Princess Of The Skulls - Chapter 10: Chapter 10

The great hall felt smaller with just the three of us—me, Prince Aldric, and Master Dorian positioned as both advisor and guard. I'd chosen this setting deliberately, formal enough to emphasize the gravity of our discussion but private enough for the kind of revelations that could reshape kingdoms.
Prince Aldric looked better after a night's rest, but the strain of recent events still showed in the careful way he held himself. He'd come armed despite the formal nature of our meeting, which suggested either paranoia or practical wisdom depending on one's perspective.
"Your Highness," he said with a bow that was respectful without being subservient. "I trust you've had time to review the materials I provided?"
"I have. And I've verified certain details through my sources." I kept my voice neutral, not revealing which details or what sources. "Your information appears to be accurate, though incomplete."
"Incomplete how?"
"You described the cult's plans for our marriage, but you didn't mention the broader scope of their operations. The network of bindings extends far beyond our two kingdoms."
His expression didn't change, but something shifted in his posture—a subtle tension that suggested I'd touched on information he'd hoped to keep hidden.
"How much do you know about the broader network?"
"Enough to understand that your original plan, while well-intentioned, wouldn't be sufficient to address the full scope of the problem." I stood, moving to where the Mourning Blade rested against the throne.
"The question is whether you're prepared to commit to a solution that would address the complete threat."
"What kind of solution?"
"The kind that requires absolute trust between participants, complete commitment to the cause, and acceptance of risks that extend far beyond personal death."
I let that sink in before continuing.
"Prince Aldric, I need to know whether your loyalty is to the abstract concept of justice or the specific goal of protecting the people these bindings have harmed."
"Both," he said without hesitation. "But if I had to choose, I'd choose protecting the innocent over maintaining political stability."
"Even if protecting the innocent required you to act against your father's direct orders?"
The question hit him like a physical blow. Whatever relationship existed between Prince Aldric and Lord
Cassius, it was complicated by genuine emotion rather than simple political calculation.
"My father believes he's serving the greater good by cooperating with certain aspects of the cult's plans.
He thinks controlled cooperation is preferable to open warfare." The prince's voice carried pain and frustration. "But he doesn't understand that there can be no controlled cooperation with forces that view human souls as resources to be harvested."
"And you do understand that?"
"I understand that my father's pragmatism has become indistinguishable from complicity. I understand that the cult's promises of limited harm are lies designed to secure cooperation. And I understand that stopping them will require sacrifices that extend beyond individual lives."
Master Dorian stepped forward, his expression serious. "Prince, are you prepared to swear a blood oath to our cause? Not just verbal commitment, but magical binding that will ensure your loyalty even under extreme duress?"
The request surprised him, but he didn't hesitate. "What would such an oath entail?"
"Complete honesty with your allies, absolute commitment to the mission even if it requires personal sacrifice, and acceptance of magical consequences if you betray the cause for any reason." I moved closer, studying his face for signs of deception or reservation. "The binding would be permanent and irreversible."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then we proceed with your original plan, accepting its limitations and the probability that the cult will eventually succeed in their broader goals."
He was quiet for a long moment, clearly weighing the implications. A blood oath wasn't just a promise—it was a magical contract that would prevent betrayal by causing physical and spiritual consequences for the oath-breaker.
"What exactly are you planning that requires this level of commitment?"
"A ritual that would free every soul the cult has bound over the past century, destroy their accumulated power, and cripple their ability to continue their operations." I paused, letting the scope of the plan sink in. "But it requires seven participants, and the magical energies involved could kill everyone within miles of the ritual site."
"Seven participants," he repeated slowly. "Have you identified the others?"
"Some possibilities. But everyone involved must be completely committed, magically powerful enough to survive the working, and trustworthy enough to hold the fate of kingdoms in their hands."
"And you believe I meet those criteria?"
"I believe you have the potential to meet them. The question is whether you're willing to accept the full implications of what we're attempting."
He stood, beginning to pace as he processed the information. "This ritual—it would free all the bound souls, including your mother?"
"All of them. But Prince Aldric, you need to understand what that means. We're not just talking about political consequences or personal risk. We're talking about releasing magical energies that have been accumulating for decades. The ritual site could become uninhabitable for generations."
"And if we don't attempt the ritual?"
"Then the cult completes their working using my power as a conduit, and every royal bloodline in the known world becomes their property." The words tasted bitter, but they reflected the stark reality of our situation. "Success risks destroying everything. Failure guarantees it."
He stopped pacing, turning to face me directly. "Show me the ritual."
