War Of Freedom- Fallen (book One)

Ch 5: The Fear Of Death

Jadenyx landed down from the vent, marking the impact with a faint thud sound. It was too faint to alert someone, but a pair of focused eyes and brown soft curls eagerly noting something using a sapphire studded ink pen shifted towards him. Jadenyx held his breath.

The long glass window across the room reflected their middle aged frame, their brawny arms, and their silk night suit. The sapphire studded ring around their index finger caught Jadenyx's eyes. It started moving as the man resumed his study for the night.

Jadenyx released his breath he had been holding due to the fear of getting caught. It was a waste of a move though. He came to the Royal Library to get caught in the first place. Nevertheless, he wasn't ready for it yet.

His back leaning against a book shelf, he took in the magnificent paintings hanging from the wall in front of his eyes. The long row of canvases ranged from fruits to portraits to sceneries and many more. The elegant silvery strokes and bright colours each painting had dazzled under the candlelight chandelier hanging from one of the minimus domes.

Savernians boasted their wealth, social status like no other clan in Arcalia. Putting it on display wherever they stepped brought enormous joy to their hearts. The Royal Library hoarding the rarest collection of paintings and books spanning over centuries stood as a testament to it.

Jadenyx turned around and saw there was no one else apart from the man immersed in his study in this cold night.

The middle aged man tugged his soft brown curls reaching to his shoulders behind his ears. He wore no jewellery apart from the clanholder's ring. His night suit was ordinarily plain, with no glittering needlework. Still, it stood in no contrast from the splendid library. The detailing and the richness of the fabric validated Savernians hunger for a sophisticated lifestyle.

The Albantrin bloodline bore several great leaders who were voracious readers too. Tonight, the man was a student with a zeal for knowledge, not the most powerful man in clanland. Or at least Jadenyx thought so.

Theidroc's eyes tore away from the book to scan the area. The boy stopped moving at the sight of Vycelar burning in the azuraei's palms.

"Come out!" The azuraei yelled. It was a clear warning.

"I said COME OUT!" came a roaring command from the azuraei as he stood up from his chair.

The teenager had now realised the magnitude of the danger that revealing himself would lead to. If he was caught wandering outside instead of serving his punishment, Theidroc would skin him alive. He gulped.

Nevertheless, something propelled him forward. Jadenyx raised his hands to level with his head. "Your Majesty, I come in peace," he announced loud and clear as he stepped into the light.

The moment the azuraei's eyes located him, a beam of Vycelar barged towards the teenager. The boy freaked out, jumping sideways. "Your Excellency, it is I, Jadenyx!"

"Oh, I know it is you!" And Theidroc shot another beam at him.

"Your Imperial Highness! I bear no harm!" Jadenyx cried, dodging the beam again.

Theidroc didn't slow down. He made sure not to hit the delicate collections by targeting Jadenyx's feet. "You have some nerve to disobey my command!" Bellowed a voice that could tremble an entire clanland in fear.

"It wasn't international." Jadenyx lied through his teeth. "Please hear me out, Your Excellency. I have a proposition to make." He pulled out the biggest book he could find and used it as a shield.

Theidroc was stunned. Then he glared at the boy. "You dare to threaten me with that book!?" His tone rose a few degrees, as did the intensity of Vycelar in his palms.