The Children of Allura: Green Valleys Series: Book 1 by Elaine Santos

Author:Elaine Santos [Santos, Elaine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2023-06-02T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter twenty-two

The Proposal

Mattas took a seat next to Faron and watched as Themis walked slowly toward his desk, sitting down in his chair. His face betrayed him for a second, showing a glimpse of pain.

Even the simplest movements are a struggle for him, the advisor thought.

There was a moment of silence. As was customary, they waited expectantly for the host to take the lead and begin the conversation.

“Thank you for your visit, gentlemen,” Themis said, serving some liqueur to his guests. His voice was harsh and low.

“Thank you for taking us to your dining table, Magistrate.” Faron's features, which were usually beaming, had become taut and strained.

“Thank you, sir,” Mattas said quietly, taking the small glass offered to him.

Themis glared at his advisor for a second. There were flames in his eyes.

It seems I wasn’t forgiven for my disobedience, Mattas thought, watching the Magistrate raising his glass and drinking the liqueur in one gulp. Faron and Mattas repeated the gesture.

“Well, I assume tonight’s visit wasn’t about pleasantries.” Themis placed his empty glass on his desk.

“Indeed, sir. Duty brought us here,” the warrior replied. Worry clouded his bright turquoise eyes a darker hue.

Themis looked, confused, at both men. “Could you be more specific, Leader Faron?”

“We humbly came to your presence to inform you of our failure, sir,” Faron replied. His voice was heavy with shame and sorrow.

“I beg your pardon?” Themis’s eyes were on Mattas, who remained silent.

“After five days searching every corner of the South Lands, we failed to find Anandy, sir,” Faron said.

“Searching for Anandy in the South Lands?” Themis raised his eyebrows.

Faron glanced confusedly at Mattas, who remained silent. “Yes, Magistrate. I led the searches with our good friend Mattas. Callan, the High Captain of the South, and my senior advisor, joined us,” he added. “He selected ten of our best men to join us.”

“So your best men failed to find my son?” Themis filled his glass once again with liqueur.

There is a slight tremor in his hands, Mattas thought.

“Yes, sir,” Faron replied, gazing at Themis.

“So, my son vanished.” Themis gulped from his glass. As he tried to refill it for the third time, he dropped the glass on his desk.

“Let me help you, sir.” Mattas subtly took the bottle from Themis, wiping the liqueur from the desk with his handkerchief.

“Thank you, my friend.” The Magistrate gave a steely glare.

“It is my duty to be of assistance, even in unorthodox ways, sir,” Mattas replied.

“I see.” Themis blinked twice, showing vulnerability.

Faron remained sitting, silently observing the two men for a second. “Magistrate,” he said, “my men found something.”

There it is! Mattas thought, closing his eyes to take a deep breath.

“Is it about my son, Leader Faron?” Themis asked impatiently.

“I am afraid it is.” The Leader of the South Lands placed an object wrapped in a piece of white cloth on the desk.

Themis was about to take it, his fingers almost touching it, when an icy feeling suddenly ran down his spine. He held his breath as fear filled his eyes.

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