Once upon a time ...part 8

As per the plans, commander in chief was supposed to lead the army. But anxious Maxim raced in front of them, leading them to the way familiar to him. 

Queen Candice had broken the ground rules for the queen of faraway land- she had joined the army against the wishes of royal pastors in search of her dearest.

“ Now ! Now! Don’t cry, sweet heart! There is no use of those tears. There is no one out there to hear you cry?”Arcus said when he saw Princess Adele cry.  “Get ready for the ultimate sacrifice!” he said with loud and scary laugh.

Arcus got ready with his plan. He drew a huge star where he placed each ingredient for sacrifice on each triangular corner of star. The room was candle lit. He bought her with her hands tied back and mouth taped by the cloth. He started murmuring the spells-praying every devil to accept him and grant him powers. 

As Arcus was busy with the spell, the army surrounded his castle. Commander in chief and Maxim was hiding behind the pillars in the room. They waited patiently for the right moment.

Arcus took one of his sharpest swords while blabbering the spells.  He stabbed her instantly. But to his dismay, the blood didn’t come out of her body. She was still intact. There was no injury. He tried hard this time. But nothing happened. He used the sword to cut his wrist. “ Ahhh!” , he cried. The pain was unbearable. He realised what was going on. The spell! Someone used the alternate spell to diffuse his plan. 

He turned back. It was Maxim. “ Oh my trick on me! You, clever lad!”, he said. “Yes, indeed! You must have forgotten that I am a quick learner. I observe and learn.”Maxim said.

“Ah! But you forgot that your teacher has been doing this for many years. You have half knowledge of all tricks. You cannot beat me. I am the greatest and powerful among all.” Arcus said with wicked grin.

“ Then I challenge you to defeat me. If I win, you leave princess alone.” Maxim said boldly. Arcus said, 

“ Ha! If you lose, then you will never intervene my plans or think about saving Princess.”  Maxim agreed to the condition. But back of his mind, he knew that he had gotten himself into trouble. How was he going to defeat his own master? This question wandered in his mind , making him vulnerable and lost.

 (To be continued)