The night passed quickly by and soon they were making their way into the palace gates. Arthur had managed to tied his chin length ebony hair behind his neck and despite his attempts to keep it in check, a few loose strands of hair now fell loosely at the side of his head. A few moments before they had left home, Valerio had come by to collect Nymeria's sword. Arthur had only barely managed to conceal his disappointment. No bother, he'll get to see her again at the hearing. As they came to the door, an old woman stood there with a basket filled with lots.

"Draw before you enter and keep your lot with you at all times until such a time as will be required." She told them.

"Why us?" Henry asked suspiciously. "Those women didn't draw your lot."

" Women are not required to draw the lot." Was her answer.

"And why the bloody hell not?" Henry asked.

"Everything that happens here today is our fallen King's wish. And that of the gods. Now draw your lot and enter. Others are waiting." She told him.

Grumpily, he drew his lot and walked on. As Arthur came to her, he realized she wore the numerous chains that showed her position, the Oracle. She gave him a knowing smile and held out her basket.

"Fate calls you child. Will you answer?" She asked.

Arthur wasn't sure what that meant so he simply drew his lot and began to walk away.

"Did you not hear? Your destiny calls you." She said, forcing him to stop and hear her out. "Will you meet it head on or will you run from it?"

"I don't - I don't know what you mean." He said.

"Choose wisely child. Do not make any rash decisions out of anger." She said before she turned away to attend to the next person, leaving him more confused.

What the hell was that all about? Deciding the Oracle's words were not going to make any sense if he stayed there, he decided to go after his father. If he had been impressed by the outside of the palace, the inside completely baffled him. The inside was exquisitely carved in stone and marble. As he moved around trying to find his father, he saw her.

If her beauty had amazed him before, now he was rendered speechless. Now she stood, some of her hair pinned to the top of her head with a golden circlet that was designed to resemble a flower stem. It had three distinctively placed diamonds cut and set so precisely, it looked as if her crown was made of stars. One diamond set at the center of her forehead and the other two were on either side of her head. Her neck was adorned by a intricately carved golden choker, ad her wrists had on numerous golden bracelets. All of this complemented her flowing white gown with its golden hemlines. A true vision in white.

Just then she turned and their eyes met. She said something to her companions and shortly after they left and she stood there all alone watching him. Before he could change his mind, he walked over to her and bowed to her. She smiled at him.

"You came." She said with a hint of excitement in her tone.

"I did. My father changed his mind." He replied.

"I'm glad." She responded.

"You look..." He began but couldn't find the words to finish.

"You too." She said almost as if she could read his mind.

Once again he felt that familiar magnetic force.

"I feel so comfortable around you. Why is that?" She asked as her eyes stared into his.

Before he could respond, a familiar voice called to him.

"Arthur, there you are. I've been looking all over for you." Henry said before he realized she was there and bowed. 'My lady."

She smiled and acknowledged his greeting.

"I'll see you afterwards, I hope." She said to him before walking away.

"Hope I didn't interrupt anything." Henry said.

"Absolutely not." Arthur said.

"If you say so, come on lad. Let's get a spot to sit." He said.

As they turned, they bumped into the commander.

"Henry, I'm so glad you could make it." He said. "And you brought Arthur along, that's good. Its great to see you here again, Arthur."

Arthur didn't know what to say because for one thing his father's face looked ashen. He looked at the commander with some sort of despair.

"I saved a spot for both of you. Clearer spot, more audible. Come, come." He said as he led Henry away.

For a moment, Arthur hesitated. Something was wrong. Something was very wrong. First his father acting weird, saying things that didn't make sense then the Oracle's cryptic warning and now his father's obvious dread to being in the same room with the commander. He couldn't help the chill he suddenly felt. The commander stopped only a few meters ahead of him and turned back to him, beckoning him to follow. Reluctantly, he followed. Front row, those were the seats the commander gave them. Bullocks, whatever hope he'd had of slipping off once he got bored were immediately thrown out the window.

"Okay, now will you tell me what this is about?" He asked as he faced Henry.

"What do you mean son?" Henry asked, feigning confusion.

"I'm not a child anymore!" He objected although quietly. " I may be sixteen years old but I'm not a child. Please, father. Whatever it is, you know you can tell me, right?"

