Previously: Folken, Van, Zire, Meegan, and Merle have entered a new kingdom and have been invited to attend a wedding, but is everything in this new and beautiful land everything it appears to be?
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Everlasting Love Chapter 14
Van silently curses his brother for bringing him to Mandeza. Not only is it uncomfortable to see men dressed in loin clothes and the women in nothing at all, but its worse to know that there are naked women in your bedroom! Van, Zire, and Folken scuttled into Merle's bedroom when they had discovered servant girls waiting for each of them in their own bedchambers. Merle had been kind enough to give them her place for the night. Now they are currently going around blowing out candles and preparing for a goodnight's rest.
" I don't think I will ever get use to the customs of this land." Van mutters to himself as he carefully blows out another candle flame. From across the room Folken glances at his brother while Zire drags a chest out into the middle of the chamber floor. " It was nice of Merle to allow us in here." Zire states while taking out some blankets from the large wooden chest. Van nods and turns around. He frowns when his eyes find Zire on his hands and knees, making a bed on the floor. " Zire you don't have to sleep on the floor." Van shakes his head while motioning to the only bed in the room. " You can use the bed." Zire follows Van's gesture and glances over at the inviting and lavishly decorated bed before shaking his head. " No Van. That bed should be for you. You're a king. You should sleep comfortably." Van frowns again. "Where is it written that a king must always sleep comfortably?" Zire shrugs and looks over at Folken who joins into the conversation, taking the wolf-man's side. " Zire is correct. You need to sleep well. Tomorrow is an important day and Mandeza's king will be able to tell if you rested comfortably or not. The servant in your bedroom will suffer the consequences if he believes you did not." Folken states gently. Van frowns even deeper but argues no more and silently climbs into bed, pulling the bed curtains closed.
It is the first night in many years that both Fanel brothers will sleep together in the same room and Zire stiffens slightly, feeling a tension fill the accompanying silence. He glances over at Folken who has walked over to one of the windows and is currently staring out into the star-speckled sky. Zire sighs sadly. Brothers can be the worst enemies. He reminds himself before stooping down and wiggling into his covers. Van turns on his side and stares at Folken from behind the cover of the bed curtains. He clasps his hands together and tucks them under his chin snugly. Memories surge into his mind unbidden and Van wonders what exactly caused his brother to undergo such a drastic change of heart. Ziabach's fate alterations were Folken's passion and only desire in life. Now, he seeks to help rebuild Fanelia. Van frowns, his handsome, youthful face creased with confusion. I don't know how to think of you, brother. He confesses silently.
As the night continues, sleep finally befalls Van and Zire while Folken remains awake staring outside and losing himself in memories he had kept locked away until this very moment. His face weighs down with exhaustion and emotional turmoil. Turning slowly he allows his gaze to settle upon the still and peaceful form of his younger brother. He quietly walks over to a pile of cushions and blankets and begins to make his bed upon the floor. The silence of the calm, still night is suddenly disrupted by a snore that comes from Zire's direction and Folken looks over at him wearily. The wolf-man sleeps soundly and snores again, this time more quietly, with one paw resting over his snout. Folken glances over at Van, his brother's form difficult to see because of the bed curtains. Quietly and carefully he dares to step closer and get a better look. Leaning down he studies Van's face and releases a guilty sigh.
Van's hope, innocence, and purity nearly radiates from his face when it is free of worry and anger such as now. Folken shakes his head sadly. How could he have been so blind to the needs of his country and to his family? How could he have been so cold? Van turns in his sleep, soft curls of deep blue-black hair fall over his eyelids. Folken's hand twitches as he struggles to hold himself back from reaching through the curtains and brushing aside his brother's curls. He watches silently and after a few moments, Van unconsciously lifts his hand to his eyelids and brushes aside the offending curls on his own. Folken sighs again, this time deep in thought. Does he really need my help at all? He wonders. The night offers no response but as if in reply, an image of Van's pleading eyes enters his mind from the dinner earlier in the evening when one of the servant girls tried to feed him at the table. Folken feels a smirk bend his lips. Yes. He still needs guidance. He concludes with a lopsided grin.
