The Deal

"...You're lying," muttered Milena. "You're lying to get your child."

"I'm not! Why would I lie about something you'll verify for yourself soon? Your children are far away, and you won't get them back anytime soon, but they are safe! At least send my daughter to safety too!"

If she was lying, she was a remarkable actress for sure. Tears were appearing in her eyes, and for once, the Oracle seemed truly desperate. She was even pulling so hard on the binds around her wrists that blood was beginning to appear.

"...All I want is for my daughter to be safe," muttered the Oracle. "I swear. I don't care much about dying, but she is my only child, Milena. You can even keep me, and kill me if I lied to you. I don't care. But please, let me get my child to safety."

"Tell us more about this war," said the Duke.

The Oracle glared at him, as if she was pissed about this question.

"I don't know much," she hissed. "But I know there will be one, and very soon. So many prophecies mentioned it. Your family will be the first one affected. The Crescent Moon meeting the Sun is the one clue that always comes back as the fire starter of the war."

"...The Crescent Moon meets the Sun?"

Milena glanced at her father. The Crescent Moon had to be referring to their family indeed, but the Sun? It could refer to any human, but most likely, it was the Royal Family, probably Ellias. She doubted the Prophecy would reference Philomenie herself as the sun.

"I knew that this war would begin soon after you came to see me. You know I've been studying all those prophecies I have made over the years. So many people's prophecies are mentioning some things that go far in the future, but this war is tied to your family. All I knew was that it would occur after you and I met again, and after the three new heirs to the Kingdom of the Sun were born."

"You're talking about my twins and Philomenie's daughter."

"Yes. There are no other children, are there? Now that all three are born, the next elements of the prophecies are about to happen for real."

Milena frowned. She couldn't see why the Oracle would lie about this war. It would have made sense if she begged to flee with her daughter, but instead, she was fine staying down there, as long as her child was moved to safety. For the few times Milena had interacted with that woman, she had at least confirmed that the Oracle's love for her daughter was real. She perhaps never really liked anybody else, but her daughter was different.

"...What else do you know?"

"I can't tell you much," the Oracle shook her head. "It's too cryptic. Moreover, I don't even know the end of the war. Every time, it comes down to someone's choice, and it's a different choice for every person."

"That's all?"

The Oracle nodded.

"You know how complex the Prophecies are. Just one sentence can mean so many different things, and often, I find out it fully matches not one but several moments in a person's life. Remember yours. A daughter who broke her chains, The Wanderer and the black hand. With sunrise the roses will burn, but in darkness the heart mends. Break the balance and the fence, the dark crown shall rise at dawn. So many of those have become true already, and will become true again."

Milena frowned. Had it really? She had pushed that prophecy to the very back of her mind, unable to decide whether to trust it or not. At times, she hated that prophecy that hung like a blade above her head. She hated the idea that something like fate, which she had no control over, could decide her future. Not only that, but she had always felt trying to decipher this cryptic prophecy was more of a headache than a real way to find answers. However, right now, answers are what she needed, and with the Oracle to translate some of the prophecy, perhaps she'd finally get some. 

Meanwhile, the Oracle shook her head, looking almost impatient.

"Come on, Milena," she said. "You must have noticed too. You broke your chains from your days in s*****y, but also from the Royal Castle. The black hand. You always wear black gloves, but they also hide that dark burn on your hand. And in darkness, the heart mends. How many times have you found comfort during the night? Even when your husband's gone, you get back on your feet and lead people. As for the last part... you did get that crown in the end, didn't you?"

Milena was left thinking. She had noticed too. There were some things that were just too obvious to ignore, even if she wanted to. She let out a long sigh.

"...Fine. Even if I do believe you, what tells me I can trust you about this war?"

The Oracle rolled her eyes.

"Which side do you think I would be on, anyway? Even if I'm not fond of you, you still have my daughter, and I know you're not cold-hearted enough to mistreat her. I know your brother did a decent job at taking care of her, so far, but now, he is unconscious, and what will happen to my child if the war starts? She will be caught in-between. You have to admit, everyone that has been involved with the House De Crescent hasn't been so lucky as to simply get out unscathed, have they?"

Milena grimaced, annoyed. She didn't care about the Oracle's petty insults, but the idea of little Rowe being caught in a war because she had been adopted by her family was hard to swallow. Milena crossed her arms.

"...Where would you have me send her?"

"Anywhere far from the Capital," the Oracle replied right away. "...Your Vermillion Lands should be a safe enough place."

Milena and her father exchanged a quick glance. Regardless of how their negotiation with the Oracle would go, they would send the children there, for their safety. Not just Rowena, but Antonin as well. If the Oracle guaranteed that was a safe place, they had to send the children and spare them a war, even if it was just a possibility. The Vermillion Lands were Milena's, although it was far from the Capital, they would be easy to protect and get news from.

