Heart Over Sword-Chapter 280: Return to Dunhurst (2)

The closer Ger flew towards the palace and the village of Reigh, the more the group could hear the streets becoming chaotic with screams about the dragon flying above them. The walls surrounding the palace and the village had archers already aiming at the creature. But no arrow could pierce his scaley skin.

The group of humans and elves, though, did shield themselves in case they were hit by an arrow. Ger flew confidently, and after circling the area, he found the perfect spot to lower himself and the group down to. Now flapping his wings above the palace, Ger’s claws reached out and grasped the high walls, lowering his neck as he said, "Climb off. Be quick. The arrows do not hurt, but they are annoying."

Evanna and Arawn were the first to stand and balance on the top of his neck. She wanted to be the first to greet the army of knights that were starting to surround them. Once they saw their princess, they could call everyone off Ger and her friends. Instead of sliding off like she was going to, Arawn wrapped his arm around her waist and stepped off to the side as though the drop from this height was nothing.

Arawn used some of his magic to allow their drop to slow, as though they were floating down like a leaf from a tree in autumn. Evanna squeezed Arawn’s hand before stepping toward the guards and shouting commands. As the princess stepped forward, Garrett slid along Ger’s elongated neck and side-flipped off the scales and to the ground. This was followed up by Axel and Ronan, who lost their balance, fell off the dragon, and groaned upon landing on the ground at odd positions.

Garrett rolled his eyes, and they rolled their eyes at his acrobatic feat.

"State your business or be shot!" One of the guards shouted. It was clear he wasn’t paying attention to who was approaching them; his eyes were fixated on the dragon and the men hopping off the creature.

The guards aimed their weapons forward, still wary of the dragon. But a low rumbling noise that made the brickwork vibrate distracted them momentarily as the folk of Dunhurst, of the small village of Reigh and the palace, saw their first glimpse of magic. The dragon- a mythical creature to have never existed- transformed into a young man on the grass of the training grounds.

Silence ensued as the guards gaped at what they’d just witnessed. Their hands shook with their weapons, unsure about what to do next.

"I am Princess Evanna Goodrich. I have returned home and have brought with me some distinguished guests," Evanna said calmly, her voice loud enough for all to hear.

The moment her name left her lips, chatter erupted across the men, and their weapons either lowered or shook between lowering and remaining pointed towards the group that had descended upon them on a dragon.

"Your Highness?!"

Evanna smiled gently at the sound of a man’s voice she hadn’t heard in months. Sir Hugh pushed through the guards. "Cast down your weapons at once!" He commanded, his voice thunderous. The men sheathed their swords and lowered to one knee, instantly bowing their heads.

There was a sharp bitterness on Evanna’s tongue, noticing the men following Sir Hugh’s orders but not their princess’. She swiftly swallowed it down, though, aware that they were in shock with the dragon and a group of humans and elves jumping off it before the creature transformed into a man.

"Sir Hugh," Evanna greeted, strolling forward like she hadn’t sneaked out of the palace some months ago and ventured off to find a cure for her mother.

The king’s right hand marched towards Evanna, his eyes casting a glance towards her company before surprisingly tearing up and bowing his head, his fist against his chest. "It is great to see you return, Princess Evanna. We have missed you dearly," he responds, his voice full of emotions she never expected from a man known to be so upright, stiff, and stony.

"Evanna?" At his voice, Evanna stilled; her heart rate spiked, and her eyes moved to the king, pushing aside some of the men. The man she’d always known as father looked at her with such concern, his eyes not once flicking to those behind her. King Osian was obviously aware of a dragon ’attacking the grounds’, but his eyes remained on Evanna.

"By the gods, it is you! Evanna!" Osian couldn’t believe his eyes upon seeing his daughter there, alive and healthy. The closer he made it to Evanna, the more he could see she had matured in such a short time.

Evanna was eighteen now, and though she was as stunning as her mother, still young and vibrant, there was a slight edge to those once innocent green eyes. Whatever Evanna had been through since leaving home had burst through the walls of her young mind.

Before Evanna could bow her head in greeting, the king smacked into her, embracing her tightly. She could hear his heart thudding wildly in his chest. "My daughter has returned," he whispered, bringing tears to her eyes.

Yes. This is my father. There was much Evanna wanted to ask and talk to the king about, but this was neither the place nor time and her mother was a priority.

Osian pulled back, his hands on Evanna’s shoulders, arms outstretched as his eyes swept over her quickly, and the happy expression slowly turned down, his eyebrows knitting together. "We will have a little chat later about what you did. For now, I am just pleased to see you safe." His eyes drew past Evanna, finally taking in who she had accompanied her back to the palace. His brows furrowed further, and she knew he was more displeased.

"We do need to have a chat, Father," Evanna said, bringing his attention back to her. "But first, I will introduce you to my comrades and distinguished guests who will be treated with the utmost respect." She glared at any nearby who were already looking at her friends like they were dirt. "Then I shall see Mother."

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