Suddenly, Van stirs and moves to roll on his belly, nearly falling off the side of the bed in the process. Folken moves to catch him and stops inches away from the bed curtain as Van changes his mind and contents himself to sleep on his side. He releases an oblivious sigh and settles down again. Folken smile softly as he gets a better look at Van's sleeping face. The last time he had been this close to younger brother, watching him sleep, had been the night before he left to fulfill the dragon slaying ritual.
The night was calm and beautiful. A younger Folken sneaks closer to the still and quiet form of his little brother. Four-year-old Van sleeps soundly, his little belly rising and falling in a steady, peaceful rhythm. Earlier in the day Van had begged him not to leave for the dragon ceremony the following morning. Folken had told him that there was no way around his responsibility. It was something he had to do. The two brothers had spent the entire afternoon together. Varie had ordered that Folken be left alone for a few hours. She instinctively knew that her eldest son needed time away from the merciless advisors that constantly hounded him ever since his father's death. Folken needed time with his family. Varie had watched as Folken played with his little brother one final time under the warm, summer sunshine. The brothers were free and young and full of hope.
But as the day drew to a close, they had to part ways. One was sent to bed, the other briefed on what he was expected to do in only a few hours. Folken had then decided to spend the night praying in the chapel. He hadn't expected Varie to be there as well. She rose when he entered. " Mother…" Varie opened her arms to him and without a second thought, he rushed into her welcoming embrace. " Mother…I'm frightened." He whispered against her heart. Varie nodded solemnly and held him tightly against her chest as he cried. Tears of grief and overwhelming responsibility trickled down his pale cheeks. The two remained this way for several minutes before sinking to their knees and praying together for guidance and strength.
" You must rest, Folken. Go rest, my love." Varie had told him softly after they had left the chapel. Folken obeyed, but stopped to see his little brother on the way. Folken smiles softly at Van, enjoying the peace and tranquility of the moment he now finds himself in. Van is sleeping soundly completely unaware of the turmoil and pain his brother hides behind the smile always shown to the tiny prince. " You'll come back to me. Right Folken?" Van's words from earlier in the day were still ringing in Folken's ears. Van was staring up at him with complete trust. The trust only a child could have. It would have been too hard to bare for Folken to deny Van the hope that had blossomed in his little heart.
Folken had smiled and refrained from giving an answer. How could he when he didn't know for certain what the outcome would finally be? Now, standing above his brother Folken silently says good-bye. " Forgive me, Van. If I don't return…forgive me." He whispers before bending down and softly kissing Van's forehead, tears once again trickling down his cheeks. " You will always remain in my heart. You are my bright and shining sun." He whispers sincerely.
Folken moves to leave the bedroom but is stopped by a tiny hand. He looks back down at Van in surprise. Van smiles up at him sleepily. " You'll protect me and mommy won't you?" Van whispers. Folken nods and gulps silently, not wanting Van to see his tears. " I will return Van. I give you my word."
Slowly the memories of the past melt away and Folken blinks back into the present with a sigh. He leans down close to Van's ear and quietly whispers to him even though his words are not heard. " I will stay by your side as long as you will allow me. I will fight for you. I will die for you, my brother, if the need arises. I promised to help you rebuild Fanelia and so I shall." One of Van's hands slips over the bedside to dangle limply against the thin curtains and Folken reaches down, gently brushing the tips of his fingers against the curtain and the back of his brother's hand. Soft moonlight streams into the large bedroom chamber and illuminates everything in hues of blue and unearthly violet. The bed curtains shimmer softly under the light, tiny diamonds sewn into their material, glistening under the moon's peaceful rays. Folken sighs and releases a muffled yawn. Blinking back his weariness he quietly makes his way over to the small bundle of blankets and cushions that will serve as his bed for the night. He once again glances over at Zire, who is fast asleep, before slipping in-between the silk sheets and surrendering to his own exhaustion. The serene moonlight slowly dissipates into beams of soft yellows and oranges casting shadows of fuzzy hues across the walls and marble floor. Morning is ready to open her eyes.
