The Dragon Bond: Heirs of Lyra

Chapter 69

The man with the sword stopped mid swing. "Elysia?"

The Princess dropped her bags and ran forward, barrelling into her brother and wrapping her arms around him. "I thought you were dead!" 

He returned the embrace awkwardly, his hand still clutching the sword, his other coming up around his sister. The moment was surreal for them both. Henry thought perhaps he might be dreaming. After all, this was very much the type of situation one dreamed. Of all the places to meet...Odd indeed. What were the chances?

Elysia stepped out of the embrace to look at her brother. It had been so long. She hardly recognized him. The Princess almost laughed, she had never seen her brother with a full beard before, never seen his hair so long. His body--still strong and able--had slimmed down, and he seemed to favor his right side. 

Likewise, he stared his sister down, his eyes stopping at her stomach. "Uh...how long was I gone?"

Elysia frowned, then saw where he was staring and laughed. She pushed the pillow down and pulled it out, glad to be rid of it. "We had to blend in."

Henry laughed and hugged his sister once more, glad to see a familiar face. With her she brought a feeling of home. When he stepped back, he finally looked at Shade, his unsuspecting foe moments ago. Shade was already tending to the slice on his forearm.

"Sorry about that," Henry said, scratching his head. "I thought you were the militia."

"Speaking of which," said Shade, "we should all find a place to hide. They could come any minute. I'm sure they won't stop at a closed door."

Henry frowned. "What did you guys do?"

Elysia shrugged. "The usual." 

Mavis finally stepped forward, making her presence known. Henry's eyes warmed at the sight of her, and Wilkin timidly moved closer, huddling behind the safety of Henry's leg.

Elysia smiled at the boy. "Who is this?"

"This is Wilkin," said Henry, his voice hinting affection. "And this is Mavis. They saved my life, several times actually."

Shade tied off the bandage on his arm with his teeth. "You had a place to hide?" He was more inclined to find safety than catch up. 

"Oh right," said Henry, showing them into the next room. Elysia made sure to grab all their bags as she followed her brother into the other room. He opened a dresser drawer. Elysia peered in. "There's more room once inside."

Shade and Elysia stepped in first, ducking down low and then standing back up once inside the wall. Henry followed, making sure they hadn't left any trace of their skuffle. He motioned for Mavis and Wilkin to join as well, better safe than sorry. If soldiers were coming to search the house, he thought is best the two of them were somewhere safe. Just because they were civilians, didn't mean they were out of danger.

It was a tight fit and an awkward time, half of them strangers to another, scrunched together like sardines. It was dark, only a trace of light coming in at the floor. 

Elysia heard her brother's voice whispering in her ear. "So what are you doing here?"

She kept her voice low. "We went to Bacciballum to make an alliance--" 

Shade hissed, cutting her off. Without a word she knew he was concerned about the other two, whether they were trustworthy or not. Only the royal family was supposed to know about the alliance. 

"--oh hush, if they've been hiding Henry all this time, I think it's safe to say we can trust them!"

"You can," Henry confirmed quietly.