Village of FairHaven
Raelith walked through the village streets with Talen and Raziel, his gaze lingering on the lively children running and laughing as they played. A small smile tugged at his lips, the innocence of their joy offering a stark contrast to the tension he could feel growing between them.
They didn’t speak as they traveled through the city streets. Words were not necessary in this shared silence as they walked through the village together.
“We’re almost there,” Talen said, breaking the stillness. Without another word, they turned down a narrow side passage, squeezed between three looming buildings, their footsteps muffled by the cobblestone beneath them.
At the end of the path, Talen paused, scanning their surroundings. His eyes flicked to the ground, and with a swift motion, he revealed a hidden trap door.
It’s hinges groaning as he pulled it open. Without hesitation, Talen stepped inside, and the two fae followed closely behind.
The air grew thick with darkness as the trap door slammed shut, leaving them in the pitch black. The faint scent of damp earth filled their nostrils as they made their way down a creaky wooden ladder.
Talen was the first to step off, his boots landing softly on the cold stone floor. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light cast by flickering torches, he turned to ensure Raelith had made it down safely.
Together, they allowed their vision to sharpen, the faint glow from the torches slowly illuminating the passage ahead.
“This way,” Talen muttered, his voice low as he led them further into the twisting darkness. It wasn’t long before the tight passageway opened up into a massive underground cavern.
The air shifted, lighter now, and natural light filtered down from cracks in the cavern’s ceiling. Raelith’s lips curved into a soft, appreciative smile as they walked through the open space, the hidden beauty of this place soothing his restless mind.
“DeLarian?” Raziel’s voice broke the silence, confusion, lacing his words as he looked around.
Raelith turned toward the source of the voice, a familiar figure stepping forward from the shadows. “Raziel,” she replied, her voice gentle, her eyes warm with recognition.
Then, turning her attention to Talen, she raised an eyebrow. “Why have you brought him here?”
Talen’s lips curled into a knowing smirk. “Because he’s become an enemy of the King. Though the King will not openly say so. He fears Raziel.”
DeLarian’s gaze sharpened, her arms crossing as she took in the gravity of the situation. “Oh? How so?”
Talen’s smirk deepened; his eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief. “Because he freed Raelith, who was under the King’s orders to be killed.”
Raziel’s brows furrowed, his confusion turning to frustration. “Wait, what? What the hell is going on around here? I need answers, and I need them now.” His voice cracked through the tension, demanding the truth in a way that left no room for evasion.
DeLarian sighed. “Raziel it is time you know the truth. You knew it at one point. I do not know what has happened to make you forget.
“You were raised by the fae, because you were not safe here. Your grandfather attempted to kill you. This angered your mother, so she took you and ran away to the fae.”
Raziel frowned, “He is acting like he cares about me.”
“I know it makes me wonder what he is playing at. The last thing I remember before you disappeared, you told me you had a cure to the tainted ones.”
“Tainted ones?” Raziel asked in confusion.
“Yes, it is a disease that is taking its toll on the aquatics, I can’t prove it, but I think it is the fault of your fae step mother.”
Raziel shook his head. “This is a lot, I don’t know who to believe.”
“Like I can’t even remember having a son, but yet supposedly he was murdered?”
Raelith’s eyes snapped to Raziel’s. “You had a son?”
Raziel frowned, “That is what people are saying, but that DeLarian’s mother killed him.”
DeLarian let a sad smile cross her lips. “I have proof, a picture.”
Raelith and Raziel took the picture and studied it. Raziel’s eyes narrowed.
“Raelith, this, looks like you.”
Raelith scowled, “It is not me; I was not raised in the wild Sir.”
Evalendor stormed into the King’s throne room, his eyes blazing with fury. His boots clattered against the cold stone floor as he strode toward the throne. “Sire,” he said through gritted teeth, “Prince Raziel and Talen have freed my prisoner.”
The King raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. “Do you know why?”
“No, Sire, I do not,” Evalendor replied, his voice sharp. “But I do know that the prince and Talen blatantly disregarded the guards’ orders. They defied them without hesitation.”
The King’s fingers drummed against the arm of the throne as he leaned forward. “Interesting… Do you believe Talen is involved with the rebellion?”
“I do, Sire,” Evalendor answered without hesitation, his gaze steady. “Talen’s actions speak clearly.”
The King rose from his throne, his movements deliberate and measured. His gaze remained fixed on Evalendor as the tension in the room thickened.
“And Raziel?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous. “Do you believe he will follow the same path?”
Evalendor swallowed hard, his heart pounding as he met the King’s piercing gaze. “I fear he will, Sire.”
The King’s eyes narrowed; his voice steady but edged with curiosity. “Why did you take Raelith as a prisoner?”
Evalendor’s scowl deepened, his hands tightening into fists at his sides, his jaw clenched with the weight of his words. “Because, Sire,” he bit out, “I believed him to be the Son of Raziel.”
The room fell unnervingly silent, the words lingering in the air like a storm on the verge of breaking. Evalendor stood frozen, awaiting the King’s reaction, his breath shallow, his mind racing.
The King’s expression remained stone cold, his eyes narrowing with disbelief. “That is impossible,” he said, voice tinged with a sharp edge. “I ordered your daughter to kill his only son… years ago.”
Evalendor’s throat tightened, but he held his ground, meeting the King’s gaze unwaveringly. “I know, Sire,” he replied, his voice low but resolute.
“But what if there was a second son? What if Raziel hid him, kept him in the shadows all this time? It isn’t impossible. And if Raelith truly is his blood, everything we’ve worked for—everything we’ve fought for—will be destroyed.”
He leaned in slightly, his tone now laced with urgency. “We are so close, Sire. One misstep, one false move, and it will all unravel.”
“Evalendor, we need to expedite our plans. We must act before the King knows his son is alive.” His frown deepened, “As far as Raelith goes, have a band of wild fae creatures attack the village of FairHaven while they are there. I am sure he won’t stand a chance against them. We need Raelith dead.”
“Yes Sire.” He turned and exited the throne room.