The Cruel Prince's Wrath

Chapter 37

Iefyr and the others were all able to ride the dragon and the gerdai were abandoned but they were free and Velkin had informed him that the gerdai are intelligent and can make their own way home and so the decision was made to leave them. The dragon had specially formed scales on her back of which they could hold onto and Velkin was also held and supported by the others in his weakened state. Iefyr landed the dragon a way from the main part of the kingdom so as not to cause panic but he needed to get Velkin to them as fast as possible. His state had worsened and he was no longer even conscious. Iefyr waved to the dragons at the walls and word quickly spread that he was rising the dragon and that it was not hostile. Slowly the dragon approached the kingdoms walls and as they drew near Iefyr slid off and then helped the others before Velkin. He gently lay his brother on the ground and looked to the guards at the walls.

“We need to get him to the elders quickly!” he called and a stretcher was swiftly brought and concerned faces watched on as their prince had returned injured. King Neron pushed through the crowds, followed by both Tanith and Gerenil and Ieyfr noticed other friends hurrying to greet them. Inar and Vas both looked on with worry. Neron fell beside his youngest son, his face turned to an expression of utter despair.

“Did… Ievos do this?” he asked meekly looking up at Iefyr and the others realising Ievos was not with them.

“No, he did not, he had this… elven woman who seemed to have some strange power. Velkin said he felt his soul was injured… he needs to be seen by the elders.” Iefyr continued as some guards quickly carried the prince to the Temple of the Elders. Tanith hurried after them with tears streaming down her face.

“We need to meet, and you need to tell me everything that happened. I can see your mission was unsuccessful,” King Neron said regaining some strength he led the way and they found themselves following him to his office where stacks of papers were piled neatly upon a desk and this office held many books likely of important reference. He turned to them.

“What was Ievos like? What did he say to your asking him to come back?” he could see their faces were a mixture of anger and sadness.

“He declined of course,” Iefyr replied.

“As for what he was like, he kidnapped me and hurt me… he was just toying with us. I think he has gone mad.” Tolanda spoke and her voice held sadness. “He was even worse than before when he held me captive, I was not there for long thankfully as he allowed Iefyr and the others to rescue me but it was at the expense of Velkin.”

“He was badly injured protecting Iefyr,” Tolan now spoke.

“He protected you?” Neron asked and Iefyr nodded looking guilty. “He is a brave young man, noble and definitely worthy of being king if he makes it through, if the elders can help him.”

“I hope they can, I really hope they can.” Iefyr found himself saying and then he excused himself without waiting for his father’s dismissal and King Neron allowed him to leave.

“How did you come about the dragon?” King Neron continued questioning the others.

“She came to us… to Iefyr one evening saying that she was bonded to him from birth but has only just found her way to him,” Liv spoke now informing the king of this.

“We guessed it might have something to do with the magic Cauladra put around Laseron’Dir,” Tolanda added.

“Yes, that is quite likely. I wonder why a dragon bonded to Iefyr and what it is about my half elven sons that made them so special to be blessed by the ancestors. Ievos with his legendary powers… Iefyr with his dragon. I wonder what it means,” Neron wondered out loud.

~~

Iefyr marched through the palace intent on leaving and heading for the elders temple, his mother intercepted him and threw her arms around him relieved he returned unharmed. She looked at his sombre expression.

“I failed to get Ievos back… and Velkin was injured because of me, the attack that injured him was meant for me.” he said and closed his eyes. “If he dies mother… I do not know what I would do. I have come to love him as a brother, he is my brother, but we have certainly bonded as such. He is a good man and very brave.”

“Yes, he is very brave and he saved my son’s life, I owe him everything,” Gerenil said with tears shining in her eyes and a small smile on her lips.

“I must go, I wish to be with him and help in any way that I can,” Iefyr said leaving his mother’s side and going as originally intended to the elder dragon’s temple.