“During the early hours this morning, word reached Olderim of another attack.” My body chilled and flashes of fire and blood passed across my mind. “Currently, the village of Nasamel is being held captive by a group of Morthi. As a result, it is imperative we send a group to scout the area and look for survivors. I understand your training has been limited, and what I ask of you is dangerous and sudden, but this is the time to utilize your abilities as shifters. I ask you to step forward and receive respect for your bravery.”
My heart screamed at me to join. I wanted to help, to fight, but going would only prove I was not a shifter.
Feet shuffled around me as elves stepped forward, arms raised. King Dalior kept his eye trained to those who volunteered and guided them to join a crowd of guards who stood at the front of the room.
I recognized some from Rank Clarak who also did not step forward.
“I don’t know what to do,” I whispered to Nyah, but when I turned to her, she wasn’t beside me. I looked around the bustling room until I spotted the crest of her red hair bobbing towards two guards near King Dalior. She was going to join.
King Dalior’s eyes burned with pride. He watched more than half of the shifters join with the guards, not once looking to those who didn’t step forward.
“I thank you.” He bowed, closing his eyes. “It is in your hands to help our people on this day. I ask you to save those you can reach. And kill every single Morthi who is found,” he spat. His entire being shifted as he spoke, anger drove his words. The crowd roared.
King Dalior looked over the room a final time and turned to Hadrian who still paced behind him. “I leave you in the trusted hands of my son, Prince Hadrian, who will be leading this expedition.”
Hadrian stopped his pacing and looked to his father and bowed. I half expected King Dalior to stay, but he picked up his cloak and moved from the room without another word nor glance our way.
I couldn’t take my eyes of Hadrian. He lifted his stare to the room and spoke, his voice deep and pained. “Nasamel is half a day’s ride from here, which means we must leave immediately to arrive before nightfall. Those who have so bravely stepped forward will be briefed during the journey to save time and ensure we leave as quickly as possible. And to those who are staying behind… remember you will all face battle eventually, one way or another. I hope you learn from your peer’s bravery and may it inspire you for when you have no choice but to help.”
His words, although spoken to the entire crowd, felt like they were directed at me.
I slipped into the crowd moving for the door. I noticed Nyah ahead and I picked up my pace, dodging elves every step I took. By the time I reached her I grasped for her shoulder and she turned, ready to strike.
“It’s only me,” I said, flinching from her raised hand.
“Why did you not step forward?” she asked, pulling me from the crowd into a nook at the side of the room before the doors. Her expression was shadowed with annoyance, yet stilled when she glanced at something over my shoulder.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Hadrian interrupted.
Nyah bowed, lowering her gaze to the floor with flushed cheeks that matched her red hair.
“You are coming, Zacriah, and that is an order,” he added, his voice laced with authority. “You will ride with me, understand?”
I could’ve argued, but figured it was useless. Hadrian didn’t seem in the mood to take no for an answer.
I looked to Nyah who smirked, pleased with Hadrian’s command.
“I am sorry for the interruption,” Hadrian said, grasping Nyah’s hand, “it was awfully rude of me.”
Nyah bowed again, her hair tipping over her face. “No bother.”
Everything seemed so rushed. People still streamed from the room beside us and Hadrian’s attention kept flickering to them.
“I need to go, Petal. I expect you will go and get yourself ready and meet me outside in the courtyard. I do not want to have to find you.”
With that, he left. I followed the back of his head as he blended into the crowd and disappeared. I turned back to Nyah whose face seemed ready to burst.
“What?”
“Did he just call you Petal?” She choked on a laugh.
“Oh, shut up!” I replied, pulling her back to the door, ignoring her muffled chuckle.
***
THE COURTYARD BEYOND the palace was a blur of pounding hooves and shouts. I watched from the side lines as Hadrian separated the crowd into three main groups, each led by one guard. The cavalry would start with Fadine, who sat ready atop an elk, her helmet matching the horns she gripped onto. I saw Illera up at the front, a large sword strapped to her side. Next, a group of Falmia stood waiting. Hadrian commanded the shifters to use their ability and stay above them in the skies during the travel. My heart felt heavy looking at them, knowing if Petrer was well enough he would be amongst them, ready to prove himself and his loyalty.
Not to my surprise, Nyah was placed at the back of the group. The weakest last. If only Hadrian had seen Nyah’s skill, she would be right up at the front beside Fadine.
There was a cry from the front of the group. I looked at it and watched as the group began to move in two lines through the courtyard, over the bridge that led to Thalor.
“Jump on the back.” Hadrian towered beside me, seated on his elk. It too was covered in silver scaled armour, just like its rider. I squinted and looked up to him; the sun sent tears to prickle at the corners of my eyes.
“Don’t I get my own?” I asked, already knowing the answer.
“What, have you got a problem with sitting with me? Elmirr here is more than capable of carrying two so jump on.” He rubbed his arm down the elk’s neck until her head shook in pleasure.
I placed a foot on the stirrup, holding onto Hadrian’s outstretched hand and pulling myself up. He yanked me up faster than I anticipated.
I melted into the cushioned seat and looked up to see my surroundings, but Hadrian’s helmet blocked the view in front. With a click of his tongue, Hadrian urged Elmirr forward and we began to follow the cavalry ahead.
We sat in silence together whilst we passed through the streets of Thalor then over the bridge to Masarion. Elves stood, gawking when the cavalry passed, moving for the outer gate of the city. Some bystanders threw handfuls of colourful flowers on the ground beneath the elk’s hooves, bowing and whispering under their breath words of protection. Hadrian waved his hand to the crowd to please them, his armour shining brilliantly.
Before we reached the final gate, I felt a droplet of water land on my check. Rain clouds billowed above in the sky, covering the sun with their menacing embrace. Those who watched from the streets began running for shelter, leaving the flowers muddied and crushed beneath their feet.
“Let’s hope it holds up for most of the journey. I would not want the morale of the group to be dampened before we reach Nasamel.”
I looked up to the sky and wished for it to rain as it wouldn’t affect my already dampened mood.
“I should apologize for my unexplained absence this morning. Father had me busy when word of the attack hit,” he said, nodding to the gatekeepers for them to open the gates.
“I understand, no need to apologize.”