“Of course I do. That life is gone, but my family still suffers on my behalf. This, too, must end.”
Eric had a question that he expected would get a prepared answer, as the dark elf had to know it was coming. He already felt distrustful of an answer he hadn’t even sought yet. “You seek my help now, and yet you tried to kill me just a week ago.”
Dravo acknowledged this with a nod. “Things have changed.”
“How so?”
“I was in Aker, the city Rivina, when we received word of that wizard trying to reach the Quest Ring at Castle Rivina to summon you. Prince Kammer ordered me to find and kill him, so I did. I had no choice but to try the same with you. You would have killed me and nearly did, so you cannot judge me for the attempt on your life.”
Eric frowned. The guy had a good point, not that he wanted to admit it. In fact, throwing the knife at Dravo hadn’t been necessary. Should he apologize? Instead, he wondered if he could provoke the calm dark elf. “How was the knife in your chest?”
Dravo smirked. “Painful, but I’ve felt worse. An elixir resolved the matter soon. I do not begrudge you.”
Eric doubted that. He suspected something else had changed but wasn’t going to suggest it, because it would only help the dark elf lie, if that’s what he was doing. “Why didn’t we have this conversation then?”
“Goblins and ogres have no patience for such a talk, so it would have gone poorly even had I wanted it. But more has changed. After my king learned I had killed the wizard and undone your summoning, he was pleased. He summoned me and my troops to Kiarven, the first time I have been there in the open since my banishment.”
Something caught Eric’s attention. “You’ve been there, but not where you could be seen?”
Dravo smiled, red eyes cold. “Several times, usually alone.”
“Why did you go?”
“To plan a way to reach the king. To learn who my friends were. To remain aware of changes in the city. Anything to help my eventual return.”
Eric couldn’t really disagree with those reasons and didn’t much care to. That the dark elf could get into somewhere he wasn’t welcome was quite apparent, or they would not have been having this conversation. He glanced into the hall and back again. “What did the king want with you?”
“We were discussing how else I might be useful, given the need of more elves with my skills in military leadership. He intends to extend his conquest of Aker to Thiat, though this is not for some time. I soon learned that a new attempt at summoning you would take place, this time here. I came for your help.”
“Not revenge?”
“I seek an alliance between kingdoms, brokered with your help.”
“Why would we trust you?”
“I would prefer to reveal this to the kings. Have you heard enough to bring me to them? I, of course, will be disarmed, even bound if you like.”
“I’m certain they would insist on it.”
“We have an agreement?”
Eric sighed. He couldn’t see why not, but who knew what the prince might be planning? He didn’t like it, but it also wasn’t his decision to turn him away. Only the kings should do that. “Yes, I will take you.”
The dark elf nodded. “Thank you. One last thing. I am not alone.” Dravo didn’t pause long, maybe on account of Eric’s eyes quickly scanning the room. “I have brought someone I do not want harmed. While you have a reputation for cunning, you also have one for honor. Will you do your part to safeguard her? We will both surrender.”
Eric held his gaze for a moment, gauging him and sensing that if he seemed insincere, the opportunity would be lost. He nodded. “Who is she? Where is she?”
“My sister.” He raised his voice and spoke in elvish, looking to one side. “Liera, please come.”
Eric immediately noticed two doors he hadn’t seen. One of them opened slowly to reveal another dark elf, this one wearing a dark gray, slender, ankle-length dress fastened with a gold belt. Two clips held straight golden hair back from her heart-shaped face. Her eyes seemed wary but inquisitive as she looked between Andier and Dravo, who gestured for her to step out of the small dressing room she occupied. She came to a stop nearer her brother.
After a moment of silence, Eric bowed his head at her and said, “Your Highness.”
She flashed a wary smile. “Lord Andier. We have come at significant risk to ourselves. Our faith in humans is not strong, but you and the Ellorians are unlike most. We are trusting you with our lives.”
Eric took a deep breath and let it out. He understood not being able to trust those you were with. “If you both behave, I promise no harm will come to you. Now I need to bind both of you.”
Dravo removed his sword and a few knives from where they were hidden on himself. He came forward slowly as Eric took a sash from a drape and used it to bind the elf, who was slightly taller than him. He did the same to Liera. With them walking before him, Eric carrying Dravo’s weapons, they made their way toward the balconies and then down the stairs, where they were seen at once, a shout going out and guards rushing in. Eric made them stand back as more important people arrived, including the Prime Minister, King Sondin, and Ryan, Matt, and Anna.
“Everyone remain calm, please,” began Eric, doing his best impersonation of the commanding presence Ryan used as Lord Korrin. “This is Prince Dravo and Princess Liera of Kiarven. They voluntarily surrendered and seek an audience with both kings. I suggest that this be granted at once, with only those who must be there present. King Sondin, I would strongly recommend against Princess Miara being there.” If the princess learned that the dark elf who had her
