Light of Elliana: Book One—Of Tears & Darkness

Chapter Thirteen: Dead Wolves

Donovan finally stopped trying to fall asleep shortly after sunrise. Last night’s events made it impossible. Though tired, he managed to get dressed, opened the door, and stepped out into the hallway. His first objective was to get something to eat. In no time at all, Prince Donovan was walking past the Royal Dining Room towards the Royal Kitchen.

The aroma of fresh bread and pies baking filled the air, making his stomach growl. The prince closed in on the kitchen and grabbed an apple, along with a small grain bread loaf, and nodded toward a tea kettle. Before he stood Andrew the cook, with a stone face, with his black hair gleaming and brown eyes twinkling, he grinned and poured him a cup of spiced tea. At Donovan’s insistence, the excellent man took a large flat knife and spread some honey on the small loaf as well. Without further ado, the kind stout man once more returned to his baking, and the prince departed to visit with his father and mother.

Enjoying his makeshift breakfast, Donovan entered the Central Hall and found it strangely empty. The sound of footsteps approaching from the main doors became Queen Katherine entering the hall. She wore a light lavender gown and her hair in a popular ladder weave. She had a concerned puzzled expression on her face.

“What is it? What has happened?” Donovan asked out of curiosity.

“Your father wants you in the Main Courtyard. A Centaur patrol found four dead wolves, and we have no idea what it means,” his mother replied. She turned towards Donovan and gave him a lingering hug and stepped back. “When I consider it might have all ended differently last night, I am beside myself with anger. Now go, don’t keep your father waiting.

Donovan stepped through the double doors into a bright sunlit morning. It was one of those mornings, which was sunny and invigorating. Changa, Maska, and his father stood gathered around four dead wolves tied upon a drag. All the animals looked a little worse for wear.

“I can’t tell who looks worse, you or these creatures,” Changa said with a chuckle. Maska and his father joined in the merriment.

“Thank you and good morning to you all,” Donovan said with a grin and a bow. He took a large bite of bread and honey and turned to his father questioningly.

“It appears as though your attacker managed to escape despite all our best efforts. However, these wolves were found in the Ferrington Hills, out past Katy’s Meadow,” King Tarran stated. Donovan noted his father was wearing his favorite ensemble, black leggings, black leather boots, with a short-sleeved burgundy-colored tunic.

“What would wolves be doing this close to Kandalare? There haven’t been any reports of wolf-packs in this area for years.” Donovan visually inspected the bloodied furry forms for signs of what had killed them.

“Whoever killed these wolves used a sword, and he was certainly deadly. Each of them has been slashed or stabbed where it would do the most damage,” King Tarran stated while rubbing his whiskered chin.

“Exactly what a Meer would do.” Donovan took another bite of bread and honey and followed it with a sip of spiced tea.

“Meer? Why would you mention them?” Changa asked with a furrowed brow.

“When I ran into the central courtyard last night, I discovered Charles the guard laying there. He told me it was a Meer; he saw its face in the moonlight. He died from a poisoned dart the assassin used on him; it was on the ground by his head.”

“Charles was a good man, with unquestionable common-sense and loyalty. His message to you means imminent war is now the least of our short-term problems. If the Meer survives, he will undoubtedly return and attempt to finish the job,” Maska stated emphatically.

Changa looked questioningly at Maska. “Do you believe he would attempt such a move again?”

“Without a shadow of a doubt! Meer assassins will keep trying until they’re successful in their mission or they die. It’s a matter of honor, one he must fulfill before he returns to where he came from,” King Tarren muttered.

Maska nodded in agreement. “You recall the matter with King Stargis in Arconia, don’t you? The same Meer hunted the king for ten years before finally killing him in his bed. The guards or Queen Anne never knew anything was amiss. Until she rolled over the following morning and found him dead.”

“How, could they tell it was the same Meer?” Donovan inquired.

“Meer always have their daggers made with a specific engraving; each has its mark. They leave them as a calling card, a badge of honor thing,” Maska explained quietly. “The same assassin had made some prior attempt ten years earlier, leaving his dagger sticking in a wall. When the killer did the deed, he embedded the dagger’s twin in the base of King Stargis’s brain, severing his spinal cord.”

“Ten years?” The thought of a Meer pursuing him for any length of time bothered Donovan greatly. “Right now, the enemy wanted him dead, and now he must contend with an assassin’s future attempts,” the prince thought. “Why is it, when you believe things can’t possibly get worse, they suddenly do?”

“Yes—I fully recall the matter, the Arconian Military was never able to catch the Meer. King Stargis was a good man; he didn’t deserve to die like that. We have a lot of planning to do, to prevent this filth from attempting another attack.” King Tarran nodded angrily. Maska revealed to Donovan and his father, the plan to implement roving Centaur patrols after nightfall. It would add another ring of protection around Kandalare and the clan.

Changa, Maska, King Tarran, and Donovan spent hours planning staggered guard patrols upon varying routes. Afterward, the four of them traveled along the outer wall, discussing various needed improvements. Kandalare, as a city, was unique as far as its location was concerned. The municipality sat at the base of an immense granite formation known as Kelner’s Fist, upon which existed a sprawling plateau.

