“That was beautiful.” said the prince as he flashed a rare smile to her. “A fine song. Thank you.” For moments on end, he stood still next to the pile of stones unable to look away as the others slowly gathered their packs and possessions to leave.
“Your highness?” Asked Hoxley as she held the pack out for him to take. “I hate to be the one to disturb your grief, but if our enemies knew to send soldiers and magic here then they know where we are. That is a very dangerous prospect.”
“Sadly, I must agree.” said Ignatious, using snow to scrub the blood from his hands. “No one should have to hasten their sadness for a close friend however I suggest we make it off this mountain as fast as we can safely manage lest we find ourselves in another situation where there is a chance of more bloodshed.”
“No, you’re right.” Prince Damron nodded in agreement as he took his pack from Hoxley and took up his shield. “I’m sad there wasn’t more time for me to say I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what? His death wasn’t your fault.” said Ignatius
“No, for berating him. Earlier when those soldiers stole me away and you came to my rescue, I chided him for allowing them to take me when it wasn’t his fault at all. Then I sent him away like a servant to find me food.” The tears began to flow again. “I treated the very man who’d risked everything to save my life like he was lower than dirt. I don’t deserve a kingdom to rule over if that’s how I treat the ones I love.”
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
“You were upset, your highness.” Ignatius offered. “But now you see the error of your ways so that you’ll never act in such a manner again, yes?”
“Yes.” The boy said.
“Then a lesson has been learned and you’re all the wiser for it. Come, this climate is freezing, gather your blanket to keep you warm.” The witch put his arm around the prince to move him along. Behind him, Robert followed for a few steps before he leapt to his broom to scout ahead. After paces after that, Siouxsie and Morell walked side by side with the girl gushing over his heroism in battle.
“I like your song better, Siouxsie.” he told her. “Your songs are always great. Where did you hear the lightning witch song?” he asked.
“That song has been around for more generations than I can count.” She said, twirling her broom. “A long time ago a powerful witch with lightning powers raised all kinds of great excitement to the point that someone wrote a song about her. Then she up and vanished like a lightning bolt and was never heard from again.”
“That’s fascinating.” he said. “I wonder where she went.”
“Well, it’s just like the song says. No one can say. She set off some powerful magic and blasted off to who knows where. Legend says she wore magic robes of white, which seems odd because witches don’t wear white. We don’t wear any colors at all. We haven’t in ages. Just witchly ways I guess.” Having said that, she looped her elbow around his and the two walked arm in arm behind the others.
In the rear, Hoxley took one last mournful look upon the grave of Idris. She’d only known him a short time, but in that time, she saw his good heart and love for a young man thrown into terrible circumstances. He gave his life to protect not only those he was responsible for, but those of the group he quickly accepted despite their differences.
“Farewell, Idris.” She whispered, holding her glistening spear across her chest in salute. “Take your rest where we cannot. I will continue to keep the prince safe as long as I can.”
Hoxley held her gaze for a second more before turning away. With haste she galloped to catch up to the others. She and her odd band of companions had come so far, but still very had a very long way yet to go.
THE END OF BOOK 1.
BOOK 2 (INTO THE FIRE) BEGINS IN NEXT CHAPTER
