Shadow Princess

Chapter Eighteen: Promises Unkept

Getting dragged through the kingdom is something Julius had wanted to avoid. But the General chuckles and takes a liking to dragging him through the Yelkite Barracks, hearing the dark chuckles echo around him. The whole kingdom is surrounded by a wall that forms a circle around the kingdom. The Yelkite Barracks are hidden within the two cities of the Prisom and Outlaw Village. The barracks where they sleep are makeshift homes against the back of the wall and the wall leading to the Prisom. There only four paths that lead into the Prison, the General takes the one by the Yelkite headquarters.

As they grow closer to the palace, Julius could see the white marble color of the wall and the cracks that surface it. Two guards stand by the gate. One is the General's son Maxin, who smirks at him as they pass. The other guard yanks the gate open, whistling for the others on the other side. It opens with a loud boom; a noise Julius hears often. Gritting his teeth, he turns to look at his friends, who are being dragged as well. Jacob's green eyes spark as they enter the Prisom, the one place they have never set foot in due to their heritage of being Outlaws.

The palace rises before him, a black exterior against the white wall. The main building is about a hundred fifty feet tall in height and about two hundred feet in width. It a big castle, one where most of the rooms are empty or full during a party thrown by the king. The granite doors of the castle are dislodged, but the General just whistles and soon the doors swing all the way open. The titled flooring is a dark gray that reflects his father's color. In the entrance hall. There are two marble status, that replicate the last two kings. Down the hall are three doors. Two lead to other hallways that lead to rooms. The door directly in front of them, where the General let go of his shoulder harshly, has a face shaped into it.

The door is sculpted to look like an older king. A painted bronze crown sits upon a fat head, thick brows and a fat jaw. He looks cruel and smug, like he killed millions before he was sculpted. This king is the cruelest to ever lead, beside his father. He murdered about three thousand vampires before his squire murdered him in his sleep.

The door opens and the General gives him a shove, sending his sprawling on the floor, a few feet from the king. The throne room is huge, with a gaping ceiling, that has a colored glass roof. The glass is a painting of the Five Elves, a sigma of their allegiance. There are red and black flags that drape the walls behind the King. The throne is a black metal, with small details eroded into it. The tiled floor continues to be a dark grey that darkens the room. Five torches are lit along the walls, two beside the King.

Eight Yelkites line the sides of the room, swords glittering at their waist. A few heads turn to greet Julius as he lands. A few Yelkites smirk, the younger ones. The older ones send a look to their king, annoyed at such an interruption.

"My King," the General greets, bowing at his waist. His cloak sliding along the floor. The king gestures for them to come forward. Julius jumps to his feet, leaning away from the make behind him. "We brought guests."

They got closer, close enough to see the silver crown that sits upon his brow. His dark grey eyes glitter with malice as they take him in. His legs are stretched out in front of him, crossed at the ankles. He is wearing his armor and black cloak that represents his kingdom. Julius glances at the ground, bearing the weight of his father's glare. The three triangle intercross with a V in the center is etched into the crowd beneath his feet, gold glinting through clear.

His father uncrosses his ankles and leans forward on his elbows. His face is lined with anger and disappointment as they take him in. "Now, can you explain to me why you are back without the girl?"

Julius clenches his jaw, curious on how news spread so fast when the General has been with him this whole time. He glances over his shoulder, catching Jacob and Davis being shoved in as well. They catch his eyes and nod, giving him the signal.