Chapter 19 — The Last Seal
Joseph followed Lucifer down the great hallways; and down two staircases, eventually stopping at the dimly lit entryway to the library in the west wing, one of the many libraries in the castle. Ancient occult books lined the walls, from floor to ceiling. Two paneled walls in dark wood held wall sconces that lit the room. Flames from an enormous fireplace warmed the room. He could feel the tension in the air when he walked into the room, and felt intimidated by Wizard’s scathing blue eyes and Damien’s scowl. Joseph did not know what he might have done. Wizard treated him well, though not as good as the royals.
Wizard was in a foul mood. Today, he discovered the monks had placed a protective seal on the girl’s heart that he could not break. Wizard sat at the head of the long wooden table, waving his wand as sparks flew about erratically in the air. He tapped the table with his wand to show where Joseph was to sit—opposite Damien. Lucifer pulled out a chair and sat next to him. Hemmed in by the most powerful evil doers in the universe, Joseph sat with a pensive expression.
Wizard pointed a gnarled finger at Joseph. “A monk who delves in the dark can be dangerous. Wasn’t it enough that I placed the Seal of the Blushing Rose upon her to preserve her innocence? Why did you deem it necessary to place another seal around her heart?”
Joseph laced his fingers together in front of him. “The monks placed the seal to protect her heart.”
Damien’s dark eyes flashed. “Speak the truth. You placed the seal to keep Stephanie from finding true love. Only a desperate man would place a seal around his daughter’s heart.”
Joseph stared straight ahead. He dared not speak the truth. The monks had placed the protective seal so that she would never love Damien—or any man of the Dark.
“You’re foolish to believe you can win against me,” Wizard tittered. “I am the most powerful wizard in all the kingdoms.” He levitated above the table and floated directly in front of Joseph. “To counter the seal, I will take away Stephanie’s memories.”
Joseph’s face dropped. She would be a shell of a woman without memories. The room permeated in tense silence as they awaited Joseph’s answer. Finally, he spoke, his voice barely audible. “I beg of you, Wizard, do not take her memories. What is a heart without memories?”
Wizard stroked his white beard, and his blue eyes grew dark, enraptured with the evil thought. “A heart without memories is an empty soul. Like a dead man walking.”
Lucifer spoke up. “Unless your heart is black—like mine. And then a memory means nothing at all.”
Wizard’s mood changed, and his blue eyes twinkled, as he sought to gain the answers through trickery and bribery. “I’m a master at solving puzzles, Joseph, but I must admit—this seal has stumped me. Tell me how to break the seal, and I will reward you with a bag of gold, and a feast fit for a king tonight.”
Joseph sat straight, clutching a rosary in the pocket of his robe to give him strength. “I’m sorry. My memory does not serve me well.”
Wizard waved his wand, and a Golden Chalice appeared out of thin air.
“You leave me no choice, Joseph. If you cannot remember how to break the seal, Stephanie must drink tainted wine from the Golden Chalice. At the wedding, she will drink wine made from grapes laced with bitters from the tongues of a rare species of frogs. The Golden Chalice shall be blessed one thousand times, and after she drinks the tainted wine, she will lose all memory of her life on earth.”
“Who is to place the blessings on the Golden Chalice?” Joseph asked.
“The one who is most opposed to the marriage,” Wizard hissed. “You, Joseph, will place the blessings as punishment for placing the seal around your daughter’s heart.”
Joseph’s yellow eyes roved in the black space, and the tone of his voice grew loud and nervous, “I cannot break the seal. It was placed by thirty monks. It’s very powerful.”
“You’re lying,” Damien yelled, his voice thundering throughout the castle. “You will tell us now, or I will cast you into the dungeon, and you will never see your daughter again.”
Joseph lifted his head, his roving yellow eyes directed at Damien. “Steel bars cannot hold me. My spirit is greater than cold steel. Do you not understand that I can see my daughter whenever I want? “
“Are you mocking me, Joseph?” Damien asked, his dark eyes ablaze with anger.
“I do not mock you, Sire,” Joseph said. “I speak the truth.”
