Wait. What the f***? Did he just say grandchild? As in my grandpa? No, this has to be some twisted prank. Any second now, I'll wake up, and all of this will just be a weird dream.
"How can she save us if she doesn't even know the truth? And most importantly, he can't get his filthy hands on my grandchild. Not while I'm still breathing, I have to do this for all of us, you think it's easy for me to let her go without even introducing myself? The mountains will keep her safe, and besides, I'm sending Liam with her. They won't kill one of their own," the King said.
Well, well, well. Looks like I have some unfinished business with Grandpa.
I headed back "Sorry, but I need to speak with the King, privately." I turned to the robed man, who studied me for a long moment before nodding. He approached the King and whispered something in his ear. The King's eyes met mine, his lips pressing into a thin line.
It was hard to believe this man was my grandfather.
"You are all dismissed," the King commanded, his voice booming through the hall. Everyone scattered like cockroaches under a flashlight.
He turned back to me. "I was told you wished to see me."
I nodded, sparing a glance at the robed man. Wasn't this supposed to be private? The King must have picked up on my hesitation because he exchanged a look with the robed man, who bowed slightly before leaving us alone.
"You're my grandfather," I said flatly.
"You should know eavesdropping on the King's conversation is an act of treason," he replied, completely unfazed.
I ignored that. "You knew your daughter and granddaughter went missing, and you did nothing." My voice shook with anger. "You sent men to destroy my village. And now, you want to throw me into some bizarre suicide mission? What kind of grandfather does that?" By now, I was practically screaming. I mean, come on, this man had thrown me in a damn cell!
"And..."
"ENOUGH!" he roared. The earth trembled beneath my feet, and sheer survival instinct kept me from opening my mouth.
"Your mother abandoned her duty when she was supposed to ascend the throne, she made me look like a fool. She is no daughter of mine," he spat. "I even sent my trusted assassin to escort her safely to her home but she said she needed more time"
The king your father seeks your presence Slayer
"And my men didn't destroy your village. I only sent them to retrieve you."
I shrank under his piercing gaze but found enough courage to speak. "But she's missing." my voice soft
His expression softened for the first time, lost in thought before he refocused on me. "I know, and we will find her but first, we must ensure you are safe, safe from him."
"Who?" I asked.
His gaze darkened. "You will understand everything once you reach the mountains."
After the conversation, the robed man came to collect me. He led me through long hallways lined with intricate carvings. One, in particular, caught my eye, a golden and black etching of a kneeling woman, bow drawn, unwavering. Surrounding her were prophecies written in languages I couldn't even begin to decipher.
"That is Zhara," the man said, catching me staring. "And those are prophecies of old."
"What do they say?" I asked curiously.
Silence.
I sighed
No one is giving me answers
We arrived at our destination, beyond the doors lay an enormous supply station filled with tents, food, and way too many weapons.
"Are you guys assassins or something? I have never seen this many swords in my life."
The robed man ignored my comment and efficiently packed supplies for the journey. Meanwhile, I wandered toward the weapons section, eyeing each blade carefully. I had never used a sword before, but if I was going to die, I sure as hell wouldn't go down like a damsel in distress.