Aunt Zolona and Travis stared at me worriedly as doctor Maryland sat at my bedside checking me over. For whatever reason I was sick. High unbreaking fevers, hot and cold flashes, body too weak to move or do anything, stomach too upset to keep anything down. But the two reasons everyone was worried was one- I was their future King and two- I was hacking up oily black blood.

Maryland frowned as she withdrew her glowing hand, her gemstones returning to normal.

“I don’t know. I’ve never seen anything like this before.” She turned to Travis. “Have you?”

He shook his head but my aunt spoke up.

“I saw this once.”

That caught everyone’s attention but mainly Travis’s.

“Where? What Kingdom?” He demanded.

“Calm yourself.” She said coming to my side. She looked me over nodding at whatever she was confirming for herself. “It was a small tribe by the Sea of Mist but that was years ago. I don’t know if their still there….”

Travis looked at her and it was a look of question. “What was the… conclusion of the illness?” He asked.

Aunt Zolona ducked her head with a small shake.

“Then we don’t have a second to lose. I’ll send Scholar Gen to fetch it-”

“You won’t go yourself?” Zolona asked.

“No it’s too risky to leave him like this. Other then myself only doctor Maryland comes close to my knowledge.”

“And as you can see I have nothing for this, I’m sorry my King.”

I gave her a small smile but ended up coughing.

Travis frowned. “So I’ll send Gen, though the fastest way is through the mountains... but with the Draytora's….”

“True but it’s the fastest way.” Doctor Maryland said standing. “Oh! Headmaster what about that one individual?”

“Hmm?”

“The one that recently moved here that used to live in the mountains.”

Lived in the mountains? But that was… impossible. Right? It was the only place that the Draytora lived year around. It was suicide.

“Oh him. I believe his name was Eren. Yes he would be a good choice. I'll have him summoned.”

I waved my hand weakly to gain his attention and he stopped coming to my side. “Yes?”

“Don’t leave…”

He patted my hand. “I’ll return shortly, your guards will stay with you, don't worry.” He gave my hand another pat stepping back allowing both Cast and Simon to take his place. “Come and get me or doctor Maryland if he gets worse.”

Travis and Maryland left letting aunt Zolona to come to my side. She kissed the space above my head. “I’ll send you some tea later, it should be gentle enough for your throat and stomach. How does that sound?”

I nodded. Some tea sounded good. Smiling aunt Zolona turned and left.

“How are you feeling, Maki?” Cast asked.

I shook my head with another wet cough.

Simon wet a cloth and placed it on my forehead. “In all the years- no ever since we were chosen to watch you and the four years before we were, I’ve never seen you sick. Hurt from doing something stupid sure but never sick.”

Cast nodded. “True I wonder what brought this on?”

“Probably from him overworking himself.”

“Simon!” Cast gasped.

“What? You can’t not think that. No offence Maki but you never worked this hard before. And now you rarely sleep, you're wearing yourself thin- thinner than just a couple late nights reading. You're doing everything and not taking breaks.” Simon crossed his arms looking like he was close to tears.

And with a start I realized why. His little sister who was a Shell died when she caught some weird cold. Travis and the other Scholars did everything they could but one morning she just didn’t wake up and it was later found that she had one of the rarest illnesses. Lurraians had a sickness that made their gemstones grow till they encased the body completely. The reason no one thought she had it was it was the first time a Shell showed signs of this rare illness not to mention it turned her insides to stone. And Simon who had been a Knight back then was out on a four week mission on our southern border dealing with pirates. He hadn’t wanted to go but mother insisted because of his leadership skills. By the time he returned, she had already passed.

I raised my arms and gripped his shirt sleeve tugging. He turned and came closer to me. “I’m s-sorwy.”

He shook his head and patted my hand. “I-I’ll stand guard outside for a little while. Cast?”

Cast dipped his head and Simon left too.

“Don’t worry he just needs to clear his head.” He said looking after Simon. “Sleep, I’ll wake you when Lady Zolona sends her tea, alright?”

If only getting to sleep was that easy. Nodding to him I closed my eyes and was immediately asleep.

“Maki?”

I rolled over to see Cast with something in his hand and Simon holding my tea.

“Travis brought you some medicinal herbs he believes will help.”

Simon handed me the cup when I sat up. I took a sip. The bitter yet sweet taste did indeed make me feel better.

“Maki….” Simon said his words trailed off.

I tilted my head, raising my brow in question.

“This might just be me overthinking but I just saw Glase-”

“Wait in the hall?” Cast questioned.

Simon nodded.

That caught my attention. Glase was a knight of the Earth Gate, what was he doing in the castle? Was there an emergency?

“What time is it?” I croaked.

“Almost the third Moon’s time.”

I frowned. “He shouldn’t be here….”

“That’s what I thought and called him. He turned to me blankly like he didn’t know who I was then he dipped his head, apologized and left. And…”

I waved him on.

“I don’t want to sound paranoid but this isn’t the first time either. I just overlooked it.”

I turned to Cast. He shook his head.

“I haven’t noticed anything but that doesn't mean there isn’t something going on. Simon was always more attentive then me.” He crossed one arm over his chest. “I promise I’ll look out for these.”

Nodding I looked back to Simon. “When did this start?”

He thought for a moment. “The week after… Lady Zolona came.” He said uncomfortably.

Could that be a coincidence? Or something more?

“Both of you if you see anything tell me and Simon go in per-” A wet cough had me gasping and gripping my shirt my tea was taken as Cast rubbed my back when the fit was over. “Go t-to Travis and tell him.” I gasped.

“I’ll go at once and speak with him.”

“B-be careful.” I rasped.

Dipping his head he left.

