The Forsaken Hero

The hall fell silent as the voice cut through the air, loud enough to be heard yet not so somehow soft enough to sound sincere. I ducked, refusing to meet the eyes of the speaker. I didn’t need to see his expression to know of the scorn and hatred in the second prince’s eyes.

Alric stiffened, turning his shoulder to look at Prince Vorinth. Somehow, he kept his face calm and voice even. "Ah, brother. I heard you weren’t going to attend tonight. What a pleasant surprise. Although his words sounded friendly, no one mistook them as such.

"Unlike many of you," Vorinth’s eyes swept the hall, "I have urgent matters to attend to. The darkness descends upon our lands, and people look for strength and hope. As prince of Radia, it is my duty to grant that security and pave the way for prosperity. I have little time to attend such frivolous gatherings."

Any lingering conversations died off as he spoke, and all eyes fastened on the two princes. The clergy remained silent out of respect for their titles, but the noble’s watched intently. I realized most of them were from Radia itself, meaning they were personally invested in the struggle between their leaders.

Alric chuckled, a casualness contradicted by the tautness of his shoulders. His chair scraped across the ground as he stood, fully facing the second prince. "And yet, here you are."

"Having obtained a rare moment of leisure, I decided to spend it here, among those who serve our people as I do. But imagine my surprise to find you cuddling up with the very thing bent on destroying our world, the very darkness we are sworn to fight.

Somehow, without even saying my name, Vorinth managed to lay the weight of the contention on my shoulders. I turned red, gripping my dress in my hands, as countless eyes followed his accusations and fastened on me. Unable to handle their gaze, I dropped my gaze, looking at the floor until a metallic ring rent the air.

Harsh whispers rolled around the hall as Alric drew his sword, the decorative handle held in white knuckles. "What are you trying to say, Vorinth? You dare accuse me of consorting with demons? "

Alric backed up, the smug smile on his lips tugging ever higher. "So hasty, brother. I ’d never lay that charge upon you. Although, I heard a rather worrisome rumor... Is it true that you’re responsible for allowing the Sun Hero to bring her here in the first place?"

Alric’s grip on his sword tightened, his silence everything the nobles needed to launch into a new round of gossip.

"Alric, surely you see how this looks? Even if its all just baseless rumors, can the people really trust someone so intimate with demons?" As he laid bare the accusation, Vorinth’s eyes darted around the room, glinting deviously as he weighed the reactions of the nobles. "To think even the glorious church has remained silent with this filthy sluts presence. As a true follower of the gods and prince of the people, I can’t remain blind to something so vile."

I paled as he turned a viciously pointed finger at me and released his aura. I gasped for breath, his might constricting my lungs and freezing my muscles. "I won’t tolerate your presence any longer. Leave these holy halls, demon," he said coldly. His voice was neither a shout nor a whisper, but rang through the banquet hall.