The Cruel Prince's Wrath

Chapter 2

They entered King Neron’s great hall where a large table was situated in the centre and around it dragons of various types and races sat and the atmosphere within was tense. The King rose as did his emissaries as the two entered and he opened a seat to his right for Iefyr and there was one right there for Tolanda. They both took their seats and then everyone else followed. Tolanda looked around at the faces taking seats on this large table made of some sort of black wood. The table was thick and sturdy looking. She noticed Inar, Tergat and Vas at the table thankful to see some friendly and familiar faces but she could not see Agoras and hoped his injury was not grieving him too much. Inar offered her a kind smile of reassurance which eased her nervousness. Iefyr also took her hand in his as they rested upon the bulky arms of the chairs in which they sat.

“We have several issues to address today which is why I have called you all here,” Neron spoke as he remained standing. “Since we are approaching war and with the arrival of my son Iefyr we must establish a successor,” he said.

“I have no desire to be king, father, you know this. I wish only to marry Tolanda, have children, live a quiet and simple life,” he said.

“And ignore the war? That is simply not an option,” Neron said.

“No I would fight with you in this war and we will win, but I only wish to be a simple husband, no king,” Iefyr added and Tolanda felt that familiar warm feeling inside of her chest and she smiled to him gripping his hand tightly.

“I am sorry son but that just will not be possible,”

“Why not? He does not want it, I do! Shouldn’t that make it simple?” The prince cried out.

“No, Iefyr has good leadership qualities and he is my son so he must be in the line for the throne. We can either put it to vote or go to the trials,”

“Trials?” Tolanda asked quietly but the king heard her since she was near him and he looked to her.

“A series of tests to determine who will make the stronger ruler,” Neron said and the prince scoffed.

“He is half elf, that will be no contest!” he laughed.

“I saved your life, brother, but I do not wish for this responsibility, father,”

“Shall we put it to vote then?” Neron asked. “Of course, myself and Queen are exempt from this vote,” murmurs of agreement sounded and Neron took a seat. “All in favour of Prince Velkin assuming the throne after me, please raise your hand,” several dragons did so and a squire behind Neron scribbled down their names and how many. “All in favour of Prince Iefyr,” Inar, Tergat, Vas and some others raised their hands to this. The king looked to Tolanda.

“You did not vote,” he said.

“I… had not realised I was allowed to or meant to, I am sorry,” she said.

“Who does your vote lie with?” he asked her.

“I assure you I have no desire to be queen… I fear it in fact since I have no leadership skills whatsoever but… I do believe in Iefyr and I do think he would make a wonderful ruler, but I also believe Velkin would do so I do not wish to vote on such a matter,” she said looking at him.

“The dragon’s rule in partnership! A weak queen behind a king will lead to that king’s downfall, you can’t even cast a vote!” the queen spat.

“Tolanda is not weak!” Iefyr raised his voice.

“I am sorry, queen Tanith, I did not realise you saw me as weak,” Tolanda said meekly.

“Weak, yes, a human bonding to a dragon’s soul clearly caused all kinds of problems, perhaps because of Iefyr’s elven side also caused problems that you were both too slow to see the golden streams and in doing so, Ievos has returned to that witch. Likely broken,” Tanith hissed.

“Enough! I know you were fond of Ievos and I am sad to think he may be with that woman but there is nothing we can do about it now!” Neron barked. “What did the vote come to?” King Neron asked his scribe.

“It… it was a tie,” the scribe said.

“So then we must enter trials,” Neron decided and the prince grinned over to his older brother.

“Then I can simply fail them and get my wish,” Iefyr said.

“Failing them could mean death,” Neron said and Tolanda turned pale holding tightly to Iefyr’s hand.

“I could simply leave with Tolanda and begin my life with her away from all of this,”

“I would not advise that,” Inar spoke up from where he sat, “do the trials, lad. You will be seen a coward if you leave,” he said.

“I know I am not a coward, Tolanda knows I am not a coward, that is all that matters.”

“It could mean you are cut off from us as dragons too, nobody likes to help a coward. I would not advise it,” Inar said; his voice was dull as though he was depressed. Iefyr sighed.

“Why are you forcing this upon him?” Tolanda asked the king. “Why can’t you be satisfied with Velkin? He would make a good king, a good leader, I know that too,” Tolanda continued. Velkin smiled to the young human.

“I know that he would, and he has learned a lot over the years but I just feel that he has more to learn,”

“And you are not dying anytime soon, father, why is there such a rush?” Iefyr asked.

“Because I fear the next battle, I may not survive it,” Neron said causing faces to become sombre.

“Why?”

“Because if Ievos has joined with Cauladra, my mission will be to kill them both,” he said and Tolanda gripped Iefyr tightly.

“Kill Ievos?” Iefyr asked horrified.

“Yes, he is dangerous in her hands with the powers that he possesses,” Neron said sadly. “If I go up against them both or even either of them, I will not survive it, they will take me with them, but I am willing for that if I can at least stop one of them. It is my duty as king.”