King Kojo sat beside his son's crib and watched him silently. He was sleeping with drool dripping from his mouth and his brown curls an unruly mess on his head. He looked so much like his mother with his smooth skin and almond-shaped brown eyes.
Arya, on the other hand, had Kojo's silver eyes and tan skin she was cooing in the other crib and reaching a hand up for the toy dangling over her bed.
His daughter was missing again.
Kojo was startled by a knock on the door. A maid entered with glossy black hair and olive skin, her dress was clean and without wrinkles. She bowed her head. "Your Highness, you have visitors."
"Send them away."
The maid straightened and blinked. "They said they requested an audience with you."
"Who are they?"
"I think one of them was Kaya's companion-"
Kojo shot to his feet, leveling her with a look. "You think?" he bared his teeth. "My daughter is missing and he's the only lead we've got, you're going to tell me you think?"
"A-apologizes, sir. It is Kaya's companion and another elf, "They said it was urgent."
"Where are they now?"
"The throne room."
Without another word, Kojo burst from the room and quickly made his way through the halls. Two guards were stationed outside, upon seeing them his anger flared in remembrance of Vlad and Conor who disappeared after the attack—leaving a bloody trail behind.
Eli was kidnapped and his sister was injured. King Davis came to him before he left claiming to take the girl as his own.
He was not allowed to touch her or go anywhere near the palace without his consent.
He'd had no luck in capturing them, which made him all the more upset.
The guards bowed and pushed open the doors. Nico and another elf were being held in place with swords by a pair of other guards.
Kojo waved the men away and approached the duo. He peered down at them. Their clothes were dusty and their boots were caked in mud.
The throne room was large and freshly polished with high ceilings and portraits of previous kings and queens on the wall. They all looked down on them with what appeared to be disgust.
Kojo tried not to be disturbed. For the longest, he's been trying to convince Ariana to let him take the pictures down and remove them, but she insisted on keeping them there claiming it added a little color to the gloomy room.
"What was so urgent? Has it something to do with my daughter? Have you killed her and come back to brag about it?"
Nico scowled. "No."
"Then what?"
"The Scavengers are back," he replied shortly. "That's who was behind the killings and the attack."
King Kojo frowned.
"They're planning on attacking, but we're not sure when. We've come to ask for your help." he bit his lip. "It's hilarious, I know, but this is important and It's not something we can handle ourselves. We don't have the resources or the numbers."
"You're absolutely right." King Kojo chuckled. "Hilarious. Why should I care?"
"Because they're not just going to attack us. They're coming after you." Nico dared to look up at him. "As for your daughter, she is alive and well."
"Who's we and why should I believe you?" King Kojo hissed. "Why would I help you? Your kind is why my parents are-" He broke off and turned away. Kojo swallowed and stuffed these feelings under the surface, he refused to discuss this with anyone least of all elves. "If this is all you came for, your trip has been in vain."
The blonde elf spoke up for the first time. "If I may, sir."
"You are?"
"Sawyer. What did our people do to you?" he cocked his head. "I don't mean to be pushy, but I'd like to know."
Before he could think, he snarled, "Your kind murdered my parents and my friends leaving destruction and chaos in your wake."
Nico bared his teeth in a smirk. "You're one to talk your highness. I remember the day you stormed my village killing anyone and anything that stood in your way." his chest rose and fell rapidly. "You killed my sister in front of me. Snapped her neck."
King Kojo squinted his eyes, trying to remember the moment the elf was talking about. It came to him clear as day, as though it'd only happened yesterday.
He was standing on a dusty road where elves were cowering in fear huddled behind tents and tables, Nico was crouched in front of him tears staining his cheeks. An older elf was beside him, her face was passive and blank.
The elf king was sprawled at his feet, bleeding into the dry earth. His daughters screamed behind him and his wife sat motionless, her face slack with grief or fear Kojo couldn't tell.
He heard himself demanding to know who threw the dung. The young Nico before him sputtered out an answer and the woman said nothing. Anger flared up in his chest and without another thought, he snapped the child's neck and tossed her aside.
King Kojo shook the memory off and stared down at the elves crouched before him, his gaze slid to the guards lining the edge of the room.
"Everyone out!"
Without a moment's hesitation, the guard filed out without a word closing the door quietly behind them. King Kojo turned back toward Nico and Sawyer.
"My father and the elves have been enemies for generations. When he issued the decree that dragons were to be killed on sight he figured that would keep your king silent." he sighed. "All it did, really was anger your king at the time. He made things worse by killing the King of the dragons."
King Kojo locked eyes with Nico. "The elves went on the attack, leaving almost nothing behind. I was just a kid when my mother was taken from me. Before, I believed that elves and humans could be friends. I even tried to convince my father so, but after the attack, I was changed."
Sawyer licked his lips. "You do understand that your father threatened our way of life, don't you?"
"If we had done the same to you, do you think you'd let us walk around free as a bird?" Nico hissed.
"You're right. We would have retaliated." King Kojo chuckled sadly. "I know this doesn't excuse my behavior for the past few years, but I am deeply sorry for how I and my people have hurt you."
Nico and Sawyer gawped up at him.
"Stand."
The elves stood, both had a good two inches on him. Kojo held out a hand. "If what you say is true and the Scavengers are back then I'll help you."
Nico took his hand and they shook on it. "Why would you do that?"
"Because it's what Ariana would've done." Kojo licked his lips. "But first I want to see my daughter. Please. I need to know If she's alright."
Sawyer opened his mouth to protest but Nico sighed. "You are aware that your daughter is carrying my child?"
"Yes. I don't approve but it's done."
"I was warned not to bring Kaya back because she's carrying the son of a Guardian." Nico swallowed. "But if I bring Kaya to see you will you do something for me in return?"
Kojo blinked. "A Guardian? You're a Guardian?!"
"A Guardian?" Sawyer exclaimed.
"I'll explain later." Nico cocked his head. "Will you do something in return for me?"
"What's that?"
"I want you to free all of the elves from servitude and give them the same rights as humans. They should be able to purchase a home, own stores, sell goods, among other things."
King Kojo furrowed his brows. "What?"
"If you want me to keep my end of the deal, if you want to see Kaya..please." Nico balled his hands into fists struggling to keep his emotion controlled. "Our people have suffered enough. It's the least you could do."
"Deal."
Sawyer blinked. "Wait. What?"
"Deal. I want to see my daughter. Besides you guys already did that for me by saving some from the mines, but I free the ones remaining." King Kojo nods. "My children are the most important thing to me. I'll make the announcement later today."