His ancestor, King Kelner Answaar, had chosen this site for his capital city almost five hundred years ago. The great municipality sat astride the only access to the vast plateau two thousand feet above. To those approaching from the North, the East, and the South, Kelner’s Fist presented sheer, solid unscalable rock cliff-faces. To the West, stood a massive double stone wall, fortified by twelve stone towers.

Over the years, as the city grew, its population had filled in the Western expanse within the city walls. Now, Kandalare was expanding along the slope, which led higher towards the upper reaches of the plateau. At a critical juncture below the road which led to the upper reaches, stood Kelner’s Bastion, a massive fortress built upon solid bedrock.

By the time they finished with the inspection at the end of the day, Donovan felt as if he could sleep while standing. Before dinner, he had one last task before he could eat and turn in for the night. The prince needed to find out how Princess Morgan was faring.

Donovan paused outside the open doorway of the room Princess Morgan was using and knocked lightly on the door. Addena met him at the doorway and motioned him inside. He quietly followed the Court Healer, not knowing what to expect.

Morgan lay flat on her back, with a dressing covering her eyes. She tried to sit-up, but Addena gently restrained her while patting her hand. “Easy, dear child. Brown Skater venom is quite deadly, and you’re fortunate to be alive. Normally, those afflicted by the snake’s venom become insane and die. Fortunately, we were able to determine what it was and counter its effects quickly.”

“Thank you for saving my life,” Morgan said. Her voice sounded weak and strained.

“Princess Morgan, you need to drink this tea. I am afraid the taste is horrid, yet it will help you immensely,” Addena said quietly. The healer carefully spooned the liquid into her mouth, making sure she swallowed all of it, despite her protests.

“Ugh—what is this? It’s the vilest stuff I’ve ever tasted.”

“Yes, I’ve been told the same by others, Princess Morgan. But, it’s necessary to help you recover from the venom’s effects. You journeyed too close to death’s door; rest is essential to rejoin the living once more.”

“How is she doing?” Donovan whispered in Addenda’s ear.

“We were most fortunate to be able to administer aid to Princess Morgan immediately. Her poisoning is not the first time I’ve encountered someone who was affected. The princess will be fine once she gets a little more rest and time to recover.”

“I will take my leave, also. Princess Morgan isn’t the only one who needs to get some rest,” Donovan replied and yawned.

Without further delay, the prince immediately set off for the Royal Dining Room. After a hasty meal, Donovan at long last stood beside his bed and slid beneath the soft blanket covering his bed. In no time at all, the prince was dreaming of traveling on horseback, towards distant snow-capped mountains.

The following morning, both Donovan and Changa were approaching Princess Morgan’s room. They found her standing and talking to Addena. With a smile, Donovan walked over to greet her and inquire about the status of her recovery. Changa remained outside the doorway.

“I wish to thank you for attempting to stop the assassin. It was a valiant attempt. However, I would have never forgiven myself if the Meer had killed you.” Donovan said politely and immediately regretted uttering the words.

You are welcome, Prince Donovan. Some of the finest sword-masters in the land have trained me since I was a child. You will find I can take care of myself,” Morgan chided indignantly.

“It’s not what I meant, Princess—” Donovan started but was immediately cut off by the intensity and heat of Morgan’s response.

“Stop calling me, princess! My name is Morgan.”

“There’s no way to save the moment when you’ve been instantly roasted alive,” the prince thought and opted to leave well enough alone.

“Alright—Morgan, when you are ready, we will escort you back to Etria. My father is anxious for me to bring a new treaty to your father, for him to sign.” Donovan managed to get out without being interrupted and was preparing to leave the room before his pride was further damaged.

“We had been discussing her return home before you arrived. Even though most of her eyesight has returned, her vision is still fuzzy around the edges,” Addena explained pleasantly. “She has already accepted your father’s offer to be accompanied to Etria by an armed escort led by you, Prince Donovan. However, she has asked to be shown the sights of Kandalare before she leaves.”

Changa—who was enjoying the banter between the two of them, laughed out loud, irritating Donovan. His friend walked out of the hallway door, chuckling.

“Alright, I will make sure everything is ready for us to leave when you are ready,” Donovan said with a red face. Quickly turning, he walked out into the hall before she could respond. When he walked out of the door into the courtyard, he noted Changa was waiting for him with a wide grin on his face.

“Alright, what’s so funny?”

“My brother, as I live and breathe, it has finally happened,” Changa answered with a hearty laugh.

“Whatever are you talking about?” Donovan asked in exasperation.

“You have met a lady who is your equal, a kindred spirit.” Changa smiled.

“Morgan—what are you talking about, Changa? She handles a bow well enough, this is true. Hopefully, in time, we can become good friends,” Donovan argued.

“Say what you will, my friend. Never have I seen such skill with a bow before, at such a range. She also has a great deal of heart, with her charging in to attack the assassin by herself,” Changa continued with a serious expression.

Donovan nodded, while Changa hammered each fact home. “It was going to be a long trip to Etria,” Prince Donovan thought.