章 521: Times are Changing
Dania struggled against the satyr in vain. It was clear he had no intention of releasing her until his demands were met.
"Polymedes, let her go!" Mairwen squealed, unable to comprehend what the boatman was doing.
"I am a businessman. This woman is the commodity that everyone wants, and now I am in control of her." The satyr looked at the Princess unapologetically.
When Mairwen tried to step toward him, Polymedes squeezed Dania so tightly she gasped.
"That's close enough," he warned.
"I really hoped you had learned your lesson. But you have no loyalty, do you?" Alaron growled.
"Only to myself," Polymedes scoffed, "Same as you would if you were in my position."
Alaron gritted his teeth. Traitors in front of him and behind. And there he was, helpless.
But he was not the only one caught off guard. Taran, who had come all this way to retrieve the woman which he claimed to love, was now at a loss as well. Doubting that the other humans would hurt their friend, the nobleman had been confident in his advantage.
But the crazy look in the satyr's eyes and his interaction with the others made him less sure. Magical creatures were unfeeling, and Taran had no doubt that murder for Polymedes would not make him flinch. The corners of Taran's mouth turned down slightly before bounding up into a brilliant smile at the satyr.
"We seem to have gotten off on the wrong foot. I do not think we have been properly introduced. I am Sir Taran and I am only here to get back my stolen fiancée. If you will return her to me, my army and I will be on my way."
Polymedes gave his own pleasant grin. He was used to snakes trying to worm their way into a better deal. After all, he was one of those snakes himself.
"I thank you for clarifying, Sir Taran, but I am afraid I need a little more assurance of my safety than just your word. Make your creatures back up. Now."
"I will not lessen my circle. The ones with you are far too crafty and will take the slightest opportunity to escape with my love if given the chance. I intend to leave with Dania. I will not yield."
"And I intend to leave with my head still on my body. On that I will not yield," Polymedes countered. "So we seem to be at an impasse."
An abomination from the outer ring moved to Taran's side and whispered hurriedly into his master's ear. The nobleman frowned.
"It seems your minion has just told you about the reinforcements that the elves have coming. That little message ball does quick work. Very soon you will be surrounded like we are."
"Do you have a solution?" Taran eyed the satyr carefully. It was not often the man met someone quite so slippery as himself.
The satyr sighed. "I want safe passage out. But you are unwilling to meet my demands. And since I cannot trust your words, I think I shall just leave with the lady and let all of you fight it out. It is really in my best interest to remove myself from the situation before things get heated."
Polymedes pulled the woman toward the ice barrier. He seemed intent on living another day even at the expense of everyone else's lives.
Mairwen was torn. She could shoot the satyr and fell him easily enough, but there was no guarantee that she wouldn't whip up the abominations into a frenzy by spilling the blood. She also couldn't let the satyr abduct her friend. Yet here he was was, leaving with her.
Risking a nick on her throat, Dania called out over the crowd. "Stop! I have a solution."
Polymedes froze, very interested by this development. "By all means, my dear. Do enlighten us."
"If you will let me, I will go with Taran." Dania closed her eyes which had turned as grey as ash.
"You can't!" Mairwen argued. "Not after we worked so hard to free you!"
"My brother, Mairwen. He threatened my brother." Dania answered helplessly.
The princess froze. What would she do if one of her brothers were in trouble. The blue-eyed woman would do anything to keep them safe. She could not blame Dania for wanting to do the same. If Mairwen had known Jameson was being held, she would have made an effort to free him as well. But now it was too late.
"That's all well and good," Polymedes sneered. "But why in the world would I let you go if you are my ticket out of here?"
"Taran will never let you leave with me," Dania answered. "You see the lengths he has gone to. But if you let me go, I promise you will not be harmed. For if even a hair on any of these good people's head is harmed, including the satyr, I will destroy my lab and everything in it. Even if that means putting Jameson and myself at risk." Raising her voice to a commanding level, the scientist looked squarely at Taran. "I mean it."
Taran blew out his cheeks. It was not the first time the woman had bargained for the lives of others, but this was the first time she had threatened him. He furrowed his brow, "I already said I was not going to harm anyone, sweet Dania. You need not worry. However, I don't see the difference between my promise not to harm them and yours..."
"The difference is," Polymedes answered, "her, I believe."
He lowered the blade and released the woman with a gentle shove. Dania stumbled forward landing in the middle of the two rings. She looked up with grim determination.
The princess shifted her bow, now steadily aiming it at Taran's chest. "It is not too late. Don't go."
"I am sorry, Your Highness. I had hoped victory was in the bag, but it seems I was wrong. Forgive me."
Dania stood, brushed herself off and headed toward the shore. Nath and Lilith blocked her path. "What say you, Guardian?" The he-elf asked.
While the princess had expressed a desire, she had not given a command one way or the other. As the elven soldiers were allies of both the humans and the Fates, Nath looked to Alaron for the final word on the matter.
"Let her go. This is not a battle we can win." The cloaked man admitted defeat.
There were far too many of the enemy, and they were unprepared to fight a full-scale battle. The twins, Eira, and Renat had been able to fight a much larger group before, but without the wall of Oblivion to lift them to safety, they would not have been able to survive.
And those lizards had seemed untrained for battle. The ones currently surrounding them gave off far more confidence. They knew how to fight. So, even with the extra magical beings, their odds were just as bad if not worse than that fateful night.
"Well said, Guardian." Taran clapped his hands. "There is still time for you to join the proper side in this war. Same for you, Princess. Because you are the friend of my love, I will find you and your improved husband a quiet living where you will be well looked after. Because you have frustrated me, I am afraid Livie's offer to put you on the throne is off the table."
"I never wanted the throne." Mairwen gritted her teeth.
"Good, then no hard feelings. Consider my offer. It will not last forever." Taran turned a gracious smile on his fiancée. "My dear, it is time to go."
Dania nodded and shot one last look at the princess. "May we both uncloak the truth."
Mairwen wanted to tell the woman that she would not give up on her. That she would come up with a plan once the Emperor arrived. That she would make this right and rescue Jameson.
But saying any of those things would tip off Taran to their next moves. So the words passed unspoken between them.
"Till we will meet again," the princess gave an ancient blessing. She hoped deep down that that time would be very soon.
The woman with the mood-ring eyes gave a small smile. There was nothing more to say.
With permission from the Guardian, the elves parted for the woman to pass out of their midst. The lizards, knowing the master's will, also stepped aside until Dania reached the waiting arms of Taran.
With his strong grip, he hoisted her up like a new bride and took her back to the strange underboat. Then, after placing her feet on the top of the boat, Taran helped the scientist climb inside.
Taran sat on the rim of the hole and placed his legs inside before turning back to the shore. Looking at her with one eyebrow raised, he clicked his tongue. "Be careful of the company you keep, princess. Times are changing."
Mairwen looked away, too angry to respond. It was best she kept her mouth shut…at least until Taran was out of earshot.
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