“Nooooooooooooo…….” Eliya let out a helpless cry of agony. Her parents lay still on the ground. For a minute, she thought that atleast Lynx might make it. But the current was too strong. The wave washed in and Lynx was lost to sight. Rage fuelled Eliya. She tunneled her way through the Haders, slashing and slicing, to make her way to the clearing where her parents lay. She heard someone shouting her name. But she wouldn’t stop. She reached them, knelt down and tenderly kissed them both. Finally, Ruxdan caught up with her. For Eliya, suddenly everything around had become a blurry, dizzying whirlpool. She passed out in Ruxdan’s arms.

 

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

 

 Eliya never realised how quickly the battle ended, how many had been killed, and how only through sheer effort on the part of Ruxdan and Baspar, they had managed to gather the few remaining and escape unnoticed. Her mind was filled with grief and rage.

 They had managed to get boats from Pline and had traversed half the breadth of the Valhen strait. Soon they would reach the shores of Valhen Island. But then they had no further idea as to what should be done. King Gordaz had only told them that their destination lay on Valhen Island.

 “Princess Eliya, I must speak with you.” “Yes, Ruxdan?” “You must snap out of this stupor at once. Your men need you.” “Do you expect me to just forget how my family was murdered by those …those beasts?” “I am not asking you to do that. War has its casualties, Eliya. Gordaz was not just my king, he was also a good friend of mine and I grieve with you too. But I know he would have wanted to you to do your duty and win this war before our beloved land is lost. For Gordaz, Eliya. Fulfill your duty as Queen!!”