Curses are such ancient spells that very few individuals still know how to use them. However, like any real danger, it must be studied and prevented. Like all types of magic, curses were studied by scholars until they discovered how to prevent something that, In the past, was considered “unstoppable”.

Let’s start with a lesson about how the curses work. First of all […]

That being said, we can analyze the actions that must be taken at the moment the curse is said. Like I said before, in order to work, the curse must be cast in the presence of the creature to be cursed or in the presence of the master of a creature that has no reason to perceive the curse on its own.

To this day, there are two known ways to avoid the effects of a curse: 1. The cursed creature must protect itself with magical barriers around its magical core. 2. The cursed creature – or its master, if the curse is performed in its presence – must deny the curse before the entities, invoking “faith” in equal intensity and at the same time that the curse is evoked. If both these protections fail – either because of the lack of magical protection or because the lack of “faith” allowed the curse to become “true” – the curse is unstoppable.

As magicians, we will not study the second method in depth, since it is not our way to cultivate “faith” or such tribal beliefs. The second method is unstable and I cannot vouch for its integrity. I will guide you to learn how to take real, verified methods of precaution, which are the essence of every magician.

Armenvald of Fibo – Magic Notes

*

The items requested by Nafaester were collected by Rinlia and Galaaz. Although they have made a negotiation, the elf would not give the nymph an opportunity to flee before fulfilling her part of the deal. She left her with Yvanna, who could also stay close to Thiago until the antidote was made.

Yvanna and Thiago’s relationship is also something that disturbs the commander. After all, no matter how big friends they are, it is a fact that Yvanna is the Crown Prince’s bride. An engagement formed out of free will. That is why she cannot understand that relationship. Why does Yvanna seem to want to complicate her situation?

The herbs Nafaester asked for were harvested by Galaaz. It was a set of herbs used to make teas – usually prepared to stimulate the stomach. Rinlia was responsible for finding a species of wasp in the vicinities of the place where they battled with the spiders. It was risky to move to that area so early, but it was also the closest location where it was possible to find such insects.

She easily found and killed a dozen wasps in half an hour. She squeezed one by one, taking the poison from their bodies – they had the size of a middle finger – and allocated the poison in a small bottle among her belongings. After that, Rinlia checked to see if she had enough water in her canteen and returned to the glade where the others were waiting for her.

When came the time to prepare the antidote, Rinlia, despite being reluctant, freed Nafaester’s arms. She could not try to prepare the antidote herself and risk compromising the lives she was trying to protect.

Nafaester uses slow movements to prepare the antidote, aware that a sudden movement would be enough to be attacked by the elf. She kneads the herbs together in the right quantities, using small portions of water to produce a paste, then adding the wasp venom and more water until the mixture acquires a viscous substance, liquid enough to be ingested by the unconscious throats.

-The dosage must be doubled for my brother, because of the werewolves’ organism. He will have more resistance to the wasp venom, which will serve to counter the spider venom in his organism.

-It seems like a careless strategy for a medicinal method. – Rinlia feels uncomfortable using a poison to cure another poison.

-It is a primal method, but I wouldn’t know how to cure them with magic. – The nymph speaks calmly, trying to keep the environment under control. After negotiating, her interest is to keep Rinlia attached to the contract and any conflict could turn into an excuse to not honor that.

-I know, but still… – The elf stops, shaking her head. – It doesn’t matter. Just go ahead.

The nymph nods and gets closer to her brother. She knows that she would not be allowed to put poison on the soldiers’ bodies before, first, compromising Gaenar’s health.

She pours nearly half the contents of the flask between the werewolf’s fangs, keeping his nose pointed upwards, allowing the liquid to run down his throat. Then, without wasting time, she repeats the same gesture with the other two. She fears that the delay in administering the medicine will give time to the spiders’ venom cause irreversible damages. That could jeopardize the agreement, and the idea of losing such good opportunity seems more terrible to her by the minute.

For a few seconds, Rinlia stomps her foot and Yvanna turns away from them, wishing not to witness the result, fearing the worst. Galaaz walks slowly behind Nafaester, as if intending to attack her at any sign of problems with the “patients”.