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Morning passes quickly for everyone within the castle as the final preparations for the wedding are fulfilled. Van, Folken, and Zire scurry back to their assigned bedchambers before anyone notices their absences and prepare for the ceremony.
Meanwhile, Merle and Meegan are escorted into the enormous, throne room filled with all kinds of exotic plants and flowers. There are many people standing around chatting in a language neither can understand so they content themselves in admiring their current surroundings. Merle smiles at Meegan in awe and points to a palm tree. " What a great scratching post that would make!" She exclaims. Meegan laughs. " Do you think that this king will be nice to Fanelia?" Merle asks the wolf-girl still giggling beside her. Meegan shakes her head. " I don't know, Merle. I think the only person among us who would be able to give you an honest answer would be Folken." She replies thoughtfully. Merle frowns. " I don't know…something just doesn't smell right about this place." Meegan nods in agreement. " I know. I feel it too. I think I'll be happier when we finally move on." She continues while scanning their surroundings. Merle nods and readjusts a flower in her pink, strawberry colored hair.
After a few moments three familiar and handsome individuals enter the throne room. " Oh look its Van!" Meegan exclaims while lightly tugging on Merle's tail. They hurry to join their friends, making their way through the growing crowd.
" Hey Van!" Merle greets gleefully, purring softly as he gently ruffles her hair. " Did you two sleep well? We didn't make your night impossible did we?" Zire asks half jokingly. " We slept fine." Meegan reassures him. " Did you three sleep well?" She asks in return. Van nods. Merle glances at Folken who is scanning the large chamber just as she and Meegan had done only a few moments ago. Suddenly the sound of a large bong is heard echoing throughout the enormous throne room and everyone makes their way to cushions that line all the walls and take their seats. Van and his friends follow the crowd and, after choosing where to sit, make themselves comfortable. As soon as everyone is settled, Van takes a few moments to scan the scene before him. All around the chamber men and women sit cross-legged on fancy cushions and this time everyone is dressed in long robes of fine silk. Every woman, he notices, wears flowers in their hair.
" So what happens now?" Zire asks leaning in to talk with Folken. The silence of the hall is broken as the sound of soft singing is heard. Everyone turns their attention towards a large platform, upon which the throne sits, and watch as the king's beautiful young wives enter the chamber singing in perfect harmony. Their melody is strange to the ears but at the same time soothing. " Are those the same women we heard last night?" Van asks Folken after a few moments. Folken nods silently. Merle glances at Van uncertainly.
The young women all wear identical, transparent robes of deep sea green. Golden bands glisten around their heads and in their hair are woven tiny diamonds and emeralds. Around their necks they each wear thick gold bands and upon their feet are tiny sandals woven out of tall grasses and seaweed. They walk to the center of the chamber and stand in a circle, singing to each other as if no one else were listening.
After two choruses the young singers walk closer to the silent crowd and Van blinks when he finally gets a better look at their faces. Each of them have dark black lines that highlight the olive shape of their eyes and attached to their eyelids, top and bottom, are the most beautiful butterfly wings he has ever seen. Their lips are painted blue and sea green transforming their faces into something of a painting. The women freeze for a moment and then turn around to reveal another face on the back of their heads. Masks of great adornment stare back at everyone in silence as the young women begin to dance. Merle twitches her tail and raises her eyebrows in surprise, while Zire smiles, Meegan cringes, Van remains speechless, and Folken takes it all in stride. Suddenly the sound of drums are heard and dozens of dark, glittering men roll and tumble into the chamber executing fantastic flips while others juggle torches of fire with their hands and feet. The throne room is filled with the sound of singing, drums, and excited shouts from the thrilled audience. After a few minutes of organized chaos there is a pause in the singing and drumming as a loud roar is heard. Everyone in the crowd turns their attention to several tigers and lions that have just entered the throne room. Exotic young slave women stand upon their backs completely at ease. Van blinks in wonderment, never having ever witnessed anything like this before. Folken glances at his brother and smirks.