Damien stood, pointed his finger at Joseph, and looked towards the guards. “Seize him. Throw him in the dungeon. He shall have no straw for a bed, and will sleep on the cold stone floor. Give him nothing but bread and water. When he grows too weak to resist, the rats will gnaw on him, and when he is nothing but skin and bones, take him to the forest, and leave him for the wolves to devour.”
The guards strode towards him, as they were about to grab him, Joseph whirled. It was cyclonic as he disappeared in a gray puff of smoke.
Suddenly, the Golden Chalice rose and crashed against the fireplace. The booming sound echoed throughout the castle, but the chalice was unbroken.
A hush filled the room.
Wizard stared at the smoke as it rose to the high ceiling. “The monk delves in the dark,” he said, squinting his crooked nose with disdain. “His magic is powerful.”
“Parlor games,” Damien scoffed. “It doesn’t matter. Raven has placed the black ribbons. The girl’s heart will be filled with doubt.” He smiled wickedly. “Doubt is the destroyer of dreams. She will not love the mortal, and when I bring her here, she will be as white as a new fallen snow.”
“This is not a fairytale, my brother,” Lucifer said in a thundering voice. “There are three earthlings all vying for her hand. And though they are not as handsome and charming as we are—her head has been turned. I assure you; a black magical ribbon will not deter them.”
Lucifer, holding himself tall, walked with a swagger toward Damien. His dark eyes flashed as he drew his sword. “You are not powerful enough for the girl. I challenge you to a duel. The best man gets the fair maiden.”
“I accept the challenge,” Damien said, a smile curling at his lips as he drew his sword. “We have not dueled for many months. I think I shall win this time because there is no sand for you to kick in my face.”
Wizard levitated between the two. “Two brothers fighting. I won’t allow it.”
Lucifer scoffed. “This is between my brother and I. Try to stop us, Wizard.”
Wizard’s eyes blazed red in anger as he sent both swords flying. They rose and crossed, forming the letter X. A sign that meant a crossroads. Then the swords crashed into the stone fireplace, sending an echo throughout the castle.
“There will be no more warring against brothers,” Wizard commanded.
Lucifer stormed out of the room. He was not finished. He sent his demons to summon Ochre Eyes to his castle in the dark forest where he conducted magic and rituals.
“It was wrong to show Wizard your powers,” Lucifer chastised, as he stared into the black vacant space in the hooded robe—the large ochre eyes stared back without emotion.
“They were going to throw me in the dungeon—kill me,” Joseph said. “I had to do it.”
“What’s done is done. I will speak to Wizard on your behalf. It is important that you place the Thousand Blessings on the Golden Chalice.”
“Why? I don’t want to bless a chalice that’s sole intent is to harm my daughter.”
“It’s important that the Golden Chalice be protected. Damien has many wenches. I’m sure one will attempt to poison the Golden Chalice. It must be locked up, and in your care. I will go to Wizard and tell him you have had a change of heart. I’ve bestowed many powers on you, Wizard, and now you must tell me about the seal. What is the seal that you’ve placed on Stephanie’s heart? I promise you. I will not reveal your secrets to Wizard.”
Joseph fidgeted with the tie on his brown robe. “They’re prayers. That’s all.”
“Prayers are words, and words are powerful? Don’t play games with me,” Lucifer said, his voice rising. “Were the words magical rites from The Greater Key of Solomon? Did you use symbols?”
“There were thirty monks—all praying. How could I know what each monk was praying? It was the last seal we placed before she left the monastery.”
Lucifer looked pensive. “Try very hard to remember. We will talk again tomorrow. You are under my protection. You will be safe here until I can persuade Wizard to allow you back into Ludwig Castle. I will have my servants bring you food and water.”
A servant led Joseph to his room, though he kept looking over his shoulder, trusting no one.
Lucifer’s mouth curled into a smile. He had the only person who could break the seal in his possession. And now he must go to Wizard and convince him that Joseph should be forgiven. A horrible thought crossed his mind. Joseph was a holy man. There were books on the occult in that old monastery, and he had studied them for years. Joseph could be more powerful than he’d believed. And then the dreaded thought came into his mind—the girl could have inherited her father’s powers. She could be dangerous.