The grand monk inclined his head. “I will organise their collection.”
“Please inform me as soon as they are brought back. I would like to examine them,” Elias said.
“Of course, Your Highness,” the grand monk said.
“There may also be soldiers and sorcerers alive,” Elias said. “I would take individuals ready to fight.”
The grand shield and grand monk nodded.
Elias wished he could go with them. He wanted to see the bodies as soon as possible. But there was still so much to do here.
He glanced at Gerard, who was with his father and siblings. The king now sat on a stool as the grand healer examined him.
“And, Prince Elias, you mentioned that you fought tonight.” The grand monk steepled his fingers. “It was my understanding that you did not have that ability.”
Elias straightened. “I am a lightning archmage. As you no doubt are aware, we keep our identities secret.”
The people gathered around began to murmur. Andwith that, Elias’s identity was no longer a secret. He did not know how he felt about that.
“I see.” The grand monk paused for a moment. “It must have been quite a shock for your enemies to realise what a powerful sorcerer you were. It thwarted everyone’s plans.”
Elias nodded but kept glancing at Gerard, who still did not look at Elias. He wasn’t necessarily avoiding Elias. He was just busy with his father.
But now that the fighting had passed, Elias wondered where they stood. They’d come together to stand and fight against a mutual enemy. But what now?
Maybe all Gerard’s doubts and hurts regarding Elias had returned now that the adrenaline and threat of imminent death had disappeared. He’d not wanted anything to do with Elias earlier. Did he still feel that way?
Chapter
Sixty-Four
Elias stared at Gerard, willing him to turn around and look at him. Any look. Some sort of sign to give him a hint of where they stood. But Gerard just kept watching his father with the grand healer.
“Well, I am glad you, Prince Gerard, and King Alaric survived. You fought bravely, Prince Elias,” the grand monk said. “Today could have been a dark day if you had not.”
Elias reluctantly tore his gaze from Gerard. “I am glad to be of help, Grand Monk.”
“And you have been injured.” The grand monk’s eyes fixed on Elias’s forehead and then his shoulder. He glanced at one of the healer doves. “Healer Hawes, can you attend to him?”
The healer stepped forward. “Of course.”
“In a moment.” Elias turned and took a step in the direction where Gerard and his family had been with the grand healer seconds ago. He frowned. They were all gone. Now there was just an empty stool.
He looked out over the crowd still milling around. He could not see Gerard anywhere.
“It would be best if you are seen to immediately,” the grand monk said. “In case any of your injuries are serious.”
Reluctantly, Elias nodded.
Several minutes later, he strolled down the corridors. Dawn had yet to arrive. Guards, nobles, royals, and monks passed him. Several tried to stop him to talk. But Elias had a duty to attend to.
He wanted to go and find Gerard. But before that, he’d need to deal with his own father. And Elias did not think sharing the occurrences of the night with him would be easy.
He rubbed a hand over his face.
What will happen now?
Elias and Gerard had survived the night. But everything had dissolved into disorder. Draconians had betrayed Draconia. Voltarians had betrayed Voltaria. Zephyrias had turned against Voltaria.