Just then one of the fire jugglers sticks the tip of a torch into his mouth and pulls it out with no flame. Van raises his eyebrows and glances at Folken. The juggler rolls and tumbles his way over to the brothers and blows out a large flame. Van jumps in surprise while Merle's fur bristles in fright, her claws impaling the cushion she sits upon. Meegan laughs, as does Zire, but Folken's only reaction is to squint as the flame finally dies out. The juggler moves on, completely unaware of how close he came to becoming a human scratching post while Van, blinks trying to regain his vision. Zire watches everything with great interest and smiles when the torch jugglers, and fire spewers, drop their torches and pull out swords from their throats. This action is rewarded by a blink of surprise by Folken. Van and Merle both drop their jaws and Zire and Meegan begin to giggle hysterically. " Oh that's funny!" Meegan exclaims while clapping her hands with excitement. Merle gives her an uncertain glance. Meanwhile the sword wielders twirl and juggle and wow all those present with amazing acrobatic stunts.
Finally the drums stop their rhythm and the jugglers freeze and the young women stop their singing. All eyes turn to the throne where the king has now taken his seat. He rises slowly and claps his hands three times. In response to his actions two servants emerge from the back of the chamber with a large, ostrich-like bird. The animal struggles against its bonds and fights to free itself from the chains. The servants half drag, half pull the creature to the throne where the king pulls out a dagger from a belt that hangs loosely around his waist. Meegan watches with wide eyes while Merle turns to Van. " Lord Van? Are…are they going to kill that poor bird?" Van shakes his head. " I don't know, Merle." He whispers quietly. " Folken what are they doing? I thought this was a wedding." Folken glances at his brother and nods. " And so it is. But every kingdom has its own customs and this land is no exception." Folken replies as the king swiftly and cruelly slices the large bird's neck so that its blood spills all over the floor. The servants then take the animal's body and lay it over a stone slab off to the side of the throne's platform where it is drenched in oils and lit on fire. Merle gulps as she feels her stomach grow queasy and Van silently grasps a hold of one of her paws in an attempt to comfort her. Meegan takes a hold of Merle's other paw and pats it comfortingly. " Don't worry Merle, everything will be alright." She whispers. Merle just stares at the frying carcass and gulps again.
The king turns to the crowd and raises his arms up to heaven. In response all the jugglers and dancers step away from the center of the chamber to reveal a deep hole. The drums begin to rapidly beat again as the dark hole suddenly illuminates with light. The king steps closer and suddenly two heads rise from its depths. Van glances at Folken again. This time Folken glances back. Two individuals stand upon a platform that has risen from a level underneath the chamber floor. One of the two individuals is old and already bending over with age. The king steps forward and bows before the elder. Van notices that the individual is an old woman. She wears robes of deep blue and white with a white sash around her forehead. Folken leans down towards Van. " The woman with the white sash is a priestess." He explains. Van nods slowly, watching carefully what is occurring before him. The old priestess motions for the young ladies who have been singing in the earlier performances to come closer. They obey her command and begin to sing again while carefully removing the butterfly wings from their eyelids to weave them into the long, black hair of the bride who stands beside the priestess in silence. The young women chant softly while enclosing their king, the bride, and the priestess in the middle of a tight, human circle.
