They buried Verdom, and spirits were low. The Piskal people didn’t have a lot of things to make a good camp. They needed supplies and weren’t sure how to get them. They decided to camp near the library so Lunae could be close to the hidden chamber. She did find a book of magic to help heal, and she took her time fixing the Piskals. Tanla was angry about this newfound gift since it came too late for Verdom, but she kept her annoyance to herself, but Lunae saw. After that, Lunae spent most of her time in the hidden chamber reading the books and trying to figure out her magic and what to do next.
Fulch was busy being king, and with the help of Linth and Hashmire, they were a good team. Fulch was waiting for Lunae to get out so they could discuss what to do next. Hashmire came up to him, nervously.
“Sire, I know you said we don’t need to do it, but I believe we need to do the ceremony,” Hashmire said. Fulch sighed; he didn’t understand why Hashmire thought the ceremony was such an important thing.
“Hashmire, it’s just a show, there’s no need to do it. Everyone already calls me king and would follow me anywhere. I don’t see the point,” Fulch said. That’s when Linth came up.
“It would be good for the people to celebrate something. It’s for the people. They need something to lift their spirits,” Linth said. Fulch looked at Linth. He had been stone cold since the death of Verdom, and Fulch thought that maybe Linth needed this more than anybody.
“Alright, I’ll do it,” Fulch said. This brought a smile to the men, and they bowed and walked away. Fulch was left there waiting for Lunae. He didn’t need to wait long. Lunae came out, and she had a smile on her face.
“So we’re having a ceremony, I see,” she said. Fulch rolled his eyes at her and smiled.
“It’s no big deal. Truly,” Fulch said. Lunae looked at him with a face he couldn’t read.
“My ancestors say differently. They say something magical will happen,” Lunae said. Fulch thought she wanted to say more, but she was clearly hiding something from him, and he wasn’t willing to push her buttons just yet.
“Hey, so have you learned anything about the fulcrum of acquiescence?” Fulch asked. Lunae looked at him with a smile.
“Yes, Lannyre used it to change the Rhudon's behavior. Make them do his bidding. He and the Master before him created it. It took a Signuck and Piskal to conjure up the magic to mix with the Master’s magic. It seems quite complicated, but my ancestors say that to break it, there needs to be a same union,” Lunae said.
“Did your ancestors tell you about where it might be?” Fulch said. Lunae looked down.
“They said Gunnar hid it where the enemy wouldn’t guess to look. They said that getting it will be very dangerous,” Lunae said. Fulch didn’t like how much she wasn’t talking. She also looked more tired than normal.
“They’re very cryptic, aren’t they?” Fulch said. Lunae started to laugh.
“Why is every entity that says they’re there to help us never give us a straight answer?” Lunae said. Fulch shrugged his shoulders.
“Rhudon planet,” the water said. This made them stop and smile.
“He would have heard that,” Lunae said.
“Yes, but he won’t know the context. This is good. After the ceremony, we’ll get a group together to find the fulcrum of acquiescence and see what we can find. We need to practice our magic, Master’s magic, and our people’s magic. Any luck with that?” Fulch said. Lunae’s face brightened as she revealed a book.
“This book talks about the Signuck magic. It also states that the Piskal people were given magic because they were loyal to my people. When we work together, it becomes more powerful. My ancestors say that I have to learn on my own. Find my way, learn how my magic works through me,” Lunae said. Fulch was a little disappointed; he wanted to know more about how to control his magic. Just then, Tanla appeared.
“Excuse me, I’m sorry for interrupting, but I couldn't help but overhear. I want to join the party to go to the Rhudon planet,” she said. They both looked at her, not sure what to do.
“Tanla, we could use your help here with the people,” Fulch said. Tanla was upset, rage from the death of Verdom was flowing through her.
“I need to do something, I need my revenge,” Tanla said. Fulch could understand that, and he agreed. Lunae thought he shouldn’t have done that. Tanla then stated that she was there to grab Fulch. Hashmire needed him. Fulch left to go see Hashmire, leaving Lunae all alone. When Fulch found Hashmire, he was overjoyed to see him. He quickly grabbed Fulch and pulled him to the crown.
“You see this crown, magic lives in this crown. It is said if it lies on top of the rightful heir's head, magic will flow through the people,” Hashmire said. Fulch remembered the stories but never thought much about them.
“We shall see priest,” Fulch said. Hashmire then went to teach the words to Fulch what to say after the crown is placed on his head. Fulch was having a hard time getting it and was getting frustrated. That’s when Lunae came in. Fulch gave a desperate smile towards Lunae, and she giggled to herself. Hours had gone by, and Fulch needed a break. Hashmire left to see how the preparations were going, leaving them alone together. Lunae came over to Fulch and rubbed his arms.
“You got this, it’s just like a performance. Just like how I met you. You’ll be fine,” Lunae said. Fulch chuckled to himself about that.
“That was one ugly get up,” Fulch said. Lunae laughed and agreed. They stood there staring into each other's eyes. They had come so far, and both of them were wondering if they would make it out alive, but they had each other, and that’s all they ever needed. Linth came in and saw them. He paused for a moment before interrupting. He liked the look of them. He then made a noise that drew their attention.
“So we have two Masters now, and they both are going to rule. I would say this is cause for celebration,” Linth said, holding a pitcher of grog. They all smiled and drank together. Hashmire came back and was furious that Fulch had been drinking.
“Now enough of that, you two go to your places. Fulch, get ready,” Hashmire said. Lunae and Linth left Fulch, and his nerves started to shake. Hashmire went over what to say one more time before leaving. Fulch was left to himself and hoped he wouldn’t let down his people. Then someone came in to say it was time. He stood up tall and walked with purpose. He looked straight ahead down the rows of Piskalians. At the end was Hashmire with the crown, Lunae, and Linth, who were smiling from ear to ear. He looked at everyone and noticed that even the prisoners were allowed to join. He grinned at Nartuck, who was scowling. Once he got up to Hashmire, he knelt down. Hashmire addressed the people and then Fulch. He placed the crown on his head, and Fulch got up and turned to the people. He stated the words, surprisingly not messing up, and right as he finished, a jolt of magic was expelled towards the people. Everyone felt it. The Piskalians, wearing their family talismans, started to glow.
“You did it! You brought magic back to the people!” Hashmire said. Fulch was confused, but he remembered that in the days of his father, he would talk about how if a Piskal's family talisman glowed, it meant they had magic. Linth roared, and everyone started to cheer. Hashmire took Fulch aside.
“We need to go to our planet and get the old books, water willing, they are still there, but we need to start practicing how to use it. I somewhat remember what it was like to have magic. It’s been a long time. I know you and Lunae have other things to do, and I’ll take some warriors and head to the planet. If you so deem it, sire,” Hashmire said. Fulch told him that he would think about it and for him to go and enjoy himself. Everyone was celebrating and trying to figure out their magic. Lunae came up to Fulch and hugged him.
“Now we have a better chance,” Lunae said. Fulch smiled and agreed. Lunae walked away to go back to the library. He was going to stop her, but was bombarded by people. He would have to talk to her later. Lunae looked back at the celebration and wished she could join, but the noises in her head were too distracting.