In a hidden chamber within the depths of a castle, King Aelon stood surrounded by shadowy figures cloaked in dark robes. The air was thick with a sense of malice as he addressed them, his voice cold and commanding.
"Watch Jorren's house closely," he ordered, his eyes gleaming with ruthless intent. "If he makes a move, kill him. And as for Davos..." A cruel smile twisted his lips as he leaned closer to the hooded figures. "Kill him," he whispered, the words dripping with venom.
The figures bowed in silent agreement, their forms dissolving into the shadows, blending seamlessly with the darkness around them.
Meanwhile, under the cover of night, King Elric made his way to Jorren's house, determined to understand the situation and offer his help discreetly. However, upon arrival, he found the house eerily empty. Senses heightened, he detected the presence of unseen watchers lurking in the shadows.
"Come out," he commanded, his voice firm and resonant in the still night air.
In response, the hidden figures scattered, their movements swift and elusive. Determined not to let them escape, King Elric pursued them with swift strides, his sword drawn and ready.
With a burst of speed, he caught one of the figures, pressing his sword against their throat and pinning them against the cold stone wall. "Who sent you?" he demanded, his voice unwavering.
The figure remained silent, refusing to divulge any information. Frustration gnawed at King Elric, but before he could press further, the figure bit down on their own tongue, rendering themselves mute.
Enraged by their defiance, King Elric released the figure, watching as they slumped to the ground in pain. Though his interrogation yielded no answers, he remained resolute in his quest for the truth.
Meanwhile, Alysanne rode swiftly through the night, her heart heavy with worry for her husband and son. Doubt gnawed at her mind, questioning whether she had made the right decision to leave Jorren alone in his pursuit to rescue Davos.
As she traveled onward, her thoughts turned to the sword she had entrusted to Jorren, a weapon imbued with the power of the dragon god Valyrtia. Her father had recovered it, urging her to give it to Jorren when the time was right.
Now, as she rode towards safety, she couldn't help but wonder if this was the moment her father had foreseen.
King Elric stood over the fallen figure, his mind racing with questions. Where had they come from? Who had sent them? And most importantly, what were they planning?
Determined to uncover the truth, King Elric hoisted the figure over his shoulder and carried them back to his castle. He descended into the dungeons, where dim torchlight cast eerie shadows on the cold stone walls.
"Adelaide!" King Elric called out as he reached the dungeons. His wife, Adelaide, arrived swiftly, her demeanor calm and collected. She approached the fallen figure without fear, her eyes scanning their form with a practiced gaze.
"What happened here?" Adelaide inquired, her voice steady as she examined the figure's injuries.
"He needs healing," King Elric replied tersely, his tone betraying his urgency.
Adelaide wasted no time. With a gentle touch, she placed her hands on the figure's face, her magic flowing through her fingertips. As she removed the covers obscuring the figure's face, she recoiled in shock.
The figure's face was badly burnt, disfigured beyond recognition. Adelaide's brow furrowed in concentration as she focused her healing magic on the injured flesh. A bright green light emanated from her hands, enveloping the figure's face in a warm glow.
Slowly, miraculously, the burns began to heal. Skin regenerated, wounds closed, and the figure's features became whole once more. Adelaide's magic worked wonders, restoring the figure's face to its former state.
Just as Adelaide was about to complete the healing process, King Elric intervened, grasping the figure's mouth firmly to prevent them from speaking.
"What are you doing?" Adelaide questioned, surprised by her husband's sudden action.
"He's going to inflict harm upon himself again," King Elric explained grimly, his eyes betraying his concern.
King Elric turned back to the figure on the ground, his expression stern. Without hesitation, he brought the knife to the figure's ear and swiftly cut off a piece of it. The figure cried out in pain, but King Elric remained resolute.
"Who sent you?" King Elric demanded, his voice cold and unwavering.
The figure smirked, defiance gleaming in their eyes. King Elric repeated his question, his grip on the knife tightening.
Again, the figure remained silent, their smirk never faltering. King Elric let out a frustrated sigh and turned to Adelaide.
"Continue healing him," he instructed, his tone brooking no argument.
Adelaide complied, her hands glowing with healing magic once more. As the figure's ear began to heal, King Elric made another incision, this time cutting off a larger piece.
The figure screamed in agony, their resolve starting to crack. King Elric pressed on, cutting off another piece and then another, each time asking the same question.
Finally, unable to bear the pain any longer, the figure relented. "Okay, okay, it was King Aelon. He sent us," they confessed, their voice strained.
King Elric's eyes narrowed. "Why?" he demanded. "What reason could he have to send assassins after Jorren? It can't be just because of a petty fight between children."
The figure winced in pain, but their expression was one of truth. "That's all it was at first," they explained. "But then he found out that Jorren was the one who had the Valyrtia sword, passed down through his family for generations. He wants it back."