Cast and I sat in silence till he whispered. “Not to throw anything out there but do you think this is related to the… attack?”

I whirled on him. “What?”

“I’m just saying it was odd how the attack happened and then how easily they left after the Queen…. I’m only pointing it out because what other things aren’t we seeing? I mean with you like this it’s the best time to act.” He paused, bowing his head. “Sorry this got dark.”

Shaking my head. “No you have a point we have been very lax since the attack- even before the attack, we were never focused on fighting.” I looked down at my empty cup. “Maybe it’s time. I’ll look into it-”

“How about we look into it together when you're better and Simon and I can help?”

Smiling. “Yes together. I should kick whatever this is and we can start.”

But as a few days turned into weeks I began to think I wasn’t going to beat this and neither did anyone else. Travis was always busy as were the other Scholars as they searched for a cure. There wasn’t any word from Scholar Gen and Eren which didn’t help their mood.

Simon was more worried then he was letting on, he and Cast never left me alone they took turns leaving to report to me. Though the things they reported were not ideal.

They told me that more then a few guards as well as a few of the Knights were acting strange. Stationed in the wrong places or just lazing around. And when questioned they would say that Zolona told them to stand there.

Cast mentioned that a few even mumbled rude things under their breath. Things like I wasn’t a true King, not the real heir to the throne. It was off setting and very uncharacteristic of them.

It was Simon that brought the most concerning news and it was that Zolona was speaking with the Council. The Council had uncharastically agreed to whatever they had spoken about- Simon was too far away to hear but it was wrong.

Simon came barging into my room slamming the door shut behind him.

Cast jumped to his feet spear in hand. He blinked startled. “Simon? What’s wrong?”

Simon leaned against the door breathing hard as if he just ran from some far off place. With a deep breath he pushed off the door and straight to my window pulling my curtains closed.

“Simon what’s going on?” I asked now.

He frowned, turning to us. “I was doing my patol by Victor’s and ran into a guy I trained with, he pulled me aside and told me he overheard Zolona speaking with the Knights and Maki it wasn’t good.”

I tried to quickly sit up in bed Cast came and helped me up.

“Simon what did they tell you?”

“Some of the Knights and three guards have given Lady Zolona their allegiance.”

“What! Why?”

“He said they believed she was the rightful ruler. That she has done more for the Kingdom than you-”

“But I’ve been doing things! I even helped with the gate rebuilding and learning how to properly be their King.”

I don’t understand! Did I do something wrong? Did I miss something? Anger someone? And what was aunt Zolona doing that I wasn’t? And why was she even doing all of this?

“Maki?” Cast asked softly. I glanced at him. “That’s not all, I was going to wait till I had more proof but now seems like the best time. The people don’t like Lady Zolona.”

“Why?”

“Some of the mother's say Lady Zolona’s been asking weird questions like how many children lived in the Kingdom and who among them were Shells. It is unsettling a few of them. They’ve stopped letting their children play outside because they're so worried.”

My own family was upsetting the people? Zolona was doing things behind my back and what did she need those answers for anyway?

Enough was enough. I needed to put a stop to this, along with get some answers.

“Maki?” Cast gasped.

Turning to him he pointed at me. I glanced down and saw the mark was once again glowing. It’s been doing this more often too, a glow that pulsated but now it was weaker.

Lifting my gaze to Simon and Cast. “I need your help.” They stood at attention. “I can’t let this mutiny go on. I’ll go see what Zolona has to say for herself. And if I don’t like her answer….” What then?

“No, Maki, you're supposed to be resting. Let one of us go and get her-”

“Thank you but no. I want to confront her head on so she can’t come up with an excuse.”

Cast gave a pleading look to Simon who stared me down.

“If the trip there is too much, tell one of us and we’ll carry you, deal?”

“Fine.” Grabbing my robe I tied it closed and struggled to stand my legs feeling like they were weighed down and yet shaking like a leaf during The Howling Cold.

Cast gave me his hand helping me stand, standing he offered his arm and finding my footing we walked towards my door.

“W-wait I-” I turned but Simon was already handing me the dagger.

He winked and opened the door for us. “My King.”

As we made our way through the not as traveled halls we ran into a bunch of the staff. They all stopped when they saw me and rushed forward with joyous tears. Words of relief and hope rushing to their lips as they each gently took my left hand pressing soft kisses to the rough stone there.

“You're all allowed to go home tonight, okay?” They stared wide eyed then bowed. “No, no there’s no need for that. Just go be with your families and pass it on to the others. Good night.”

They all bowed again and left leaving me with Simon and Cast.

“That was nice of you.” Simon commented as we moved on.

“No I… feel something and don’t want anyone caught in the middle of it.”

I felt their eyes on me but stared straight ahead. “Come on before she sends her nightly tea and notices I’m gone.”

We entered her hall, it was dark and completely unlit, the only light coming from her creaked door. That was weird.

I was about to knock on the cracked open door when I heard aunt Zolona’s voice echoing faintly behind us. Was she in the garden?

We carefully walked down the hall till it opened into the large indoor garden father gifted to mother and Zolona was standing by one of the massive open windows speaking with someone.

I took a weak step forward entering the garden. I opened my mouth, about to call out to her when next to me Cast froze, suddenly yanked me and Simon after him as he hid behind a large bush and listened.

“No, I told you,” She said. “You would have the power to hunt freely throughout the Kingdom. As long as you keep your end of the deal.”

Hunting? BrightEarth had no reason to hunt as we were farmers and dealt in our tea and plant trades. Any hunting was by the other Kingdoms we traded with. Who was she talking to, why did they have to hunt and why here?

We all peeked through the bush to see her backing away from the window.

I focused back on her as a new voice began speaking sending shivers down my spine, it chilled me to the bone.