Branches whipped past Iadrawyn’s face as she ran. Her long, dark hair streamed behind her. How long she had been running, she did not know. Her lungs burned from the cold air and her legs felt heavy. She pushed herself onward. She was almost there.
The trail had continued without deviation toward the village, as Iadrawyn had feared it would. The trees parted to form the entrance of a clearing. Iadrawyn pulled up short. Two male guards appeared from the foliage.
“You have been gone for many days,” one of them said. Iadrawyn nodded, trying to catch her breath.
“Did the Sea Elf harm you?” the other asked. “Eruvalion thought he might have.”
“Eruvalion?” Iadrawyn panted. Of course. She should have known. She shook her head, not bothering to explain. “Where has the Sea Elf been taken?”
“He is being held prisoner until the council can decide what to do with him.”
Iadrawyn was already running. The tracks continued into the village toward her family’s home. The large, squat dome of mud and branches was partially hidden by the drooping boughs of the giant pine it was built around. Iadrawyn marched through the door flap.
She was startled by what she saw inside. Her father and Eruvalion were sitting comfortably before the fire having an animated conversation. Iaralys had never been interested in Eruvalion before. Under normal circumstances, her father barely tolerated his presence. Both men looked up as she walked in.
“Iadrawyn!” Eruvalion leaped to his feet, looking relieved. She ignored him, turning to face her father.
“Where is he?” she asked.
“Where is who?” Deep green eyes matching her own narrowed under white brows as her father took in her disheveled appearance.
“You know who I mean. The Sea Elf. What have you done with him?”
“Did he hurt you?” Eruvalion placed a hand on her shoulder. “I was just about to go back to look for you. Are you all right?”
Iadrawyn shrugged his hand away. “Yes, it’s quite clear from your actions, you had only my welfare in mind,” she snapped. “Attacking a weakened stranger before trying to get an explanation from me, then hauling him off as a prisoner, leaving me to discover his absence on my own. Very considerate of you.” Eruvalion paled and shrank back.
“He did the right thing.” Iaralys faced his daughter’s ire without flinching. “The intruder is a Sea Elf, and most likely a spy.”
“His name is Valanandir, and he is not a spy. I found him on the beach. Two of the Sea Folk had dragged him to shore. They told me there had been a shipwreck. The ship had been attacked by Nargaz.” Iadrawyn waited for her father’s response. Her mother entered the room, drawn by the raised voices.
“Perhaps he fooled the Sea Folk to make his story believable.” Iaralys kept his tone reasonable. “You have only known him for a few days, Iadrawyn. You cannot be sure.” Iadrawyn’s two elder brothers, Linlevni and Eranalfia also arrived to witness the argument.
“I think she’s spent too long running wild on her own,” Linlevni said with a sniff. “If you care nothing for your reputation, Iadrawyn, you could at least consider the rest of us. Father is on the council. He has an image to maintain.” Linlevni raised his chin to give her a disparaging look, his long, white hair cascading over his shoulders. Save for his silver eyes, he was the image of their father.
“You would say that.” Eranalfia rolled his eyes. “What about Iadrawyn’s reputation? She might be known to be eccentric, but her judgment of character is sound. She has spent several days with the stranger, while we have only seen him unconscious. Shouldn’t we at least listen to what she has to say before jumping to conclusions?” He flashed Iadrawyn a quick smile.
“He will be questioned by the council once he is conscious,” Iaralys said.
“And I’m sure that will be a fair and balanced trial.” Iadrawyn’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
“We must keep the safety of our people in mind, Iadrawyn,” Iaralys said. “Clearly, you cannot be trusted to do so. You are not to leave this house until the trial is over. There will be guards posted outside to prevent any… incidents.” Her father’s words were like a physical blow.
“So I’m a prisoner too?” Iadrawyn felt numb with disbelief.
“It is for your own good. There are those on the council who believe the stranger has bespelled you, which makes you a possible danger to others. I argued against the notion, of course, but I was considered too biased on the subject.”
“Yes, I can understand why you would argue against it. I’m sure this situation is all very embarrassing for you.” Iaralys winced as Iadrawyn’s scathing words hit home. She turned to give her mother a pleading look. Melariel shook her head and left the room without a word. Iadrawyn’s shoulders slumped in defeat. She had never felt so abandoned.
“I’ll be going to my room now,” she said. “Unless you need to knock me unconscious or tie me up first...” Eruvalion flushed, and everyone but Eranalfia looked away. “No? Very well.”
Iadrawyn turned to leave. Before walking away, she gave her father one last glare over her shoulder.
“I hope your precious reputation is worth it.”
Light Chasers (The World of Lasniniar Book 0) Page 9