Annlynn’s worst memories resurfaced when they entered the capital city. They passed the main city square, where her parents were sentenced to a public hanging. Annlynn, a seven-year-old at the time, understood little. They had told her that her parents had wronged the kingdom, and it was for the good of everyone that they faced a public execution. As a sheltered princess, she knew them as her parents, and though gossip of the revolution reached her, she knew very little about it. The death of her parents was a shock which only confused her.
Once inside the palace, memories of her torture came back to her. The king had ordered her to be brutally whipped until her magic was broken. Her screams, the pain, and the shock from the situation resonated. It was as if the old scar had been reopened.
When she knelt before the king, she tried to compose herself. Instead, she trembled, his voice stirring a deep pain. She couldn’t hold back her tears. She was weak before him, her own internal pain knocking the breath out of her lungs.
“So you’re Orthanik’s blessed,” the king said. “The very god who wreaked havoc on our kingdom for simply building some of the greatest castles. The very god who kidnaps those who are astray and tortures them for no good reason. It seems very fitting considering who your parents were. And we let you live because we thought you were a girl. But it matters not. You will be sentenced to death shortly.”
Annlynn should have spoken for herself. But her fears got the better of her, robbing her of any attempts to speak. Instead, she glanced at the elves, hoping they would plead on her behalf. When she met Sylvani’s gaze, Sylvani nodded and stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, we ask that you spare his life,” Sylvani said. “While he may be a threat to your world, his gift is valuable in the elven world. Therefore, I will swear an assassin's oath to you. Should he make it into the elven world, you will never see him again. But if he fails to make it, I will swear an assassin’s oath to kill him and bring his head back to you. I know I promised your soldier I would behead him, but it would be a waste of potential to just kill him without giving him a proper chance.”
“And what will he do in the elven world?” the king asked. “May I remind you that his parents nearly ruined our kingdom? He has the exact gifting which would allow him to do the same.”
“Your royal bloodline has been blessed with a new gift every hundred years. Annlynn is the tenth person to be blessed, and there are several things which stand out to us. He is the first prince to be blessed with the royal’s gift. Not to mention his gifts are likely to be extremely rare. We cannot let them go to waste. Therefore, we ask that he be spared so he can go through rigorous training in the elven world. But even if he does end up being corrupted, we have magic to protect ourselves against him.” Asonya said. “I have the same destiny he does, and with the power of my fellow huntresses, the three of us will be able to stop him should he try to cause trouble.”
“Your Majesty,” Annlynn said, her heart racing. “I agree to the elves’ terms. I swear I will go through rigorous training so as to not become my parents. If I die an early death, I want it to be one of honor. Please allow me the chance to right the wrongs my parents set out before me.”
“You don’t even know what your power is,” the king said.
“I was blessed by Orthanik,” Annlynn said. “I know who my parents were. Even I myself am scared that I would end up like my parents.”
“You barely even knew what was going on when the events occured,” the king said.
“I have heard enough through other peasants, Your Majesty,” Annlynn said. “I know that many people died, as the famine lasted for several years after my parents were removed from the throne. My own step father and step sister died. I know what their rule has cost the kingdom. I swear an oath to never be like them. And I agree to the assassin’s oath as well. So if you would please allow me to go into the elven world.”
“You sound so noble. Just like your father did before he was corrupted.” The king stood and paced the throne room, murmuring to himself. “He was my brother. But your chances of entering the elven world are rare, and it will speak volumes if you do enter. I will hereby banish you from the human realm. And if you fail to enter the elven world, Lady Sylvani will bring your head back to me. Are these terms clear enough for you?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Comments (0)
See all