The drums continue their seamless rhythm. The king slowly walks around the circle and takes off every mask until there are no more masks left to remove. Every individual unmasked stoops low to the ground and honors the bride who now turns to reveal her face. Van, Folken, Merle, Meegan, and Zire all feel an icy chill run down their spines as they come face to face with the princess Liliana. Her expression is grave and hopeless, her eyes dull and empty, but her beauty remains untouched. " Van!" Merle whispers in disbelief. Van looks at Folken with large, disbelieving eyes. " What is going on? Why is the princess here?" Van asks him. Folken remains silent, trying to figure out how she ended up in Mandeza. The king turns to face Liliana. She wears a simple gown of shimmering pearly chiffon. Her skin is dusted with golden powder and draped over her shoulders is a long cape of white silk. Diamonds, butterfly wings, and small white flowers are woven into her long, wavy hair. Her eyelids are also adorned with butterfly wings, but there is no other painting or objects of decoration upon her face.
The old priestess steps up to Liliana and grabs one of her wrists. She begins to chant again while the king pulls Liliana into an intimate embrace. Liliana stiffens in his arms and watches in horror as the priestess pulls out a sharp dagger from somewhere within her robes. " No!!" Liliana screams as she begins to struggle. The king presses her against him tightly. Van moves to rise but Folken snatches him by the arm and yanks him back down. " What are you doing?!" Van asks angrily. Folken remains silent but doesn't release Van's arm. Merle whimpers and she glances at Meegan who looks like she might be sick. The old priestess finishes her chant and with one quick stroke slits Liliana's wrist. Liliana releases an ear-splitting scream before becoming deathly silent. She slumps in the arms of Mandeza's king and he presses her against him tighter still in an effort to keep her standing. One of the king's wives steps forward with a golden cup and collects the blood that drips from the princess's wrist until the priestess motions for her to move away. The king then begins to recite a chant of his own as the she takes out a small green vial and opens it. Carefully she pours a green glowing liquid onto Liliana's wound and releases her wrist. The bleeding stops instantly and the king steps back while servant men step forward, lift Liliana's body above their heads and carry her over to a bed of tropical leaves and seaweed. Meanwhile, the king receives the golden cup and drinks as the old priestess motions for a servant man to step forward. In his hand he carries a red hot metal iron.
Van glances at Folken again. " What are they going to do to her? Did they kill her?" Merle asks confused and frightened. The king finishes the cup and takes the hot iron from the servant man's hand. He slowly makes his way over to Liliana who is lying still and silent. The drums begin to beat harder and faster while the young women begin to chant again, keeping time with the faster rhythm provided for them by the drums. The king steps up to Liliana's side and lifts the hot iron above his head. Liliana opens her eyes. Servant men on both sides hold down her wrists and ankles as the king gently lifts her robe to reveal the soft, tender skin of her belly. " They're going to burn her!" Merle cries out in horror. Van yanks his arm away from Folken's grasp and rises to his feet. "Let her go!" Van yells, his eyes burning with anger.
The drums and chanting stop, the king freezes, and all eyes turn to Van. Folken quickly rises to his feet and steps in front of his brother. Everyone's gaze switches to him. The king looks Folken over, the audience remains silent wondering who this man that dares to stand before all in perfect confidence, including the king, think he is. " Neemka!" Folken declares. The king squints and frowns. " Let her go!" Merle shouts. " Ebka ickiume neptule." Folken's voice rings deep and clear. The king pauses and lowers the hot iron passing it to a servant man. " Ipium napiel." The king states in a dangerous tone of voice. " Mika unaum." Folken answers firmly. The king motions for his guards to remove Folken from the scene. Van watches everything tensely and steps up to Folken's side the moment the guards step forward. The two brothers stand together and wait for the inevitable. " She doesn't belong to you!" Van shouts to the king. " Release her before we have to take her!" The king ignores him and motions for the servant man to return his hot iron. The king smirks and turns to finish what he had begun only to find that the princess is no longer where she was. Van glances behind the crowd to see Zire sneak out of the chamber with, Merle, Meegan, and the princess close by his side.
