The Cruel Prince's Wrath

Chapter 10

Tyria noticed her brother watching her quite a bit since he had recovered from whatever it was that afflicted him; she did not fully understand it, but he seemed to pay her more attention now and she found it irritating. It was one evening and she noticed he was moving between groups of elves and she felt he might be recruiting some for his travels to the Shadow Dragon Kingdom. Once he settled in one location, she called upon Reinys who had become like a friend to her.

“Would you… perhaps speak with my brother? His eyes follow me, and it is becoming quite unnerving,” she said.

“Why don’t you just confront him directly?” Reinys asked her.

“Because I am done with him,”

“Then why does it concern you?” Reinys replied.

“It is infuriating!” Tyria hissed.

“I would rather not, he is rude and acts as though I am just an insect to him,” Reinys replied aloof.

“Please,”

“What would I even say?” she asked impatiently.

“Just ask him to stop watching me or… ask him why, it is beginning to annoy me,” Tyria replied and Reinys growled in frustration.

“Very well, you owe me Tyria,” Reinys said and left what she had been doing and marched over to the prince. She got to him and folded her arms, c*****g her hip making her demeanour and posture a clear sign that she was being forced to do something she was uncomfortable with.

“Can I help you?” Ievos asked her.

“Your sister is fed up with you watching her, she wants to know why are you doing it and she wants you to stop,” Reinys got right to the point.

“I stare because I was hoping she would be bold enough to confront me herself, I thought she had finally developed a backbone, sending someone else is childish and cowardly,”

“I agree,” Reinys replied. “I will go to her and send her over,” she turned to leave.

“Reinys,” he called, and she turned surprised.

“Oh, you actually bothered to learn my name?” she asked, and he grinned.

“I am recruiting people for my mission to the Shadow Dragon Kingdom, would you be interested?” he asked her.

“What use would I be? I cannot even bring you good tea,” she spat before she continued away. He laughed as she left, and it grated on her. She returned to Tyria. “He is insufferable and unimpressed at you sending me in place of going yourself. He tried to recruit me for his mission to the Shadow Kingdom. It seems he is just as loathsome when he is in a good mood.”

“Right, I will go to him myself,” Tyria drew in a breath and marched to where he sat on a wall. “Why do keep watching me?” she demanded.

“Finally! You come over; I did not expect it to take you so long. I thought after you finally talked back to me that you might have developed some courage,”

“What are you talking about?”

“I noticed right away that you were not someone who could show strength or stand up for yourself. If you want a relationship with me, I need someone who will support me and watch my back when it is necessary, your words before about defending me rang hollow because I have yet to see you even defend yourself! We are quite different from one another and I felt as my sister that could be you, the one who could watch my back, but you have a lot to learn,” he said.

“I am confused,” she replied. “You said that you did not want a relationship with me,”

“If you get bolder and are of use to me then I would certainly consider it,” he said, and she understood him scoffing at his words; appalled by him she also turned to leave.

“No matter, I shall go to mother and inform her of those I have chosen to join me in travel to the Shadow Dragon Kingdom,” he called and walked slowly towards the derelict castle, he looked back over his shoulder and flashed a grin to his sister and she realised he meant to tell Cauladra that she was among his chosen. He continued his walk and she hurried behind him in hopes of stopping him.

                                                                                        ~~

Inar had finally mustered up some courage and he had stayed away from bars but he had to speak to Vas and so he drew in a deep breath and knocked on the younger’s door. Vas answered it clearly surprised to see Inar on his doorstep.

“Are you going to try that punch again now that you are sober?” he asked.

“No, I am sorry, Vas, I know what I said to you… it was…”

“Come in, I suppose,” Vas opened his door wider moving out of the way so that Inar could enter.

“Vas, my words to you are unforgivable. It is true that I harbour some… resentment towards you about Ievos but… that business with my boy… was resolved many years ago. It was not your fault. It was mine; I have known this for many years…”

“It was not your fault either.” Vas said swiftly. “I cared for Ahten as well, he was a friend and a great warrior despite his young years,”

“Yes,” Inar said, and the tears were evident in his eyes. “I am sorry, Vas, I have vowed off alcohol at least for a little while. I did not like the man it made me that night. I am in no mind to be drinking that heavily although… my mood is what drove me to it. I worry for Ievos every day. To be honest… it feels as though I have lost a son all over again and hearing Neron… it angered me so much hearing our beloved king speak of killing him… I could not believe it!” he said.

“I know, me neither. I also cannot believe that Ievos would truly betray us. I do not think it possible, but his eyes when he looked at Iefyr… so much rage… so much hatred it chilled me. I don’t scare easy but… I had never seen anyone quite so rageful.”

“My friend, he had many flaws and was apparently known as The Cruel Prince because of his nature but… we have all seen he has good in him too. We can only ask our ancestors to guide him to the right course, guide him back to us. It is all we can hope for.” Inar finished and then met eyes with Dresna as she sat in a chair in their lounge rubbing her forming belly where the twins Ievos fathered were growing. He noticed tears falling silently from her beautiful blue eyes.

                                                                                     ~~

Iefyr was leaving his chambers to meet with his brother Velkin, they had arranged to go out for some drinks this evening, but he was intercepted by Liv who stopped him in the corridor. He smiled warmly but she had clear concern on her brow.

“Is everything alright?” he asked.

“It’s… Tolanda, I wanted to speak with you about her,” she said, and he quickly opened the door to his chambers allowing her inside. Velkin would just have to wait.

“What is wrong?” he asked.

“She… I am worried about her. At least she is out of her room now but… guilt seems to be consuming her still. She is tearing herself apart about what happened with Ievos and I know she is trying so hard to… be with you and be normal in front of you. I can see she is falling apart inside. She is such a kind-natured girl and the fact that she hurt someone so badly… I do not think she can handle it. I am worried, Iefyr,” she said, and his eyes showed his concern at hearing Liv’s words.

“Am I that bad at seeing this myself?” he asked, “I am such a fool. Of course, she is not alright. I should not be meeting Velkin, I should be going to her,”

“Is Velkin not acting king while Neron rests?” Liv asked.

“He is but he still enjoys a drink and invited me… I will have to postpone; I feel terrible but Tolanda needs me. I know he would understand.” Iefyr said and then hurried out of his chambers to find Tolanda.