As Ronan continued, Ger could almost see the events from earlier playing out...
Loraven scoffed at Ronan and Axel. "Am I a child? You tell me to stay here while my daughter is out there battling for her life?" She pushed past Evanna’s men. The Lyvarian Princess was already in different attire from her gown at dinner, and although she no longer had her swords, she managed to steal one from the armoury. The moment Thalinal touched her thigh and started making a pass at her, Loraven knew it wasn’t her friend.
The King was deeply in love with the former Queen, and although he might have sought pleasure from others, there had never been any affection. There never would be. She could already imagine the bored expression on his features after the deed was done. No, that man at dinner was not Thalinal. After hearing Evanna’s message, it was clear they needed to get rid of this Scarecrow.
Loraven left the chamber in search of a monster, her blade gleaming in the lights as she passed others by. They were all searching for Evanna, and she followed where the crowd was getting louder. They spoke of Evanna trying to assassinate their King.
"*Fools.*"
The moment Loraven appeared before Scarecrow, the guards turned on her. She was the ’traitor’s’ mother, after all. "*If I were you... I would lower your swords,*" she clipped, her ire directed at the imposter King. "*Unless you wish to fight me?*"
The guards glanced at each other. Everybody in the elven-fae and supernatural world knew who Loraven was: the Lost Lyvarian Princess, the rogue, the relentless, the warrior princess who saved her people countless times. Evanna was rivalled in her skills, but Loraven was almost Godly in comparison. They would surely perish facing this woman!
Loraven pointed her blade at Scarecrow, who was behind all of the guards, watching her. "*This is man is not Thalinal. If you have not comprehended that yet, then you are all imbeciles. Thalinal is a wise ruler, and if he had his powers...*" Loraven trailed off, smirking at the thinning line of Scarecrow’s lips. "*He would have taken Evanna and myself out in seconds.*"
This caused the guards to pause, considering her words. "*Where are the men from earlier as well? The ones who witnessed my daughter trying to ’assassinate’ this imposter King?*" Loraven waited, her gaze sweeping across everyone. "As I suspected... Scarecrow had them killed after they discovered who he really is."
The men and those around them started to murmur. Ronan and Axel began sneaking around them, ready in case anybody tried to attack Loraven. Although it was clear she didn’t need their help.
"Stand aside," Loraven commanded, her gaze locked on Scarecrow as she spoke to the elven guards. "I need to teach this creep a lesson."
Scarecrow smirked. "Me? A creep?" He flipped his hair with his hand, causing the firelight and starlight to twinkle along the pale strands.
That was all the public needed to realise this King was not Thalinal. The elven King may have been aware of his dashing good looks, but he had class and would never do such a thing. This King obviously wielded none.
"You tried to kill my daughter..." Loraven sauntered forward, smirking as the guards parted, moving aside and creating a clear path to their enemy. The closer she got, the darker her expression grew.
Nobody tried to harm her daughter, especially a creature who stole her best friend’s body. This thing was going to learn what it means to feel Loraven’s wrath!
Scarecrow made a mocking, sad face. "Boohoo... I also wanted her as my bride..." His lips then broadened into a smile, his eyes glimmering in amusement as he knew what would rile Loraven up. "What beautiful children we would make-"
In one powerful lunge, Loraven struck her sword down the middle of Scarecrow’s body. Despite its severe injuries that appeared fatal, the creature narrowly evaded the attack. Spinning around, Loraven’s sword sliced the air, and he flew backwards. Loraven rushed at him, and although he dodged many attacks, she managed to smack the hilt of her sword into his face. Scarecrow hissed and, with one smack, backhanded Loraven across the floor.
The creature started towards her until he saw the gathering crowd. The guards raised their swords and created a protective circle around the Lyvarian Princess. With this opportunity, Loraven swiftly regained her footing and advanced towards him. The guards, motivated to eliminate the imposter King, followed her lead.
Scarecrow observed the scene, his eyes widening as panic began to transform his features. His long snake-like forked tongue wiped the corner of his mouth where black blood began to tickle down from Loraven’s earlier strike. Realising the truth was exposed, he started to retreat, understanding that everyone now knew he was not Thalinal.
Scarecrow looked behind him before jumping through the open window. Loraven raced to the side of the hall and looked over the window ledge. All she could see were the gardens and the drop of the waterfall below them. Scarecrow was gone. She gritted her teeth, annoyed she did not finish that evil creature off.
"Then she assembled everyone before Prince Arawn returned!" Ronan finished his storytelling in awe of Princess Loraven.
Ger, on the other hand, was deep in thought, wondering why the creature didn’t try to use its powers on them. Ger concluded that there must have been limitations on his powers, like the amount of people he could control at once. There was also the part where he could no longer keep up a charade. Scarecrow is powerful but not enough to take down more than twenty elves.
"You give it a heroic spin, Roach. I simply scared him off," Loraven reflected. "I just hope he hasn’t encountered Evanna. Or, better yet, I hope he has. That way, my conscience is clear, and Thalinal’s murderer is dealt with."
Ger smirked at the confidence Loraven had in her daughter. After travelling on the road with Evanna, watching her grow and transform on her journey, they were all confident that if Scarecrow ever came face-to-face with Evanna again, he would not live for much longer.