Chapter 109: Did they return?
Raphael’s POV
The girl, Marissa, still held onto me, her small body trembling as she sobbed. I held her gently, her body frail and lighter than it should have been.
Hunger, sickness, loss is what this child had suffered far more than she deserved. I wonder if they will allow me, take her home with me.
The elders arrived not long after from the shadows they had been hiding in.
They walked towards us, their steps measured, their gazes calm. At first glance, they appeared young, too young to be the rulers of a district. But I knew better. I could tell that they were older than their appearance.
The Fae were not bound by time the way we were. Their appearances were misleading. For once, I didn't feel bad for remaining like I used to two hundred years ago. It felt good seeing people that experience something as I do.
The eldest among them, a man with long silver hair and piercing violet eyes, stopped before me. The others followed behind him, their expressions unreadable.
“My king,” he greeted, his voice smooth, lacking the reverence most addressed me with.
There was no fear in his tone, no submission, only quiet authority. “You honor us with your presence. But tell me, why come to our humble abode when a mere summons would have brought us to you?”
I did not care for pleasantries.
“I came because I needed your help,” I said plainly. “My mate has been taken, and I require the strongest among you to assist in bringing her back.” I spared the rest details.
Drogon looks at me questionably but he didn't say anything. Just went to Gwen and Anastasia. Took Gwen's hands and start rubbing on them.
A murmur passed between the elders, their faces betraying no emotion. But the silver-haired man, who I assumed to be the ruling elder, let out a quiet chuckle. It was not one of amusement, but something else.
“You come to us because you need our help,” he mused, bending his head slightly. “Not because our people are disappearing without a trace? Not because our children are dying?”
A heavy silence followed. I turned angrily to Caleb, my eyes burning into him. He avoided my gaze, staring at the ground as if it had suddenly become the most interesting thing in the world.
I was tired of been accused. Maybe, I should have done better but I expected better from my ministers and Advisor, Caleb.
“Caleb,” I said slowly, my voice dangerously quiet.
He shifted uncomfortably. “I… I did not want to disturb you, my king,” he murmured, still refusing to meet my gaze. “You were grieving. I thought..."
“You thought wrong.” I said, cutting his words off. He assumed wrong. The people of Lystra depends on me. Everyone on this kingdom. I would fixed this he had told and not just assumed.
Drogon chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. “And yet, here we are.”
I did not appreciate his mocking tone, but I said nothing. Not yet.
Beside me, Gwen and Anastasia stood stiff, their expressions grim. Their eyes roamed the ruined streets, taking in the suffering, the sickness, the silent despair of the people.
Gwen clenched her fists. “This… this is not how anyone should live.”
Anastasia nodded, her face unusually solemn. “They are said to be gods to us, and yet they live like this.”
Drogon took a step forward, his gaze sweeping over the elders. “I can heal them,” he said, his tone serious. What price will he ask for now?
“The sick, the wounded, I can fix them. But in exchange, you must give us the most powerful individual among you to aid in the rescue of the king’s mate.” oh. This is what he asks for.
The silver-haired elder studied Drogon for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he smiled.
“Well, now… that is an interesting offer.”
And then, he smiles. It was a smile of a man who had long been disappointed but had no strength left to be angry.
“You come to us because you need our help,” he said, voice calm, almost amused. “Not because our people are vanishing into thin air? Not because our children are suddenly dying?” he asks again.
“How long has this been going on?” I asked, my voice, calm. The little one in my arms has fallen asleep. Someone moved to take her from my arms. I shake my head at him.
The elder held my gaze. “Years.” A single word. And yet, it as though a blade had been driven into my chest.
Years? I had ruled this kingdom with my own hands. I had built its strength, ensured its prosperity. And yet, there were people who had lived like this for years, without my knowledge.
I had failed them. I breathed in deeply, forcing my anger down. Now was not the time.
" What do you think of my request?" Drogon asked, the elder that was looking at me.
He turns to look at Drogon and then the rest of the elders. " He will not only heal your people, but we will also find your missing people," I said. My voice filled with a promise, I was ready to keep with my life.
I will find every last of one them. " There's no need, oh king," the silver hair elder said. I am surprised at his response.
The wind blew slightly and his hair swayed with it. I sight his ears. They were pointed. The young one in my arms didn't have such ears.
" Why is that?" I inquired. I needed to know their reason. The elder sighs, his expression turning sad.
" They are dead, my king," Another of the elder responded. It was a female. She had shining golden tresses.
What does she mean by dead? " Why will you assume, that they are dead?"
" When any of kinds dies, their souls and powers return to the eternal well of our people," the elder replied.
" Did they return?" Drogon asked. His expression said, he already knew the answer to the question he was asking.
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