The Elderien Chronicles

The attack on a lonely ship

They carefully left the room, observing the passing maids go out of their way before they headed down the corridor. They were fast and cautious, but then, Miranda saw some guards coming.

"Hide!" She whispered and Alastair hid with Cara. Miranda pulled off her hood as the guards walked past her, paying their respects as they did. Then, she turned around to gesture to them to come outside but just before they did, Miranda felt another presence.

"Where are you going in a cloak?" Her brother, Richmond suddenly said to her. She turned around, looking him in the eye. He was angry. He always looked that way towards her.

"How is that any concern of yours? She asked him and he walked even closer, the smell of alcohol and women following him like a second companion.

"You are my sister. It is my duty to protect you." He said and she laughed.

"More like monitor me. You have never looked at me like your sister Richmond. You have always felt anger towards me whenever you look at me or am I lying?"

"That is because you covert what is not yours."

"What is it I covert, exactly?"

"My throne! I know that is the reason why you have not gotten married. As a single woman, you actually have a shot, you bloody Thief!"

He said and yelled at her. She did not move, looking defiant as ever. He did not scare her one bit.

"I wish I could take it from you, but as you know, tradition must be honored. But just so you know, if you rule the people this way, you will destroy this kingdom."

"And what is it I did wrong exactly? Throw a little party to celebrate my birthday?"

"While your men are dying fighting a war for all of us! You are supposed to be there with them, to give them motivation. You are supposed to celebrate your birthday on the battlefield with your soldiers." She was getting so angry she could feel her chest beating faster than normal

"I have the power to do whatever I like. I will be their king someone."

"You see, that is where you are getting it all wrong. That power is not yours. It belongs to the people. And they can take it away from you anytime."

He took a step closer to her and leaned in to whisper into her ear.

"Be careful, dear sister, and mind the way you speak. Accidents do happen even in the palace, don't you agree?" He said and leaned back. Did he just threaten to kill her? She did not say a word. She just watched as he walked away.

After a few minutes, Alastair and Cara stepped out of their hideout.

He looked at her as she stood, shocked by the fact that her own brother would threaten her with death. She then shook her head and wore her cloak again, gesturing for them to follow her.

She led them to the stables and took three horses after Cara confirmed she could ride. They rode off towards the port, all silent as they did.

It did not take much before they rode to the port and just then, they Saw the ship about to take off. Miranda quickly called out to the captain who hurried down to meet her.

"Princess. We did not expect to see you here."

"Captain, I want you to provide a ship for my friends to Rheina. They have important business there and I want them treated as guests."

The captain looked at Alastair and then at Cara before he nodded. As he led Cara towards the ship, Alastair stopped and looked at Miranda, gazing into her eyes.

"Thank you. I will never forget what you did." He said to her

"You'd better come back alive and apologize properly. This will not do." She said and he smiled.

"I heard everything your brother said. Just so you know, you will make a great queen."

"Will?"

She arched a brow.

He chuckled and leaned in, placing a kiss on her forehead before he turned and dashed on the ship.

As the ship departed, Alastair and herself kept their eyes on each other, both burning with affection and words unsaid. The time was too short, too sudden. But life needed to move on. They had the Destiny to pursue and she, well, she did not really know.

But suddenly, two mages dashed out of the woods around them and jumped into the river.

It was so sudden, she could not even say a word and it was not like Alastair would hear her. They were far away already.

The mages used their magic swarm fast.

They soon caught up with the ship and began to climb its sides but then, large ice chains burst out of the river and grabbed the mages, pulling them from the sides and throwing them back into the sea.

They rose again and combined their magic to create a large whirlpool at the river.

Miranda watched as the ship took a detour as if it was being controlled by something or someone.

Then, suddenly, the waves began to rise on the parts of the river where the mages were afloat.

Then in the very next second, the waves Froze and fell on them as the ship seemed to travel at a greater speed.

From the distance, she could see Alastair standing on the deck of the ship, hand still lightning up from using his magic.

He had leveled up

But then, she saw even more mages swimming towards the ship. How did they get there? Where were they hiding all this time?

What kind of danger was Alastair in at the moment? Her blood ran cold.

She had a feeling it will not end well!