Alf: (Hands spread on the table's edge) I won't say all paths.
They look at him, and he does the same at them.
Alf: The Enchantresses of the Red Valley must have scrolls of secret passages in and out of Elfland. If I'm not wrong.
Princess Raina: That is true. I'll request them from my mother.
Alf: (Gives a nod, standing upright) Then I'll lead our men through the pass—
Elflord: Certainly not! I will not send you to the battlefield.
Alf: (Hand pointed to the map) But father, with what's going on, it would be disastrous if he gets his hands on the Dark Gem. The Successors and I are the only chance to put an end to this—
Elflord: Wanton! I will not risk the lives of youngsters and our final hope of stopping that madman.
Alf: But kapa—
Elflord: (Palm raised) Enough! I will hear no more of this.
The Crown Prince places his hand on his temple in silent pain. Knowing the outcome, Raina and Balin hastily drag Alf along with them.
Duke Balin: Yes, Fædera. We'll keep quiet.
Princess Raina: Thank you for your wisdom, Your Majesty.
They instantly exit.
NOTE: "Kapa" in FõLa translates as "Father".
Elva: Your Majesty, have the properties been returned?
Elflord: Ah, my child, in three weeks they will be. The number of people you robbed is… considerable.
Elva: 😅 Well, I can contribute a hand, since I am the one responsible.
Elflord: No, no, no. Worry not. (Hand placed on the shoulder of his Commandant) Philip here is capable. He will be able to handle it.
Elva: This servant thanks His Majesty. I shall now take my leave.
The Elflord permits her with a nod, and she walks out of the room.
At the Royal Training Yard for Eldars, beneath a shed—
Princess Raina: So why don't we train for a while, to keep you from doing devious things?
Alf: (Forehead placed on opened palms) I don't want to.
Duke Balin: How do you expect him to listen? As stubborn as always.
The Crown Prince recalls a fact and exhales, putting his elbow on the gemstone table.
Alf: Heh, have you noticed too? If I'm not wrong, Elva seems the same as I.
Duke Balin: As in how?
Alf: Her characteristics sometimes resemble the Yang's.
Princess Raina: You have a point.
Elva: (Three meters from them, takes a seat) Really? Who gave you the privilege to talk about me 🙂 ?
Princess Raina: (Rolls her eyes) [She's here again.]
Alf: (Notices Raina's reaction and giggles)
Princess Raina: You know, sometimes I imagine that one to three of our Dragon Spirits are mixed up.
The statement makes the Duke freeze and stare at her. He remains calm, carefully secretive.
Duke Balin: Why would you think such a thing? It didn't happen, and it never will.
Swirling his cup elegantly, mischievous Alf moves his eyes toward Balin, who has sat opposite him.
Princess Raina: Alright, it was just a thought.
Alf: (Sneers, looking into his cup) But it can still—
Duke Balin: Alf?
Alf: Alright, it was just a thought.
The ruby bracelet worn on the slender wrist of Princess Raina beams.
Princess Raina: My mother requests me.
Duke Balin: See you later.
Princess Raina: 🙂 (Looks at Alf) Crown Prince of Edhel-Ambar, do not think of doing anything troublesome until I return. Got it?
Alf: Yea, I've heard you.
Raina disappears into her bracelet, and it vanishes.
Elva: Oof, royal life is so boring. Let's play a game.
Alf: (On his feet) Not interested 😐.
Elva: Uhh… (as Alf walks away) Tut, boring boy. (To Balin) Can you please teach this junior that thing you and Pretty Boy usually do?
Duke Balin: 🤨 What for?
Elva: I don't know, just for cases of need 😁.
Duke Balin: (Exhales) Maybe. But may I advise you on something?
Elva: What is it?
Duke Balin: Next time, if you notice you're struggling to connect with your Dragon Spirit, then just stop. It's for your own good.
His words align with his motion of standing up and walking off.
Elva: Hm 🤨 ? … Hey, wait up.
At Bob's shop—
Bob: I cannot believe that sneaky elf was His Highness. They almost made me lose my tavern.
Elva: (Exhales) Well, he's acting so innocent and timid. Cunning 😏.
Bob: Which is to say, that night you could have lipped with the Crown Prince.
Elva: Do you think I would have really allowed him to?
Bob: (Shakes head).
Elva: Anyways, dusk has drawn near. I shouldn't be late for dinner.
Bob: Lucky you.
Elva: Precisely 😉.
On the eve of the day, in the War Tactics Chamber—
Royal Commandant: But Your Majesty, I would have also considered that the Lókï Vessels lead the way.
The Elflord, troubled as he is, lets out a sigh, his hands at his back.
Elflord: I know, Philip. I myself would have suggested so, but I can't ask that of their lives. I promised Skyer to take care of his daughter, and of my younger brother, his son. Raina is the heiress of the Red Elven Enchantresses and— (Balin, passing by the room, eavesdrops) —Alf's Essence is needed in this world.
Royal Commandant: T—
Elflord: No one, or whatsoever, can make me change my decision.
The eyes of Duke Balin move to the side, and he walks off. The thoughtful Duke walks toward the balcony, his forearms resting on the railing. But just then, the torch fire at his right flickers and goes out. A smooth, soft exhale flows by, and a shadow emerges from the dim light reflected from the moon on the wall.
Hans (spirit): (Hovering beside Balin) What's bothering you?
---
HANS FŪB'BÕKUS