The Debt Of Fate
Chapter 98: His punishment

Chapter 98: His punishment

After obtaining the hair and blood, Prince George journeyed back to the village where the seer resided. It was a two-day journey from the royal city.

"I have brought everything you asked for," the prince said.

The seer looked at him, his expression unreadable.

"Let me see," he said.

Prince George produced a small bottle containing the blood and unwrapped a piece of cloth that held the hair.

"The sheep is outside the cave," he added.

The seer took the items and placed them on the altar.

"There was no need to collect the blood in a bottle. Even if it had been on a piece of cloth stained with your brother’s blood, it would have been sufficient," he said after placing the items on the altar.

Prince George’s expression darkened. Why had the seer not told him this before? If all that was required was a bloodstained cloth, his task would have been much easier.

"You did not ask," the seer replied with an innocent smile, as if reading the prince’s thoughts.

Prince George felt his irritation deepen. He had not asked then, but at this point, there was no reason for the seer to mention it. He felt the seer was deliberately annoying him.

"Your Highness, you may leave and return later tonight. I will make the necessary preparations for the ritual. I cannot perform it alone," the seer said.

Prince George turned and left. No matter how frustrated he was, there was nothing he could do. The seer was his only option.

Later that night, when the prince returned, he came alone. Although he trusted his men to be loyal, he still worried. The worship of the old gods was already forbidden, and even when it had been permitted, a ritual to alter fate was undoubtedly a dark and dangerous act.

As he approached the cave, he noticed that the surroundings had changed. The trees were now draped with red and white cloth, and the strong scent of blood filled the air.

The ground was covered with a white substance—perhaps ashes or salt, though he was unsure. He hesitated, unwilling to take another step.

The scene before him unsettled him.

He knew little about the ritual, and for the first time, doubt crept into his mind. Should he continue forward?

"Your Highness," the seer’s voice called from within.

Prince George turned toward the cave entrance, but instead of the seer, two young boys stood outside. He had never seen them before. During his previous visits, the seer had always been alone.

"Your Highness, take five steps forward," the seer instructed from inside.

Prince George took a deep breath and obeyed. As he moved, he realized that he was now standing at the center of a circle. The trees seemed to form a perimeter around the cave.

"Young man, who are you?" the seer asked.

"My name is George Langmere, son of King Knit Langmere of Nixel," the prince replied.

"George Langmere, what do you seek?" the seer asked.

"I, George Langmere, son of King Knit, seek to claim the throne of my father," Prince George declared.

"The throne of Nixel already belongs to another," the seer said.

"By birthright, my brother is the one meant to inherit the throne after my father. But I, George Langmere, want it for myself," the prince replied.

"To claim his birthright, your brother must either give it to you willingly or have it stolen from him. Which path do you choose tonight?" the seer asked.

"I am here to take what is rightfully his," Prince George said.

The seer fell silent for a moment. Then, the sound of incantations filled the air.

Prince George could not understand the words; they were foreign to him. The more the seer chanted, the stronger the wind grew around the cave. A strange presence stirred in the air, but Prince George did not waver.

"George Langmere, Prince of Nixel," the seer finally said. "To steal your brother’s birthright, there is a price to pay."

Prince George recalled the seer mentioning this the first time they had spoken.

"I am willing to pay the price," he answered without hesitation.

"You must return to this temple every year and offer a sacrifice," the seer said. "Each year’s sacrifice will be greater than the last."

Prince George opened his mouth to agree but hesitated. Sacrifices could take many forms.

"What must I sacrifice?" he asked. He did not want the seer to accuse him of not asking again.

"For the first year, you will bring two sheep; one white, one black. You will also bring a baby, no more than seven days old," the seer said.

Prince George’s heart skipped a beat.

The sheep were of no concern, but the thought of sacrificing a child made him pause. Then, he reminded himself; he was already prepared to kill his own brother. What difference did it make?

"I accept. What of the second year?" the prince asked.

"You will know after the first year," the seer replied.

Prince George hated being kept in the dark. But recalling the seer’s earlier words, he reasoned that the next sacrifice would likely be a greater offering than the first. Maybe more babies and sheep.

"I am willing," he agreed.

Upon hearing his answer, the seer chanted briefly before speaking again.

"What you seek is possible. But the heavens are just. If you offer these sacrifices and take lives, you will be punished," the seer warned.

Prince George listened carefully.

"You will not live past the age of fifty. Your death will be slow and painful; a disgrace if witnessed by others. Do you accept this punishment?" the seer asked.

Prince George considered this.

Few kings lived beyond fifty. Although his father remained in good health, if things went according to plan, he would seize the throne within the next few years. He could still rule for two decades. That did not seem like a loss.

What could be more painful than his brother being remembered for generations while he himself was forgotten?

"I accept," Prince George replied.

"Your sons will also bear the consequences of this crime," the seer continued. "They will never inherit your throne. Their lives will not be easy. Do you still wish to continue?"

Prince George did not answer immediately. Of course, he wanted his children to inherit the throne. What was the point of seizing power if his bloodline could not continue ruling?

"Your children will have their own fate," the seer added, as though he could hear the prince’s thoughts.

Prince George fell silent.

After a moment, he spoke.

"I accept," he said firmly.

If he could take the throne, he would find a way to ensure his son sat upon it in the future.