The Cruel Prince's Wrath

Chapter 26

Iefyr and his party were scouting the ruins near to the abandoned castle through the cover of woodland. It was close to the castle but could not be seen from the castle. Liv and Tolan had gone ahead, as humans they would not arouse so much suspicion. They were returning and waved the other’s over indicating the ruins were clear. The others tied the gerdai to trees and left them at the forest to rest before proceeding to the old ruins. They approached with caution unless some elves did appear nearby, but it seemed quiet, empty, and still. Tolanda’s heart was racing as they entered the boundaries of the ruins and Iefyr sat in the very centre of the ruins. Velkin began preparing the special tea that would ease his journey into his meditative state. It was tea used by the elder dragons in their rituals and healing. Liv and Tolan took their positions on opposite sides of the ruin to look out across the hills for anyone approaching. Tolanda kissed Iefyr before Velkin brought him the tea. He accepted it and then drank, closing his eyes, Tolanda and Velkin took the North and South sides of the ruin to also look out for oncoming approaches. Iefyr controlled his breathing, steady, deep breaths, and after what felt like years, he could feel the vibrations of his friends around him and then the animals hiding nearby. He focussed on the castle and on Ievos trying to reach out, trying to locate him amongst all the elves he knew to be inside the castle walls. He suddenly felt his spirit leave him and he was inside with those elves, but they were going about their business, he was not here for them and they could not see him. Iefyr moved among them undetected, and he went deeper inside the castle finding his way to the chambers. He looked inside a couple of rooms until he found one that looked promising. He entered and noticed the remnants of herbs upon a table. This was likely the prince’s chambers, but he was not here either. Iefyr left and went to move among the elven people here listening for a hint of the prince’s whereabouts when a conversation struck him.

“Do you really think the Shadow Dragons will listen to Ievos? They have been attacking settlements for a long time, like everyone else is inferior,” one said, and Iefyr’s eyes widened.

“He is also half dragon, and we share enemies with the Shadow Dragons, perhaps he will persuade them somehow,”

“Or we never see him again,” Iefyr was in shock and he retreated, connecting with his material body once more and far more suddenly than he was supposed to have done.

“Ievos is… not there… he travels to the Shadow Dragons… oh dear gods,” Iefyr muttered as he came around. He felt intense nausea and put it down to the sudden draw back to his body.

“What in the world would he want with them?” Liv asked horrified at the thought.

“Dark creatures… the Shadow Dragons... they are cursed, why would he go to them, what could he possibly gain from that but…” Velkin trailed off and met eyes with his brother.

“An alliance.” Iefyr finished his younger brother’s sentence, at least along the track he believed he was thinking. The look in Velkin’s eyes as they met his confirmed that and the nod that accompanied. “No, we must stop him,” Iefyr said and hurried out of the ruins and to his gerdai mounting it and riding West. The others all clambered to follow him mounting their own gerdai lizard beasts and hurrying after him, the wind whipping passed them as they forced the gerdai to their speed limits.

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Prince Ievos and his group arrived at a part of the human kingdom that he started to recognise, and he soon realised they were near Namara Forest. He recalled the time there when the Burnt Ones attacked, and he had seen Tolanda and Iefyr dancing together at the party they had attended and where they met Liv. Liv, that insufferable woman who seemed to hate him to the core. He was not fond of her either, but it no longer mattered. He thought for a moment and looked around to Zia and then to the others.

“I think… we should stop off at Laseron’Dir,” he said and there were some agreements at the detour. They had a long journey ahead of them but Ievos felt like going home, especially since his mother was not there at this moment in time. He ordered they make camp just before the valley that he and Iefyr had a fight testing out their powers but also a serious fight over Tolanda and she had to quell them as usual back then. He sat in his tent after it had been set up and he had both Urro and Zia with him. Urro was bringing him tea and Zia was standing nearby waiting for directions but Ievos just had a mind for conversation.

“Zia, were you not with Prince Moray? I got the understanding that he adored you,” he asked her.

“I was but we were never meant to be,” she said sadly.

“How did he take it when you told him?”

“It was mutual, he realised it too and he wanted me to be safe and escape after Lorai accused me of attacking her and inflicting a wound that she had inflicted upon herself right before me. I was already planning to leave him and leave the capital. I told him this in a letter, I believe he would understand,” she said.

“You broke his heart through a letter?” Ievos asked her his eyes flashing in brief anger. It was not that he cared for the human prince’s broken heart only the cruel way in which this woman chose to do it. “You are a coward,” he hissed, and she cast her eyes down.

“Forgive me but… it is not really any of your business,” she boldly said and Urro looked up from where he was with the tea, his cautious eyes watching her and then moving to the prince who stood from his seat and marched towards her. She shrunk back but was unable to escape him as he took a handful of her fiery red hair and pulled. She cried out.

“You dare speak back to me! You may have gotten away with a lot with the humans because Moray had feelings for you, but you mean nothing to me!” he growled in her face.

“Please…” she whimpered, and he pushed her down to the ground.

“My lord… might I suggest you have some more calming tea?” Urro asked him and Ievos decided it was probably for the best and he went to Urro accepting another cup and then Urro went to Zia and helped her back to her feet.

“Our prince has a temper, but he will not hurt you, isn’t that right, your majesty?” Urro said.

“I did hurt her,” Ievos replied coldly, “and I will do so again if she keeps up with this insolence,” the prince looked around to them, his eyes were cold but there was also a hint of something else in his eyes, he looked a little unhinged as though he was holding onto a shred of sanity.