Ivelda Evers
Code-#003300
Code-#003300
Once the three men drank her potion, Ivelda had a servant take the tray away with the goblets to get them washed. She listened carefully as Jiaya made report. She was satisfied with the state of the guard and her palace was still protected. The only thing she found frustrating was how she'd yet to tap into Lostein's magic source. Each of the palaces in all the kingdoms were built over large build ups of magic for that reason, to protect these sources. And even though Ivelda had taken over Lostein's palace at least, she still couldn't reach that source. The former rulers must have had a back up plan themselves in case something like this happened. It was one of the things her alchemists were working on. This brought her thoughts to her Head Alchemist, Haru Otani or Prince Kaito as he used to be known. She best check up on him and her head inquisitor too. It was time for another sacrifice and Ivelda wanted to make sure Alcinder, who use to be Prince Orion, had someone ready for her. Besides, both Haru and Alcinder needed to get a potion from her also.
Her thoughts came back to the present as Aetherius asked if he could leave.
Smiling, she came towards him and replied, "Of course, just make sure you report to me after breakfast. Oh, and one last thing, don't cause a raucous in town like that ONE time."
Last year Aetherius and his main crew created a huge mess of one of the taverns and Ivelda hadn't let him sail for a whole month and made him pay for all the damage too, which was extensive.
Turning to Jiaya, she said, "You may return to your duties, Sir Jiaya. Thank you."
Finally she turned to Ryder.
"I will be heading down to check on Haru and Alcinder, Ryder. Can you check on my sweet little birds? I want to see what they've been up to."
Her 'little birds' were really orphans that worked as spies for her. Little birds were just the code name and Ryder was the one in charge of them ultimately.
After the three men left, Ivelda headed down to the lower areas of the palace.
Haru Otani
Code-#3A0786
Code-#3A0786
Near the dungeons, there was the palace's research area, and that was where Haru Otani was. At the moment he was scowering through books. He felt like he was coming close to a breakthrough for his lifelong project, bringing down the seals around these palaces Ivelda wanted down. She told him that evil forces had trapped the people inside of them and she wanted them rescued.
Haru had tried many different methods, all failed. That was hopefully about to change. He discovered something purely on accident when he was in Hanasaki. It had been the first time he'd been to that Principality. He'd been trying to go there for some years now, but Ivelda refused for the place was dangerous since the most rebels came from that area, next to Angalais. However, Haru counter pointed that he had been to Angalais and nothing happened to him there. So, she let him go, abite reluctantly, and she made sure he was well protected. Her Overseer, another alchemist like himself, stayed by his side almost the entirety of his time there. He had been so eager to see Hanasaki that he never noticed the looks the locals gave him. When he saw the palace, he had felt something, but squashed it down and went to work. Like with the other palaces and the border to Traumet, the seal was very strong. It had to be if Ivelda herself couldn't bring it down and the queen was extremely powerful. Something happened at the seal though when he touched it. It seemed to react to him, and he felt it 'ripple'. However, before he could explore more, the Overseer (he couldn't remember his name for he found the man 'off') had a guard haul him away in fear something would happen to him. He never got a chance to re-examine the seal again. Still, he gained enough knowledge to know that the seals could only be brought down by people themselves and not something else. So, once he got back to Lostein, he started researching what was within people that could help bring down seals.
So engrossed in his reading, that he didn't hear the knock on the door. However, one of his owls did and screeched. That always got Haru's attention. Instantly annoyed, Haru reluctantly put down the book he had and headed for the door. His scowl turned into a grin though when he saw it was the queen.
"Your majesty, your timing couldn't be more perfect. I just came across something that might interest you. Please come in."
Ivelda smiled and allowed the former prince of Hanasaki to escort her to his big armchair.
"I am sorry for interrupting your work, Haru. And I can't stay long, but I have time to hear what you have to say."
Nodding, Haru told her, "As you know, the seal in Hanasaki reacted to my presence. My research has led me to believe it has to do with my blood. I've been reading up more on practices using blood and I know blood can be a great tool for magics, especially sealing magic . . . ."
Haru started to ramble and while Ivelda listened to every word, she was also thinking about the incident Haru mentioned. The man was brilliant, but she knew it was a gamble for him to go to Hanasaki. Overseer Sho had Haru removed instantly in fear the seal would come down. While Ivelda wanted the seals to come down, she didn't want Haru nor any of the other princes in the vicinity. What Haru was telling her now only confirmed what she suspected for awhile; only the royals could bring down the shields. The fairy queen could probably bring down the seals too, but Ivelda would be going against an ancient treaty between her master and Eowyn if she tried to make the fairy queen bring it down. She recalled when she tried bringing down the seal around Traumet, the King of Demons, Asmodeus, had appeared and order her to stop and any order from her master was one she could never go against. So she had to find another way around those seals since the direct approach wouldn't work.
After Haru finished his report, Ivelda smiled and replied, "Very impressive Haru. You've done well. Now, I am going to need for you to go up to my throne room. I want to reward you with my special drink. I still need to check on Alcinder so it'll take me a few minutes to get there."
Haru wasn't happy about this, but nodded. After escorting the queen to the door, he followed her out. Locking the door, she headed towards the dungeons while he headed for the throne room.
Once in the dungeon, Ivelda found Alcinder in his special 'interrogation room'. The state of the room didn't bother her for she pretty much raised Alcinder to be as sadistic as possible. Out of all the princes, he certain had the most drastic change, attitude wise. Seeing what he was doing, Ivelda looked at the female in the room. Even with all the injuries, she could see the young woman was once very pretty. She turned to the white hair man.
"I sure hope this wasn't the maiden you intended for me to have for my own purposes, Alcinder. You know I like them as pure as possible." she commented casually.
Iris was over the moon in having completed her mission successfully. She wasted no time in getting back home and all but burst into the Queen's throne room.
"You're Majesty! I know what Ivelda is using!" the fairy said as she flew in and transformed into her 'human size'.
Eowyn smiled and giggled at the fairy's enthusiasm.
"Tell me Iris."
The fairy did so and Eowyn sighed in relief.
"Well done Iris. It's a relief to know Ivelda didn't make anything too complicated."
"Might I ask why you wanted to know this your majesty?" Iris asked.
"I needed to know what they were so we can create an antidote. Even if and when Lilith returns with the princesses, they won't have the means to break Ivelda's hold over the princes on their own. We can at least give them the means to do that. Luckily I am familiar with the antidote that can break it, but unlike Ivelda's "loyalty potion", this will take time. Thank you Iris, you are dismissed for now."
Iris, excited of the prospect the princes' spell being broken, bowed and left. It was only a matter of time.