The king turns around, fury aflame within his eyes. He hurls the hot iron directly at Van's face, but Van ducks and the hot iron skids across the marble floor harmlessly. " Iniam!!" The king shouts with a voice of pure hatred. All at once chaos ensues. Van and Folken find themselves swept into the frightened crowd as it disperses out into the halls. Van scans the faces around him for any sign of Zire and his friends, but to no avail. " Where did they go?!" Van asks exasperated with their entire situation. Folken shoves his way over to a corner and drags Van with him. Together the brothers pause to catch their breath and calm themselves. " Why did you do that?" Folken asks Van with annoyance. " Do what?!" Van asks angrily. " Speak when you were not say a word!" Folken shouts, trying to make himself heard above the screams and shouts of the frightened crowd. " You were going to allow that freak to harm the princess!" Van shouts back. " Van—" Suddenly, Van makes out a head of soft, strawberry hair. " It's Merle!" He shouts, interrupting his brother. " Where?" Folken asks following Van's gaze. Van points to an archway where their friends have just vanished from view. " They went through there!" Folken glances back at the entrance to the throne room and feels adrenaline rush into his system when he sees the king's battle guards spot them where they stand. " We must follow!" Folken replies quickly. They hurry through the crowd, guards hot on their tails.
The great halls echo with the shouts and screams of the frightened crowd. An eerie atmosphere penetrates the air as Van and Folken run deeper into the labyrinth of winding and twisting corridors. Torches burn and carvings of various animal heads jut out from the walls. What use to be beautiful and wondrous was now foreboding and frightful. No sunlight penetrates the most inner bowels of the mammoth castle creating a stuffy, almost tomb-like setting. " Where are we going?" Van asks after they pause at a fork and choose a random corridor to continue upon while the guards take the opposite hall. Folken suddenly freezes in place and slowly slides his sword out from its sheath. Van blinks questioningly, but follows suite. " I heard something." Folken whispers in a soft answer to his brother's questioning gaze. The two brothers advance at a more cautious and slower pace.
Turning a corner they find themselves standing upon an indoor balcony that overlooks a beautiful chamber of plants and exotic fruit trees. Both brothers blink in surprise, never before having ever seen anything so beautiful or huge indoors. Several waterfalls flow into the man-made gardens from holes in the walls. " This castle is built right into the side of the mountains." Folken whispers to Van as they look on. " The water must be coming directly from their inner most cavities." Van nods mutely and the two nearly suffer mild heart attacks as a voice speaks to them from behind. Whirling around they turn to face Liliana.
" Princess!" Van exclaims with a mix of relief and surprise. " Are you hurt?" Folken asks, Van glances up at him. Liliana shakes her head and motions for them to follow her silently. She leads them into a secret corridor within the walls that takes them outside the castle and into the cool afternoon air. Liliana takes them to what looks like a small village nestled within the castle courtyard. She enters one of the little homes and smiles as Merle streaks by her to embrace Van. " We'll be safe here for a little while." Liliana states softly. " The servant quarters." Folken concludes. The princess nods. " They won't be able to hide us for very long." She answers. Folken nods. " We won't remain here for much longer." " What are we going to do?" Merle asks with fear. Van glances around at everyone present. A heavy silence falls upon every heart and worry hangs thick in the air. " How did you find me?" Liliana asks after a few moments of silence pass by undisturbed. Van shakes his head. " We…that is…um…how did you get here?" Liliana raises her eyebrows with confusion. " What do you mean? The demons that interrupted my birthday celebration took me away and brought me to this place. Folken and Van blink in surprise. " I was brought to the king moments after I arrived and he decided that I would become his next wife." Liliana continues. " I was treated kindly by the maid servants and they have told me the sad history of their kingdom and how it has become a land of evil and betrayal." " What do you mean?" Van asks with interest. Liliana looks up at him and takes a deep breath before continuing. " Well, the king you have met is not the true king of Mandeza." She