16. Leaving The Elf Empire
The main castle was centered in the citadel which was located at the very heart of the kingdom that was called the elf empire. It was located on the continent Alora.
Twenty percent of the continent was the territory of beast people aside from the land occupied by the elves a great forty percent was the natural expanse of the continent.
As the carriage moved slowly across the long winding roads of the castle settings, Eryndor who out of boredom looked out of the window noticed for the first time the expanse of his father's kingdom. The beautiful four cornered buildings, it looked just like buildings depicted in medievals times only with more grander structures. The architecture of the elves could clearly be seen in the layering of the blocks, the pillars, the paints.
In everywhere he looked the entire kingdom resonated of culture, life and colour, he wondered why he had never noticed this before.
He cursed himself internally. "You idiot, you have been living in a magical world for so long and all you did was play pranks like a spoiled child. If you had looked at the people looking up to you then you might have used your damn head and avoided all this."
It seemed at every turn his mind thought of ways to make him feel worse than he already did and he allowed it. He had pampered himself for too long, he needed to be harsh with himself on the truth of the matter. He had almost wasted his second chance in life.
As they left the huge gates of the kingdom he felt a lump in his throat, opposite him in the carriage sat Thalor the captain of the guards, his grey hair well braided, his gentle green eyes occasionally looking at the young prince but saying nothing. His silver armour covered his hulking frame and barely leaving an opening. He had a kind face having been one of the very few who still sympathised with the young prince.
Hours passed and the massive walls of his kingdom was now a small lump in the distance. The carriage now transversed a path in an open clearing, the four huge mountain horses thundering at amazing speed. They were now picking speed, the trees went by like a blur, these horses were not normal horses but a special breed of horses that were exclusive to the royal elf family due to their rarity.
The holy thunder horses they were called raced on with pride.
Seeing his kingdom, his home disappear from view. Eryndor slumped down into his seat and gave a deep sigh. To keep himself from crying or contemplating on what had been he chose to distract his thoughts by thinking on what he would do now.
How much did he know about his uncle Thalvarin aside from the fact that he had only met him when he was born. If his baby memory served him right which it did not, he could not even remember his face. Due to his playfulness as a child he never really asked about other family members.
The only person that had ever mentioned about his estranged uncle was Elantha, she was always interested in people that caught her eye.
"Oh uncle Thalvarin is a beast, I heard he eats young elves for breakfast. Naughty kids though, one time he ate a whole dozen of them." She had told him once as a kid.
At another time she had said. "Uncle Thalvarin once tried to kill dad, that's why they separated. I hear they have a blood feud going on."
There was a time she once said. "Uncle Thalvarin is much worse than a demon. He can haunt you in your dreams."
A majority of those tales might have been concocted to scare Eryndor when he was younger but that did not stop him from quaking in his boots at the moment. To shake off the thoughts from his head, he shook his head— literally.
Thalor looked over at him noticing his young lord's change in mood. Instead of ignoring him this time he actually spoke to him. "Young lord, are you fine?"
Eryndor recalled that he was not the only person in the carriage and gasped before raising his head and glancing over at the muscular guard. "I will let you be the judge of that." He sounded impulsive in his defense.
The guard's lips broke off in a wide grin, Eryndor wondered what he was grinning for. "I have always admired your strong mindset, young lord. I hear lord Thalvarin was once a great hero of the realm."
"Oh did you now?" Eryndor thought to himself.
["You're doing surprisingly well."] The voice in his left eye finally spoke for the first time since he had left the elf empire magnificent walls.
Eryndor responded openly. "You're one to talk."
Thinking that he was the one being addressed to the captain of the royal guards spoke in his defense. "I apologize if I have offended the young lord. I merely wanted to ease the stress."
["Just because I keep quiet does not mean I am not paying attention"]
The master spoke harshly to his unruly disciple.
Eryndor hissed back at his master again openly. "Who the hell asked you to butt into my business in the first place?"
Eryndor was gritting his teeth when he noticed Thalor staring at him with a face white with fear, he had assumed that his young lord had sparked at him. Realising his mistake Eryndor proceeded to explain himself.
"Oh Thalor, I'm so sorry. I was agitated, you know a lot on my head." He chuckled nervously as he scratched the back of his head. Of course he could not tell his guard that he was talking to an ancient entity that had come to inhabit his left eye due to his poor life choices.
Now that was crazy talk.
Thalor seemed to be understanding and spoke in a calm manner. "I hear he's also a powerful mage, and a great teacher too."
Eryndor relaxed himself not wanting to take out his frustration on the easy going guard. He formed a weak smile against his will. "Just how many of his students have become great warriors then?"
Thalor stroke his chin and thought long and hard before saying. "Um, none. Now that I think about it, no one has ever come back from his teaching. Or not that I've heard of and trust me I hear everything."
His proud master was the first to speak and he did not sound pleased:
["Kid kill this bastard!"]
Eryndor fumes at the unsuspecting guard. "You nitwit just how the hell does this calm me down. Did my dad really send me out there to die? Just what is wrong with all of you, and you!"
Thalor started to laugh unable to control himself any longer, infuriating the young prince even more.
"You stop laughing, I command you this instant. This is not funny." Eryndor wailed.
The time till he would reach his uncle's dwelling was still far ahead but for now the carriage would be less quiet for a while.