The Royal Mark-Chapter 260: Transported Out of Qiryn
"Your Highness! I realize this may be a considerable request, but merely hearing your words fills me with eternal gratitude," Laura expressed to Andrius as he unexpectedly entered Laureen’s chamber.
"I won’t dissuade you, but it might be wise to discuss this with your father. King Stefan, Elandir, and your brother are already set to lead the army for the hunt. It’s a formidable force that I doubt the witch queen could overcome and come out victorious," Mistress Valeria remarked.
"I agree, with Grandma, Andrius. Zemaria will have no leader to lead them in case of an attack. Grandpa is not as strong as you anymore like when he was in his younger years," Elsa added.
"I know that, but I won’t let that evil queen take something so precious from Laureen. Even though I am not a werewolf, I know how it feels to lose a part of you and I will not be able to bear seeing Laureen suffer from that. I cannot just sit in Zemaria and do nothing!" Andrius spoke passionately.
"Alright, if you are decided to do it. Let’s go to the King, I will explain what needs to be done so he cannot say no," Valeria said with conviction.
"I will go with you."
After the three bid Laura farewell, they went to King Allister who was already in Elsa and Chris’ balcony playing with Rocco who was already wide awake. Lexi, Arla, Drake, and the rest of Elsa’s mages were also there having fun watching the two Kings talk to Rocco in their high-pitched baby voices.
"Allister, I need to talk to you..." Valeria announced as soon as she heard the King’s voice upon entering the room.
Everyone looked at Mistress Valeria whose voice was quite serious and in a hurry.
"Ah, my dear? What have I done wrong now?" King Allister responded, wearing a concerned expression. The assembled group pressed their lips together, struggling to contain their amusement at their king, who resembled a child caught in mischief.
"What? What do you mean?" Mistress Valeria asked.
"I don’t know, you tell me. You use that voice whenever you are upset with me," King Allister replied.
"Oh, no, no, no... It’s not you who did something wrong, it was the evil witch queen. I’ve checked on Laureen and found out that she cast a very powerful spell if not ancient or forbidden, to cage and slowly kill her wolf.
We need her alive to reverse that spell because if not, Laureen’s wolf will die and we don’t know what will happen to the young lady if that happens," Valeria explained.
"I see... I will surely tell the men to capture Yvonne alive then," King Allister answered before turning to Rocco again to continue playing with his great-grandson.
However, Andrius interrupted him before he could utter a word to Rocco. "I plan to join the hunt and capture Yvonne myself," the prince said causing King Allister’s jaw to drop.
"B-But–"
Andrius cut off King Allister and said, "I know, Father, that I said I would not join and stay in Zemaria to make sure that our Kingdom is defended while we try to finish this war. But I am taking back my word and I will hunt that witch until she reverses her spell on Laureen."
"Andrius, I understand you, really. However, it was also you who assigned most of our high-ranking commanders and soldiers to join the hunt, what will be left in Zemaria if all of you are in Saldivar? 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺
We don’t know if this is Yvonne’s tactic to drive all of you out of your respective kingdoms to chase after her and then attack Zemaria once you take her trap. If you could re-assign just one person who could lead our army to defend our kingdom while you are gone, then you can go," King Allister said.
"I will stay if you need me to stay, Your Majesty," Arla said surprising everyone even Drake. "My leadership skill is not as good as yours though, but I think I am far better helpful in defending Zemaria than chasing after the witch queen," Arla added.
"Are you sure about that? I thought you wanted to join the hunt so you and Drake could be together?" Andrius questioned.
Arla took Drake’s hand before answering "Me and Drake talked about it. He was against the idea of me joining the hunt but I insisted on going so as a gentleman, he accepted my decision. But after some thinking, I think he is right.
It is better for me to stay in Zemaria not because I am a woman but because he will be more focused on the fight when he knows that I am safe in our homeland. I already know that I am strong and I don’t have to prove it by joining the hunt.
I’d rather inspire my husband to take care of himself while fighting because I am at home waiting for him to come back to me in one piece, safe and sound."
"Would you really do that for me? Are you sure? I don’t want to take away from you your passion for fighting," Drake uttered with teary eyes.
"You are not taking it away from me. It is still my passion but my priorities in life have changed, my dreams have changed and it was for the better. I will still fight but it will be in another form. I want to teach young mages back in Zemaria, just like how Princess Hera teaches young healers in Qiryn.
That way I can still fight and help others. It is still the same as what I used to do but in a different way, a safer way. I don’t want you constantly worrying about me. Besides, I think a lot of young ones in Zemaria will be inspired to become a mage when they find out that I will be teaching from now on," Arla said with a wink at Drake.
"That’s settled then!" King Allister exclaimed. "My sons will join the hunt and my daughters will stay with me in Zemaria... Such a perfect plan. Thank you Arla for changing your mind, you are my daughter now and I also worry about you, not just Drake. I also think that your mother will agree with your decision."
Arla blushed at the King’s declaration and she felt happy. The realization that she’s now part of the Royal Family is slowly sinking in. It is not only about her but she must also think of her husband, his family, and the citizens of Arcanis.
********
It’s the coronation day of Elsa and Chris and the couple woke up early not because of it, but because of the arrival of King Tyrion and Queen Ydril. Their arrival was unexpected and so was the news that they were about to announce.
Elsa, Chris, and all the others hurried to the Great Hall, still dressed in their nightclothes, hastily throwing on their robes to hear the urgent and important announcement directly from the King and Queen of Qiryn.
"Father, Mother, what is this urgent announcement that you even had to portal here?" Elandir asked in worry.
"We got a report last night that some elves and mermaids patrolling the border were attacked by some corrupted sea creature in the east and some elves and mermaids got injured. In the report, it was said that they were able to kill the sea creature and were asking for some healers to help in healing the victims.
So I approved sending both elven and mermaid healers there. Princess Hera and Marina were with us when the report was given. Since it’s a corrupted creature, Princess Hera volunteered to check the patients if someone needed her dispel skill and Marina went with her.
When they arrived at the said location, the injured ones were not elves and mermaids, they were witches in disguise and kidnapped the elves and also took Marina. Hera was able to defend herself but also got injured in the process.
She’s fine now and currently staying near the Tree of Life. She said she heard one of the witches say to her subordinates to make sure to capture the elves alive and without a single scratch on their faces for their queen needed them to be in perfect condition," King Tyrion said.
"WHAT?!" Elandir was furious and got pale at the same time so Chris went to him to calm him down.
"King Tyrion, Marina could not leave Qiryn right? So what will happen to her?" Elsa asked.
"Your mother said to tell you this... The witches knocked down the mermaids including Marina and placed them in a cryo chamber. She suspects that they will be fine as long as they will not be removed from there until they get back to Qiryn. Most probably the witch queen already cast a spell on the cryo chambers to make it possible for a mermaid to be transported out of Qiryn without them dying."
"Damnit! She really prepared for it. That cryo chamber was our thesis in medical school but it was not perfect, and casting a spell was her way of making it work! Now I understand why Yvonne was so adamant that we do it. That evil witch!"
