Chapter 3: 1.23
When Huifang left the medic room for breakfast, she met Aria and found out what had happened. The night elves had retreated after their failure to asassinate Fenrir. Arrows had never been able to penetrate his shield. This development was frightening. Finally, the enemy had managed to crack Fenrir's defence. The arrow that had been removed from her shoulder was taken away to check how exactly the night elves had accomplished what they did. Their only consolation was that something about this new weapon was hard to produce. Otherwise, why would they not use it en masse?
Aini's premonitions of flames and lightening were a far cry from the arrow that had hit her. She knew it would be the main army that would bring the flames and lightening.
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Illidan had taken a wyvern and reached the palace at a record 10 hours. Eyes bloodshot and nursing a headache, he strode into the palace as fast as his legs could carry him. His father was missing but duty compelled him to put it aside in favor of what was happening at the palace.
The bodies of the King and Queen were preserved in glass coffins that kept the bodies fresh. He observed the roots that grew out of their open mouths. Under the skin of the King's throat slithered a thin root tendril. It slowly nudged and pushed its way up the throat and stopped moving. Illidan swallowed and backed away. It was so cruel what had happened to them.
"Illidan, you're here then." The blonde headed man turned to the newly arrived Prince. Second in line after Fenrir, it was prince Earendil. He had the same dark coloring as Fenrir but his eyes were a sea blue color.
"Earendil, I'm so sorry." Illidan gave his condolences and felt like it came out flat. He was drained from every thing that had taken place.
The prince regarded his tired appearance and smiled wanly. "You look like you're about to collapse Illidan. Why don't you come join me for refreshments?"
It was an offer that Illidan had needed. Sleep would have to wait for later.
Prince Earendil had sent the Royal guards into town and enforced martial law as soon as the bodies had been discovered. Mourning and funerals were all postponed for after the dust settled. Illidan received firsthand news about all the events that had transpired. How had the tree men gotten in and where had they taken his father? First it was Lanaya, and now this. There was no time for grief right now. The culprits had left no clues, just like before. A sense of utter helplessness gripped him and he wished he was smarter. Taemor would be arriving soon and he needed his friend's reassuring presence.
The Royal study was where the massacre had taken place. He observed the open window that faced the sprawling garden. There were fine scratches, blood and dents on the wood that attested to a scuffle near the window. After further fruitless investigations of the palace, he left for home so he could get some sleep. As urgent as the situation was, Illidan's mind was giving out. He desperately needed rest.
Scarcely after reaching home, he received a piece of news that gave him hope. His father had been found alive.
Duke Aldamiel had been found abandoned, unconscious and bleeding out in the Royal garden. He was immediately giving medical aid but the man had gone into a coma. Illidan had him brought home along with a primary care giver from the palace. His father's injuries had been mostly taken care of. After being patched up and rehydrated, the Duke slept peacefully on the luxurious bed at the Aldamiel household. Illidan called for Vin and put him on guard while a mage added runes of power in the room that prevented anything from entering or leaving if it wasn't through the door. The enchantment was of the highest grade, extremely expensive and would need re application every day. Illidan paid the man and finally found his bed. Without even a bath, he blacked out the moment he laid his tired head onto the pillow.
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"Where are we going?" Taemor asked his blonde friend who was leading him towards the Royal garden. Illidan wanted to look at the place that his father had been found at.
"Don't you think it strange that he was found at the Royal garden?" Illidan asked his friend. Taemor was smart. He would understand what Illidan was getting at. The greenhouse was at the innermost end of the palace. Tall trees surrounded it and created a wall that restricted movement.
They both surveyed the broken glass that littered the inside of the greenhouse. Illidan's boots made crunching sounds when he walked towards the giant bushes of Roselia. His father's blood made a trail from under the bushes and towards the place he was found at. His keen eyes took in the sight with satisfaction. Taemor studied his friend's face. Illidan's lips were subtly turned up in a sneer.
"Let's leave Taemor. I have to send a report to Fenrir and check on my father's condition." He informed him while crushing glass under his boot.
Taemor felt uneasy at the way Illidan held himself. He silently followed after him. Illidan would tell him in time.
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Illidan reached home in the evening after a meeting with worried Nobles who pestered him for information. Getting rid of the flies that followed at his heels demanding answers about sucession and the war, he was burnt out and completely lacking in patience. By the end of it, he had given up on etiquette and rudely sent them away.
Illidan walked into his father's room and saw the man still asleep. His father's pale eyelids were shut while his chest rose and fell rhythmically. Illidan stood by the window and looked at the deep lines on his his face. Memories of a child hood filled with laughter and his father's crinkled smiles filled his mind. Duke Aldamiel had been his role model. He had aspired to be the same hardworking dad who always made time for his family.
On Illidan's 12th birthday, his father had taken him on his first Thunderbird ride. At 14, he had taken him hunting. At 15, he had saved Illidan from a hungry Grass Mantis. At 18, he sent Illidan on a blind date with a violent woman who grew up into a soldier and became one of his closest friends. He had so many good memories with his father. But it wasn't enough. Illidan wanted more.
He kept vigil in the Duke's room for hours. When moonlight filtered in through glass and began to pool on the floor, Illidan noticed his father's eyelids twitch like he was having a bad dream. He grasped his weak father's hand gently in his and stilled his fast beating heart.
"Illidan" His father was awake and looking around in confusion.
Illidan's blue eyes were bright in the light of the moon. His gaze was soft and overflowing with sorrow.
"Father, why did you kill them?" He asked the frail looking man at whose throat glinted a blade that Illidan held.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
winterblossom
winterblossom This boy just can't catch a break. (T^T)
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone