A Crown and A Curse

Chapter 3

Zora

I shrugged myself out of the grip of the guards escorting me to the heart of Salatia, craving the smallest bit of dignity. I was already looked upon as an outcast, most people avoided me if they could and I had no reason to blame them. My power was lethal and had in the past proved to be uncontrollable. The few people I could call friends had been with me since childhood, and had never turned away out of fear like so many others. I couldn't help but feel small as I was escorted to the hearing, paraded through the streets as if to purposely confirm all of their rumors.

"Zora, I don't enjoy this anymore than you do, but orders are orders," Said Veli Harju, the more friendly of the pair gripping my shoulders firmly as I walked. He and I were not extremely close, but Veli had always been kind to me on our hunting trips.

"Well you could loosen your grip a little bit. I'd prefer to walk into my banishing sentence without bruises, thanks."

Sade Silja, the light wielder on the other side of me pushed me forward, forcing me to stumble ahead, "You'll bruise less if you walk faster."

"Gee. Thanks, have you ever considered being a healer? I'm sure with your superior knowledge of bruising they'd love to have you," Snorted Ari, who was being shoved along beside me, restrained by a more sullen pair.

"Maybe I'll take your sister's spot when they lock her up too."

"Stop antagonizing them, Sade. They're dealing with enough already. And Ari looks like he's about to drown you," Veli sighed.

Sparingly, the large open space at the heart of our camp loomed near. Ari and I looked at each other, eyes wide and faces stony. However, my attention was quickly pulled away by the figure standing atop the makeshift podium, walking around like a free man. Edmond looked ever the part of the humble leader, no one could tell that he had been imprisoned only hours before and perhaps no one else knew.

His eyes locked on mine, and my heart dropped when I saw the regret hiding in them. Banishment truly would be my fate then. More and more people gathered around as I was shoved to my knees at the podium's base, Ari next to me.

I expect Edmond to hit the ground beside us next, and for Pekko to take his place at the podium. Instead though, Edmond stepped up and spoke.

"May I have your attention please?" He began in the charming Ardunian accent I had grown so accustomed to. The clearing grew quiet, the pounding of my pulse grew loud.

"It is with a heavy heart that I gathered you here this afternoon. I have been informed that four nights ago, during a hunting mission gone awry, that one of our own has made a grave mistake," Ever the stageman, Edmond paused for effect. I wondered two things: first, how he was even free and second, how he could be so calm while accusing someone he once called family of treason. "My own proclaimed heir, Zora Flynn, let out a powerful burst of magic on that night, during a raid by Drimorian scouts. This blast not only killed four of the said scouts, but also created a large enough blast to draw attention to the area, and to alert the Dark King of a magical presence previously unknown to him."

"This reckless act not only endangered the others on the hunting mission, but also the camp as a whole. If we are to move forward with the stealth we have left, then I fear we cannot do so with such a powerful and completely uncontrollable wielder among us," He took a deep breath before continuing, not daring to look down at me kneeling before him. Never, not even when my own mother left me, had I felt such betrayal.

"Ari Jokela also stands accused of endangerment today, as he distracted Zora during her watch, allowing the raiders to get into the camp and put everyone's lives at risk. Though this is a seemingly small error, it resulted in catastrophic results which cannot be remedied. Ari must be an example to all of you for why we must always put caution and focus first. A relaxed state of being leads to troubles we cannot afford if we are to survive," As Edmond concluded his statements, I felt Ari's body shaking next to me, his fists clenched into the ground. I had learned long ago that I couldn't allow myself to feel deeply, or else my powers could consume me through lack of control. However, with my magical energy depleted for the time being, I allowed a single tear to slip down my cheek.