Shadows Over Arcadia Chapter 43: 42.5 The Favored Prince

Read chapter 43 of Shadows Over Arcadia by Zacheas on NovelPedia.

They say the second prince of Arcadia is a rare prodigy. That I'm kind to the weak and a force to be reckoned with. My name is Ren Drakemore. I’m eight years old, and one day I will be King. https://shadowsoverarcadia.com/api/storage/objects/uploads/94d9f12d-768f-4ec3-a12d-51b487be4617 "I’d kill for a hamburger right now," Ember the dragon groans, staring longingly into the metal bucket clasped in her foreclaws, which she’s using as a makeshift teacup. "Or ten." "What is a hamburger?" I ask, leaning on the railing as steam curls from my cup, carrying the soft scent of lavender and citrus. Willow, Jade, Ember, and I perch atop the scaffolding at the highest point of the half-built fortress. We came with Jade to oversee the latest mithril trade but decided to spend the night in the castle's skeletal frame above the kobold cave. "It’s grilled meat between bread," Ember says, tipping her tea bucket into her massive, razor-filled maw. As much liquid splashes into her mouth as spills onto the stone below. "So... a sandwich?" "Not sandwiches," Ember responds indignantly. "They have like... round meat patties." "So... round sandwiches?" I chuckle. "Ugh, no! You just don’t get it," Ember sighs with theatrical frustration. "Where are these round sandwiches from?" I ask dryly. "And how do you even know about them if you’ve lived here your whole life?" "Forget it," she grumbles, flopping back onto her tail and scowling at the ground. Despite her reptilian features, she’s clearly pouting, equal parts comical and oddly cute. I sigh and tilt my head back to the night sky. The full moon hangs above like a pale blue orb, casting its gentle glow over the rising castle, the stone canyon below, and the faces of my companions. Three years ago, I sat in another castle, in a place just like this, staring out at a world that had no place for me. But now, I have friends and powerful new allies. Griswald’s manor has become my second home, where I’m always welcome. "It’s beautiful, isn’t it?" "The moon is one of nature’s greatest beauties," Willow muses, stepping to my right. Behind us, I hear Jade whimper. I glance back to find her curled beneath a bit of scaffolding, looking anywhere but up. She’s been there since I coaxed her to join us. I’d hoped she might enjoy the view, if she’d just look. "You’re missing a wonderful view, Jade." "I don’t care!" she squeals, trembling as her little clawed hands clutch her head and her eyes squeeze shut. "I didn’t want to come up here in the first place!" "It’s perfectly..." I begin, just as the railing groans under Ember’s weight. "...safe." "I told you I don’t like heights!" Jade whines. She’s always preferred tight, enclosed spaces and avoids open skies or high places. It’s an annoying quirk I’ve been trying to help her outgrow, probably a product of growing up in a cave. "Please just take me down!" she whimpers. I sigh, watching her cower beneath the nearest bit of shelter, looking completely pitiful. Maybe I asked too much, too soon. Guilt tugs at my chest as I catch the shimmer of tears in her eyes. "Alright, I’ll take you down," Willow says coolly, her tone far too amused. "Just one drop." "Willow," I warn. "Deal! One drop is fine!" Jade cries desperately. "Just get me down from here!" Willow flashes a troubling smile, eyes glinting with mischief. If Jade’s eyes were open, she might have sensed the danger. With surprising gentleness, Willow swoops in and scoops up the scaly ball of anxiety. She carries Jade to the edge of the scaffolding near the steep stairs we climbed earlier. For a moment, it looks like she’s going to descend. Then, she pauses. "Willow." In a blink, Willow holds Jade out over the railing and lets go. Jade’s eyes snap open. She flails, clawing for Willow’s arm, but her hands pass through as if Willow were made of smoke. I see the scream forming on her lips a second before she vanishes from view. In stunned silence, I stare after her. Her shriek cuts through the night like a blade. Ember lu