Omensent: Princess Of Dragons (Book 5) (41 page)

"No," The stern faced elf sighed. "but they were seen heading towards Oakenvale a few days ago. It's safe to say that they are still searching for Yrinn and his blood elves." He gave the queen a worried look. "The city is nearly overflowing with visitors here to celebrate the Spring Dawning. There are elves from every single village and hamlet on the island gathered in anticipation of the festival. The gods only know how many of them are blood elves."

"We can be sure that they're out there, though." Damarius murmured with a frown. "The festival is too tempting a target for Hetris and his followers not to have something planned."

"We can only hope that Damion is able to locate Yrinn before his blood elves are able to cause any mayhem." Dar sighed heavily.

One of the elven soldiers who usually stood watch outside of the throne room suddenly appeared flanked by a pair of Captain Harper's hard faced sailors. "Your majesty," The elf started, glancing at his escort irritably. "there has been an incident."

"An incident?" Queen Serena asked apprehensively. "Has there been another attack?"

"Not exactly," The elven guard frowned. "It's Freedi, your majesty. She is dead."

"Dead? How is this possible? I thought that she was being held in a cell in the lower levels of the tower! How did she die?"

"We're not really sure, my queen." The elf held out his hands helplessly. "It looks as though she has been ripped apart by some wild creature, but there was no one but Freedi in the cell! We can't find a single clue to who, or what, attacked her!"

"Are you sure that no one managed to slip into her cell while your attention was elsewhere?" Damarius asked, staring at the elf with mistrust.

"No, my lord," The elf shook his head firmly. "Since these... humans, took over the watch," He gave the two sailors a disapproving look. "it has left the elven guard here in the tower rather idle. There were a number of us present when she began to scream as though she were being ripped apart. By the time we managed to get the cell door open, she was already dead, and there was no sign of what did it." He shuddered. "In all of my years of life, I have never seen such a vicious attack."

"What could have done such a thing?" Delilah asked in horror.

"Isn't it obvious?" Damarius asked, brushing his brow lock from his eyes absently. "It was Hetris. Freedi betrayed Him by revealing what secrets she held, and He could not let that stand." The old wizard nodded wisely, causing his brow lock to fall right back into his eyes. "He no longer had any use for her, so what better way to send a message to the rest of His followers? When word gets around about Freedi's death, I'm sure that her fellow blood elves will find the way that she was killed quite disturbing."

"As would anyone." The elven queen murmured, her face unusually pale. "You say that it looked as though she had been ripped apart?"

"Aye, my queen." The elf nodded gravely. "I have never seen anything like it before, and I hope to never see it again. It was truly horrible." He sighed sadly. "I know that Freedi was a blood elf, but even she did not deserve that fate."

"Was it really so horrible?" Gilroy asked in a skeptical tone.

The elven guard nodded grimly. "It was, my lord. I fear that Freedi's screams will haunt my dreams for the rest of my days." He bowed once more to the queen, then followed Captain Harper's sailors from the throne room.

"It appears that our questioning of Freedi had some unexpected consequences." Dar murmured thoughtfully. "It seems that Hetris will not tolerate any sort of betrayal by His followers, not even if they have been drugged."

"It shouldn't come as a surprise." Delilah told them bleakly. "The secret to the blood elves power is their ability to blend in with Petra's followers without raising anyone's suspicions. Once Freedi's true allegiance was discovered, and she revealed her secrets to Hetris's enemies, her usefulness to the blood elves had run out."

"But to butcher one of His own children?" Dar looked sick. "And in such a horrible manner? What kind of a monster would do such a thing?"

"Hetris is many things," Delilah sighed sadly. "but compassionate is not one of them. The fact that Freedi was one of His children was probably why her death was so brutal. Fear has always been Hetris's greatest weapon."

Later that evening, Anallia and Bellatonia appeared to discuss the queen's agenda for the Spring Dawning.

