Chapter 133: Love and disappointment

Adam rode back to the kingdom in his white robe, his perfectly packed hair loosed free in the wind. His mind was filled with pride and he had the hope that he has done something remarkable. Atleast, chasing after viktor and Alfonso with the hope of catching them was a good report. When he got to the Grand hall, he stood by the throne room with his head bowed. The air was thick inside as Araidne walked in. Every step clattered loud because of her boots on the cold marble floor of the hall. But Adams had some strains marked on his face which had been steely from stress, a result of the mission gone wrong. He clenched his jaws as he walked right up to Araidne, her face shone like a flickering torches lining the walls as sat proud upon her throne, her eyes pined where he stood before she managed to say her first word. "Well?" she demanded cold as steel. Adam nodded, taking the in the eyes of her disappointment. "I went through different town even the witches' coven." he began. "The head witch swore no men were harbored within them. Viktor and Alfonso had long fled by the time we went in, if indeed they were even there." Aridne's eyes hardened, her fingers beginning to shake. "No trace?" she returned, her words were icy scathing into his face. "You took a company of your best elves, marched deep within the heart of the and even to witches' territory, and you return to me empty-handed? Adam's fists clenched at his sides, but he kept his tone steady. 'The witches are cunning, my queen. If they did harbor them, they covered their tracks well. I'll continue the search—" 'Enough!" Araidne's voice cut through the hall like a blade. She rose from her throne, descending the steps with deliberate grace until she stood directly before him. Her eyes revealed with fury as she looked into his own. "You're my general, or so I'm led to believe," she spat at him as he cowered before her icy glare. "I have given you a simple task, Adam, to find for me Viktor and Alfonso-to bring them here-and now before me you stand empty-handed!." Something in his eyes and voice had moved her cause Adam was about to opened his mouth to answer when Ariadne's hand shot out and struck him full upon the face. Sharp as the crack of a pistol the sound seemed to ring within that silent hall while for one moment there Adam stood frozen with the sting of that blow his cheek. Everyone in the room held their breath. She stepped backward, her face contorting in a scowl of disdain and anger. "You have failed me, Adam," she hissed. "And I do not tolerate failure. Leave my sight, and do not return until you have something worthy to report to me." Adam's hand clenched to his side, nails digging into his palm as he fought to hold in check the tempest raging higher. He wanted to strike back, wanted to remind her of the sacrifices he'd made for her, the loyalty he has given but he knew better. He bowed his head. "As you wish, my queen." He wheeled about and strode from the hall with her gaze like fire searing his back. The night air was cold in his chest as he stepped out into it. Adam mounted his black stallion, his jaw clenched tight, and in what felt like barely a second later the horse snorted in agitation as if he seemed to catch the turmoil of his rider. Saying nothing, Adam spurred into a gallop, wind whipping around him, and rode down the forest which trimmed the edge of the kingdom. Before them, ancient trees huddled, gnarled arms stretching toward the night sky . He soon stopped and dismounted the horse, as he strode into the woods. The earth was soft under his boots. Anger lain so carefully below the surface of his heart. Araidne was the reason for his sadness after all. He drew his sword and swung it at the nearest tree, the blade going deep inside. "Why?" he growled with anger. "Why would she do this to me? Another swing, another; with his blows furiously, the tree splintered as he shouted across the forest, "I turned my back on Alpha Lleus for her! Persuaded my own kind to stand for her because I thought she-I thought she loved me!." With a loud clang, Adam let his back fall against the tree as the force of the sword hit the earth, his chest heaving. And in his head, images flashed-to this night at her side, her smile seeming so real, words whispered in the darkness. "I was a fool," he muttered almost inaudibly. He sank to the ground, his head in his hands. 'And After everything I've done for her. After all the blood I've spilled for her. she still sees me as nothing more than a tool, a tool in her little game." As if the forest could here him, it was silent, expect for the rustle of leaves in the gentle wind. Adam's thoughts was filled with a mixture of anger, betrayal, and heartbreak. But beneath it all, a darker thought began to grow in his mind. "She will regret this ," he whispered cold, steady, "I will make her regret treating me like this. One way or another, she will not get away so easily after treating me like this." So deep into his thoughts, it was one of his biggest decisions, he got up and took his sword cleaned it and tucked up just perfectly. For this time he couldn't dare to go back empty handed to Araidne.   "Victor and Alfonso" he whispered, he will capture them-then she will know his worth Mounting his horse once more, Adam rode back toward the kingdom, his mind reeling with plans. However, that deep inside his heart, a seed of rebellion had been sown-one that would grow into something unseen. Whatever the future held, one thing was for sure, Adam Weasley was no longer the servant he once had been.