Chapter 7 ~ Vanishing

“That was scary” Helga whined softly as she wiped her forehead when they left the class.

Now mentally happy to be away from their Potion’s Teacher who gave them occasional stern warning about misuse of potions and spells.

So far she stayed with the group since they had nothing left to do for the day.

Eventually however everyone arrived at Merlia’s room which consists of blue walls, on the walls and ceiling they contained light green markings that glowed softly in the dark.

Near the bed was a single wall shelf that had some books while some dresses that were half made were littered on the table by a sewing machine.

Moving a stray sleeve from the chair Helga took a seat while Merlia happily resumed her sewing, Mordred meanwhile activated a statue on the ledge of their window with his magic.

Soon a grey owl made of stone was formed and began to take flight for it’s usual rounds.

“More news?” Marcus asked looking curious, meanwhile he sat on a stool as Merlia began to pester him about his measurements.

Marcus who continued to ignore her fussing he looked at Mordred who remained pensive as he read the notes carefully.

“The king’s apparently speaking about bringing more of us to this school” Mordred replied solemnly before the owl entered back in with a few parchments.

Helga and Morgana took one each before Mordred grabbed the other parchments, scowling at the parchments as he tried to make sense of what he was reading.

The owl meanwhile perched itself on his shoulder but didn’t bother him one bit.

“Not only that but the prince is having another party again... as usual his father is looking to make it grander due to the prince's upcoming birthday” Helga muttered darkly before tossing the parchment to Gawain who began to read it silently.

“A party?” Merlia asked with a curious smile, her face now perked up from Helga's comment.

“Nice try Dark Dwellers aren’t invited no matter what” Gawain said dryly causing her mood to deflate.

“Then what’s the point of bringing us here? Surely we have rights to go?” Merlia asked looking completely offended by the fact they were not invited.

Anberine meanwhile silently was reading a book on spells due to an upcoming test that was taking place tomorrow. Not that they minded as she was listening anyways.

“Bringing us here is for publicity, the king has always tried to stay in power. The Light Dwellers- sorry some of the Light Dwellers are like him despite concealing their prejudice towards us” Morgana said with a sheepish smile as she saw Marcus and Anberine staring at her blankly the moment she said the first part about Light Dwellers.

“Shame we can’t find a way to kick him out of power, he’s keeping us on a leash by having our families in the Dark Realm. Country, Realm or whatever they like to call it. It’s a prison for us that his ancestor enchanted to keep us trapped” Morgana commented bitterly.

“Well it’s going to be his mistake for underestimating us” Helga grinned before frowning and sighed heavily at how powerless things seemed.

“What are we going to do though? We need a plan to help free the people, it’s no coincidence that he’s letting us out when people have been vanishing. We have had no leads on their whereabouts but it’s very odd he would suddenly decide to let us out” Helga added as she took out a salty cracker and nibbled it.

“It’s to make it seem like he has nothing to hide” Mordred said as he read a letter, his brows furrowed thanks to what he was reading. Eyeing Marcus and Anberine he gave his kin a nod catching their attention.

“Dinner time is coming up in an hour right?” Merlia asked as she finished a knee-high brown jacket that had four pockets in it and handed it to Marcus who thanked her politely.

Seeing this she smiled widely and began to take out her sketchbook and began doodling some designs.

“I’m hungry though” Helga said while Morgana grumbled in agreement.

“You just ate three hours ago” Gawain commented bluntly, his face showed how perplexed he was with her eating habits.

“Makes me wonder how you’re not fat” he muttered lowly, earning him a pink rubber to the head earning her a wince from Gawain as he rubbed his head weakly.

Frowning at Helga who had stuck her tongue at him, she sharply turned her head in a huff.

Raising a brow at how childish she was being, Gawain stared at her before turning to look at Mordred.

“What is it?” Gawain asked noticing a frown appear on Mordred’s face earning him worried looks.

“A letter from the king” the group tensed up, even Anberine and Marcus looked at him in surprise.

“We’re not in trouble are we?” Morgana asked with a pout as she nibbled on some crackers Merlia handed her to keep her busy.

“You would ask that wouldn’t you?” Mordred commented dryly before shaking his head, earning him a glare from Morgana.

“He just wants to see us about something after dinner” this piped their interest.

“Maybe it’s about the party?” Merlia asked with a curious smile as she began to grab some fabrics to begin stitching.

“I highly doubt it Mer” Gawain said with a sigh that left her partly deflated at how quick he was to shoot the idea down.

“Whatever he wants, we’ll need to remain on guard” the Dark Dwellers nodded in agreement before they realised it the time now signalled for them to have dinner.

The group after packing up began to their usual route to the canteen area.

As bright and sunny as it looked, it was filled with various tables and students often sat in their own circles causing groups and frictions to occur.

Staring at this Anberine looked at her friends and began to sit with Marcus and Merlia who watched their friends grab their dinner thanks to what happened in lunch.

To Anberine’s relief most of the popular group was still in the toilets or now in the medical room waiting to be treated.

Not that the nurse would find anything wrong which Morgana was sure to make sure happen.

This in turn allowed a semi peaceful silence as they enjoyed light talk and listening to the light buzzing of students talking about various things about their lives or what gossip would come to their ears.

Soon Anberine and Marcus were heading their way towards their dorms after bidding their friends a good luck for their meeting with the king.

Despite the worry the Dark Dwellers continued to chat amongst themselves until it was time for them to go and see the King.

“Enter” the king’s voice boomed causing Mordred to open the door and enter with his friends, once inside they saw a simple office with books of what they could imagine were records involving students.