Omensent: Princess Of Dragons (Book 5) (23 page)

"And soon." Sly grunted worriedly. "If the dragonspawn attack before we can figure out a way to stop them, then a lot of people are going to die."

Chapter 9

"My son Relvin is dead?" The silver haired elf gasped in horror. "How? What happened?"

"When was the last time that you spoke with Relvin?" Delilah asked in a gentle tone.

"I-It's been several months since I last saw him." Jenen answered, still in shock. "He and one of his friends had planned to journey to the forests of Oakenvale to enjoy a bit of hunting. He told me that they were planning an extended stay, and not to expect to see him for several months."

"And a hunting trip that lasts for several months didn't cause suspicion?" Damarius asked curiously.

"Not really." The silver haired elf shook his head, his expression still one of grief. "It's customary for young elves to venture off into the wild for months at a time to prove that they are capable hunters and warriors. This would have been his fourth hunting trip to the forests of Oakenvale."

"And you say that he was planning to take this trip with one of his friends?" The old wizard asked in a gentle tone.

"His friend, Eldrin, yes." Jenen nodded as his eyes filled with tears. "They have been best friends since they were babes. When Eldrin was still very young, his mother passed away from food poisoning, and his father killed himself out of grief from her passing, so he came to live with us. They've been inseparable ever since." He wiped the unshed tears from his eyes. "You have still yet to tell me how Relvin was killed."

Everyone looked to Queen Serena, who frowned sadly. "I'm afraid that your son was killed when he attempted to attack the Dragon Lord and his companions."

"What?" Jenen exclaimed in disbelief, jumping to his feet with his eyes locked on Damion. "
You
killed my son?"

"They were given no choice, Jenen." Queen Serena explained quickly. "Your son and his friend Eldrin never journeyed to Oakenvale. They traveled to the southern continent instead in an attempt to stop Ava Delilah and Etha Brody from contacting the Dragon Lord. When they failed, they snuck aboard the ship carrying the Dragon Lord and attempted to kill him."

"Why?" The silver haired elf asked in confusion. "Why would he do something so insane?"

"I'm afraid that Relvin and Eldrin may have been followers of Hetris." Delilah sighed sadly.

"Blood elves?" Jenen shook his head. "There must be some mistake! Relvin and Eldrin were not blood elves!"

"I'm truly sorry, Jenen, but there's little doubt about it." The elven priestess told him helplessly. "Eldrin admitted that they had been ordered to try and stop the Dragon Lord from reaching the island. Who else but the blood elves would have a reason to prevent him from coming here?"

The elf's face grew hard. "Eldrin survived?"

"I'm afraid not." Damion murmured regretfully. "He was severely injured in the attack. He lasted long enough to answer a few quick questions, and then he died."

"How do you know that he wasn't lying?"

"I gave him a potion to ease his pain which also acts as a truth serum." Damarius explained, his expression still sympathetic. "He couldn't have lied to us, even if he wanted."

The silver haired elf's shoulders sagged in defeat. "It is true, then. Relvin, my only son, a blood elf." He dropped back into his seat on the oddly shaped throne. "Did he at least die quickly?"

"Captain Harper drove a dagger through the top of his skull." Shirk grumbled reluctantly. "That's about as quick a death as one could hope for, I'd say."

"At least he didn't suffer." Jenen sighed sadly. "He may have been a traitor to our people, but he was still my son." He looked to Damion. "I sincerely apologize for my earlier outburst, Dragon Lord, and for my son's actions. I honestly don't know how he could have been so foolish as to allow himself to be taken in by the followers of Hetris."

"There have been rumors for months that Yrinn has returned to our island, and has been converting the young over to the worship of Hetris." Delilah informed him gravely. "I'm certain that it was he who led them astray."

"Yrinn?" The old elf's face drained of color, and he let out a string of curses. "I knew that we should have killed him instead of banishing him!"

"I have to agree." The queen murmured in a regretful voice. "I made a mistake by showing Yrinn mercy, and now our people are paying for that mistake."

"Do you have any idea where they could have met this Yrinn?" Damarius asked hopefully.

