A Taste of Death

Chapter Eleven

"These amulets are an heirloom from my family, they'll protect you." Cassiopeia explained as she placed the amber amulets around Rosa and Casey's neck. Casey gently touched the piece, frowning. "But this one's yours." She looked at the princess, who smiled lightly. "You need it more than I do." She responded. "Are we ready?" Amarelis called to them. The humans looked at him and nodded. "We are." As they boarded the wagon, there was slight nervous chatter. However it all died out as the Runic horses began pulling, slowly increasing in speed until the group was practically flying through the fields.
Away in Avense, Kai looked over the landscape, not even turning when he heard footsteps behind him. "Sir, they're coming." He sighed lightly. "I know." The demon behind him hesitated for a second. "Highness...We don't want to fight. We're-" Kai turned to the demon, silencing him. "Then don't fight. Go home to your families, I can deal with them." He crossed his arms. The demon was stunned. "Are...are you sure?" Kai regarded him for a moment before nodding. "Half of them can't even properly fight anyways." He turned back to watch the landscape. "Are you okay?" The demon stepped forward. "Ever since th-"  Kai cut him off sharply. "You're dismissed, Aleshae." The demon nodded and quickly left. Kai sighed and soon left the room after.
As the group came to the kingdom's gates, they were shocked at what they found. "The gates are unlocked." Waylon gaped. "And no guards." Elowen mumbled. "Or any sort of defense at all." Amarelis frowned. "Feels like a trap." Vesper gripped his staff. "Probably is." Cassiopeia remarked. "Or his ego got to his head." Rosa replied. Neveah's eyes slid over the area, but she made no comment. As they warily proceeded forward, all gates opened before them, and no enemy challenged them. The kingdom remained still through its dreariness and the shadows made no move. "You'd think that the Neisha would be swarming this place..." Cassiopeia frowned. "Yeah, this doesn't bode well." Waylon looked at Neveah, who still didn't say anything.
They pulled up to the castle gates, everyone collecting their weapons and looked at each other before forming a tight knit huddle around the two humans and walking in. As they slowly explored the castle, they kept an eye out for any sort of trap or foe until they arrived in a rather large chamber, Kai opposite them, back to them. "Prince Kaiyan of Avense." Amarelis called out. "It's over. Time for you to pay for your crimes." Kai slowly turned. "You think you can beat me? Let's see," He took a step forward. "The humans are out, they can't fight. The healer and seer are out, they only got measly weapons. You and you-" He pointed to Vesper and Amarelis, "Well, take away the little toys and you're useless. Just need to put a muzzle on princess over there," Kai pointed at Neveah. "And that leaves the elven princess, and you don't stand a chance against me. So, how likely is it you're going to win this?" He chuckled. Rosa and Casey stepped forward, the red head's eyes burning with fury as she spoke. "Never underestimate pure wrath. Come collect your dues, Highness."
As one, the group lunged forward, weapons raised. "Now this is a fight." Kai grinned, running forward to meet them, shadows at his back. Upon impact, he jumped back, the shadows going ahead and forcing the group back as it rose into a wall. Rosa and Casey nodded to each other and gripping hands, they forced their way through, an explosion of purple rising to tackle the shadows as Cassiopeia waved the others through. Amarelis dug into his bag of runes, his uniform's green accents lighting up, the runes chosen spinning around him before landing on the ground and activated, turning into various creatures, bearing different elements. Elowen loaded her crossbow, glancing around. "If you have any helpful tips, now would be a good time." She mumbled as she joined Amarelis' side. The battle stayed at a standstill for a while, but ended in a blur of motion. Vesper's and Cassiopeia's joint attack caused Kai to stumble, Rosa and Casey taking the opportunity to sweep his legs out from under him. Amarelis and Neveah's magical attacks- his runes and her voice- conjured chains with binding runes on them, securing around his torso. The group gathered around him, the male looking indignant.
"Let's go. He'll answer to the Council." Cassiopeia walked away, Amarelis and Vesper hauling Kai up and taking him to the back of the wagon. Waylon worked on healing everyone's wounds, while everyone packed up and rested from the fight. Neveah stared at where Kai was, frowning. Elowen walked up to her, gently offering her some spring water. Neveah took it and sighed, as she looked at Elowen. "It was too easy. I know him." She shook her head. "It felt half -hearted. Like he didn't want to fight us." She frowned more. Elowen paused for a moment. Were her suspicions true? "Maybe he has a bigger plan?" Elowen suggested, though it sounded like she didn't believe it herself. Neveah just shook her head and walked away, Elowen watching her.
"The Council?" Casey questioned. Amarelis nodded. "It's a group of people in a hidden place that oversee Vashnaheil." Rosa scowled. "Why didn't they come fight then?" She crossed her arms, giving Kai a look. "Because they're too high and mighty." Vesper commented. "They're important and hold tons of information on the realm. For them to be fighting would potentially lead to disaster." Neveah replied. "So we're taking the guy that took over Vashnaheil directly to a place of power? What if he does something?" Waylon interjected. "He won't be able to," Amarelis pointed to the bonds. "As soon as the Council recognises him, he won't be able to use his power and the bindings prevent him from using them temporarily in the meantime." The group was silent for the rest of the way there, relieved that the threat was seemingly over. However, Neveah and Elowen shared a look. Something was off, and only time would tell what that was.