Prince Vitar's Point of View

Capital of Vithari - Dwardew

Unknown Time

“What do you mean it’s Lestrania that’s attacking us?” I demanded.

Tart gestured to the Druid Elder. “As Lady Turiel stated, we believe Lestrania is the one behind this attack.”

Her greens clashed heavily with our duller rocks in the meeting room. “Explain. Please.” I told the Druid.

A few vines lifted from her as a flower appeared from the tips once they intertwined. Images started to flash as it bloomed, and pollen lifted into the air. Almost like watching the events unfold right before me, people floated about in a collection of yellow dust.

“Why the masks?” I inquired. “And the cloaks?” Crossing my arms as the images eventually came to a stop, I turned to the room. “None of this makes sense.”

“Lestrania is the only force capable of the magic being performed and consists of Humans, Zugal, and Elves.” Tart stated.

“Lestrania has never used magic like this. Their teleportation is convenient at best.” Lady Turiel pointed out. “The use of masks and cloaks elude me. However, there is something helping this group. Something far more vile. The forest shudders at the feel of it.”

Shaking my head in disbelief, I rested my hands on the table. “How did it come to this…”

Dwar put a hand on my shoulder. “All is not lost, my Prince.”

“King.” Tart corrected him.

Holding up my hand, I silenced the two before they could start. “There has been no ceremony, and until I see my father’s body before my eyes, there won’t be.” Both nodded. “If this is truly Lestrania behind this attack, my mother is likely dead or a hostage, but Lestrania has nothing to gain from this.”

My advisor quickly jumped to correct me. “Not necessarily. They may have a goal that we would know nothing about.”

Quirking a brow at him, I replied. “A goal that requires attacking us in the Northern Forests?” Tapping my finger on the table as everyone went silent left the room with an uneasy atmosphere.

“Lestrania has the Priestesses.” Dwar commented. “Their magic is powerful enough to perform these acts. Given their age, this might be within the realm of possibility.”

“But it still does little to explain the creature that pushed us out of our home.” The Druid shot back. “A being so vile that it makes me sick just remembering.”

Lady Turiel seemed lost in thought. “Is something on your mind, my Lady?”

The Druid sighed. “I have not been completely honest.” At my gesture, she continued. “This… Creature is responsible for driving us out. Holding the ‘Lestranians’ back would be simple given we were in our home.”

“This creature you speak of is that powerful?” I questioned.

“It killed all the other Elders during our meeting. We were discussing how we should proceed. I suggested seeking refuge here. Others were not so easily convinced. Maybe if they had been, it wouldn’t be just me sitting here.” Lady Turiel explained. “Whatever it is, it’s dark and powerful enough to ignore our magic.”

“Unless the Priestesses are dead, I doubt they would work with such a creature.” I added. “My mother and father both told me that they were well respected, fair rulers, whose magic was beautiful. This sounds darker.”

Dwar was the one who spoke softly. “Maybe the prince is right, and it isn’t Lestrania. Maybe it’s someone who wants us to think it’s Lestrania?”

Tart scowled. “What manner of force could imitate the Lestranians to such a degree? No one has the numbers or magic.”

Turiel’s vines moved stiffly. “Not necessarily. Did the Demons of old not employ our own kind against us?” The Druid stated.

Scoffing, Tart raised a brow. “You think the Demon Horde is moving in force and have decided to target us? Who would even be able to command such a force among the Demons?”

She shrugged. “I know not. However, it seems more plausible when you think of the creature that attacked us.”

“Ah, yes.” Tart rolled his eyes and spoke sarcastically. “The creature! How terrifying it must’ve been.” Then he turned to me. “Or, she doesn’t want to admit that they were overrun with numbers.”

“Do you even realize the numbers that had been moved into our forests?” She asked back. “Tens of thousands.”

I felt a chill go down my spine. “That many?” One of my soldiers broke into the room with a Druid.

“My Prince!”

“Elder!”