states. " That's impossible." Folken states. All eyes turn to him. " Why?" Van asks, albeit a little angry that his brother interrupted the princess. " I met the king several years back. It is the same man I met in the past that is after our necks today." Folken explains. Liliana shakes her head. " No. The man who is king now is the true king's twin brother. They were separated at birth. The first child to exit the womb was declared heir to the throne and the second child was to be his servant throughout the entirety of his life." " Whoa." Zire mutters under his breath. " This is getting good." He smiles as Meegan steps up to his side. " Last year there was held, in the castle, an annual celebration for the success of their harvesting. But during the festivities, the kin's twin attacked his brother in the privacy of their personal quarters. It is unknown exactly what transpired that night, but some say that the twin did not kill his brother, rather they believe he took him up to the top of the mountains and fed him to the demons of the skies. Ever since that day the kingdom has been ruled by the evil tyrant who now calls himself king." Liliana explains sadly. " So you mean to say that all the odd behaviors we have been witnessing, the rituals …all of this now exists because of the new king?" Van asks. Liliana nods mutely. " Um…I'm sorry to interrupt but what are the demons of the skies?" Meegan asks with confusion. " The horrible creatures that attacked me that night back home are what the people here refer to as the demons of the skies. The creatures have lived at the top of the highest mountains for centuries. Or at least that is what they say. These creatures have been dormant for centuries. The monsters were created by an evil sorcerer and they wreaked havoc among the people of this land until a brave and good man stood up against the sorcerer and defeated him. This man then built a huge tomb at the top of the highest mountains and had the creatures sealed inside along with the sorcerer who was eaten alive." Merle looks up at Van with frightened eyes. " But when this king heard of the tale he went to see if it was really true and found things to be exactly as believed. Unfortunately the creatures still live and still maintain a terrible hunger. The king transformed the tomb into a temple and feeds the creatures one of his wives twice every four months. That is why he has so many." Liliana explains. " That's horrible!" Meegan exclaims with disgust. Folken frowns silently his heart telling him that there is something very important concerning what Liliana has just shared about the true king of Mandeza. But what could it be?
Suddenly the sound of many footsteps rises from the silence and a servant rushes into their room to warn them of impending danger. " The guards are here." Liliana states fearfully. " There's no where to hide! They'll find us for sure!" Merle cries. Without a second's warning, Folken snatches Liliana by the wrist and pulls her out of the room. " What are you doing?!" Merle cries out as Van starts after his brother. Folken whips out his sword and points the tip directly against Van's neck. Van freezes, his blood running cold. Zire frowns in surprise and Merle and Meegan gasp in shock. " Folken? What—are—you--doing?" Van asks through clenched teeth. " Quiet." Folken commands him coolly. Van frowns and clenches his hands. " Unarm yourself, Van." Folken continues. Van slowly does as told just as the guards and the king arrive upon the scene.
The king glances at Folken, then Van, and finally Liliana before ordering his guards to take Van and his friends, with the exception of Folken and Liliana, away. Van manages to shoot Folken a bitter, hateful glare before being shoved forward. Folken turns away and returns Liliana to the king while Merle and Meegan are separated from the group and taken in another direction. " Ikumka itma lums tio." The king speaks to Folken casually, ignoring the fearful cries of Merle and Meegan as they are dragged away. " Jukam ignum titiam." Folken replies smoothly, blocking out the desperate shouts of anger and frustration from Van. Liliana remains silent by the side of Mandeza's king as tears silently trickle down her cheeks. The king turns to her and gazes for a brief moment before walking out of the room followed closely by Folken who picks up the Fanelian sword from the floor on his way out. Liliana lifts her eyes to him in silent pleading but he ignores her gaze and fear clutches her heart as the king's personal guards return to take her away.
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Chapter 15 soon to come.
