Chapter 12 ~ We Need Proof

Aaron’s POV ~

Shay sat.. unpacking the duffel bag. Tremaine had sent a lot of journals.. several Elven Chronicles.. She looked up at me and said “He sent all my mom’s jewelry.. and her journals. He packed my ceremonial dresses. I doubt they’d even fit now. After we interrogate the Elves, I will go through everything.. Here’s the journal he said had information we might find useful.. And.. my crown and tiaras! That’s crazy!”

She took my hand, as we walked out.. heading to the cells. Evan and Gavin met up with us on the front porch. All four of us walked in.. and the guards stepped up to the cell door. Looking at the light Elf I ask for his name. He just glares.. then, I asked the dark Elf.. he spat at me. Looking over at Evan I said “The hard way?” He grins great big and says “With pleasure! You boys are about to make my day and you don’t even know how!”

He walked into the cell and punched the light elf in the face! The guy spit out a tooth and sneers “That the best you got?” Evan just grins and lays into the next punch…knocking the guy out. He looks so disheartened it’s funny! Evan looks at the dark Elf and says “Just don’t make ‘em like they used to..am I right?” And punches the other guy. The dark elf yells “They call me Domator!” Gavin cracks up “Like Tow-mater? Oh my Goddess! Who the fuck calls you that!?”

The guy says “Everyone calls me that. It’s my name! That guy is Aedern and he’s a prick!” I study him for a minute.. “You seem more in control.. Why is that? Experience with your kind usually ends in war.. Is that where we’re heading?”

Domator shrugs and replies “Corellan in trying to stem the bloods and the darks from seeking a portal to this realm. The blood elves are dying. The blood magic has diluted so dramatically since the last great war. When the realm was sealed, they had no diversity.. they still practiced Blood magic.. but they only had other elves to siphon from. It made them weak. I am such a product. My eyes changed from blue and my hair is now coal black! My parents refuse to acknowledge me.. I can’t walk openly in the streets of DullenDirk because of this. They bled me for months.. tried everything to turn my heart dark.. They may have changed my appearance.. but my soul is in tact!! And someday, I will find a way to become Light again!”

This was all well and good.. but he completely circumvented my question! I repeat “Are we heading for a war?” He mutters “If the Blood King succeeds.. yes. I joined the assassins to get out of the realm. So many have not returned, they are presumed dead..and I honestly didn’t care if I died. My mind was already made up.. I will not return to our realm!”

Shaelin steps into the light and says “You didn’t try to attack me… but, I didn’t really give you a chance to. Why was Aedern adamant? What are you offered for my head?” He shrugs and almost smiles “We get to live. The assassins who made it back to DullenDirk were executed for failing. The ones who didn’t..we just figured they were already dead.”

Shay laughs and says “I have only killed nine… well, this year, so far. I killed three the year before that. So.. twelve? How many have been sent?” Again, he pauses before he answers…as if gauging how much to divulge or how truth might benefit him… it’s making me suspicious… I tell him “I will find out the truth.. so, if you’re completely honest, now.. we may help you later.”

We watch him practically deflate.. he sounds frustrated when he responds “There have probably been at least fifty sent out. So many that only four remain in the realm.. King Callan has executed probably thirty! They have been coming to search for you…nearly two years now.”

Shaelin nods “That makes sense.. I just don’t understand how Lord Corellan doesn’t realize they are moving between realms! The three Elf Kingdoms shouldn’t be able to hide a portal with that much traffic! The glitches in the space/time continuum alone..should alert him! It’s how the portal was found from this side!”

Domator asked “You found it? Did you destroy it?” His face looked actually hopeful! At my nod.. his whole body slumped in relief.. “I don’t have to go back!” Shaelin smiles at him “It’s only a temporary reprieve.. they will set another one!” He’s shaking his head.. “No.. it took King Callan nearly eight months to find a proper mirror for the first one.. and if Corellan finds out he’s looking for another one, again.. he may strip his title!”

I snarl “May! He may!? That’s not good enough! We need the council on this… and probably the King. He should be able to contact Corellan!” Shay soothes me by rubbing my arm…saying “Let’s get through our ceremony then we can start researching. It’s best, if we have all available information at hand!”

She’s right! Hopefully, the journals will help us! Going to the King with an idea about the Blood Elves.. will not set well. We need proof!