2025-01-17 22:47:00As soon as my carriage came to a halt within the castle walls, I rushed up the stairs.
“GUNTHER!” I yelled as I pushed the castle doors open. I was surprised to see Valark seating on the throne while Gunther stood beside him. “Valark?! What are you doing?”
“I’m taking what is mine.”
“Well said my king,” Gunther remarked with a grin. “In order to avoid any problems in the future, I suggest you get rid of the halfling.”
“Don’t listen to him Valark, he killed the King.”
“Me? I did no such thing.”
“I saw it! He left the King to die while he ran away.”
“Really?! Did you see him saving one of his men? Did you see the shrieker that bite him? Did you see him change?”
When I could neither deny nor confirm any of the questions he had asked, he said, “No. You didn’t. I have many men who can tell you exactly what happened.”
“No matter. I’ve already heard their reports, and it seems the new alpha has no evidence to prove that the Commander killed the King. I may not be fond of you, brother, but I wouldn’t want to be known as the King that spilled his half-brother’s blood. Therefore, I banish you from my kingdom.”
“No, King Valark,” Gunther said, placing a hand on Valark’s shoulders. “This halfling must die. Then we’ll have a new heir to the throne.” Valark fell silent and avoided my gaze. “Guards!” Gunther yelled. “Kill the halfling.” The guards began to transform and so did I but they were quicker.
One lunged at me and i barely managed to dodge him. Another lunged at me, jaws wide open. I raised my arm to shield my face, and he bite into it. With a simple jerk of his head, he sent my whole body crashing into a window and landing hard on the outside. I got to my feet and ran, clutching my bleeding arm.
**********
Me people kept blabbering on and on about the Queen’s ceremony as we rode home. The carriage looked nice, but I found it to be very uncomfortable not knowing what was outside. Though I have to say it was funny seeing Tumak fail to keep his food down. I never knew he’s face could change into so many colours. The carriage was a pretty gift, but I doubt any of me people would be willing to use it to travel. The horses are different thing all together.
Once I arrived home, I looked for Ragnar but at the time he had gone out hunting. I hoped he didn’t kill any Kelorians by mistake. Seeing as there was nothing to do, I went to me room and lay down. I was woken up when the hunting party arrived, and I was glad to see that Ragnar was fine and that the hunt was a success.
As he received congratulatory pats on the back, he saw me and ran over to embrace me. “Chief! Welcome back.”
“Ay, its good to be back. I have so much to tell you, but you go first. How are our people doing.”
“They seem to have settled in well and there hasn’t been any talk of going back or looking for a new place. I guess you were right to take Tumak and some of his friends with ya. Now tell me, how was the ceremony? Did the food taste good?”
“It’s always the food with ya, isn’t it?”
“What else could there be?”
“How about flying people and stars of many colours that become smaller at the sound of thunder?”
“Ya’re joking!”
I put my arm around the back of his neck. “Come little brother, let me tell you of how a princess became a queen in one night.” As we talked others begun to join us. Occasionally some of the men that had gone with me would tell their side of the story and before I knew it the whole village was gathering around listening to the strange tales we told. It reminded me of back home, when we would drink and eat around a fire and enjoy each others company. When the stories had ended and the food had filled our bellies, we went to bed.
**********
Monica and I arrived late in the night. Seeing that she was truly exhausted I persuaded her to go and rest while I went to meet with my father, Count Pavel von Duke. As I walk into the room, I hear my father raising his voice. This will not be a meeting that I’ll enjoy.
“Find Rurik so that we can fix this mess!” the Count yelled.
“I already have our scouts searching our territory for him. The elves have also agreed to help with the search though they’ll only carry it out in their territory, my lord.”
“What has my little brother done this time?” I asked.
“Welcome back, Sir Leon,” said the Advisor. “We sent your brother to help the humans as soon as we got word from Queen Verona that the shrekiers were heading towards her city. Unfortunately, a few days later we got a report saying that Rurik had gone missing and this very evening we got another report telling us that Rurik had somehow managed to kidnap Princess Reina.”
I know he’s crazy but surely, he isn’t that crazy. Is he? “Have we confirmed that the reports are true?”
“Yes, we have. The men we sent with him confirmed his disappearance and as for the kidnapped Princess, well, we have no reason to believe the Elves would lie. What would they possibly gain from lying about Sir Rurik?”
“Perhaps a war?” I asked.
“Thats highly unlikely,” countered the Advisor. “We may not be best of friends but our territory together with that of the humans acts as a shield to the elves. Removing us from the face of Kelor wouldn’t do them any good.”
“You’re probably right. I’ll join the search for Rurik tomorrow ....”
“You won’t be joining the search,” said the Count. “You’ll take your guards and help Queen Verona. I’m sure Ms Flaughan would like to see her family again.”
“As you wish father.” I bowed, rose and left the room. I wonder where you are hiding little brother.
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