HERE'S THE NEXT CHAPTER WITH A LITTLE MEDIEVAL TWIST
Princess Raina: (low voice) Why dost thou say so?
Madame Raphaela: Was not the late Emperor first discovered to have been stabbed with a shorter object?
Princess Raina: Aye, he was.
Madame Raphaela: Xàr je. Yet when His Late Majesty was first struck, I too was assailed—by one of mine own side.
Princess Raina: Pæk? Why didst thou not report this to the Ministers of Imperial Court Crime?
NOTE: Xàr je {FõLa} = "Very good" | Pæk {FõLa} = "What"
Madame Raphaela: I felt the Emperor's spirit cry out for aid, yet I was powerless to shield him.
Princess Raina: This Bias Elf surely hath allies.
Madame Raphaela: Mm. (Gazes keenly) And but a moment ago, I felt it—the Bias Energy. 'Tis near.
Princess Raina is taken aback.
Madame Raphaela: Heiress Shaman, the Elflord is thine to protect. Guard him well. Trust no creature, nor soul.
Princess Raina: Aye, Mother. I shall obey.
Raina steps into the passage, which seals behind her as though it had never been. The four youths now stand within a windy desert. Princess Raina takes the lead, the Map of Sacred Leads suspended before her.
Princess Raina: (halts) This is the place.
She channels power from her Shaman Bracelet, opening a path in the desert sands. Elva peers into the pit with curiosity, while the others shift their muses into plaques.
Princess Raina: I shall go ahead, to make certain all is clear. (Notices Elva about to leap) What art thou doing?! Canst thou not let me finish mine utterance ere thou dive?
Elva plunges into the opening. But lo! The labyrinth twists—turning the very world upside down, leaving Elva awkwardly inverted upon her head.
Elva: Ow. (Rubs her head) Hsh.
Princess Raina: Art thou daft 💢🔥?! I said—Aah!
Raina herself stumbles and falls into the pit, landing likewise upon her head.
Princess Raina: (rubbing her wrist) Ouch.
Elva reaches out to help, but Raina disdainfully slaps her hand away.
Elva: 🤨 🤷 (Looks up) Jump in with thy head.
Alf and Balin exchange glances. Alf lifts Raina to her feet as Balin lands gently beside them.
Elva: (peering ahead) 'Tis dark. That may prove troublesome.
Alf: I believe not.
Princess Raina: We need only light. Lady Elva, canst thou not summon fire to guide our path?
Elva: And dost thou not comprehend? That is the trouble—I am not yet able to conjure flame...
Princess Raina: (turns away) Useless.
As Elva clenches her fists, Alf raises his right hand calmly.
Alf: Then I shall attempt a Water Light to lead our steps.
He tilts his head back, draws breath, and releases it upon his open palm. A shimmering droplet forms. When he opens his hand again, the droplet now bears a pair of gleaming, adorable eyes.
Duke Balin: (bending to pet it gently) Aren't thou a darling?
The Water Light wobbles with delight.
Alf: (carefully) Steady now...
Duke Balin: 🙌 😅 Forgive me.
Princess Raina: (with pride) As expected of a Draga.
Elva: 🙄 (mutters mockingly in mimicry of Raina)
Alf takes the lead, and the others follow. After some time wandering through the dim corridors...
Alf: Raina, I pray thee, check thy map again. Methinks we tread in circles.
Princess Raina: (surveying their surroundings) Would that I could. Alas, mine unstable abilities hinder its use. The map revealeth its full truth only under broad light...
Duke Balin: Wait... do mine eyes deceive me—or doth the path grow shallow ahead?
Alf: I sense it as well.
He directs the Water Light to the right—wherein they behold the skeleton of an elf. All but Elva recoil in revulsion.
Elva crouches to inspect another set of bones near the first.
Elva: 'Twas an Elven Knight—by the Essence Mark upon his arm-bone.
Meanwhile, Raina feels her arm brush against a foul, viscous substance. She withdraws in disgust.
Princess Raina: 🤢 What in nature's name is this?
The Water Light reveals a slimy trail clinging to the wall. Alf takes a sample, smoothing it between his fingertips.
Alf: This is the saliva of... 😳 the Zhorlyn. It hath passed this way...
A fresh drop splashes down from above.
Alf: (gazing upward with the others) Or perhaps... it lingereth still?
The Zhorlyn lets loose a fearsome roar! The four youths take flight without a second's thought—screaming, arms flailing in frantic haste. Elva, swiftest among them, leads the charge, yet the Zhorlyn twins give chase with relentless speed.
Duke Balin: It draweth near!!
Elva, in panic, backs away from the dead end and summons flame into a globe.
Elva: Aah!
She hurls the fire at the wall—revealing a verdant forest beyond. They escape through the passage, and without pause, Balin draws lightning from his fingertips and seals the entry behind them.
Elva collapses onto the grass, Raina reclines upon a rock, Alf kneels gasping, and Balin leans on a tree trunk, all panting heavily.
Alf: (gulping air) We must continue on...
Alf and Raina step forward. But what of Elva? None hath yet thanked her for their deliverance. Duke Balin approaches her, extending his hand. She hesitates—then accepts it.
Duke Balin: Thank thee. 🙂 Thou didst well.
Elva: 😳 😊
She grins at him, and together they all press onward int
o the forestland.
---
NOTE: Zhorlyn is FõLa for a mystical dweller.
---
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU LOVE THIS MEDIEVAL TWIST.