Chapter 36 （Erendriel）Do voices lie?
Chapter 36 (Erendriel)
Do voices lie?
E laine had been away with the prisoner for several days, and I still hadn’t heard from her. No matter. The voices were right. She was too powerful. I’d see to eliminate her if she came back.
I made my way to the mages’ tower, where I’d requested exclusive access to the laboratory. No mages were allowed anymore except one of the young apprentices I had selected. Jules had great potential. I had made him my assistant.
I opened the door and took a few steps past the spell books and alchemic materials. I always enjoyed the smell of herbs, but that wasn’t the reason for my visit.
A little further away, in the shadow of a corner, Jules was waiting for me, his blue eyes gleaming excitedly.
“So, what’s the result?” I asked.
Next to him was a cage with a strange creature. It was three feet tall and covered in fur. Its ears had shrunk to the point where only two openings on the top of its head were used for hearing. Its teeth were grotesque and sharp. One could still see a rune embedded in its chest, organic black tentacles protruding from it, invading the host.
“As you can see, we no longer recognize the rabbit at all, Your Majesty. I still have no idea of the creature’s longevity.”
I smiled, pleased with the result. “What about aggression?”
“It killed any animal we put in the same cage.”
“Good,” I commented. I might not have found information on the origin of the runes or the ancient civilization they came from, but the experiment was fruitful. They fused with the living being they were put into, creating a being far stronger than the original one. It seemed like a much better idea than creating living armor. I was curious to see what it would do to a magical being.
“We’re ready for the next stage of the experiment,” I announced. He smiled broadly.
“Of course! What do you want me to catch? A deer? A bear?”
“A magical being,” I answered.
“A fairy? Or a nymph perhaps, if a fairy is too small?”
But I shook my head. “An elf.”
Jules paused, forbidden. “But, with all due respect, it could kill him. ”
“Sometimes sacrifices need to be made,” I replied, dismissing his concern. “I’ll find you some volunteers,” I added eagerly.
The young elf looked uncertain. “I . . . I’m not sure we should,” he stammered.
He was young, and he needed to be shown how things worked. I moved closer, forcing him to look at me.
“Jules, let me make one thing clear. I’m the king, and it’s not your place to question my orders.”
The young mage’s eyes opened wide, and he nodded. “Of course, Your Majesty. I would never dare,” he answered quickly.
“Good, now prepare some cages to house our next residents. If you do well, you might even become a Grand Wizard one day.”
The young man straightened up. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
I left happy with the progress of the experiment, turning a rune in my pocket. I’d kept it with me, feeling better in its presence.
I met Mathias in the corridor as I went to the dining hall. “Your Majesty, I was looking for you.”
“What is it?” I asked.
“The vampires have celebrated your victory over the dwarves and have reiterated their collaboration with you.”
I nodded. I may not like them, but at least they kept to their words.
“But the humans and werewolves have declared they would never accept you as the ruler of dwarves. They have declared war.”
“Is that so?” I replied with annoyance. It was to be expected, but it didn’t scare me. Humans were weak, and so were werewolves.
“I will deal with them in due time,” I answered casually. With my experiments going on, I was eager for another war, one that would put my creatures to the test.
“I have other news too,” Mathias added as I sat at the table.
I looked at my chancellor, patiently waiting for him to speak. “I have found the girl, Emerald. Nathan’s vassal.”
I dropped my spoon at this news. “She’s in Ichoryllia,” he continued. “In a human slave shop.”
I wondered if this day could get any better. I had the intel to end Nathan and the threat he represented to the world.