"It's hard to say," Jenen held out his hands helplessly. "Other than their forays out into the wild, Relvin and Eldrin rarely left Hollygrove. It..." He suddenly stopped, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. "They
did
make a trip to visit that crazy old witch in Willowdale a couple of years ago. Hetta, I think her name is. They wanted her to tell them their fortunes. When they returned, something seemed different about them."

"Who is this Hetta?" Damion inquired. "Is she truly a witch?"

"Hetta is one of the oldest elves on our beloved island." Delilah explained, a faint look of disapproval on her face. "She's over nine hundred years old, and claims that she speaks with the spirits of our ancestors. She says that she has the ability to see the future."

"Can she?" Damarius looked intrigued.

"It's hard to say. Many elves say that she knows details about their lives that no one else could possibly know, while others say that she is nothing but a fraud. She has quite a reputation among our people, at any rate. As for her being a witch, I cannot say. I
do
know that she is neither follower of Petra, nor Hetris."

"I guess it's as good a place to start as any." Shirk grumbled. "How far is it to Willowdale?"

"About three days ride to the northeast." Queen Serena told him. "I'll have an honor guard assembled to escort you."

"Thank you, your majesty," Damion started with a shake of his head. "but I'd rather we handle this without an escort. We'll draw enough attention on our own without a dozen soldiers following us everywhere we go."

"But what if the followers of Hetris attempt to attack you again?" The queen asked in concern.

"Let's hope they try." Damarius said with a wry smile. "If they attempt to attack us again, we'll take a couple of them alive, and force them to reveal where this Yrinn is hiding. The sooner we find him, the sooner we can put an end to all of the attacks."

"I truly hope that is over soon." Delilah agreed. "The Spring Dawning is less than a week away. It's the most important ritual of the year for Petra's faithful."

"The Spring Dawning?" Raven asked curiously. "What is that?"

"It's a festival." Queen Serena smiled, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "It's meant to celebrate the renewal of spring, our goddess's favorite season. Elves from all over the island converge on Celestia for a celebration that lasts for an entire week. It's quite the spectacle."

"I fear this year's festival may have to be canceled." Jenen said regretfully. "The danger that the blood elves pose to Petra's faithful may force us to call off the festival."

"Nonsense." The elven queen scoffed. "We will not allow Hetris and His followers to keep us from honoring our beloved goddess. The very thought is unbearable!" She shook her head firmly. "I will not insult Petra by canceling the festival. The Spring Dawning will take place as it has every year."

"As you wish, your majesty." The old elf agreed with a sigh. "I just thought that with it being such an important occasion, Hetris and His followers would surely attempt an attack."

"We will not cower in fear from the blood elves." Queen Serena declared in a ringing tone. "The celebration is for the people as much as it is for Petra, and they need a distraction to help take their attentions away from their fears. We will just have to hope that the Dragon Lord is able to root out Yrinn and the blood elves before the festival. If not, we will just do our best to keep everyone safe while we honor our goddess."

"Don't worry, your majesty," Damion assured the beautiful elven woman earnestly. "We'll track down this Yrinn, along with his followers, and bring them all to justice. We will not leave until he has been brought before you to answer for his crimes."

"Do not take Yrinn lightly." Jenen warned in a serious tone. "He is a fearsome warrior, a clever tactician, and an absolute savage with a long sword. He killed six of our most skilled warriors when we attempted to take him into custody for planning to usurp the throne."

"Are attacks against the crown common here?" Raven asked the queen.

"They were virtually unheard of before Yrinn's treachery." The queen murmured with a troubled expression. "I've often wondered if there is something about me that made him attempt to overthrow me. A weakness, or flaw in my character which made him believe that I was unfit to lead our people. I have attempted to be a kind and just ruler who always tries to think of the people's well being, but perhaps I haven't been as good of a leader as I thought."

"That is nonsense." Jenen assured her gently. "Do not let Yrinn's treacheries cause you to doubt your own judgment. He is to blame for what has befallen our people, not you, your majesty."

Queen Serena looked reassured by the old elf's words, but didn't reply.

