“My children, I cannot keep this from you any longer. You have all heard rumours and seen an unexplained number of elves who have joined our city in the past months. Thessolina is under threat. Not since the druids poisoned our world with their dark powers has a threat been this serious. This time the Morthi have crossed boundaries and are now our greatest enemy. The Peace Treaty, signed between the Morthi, Alorian and Niraen elves is no longer in play. From this day forward, I, King Dalior of Thessolina, declare that we no longer live by the rules set by our enemies and we fight for what is right! I will not stand and watch another innocent Niraen life destroyed by the Morthi. It ends today,” King Dalior shouted and lifted up a parchment for the crowd to see.
With every lie King Dalior spoke, his voice grew louder until he was almost screaming. He held the Peace Treaty in his hands and out for the crowd to see. The parchment was crisp white and even from the distance I was at, I could make out scribbles of black ink. In one moment King Dalior was screaming and in the next he yanked hard on the parchment till it ripped in two. The entire crowd fell into a silence as the parchment fluttered to the floor.
“Today, I call for all those able to fight to consider joining our military to protect our beloved land. Help us prevent any more bloodshed. Enough Niraen blood has spilled as a result of these hateful creatures, it is time to wash it away with the blood of our enemies.”
Everyone around me began to stomp their feet on the ground.
“Do not be afraid, for I will do everything in my being to protect you all. I will not allow another Morthi to take an innocent life, not while I reign.”
My breath hitched as King Dalior looked at me. I reached for Nyah’s hand and squeezed. She yanked her hand straight out of my grasp while she too stomped her feet.
He smiled. My body ran cold and the hairs on the back of my neck stood to attention. There was movement behind him, enough of a distraction for me to tear my gaze from the King.
Hadrian stepped into view.
He was nothing more than a symbol of war. The boy who sparked the end of the treaty.
King Dalior grasped Hadrian’s hand and raised his arm up, turning the crowd beneath them into a frenzy.
“Now, come forward, fight for your kingdom.”
I didn’t hear what he said next. The crowd moved in a surge forward, pulling me along in the tidal wave of succession. I reached out again for Nyah, who walked towards the palace. She turned sharp to face me with a scowl. “What the hell are you playing at?”
“Follow me,” I shouted over those who cut between us, breaking our connection apart.
“But that’s the wrong way!” Nyah shouted cross the bustling noise. I ignored her and pulled more, navigating her through the oncoming sea of elves.
It took a while to fight our way across the bridge to Thalor. One we stepped onto its streets I moved for the closest alleyway.
“What the Goddess is going on!” Nyah pulled her arm from my hand, her voice stern.
“Do you trust me?” I asked.
“You are starting to freak me out, Zacriah! Do you know how crazy you’re acting?”
“Do you trust me?!” I repeated.
“Of course, I do but—”
“I need you to go and get Hadrian and bring him to me.”
Nyah cackled. “Now you really have gone mad.”
“Nyah!” I begged. “You said you trust me, so please. You have to get him for me.”
Nyah looked over my face. “I’m so confused, Zacriah. How do you expect me speak to him let alone get near him! And for what? Even if I did, do you think he will listen to me?”
“The King is lying, Nyah. Even you said so.”
“I know, but there are worse things than lying about who saved the prince. Like the fact he has declared war and the end of the treaty. We need to go and show our support.”
I shook my head. “You don’t get it! I’m not talking about that. He lied about the Morthi! They were not the ones who tried to kill Hadrian. I can prove it.”
I pulled the bloodied clump of material out of my pocket and showed her. Even in the shadows of the alleyway I could still see her face change.
“Can’t you do your empath thing and see if I’m telling the truth?” I asked before she could respond.
She looked up at me, all sign of irritation melted from her face. “If what you’re suggesting is true, this is treasonous. You think telling the prince is going to be a good idea?”
“Shift!” I said, the idea hitting me fast. “Shift, no one will notice something so small – no offence. And when you find him, tell him to meet me back at Antler & Wagon in Masarion.”
“Did you not just hear what I said!” she replied.
“Yes, but Hadrian will understand. Please.”
“I swear, Zacriah. If I get caught and thrown into jail over your crazy theory, I swear I’m going to knock you out.” Her words were not at all laced with her usual humour.
“I’m sure you would. Please, hurry.”
“I will. You better make sure there is a drink waiting for me. In fact, make it two. I have a feeling I’m going to need it.”
“I shall…” I replied as she shifted.
She melted into the shadows of the alleyway within seconds. Nyah may have been a moth in her shifter form, but she was the biggest, most graceful moth I’d ever seen. She landed on my finger, her small legs tickling my skin.
“Good luck,” I whispered.
Her wings began to move until they were a single blur. In seconds, she was off my finger and flying through the alleyway.
I ran for the tavern, catching odd glances from those I passed. I focused on my destination and fought the storm that battered within my mind.
I ITCHED WITH nerves while I sat waiting for Nyah to arrive with Hadrian. I kept my eyes on the door, hoping it would open, but it didn’t. I wasn’t sure how much time passed while I was waiting for them, the lack of natural light held me in an endless limbo.
I scratched at my legs and pulled at loose strands of string on my slacks. I contemplated leaving and heading back for the palace, but I was in too deep. This could not wait a moment longer.
Like my first visit, a group of dazed occupants smoked from pipes across the room, each in their own worlds. The whites of their eyes were stained red and their mouths hung open. By the time the barmaid poured four ales, one for myself, one for Hadrian and two for Nyah, I realized I had no coin to pay. I could feel her one good eye on me, burning a hole into the back of my head. I’d promised my friends would pay when they arrived and that seemed to be good enough for her.
I jumped when the door burst open, a cloaked figure rushing in. Hadrian. Nyah entered next, checking behind her a final time before closing the door. As soon as the outside was shut out, Hadrian pulled the hood down, revealing his face. I almost wanted him to conceal it again. He was angry. Very angry. His face screamed with distaste, so much so that I hesitated to call him over.
I didn’t need to. He spotted me and strolled straight over.
“Nyah found you without problems?” I asked. He didn’t respond, he only picked the tankard up from the table and downed the entire thing. The sound of it being slammed against the table made me cringe and he pulled a stool to sit.
I turned my attention to Nyah. “What took so long?”