Silevethiel by Andi O'Connor

Author:Andi O'Connor
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-940417-07-3
Publisher: Purple Sun Press

13

THE SMALL COMPANY RODE FOR A LITTLE OVER TWO hours until Laegon’s exhaustion finally consumed him. His senses were waning, his reactions slowing, and his reasoning almost nonexistent. Irewen had succumbed to her fatigue long before. Her body bobbed heavily against his chest, and he struggled to keep both of them upright.

Sensing his difficulty, Silwen automatically slowed to a trot. Grateful the mare was so attuned to his needs, Laegon immediately matched the steed’s pace. He was about to call the two Guardians to a halt, when Brégen’s voice suddenly boomed through his mind.

«Laegon, I have received word from Drell. There has been a...situation.»

The haze suddenly vanished from Laegon’s mind. «What has happened?»

«They have arrived at the Millérn tower. The scene is quite dire, indeed.»

Laegon’s patience was wearing thin. Obviously reluctant to share the news, the Guardian made no move to continue with his explanation. «Well?» the elf pressed. «What did they discover? Were they able to assist Perendin in warning the sentries?»

«No, Laegon,» Brégen answered slowly, his voice heavily laden with sorrow and misery. «I am afraid all three of them arrived too late to be of any assistance to those already stationed at the Millérn tower.»

Laegon’s stomach turned when the meaning of Brégen’s words finally registered in his mind. There had been sixteen of Mistwood’s finest archers stationed at the tower. All of them were dead

He brought Silwen to a halt. Placing his hand over his heart, he lowered his head in respect for his lost kin. “Neryn la pün, mi frélánen,” Laegon whispered. A tear ran down his cheek, its warmth immediately dissipating into the frigid winter air the moment it touched his skin.

«Tell me what happened.»

«Perendin was the first to arrive at the site. He immediately sensed something was amiss. An eerie silence had descended upon the land. The air was uncannily still, like the quiet before a storm. A dark shadow loomed in his mind.

«He dismounted and hid his horse amidst a dense cluster of trees before slowly making his way closer to the tower, careful not to make even the slightest sound. Being sure to remain safely out of sight, Perendin carefully studied the watchtower. He knew something was wrong, but he could not figure out what it was. Then suddenly it hit him. The flag billowing in the crisp winter breeze was not that of the elves of Mistwood. Instead of a dark shade of evergreen bearing a silver crown of fir branches encircling a sparkling white dove, the flag Perendin saw was pure black.»

«What was the insignia?» Laegon asked, not certain he actually wanted to know.

Brégen waited a few moments before continuing, his deep voice barely above a whisper. «The bright crimson emblem was of a human heart, dripping blood, and pierced by a golden dagger.»

Bile rose in the prince’s throat. “I suppose we now know why King Donríel’s heart was ripped from his chest,” he whispered. Feeling Irewen move, he instantly regretted his decision to speak aloud. Laegon held his breath as she groaned, snuggling closer against his chest before once again falling still.

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