Princess Tracee ran down the corridor, hurrying to reach her father. She looked behind her momentarily, knowing the army of wraiths would be coming soon.
"Princess, where are you going?" Sir Jurriaan called after her. The little girl came to a stop and looked at Jurriaan with wide eyes.
"The wraiths are coming. They know about Addison." Jurriaan jogged over to her.
"Are you sure?" Tracee nodded.
"Ella saw an army of them running through the southern forest." Jurriaan picked Tracee up and carried her into her fathers room.
"Sire, there are wraiths in the southern forest. We believe they are coming to attack the castle." He said as he entered the room. The King turned his head slightly and looked at Jurriaan.
"Do you really think he can lead an army in this state?" The Queen said from the chair she was in beside him.
"He is on deaths door and you have the audacity to call upon him? He is..."
"Mother." Tracee said sharply. Jurriaan and the Queen looked at her.
"Sir Jurriaan didn't expect father to fight, he only wants his advice." She said confidently. The Queen looked at Jurriaan questioningly.
"She speaks the truth, my lady. I came to ask whether we should prepare the defences or ride out to meet them." The King coughed loudly and pushed himself up.
"Prepare the defences. We don't know how many there are." He coughed loudly again, and the Queen gripped his hand tightly.
"He doesn't have long left." She whispered, almost to herself. Tracee slowly walked to her fathers bedside and grabbed his other hand.
"They're coming for Addison, father. They must know."
"I know child. That is why I want Jurriaan to take her away from the castle and hide her." Jurriaan looked at the king, frowning.
"It is my duty to protect you, my lord."
"Jurriaan you must do this for me. She will die tonight if you don't." The king pulled his crown off of his head and held it out to Jurriaan.
"Give this to her."
"Your Majesty..."
"I want as many people evacuated as possible. Only the army stays behind."
"But sir…" The king pushed his covers off and swung his legs off the side of the bed.
"No arguments Jurriaan." The king slowly pushed himself off the bed and gave Jurriaan the crown.
"Perhaps it's best if you stay here father. Mother is right, you are in no shape to lead an army." Tracee said in a small voice. The king looked at his daughter.
"I'm going to die soon anyway, sweetheart. I would rather die on the battle field." Tracee looked up at her father with tears in her eyes.
"But you could come with us. You could get better." The king walked over to her and knelt in front of her.
"They need me here, Tracee."
"But I need you too." She said as she wrapped her arms around him.
"I know, but I need to be here to protect my men."
"Who will protect us?" The king smiled sadly.
"Can you protect your mother for me?" Tracee nodded.
"What about Addison?"
"She is not coming with us." The queen said firmly. She had never liked Addison, mostly because she wasn't her daughter.
"But..." Tracee protested, but the king cut her off.
YOU ARE READING
King of The Elves (Dragon Riders Chronicles)
Fantasy"Who are you?" "I am an elf." The hooded man rolled his eyes. "I know that. What's your name?" The girl blinked her large brown eyes and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her pointy ear. "My name is Addison." The hooded man stepped back slightly...
