The Su'Datheram froze, and the anger that had so deeply possessed him seemed to dissipate into nothing.
Halen Hellfryne had been wearing his training leathers over his chest and back. It was a lighter form of armour, and would protect him during training against any hits from opponents.
But Su'Datheram Derzev Hellfryne was a military man, and he was large and formidable. The cane in his hand was thick and had landed so strongly that it made the boy spat out blood anyway.
"Halen!" Verinia's heart froze in terror. She sat up on her haunches without permission, gathering the trembling First Prince in her broken arms and wiping the blood from his lips.
First Prince Halen's eyes were shiny with tears, and there was a very strange gurgle in his breathing, suggesting that his lungs had been affected.
