The Cruel Prince's Wrath

Chapter 32

Iefyr, Velkin, Tolan and Liv arrived at the forest and made for the river where they would use the gerdai to cross then leave them at the rivers edge deciding it was better to go the rest of the way on foot. It was better to leave them behind. They left them amongst some shrubbery, and they left their belongings near the lizard mounts before approaching the elven forest beyond. They crept through bushes using them as cover as they scouted the forest where the poorer elves lived. Iefyr could not see anyone around anywhere.

“It’s empty, there are usually people living in this part of the forest,” he whispered.

“I see an armed elf over there and I am guessing the others are all with Cauladra’s army, that is why no one is here,” Velkin said.

“Yes, I imagine so,” Iefyr replied. “Can you see anymore armed elves?”

“Not from here, let’s move up,” Velkin said, and they crept closer to Laseron’Dir.

“The palace will be the hardest part, I escaped through a passage in the dungeons… Cauladra was going to execute me for trying to kill Ievos but it was a misunderstanding. He rescued me freeing me so we could all travel to the dragon kingdom.”

“That’s where you intend to go to sneak into the palace,” Liv spoke, and he nodded. It was the only option he could think of and he prayed Tolanda was unharmed, but he knew wherever she was, Ievos would not be far. They managed to successfully sneak towards the palace dungeon entrance and went inside. There were no guards like there were before which struck them as strange since Ievos was aware of this entrance. Iefyr knew this was a trap but he had expected there to be some guards here waiting for them.

“This is too easy,” Iefyr muttered starting to feel more reason for caution. “I know where Ievos’ chambers are, but he might also be in the hall.” Iefyr whispered as he peered around the door of the dungeon to the lower parts of the palace. There was nobody around and he led the group out, but they kept close against the walls creeping further into the palace. They did not come across anyone the whole way into the palace and it felt almost eerie.

“This is worrying,” Tolan muttered.

“Unsettling,” Liv agreed but they pressed on.

“I cannot believe we have not seen a soul,” Velkin added as they approached a staircase.

“We go up here,” Iefyr said taking the first step.

“Do you think he would really kill my sister?” Tolan asked but nobody replied. They grew closer to the top of the stairs and then towards the chambers. Iefyr felt it most likely his brother was in his chambers and likely Tolanda was also there. Ievos’ bedroom door was open partially and they approached with caution, all silently drawing out their weapons. Iefyr pushed the door slowly open and peered inside. He could see Ievos at his balcony and he pushed all the way in. Ievos turned to him.

“Where is she?” Iefyr demanded holding his sword. Ievos grinned and then Iefyr realised his hands were bloody and he held something. He let it slide from his hand to the floor with a sickening sound and he realised it was a heart.

“That is what is left, she fought back,” he tossed the small dagger to the floor beside the heart. Iefyr felt a pang inside his chest, his eyes stared wildly at the organ on the floor. It could not be true. She was not dead; she could not possibly be. He felt as though he was about to lose his mind, like it was shattering into fragments. He fought everything inside of himself not to scream or drop to his knees where he felt so weak and broken.