Valdaro by Elliott H. B

Author:Elliott, H. B.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Amazon Direct Publishing
Published: 2023-11-17T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 24

THE DARK

Irondale looked nothing like what its name suggested, save for the iron gates that opened to a city surrounded by darkness looming over the gloom of the Horned Mountains, where you could hear the whining of the storm that protected its face. You could hardly call it a city. Aged stone walls reached around a village covered in fluffy white snow. It reminded me what Aeon might look like during winter months, but instead of townhouses and outdoor vendors, there stood mountain cabins and cottages and enclosed shops with frosty windows. It would have been charming, aside from the fact that most all the sunlight was lost beneath the curse of its mountain base. What little street that was clear of snow was cobbled, and children played happily as if nothing were odd about the peculiar town. Snowmen lined the spaces between houses, and cozy light crept from every window as fires crackled in dens and kitchens everywhere.

It was hard not to think of Alister as we passed through in search of the inn we were to stay. This was where he spent his young life. I supposed that was what seemed so familiar about it, as I smiled and waved at a bundled-up young boy who stopped to stare. He dropped his mouth open and ran into his front door, returning with what I presumed to be his father. We slowed our horses to a stop, and I pulled my gray fur-lined cloak tighter around me.

“Good day to you!” The man waved as he stomped through the snow. He was of average height and build, and looked a bit like my father in the face. His hair and beard were neatly trimmed and brown, but his eyes a bright blue. “My son announced that the Prince and Princess have arrived. Would I be right to assume I’ve lost all manner of respect and courtesy, and he was correct?” He smiled, placing his hands on his hips.

I glanced at Luca with a smirk and he chuckled, pulling back the hood of his black fur cloak. “There’s no need to be formal, sir. We are who he suspected. We’ve only just arrived. Would you know where we could find the inn?” Luca asked. The male bowed anyway, his son running to his side as fast as his little legs could carry him and mimicking his father as he grinned sheepishly. I put a gloved knuckle against my lips and chuckled softly.

“Yes, your Highness. The inn is down this street, all the way at the back of the village near the mountain pass. Shall I run inside to get my cloak and escort you?” He straightened.

“I can take them!” The little boy shouted, raising an arm in the air. His father tried to calm him, but the poor dear was desperate to do it. “I can do it! Please, Father! I’ll use my toboggan!” He pleaded as he bounced on his heels.

“That would be wonderful!” I offered, giving his father an understanding smile.

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