Chapter 21: Chapter 21: The Somnium
Emily Harper never ever screamed. She was too cool for that.
But, she was screaming and screaming. The maids rushed in, their faces filled with horror.
"My God, is the Queen dead?" A young maid blurted, and was quickly hushed.
Honestly, Emily Harper did not know. The Queen was completely well yesterday when she left her. Now, she saw Queen Mia, lying on her bed, her eyes wide open, but as lifeless as goldfish, as pale as death. There were scratched marks on her hands and legs.
The royal physicians were quickly summoned and they quickly realised that though the Queen was still breathing and her heart was still fluttering, but she was barely conscious. Her eyes were open but not perceiving. She was not receptive to any stimulus; she was almost as good as dead. They were bewildered. They could not find evidence of poisoning. It was the strangest thing.
Out of desperation, Clement Flynn also came and saw the Queen. He was not a royal physician and would have no business in this but they were out of their wits.
Emily was wringing her hands. The moment Clement lifted his head and made eye contact, she quickly asked, "How is the Queen?"
Clement shook his head and gestured that she remained quiet.
He was met with the rest of the suitors who eagerly waited for his assessment of the Queen's condition.
"She is still alive," Clement sighed.
"Then why are you sighing?" Peter asked. Anxiety was written all over his face.
"This is very very dark magic." Clement shook his head. "I have had the misfortune to see it once before and I would never forget."
"Will she die?" Russell blurted. Darren, who was standing next to him, looked like he was going to cry. To be honest, if not for the hint of a small breath she was still drawing in, she did look like she had given up her life.
"If she stays in Somnium long enough, she may."
"What's Somnium?" Darren asked.
"I am by training a healer, a physician, not a man of magic but of herbs. But I have seen things. A person who has been entrapped in Somnium, is like having a soul imprisoned in a nightmare. Her eyes are wide open, and fresh scars and scratches are appearing on her, with each passing moment. What happens in Somnium, will show on her body as well. If she dies in it, her soul will perish too. It is very dark magic."
Peter paced up and down. His dark eyes focussed. His voice was suddenly cold. "Dark magic. Do you think it is the work of Zachariah, the Lord of Zapareth?"
"I cannot think of anybody else who would have such prowess. It is very difficult to conjure." Clement sighed again.
Gale Forest has been very quiet, his eyes downcast, looking at the Queen's direction.
"I know how to go to the Somnium. I will try to bring her back. Meanwhile, in case I fail, somebody needs to hunt down Zachariah. The moment he releases her from his mind, the Somnium curse will fall apart. If not, if her soul lingers in Somnium for too long, she would not be able to depart from it and will be trapped forever." For the first time, Gale spoke.
"I will go," Peter said. "I will hunt him down. I will squeeze him by my hand and force him to release the Queen." There was a darkness within his voice.
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