All the kings and all the soldiers watched with held breath. The big doors of the council chamber were open. From within the shadowy room Emperor Sir David emerged into the sunlight of the garden. And walking beside him was Eric.
Eric looked utterly confused. He seemed quite surprised to be outside. A dazed look was in his eyes as if he had just woken up from a strange dream and didn't know where he was. Fear was clearly evident in the way he held himself.
There was a slight tremor in his hands a small shaking he couldn't quite control. But he was somehow managing to keep himself standing. His posture was stiff and unnatural like a puppet.
It was clear to anyone who was observant anyone who was watching closely that this was Eric the boy. This was not the terrifying powerful entity that had so easily defeated the Emperor's elite guard just moments before.
The change was startling. It was like seeing two completely different people in the same body.
