When the snow melted, Annlynn should have been relieved that spring returned. But with her broken leg stalling progress, frustration coursed through her, leaving her with raw anger. The elves remained close to her, slowing their own pace to keep up with her. Guilt lingered. She should have offered something in return. She was powerless. After all, the last time she tried to help, she’d made everything worse.
When they reached the outskirts of the capital city, smaller farmlands sprawled out. Several farmers were out, preparing their fields. In the center, a large farmer’s market stood empty save for several soldiers stationed throughout. On one of the market stalls, Annlynn found a wanted poster with her information on it. Her heart sank. She attempted to mask her fear, but it was futile. After all, she wasn’t sure the elves would succeed in convincing the king to spare her life.
“They’ll know who you are,” Sylvani placed a hand on her sword hilt as she gazed off toward a rugged palace which stood atop a sloping hill. “We will aid you however we can. But I don’t suppose you know anything about fighting, do you?”
Annlynn shook her head.
“It’s unfortunate that we are in the king’s service,” Valaris said. “we would take you directly to the elven world otherwise.”
A farmer spotted the elves and shouted, pointing at Annlynn. Several soldiers turned them, surrounding Annlynn and her companions. She longed to duck behind the elves, feeling like a small child. But she stood steady, trying to act brave. Trying to act as if she wasn’t about to be killed.
Asonya had a poised, firm gaze on the soldiers as light blue energy escaped her wrists.
“You come to us,” she said, her voice commanding. “I think we both know what you seek.”
“He’s Orthanik’s blessed, isn’t he?” the soldier said. “You are in the king’s service, and yet you harbor his greatest foe.”
It was the first time Annlynn had been referred to as a he. It should have felt right, but in this context, it was more akin to death. She could have lied. But it would have been pointless to deny who she was. Instead, she stepped forward, trying to appear confident.
“I am Orthanik’s blessed,” she said. She hated her own words, wishing she could avoid the truth. It was terrifying for her to admit it, but she couldn’t take back her actions. She couldn’t fight the truth any longer.
Asonya stepped forward, the blue light spreading, causing her to glimmer like fresh snow in the sunlight. Her powers were likely that of a legend Annlynn would have read about when she was younger. Annlynn wasn’t sure if she should be in awe or intimidated by the elf.
“This human stumbled upon our campsite, and it is only fair he follows us, regardless of who he is. Nevertheless, we were taking him to the king,” Asonya said.
“But he is blessed by the very same god who kidnaps those who are astray and tortures them,” the soldier said. “His parents were revolutionaries of a regime which nearly ran our kingdom into the ground due to starvation. The king has ordered his immediate execution for a reason.”
“To us elves, his gifts are valuable beyond measure,” Asonya said. “We must ask that you grant us the ability to take him to the king so we can bargain for his life.”
“His step mother was hanged for treason,” the soldier said. “He must follow suit.”
“Please,” Annlynn said, her voice weak. “Allow me the ability to speak to the king at least. I wronged the elves. Allow me to right my mistakes before I die so I can at least have some semblance of honor.”
The soldier turned to her. “You wronged us first. The king will see your head before him by tonight. Your parents’ regime will not rise to power again. Especially not with you at the helm.”
Sylvani grabbed Annlynn’s wrists and locked them in vines which hardened into tree trunks. “We will take him to the king and behead him before the king.”
Asonya turned and glared at Sylvani, but Sylvani ignored her. Annlynn wished the ground would swallow her, leaving her to die a more dignified death than one before the king. But something about Sylvani’s confidence felt off. As if she were planning something else.
“You make this promise to us?” the soldier asked. “How do we know that it won’t falter?”
“I am a trained assassin,” Sylvani said. “Allow me to take care of him from here. Besides. We were the ones who captured him. It is our duty to see to it that the king’s wishes are honored.”
Comments (0)
See all