"I am aware of your certain skills in fighting and of your accomplishments within Apollo. The kingdom, as I've heard, even went as far as to call you the Prince of Wrath yet, our people also doubt your place as the future King, not because you are always out in danger, fighting. No, that is what makes a strong warrior. It is because of yourdisease. The lack of magic, despite coming from the only existing royal fae bloodline. Your sister is wielding her powers well and makes me proud as she tries to prove herself worthy of being Queen while ruling the Darkness territory. If she proves herself worthy..." His father began to trail off, wanting Adrion to complete the obvious answer of the speech he had given to him for years.
"She becomes the Queen of Apollo, and I remain Prince," he said, clenching his fists to his side. The prince swallowed hard, choosing not to think of the destruction she would cause.
"Indeed... and I can't have you prove yourself while on this expedition dead. You've only been in Apollo, there are no other magic wielders here, but out there, Adrion—” the king chuckled and continued, “—you are more than aware of the goddess blessed magic wielders and the creatures that lurk out of the Kingdom of Light's territory.” The king pointedly looked at Adrion, as if daring him to admit he was not weak. “Lord Dritan has selected warriors you may choose from. Choose one. Take him on your expedition to claim the lands our kingdom seeks and then bring him back to be anointed," his father said as if it were so simple. Adrion ground his teeth at the thought of someone having to protect him, it was blasphemous.
"I beg of you. Do not humiliate me by asking me to recruit a personal bodyguard. I am enough as I am." His muscles clenched, looking at the king as a son to a father. Hoping something in him would see what he was asking for. He never begged for anything in his entire life or pleaded with anyone of that matter, but his father barely looked at him as he raisedhis hand and shone the light of his power upon his son. Adrion choked and clutched at his throat, feeling as if it were being burned with fire. He stared at his father venomously. Showing him that he would hold in any cries or sounds of pain. Adrion held his gaze. The subtle scent of fae magic swarmed the throne room like a fog.
"You cannot even keep yourself safe from an inkling of my power. You’ve wasted enough of my time already. Leave. And if you come back without a bodyguard, even if you come back at all, I'd consider it as an order disobeyed. You will be punished, heir to the throne or not. You wield little to no power." He finally ended as he released his son from the light he controlled.
Adrion held back a groan of relief as the pain in his throat slowly began to fade, then lowered his head with a shaky breath. "I will do as commanded, Your Majesty," he said in a monotone voice, trying not to let it come out in gasps.
"Good," was all the king said, dismissing Adrion.
I will choose the bodyguard of my liking and in the power which I have, if this guard is to stay alive, I shall make sure it's a bodyguard my father will despise. It’s my choice after all, the prince thought strategically to himself.For once, that was the only choice he had.
He stalked out of the royal chambers, seeing a frustrated Colfe getting ready for departure. This dimwit will be travelling along the quest. Light help me.Adrion bitterly thought. He gave Colfe a sadistic grin as he moved past him and made his way to the western wing. The less quiet part of the whole castle, which had a few lords and ladies roaming about with their servants and dressing maids. It looked like his departure to Merlanis was a final decision, he glanced out the carved gilded window, the guards and horses were ready. He could see his white stallion from afar, already packed and ready from the previous night.
He reached into his blazer, touching the parchment of paper softly. Realising he would not be able to give the letter to Izlana himself. She’d be disappointed when she hears about his early departure. He frowned as he remembered how his alliance with her would be broken if he did not spend the required time with her. The one person he wasorderedto not hate or despise.A servant helped adorn his golden silked cloak atop his shoulders and Adrion, in his haste, moved away before the servant could finish.
He spotted the nearest guard. "Your majesty." The guard bowed and lifted himself up rather quickly.
"This letter. Make sure it reaches the young Lady of Ferway, Miss Izlana." he quietly said as he pushed the envelope into the guard’s hand and turned away. Adrion corrected his cloak swiftly as he made his way to the courtyard, where the guards and horses awaited. Adrion’s anger was still roiling in the depths of his core, churning. He mounted the waiting stallion, ignoring the soldiers who bowed in salute. The cacophony of soldiers who would accompany him on his mission.
Let's see what Merlanis has in store for me and what power the goddess blessed hold. For if I come back to the kingdom with a warrior, it shall be a warrior that will be doomed to fail. A pity that my father does not know this. But... power alone is not enough. Not ever. Adrion couldn't help but think to himself grimly.
Chapter 2
The blade of fire never misses
Morana
Nightmares felt like the past. The dark dreams had begun again, they thrived at night, fearful of the light and left me awake through dawn. Sweat covered my body, making me shiver from the morning air that had snuck its way in. I rubbed the droplets out of my face with my sleeve and unconsciously put a hand on my neck to softly massage the phantom ache. I gripped the soft hay beneath me and tried breathing slowly to calm my heart. It had been thundering almost painfully.
It isn't real...
It's just a dream...
It isn't real.
I liked to lay in bed after the nightmares, convincing myself of who I was, where I was and most of all—my purpose.
I exhaled slowly and pulled my legs over the small bed, making sure to look at my surroundings so that I could relish in the reassuring comfort. I analysed the small brown tent of my current accommodation and then collapsed back onto the stiff bed. After a while of steadying my breathing, I heard a loud caw outside of my tent, followed by footsteps. I sighed loudly and almost groaned in the uncertainty of not knowing what to expect fromhertoday.
I smiled lazily when Fala walked in.
She had brushed over the tent opening and entered gracefully, her eyes flicked around as if she were assessing a battlefield, not even a speck of dust could escape her. Her eyes finally met mine after all her silent disapproval. They were silver, bright enough to outshine any forged blade and her dark hair was neat and straight, lain perfectly onto her shoulders.
A real lady.
Today she wore her formal green gown, it seems she had been doing quite some travelling for the past few hours, inspecting and making sure everyone was completing their practice routine around the big grassy fields of Merlanis which also consisted of blossom meadows and wishing lakes. Fala had well secured connections with Lord Dritan, the ruler of Merlanis who had allowed us to set camp three days ago. Today was a particular day—training day.
Shit...
"You were supposed to be awake at sunrise, Morana," Fala said with a strong rich voice, looking down at me with narrowed eyes, her disappointment was evident. Fala was a woman you wouldn't pick a fight with. However, I found seeing her eyebrows scrunch together in a frown amusing. It was only rarely you could ever get a reaction out of her. This woman had taken mein and treated me like her own. Indeed, she is rough around the edges, like a sword freshly stamped with iron, but Fala strived for success and pushed us to reach it, like any mother figureorbusiness entrepreneur would.
"Walk in, why don't you, Fala? Can't an honourable and innocent maiden get some privacy around here?" I asked and then gave an abashed look, trying to cover my body dressed in a worn-out cotton shirt.
Fala gave an unamused look and simply said, "We both know that you are neither honourable or innocent, Morana." She eyed the unused wooden brown box next to my small trunk of belongings on the grassy ground. The box that contained something I hadn't dared to open up. I looked away in frustration as she eyed it.