"Even if I do send Rowena there, what of my babies? What tells me you won't lie about their safety once I give you what you want?"

"I am a mother too, remember? I'm many things, but I'm not heartless enough to lie to you about your children. Plus, what would I gain by lying? We have common enemies, and I wish to see a few of them fall someday."

Milena tilted her head, thinking. She was probably talking about the Church. As far as they knew, the Oracle didn't have any reasons to cooperate with the Supremacists, or the Anarchists. The vampire side didn't have any reason to cooperate with her, neither did the humans. If anything, she was a tool that could be weaponized by either side. It made sense that the only person she'd seek to strike a deal with was Milena.

"Fine. I'll send Rowena there. ...You probably know I'm not lying, right?"

Next to her, Anton lowered his sword, getting a glare from the Oracle. She had a little b****y cut on her neck, but she was fine. She sighed, and shook her head.

"You De Crescent people... You never know how to take it easy on people, do you?"

"Talk, Ora," said Milena, getting impatient.

"...Your children are fine," she sighed. "They are still with their uncle."

"That's it?" Frowned Milena, mad. "Where are they!"

"I'm not sure. All I know is they will be safe. Both of them will survive just fine. I've seen hints of their future in other prophecies, I'm sure they will make it. They will return with their father, that is the most probable option. Although, I cannot guarantee it. Some choices remain to be made"

"...Their dad?"

Milena's heart skipped a beat. Could it be? Rayan would return, with their children? She suddenly realized she had a lot more questions the Oracle could answer, and they were all burning her lips right now.

"...What can you tell me about my husband?"

The Oracle chuckled.

"Getting greedy, aren't we?"

"Answer the question," warned the Duke. "Or I can slice one of your limbs off to convince you."

She tilted her head, looking amused.

"You can't make me say what I don't know, Duke, even by force. Moreover, we all know the Prince is trying to come back. The war is already over out there, isn't it? So, what do you think keeps your precious husband from coming back, if not the Wendigos our common enemy created?"

"So you're confirming the Church is behind all this."

"Watch your words," retorted the Oracle. "The Church is nothing but a vast concept some adore. If you asked any believer in the street, they wouldn't be lying when they swore to you the Church is good. You're a politician, Milena De Crescent. You know how corruption works. Those who lose their faith and beliefs to money and power cannot be called good men any longer. That's the same story as always. If a part of the body is sick, you don't need to burn it all. Just get rid of the rotten parts..."

"Unless it is the head that is poisoned," said Milena.

In front of them, the Oracle smirked. That woman was as confusing as ever. She had always looked youthful, way too youthful for the age she supposedly was, yet at times, she would suddenly look a lot older with just one glance. Her white hair seemed grey, and her eyes seemed a lot darker, more tired than usual. When she looked at Milena, there was such a complex mix of feelings, it was hard to tell if those two women truly hated each other, or they actually could find a common ground.

Milena herself had always had mixed feelings; It would have been a lie to say she had never felt guilty for a second about handing Rowena to her brother, but most of the time, she knew what she had done was an opportunity for that child. In fact, Rowena was probably cursed to have been born from such an affair. If anyone ever knew the truth, she'd instantly become another tool meant to be used for politics. That seemed to be something the Oracle was well aware of as well.

"We're talking about an organization of hundreds of people," said Ora. "If you replace the head, it's not going to collapse. Would a Kingdom collapse because the King passes? We both know the answer. In fact, it might regrow even better, wouldn't it?"

Milena was left deeply thinking about that. It wasn't as if she ignored that not all of the Church was to blame. The hardest part was only to figure out the snakes in the dove's nest. But how could she fully eradicate corruption in an organization she had no ties to? When it came to the Society of Vampires, it wasn't perfect, but at least, Raphael could deal with the pests and try to maneuver it to less despicable ends. With the Church though, each time she met one of their people, it was to uncover a new enemy. Milena sighed, tapping her index against her elbow with a hint of annoyance.

"So you're saying my husband is on his way back."

"Hasn't he been on his way back since the very day he left?" Chuckled the Oracle.

"Don't play mind games with me. I want real answers, not another riddle of yours."

"Yes, he is on his way back. Probably on the safe part of the Emerald Forest, as we speak. All he needs is a way to get through that damn Emerald Forest, after all. What else could be holding him back? Sadly, everything is happening on this side. The war that will happen here might have already begun, Milena. Between those who want to keep using the wendigos, and those who want to stop them. Those who are about to put an end to those attacks, and..."