"The festival will begin tomorrow morning with the traditional speech given by Queen Serena," Anallia informed everyone, her voice trembling with anticipation. "followed by the dancers, and then the performers. After that, the first archery contest will begin."

"I don't know how wise it would be to have the queen oversee an archery contest." Dar stated in a doubtful tone. "If one of the contestants turned out to be a blood elf, they could attempt to assassinate her."

"But she must!" Bellatonia objected with a disapproving frown. "The queen always judges the contests, and then awards the prizes to the champions. It's traditional."

"Bellatonia is right." Queen Serena told them. "Even with the danger that the blood elves pose, I still have responsibilities to my people. I will not allow Yrinn to believe that he has frightened me into locking myself away." She shook her head firmly. "I will fulfill my duties as I always have. I will not look weak in front of my people."

"Don't worry, your majesty," Damarius assured the beautiful elven monarch. "I will be by your side throughout the entire festival. I'll make sure that any arrows fired in your direction do not find their mark."

"I'm sure it won't be necessary," The elven queen told the old wizard, then she frowned. "but considering everything that has happened, perhaps it would be wise to have you at my side. You have already proven that you can be quite formidable if the occasion arises, but should still appear harmless enough to my people. It shouldn't cause too much alarm if you were to accompany me during the festival."

"I'll accompany you too, my queen." Gilroy volunteered. "It will appear as though we are merely escorting an honored guest."

"I'll join you as well." Dar told them after a moment's thought. "The elven people know me well enough not to suspect anything."

"That will leave my men free to keep an eye out for any trouble." Captain Harper agreed approvingly. "We'll be able to react the instant that anything happens."

"I hope that the Dragon Lord and the others can put a stop to all of this soon." Anallia sighed, her face etched in worry. "The people do not seem as excited as they usually do."

"They're scared." Dar told her sadly. "They do not know who they can trust, and who is their enemy. But the fact that they still came to the Spring Dawning to honor their goddess
despite
their fear is a testament to their strength and endurance."

"Not to mention their devotion to Petra." Delilah added in a proud tone.

The following morning was a blur as everyone hurried to complete the last minute preparations for the festival. Servants ran back and forth in panic as they rushed to put the finishing touches on all of the decorations, while dozens of elves quickly finished erecting a number of stages and podiums for the various speakers and entertainers who would delight the crowds with their acts.

Everyone met for a lavish breakfast feast in the throne room dressed in their best finery for the special occasion. Queen Serena was dressed in a breathtakingly beautiful scarlet red gown that was cut surprisingly low in the front, and her hair had been arranged in a stunning display of golden curls which cascaded down her back and across her shoulders. Dar wore a tasteful green doublet and hose trimmed in silver fur, and soft leather boots, while Damarius, not to be outdone, wore his most impressive white robes which had magical symbols embroidered along the sleeves and hem in gold. Captain Harper, on the other hand, was dressed in his normal blue vest and canvas pants, topped off by his ever present wide brimmed hat, though his hair had been neatly trimmed, and his shaggy beard had been braided in a series of elaborate braids.

"Don't we all just look splendid!" Queen Serena exclaimed happily. "We should have a festival every month so we have a chance to dress up more often." She paused to give a twirl. "How do I look?" She asked in a girlish tone. "Should my people be impressed?"

"I should say so." Captain Harper said with appreciation. "You make me wish I were an elf."

"Why, captain!" The elven queen blushed prettily.

They quickly finished eating their breakfast feast, then made their way down to the royal antechamber, where they found Gilroy and Anallia waiting.

"You look absolutely ravishing, your majesty." Gilroy, who was dressed in a fine looking blue doublet and matching hose, complimented the queen.

"Everything is ready for you to give your speech, my queen." Bellatonia informed her, an excited expression on her face. "The people all seem quite eager for the festival to begin."

"Let's not keep them waiting then." Queen Serena smiled in excitement.

