Wings of Grace

Chapter 40

"Lara, I fear this is for real. If our King's heartbeat stops, he will be dead." Threlu's horrifying words made Lara feel sick to the stomach. What if she was too late already?

She was about to question Threlu further, realising how agitated he was, for he even called her Lara, instead of his usual formal address, when Ennar dived right in front of her, flapping his paper wings aggressively. "Where's the Scythe?"

"It's gone," she replied hastily. With everything happening, that was the last thing on her mind.

"What do you mean it's gone? It can't be. What did you do?" Ennar squawked, aghast at the consequences of this power being lost.

"I didn't do anything," she answered exasperatingly "It just disappeared as soon as I returned to the training room."

"But how? Without the Scythe you–"

"Ennar, its gone." Lara's voice surprisingly deepened. Her green eyes, for a second, flashed to black. "Just deal with it." Lara suddenly disappeared, reappearing on Threlu's other side.

Ennar continued to stare at Lara in wonder. So, you don't need to be in possession of the Scythe.

This was not at all what he'd expected.

It was better!

He wondered if the Zanaltra Council had any idea this was possible. He really hoped not. To have one over the Council, made him feel strangely victorious.

As soon as Threlu had said Lyon could actually die for real, by the hand of the deathbrones, Lara's appetite for the wonderful spread of food displayed in front of her, disappeared.

"Give me a few minutes and I'll be ready to leave." Lara quickly spoke to Greno, totally ignoring Ennar before walking away.

Threlu drew the other two to the opposite side of the room, where their conversation could not be overheard.

"This grueling trial of the Councils has definitely taken a turn for the worse. Look after her, I don't think they intend for Princess Larayna to walk away from this one either." His worried eyes were looking around the room at the rest of the group still talking amongst themselves. "In fact, I will be most surprised if they let any of us survive."

"I got the same impression, the moment we were attacked by The Keeper," Ennar added.

"But why are they doing this? Why now?" Greno asked.

"I have my suspicions. My guess is they want the power of the crystals. I am waiting to hear back from my contacts within the Zanaltra High Order; the Council should not get away with this. I only hope they get back to me in time." Threlu sighed. "You have the coordinates of the prison cave where they should be holding King Lyon." At Greno's nod, Threlu continued. "Greno, I know I don't have to remind you to stay on your guard. This could easily be some sort of trap you are walking into. Find King Lyon and get him out of there as quick as you can. These Deathbrones are not used to dealing with a lifeforce, much less two, so you should have the advantage. Just stick to the plan and maybe you can all make it out of there alive."

Threlu looked across the room to where Lara was making her way towards them. Her hair was neater, her torn clothes had been replaced, and if the expression on her face was anything to go by, she was fuming mad. She looked like she was arguing with herself as he could see her lips thining as they moved silently in bursts.

"I hope you're both ready to go because I'm leaving now." Lara looked expectantly at her two companions.

"As ready as we'll ever be," Greno replied.