Snippet #2733367

Maelthra listened to Clara’s history of the illness, as well as the circumstances of her birth. He was relatively surprised that there would be brief winters here, which caused him to put a reminder on his troops to get proper supplies in case of such an occurrence. She then explained her sleep habits and felt tempted to tease her about a potential love life, but held his tongue, as her worries were not entirely unfounded.

”There, my illness. If you find me wandering the halls at night, like some sort of ghost, that's why.” He smiled a bit at the morbid joke as he held back a chuckle.

“I was sick when I was a child. That’s the first time I felt His spirit on me. Probably was paranoid over losing his chance.” He said quietly. “Let’s talk about something else other then sickness.” And for most of that night, Maelthra, now revealed to Clara as the second of his name, The Second Shadow King, host of the First, simply talked to get to know the princess.

———

Almost three days later, it seemed that Maelthra was making progress as far as trying to make friends with his captive. He let out more of himself in the open between the two, in terms of him showing a more gentleman approach to Clara and restraining from making any dark comments or throwing his minions out windows when he was having a tantrum.

Like how he felt now, talking to one of his quartermasters. “I know it’s hard to supply winter clothes here but get it from Kirrel.” He said in slight annoyance as he rolled his eyes. “I despise logistics at this stage.” He rubbed his temples before suddenly his eyes flashed yellow briefly.

“I sense something in the city, nearing the castle, a presence I haven’t felt since...” he drifted off before turning into a pensive nostalgic like state, as he felt an older memory come to mind as he smiled wickedly. “So you’ve come willingly to your doom... unprepared even.”

——

Robin did not know that Maelthra was possibly expecting him. All he cared about for the moment was to try to infiltrate the castle just to test how secure the Shadow King made it. Keeping his hood up on a cloak he bought from a merchant on the way here, he slowly stalked towards one of the castle gates, and observed the dark elves guarding it.

“Not the best idea to go in that way.” He said to himself. Until he saw the guards moving into the castle. “Change in shift? This might be it!” Robin rushed towards the gate, only to be repelled by an purple sigil, that caused him to literally bounce a good two feet. He heard laughter from the sigil.

“Oh, oh this is funny! You, a member of a clan of Valsirian Hunters, hunters of monsters even! And you made a novice mistake!” Came the mocking voice of Maelthra.

“By all the Dragons I can name! You tricked me!” Robin yelled out.

“You tricked yourself, Azura. If the bait is obvious don’t take it.” Maelthra said.

“I’ll find another way then. When I do, your shadow will fall.” Robin stated as he turned only to bump into a guard. “I’m just leaving...”

“He’s inebriated. Dunk him in the fountain a few times.” Maelthra commanded through the sigil.

“You dishonorable-!” Before he could say anything more, the Dark elf had picked him up to do as commanded.

——

“Ooh language young man, there are two ladies who nearly caught that.” Maelthra stated as he chuckled, dismissing the sigil and leaned in his chair as he looked at the mentioned women. “Good Morrow Clara, Narissa. How are you this fine morning?”