Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 119158 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119158 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
The only sparks of color in the entire city came from the garments of the citizens and the occasional window boxes overflowing with bright flowers. So very odd. Elves were supposed to be creatures that embraced nature and were in harmony with it, but in Ulmenor, it was as though the elves wanted the cold precision of stone. Living nature had to be corralled and controlled in boxes. I wanted to ask Nylian about it, but since Galinaes elves surrounded us at all times, I was afraid they might see my questions as rude. I’d have to save them for later when we were out of this town.
Around midday, I caught Nylian’s eye. The day was wearing away, and so were we. The guards and servants had left us with little breathing room all morning. It was time to do something drastic, like set a store on fire. Some smoke and chaos would work wonders at creating an opening for us to escape. And I knew the spot to do it in.
“Your Highness,” I said as I sidled up close to Nylian, “you had mentioned wanting to work on your memoirs soon. Would you like to pop into that stationery store to acquire a new quill and ink? Maybe some new wax as well?”
Nylian stared at me for a couple of heartbeats as if he were trying to figure out whether I’d lost my mind or if I’d actually had a purpose in suggesting this strangeness. In the end, he gave the tiniest nod of his head and led the way to the shop across the street. The reason I’d picked it was because of its relative smallness. A glance through the window revealed it was a tiny place with many shelves displaying their wares. That meant all the servants and guards would have to wait outside or risk being in the prince’s way. Not to mention, a stationery shop would have many things that burned.
We had just reached the stone stairs leading up to the front door when a massive explosion rocked the entire city, sending Nylian crashing into my arms off the second stair. I caught him and held him close as I stumbled to the side, struggling to regain my balance. My ears were ringing, and my heart even felt off-kilter from the blast. Stone and roof tiles crashed to the sidewalk, and people everywhere screamed as they ran.
“What the hell was that?” I muttered as I got both feet under me.
Nylian turned his face toward mine and whispered into my ear. “Why do I feel like that was Jasper?”
Gods help Ulmenor if that was the wizard-in-training. If he’d attempted a spell that big and failed, something had to be terribly wrong. It would be a shock if he were still alive.
Even if it wasn’t, this was a unique opportunity. The guards were already closing in on us, and one of them was shouting for the carriage to take us to the palace. The window was sliding shut before our eyes.
“I think it’s our duty to help the citizens of Ulmenor. To make sure everyone is safe,” I said, raising my voice amid the clanging alarm bells and screams of the people.
“You’re right, my precious pet. We must help.” Nylian squeezed my hand as he slipped out of my grasp. He turned to the nearest palace guard and pointed at the pillar of black smoke that was rising into the sky. It was moving in front of the sun, darkening the city. “We must go assist the citizens and help the injured.”
The guard paled and swallowed hard, his eyes turning into giant saucers in his face. “But-but-but, Your Highness, it isn’t safe for you out here. We must get you to the palace immediately. There are ample people to help the citizens of Ulmenor.”
“Those emergency workers are a far distance off, and it looks like we are only a couple of blocks away. We can at least offer assistance until they arrive.” Nylian lifted his chin and puffed up his chest a bit. “We are going.”
Without another word, Nylian took off, jogging in the direction of the smoke and chaos, not giving the guards or servants a chance to argue. I stuck close to his heels, one hand resting on my waist where I had a dagger hidden under my cloak. If I were lucky, I wouldn’t have to draw it against one of these palace guards, but I was ready if it was necessary. Nylian and I were getting out of here today.
As we crossed one block and rounded the second, we hit more people fleeing the chaos. Soot covered their faces and several had bleeding scratches on their faces and arms, caused by flying debris and broken glass. I shifted even closer to Nylian, unsure if he would take this chance to disappear into the crowd, but he kept hurrying toward the fire.