Chapter 46: Breaking the barrier
[Snowblood Mountains | Outer ranges]
"Is this how it was the last time you visited?" Lawrence asked Dexter. Both the men were on their griffins, flying high over the mountains peaks.
Dexter looked below them and shook his head. "No your majesty. The energy here seems to have softened a little."
Lawrence nodded. Snowblood mountains usually had very chilly and unwelcoming aura. But it wasn't that harsh anymore. And he could see lot of wild life in the peaks compared to before.
Soon Dexter lead the way to the center of the peaks, where he last met the eldest beast prince. He was very curious to see how the prince was faring.
Both the men stopped at a safe distance from the center of the peaks. The energies here were getting more and more mysterious.
And seems like their guess was correct about the origin of those earth quakes. The surroundings areas did seem shaken a bit. The snow was cleared out despite the heavy snow pushing them back. They could feel the cold ice almost cutting their skin.
The cold and dead land now looked like someone was nurturing it with care, slowly rejuvenating it back to life. Small green grass sprouted out where ever snow didn't cover the land.
Lawrence and Dexter carefully scanned the area. The king sensed many different changes in the area, but two things caught his attentions.
One - He couldn't sense the presence of Calhoun anywhere.
Two - One large patch of area seemed to be still cold and frozen, as if it was an independent part in itself, heavily covered with snow.
They tested the area for any potential dangers before going deeper and closer to the snow filled patch.
"Someone had cast an illusion barrier here." Dexter commented as they halted right infront of the spot.
"This also seems like a protective barrier." Lawrence added. And it was also powerful and strong. And old.
It was easy to cast a medium level protective barrier or even an illusion layer. But casting both of then at a time, that too this powerful was incredible.
On the other side of the barrier, Calhoun was lazily sitting on the green grass, basking in the sun as he looked at the two men outside the barrier.
It was funny to see them clueless and confused guessing what's inside. The prince didn't expect Lawrence would show up here especially when there were only few days left for the ancestral ceremony.
But he wasn't really that surprised by the king's visit. Because he got to know something very important here. Lawrence must have guessed it too.
Calhoun saw Dexter send white sparkling waves from his out stretched hands onto the barrier. It did nothing. No matter how much Dexter tried, it didn't even scratch the barrier. It was quite an entertaining show for Calhoun, who was munching on his apple.
Dexter kept trying till he was drenched in sweat even in the snow storm going on outside. It was nice to see the high and mighty elf prince struggle a bit.
Lawrence was circling the area, studying the barrier as Dexter attacked it.
"Dexter"
One word from the king and the elf prince stopped. Now it was Lawrence's turn to try.
Calhoun sat upright, eager to watch the wizard king. He had never first-hand witnessed the king's powers. This was his chance. He was excited because he has always looked up to this man.
Lawrence didn't hurry like Dexter. Neither was he exerting too much power. Rather, he calmly leaned against his Griffin and sent small sparkling green vine like structure to creep all over the barrier.
This was also Calhoun's first time to see how high the barrier was since the vines seemed to have gone above the clouds.
Few animals inside the barrier also came to settle beside Calhoun to watch what was happening. They would have attacked but since Calhoun seemed calm, they too decided to stay quite and cute.
Calhoun gently patted their heads as he watched the king do his work. He admitted Lawrence looked majestic while using his magic.
The king's green eyes shone, almost as if he could look through the barrier. His white silk royal robes fluttered behind him, making him look like an ethereal immortal.
The beast prince curiously looked at the barrier hiding him all this while. The vines didn't seem to do anything except for covering it entirely.
They stayed like that for a long time. Calhoun almost felt pity for the king and the elf-prince for suffering out in the cold while he was basking in the sun inside.
He decided to simply go and meet the king when he heard a small crack sound behind. Then another crack sound, then another , another, another and the calm vines suddenly gave one powerful lash at he barrier, breaking it into pieces.
The barrier split into a millions sharp ice shards and flew outwards. Intending to kill the one who broke it.
Dexter was ready this time. He swiftly put a fire barrier in front of them, melting the shards before they could reach them.
The fog and steam settled down in a few seconds, revealing a beautiful lush green garden surrounding a cozy white mansion.
The usual snow storm outside faded. The snow started melting under their feet as if it was an illusion too. The bright sun made them doubt if they were really in snowblood mountains.
Both Lawrence and Dexter had never seen or heard of a magic which can actually hide the sun.
And then they saw the missing beast prince standing dumbfounded looking back at them.
Dexter raised a brow looking at Calhoun. He seemed to be well fed, and looked like he was living his life to it's best.
No wonder he didn't bother showing his face to this world anymore. But the question is - how did he even manage to get into the barrier?
Calhoun was now feeling awkward. He underestimated the king and thought he wouldn't be able to break the barrier. Hence he didn't bother going out and greeting him.
Now the king probably figured out that he was watching them perform for his entertainment. There was this gentle yet fierce aura around Lawrence that commanded respect even when the king was silent.
"Your Majesty." Calhoun slightly bowed to greet the king. Lawrence nodded and studied the prince.
Calhoun felt uncomfortable under that piercing and scrutinizing gaze. 'Why was this king looking at him as if he was some antique?' he thought.
Lawrence was thinking how Calhoun entire aura had changed. It felt like an heavy ancient energy was contained and locked in his body, struggling to break free but forcing itself to remain hidden.
"Never knew something so beautiful existed in these cold lifeless mountains. Are you enjoying your stay here, your highness?" Lawrence asked politely as he scanned the garden and the house.
The king could sense magic in every single corner. But it wasn't forced. It was as if nature itself created and welcomed this magic. Even his own magic would feel artificial in front of this.
Calhoun didn't really know how to respond to that question. He had basically barged into someone's house and was free loading. What a shame for a prince.
"Yes your majesty" Calhoun replied, unsure of what else to say.
Lawrence kept staring at Calhoun, straight into his eyes. Calhoun couldn't take it after a few seconds. He would have stared back even into his father's eyes without fear, but these green eyes were a different story.
"Is there anything I can help you with, your Majesty?" Calhoun asked after a while. He had never hosted any guests before, since he never had any. So this was new.
Lawrence smiled hearing him. "I don't know. Why don't you tell me? Is there anything you can help me with, your highness?" The king questioned back.
Calhoun's eyes briefly shifted to the marble house before settling back on the king and his right hand man again.
The only reason why Lawrence himself would come here would be his youngest daughter, crown princess Isabella Campbell.
"I can guess the reason for your arrival here your majesty. Unfortunately, I myself don't know about this strange phenomena here. But I guess you might find some clue inside the house."
Calhoun said and the mountain lions at the foot of the stairs moved away, as if giving the guests way after their master instructed.
Lawrence took one last glance at the carefree prince walked towards the house.