The Realm Hero Chronicles: Round 2

Chapter 27: The Voice of the Past

Torch in hand, Lennox whistled slightly as he descended into the dungeon. Today, he'd have the easiest job in the temple: check on the Chronopolian prisoner before the trial.

It wasn't dawn yet -- they had about a half an hour to go -- but already the temple was buzzing with life. The day watch was preparing to take their shifts, refreshed by a good night's rest. The night watch was counting down the seconds before they could go back to their homes and how fast they could get there before falling asleep on the palace floor. The Lion Elders thought it would be beneficial to quick put together another round of Chi shipments for the tribes, so they were upstairs harvesting the orbs. Laval had been up for an hour putting together any last-minute arrangements for the Realm Court meeting since it would be the biggest event in the history of the realms.

In short, chaotic. Which was why Longtooth had sent Lennox down to check on the prisoner; one more body upstairs would practically be considered underfoot.

"Make sure he's still down there. I don't think Laval's in a mood for any surprises today other than the one he's giving the Chronopolian prisoners."

Lennox sighed. Maybe when this was done, after all the chaos was over, Longtooth would let him take a Lion Attack vehicle out. A joyride would be nice after today was over.

He reached the cell where the prisoner was. "You awake, you scheming fur-bag?"

"I am awake. Or am I?"

The raspy voice stopped Lennox cold. He stepped closer to the cell door to examine the prisoner more closely.

Because it couldn't be, could it?

The torch light flickered on the dirty, scratched, bleeding fur of Lavertus. Dark brownish-red bandages twisted sloppily around his arms and chest, the right eye was swollen shut, and his voice cracked in pain. "Lennox, is my nephew still fighting?"

Lennox staggered back, mind reeling. Then he bolted back upstairs shouting, "Longtooth! Longtooth! Longtooth!"

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"This is going to be a good day, Longtooth." Laval stretched like an agile Legend Beast warming up for the hunt.

"I'm glad you think so, Sir." Longtooth smiled as he watched Laval twirl lightly, his white cape blazing like a comet. He'd chosen to wear the symbolic white funeral outfit for the trial as a way to show the Chronopolian leaders that they had been fooled yet again.

Chomps gave a low growl, as if he was happy too. They had every reason to -- today, their king's abductors would be avenged. Laval already had plans to bust into the Chronopolian prison and free the captives inside.

Laval sat down on the throne and smoothed the armored skirt. "It's good we're meeting early. I don't particularly like early meetings, but it's better to get this over with moderately quickly before the-"

"Longtooth! Longtooth! Longtooth!" Lennox shrieked as he barreled into the throne room, bowling several Lion Elders over in the process.

"Lennox!" Laval shouted as he catapulted himself upright with a hand on his Royal Valious. "What is it?" If that flea-bitten shag carpet from Chronopolis laid a hand on one of the best Lion Guards Laval knew, there would be blood on the temple floor before the Realm Heroes arrived.

"You-you have to see it." Lennox was paler than a ghost, wheezing from the sprint. "It's-it's the prisoner."

"What about him?" Longtooth asked.