163 Saving the Elf Princess: A Soldiers Duty (1/2)
VOLUME 2
CHAPTER 163
Everyone was quiet. No one knew what action to take next. Suddenly one of them spoke up.
”Search around, there must be a vial somewhere. We cannot give up hope,” Aelfdene announced.
He turned his gaze back to Avery and then Callum. ”Take care of her. The rest of us would search the vicinity for the antidote.”
”Yes, General.”
”General, Sir. I found one.”
They looked at the direction where the voice came from. A small figure could be seen from far back in the trees. His hands waving as he ran towards them.
”Thank goodness.”
Within a minute, the soldier was already in front of them, with the vial in his hand. Cleon moved first and took it from the soldier.
The soldier hesitated at first before giving it to him. Cleon could sense that he was fighting with himself inside as he realized the vial into his outstretched arm.
”What is causing the wait? Princess Avery's life is in danger,” Aelfdene called out.
Cleon raised his hand in the air and Aelfdene refrained from speaking further. Rather he moved forward to see what was causing the delay.
”What bothers you, soldier?”
”A comrade was pierced with the poisonous arrows.”
”How come? The arrows were deflected.”
”When the hybrid pushed them off with her powers, he fell on a quilt and an arrow pierced him.”
”When the arrows were deflected, an arrow grazed his arm and the poison got in,” the soldier explained.
Aelfdene could see the conflict in Cleon's eyes. He was faced with making a serious decision. Either save the soldier or save the princess.
”Cleon!”
”I know. A soldier's duty is to his country and the rulers. And the ones ruling the country are the royals. All soldiers would lay down their life for the royal family,” he muttered to himself but Aelfdene heard him quite well.
”Give the vial to the soldier,” Avery's raspy voice was heard from behind them.
Aelfdene and Cleon turned around at once to look at her. She had a weary smile on her face as she held their gaze.
”Princess Avery, you need this vial as well.”
”It is my decision, General Cleon. His life is precious. He has been injured far longer than I was. I can still journey.”
”His Majesty would have our heads if anything were to happen to you,' Flynn said through gritted teeth. ”Please, Your Highness.”
”How about we split the antidote?” Everyone's head turned to the one who spoke.
It was Callum. Out of everyone, he wanted the Princess and soldier to live the most.
”But the antidote wouldn't be effective.”
It was Lieutenant Flynn who spoke next. Callum looked up at his senior Lieutenant and replied.
”With all due respect sir, although that is true, it would do a magnificent job slowing down the spread of the poison or both parties till we get back.”
”Fine. If there is a way to save both parties, then let us do that. It is all up to Her Highness.”
”Alright then,” Avery replied them.
Cleon moved closer and knelt down beside Avery. She opened her mouth a little bit and he emptied half of its content in her mouth.
Avery swallowed and gave a slight nod to the Commander. He smiled at her and got up. He moved over to the soldier and gave him the vial containing what was left of the antidote.
”Thank you, General, thank you, Princess,” the soldier thanked them and ran off in the opposite direction, where the injured soldier laid.
By now, only a few soldiers were left guarding the princess. All the others had joined in the search for the hybrid and the traitor.
”We need to get Her Highness back to the palace now,” Cleon said and turned around, moving close to the Princess.
”Alright. No time to waste. These soldiers would go with you. Lieutenant Flynn and I would join the others in the search.”
Aelfdene and Cleon looked at each other intensely. It was as though their eyes did all the communication. After some seconds they both nodded and turned away from each other.