside her.

Rishi nodded. He let go her hand and leaned back to the chair, closing his eyes. Why? Ayna had failed so many times when she wanted to use it. Why only at a time like this, the magi had to work?

"Jyaga." The librarian called. "Go back to Remblan first thing tomorrow. I think His Majesty will need you."

"What about you... and the princess?"

"We will follow later. After I'm done here." He added.

Jyaga turned and looked at the princess. After a moment, he nodded his head. "I understand."

***

The next day, Lord Remwar came in to find Rishi. He hugged the librarian as soon as he saw him.

"I can never thank you enough for what you did for Ares." He cried. "If it's not for you..."

Rishi smiled and hugged the elderly man back. "How is she?"

"She still has not regained her consciousness but the physician assured me she is alright." The father wiped the tears in his eyes.

"What are you going to do about Helten?" Rishi asked.

Lord Remwar's expression changed. "That wicked pair of father and son can rot in hell! I hope they are both hung for their crimes!" He fumed. His eyes caught the Remblan royal who was still lying on the bed.

"What are you going to do with her body? You can't just leave her like that. I can help..." He looked concerned, not just for the deceased royal but also the well being of the young man he had always thought as his own son.

Rishi shook his head. "After we are given the certainty that Tana will be removed from the throne, I'll go back to Remblan... with her."

"You will go back to Remblan? But... here is your home! You are alive! We can build Mehari again!" The lord cried.

The former royal cast his eyes downward, saying nothing.

"This... I've been meaning to pass this to you." Lord Remwar presented a sword to Rishi.