"Since you do not wish an escort, and do not know these lands, might I suggest that you ask Etha Brody to accompany you to Willowdale?" Delilah asked Damion in a prudent tone. "He knows this island and its people better than most, and should be able to lead you where ever you may need to go."

"That's not a bad idea." Damion agreed. "We know that we can trust Brody."

"Where is Etha Brody anyway?" Dar asked suddenly. "He hasn't returned since he went off to have the servants prepare quarters for Damion and the others."

One of the elves that had been standing guard outside suddenly hurried into the throne room with a grim expression. "There has been another attack, your majesty!" He reported to the queen breathlessly. "A pair of elves appeared out of nowhere and murdered a member of the House of Ash, then fled the city." He looked to Delilah. "It happened in courtyard right in front of our divine Petra's temple! The savages spilled blood upon holy ground!"

"This is horrible!" Delilah cried, her eyes filling with tears. "They dared to desecrate divine Petra's temple by murdering one of Her faithful in Her presence! How could they do such a thing?"

"Was anyone able to identify the murderers before they fled?" Queen Serena asked, her face pale with anger and sadness.

"I'm afraid not, your majesty." The elf shook his head. "They were wearing hooded cloaks and had red cloths across their faces, concealing their features."

"That sounds familiar." Damarius noted. "Those two blood elves that snuck aboard Captain Harper's ship used red cloths to conceal their ears so no one would realize that they were elves."

"Has Etha Brody been informed yet?" Dar asked, his expression troubled.

"He is speaking with the witnesses at the temple as we speak." The elf informed him. "This has caused quite an uproar among the townspeople, and he's trying to keep everyone calm."

"We should go and see what he has been able to discover." Damion stated, rising to his feet. "He may have learned something that can be useful to our search." He looked to Dar. "Would you care to join us?"

"I think that I should remain behind with Serena." Dar decided after a moment's thought. "The blood elves are still running around loose somewhere, and I don't want her left defenseless."

"That's not necessary." The elven queen told the childlike sprite. "I am perfectly safe as long as I remain here under guard."

"Be that as it may, I'd still feel safer if you had a bit more protection." Dar insisted stubbornly. "We don't want to take any unnecessary chances."

"You have a point," Damion agreed with Dar. "Why don't we have Damarius remain behind as well. He should be able to handle anything that may arise."

"It wouldn't hurt to have a sorcerer around to help protect the queen." The red haired boy agreed. "Blood elves are masters of deception, and an extra set of eyes may catch something that the rest of us miss."

"Excellent!" Damarius exclaimed happily. "It shall give me the chance to learn more about the elves and their society from the queen."

"Let's get moving then." Damion said, gesturing for the others to follow. "If we're lucky, Brody may have discovered something useful."

"I'll lead you to the temple." Delilah murmured as she rose to her feet, her expression still grief stricken. "I need to commune with Petra, and seek Her guidance in this matter."

They quickly followed the elven priestess down the stairs and out into the courtyard, which still had a number of curious onlookers lingering about in the hopes of catching a glimpse of Damion and the others.

"The temple is to the east, facing the sunrise." Delilah informed them, shooing a number of the onlookers out of her way and hurrying down one of the broad avenues. "Our divine lady has always loved the sight of the first rays of sunlight as they spill over the distant horizon, so we constructed Her temple so that it had an unobstructed view of the sunrise." Her expression clouded for a moment. "It was a colossal undertaking. It took our stonemasons nearly twenty years to clear away a huge granite outcropping which blocked the view of the horizon, but, in the end, it was worth it. Petra was overjoyed when it was finally complete."

They passed more elves as they hurried through the streets, many of whom stared in open amazement as they realized that there were humans on their island. Others dropped what they were doing to follow along at a distance with suspicious expressions. Some few cheered as they spotted Damion towering among the group, and waved to the massive warrior with happy smiles as he passed by. He returned their waves and smiles, hoping to put the others a bit more at ease, but many merely frowned at his display of friendliness.

"That's the temple just ahead." The elven priestess pointed to an enormous roofed pavilion which housed a massive statue of a woman dressed in golden robes surrounded by a variety of trees and wildlife.