The Heir of Depths

The snow had melted and the waters unfroze, leaving spring and summer to take over the cold and brutal mountains. It felt as if everything had been reborn after the fights. The Realm was at peace under the righteous and scrutinous eye of King Merrick Dortamus, whom sat everyday on the throne and listened to his people, he gave orders and followed advices.

A fresh and sunny day of summer, he heard her again, crying outside the window of the War Room. The responsibilities of his Highness could be put on hold for a moment while he payed attention to her.

The King headed to the beach and made his way through the spiky rocks that guarded the entrance of a Ptelea cave hidden beneath Mount Suvlic. When he entered, the darkness that covered the cave almost dissolved in his presence and found her curled up on the ground.

“Zeydar?” His voice echoed in the cavern, with the unbearable hope that this time the dragon might carry her rider.

The marble dragon roared for him in a grieving key. Merrick approached her and the creature instantly rubbed its head over his torso, searching for comfort. He couldn’t deny her that, despite every attempt he had made to forget about her, he had failed and every time Zeydar came back to Reiska, it was a reminder that Arline was still out somewhere. The dragon had been constant on her visits to the kingdom and found a way through Merrick to share what was happening to her master.

It was always Arline looking after her dragon without any kind of company. And every time, it looked like her powers were taking the best of her. Despite his raging need to take care of her and his desire to bring her back, Merrick let her do as she pleased. The lie that had been told about the expedition was still believed by those who didn’t know an ounce of truth.

Merrick stayed with the dragon for as long as he could, until the Sun started setting and she cried for him not to leave, batting her immense wings that touched the ceiling of the cave. But he wasn’t her master and if that white dragon was found around the Kingdom, their story was blown “Go back to her” was everything he could order her, to protect her and give her company.

He headed back to his Palace with the image of Arline on his mind. His heart sank every time he saw her through the eyes of her dragon, but his duties were more important than her and Merrick was starting to let his hate cover his sadness.

“Her dragon again?” Aidan asked when he entered the Council Room, he just nodded “How is it?” He asked hoping for anything new.

“Mourning, worried, I don’t know” The King threw his frame on a chair with tiredness “She is not using her powers as often as she should” his gaze was lost in the pile of papers in front of him and tried to sound uninterested.

“You haven’t either” his Frontlord reminded him and the death stare he received from his friend made the room darker. But he was right, Merrick had reduced the amount of power he used ever since she left and it made him angrier and more tired “You need to bring her back” Aidan let out to his surprise.

“She is fine were she is” Merrick’s tone was bitter and rolled his eyes.

“I do not share the thought” Aidan expressed and threw a rolled parchment at him “The High Council sent an invitation”

“Which bird?” Merrick asked reading the jet black ink carefully shaped in cursive.

“A black baza” Aidan pointed out to a cage next to the widow that held a sleeping bird “It’s an improvised meeting, clearly”

“I won’t let a group of ancient morons delay my moron brother’s execution” Merrick announced irritated, incessantly reading.

“We can fight back on that” Aidan didn’t give the subject much importance “Finish reading”. As his eyes reached the final words of the notice, Merrick stayed silent and with his mouth slightly opened with shock.

“Queen of Blood?” He couldn’t hide his pride as he said the title.

“You need to bring her back” Aidan repeated with a slight tone of worry and a hard look on his face.

“How do you expect me to do that?” Merrick asked him and got up from the chair to face him “She didn’t trust me enough to tell me she was being disturbed by Pelagius every night”

“You know the consequences if she doesn’t attend Merrick” Aidan came closer to him, he wanted to slap him but he remembered he was the King so he just had to clench his fist and swallow his anger.

“I do” Merrick agreed “But you will look for her” he commanded Aidan.

“Oh please be a man” Aidan spat on his face and rolled his eyes.

“I don’t really want to see her Aidan, Arline Cole broke my trust, if I see her, I will duel her” his voice was calm and filled with anger, it almost sounded like when he talked to Larsin.

“She is your most powerful ally” Aidan reminded the King “You will have to see her eventually”

“I will… in the presence of the Council” Merrick got up and started pacing the room. As he said, Arline had broken his trust but he knew she was still loyal to him, she was alive after all, barely.

“Where do I go?” Aidan finally asked, giving into his friend’s ridiculous request.

“North, let your dragon follow hers”

“I don’t want a scene in the Council, Merrick” Aidan warned him, knowing Merrick’s hatred too well.

“Whatever you ask for” Merrick said with a smile “Take the necklace, to remind her who she is” he took out the pearl necklace from the box it had been gifted in and placed on the table.

“See you at the Council, your Highness” Aidan took the necklace and bowed his head, leaving the room to prepare for the trip ahead and to face Arline since the last time.