I chuckle and wipe the sweat from my brow. “How about I slice one right down the middle for you?” I reply.
We had been hunting thesearadhlumesfor hours. It’s an excellent distraction from the humans.
As I charged forward, my blade glinting in the dimly lit cave, I couldn’t help but feel a thrill rush through me. This was what I was born to do; fight to protect those I love.
Suddenly, there was a high-pitched squeal from behind me. I spun around to see a particularly viciousaradhlumwrap its long, hairy legs around Vann.
Without hesitation, I rush to Vann, my sword drawn. Thearadhlum'sgrip was strong, but I could see its vulnerability. I quickly slice through its legs one by one, freeing Vann from its grasp. The spider writhes in agony, only to grow still when Vann smashes it’s head with his hammer.
“Any bites?” I ask.
Aradhlumvenom can burn if not wiped away fast.
Vann shakes his head, panting with exertion. “No, I’m well.”
I nod and sheath my sword before I start to gather the bodies. “Let’s take these to Ulla so that she can prepare them for theruh’glumdlores.”
He grins and piles the gory spiders on his back. When I bend down to inspect the one that I beheaded, I look into its dead eyes and tighten my jaw.
“Come now, back to real life,” Vann says over his shoulder. I finish stacking my three spiders on my back and move ahead.
As we make our way through the winding cave system, I wonder if I will see Estela at the top. She’s been working with Ulla, but I haven’t spoken to her since the funeral.
When we reach the top of the tunnel, spitting us out into the city, I catch sight of her standing next to Ulla. A part of me wants to drop the bounty before we arrive, but that’s cowardly. I didn’t spend all that time killing spiders to turn back now.
Estela hasn’t spotted me yet. She looks beautiful as ever with her dark brown hair tied back and her dark eyes shining as she works with the food. The first time I saw her after she started eating regularly, it was a transformation. Seeing her stand with our people makes my heart swell.
“My King, Lord Vann,” Ulla greets us. “Did you have luck with thearadhlumes?”
I nod and drop the spiders off at Ulla’s feet. “We got a good haul,” I reply.
Estela looks up at me and freezes. “Are you all right? You look exhausted.”
I frown. “I’m fine,” I say, trying to sound convincing. “Just a long hunt.”
Estela approaches me, and her eyes scan my face. A burst of anger erupts. I thought I had forgiven her for the poison, but seeing her now, not having heard the apology from her lips, I pull away from her.
“I’m going to rest,” I announce and leave her there waiting.
I walk through Enduvida, heading towards my chambers. The streets are almost empty, as most of our people are either working or resting at this time of day. I didn't care for the emptiness. The silence only amplified the thoughts in my head.
When I reach my chambers, I lock the door behind me and collapse onto my bed. I need to clear my thoughts, but they keep swirling, like a never-ending vortex. With a groan, I sit up and grab a bottle of mead from my bedside table. It's not the best coping mechanism, but it's all I've got right now.
As I chug the mead, I try to push away the thoughts of Estela, but they keep creeping back in. I wonder what she's doing now, whether she's thinking about me.
It stays like that until I drift into sleep.
* * *
When my eyes open,there’s red as far as the eye can see. It coats my armor, my hands, even streams in my eyes. The stench of bodies overpowers my nose.
My mother is standing in the middle of the field, hanging from a tall post. The Giant King is positioned near her body, watching as a pack of wolves tear apart her legs.
I am filled with an intense rage, a desire to destroy the giants in my path. Another spear swipes toward my head. Everything is moving in slow motion. My sword is already in my hand, and I'm slicing through enemy soldiers as if they were made of paper.
“Troll Prince!” the king calls. “You thought you could kill my wife to end the war?”
I don't respond to him. Instead, I focus all of my energy into defeating him and his army. My sword cuts through their armor, and I move forward with ruthless determination.