Chapter 87 Blood ritual
Lucien glanced at the numerous papers before him.
The surgery has gone well, and he was back in his bed, recuperating. Just outside the tent, he could hear the men training, with different grunts.
Konstatin had successfully cut off Damien’s supply and he knew it was only a matter of time before Damien figured it out and came for them.
His mind wandered to the conversation between all four of them. “You had your men kill all of them?” Olivia had asked in horror.
Konstatin had shrugged. “Better to be safe than sorry. Gives us ample time to prepare for the push back.”
He shook his head, forcing himself to concentrate. Seth's spies had been working overtime and had gathered different pieces of information, all embedded on the scrolls.
Lucien sighed as he took a sip of water. His eyes travelled to Sam stationed by his door, before going back to the documents in his hands.
He grunted as he helped himself up, his brows furrowing.
The first sheet of paper held the name of a man. The second one was of a recent activity going on in the palace’s old ritual chambers.
Something was going on in the palace. A sense of foreboding enveloped Lucien as he studied the report in his hands.
It hadn't seemed interesting and he'd wanted to just glance through it before returning it. But this was more than the regular updates sent to him. There was something more.
Specialised ingredients were being sourced for the ritual. Scarce ingredients that could only be found in the deep parts of the forest were being gathered.
His brows furrowed as he glanced at the scholar. The man seemed strangely familiar. Lucien ignored the pain in his thighs as he stared at the picture of the man the spies had provided.
Then it hit him. The man before him was one of the oldest men in the Eastern provinces. And he wasn't just the oldest. He was also a knowledgeable doctor, versed in spirituality and Compact laws.
He'd been rumoured to have suddenly appeared in one of the towns in the Eastern provinces with no clear trace to his background and family.
Almost a century later, he was still alive, surrounded by no children and mates and had refused to take in students to share his knowledge.
Now, he was in the palace. The same man who had refused Lucien's invitation countless times.
Lucien massaged his chin. He could feel his head about to explode from the information he was assimilating all at once.
Lucien placed the papers all on the table as he laid them all down studying them. Damien’s eyes widened as a name flashed in his eyes.
The Guatemalas.
His fingers clenched as he hissed loudly. He rushed up, walking up to a stack of books.
The name seemed familiar. He passed through the books, his eyes skipping the words.
His eyes caught it before he could turn over to the next page.
There it was.
The name sat in the centre of the book, glinting in the sun.
The Guatemalas.
They were an old faction that had gone into extinction. But now, he was seeing their names on the report.
“Is everything okay, Your Majesty?” Sam asked, sensing the turmoil going on.
Lucien nodded, as he shuffled the papers before returning to his seat.
He pooled all the papers together as he studied them.
The old spiritual doctor had been clinched by the Guatemalans. The Guantemalas had been sent out of the kingdom thousands of years ago and only less than 10 of them were left in the world.
Or so he had thought.
But he was wrong. They were all over the Capitol and worse were active.
They'd originally been part of the Royal household but the plans they had had were different from what the original kingdom had planned.
Their doctrine was that the original compact of the kingdom be written in bloodline law. A doctrine that the rest of the kingdom deemed offensive.
But it had not ended there. They picked certain bloodlines, groomed them and changed blood where necessary before extracting the blood for safety, leaving those people whom they had groomed to be left for dead.
They had been successful, carrying on for generations until the rest of the kingdom decided that they'd had enough. An uprising had begun, years and centuries of battles before they had been flushed out.
Lucien exhaled, shutting his eyes. He'd been forced to learn the history from his royal teacher and as more came to him, a deep pit formed in his stomach.
This was worse. Worse than he had thought or even imagined.
He opened his eyes, standing up to return the papers before focusing his attention back to the reports before him.
The pain in his thigh was momentarily forgotten as he battled with an incoming headache.
“Sir?” Sam’s voice was laced with concern. “You look like you're about to pass out.”
Lucien chuckled softly, despite himself. “Passing out would be a lot better than what's about to happen, Sam. We all may be wiped out soon.”
A look of alarm crossed Sam's face. “Do I need to call the generals?” He made for the door, his eyes set on Lucien's face.
Lucien shook his head as he returned to his seat. “Nah, at least not yet. I need you to look at it with me. I could be hallucinating to say the least. Maya had said so.”
He walked back to his seat, with Sam following him sceptically.
He shoved the papers to the other side, motioning for Sam to pick them up. “Go through it and tell me what you see.”
Having said that, he leaned into the chair, shutting his eyes as his mind ran, looking for possible solutions to avert the danger that was looming.
“This…” Sam trailed. “Basically speaks of rituals and a strange doctor.” His voice sounded unsure.
Lucien nodded in encouragement. “That's not all. I need you to look deeper and tell me what you see.”
Sam hesitated before returning his attento the paper before him. “It says here about turning some bloodline and succession rule.”
Lucien nodded, opening his eyes as he sat up. “I've been carrying out some research in my free time.” He reached for a stack of papers beneath his drawer, opening the lock before handing the papers out to Sam.”
He sighed. “These were all based on a premonition and I had to do it because I wanted to know what I was getting into.”
Sam bobbed his head, his attention fixed on Lucien. He listened, afraid of being distracted. Being distracted could make him miss out on something important and as it seemed, it was all too big for him to understand.
“These are all genealogical research on the Lady?” He asked, his eyes scanning through the paper, after Lucien was done with his speech.
Lucien grunted. “Started right after the framing. From Harlan and the rest.” He looked down. “I wanted to be able to protect and defend her when the need arose.”
“You've been doing an excellent job of it so far, My Lord.”
Lucien winced. “I don't need you to patronise me, Sam.” He shook his head. “This report is the start of so many things. Things that could change the entire kingdom and set us centuries behind.”
“The bloodline?” Sam asked, hesitating as he glanced back at the report. His eyes widened as he came to the realisation.
Lucien winced. “This is not just a mere ritual. These people are about to make a comeback.”
“Which people?” Sam asked confused. “Damien is fighting to be king…” he trailed.
Lucien shook his head. “This is bigger than Damien. This is for the Guatemalas.”
“Your Majesty.” Sam lowered his voice, a hostile expression suddenly forming on his face.
“That's a name we're not supposed to mention.” He whispered, looking around.
Lucien nodded. “I know that, Sam.” His voice was tight. “You don't think I do?”
Sam bowed his head in remorse. “I'm sorry, I just…” He looked down.
Lucien looked away. “They are behind this. They are coming back and will wipe all of us away. Every one of us.” He repeated.
Sam swallowed, falling to his knees. “Give me the word, Your Majesty. Say the command.”
A shadow crossed Lucien's eyes. “Get me the generals. We should inform them. They deserve a right to know.”
Sam nodded, standing up almost immediately as he walked to the door.
His hands paused on the doorknob as he turned back to face Lucien. “Your Majesty?” He whispered, drawing Lucien's attention.
“Hmm?” Lucien grunted, taking his attention from the report as he turned back to Sam.
“The Lady?” Sam muttered, afraid of completing the question.
Lucien swallowed, an encouraging smile appearing on his lips. “She will be fine. At least for now. Which is why we must act fast.”
Sam nodded and without a word, closed the door behind him, a determined expression on his face.