Henry opened his mouth to say something but he was immediately cut off when the commander took to the podium.

"Thank you all for coming, it is an honor our beloved king wished to have. Addressing you all like this, unfortunately the Fates had other plans." He began.

Arthur immediately found himself drifting. He didn't care about all this. Frankly it was a given Miraz would succeed king Oberon. Why waste everyone's time with all this. Or maybe it was a bribe. One final meal, ladies and gentlemen before your live went down the drain. The final smooching before hell descended upon all of them. He noticed the commander lift up a scroll that contained king Oberon's seal, the black Crest. He broke the seal and began reading.

"I, Oberon son of Julius, king of Atlantis do hereby declare my will as the gods bare me witness. I name my heir who shall from henceforth commence term as king of Atlantis, my one and only son..."

"That is preposterous!" Lord Miraz said from his podium. " My brother had no child so don't make fools of us!"

"My Lord, if you had let me finish all would have been clarified." The commander said.

"What, you're going to tell us my brother - the most honourable man there was in this kingdom - had a bastard he had hidden somewhere?" Miraz asked with a sneer.

He turned to a group of Lords that were seated by him. Obviously enjoying what he thought was commander Boulivir's humiliation.

"Tell us then. Did my brother with his dying breathe finally declare to adulterating before the gods?" Miraz asked as he stared at the commander. "If so, its a wonder he didn't have any legitimate child. The gods obviously cursed him for his insolence! But of course none of that is true!"

Commander Boulivir stared at Miraz, struggling to hold his composure. He took a deep breathe at turned back to the will in his hands.

"...who was borne to me by another woman many years before I was joined in matrimony to my dear departed Queen Celia. For many years I have kept his existence a secret but now seeing as I have reached my end, it is time I acknowledged him his birthright being my sole heir.." He read.

"Oh goodie, my dear brother has a bastard everyone!" Miraz sneered. "Obviously this document seemed to be falsified but what can I say? I cannot speak for my brother's taste in friends but I can speak for his honour, commander Boulivir. Tell us then what is the name of my brother's supposed bastard?"

The commander looked at the crowd of people all gathered. He scanned the grand hall and for a second longer, his eyes settled on Arthur who seemed to be studying Miraz who was enjoying the spectacle he was making. He beckoned for someone at the back and everyone watched as the Oracle made her way to the front. As she stood there, he continued to read.

"... and to remove all doubt from the minds of my people and those who are dear to me, may the gods prove to all the truth of my words through their servant, the Oracle, who will stand as witness to my words."

The Oracle stepped forward.

"Every man here present - both young and old - drew a lot as they came here. All of them were bare but in the hands of the true son of Oberon let the lot turn to the color of blood as proof of the will of the gods." She said.

Arthur looked at his and found it still bare. Impatiently, he began to drum his fingers on his thigh. Frankly he didn't understand why this was taking so long. Just get it over with and let the celebrations begin and in his mind that meant free food, free drinks and the opportunity to be alone with Nymeria. After all, she had implied she wanted to see him later and that was an opportunity he wasn't about to throw down the drain. The Queen of Venetia was interested in him as much as he was her. What a miracle! So what if the old king had had a secret love child, who cares? Sure it was a big improvement from Miraz but still he didn't get what the fuss was about. He just wished all this would be over so the festivities would begin. He watched as the Oracle beckoned to of commander Boulivir's lieutenants.

"Gentleman, I would like you to go to every man here present who drew the lot and I want them to show you their lot. The one you are looking for is the one whose lot would have changed color." She instructed them.

Immediately they went out, starting from the back doing as they were bid. A few minutes passed and it seemed they continued approaching the men. Finally one came up to him. Without looking at it, Arthur held out his lot to the lieutenant. He waited for him to pass on. Only he didn't. The lieutenant stared at Arthur's lot and then at him before turning to face the Oracle. Arthur was confused, he didn't understand what was going on. Or why people were suddenly interested in him. As if that wasn't weird enough, the man dipped his head lightly in what appeared to be a bow.

Startled, Arthur was about to ask what was going on when he noticed that the lot in his hand had changed color. It was now a deep red color. He felt the color drain from him as he stated at it in shock. He hadn't noticed when it had changed color but it had which he found to be ridiculous because if it was true then it would mean..