The first to wake up is Gaenar. The werewolf slowly opens his eyes and appears to be bewildered. His vision does not focus on any of those present, and he needs several seconds to orient himself. Tied from head to toe, he tries to move, but falls immediately.

Nafaester makes no move to go near him, aware of what is about to happen. She had even warned everyone in advance to avoid misunderstandings.

And, after a minute, Gaenar starts to vomit all the contents of his stomach. Convulsively, he expels food, drink and other substances mixed in a repulsive goo that is thrown on the grass.

He is in this ritual when Thiago and Arthur wake up.

Both of them go through exactly the same process, albeit with less intensity.

The disgust generated by the scene, however, is overshadowed by the joy of those present, who patiently await the end of the first signs of recovery.

Rinlia, anxious to regain control over the situation, approaches Nafaester. It is evident that the nymph is prepared for a battle, attentive to every movement in the surroundings. This attitude reassures Rinlia, who would think that something was wrong if the nymph was excessively calm.

-Stay with us for a little while. – The elf says, watching Yvanna and Galaaz as they approach the newly awakened people. – We can walk together and take the opportunity to explain the plans to them.

-Do they need to know about the plan? – The nymph seems uncomfortable.

-Yes. And your brother needs to know about it too. After all, we will have to let him go so we can continue. – The nymph nods. – Besides, I don’t want them to do anything rash if they see one of you in Fiandel in the future. It could create unnecessary problems.

-Do as you see fit. – She points toward the ravine, to the left. – We can move on together for a while, but we will have to be apart soon. The route that my brother and I have to take will pass close to the territory of the Arachnes again and I want to take advantage of the confusion he created. – She points to Arthur. – He has very interesting powers, don’t you think?

Rinlia tries to hide the tension that takes over her body.

-Yes, he has been quite useful.

Nafaester smiles.

-Don’t worry. My plate is full at the moment. I cannot add another intrigue to it. Just be careful. – She lowers her voice. – If I noticed, Nida certainly did it too.

*

-Our queen is busy with matters of the kingdom at the moment. Your message, whatever it may be, can be left with me.

Ohana, like other dryads, is used to dealing with people from other nations. In her life she had fought, negotiated and even made friends among the neighbors of the Great Forest.

However, no matter how much she travels, there was always a type of individual that bothered her to the point of bringing out her most primitive instincts: The arrogant type who, thinking that the forest people are not “civilized”, is used to treat them like some kind of inferior creatures.

Whether as a messenger or a warrior, her desire to punch the smug face of such individuals was always the same.

-Who are you?

-My name is Venedir Raenelsen Julius Phaendeller III. I am Your Majesty’s representative. I’m here to receive all messages to be delivered to the queen.

As someone sent from the Great Forest, Ohana would normally be received with more attention. It is not every day that the Oracle sends messages to her neighbors. The lack of importance given to her arrival is a sign that more urgent matters are happening in Vivre.

“But that is none of my business.” She thinks. Unless it was something that could help the Forest, she had no interest in getting involved.

The dryad delivered the message without much ado. After understanding that she was talking about the arrival of the boy from the prophecy, Venedir finally decided to dedicate more attention and respect to her, which did not affect the dryad way of speaking (or acting).

After making sure that the “representative” would pass the message on to the monarchs and after obtaining a document signed by him that he would deliver her message, Ohana got away from the castle and went to the seaport.

Although it was close to the end of the day, she managed to get enough information about the ships that were going to leave in the next days. Unfortunately, there was only one available ship that could take her to the other continent: A hunting ship. Other than that, was also a ship with representatives from different kingdoms that would make the same route in a few days. However, the boarding fee was too high and the amount of coins provided by the Great Forest would not be enough to pay for her return.

-In the kingdom with the largest circulation of commercial ships in the world, did I have to be here just after everyone left?

She gets angry in her room, talking to herself as she opens the windows in the inn, allowing the night wind to freely circulate.

