The Throned Crown

the nobility entertained themselves with blood sport. Aelric rode behind Cassiel and the o

weight on his shoulders. "Loyalty proved through fire..." What game

in patches of gold. The air was thick with the earthy scent of moss and the dist

against the vibrant greenery. He didn't look back at Ael

ide him, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I hear you'v

serve the crown," he replied eve

eful, General. Serving the crown and sur

ightened, but

ined hounds and weapons. Cassiel dismounted gracefully, his movements deliber

cunning," Cassiel began, his voice cutting through th

e intensity of his stare enoug

sturing to the hounds. "You

g the tension coiling in his ch

familiar in his grip. Aelric preferred blades-close,

as they picked up the scent of prey. The forest came alive with movement, th

his every step calculated. He could feel

he others. The underbrush grew thicker, the shadows da

growls low and menacing. Aelric froz

moved in t

in the dappled light. The creature snorted, p

charged, a blur of muscle and fury. Aelric waited until the last moment,

ueal before collapsing, the fo

spear, his chest heaving. But

p echoed b

el said, his voice

ainst a tree, a faint smile on his lips. He hadn't h

n," Cassiel continued, stepping clo

wned. "You

omething dark and dangerous. "The true test isn't

soldiers emerged from the trees

the clearing, his face bl

l announced, his to

to the ground. He scrambled to his knees, his voice hoa

lric. "This man betrayed the crown. Prove

the shadows stretching like claws. Aelric's

no longe

ic began carefully, "

Justice isn't served in darkness. It must be

ns blank. They would not intervene. This

ic, his hands clasped in supplic

unbearable. This was exactly what Cassiel want

his voice a whisper that

he said, his breath brushing against Ae

eyes meeting. In Cassiel's gaze, he saw

e, Aelric real

ing its breath as Aelric weighed his op

sobbed, his

tip of the spear hovered

ric spun, hurling the spear in

hness," Aelric said, his voice steady but

was death

dable. Then, to Aelric's shock, he laughed-a low,

assiel said, his smile re

. "Take the prisoner back

tion, hauling the trembling man

ce low. "You've intrigued me, General. Bu

ing. "Next time, disobedience wi

trode away, his presence leavin

aring, the echoes of the enco

d the prince's

uldn't shake the feeling that he had just stepped deeper