Vendetta's Rise (The Dragon Realms Saga: Book 1)

Chapter 28

Wiccer leaned against the marble railing of the small balcony that overlooked the blooming city below. His pearl-white cloak swam in the cool evening air and his thoughts scattered like the infinite sands of Scorch. Unsteadily, listlessly, and utterly directionless. Then at once, his thoughts violently washed over him and there was nowhere he could run or hide to escape the coarse avalanche.

"Wiccer, get the king out of here!" Avren roared. His sword shimmered in the glaze of the daylight that seeped from the open window where Tesha had entered. She stood on the war table, unfazed by Avren's blade. A series of daggers whizzed into the floorboards, stopping Jaelyn and Wiccer in their tracks.

"I think it would be best that the king hears what I have to say," she said. She gave Wiccer a thin smile as he moved himself in front of the elven king. "If I wanted the king dead, I would have killed him when you two noble idiots weren't here."

"What did you call-" started Avren.

"We are losing valuable time here," Tesha interrupted. "Jaelyn, I'm here on a mission to protect you from my clan. As we speak, my clan has sent a squad of assassins to deal with you. As much as I hate to admit it, they are very skilled. Without my help, you may perish this night."

Wiccer cautiously moved his hand away from his blade's handle. "Why should we trust a Rabbit? Especially one working against its own clan?"

Tesha flipped her hand through her wavy, vibrant red hair. Her amber elven eyes gazed into Wiccer's, "An excellent question, my handsome White Cloak. My clan is much like the sun. It nourishes one flower, while the rest wither in the shade."

"What do you gain from your clan's failure?" Wiccer asked, still unconvinced.

"I would have saved the king's life. No doubt I would have gained enough trust to build the foundation of a relationship between our people. Exclusive contracts, perhaps. After all, don't we all wished to be praised as a hero?"

"I would indeed hail you a hero for turning against your clan to protect me. We shall set a trap for these villains. With my White Cloaks aligned with a Black Rabbit, they will stand no chance." Jaelyn brandished a wide smile and clapped his hands. "I want to be present for this."

"Absolutely not!" Avren gestured his hands in a motion to display that he completely disagreed with the entire situation.

"It's not your call. You may lead your Cloaks, but I hired them. You take commands from me. This isn't the first time someone has tried to kill me, and I'm sure that this will not be the last." The king turned to Tesha, "You, Rabbit, who is coming to assassinate me?"

"Elucard leads two. Inle, his student, and a medic known as Jetta."

Jaelyn scrunched his face in disgust, "This Elucard and his team will hang from broken necks in the town square tomorrow. I will personally see to it."

"Your Grace, I highly advise against this plan. If this Elucard intends to kill you, why should we give him such an opportunity?" Avren said, this time remembering his courtesies.

"Captain, I do not fear what goes 'bump' in the night. For when it does, I 'bump' back."

Wiccer anxiously thumbed the edge of his blade. So, Elucard. My honorable deed will haunt me. He resolved then and there that he would not spare him a second time.

"What troubles you, Sergeant?" The quiet, but kind voice, broke up his thoughts. Wiccer turned and found himself looking at an elf, roughly his age. He was clothed in fine nobleman threads, a circlet around his forehead and a Dawnedge signet ring marked him as royalty. By his side, stood a large wolf that had brilliant cobalt fur eye an eye that sparked wild with magic. It nudged at the elf's hand.