-If I wasn’t in such a hurry to go back home…

She looks at the stars, sighing slowly. For a dryad, participating in hunting events is something quite common. However, the ship she would need to embark was not going to hunt for food. The objective was to hunt animals that could supply oil for lamps, for household chores and for the production of alchemical elements. They would hunt aquatic creatures to gather materials to make life easier, not to survive.

And, for a dryad, this is the same as recreational hunting: Something unacceptable.

She was sure that it would be one very unpleasant trip.

The only thing that comforts the young dryad is the thought that, at least, her sister would not have to deal with that job. After all, the time on the ship could be unpleasant, but it could not be compared to the place she would go after disembarking.

*

Aetna burst through the castle’s corridors in a race that scares everyone she passes on the way. With an intense look on her face, she uses the power of her magic to propel her body forward. Her run, in fact, is almost a flight driven by the force of the wind.

She left Orlov behind. After a moment’s hesitation, she immediately left the prison cell. Right now, nothing else matters. Her image before the nobles who walk around the castle and see her despair have no importance. The prisoner who said the curse does not carry an ounce of importance. Her husband is also far from important right now.

Only one creature matters. Only one individual from that entire castle matters, and he can only be found at the final destination of that desperate race.

Aetna realizes something is wrong even before reaching the child’s room. At that distance, she was able to feel the energy coming from the bodies of the caregivers and the cleaning staff. The guard responsible for guarding the entrance was not positioned at the door, but inside the room.

The large doors of the room were opened with a bang, in a careless movement by the Queen, startling those inside. The soldier, astonished, looks at the gleaming figure of the Queen who, desperately, enters the room without being able to control the magic in her own body, emanating it in all directions.

-Where is he? Where is my son?!

-Your Majesty, we don’t know what happened. He was fine just a few minutes ago and-

-WHERE IS MY SON?!

The soldier is on the verge of tears, fearing her reaction. With a trembling hand, he points to the royal cradle, next to which is a caregiver who, unable to reach out to the little baby, falls sitting on the floor next to it.

The queen approaches, quickly, with her dress brushing the floor. She feels the weakness that wants to affect her legs. Some remnants of hope carry her towards the cradle.

Her son. The only child she could bear from her womb, for that is the burden of the enchanted race. The reason they are strong, but not numerous.

That little angel who had come to save her life after the time of battles, allowing her to feel joy in the time of peace. The light sent to her life to accompany her in this world of pain and trials.

Engill. The most beautiful baby in the continent. The one with the best smile. The healthier. The friendlier.

-Where is my little angel? – She asks with a shaky voice, feeling the tears that want to run down her face, placing both hands inside the crib.

The magic that is expelled by her body emanates a light that blinds everyone. Those who followed the queen – the king, the members of the court and the guards who were alerted by the confusion – are standing at the door, trying to see what is going on inside, but their eyes are unable to distinguish anything.

The queen struggles to overcome the hesitation that almost makes her turn around and run, escaping from reality.

But there is not escape. The reality is in front of her. And it is inevitable.

-Engill…

That is the only word spoken by the queen’s trembling lips. The only call made by the woman who falls to her knees beside the golden cradle.

One look is enough. One second is enough. Lying on the sheet is the small body of the greatest treasure in the life of the Great Queen Aetna. His eyes are closed and tears marked his cheeks, certainly produced in the last moments of his life, when he felt the arrival of his premature death.

On the cradle is a faint, lifeless body. The same body that once gave meaning to every gesture of the day and to every decision made by the Queen of Vivre.

-Engill…

The magic that emanated from Aetna’s body fade, allowing the king, the members of the court and the soldiers to see the Queen on her knees, weeping, beside the cradle of her dead son. Aetna, the greatest living magician, runs her hands over her head in despair. She pulls out her curly, dark hair. She scratches the face of dark complexion and compresses the almond-shaped eyes. She swings her body and dress, saying:

-Engill… Engill…

She calls, but it is in vain.

The others do not move, paralyzed by the scene in front of them.

The silence that covers the castle that night would only be interrupted by the desperate screams of a mother who mourns the death of her son.

And, just like that, two lives are prematurely ended in the royal castle, in the heart of the kingdom of Vivre.

*

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