"...Those who want to hide their guilt in this," hissed Milena. "...Fine, I get it. I have heard enough."

She took one step back, taking a few seconds to let all that information sink in. It may have not seemed much, but even the mention of an upcoming war wasn't enough to hinder her relief. 

Her children and Lucian were fine, Rayan was fine. And they were all on their way home, one way or another. At long last, it seemed like the nightmare would end soon. She was glad she had listened to her father, and consulted with the Oracle. This was just enough information she needed to calm down, and regroup.

"...Alright," she muttered. "...One last thing, though. What of Raphael? You said he will wake up, won't he?"

"Of course, he will wake up," said the Oracle.

"As a White One?"

"This, I can't be sure. I only saw that there were two new White Ones appearing in the future of this war."

"Two... New White Ones? You mean that's... excluding the Saint, and yourself? There will be two more White Ones?"

"Yes! Are you deaf, by any chance? That's what I've predicted, many times over. Two new White Ones, both will be essential in the upcoming War. The only thing is that I am unable to predict the future of another White One."

Milena exchanged another annoyed look with her father. They probably have had the same thought, making the Oracle see Raphael's future, even if he was unconscious, to confirm his future. Now, sadly, that was out of the table.

"...Do you know why?"

"No. But there is one theory that White Ones powers are inefficient against our own kin. The Saint probably wouldn't be able to help me if I died, and I can't see the future of your friend Blanche, either. I have never been able to predict another White One's future."

"...You mean there are more?"

"I think so. It would be odd if the Church had handed the Saint to the De Winter without being sure they had some sort of backup themselves, would it? After all, he's the most harmless to entrust the Queen with. They chose the one that could save one life, and gave it to the one woman they wanted to produce the Kingdom's heirs. Makes sense, and it is typical of the Church's corrupt ones, too. It shows their inextinguishable desire for control."

"...Do you know if there's an appearance shifter?" Milena suddenly asked. "Not one like Blanche, one who can take people's faces?"

"Face thief? That's interesting. But no. If there's one, I know nothing about it. Not personally, not from any prophecy either."

"You don't seem very surprised to hear it's a possibility, though."

"Why would I? We White Ones were given gifts beyond the understanding of most, even ourselves. Because we don't understand how it works and where it comes from doesn't mean it's not a possibility. Plus, I've witnessed enough. I doubt anything will surprise me anymore."

Milena thought she was probably telling the truth. It made sense the Church's people would have left their experiments out of their shady business secrets. Especially once they understood they couldn't really control them.

"...I see."

Milena then glanced towards her father, and they exchanged a look, understanding each other without words. They were like-minded enough to know they had probably thought the same thing. The Duke drew out his swords again, but this time, he neatly cut all the binds that were restricting Ora.

The woman fell brutally on the ground, groaning in pain. Her limbs were probably terribly numb if she had remained in that position for days and days. She grimaced, and carefully stretched herself, without standing up just yet.

"Thanks..."

"Don't thank us just yet," said Milena. "You're coming with us."

"What?" She exclaimed, shocked. "I said I'm fine staying a hostage here!"

"I wouldn't want you getting a bit too comfortable," chuckled Milena. "From our conversation, it sounds like you were thinking of hiding down here while a war happened, but that's too good of an option for you. Hence, I've decided to take you to the Manor. This time, you better watch yourself. I'm still your daughter's legal tutor."

"Aren't you afraid whatever's left of your Manor will be bombed again?" Groaned the Oracle, painfully getting back up on her feet.

Now that she was standing up, her appearance was even more pitiful. It was clear the woman had lost weight, and needed a good dose of sunshine as well. Her hair looked terribly damaged, and she was overall terribly dirty as well. Milena even grimaced a bit, slightly repelled by the whiff she got from her.

"If what you're saying is true, the Manor will be hit by a war anyway. Bomb or not, we will send the weakest ones away and stand our ground, as we've always done. However, I do not intend to let you get out of it . If you want to repent for what happened to the Manor, you can start paying your debt back now.``

"I did not bomb your damn residence."

"But you did stab my son," retorted the Duke.

His cold and angry voice made the Oracle step away from him, cautious, and grimace a bit.

"Then I'll apologize," she answered.

Thanking the blacksmith, the three of them left the cells, the Duke behind Ora like a threat. The woman was walking extremely slowly, though, and most likely wasn't going to do anything. Once they got back upstairs, they waited for Matheus to go buy a coat for her.

"...Will you let me see my daughter, then?" She asked Milena.

"If you behave, and help us."

"Help you with what? I've told you most of what I already know!"

"Perhaps, but there's a war coming, and before that, my Banquet, with a lot of guests whom you might get more answers from. Who knows if you might be more useful this time..."

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