Book of Ellagar

Chapter 17: Mistakes

Ellagar turned to see a glowing, double-sized pixie, resplendent in the finest materials the swamp could offer. Her gown shimmered with iridescent hues, woven from delicate spider silk and adorned with tiny, glistening gemstones. She wore a crown of fine silver wire, intricately crafted and set with sparkling dew drops that caught the light. Her presence commanded attention, and the air seemed to still in her vicinity. Around her, a dozen tiny warrior pixies with needle-like spears stood at attention, their expressions fierce and unwavering. The scene was a blur of movement and noise, making it hard to focus, but the Queen's regal aura cut through the chaos like a beacon.

Ellagar bowed, her voice trembling. "Your Majesty, there has been an accident..." Her heart pounded in her chest, fear tightening her throat. She glanced at the fallen pixie, and the glint of a shiny glass bead caught her eye. Her stomach churned with a sickening realization.

The Queen cut Ellagar off. "Accidents do not happen with weapons. Slaying my kin has a price. Who will pay it?"

Verak began talking rapidly, his words stumbling over each other. "It was an accident; they were playing. It was just target practice. I challenged Ardvek to more and more impossible shots, and he missed. The stone hit a pixie." His voice wavered, eyes wide with panic.

The Pixie Queen silenced everyone with a quick command. "So this boy is responsible!" she said, pointing at Ardvek. Verak stammered, trying to deflect, but the Queen's gaze was unwavering. Ellagar felt a cold sweat break out, her mind racing for a solution.

Ellagar tried to silence the boys, her mind racing to find the right words, but Ardvek finally spoke, his voice shaking. "I killed her. I will pay the price." Thelara gasped and pulled both boys to her before they could speak further. But the damage was done.

"Guilt admitted! Oh yes, you will pay the price. Death for a death. Guards..." The Queen's eyes sparkled with a cruel delight, her voice lilting as if she were discussing a trivial matter.

"He is just a child; you cannot..." Ellagar's voice cracked with desperation, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Silence, Druid, do not tell me what I can do in my kingdom. This is my domain. He will be executed as I deem. Guards..." The Queen's voice was cold and final, sending a chill down Ellagar's spine. The Queen seemed bored by the proceedings as she carelessly twirled a lock of her hair.

"What about a trial, Your Majesty?" Ellagar rushed to interject before a command could be given, her words tumbling out in a frantic plea. The pixie court went silent, and the Queen's eyes glinted with amusement. "Oh my Druid, dragonborn. You invoke trial? My, that is much more fun than a simple execution." The Queen clapped her hands and twirled in excitement, her mood shifting rapidly.

"Something appropriate..." The Queen whispered to a pixie that appeared to be an advisor. "Oh yes, that. Excellent. You are druids, so the Trial of Balance."

Ellagar felt her heart race, her breath quickening. No, not that, she thought. She chose her words carefully, her voice trembling. "You honor us with that trial, yet these boys are not druids and not trained..."

The Queen cut her off with a dismissive wave. "Irrelevant. My domain. You may accept my judgment. Death or trial. I have a feast to arrange, and these mundane trivialities begin to bore me." She turned away, already losing interest, her attention flitting to other matters.

Ellagar took a deep breath, trying to regain some sense of control. Okay, we can work with this, she thought. A trial is better than immediate execution. She opened her mouth to negotiate further when Verak spoke, his voice firm despite the chaos. "I will do the trial."

Ellagar felt her anger rising and glared at Verak. "You cannot..."

"Accepted," said the Queen. "Both younglings will face the trial. That is acceptable." She clapped, and light sparkled.