Powerful magic burst out of King Jaren. Raven was flung out of his seat and crashed painfully into the wall behind him.
"You dare to take my children away from me?!" King Jaren thundered.
"It's better than letting them stay here and get killed!" Raven replied, standing up gingerly. His right shoulder throbbed, probably dislocated.
"You little thing – you think you can protect them?" King Jaren sneered. "You are but a child – don't overstep your limits!"
"If even I, a mere child, can see the truth, why can't you, Your Majesty? Your promises to protect Jules and Mana, and to seek justice for your late Queen Dora – are they anything more than empty words?" he retorted.
"Mana and Jules won't go with you!" King Jaren declared.
Raven smiled slightly. "I'm not above using dirty tricks to deceive them into going with me. I'd rather that they be alive and safe enough to hate me for my deception than be die while still caring for me."
King Jaren glared at him.
