Page 156 of The Shadow Fae Rhapsody
He places an arm around my waist and lifts me to my feet easily. I lean my weight on his stocky body, though I have no idea why he is helping me. The chance of being spotted is high, especially when we’re both injured and exhausted. But the dwarf seems to know his path well. We walk down the cobbled steps together in silence, carefully evading the soldiers and infantries.
“Wait,” the dwarf whispers, halting our journey and hiding us into the shadows. Thudding footfalls resound over the gatehouse tunnel. I blink silently as I watch several armed Valorian knights marching in the dark. My heart thunders in earnest at the sight of blood dripping from the tip of their weapons. Fresh killings… but haven’t we won the war already? The pain in my ribs crowds my mind and all thoughts of the Valorians disappear.
Peering in all directions, my companion pauses and check for a clear path. When we neither see nor hear anything, he resumes our course, hurrying with care. This dwarf is attentive and vigilant and yet he was caught by my uncle and his Grimsbane. I feel terrible all over again.
“We’re here,” he says, taking a long breath. I follow him into the double storey structure framed by two inner towers. The air inside the prison is as chilled as the outside with an added stagnant quality to it.
Precious, delicate hope flutters in my chest at the sight of the metallic containers. It meets a swift death when I see no one inside the cages. I suppose that’s a good thing. I can’t imagine anyone imprisoned in these harsh conditions, even temporarily.
The dwarf leaves me to comb through the area, checking the cells one by one.
“They must have taken all the prisoners to your camp,” he surmises.
“It’s possible…” I mutter.
Aelfric did say he’ll bring Svenn to our tent. I should have just waited like he told me. But if I did, I would have never met this dwarf. He would have been beaten to death and Rainer would be caught using Asterdust.
I realize I don’t even know my new companion’s name.
After what Rainer did to him and his assistance to get me here, it is only right that I return the favor.
“Master dwarf. I can sneak you out of the city gates,” I say to him.
A tight smile crosses his lips at my offer. “I won’t make it past the field or the woods. Your Valorian cultists kill those who flee for sport. They would go on horseback and spear the survivors like it’s a fox hunt.”
“The Aeonians’ influence has diminished. They won’t be able to do that—” I cough out through my pain.
“Our kind have been enemies for a long time. Thousands of years of blood war,” the dwarf says, his dark gaze weighing on mine. “That’s not something that can easily be erased.”
A brutal truth. Yet, I keep wishing…
“It’s safer for me to surrender myself.” He lifts his gaze skyward and sighs. “You will get in trouble if you release me, little elfling.”
This dwarf does not know that I am the Queen of Aelfheim.
“No, I won’t.” I shake my head. A rush of pain follows the small movement.
The dwarf looks legitimately concerned, his brows furrowing. He stares at me for a long time, long enough for me to wonder on his sudden silence. His chest rises with a deep, heavybreath. “You will be in trouble little elfling because I am Hrólfr Dravorin, son of Durakain.”
The temperature around us seems to have dropped at the revelation. I’m certain the blood in my veins has become frozen from the cold. Horror seizes me as the name echoes over and over in my mind.
Hrólfr Dravorin?
Rainer once said, ‘Monsters are not born but created in the embers of war.’
I now stand before one such monsters.
A warrior among Eirik’s rank, one of his Masters of the Hunt. The one responsible for the Dunrovin tragedy and with it the death of thousands of elves in the north. This is the legendary dwarven lord who put the long scar on my mother’s chest.
“Are you well enough to walk on your own?” he asks, his voice straining with concern.
There is a stretch of silence as I just stare at him with horror. I can hardly manage a nod from the overwhelming fear. I want to say something, but the air is lodged in my throat.
The dwarf’s stormy eyes meet mine in the dark. He seems to notice my sudden change and his face softens. “I’ll take my leave now, young elf.”
He’s leaving…
I’m terrified to the bones, but I don’t wish him any harm. I fight against the dread compressing my chest.
