Shadows of a Broken Past: A Shard of Faith (Book one)

Chapter 24:

Scott felt a hand on his shoulder and snapped awake immediately. "Wah-" Turning and spotting the worried eyes of the elf, Oceanfolk, and the few others in the room, he flailed his wings and throwing himself of balance. "GAH!" He screamed again and tumbled off his chair. 

After a moment's pause, Lauren, Jimmy and Pearl burst out laughing as the other elves shook their heads, small smiles playing on their lips. 

"You should have seen the look on your face!" His advisor giggled, doubling over as Jimmy, still howling with laughter, reached out to the man on the floor. 

Scott scowled at them and struggled to his feet without help. "Very funny." He grumbled, glaring at them and shaking out his wings, adjusting his cloak on his shoulders as his face flushed red to the tips of his ears. 

Pearl calmed herself down quickly. "Sorry Scott." She said, reaching over and rubbing what Scott presumed was ink off his face. He had, of course, fallen asleep at his desk again, on top of his work. Seeing the black smear on Pearl's hand, he internally confirmed his suspicions. 

Jimmy stared at him, a mildly hurt expression on his face, but he shook it off and grinned. "Apparently there's a letter here for you." He chirped, his tail flicking and his webbed ears fanning out. 

"Return address from Pixandria." One of the other elves, a young ginger-haired boy with dark green wings, stepped forward and held out a letter, his head bowed and voice quiet and slightly fearful.

Scott took it from him, blinking curiously at the boy as he backed away to huddle behind a slightly smaller elf with bright, neon-blue eyes, black hair tied back behind their head, and bright red wings. "Who are you both?" He asked curiously. 

The green-feathered boy blinked and shook his head. "I-I'm not important." He mumbled. 

The black-haired boy made a sign with his hand and shook his head as well. 

Scott frowned. "Oh." He murmured. "Sorry." He turned away and lowered his wings, letting them fall limp as he read the letter. "Wait." He raised his head and turned to look at the others. "Pardon my words, I don't mean to sound harsh, but may I have some time alone with Lauren and my fellow rulers?" The two boys nodded and turned to the other elves they were with, about to head out. "Hold on." Scott hurried over to them, reaching out to the two messenger boys, who turned around. 

"W-what can we do?" The green-winged boy asked meekly. 

"Here." Scott pushed two small trinkets into the boy's hand. "Give one to your friend. I can tell you two aren't old enough for jobs, and I'm assuming the head of your village or town or even your parents are making you work. Show this to them, and say that the king himself has requested the education of your choice for you both." 

The one he had given the pendants to stared at him. "Really?" He breathed. 

Scott nodded. "Really." He said. "Now run along, go and play, as you should."

Scott turned away as they left, just barely catching the glare of jealousy Jimmy shot at the retreating boys. Fore some reason, it made his heart flutter. 

After they left, Scott shook himself off and turned fully to look at Jimmy, Lauren, and Pearl. Pearl smiled at him. "That was kind of you." She murmured. 

Scott shook his head and flattened his wings to his sides. "I need you all to hear this." He said softly, staring over their heads at a picture he had on his wall of himself and Katherine on his 15th birthday, several years before. 

'Dearest Scott Major, king of Rivendell and representant of those who reside in its lands, 

I presume this letter finds you well. I send this with regard to our fallen friend, Katherine, and to my parentage. As you know, Katherine Elizabeth of House Blossom passed tragically about two and a half weeks ago from a cause that none of us rulers quite understand. But, as I was preparing for her death ceremony at the Vigil yesterday, my sister Kelsie approached me with shocking news. She took me to a park on the edge of the town, and there I saw Queen Lizzie of the Ocean Empire and one of her personal guard, Cleo, the Countess of Barrier Point, Count fWhip of the Grimlands, and Katherine. Or rather, the spirit(or ghost, if you prefer) of the Lady of House Blossom. She had died, yes, when Gem smashed that pendant on the ground, but her spirit had been permitted, with the guidance of a spirit named Amaryllis, to return to the land of the living in search of a way to return permanently.