Melinir is Banished

Melinir and Nystar turned to leave their balcony, they entered the hallway that led to the White Hall.

Ardella passed them, smiling at Melinir on her way by. Her eyes were so sparkly, her hair so golden. He choked on words, unable to find any befitting her beauty. In no time, she was gone.

Evalina stood in the way, smiling at her brother. She looked just like him, a female clone. Silver hair, eyes bright as a clear blue sky. She wore a silver tiara and diamond earrings. She wore a dress the same blue as Melinir's tunic, the same silver hems. She had some cleavage on show, which seemed to attract Nystar's attention.

“What are you so happy about?” Melinir asked.

“I’m just marvelling at your stupidity. I always knew the day would come that you’d do something idiotic enough to let me be next in line for the throne.”

Melinir scowled at her.

“Nice to see you, Nystar,” she said, rubbing his hand.

Nystar smiled back at her, taking her hand and kissing it. He looked huge next to Evalina, twice as wide as her with his broad shoulders too. His black hair shone as the rays of sunlight hit it. “Likewise, Princess Evalina.”

She smiled at him, then walked off down the hallway. Nystar watched her as she went, turning his head.

“Follow me,” Queen Elowen snapped at Melinir.

They went into the White Hall. She climbed the steps to her throne with a couple of high-ranking officials either side of her.

Melinir stood awkwardly in the centre of the room, while Nystar seated himself on the steps to the side.

“I have come to a decision,” Elowen said. “It is past time you earned your place in this city. From this moment on, you are banished from Lorian.”

Melinir’s jaw dropped.

“I shall give you an opportunity to redeem yourself, to show that you are worthy of perhaps one day being king. You must undertake the pilgrimage of your ancestor, the great Dolostos. You are to return with a lifeblood stone from the northwest. A vial of Hellsmere’s life from the seas to the south, a vial of the venom of a three-stinger scorpion from the Badlands, and the light of the deep.”

Melinir looked at his mother, a sharp sure stare. “I shall not disappoint you.”

“We’ll see about that.”

Nystar stood. “If I may speak, Your Highness?”

“Go ahead.”

“I wish to take leave from the cavalry, so that I may accompany the prince on his pilgrimage.”

Elowen stared at him for a while, considering it. The room was deathly silent, tense.

“Very well.”