I exchanged glances with Master Dorian, who nodded slightly. We'd reached the point where partial trust was more dangerous than complete revelation.
From beneath the throne, I retrieved the documents my mother's spirit had helped me compile during the long night—detailed magical theory, participant requirements, and the carefully calculated risks of attempting to channel that much death energy through living vessels.
Prince Aldric studied the materials with the intensity of someone who understood both the magical theory and the practical implications. His expression grew increasingly grave as he absorbed the full scope of what we were contemplating.
"This is ." He paused, clearly struggling to find adequate words. "This is the most dangerous magical working I've ever seen documented. The power requirements alone could kill the participants before the ritual even begins."
"Which is why we need people who are completely committed to the cause and powerful enough to survive the attempt." I retrieved a ceremonial dagger from the altar beside the throne. "Are you prepared to make that commitment, Prince Aldric?"
He looked at the blade, then at the documents, then at my face. Whatever he saw there seemed to convince him that I was serious about both the ritual and the oath.
"If I swear this blood oath, I become your ally regardless of political consequences. Even if it means acting against my father, my kingdom, or my previous commitments."
"Yes."
"And if the ritual fails, we all die."
"Yes."
"And if it succeeds, we potentially save hundreds of trapped souls, but risk awakening forces that could threaten the entire world."
"That's the choice we're facing."
He extended his hand toward the dagger. "Then I swear by blood and bone, by life and death, by all the powers that govern the boundary between worlds—I commit myself to this cause and to the allies who fight beside me. May my soul be forfeit if I betray this oath, and may my death serve the greater good if I prove unworthy of the trust placed in me."
I drew the blade across his palm, letting his blood flow into a silver chalice inscribed with binding runes.
The magic activated immediately, sealing his words with power that would enforce his commitment even under magical coercion.
"The oath is sworn and sealed," Master Dorian intoned formally. "Prince Aldric of Thornfield, you are bound to our cause until death or victory releases you."
"Now," I said, setting aside the chalice and binding the prince's wounded hand with silk, "we need to find
Four more people are willing to make the same commitment."
"Do you have candidates in mind?"
"Several possibilities, but approaching them will require careful planning. We can't afford to reveal our intentions to anyone who might betray us to the cult."
"What about your friend Lady Lydia? She's been acting strangely since your betrothal was announced, but
Her magical abilities are considerable, and her loyalty to you has always been strong."
I'd been considering Lydia as a possibility, but her recent behavior made me uncertain about her reliability. Still, if Master Dorian was right about her motivations, she might be more willing to help than
I'd assumed.
"We'll approach her carefully. Test her willingness to hear dangerous truths before revealing the full scope of our plans."
"And the others?"
"The head librarian, one of the senior guards, and the kitchen master have all been showing signs of awareness that something is wrong. We'll evaluate each of them as potential candidates."
Prince Aldric nodded, then asked the question I'd been dreading. "What about your father? If the cult's
Influence is as extensive as we believe; he must be aware of at least some of their activities."
"My father is either being manipulated by forces he doesn't understand, or he's actively complicit in their plans." The words came out harder than I'd intended. "Either way, he can't be trusted with knowledge of our intentions."
"And if he tries to stop us?"
"Then we'll have to stop him first." I met his eyes steadily. "The blood oath you just swore commits you to the mission regardless of personal loyalties. Are you prepared to honor that commitment even if it means acting against family?"
"I am. But Princess, are you prepared to do the same?"
The question hit deeper than I'd expected. Whatever else my father might be, he'd raised me, protected me, and shaped me into the person I'd become. The possibility of having to act against him was almost as terrifying as the ritual itself.
"I'll do whatever is necessary to complete the mission," I said, hoping I sounded more certain than I felt.
"Then we understand each other." He stood, testing the bandage on his palm. "When do we begin recruiting the others?"
"Today. Time is running short, and we need to know who our allies are before we proceed further."
"And if we can't find four more people willing to make the blood oath?"
"Then we attempt the ritual with fewer participants and accept the increased risk of failure." I picked up the Mourning Blade, feeling its dark promise resonate with my determination. "But Prince Aldric—failure isn't an option. Too many souls are depending on us, and too many lives hang in the balance."
"I understand. And Princess, thank you for trusting me with the truth. I know it wasn't an easy decision."
"Trust has to start somewhere," I replied. "Let's hope it doesn't end with all of us dead."
As he departed to begin his preparations, I remained in the great hall with Master Dorian, processing the magnitude of what we'd committed ourselves to attempting.
Three days until the wedding. Four more participants to recruit and prepare. And one ritual that would
Either save the world or destroy it.
The real war was about to begin.