Allegiance

Chapter 50

"This is embarrassing," Virion grumbled. "I can walk."

Virion was currently in a wheelchair, sitting with his arms crossed and an irritated expression plastered on his face. Alduin pushed Virion down the hallways of the floating castle, with Merial walking beside them. Tessia and Arthur walked behind them, hand in hand, close enough that their shoulders touched as they walked. Alea walked behind all of them, keeping watch on the surroundings as usual.

"The emitters told you to take it easy," Alduin retorted. "So sit down and relax."

"The emitters don't know what they're talking about," Virion claimed. "I feel fine."

"Virion," Merial said softly, giving him a small smile. "We were all worried about you. It would put our minds at ease if you just follow the emitters' instructions."

Virion sighed, knowing Merial was right. He could see how worried his family was for him when he woke up in the infirmary. "Fine. I'll stay in this accursed thing."

Arthur chuckled, seeing Virion pouting in his wheelchair. He leaned close to Tessia and whispered, "The mighty former king of the elves, done in by a wheelchair."

"Hey!" Virion looked over his shoulder with a glare. "I can hear you, brat!"

Tessia chuckled, "We elves have good hearing."

"That's right," Virion said, narrowing his eyes on Arthur. "And don't be fooled by this wheelchair. I once beat a man to death during the last war with a cactus."

"A cactus?" Arthur said, raising a brow, not sure he believed Virion. "How would you even do that?"

Virion smirked, "Maybe I'll show you one day."

Arthur gave Virion a challenging smile, "Careful. I seem to remember you losing our last battle."

"Arthur," Tessia sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Don't rile him up."

Virion glared at Arthur, his fingers tapping the armrest of his wheelchair, "Maybe I was holding back."

"Doubt it," Arthur said flatly.

Virion grumbled, "Alduin. Let me out of this thing."

Alduin sighed, "No. You're staying in the chair."

Tessia looked at Arthur with a playful, scolding gaze, "And you. Stop it."

Arthur laughed a little and smiled at Tessia, "As you command."

Tessia's lips curved slightly, a slight blush forming on her cheeks and the tips of her ears. She looked away from Arthur before her mind went into the gutter and calmed herself down.

The six of them soon entered the portal room, where they noticed Priscilla, Kathyln, and Bairon waiting for them.

Priscilla smiled and greeted them, "Hello, everyone. We thought we would see you off."

Merial returned her smile, "How kind of you." She looked at Priscilla curiously, "Did the Greysunders already leave?"

Priscilla nodded, "They left about an hour ago. They didn't so much as say goodbye."

"Typical," Alduin sighed.

Merial's smile faded, and she looked at Priscilla, a little concerned, "How are you doing?"

Priscilla took a deep breath but maintained her smile, "I'm doing okay, considering everything that has happened." She looked at her daughter, "We still have our work cut out for us, though, once we get back to Etisin."

"Has word gotten out?" Alduin asked curiously. "About Blaine?"

Priscilla shook her head, "No. According to my emissary, no one knows about Blaine's death or Curtis' incarceration. Once I get back, I'll inform the elders of it and what my plans are."