It was as if time had taken a hollering leap at the vulnerability of Lucius and his troop. As though everything they had known and unknown of were going against them with great might.
They thought letting the matter of finding Fina for a few days would be better, knowing Alder would not be going for her anytime soon. Alder was supposed to be gaining enough strength to be able to host the rites he wished to.
Without enough abilities, he was incapable of performing any kind of ritual then how come he was suddenly performing the rites.
“There is something that does not feel right.” Orla expressed as the small assembly of members assumed their seats yet again.
“As though the ritual was either an entrap or –“ Lucius gritted out in a low dangerous tone while Madonna finished what he was saying. “- Or he is concocting to use Orla by the time of dark moon night.”
At Madonna’s words Orla raised her fairly trimmed eyebrow with a scoff sending her way.
“You are aware of the fact that it was nearly unfeasible to use Orla or her powers against her will.” Varnor Demon probed as he rubbed her chin in a thoughtful manner.
Was Alder that confident that Orla would help and support him in his madness?
Does he trust her to that extent?
Not a person sitting in the small assembly could believe Alder has such blind belief on Orla. There has to be something.
There was certainly something.
“It is not unless he has enough energy can he cope with the power he could get from Fina’s blood and evidently Alder does not have that energy. If he was putting all his bet on Lady Orla’s support, then he would have already mentioned of his intensions to her by now.” Lord Xander mulled out loudly as he was trying to see the whole portrait of the strategy.
Lucius watched the Lord as he nodded to him in a gesture to continue what he was thinking. Every person of the meeting are thinking of the same story.
Orla and Madonna exchanged a brief look sighing over the whole disoriented situation. It was just few days ago that they were so convinced of elimination Alder and anyone related to him, however the tables has turned in just a little time.
“It is not the Alder in person that is thorny to us anymore. Even though he gains his powers back somehow, he was still an easy prey.” Lord Xander paused over his mulling as he turned to Lucius with a inquisitive gaze, “Lord Lucius, I might be very much wrong on the possibility but a thought crossed my mind.” He said suddenly turning to the other as his gaze stayed on Orla for a long moment.
“It might also be that Alder was not trying to gain the power for himself but for someone else?” Lord Xander’s words knocked the air out of Madonna and Orla as they right on caught what he meant by his suggestion.
Goodness, that was a faraway possibility but it was rather a great theory to think upon.
To be truthful, Alder did get this thought previously but brushed it off as he knew Alder trusted no one other than himself. He could not be possible giving everything to some other person while he sit in a calm manner.
That was not possible.
“How would it be fruitful to him and who would he give it to if what you are thinking is right?” Lucius inquired as he got intrigued by what Lord Xander might be thinking.
“Lady Orla.” Lord Xander announced as he fixed his eyes on the older looking witch. He has his doubts on his theory however he wanted to see how Alder might be thinking at the moment.
“Alder knew he could not hold all the powers by himself and that was the purpose why he chose to stow his powers in variety of people. I am quite consumed on thinking that Alder was in thoughts of performing the rituals for Lady Orla.” Lord Xander started giving the other a hint of his idea.
He might be wrong on his theory but every other member in the assembly knew there was good possibility of what Lord Xander might be talking of.
The Emor kin could slowly see the portrait Lord Xander was trying to show although Varnor Demon was still in his doubts.
“Let us say he did so and he was truly making Lady Orla the powerful person, he still could not be on the top of hierarchy as Lady Orla was on the same chapter as us.” This was all getting too much of complex as the Demon King got his thought through the others.
The Emor kin were all quit over the whole talk as they could not put their finger on where the feeling of wrong coming from.
They know both Lord Xander and Varnor Demon were right on their own stand. If Alder knew he could hold the power that came with the ritual, then why was he so blind on the rites?
If he was to put the powers he gained in variety of sources again, wouldn’t it be too easy of a task to kill him whatsoever?
Powerful or not, Alder was helpless and Orla made certain of it. Then how was it going to help Alder?
“If I was to gain the power from the ritual, then even the army could not do me harm. I would be indeed indestructible. I am scared Alder may not trust me to that height.” Orla shook her head as a swish of foul intuition hit her and her intuitions were mostly right.
“Orla, it would be good if you keep your affection for Alder in place and charm him. He might tell you about his plan or he might even hint you if he as much as believed you a little. We just have a fortnight to prepare before the dark moon ritual.” Madonna suggested as Orla nodded her head in agreement and looked over the other members to see what they might do in the fortnight’s time.
They have to use the time properly before horror struck them.
“Madonna is good with people so leave the task of making alliance with her. She would do it in rather quick pace. While Lord Xander, Lucius and Your highness, single the army members and have them eliminated by their own clan. While Madonna make the alliance, you men can eliminate the army one after the other with the help of the clan they came from.”
The others agreed with Orla’s suggestion and went on their way to stay their respective tasks before it was too late.
While Orla, Madonna and the men were concerned of Alder’s intentions behind the sudden dark moon ritual, Alder was having relaxing time by enjoying the cool night with ale.
He was alone in his study chamber sitting on his throne like chair. He leaned back on the chair and hummed a tune to himself as he enjoyed the drink.
Alder did not have the magic in his hands but his mind can still perform it. He laughed gleeful as everything he had desired for was getting on the path he wished for.
His unknown foe of whom Orla had told him would not be expecting what he shall be doing on the Dark moon ritual.
He trusted Orla albeit not completely. If what she had said of an unknown foe who was making every living attempt to take him down was right, then he could tell Orla was trustworthy as he was indeed stripped off his magic by someone anonymous.
Everything Orla said to him fit well in the puzzle but he learnt well from his past experiences to never be a blind believer and that was why he was hosting the ritual.
Not even the anonymous foe of his could take a guess what he would be doing on the dark moon night.
All that stands in his way was his lack of knowledge on his rival. It was one thing if the rival was powerful than him and it was another when you have no knowledge of whom you are fighting.
Alder has absolutely no knowledge on this rival of his which was a greatest shortcoming for him. He shall be focusing on getting his hands on his rival before the ritual to make certain his preparation were eventful with no obstacles in between.
“If I could not have the tremendous energy from the ritual, then I shall make certain the energy stays in my hands whatsoever.” He smiled to himself brushing his grey hair in a youthful manner as the pleasant feeling of victory gushed through him.
“One who does not have it shall have it. One who can never have it shall have it through the other. One who has it shall have it for the other.” Alder quoted as he laughed loudly to himself.
Oh, how he was joyful for playing his piece in an unforeseen manner.
~*~*~*~*~*~