They were quickly escorted outside by six of Captain Harper's grim faced sailors, and up to a large platform which had been erected in the courtyard outside. They followed the elven queen up onto the platform, and was greeted by the cheers of hundreds of elves who had packed themselves into the courtyard to hear their beloved queen speak.

"See anything unusual?" Dar asked Damarius as they both stared out over the crowd.

"No," The old wizard started, brushing his brow lock from his eyes absently. "but the festival is only just starting. The blood elves will probably wait until our guard is down before they attempt anything."

"My friends," Queen Serena started, staring out over the crowd with a delighted smile. "It's gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to another Spring Dawning." There was a loud cheer from the crowd. "We gather here every year to give our thanks to Petra, who guides our people, and to celebrate the rebirth of spring." She paused as the crowd cheered again. "As some of you may have noticed, we have guests on our island for the first time in over a thousand years. The legendary Dragon Lord and his companions have come to our lands to help us root out the darkness that has risen to threaten our fair people. With their help, we will prevail, as we always have, and return the peace to our fair lands." The crowd let out a roar of approval. "So, my dear friends, let us set aside our fears, for now is a time for laughter and merriment. Let the Spring Dawning commence!"

They watched as the assembled crowd hurried off to their various frivolities, then followed the queen down from the platform.

"That seemed to go well." Bellatonia commented, her expression optimistic. "The people seemed quite receptive of having outsiders in their midst. They even cheered at the news."

"Those idiots would have cheered if the queen had proclaimed herself to be a butterfly." Gilroy snorted in amusement. "All they really cared about was the queen calling for the festival to begin so they could begin pickling themselves into insensibility."

"What now?" Dar asked curiously.

"The dancers will perform the traditional Dance of Renewal in the town center, led, of course, by our own dear Ava Delilah." Queen Serena replied, looking rather relieved at making it through her speech. "It's a beautiful ceremony where the priestesses of Petra perform a dance meant to signify the rebirth of spring. From there we'll go to the edge of town, where I'll judge the first round of the archery tournaments. Then we will return to the Royal Tower for a celebration dinner with the elders of the various ancient families."

They were escorted through the crowded streets by Captain Harper's sailors to the town center, where they watched Ava Delilah and four other priestesses perform a short, but beautifully choreographed dance, then they hurried on to a large archery range which had been erected at the edge of town.

"I don't like this." Captain Harper growled as they took their seats upon a raised platform which overlooked the archery range. "The queen is an easy target perched up here for all to see."

"She will be fine." Damarius assured him in an unconcerned tone. "I can handle any attacks that are directed at the queen. We just need to make sure that your men are spread out amongst the crowd and ready to respond if anything happens. We need the attackers taken alive so they can be questioned."

"My men know what to do." The wily old sea captain grunted, his expression still worried. "They'll take down anyone who even looks at the queen the wrong way, and then drag them back to the Royal Tower so you can force some of that truth serum down their throats."

"Your concern for my safety is touching, gentlemen," The elven queen told them with a gentle smile. "but it's completely unnecessary. The blood elves would have to be insane to attempt something with so many witnesses."

They spent the next several hours watching as a number of different archery contests took place. The elven children were the first to take to the range, first the boys, and then the girls, all of whom demonstrated amazing skills with a bow and arrow. Next came the mounted archers, who put on a stunning display of both riding and marksmanship. It was almost evening when the last group finally took to the range.

"Finally!" Gilroy sighed as a dozen elves, both male and female, hurried onto the field. "This is the final contest of the evening."

"These are some of the very best archers that the elven people have to offer." Queen Serena told them, smiling in anticipation. "They have traveled from all over the island to come and compete in the Spring Dawning tournaments. In fact, many of them train all year long to prepare themselves. We should be in for quite a show."

They watched as the elves lined up along the range and prepared to take their shots. They each notched an arrow and drew back on the strings, taking careful aim at their targets downrange. An instant before releasing their shots, however, four of the elves suddenly turned towards the raised platform and trained their arrows upon its residents.

"Look out!" Captain Harper roared as the elves released their volley.