Blizzard in the Desert

14- Unclear rivalry

"If any of you does not explain to me, this instant, what is the meaning of all of this, I swear to the gods, you all will die and suffer by my hands!!"

Yelled Nuada in rage. They had not only had the audacity to disrespect him by pinning him to the ground upon his knees; but now they dared to touch the love of his life.
Nuada scanned each and every face, for he swore that he would make their end so slow and painful, his victims would ask for a quick death.

Karina on the other hand was able to figure out what it was that was crushing her to the ground.
And that was ons of the big guards that she had seen outside.

At this point, the female began to feel anger boiling withing her.
She had to get to Nuada.
She had to make sure he was safe.
Images of the day the incident with her few deceased crew mates, began to flash before her eyes.
The way she couldn't save all of them.
The way she still feels like she had let them down.
And now, the man she loves, was probably being betrayed by his own people, and she couldn't do anything to help.

"Prince Nuada Silverlance." Said an elf guard, who seemed to be a general. Due to the fact that he had a long red cape, and his golden helmet had a white long crest, that reached his shoulder blades.

Said guard, had removed his helmet, and brought to his side. His hair, a beautiful golden color, just like Karina's dear prince, and supposedly soon to be King. His face was elegant and long, his enchanting golden eyes were more pronounced due to the dark outline around his orbs. His hard jawline, was more sharp due to him clenching his teeth. His lips, thin, with a frown upon them. Not giving hint to make one think that he was capable of forming a smile.
A thin scar began from his thick left brow, down his eye and finished at the side of lip.

Soon, the bitter chuckle of Nuada resonated throughout the room. "Aelfric." Said the prince with distaste. "What a wonderful surprise. We havent seen each other, for a while. And now that I have returned, you welcome me like this? I must say, you must improve on how to be a good host. For you are certainly lacking manners. But most of all... you seem to have forgotten your place."
Poison dripped from the the male's last words.

The elf, now known as Aelfric, sneered in response.
"Please. After what you have done you do not deserve my respect. I served your father, not a-"

Aelfric came to a sudden stop.
The general, was confused.
Had he seen well? Did he just see... his own breath?

Impossible. They were in the middle of summer. But soon, Aelfric wasn't the only one who noticed this.
Despite the elves having high tolerenace when it came to the natural elements, the sudden change of temperature was starting to bite at the skin of everyone present in the room.
Nuada smirked seeing the sudden change in the room.

"I forgot to mention that my partner, doesn't take too kindly to those who manhandle me."

With that said, the butcher guard,( known as the ones who have the odd beak shaped heads) that was pinning Karina to the floor, screamed in pain. Everyone looked back to see the big creature holding unto its leg, frostbite present on its foot, as little specks of ice seem to spread around its limb.

The female stood up, her eyes no longer holding their warm brown color, but now held an icy blue hue, as they glowed. She had frozen everyone in the room, taking them off guard. Quickly making haste, she ran towards Nuada, and unfrozen the guards that pinned him down.
They tried to attack Karina, but the female had quickly created two walls of ice, using them to push back her opponents. Nuada had gotten up and started to ask his love whether she was alright.

The female still didn't look at him, to make sure they were safe, but soon, she groaned in pain and fell unto one knee.

"Karina!" The male exclaimed, as he lifted her back up.

The previous weight upon her back, from the creature, still had an effect on her. Quickly composing herself, she stood on her own, and gave her prince a reassuring smile.

"What is the meaning of this?! I swear Silverlance, if this woman is another creature you have brought to end us-"

Aelfric started but was soon interrupted. "HOLD YOUR TONGUE!!"

Silence.

"This woman, is a beautiful creature who you will show UP MOST RESPECT!" Raged the elfen male, who made his lady turn a slight shade of pink at the compliment.

But soon, her mind went back to what the general had said.

" 'Another creature' to end them? What those that mean? Had Nuada fought with these people before? Had something like this happened before?
Still it wouldn't make much sense. If they had betrayed him before, why would Nuada have willingly follow them to the castle? In fact why would he even come here to begin with?.."  Karina's mind was racing with different thoughts. But they were soon interrupted by a familiar and soft voice:

"Nuada? Karina? What are you doing he- oh my. Why is the room in this state?!"

The two main individuals turned to the new guest that had arrived.

"Nuala?"