Drumwe Isles

chapter 36

Every witness stares on with both disbelief and awe as Cael is struck by the beam of light. He is lowered to the ground, raven black hair snapping in the wind dangerously as his hazel eyes become a deep emerald green.

The strangers in the woods slip down from their trees and walk towards Cael, leaving their weapons lowered. Lynet watches them get closer to Cael with mistrusting eyes.

The most well brandished and decorated of the warriors steps up to Cael, and kneels before his feet. Upon seeing their commander's actions, the rest of the soldiers do the same. Soon enough, everyone excluding Amra's and Cael's group is kneeling.

"Why do you kneel?"

The commander blinks up at Cael as though he is too bright for his eyes.

"The prophecy."

"What prophecy?"

Another warrior speaks up.

"It is foretold that the heavens will give a great gift to a powerful warrior and that he is to become the next ruler to Dillac."

The man frowns, still unsure of why they would kneel before him.

"You were just trying to kill us."

Lynets voice is low and pointed with danger in it.

The commander nods, eyes washing over the group before them.

"We were sent to kill you. All of you."

"Who sent you?"

The commander looked nervous.

"The old King."

"King of what?"

"Dillac."

Cael's eyes light with a fury now.

"He sent you to kill us? Wot? After he paid us to come here?"

The commander seemed confused now.

"Sir, that's not what we were told."

"What were you told?"

Kieran kept his voice level, focused.

Slowly, all of the warriors started to look enraged. Cael's group had no inkling as to why. "They told us that you had tried to harm their daughter, the princess. We were told that your lot was fugitives."

Cael was mortified at the accusation.

"We hadn't even known he had a daughter!"

Kieran shook his head.

"No, I've met the princess, that can't be right."

Enid was still analysing Cael like some strange new species she'd encountered.

The commander rose to his feet and turned to the soldiers.

"We have been lied to and sent by the King in a plot to overthrow his predecessor!"

The soldiers roared in anger.

The commander turned to Cael.

"Sir, what would you have us do?"

Cael looked to his group, at all three of them.

"What are we to do now?"

Lynet stepped forward.

"You have a king to kill, it seems."

He eyed the fiery look amidst Lynet's evergreen orbs and suspected what she had meant was that they had a king to kill.

"And we need to get to Euridayl to find a healer."

Enid's voice was low as she gestured to Kieran's tail.

Cael nodded in agreement.

"I can send you both with the coin my brother gave me."

Kieran protested at once.

"We'll not take the coin."

Cael stepped over to his shield brother and crushed the man in a hug.

"You will take the coin, and you will send word of how things are going to the Silverpelt estate in Taudor, and I will write you back as soon as I can."

Kieran looked reluctant but he nodded.

"Warriors, my brothers in blood!"

Cael addressed all of the many men before him now.

"You have families, friends, lovers to get back to. The trip back to Dillac is long and the way up the mountains is not easy. I would never ask you to make the trip alone; I will be right alongside you. If you still hold loyalties to your king and wish not to do him harm, I will not ask it of you. However, you will not be able to stop me from doing just that."

The men looked on at Cael, his words were sturdy and filled to the brim with stubbornness.

"Lead on, King Cael of Dillac."

"Lead on!"

The men roared with a great fire in their bones and sureness in their spirit. 

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Comment question: What's your theory on Euridayl? What do you think its like there?