Treasures of Andalia Chronicles: Ring of Flames

Chapter Thirty Two: Where Cairis Goes, Crisis Follows

AMARIS

As I stared at Rihaan, I realized what kind of emotion brewed inside him. It was neither fear, worry, nor doubt. I was all too familiar with it. I've felt it a thousand times before.

It was wrath.

Not the I-am-angry-at-someone kind of anger. It was pure loathe and abhor like he was ready to use any means necessary to unleash his hidden wrath. 

This is who Rihaan truly was. A manipulative man who would do anything to get what he wanted.

It was the first time I saw him show his true face. The anger and hatred he tried so hard to conceal slowly escaped his grasp. His mask crumbled to dust, revealing the side of him in which he never wanted anyone to see.

Rihaan made sure to be cautious at all times. Maintaining his laid-back side in front of us but since Cairis happened and now—Escrivael—he'll never be able to hide his true nature again.

I thought he wasn't capable of getting angry but it seemed like he knew the feeling of hatred and the concept of vengeance so well.

Maybe the reason why he kept a low profile as the third prince was because he had this wicked side of him all along, and he needed another identity to take that side of him.

Each one of us has his or her own wicked side but not everyone could own it proudly, and since Rihaan was a prince, he couldn't publicly announce this side of him to the world. But even the most vicious person has a weakness that would surely bring their downfall. In Rihaan's case, his greatest weakness was Escrivael.

It was easy to deduce based on his reactions earlier.

At first, when he saw Escrivael, I thought he was scared—no, he was scared—but his expression turned sour, then angry.

He knew Escrivael.

Something tells me that the meeting didn't go well.

Facing us, he claimed, "we need to leave. NOW."

He took his satchel from where he was curled up earlier. Opening to check if something was missing but he tilted his head and sealed it shut.

"But—"

"He's right," Mylaera said. "You need to go. Escrivael will come back for his target. Despite the ancient power running in our blood, we have to admit, we cannot protect you. No one can give us orders until our queen awakens. Until then, we cannot lend a hand." She lowered her head to see me eye to eye, and gave me a fragment of her silver scale. It glistened as I moved it around. "However, I want to give this to you. It will help you in the future. You can only use it once but make sure you use it right."

I studied it for a bit longer then asked, "How will I know when's the perfect time to use it?"

"You'll know by then, but for now, keep it near you at all times."

I stared at the scale on my hand. I didn't know what it was for but I'll make sure to treasure it until the day I might need it.

Val stood beside me, and when I glanced at him, he turned awkwardly, pretending not to see me.

I sighed.

It was kinda expected for Val to act like that since I just told them the truth.

Suddenly, the only loyal ally I could trust vanished when I needed him the most.

Trisna threaded towards her master with spare clothes on her hand. Her cloak swayed with the strong breeze. I think I saw something sharp glinting against the sun. It was probably daggers or knives hidden underneath.