The Exiled King | ✔

Chapter 23 - Two Against The World

The days slipped by relentlessly. To those who knew of their impending doom, every passing moment felt like a noose drawing tighter around the throat. But to everyone else on Dargon—not to mention the other worlds—life carried on with scary normality. Even within the castle walls, only a few had the soul-crushing knowledge and everyone else was blissfully unaware.

Lirya and Eryian sat in the castle courtyard. Blackrose castle was more a fortress than a palace, but the courtyard was a newer addition from a time of peace. It faced the mountains behind the castle, enclosing the space in shadow, but protecting the outside space from the frigid winds.

The courtyard was a pathetic spot of vegetation—little more than just a square of grass and some flowers that had seen better days. And plenty of weeds. The centre of the courtyard, where any plants could get perhaps an hour of sunlight and a spot of rain, was filled with thriving weeds.

Eryian leaned against a pillar, gazing out at the courtyard. Lirya stood beside him, her arms crossed. A light rain drizzled, filling the air with a pleasant scent of damp grass and forcing the two to stand beneath shelter.

"How many days do you think we have left?" Eryian asked, breaking the silence between them.

Too few...

Out loud, Lirya answered, "I don't know. Honestly, I don't really want to think about it."

I just wish I could close my eyes and forget about all of my troubles, She thought.

Eryian shifted and turned to look at her. His eyes were colder and hard to read. He'd never been easy to read, but Lirya had always thought that they had some kind of connection that allowed her to understand him.

"If we don't do this, everyone and everything on Dargon will die," Eryian said, his calm and unwavering voice a stark contrast to the turmoil those words created within her.

He continued, "Think of... pri'jafi. He and pri'jami finally got properly united. If Dargon goes, so does the Ether and the other worlds. He won't... get the afterlife he deserves. We won't ever see them again!"

"That's... too cruel!" Lirya whispered.

She wasn't sure whether she was referring to their choice or the consequences. Perhaps both.

"It doesn't have to end like that," Eryian nodded, "We know how to fix everything. We just have to do it. Right, Lirya?"

She was silent for a long time, before mumbling, "I think... I've mostly come to terms with it... It's the only way."

Eryian's demeanour changed and his face brightened and he leaned forward and wrapped her in a hug.

He's smiling... he's happy. So, this was the right choice? Then why does it feel so... wrong?

"Mast- pri'jafi will be so proud of us, Lirya! All he wanted was to save the world and we can do it!" Eryian said, his voice breathless with excitement.

Lirya tried to share his jubilation, but her heart just wasn't in it. It never felt like a choice, but an inevitability.

"Don't... don't tell the others," Lirya mumbled.

I don't want them to know. I don't want them to worry and most of all, I don't want to know how quickly they'd sacrifice two lives to save the rest.

Eryian stepped back and held her shoulders loosely and looked at her with shining eyes.

Guilt ate away within her.

Eryian nodded, "It'll be just our little secret."

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Kylian and Lasair, blissfully unaware of the impending destruction of their world, made their way through the large forest. If they had any magic in their blood, they would have felt the mana permeating the air like an invisible blanket over everything.

Lasair had never been to Silvardor before, but Kylian had once visited Ni'aad and he led them in that direction. It was a much different experience to wander through the verdant forest alone than following elven guides. Within moments, Lasair was so disoriented he was certain he'd never be able to find his way out of the forest if he were alone.

They walked for what felt like a long time, but before the city came into view, they stumbled on two elves camping on the outskirts of Ni'aad.

Both parties were surprised to see one another.

The dark haired elf shot to his feet and approached Kylian and Lasair. The young white haired elf stood more slowly and stayed back, a wary look on his face.

"Humans, why are you here?" The dark haired elf asked, his voice heavily accented.

Kylian stepped forward and stuck out his hand and answered in broken Ovaal, "Sahni, imae niur polo e yoen ai aesin punasi."

It all sounds like gibberish to me, Lasair thought.

Kylian pointed to Lasair and said, "Lasair. He is Lasair."

Then pointed to himself and named himself.

Lasair had to muffle a snicker when he heard Kylian mumble under his breath, "Gods, how do you say 'name'?"

The dark haired elf chuckled and shook Kylian's hand, then replied in Common, "It is fine. I understand Common. My name is Nicon Varneus and my companion is Aranel Aegivyl. I believe I have an explanation for you as for the freeze."

Ah, so he asked about the frozen ocean...

Nicon invited them to sit with them, which Kylian accepted and Lasair quietly followed his lead. He was all for picking a fight with Kylian when they were on even footing, but Lasair was out of his depth here and he knew it.

Nicon briefly mentioned that Aranel had awakened as a guardian and had been practicing the use of his ice powers and accidentally sent ice out across the ocean. The elf was quick to reassure Kylian and Lasair that everything had been restored now and it would not happen again.

Lasair noticed the white haired elf—Aranel, directed a subtle questioning glance at Nicon when the elder elf was recounting the situation. Lasair was certain that there was something more that Nicon was choosing not to say and he briefly debated bringing it up.

Then he shrugged and thought, Not my problem.

The delicate peace between humans and elves was not worth risking to question the words of the clearly high ranking elves.

Nicon finished his explanation and finished by asking a favour, "I assume you will return to Sanobar now, yes? I ask that you bring a letter to present to one of the guardians if you can, your king if not."

Lasair couldn't help but let his curiosity get the best of him and he blurted out, "What's the letter about?"

Nicon looked at him and answered, "You know how guardian powers transfer, yes? One has to die, so I am just telling them who the new silver guardian is."

Lasair nodded and Kylian agreed to take the letter.

They passed a little more time exchanging pleasantries, before Kylian insisted they get going and the elves bid them goodbye after explaining the path out of the forest to the beach.

"I didn't know you knew how to speak Ovaal," Lasair remarked once they were out of earshot.

"I pick up languages quickly," Kylian answered with a chuckle.

Lasair looked at Kylian with a cheeky grin and said, "Teach me how to swear in Ovaal!"

That got a good laugh out of Kylian and Nicon back at the camp, who'd heard the whole exchange with his sensitive ears just before their laughter faded out of earshot.

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Fun Fact: Nicon didn't originally know much Common but Gialan spoke Common while in Nicon's body and it rubbed off on him. He was as surprised as Kylian and Lasair were when he replied in Common.

Poor Lirya...