The Cruel Prince's Wrath

Chapter 35

Ievos sat with some of his men at a table in Laseron’Dir eating a large meal between them all, it was to be their last one before they continued their journey. Urro and Zia were not far off watching and awaiting orders from the prince. Tyrria and Reinys were sat either side of him as they enjoyed their meal with some wine.

“My prince, so we are to set out on this journey tomorrow?” one of his men asked, he was an elf with dark brown hair braided much like Iefyr once wore his.

“That is correct,” Ievos replied and looked at the elven man blankly, he had invited some of his men on this journey, but he was unfamiliar with most of their names. “I forget your name,” he added.

“It is Elas, my prince,” the soldier replied.

“You do not have to be so formal; we are allies and comrades, I am your prince and your leader but right now we are just having our meal together,” Ievos replied and Tyrria looked at him uncertain why he was being so accommodating and polite. It was not the character she had come to know of him.

“Of course, thank you,” Elas replied.

“Tell me, Elas, how were you recruited to fight my mother’s battles? Were you already of Laseron’Dir? Were you one of the strays she picked up along the way who happened to know how to use a blade?” he asked.

“I was… from Laseron’Dir, I was already a soldier, and she took me on the very first journey. I have been with her from the beginning,”

“And you are loyal?” Prince Ievos asked him.

“Of course, is that in question?” Elas asked now concerned and he put down his cutlery and took to sipping his wine instead.

“Your loyalty lies with my mother?” Ievos narrowed his eyes a little.

“She is my queen, as I said of course I am loyal,” Elas replied earnestly.

“To my mother?” Ievos asked again and Elas looked from the prince to the others at the table and the atmosphere grew tense.

“I am sorry, forgive me, am I missing the point of this?” Elas asked.

“I selected each of you to join me on this journey for certain reasons. Are you loyal to my mother or to me?” he asked.

“Is there a difference?” Elas asked.

“You fell very easily into not addressing me appropriately, Elas. What are your feelings towards my mother, speak openly and honestly, that is an order from your prince,” he said.

“Your mother is an extraordinarily strong and determined woman and leader. She is fiercely dedicated-“ Ievos cut him off by slamming his hand on the table causing his own cutlery and plate to clink together.

“Wrong!” he snapped. “You are not being open and honest.” He insisted.

“Brother, what is the point of this inquisition?” Tyrria asked and he looked to her.

“There is a point,” he said. “All of you, I need to know where you stand with my mother,” he said looking around at everyone who exchanged concerned glances to one another unsure how to respond and nobody wanted to speak first.

“She is an intimidating woman, terrifying in terms of the power she wields,” Reinys spoke and Ievos looked at her satisfied that someone had responded honestly.

“She is insane,” Tyrria now spoke and the men around them seemed to relax and Ievos sat back.

“We go to the Shadow Dragons for allies, but their agreement will be with me and not my mother. They will be our allies, not hers,” he now said.

“My prince, I know you are aware of the reputation of these Shadow Dragons and their… Burnt Army,” one began, an elven man with light auburn hair cut short.

“The Burned Ones, yes,” Ievos replied.

“They are merciless… and if I may many of the men are very… anxious about going on this journey with you. Many feel it is a suicidal act. Some even say that… you are also mad,”

“What is your name?” Ievos asked this one.

“Orrin and I was a soldier who joined your mother’s army after she left this place, one she recruited and took into her protection after our relations went bad with the humans,”

“Orrin, so you say some of my men here think I am mad. Like my mother?” he asked.

“Yes, my lord, forgive me I thought you might appreciate open and honest words,” Orrin replied confidently.

“Yes, I suppose I do,” Ievos said sitting back in his chair. He looked from each face of the men that sat with him here and each met eyes with him, and he was satisfied honest words had been spoken but as for his madness, perhaps there was some truth in that. He had felt like his mind was fragmenting lately but one usually is not aware of their own madness.