quickly than I. I intend to let time become their downfall.» His lips spread into a sly smile. «I will be the fly they cannot catch.»
«Your crafty mind has warmed my heart, my cunning prince,» beamed Brégen. «Do not worry. We will keep you as light as a feather and as quick as a mouse laughing at you as it skitters away from a trap with a mouth full of cheese.»
«I sometimes think Silevethiel’s reflexes are even quicker than those of a mouse,» Laegon retorted. «Especially when disciplining you for your endearing remarks. Still, I suppose your simile will work just as well.»
«If you don’t watch your tongue, I may decide to make you move as though you were trying to run through a giant pool of molasses.»
«No you won’t. Drell and Silevethiel would never let you.»
Brégen’s playful giggle danced through Laegon’s mind when the intruders finally reached the top of the hill. Both men lunged at him with drawn swords. The power of the three Guardians was immediately apparent. He effortlessly parried the first swing and nimbly pivoted clear of the second.
He knew he’d guessed correctly when the men turned and rushed at him once again. Despite their towering frames and awesome strength, they were no match for the combined power of the three Guardians. Even taking into consideration whatever evil they’d aligned with, the men weren’t going to be difficult opponents.
Laegon was content to remain on the defensive and continued to outmaneuver his enemies, noting their mounting frustration with smug satisfaction. Irate that their opponent was proving more formidable than they’d expected, they became reckless. One of the men abandoned all sense of composure and lunged towards Laegon in desperation. The elf quickly took advantage of the opportunity. With the Guardians guiding him, he swiftly stepped to the side. He homed in on the exposed area beneath the helmet and drove both of his swords into the enemy’s neck. The man convulsed in shock before falling still, his blood turning the pure white snow a brilliant crimson.
The remaining enemy’s death quickly followed.
Laegon sensed Brégen’s ferocious hunger. After allowing the Guardian to control his movements, he rushed towards his opponent with shocking speed. There was no time for the enemy to react. The prince jumped in the air, spiraling in a whirlwind of fury. His left sword crashed down upon his adversary, causing the man’s weapon to hurl from his grasp. Quicker than the blink of an eye, Laegon’s remaining sword sliced through the warrior’s neck, cleanly severing the man’s head from his body.
Without waiting even so much as a second after Brégen relinquished his control, Laegon jumped over the corpse and ran down the hill towards the entrance of the cave. His heart stuck in his throat at the consideration of what he might find. He and Brégen had trusted the elven lore completely, placing their hopes—and the hopes of the entire world—upon the belief that Irewen would be protected. But what if they’d been wrong? What if Dremond hadn’t come to the princess’s aid?
He quickly pushed the question from his mind. Reconsidering their decisions in hindsight was simply a waste of time and energy. There was nothing he, or anyone else, could do to alter whatever had transpired. He’d simply need to accept whatever horrors awaited him inside the cave.
«Do not worry, Laegon,» Brégen assured him. «I am certain Irewen is quite safe.»
«I hope so, my friend. For I am even more convinced than before that the world of Vaelinel needs her.» Bounding through the snow, Laegon pictured her radiant smile and twinkling blue eyes. I need her.
Sliding down the icy hill, he landed before the cave’s opening with the dexterity of a cat. He spun around, stopping dead in his tracks at the scene before him. Three twisted and mangled corpses were sprawled about the ground.
Without wasting time to investigate how they’d died, he jumped over
«Your crafty mind has warmed my heart, my cunning prince,» beamed Brégen. «Do not worry. We will keep you as light as a feather and as quick as a mouse laughing at you as it skitters away from a trap with a mouth full of cheese.»
«I sometimes think Silevethiel’s reflexes are even quicker than those of a mouse,» Laegon retorted. «Especially when disciplining you for your endearing remarks. Still, I suppose your simile will work just as well.»
«If you don’t watch your tongue, I may decide to make you move as though you were trying to run through a giant pool of molasses.»
«No you won’t. Drell and Silevethiel would never let you.»
Brégen’s playful giggle danced through Laegon’s mind when the intruders finally reached the top of the hill. Both men lunged at him with drawn swords. The power of the three Guardians was immediately apparent. He effortlessly parried the first swing and nimbly pivoted clear of the second.
He knew he’d guessed correctly when the men turned and rushed at him once again. Despite their towering frames and awesome strength, they were no match for the combined power of the three Guardians. Even taking into consideration whatever evil they’d aligned with, the men weren’t going to be difficult opponents.
Laegon was content to remain on the defensive and continued to outmaneuver his enemies, noting their mounting frustration with smug satisfaction. Irate that their opponent was proving more formidable than they’d expected, they became reckless. One of the men abandoned all sense of composure and lunged towards Laegon in desperation. The elf quickly took advantage of the opportunity. With the Guardians guiding him, he swiftly stepped to the side. He homed in on the exposed area beneath the helmet and drove both of his swords into the enemy’s neck. The man convulsed in shock before falling still, his blood turning the pure white snow a brilliant crimson.
The remaining enemy’s death quickly followed.
Laegon sensed Brégen’s ferocious hunger. After allowing the Guardian to control his movements, he rushed towards his opponent with shocking speed. There was no time for the enemy to react. The prince jumped in the air, spiraling in a whirlwind of fury. His left sword crashed down upon his adversary, causing the man’s weapon to hurl from his grasp. Quicker than the blink of an eye, Laegon’s remaining sword sliced through the warrior’s neck, cleanly severing the man’s head from his body.
Without waiting even so much as a second after Brégen relinquished his control, Laegon jumped over the corpse and ran down the hill towards the entrance of the cave. His heart stuck in his throat at the consideration of what he might find. He and Brégen had trusted the elven lore completely, placing their hopes—and the hopes of the entire world—upon the belief that Irewen would be protected. But what if they’d been wrong? What if Dremond hadn’t come to the princess’s aid?
He quickly pushed the question from his mind. Reconsidering their decisions in hindsight was simply a waste of time and energy. There was nothing he, or anyone else, could do to alter whatever had transpired. He’d simply need to accept whatever horrors awaited him inside the cave.
«Do not worry, Laegon,» Brégen assured him. «I am certain Irewen is quite safe.»
«I hope so, my friend. For I am even more convinced than before that the world of Vaelinel needs her.» Bounding through the snow, Laegon pictured her radiant smile and twinkling blue eyes. I need her.
Sliding down the icy hill, he landed before the cave’s opening with the dexterity of a cat. He spun around, stopping dead in his tracks at the scene before him. Three twisted and mangled corpses were sprawled about the ground.
Without wasting time to investigate how they’d died, he jumped over
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