263: My Conscience Is Clear

My Conscience Is Clear

Under the Tree of Life in the dim cave, Irina was dressed in white, sitting cross-legged. A blue light was circling around her and the tree behind her.2

Fireflies were flying around her through heart-shaped leaves. She looked even prettier in their light, and the golden moon between her eyebrows seemed to be glowing. She was calm and relaxed as if she had become one with the tree.

The cave was so silent one could almost hear the fireflies beating their wings.

The door of the cave opened a little, and in came Firis. She ran towards the tree, calling, "Princess Irina!"

The green twigs touched her, but didn't tease her like they had before.

Irina's eyes stayed closed. "What happened, Bean Sprout?" she asked calmly.

"Snarr got hurt…" Firis whispered, sad. There was a line of blood under her chin as if she had been whipped.

Irina opened her eyes. The green light disappeared, and the fireflies flew away.

She saw the line of blood under her chin. "Who did this to you?"

Firis covered her throat nervously and lowered her head. "I'm okay, my princess."

"How did he get hurt?" Irina asked.

"He got attacked by some demons. His right leg was badly injured, but he will be all right. It will take some time, though."

"They have guts, I'll give them that. But I don't think it was demons that are responsible." Irina got up slowly. The twigs parted to let her pass.

Firis looked worried as Irina walked towards the door. "My princess, my wound… I did it to myself…"

"Yeah, right." The stone door opened completely as she approached. She walked out. Her eyes swept back and forth over the woods and stopped on a big tree. "Come out!"

The woods were silent in the moonlight; now and then, they could hear the reeee of the crickets.

Suddenly, a hole got blasted in the tree, and a shadow flew through it towards Irina.

The princess raised her left hand, and then the shadow got stopped in the air immediately.

It was an old she-elf. She was dressed all in black, hunchbacked, with a hooked nose like an old witch. Her eyes were wild with terror.

"I know you. You're one of Helena's dogs. That old hag! Did you bite Firis?" Irina said, frowning.

"How dare you insult Lady Helena!" Hetty roared in anger, glaring at Irina. She looked as if she wanted to kill her.

"Oh, such a loyal dog!" Irina smiled.

"You brought shame on us, you little whore! You should be crucified and die!" she said through gritted teeth.

"No! Princess Irina is the pride of elves!" Firis cried.

Irina frowned and lifted her right hand, but then stopped.

Hetty had been afraid, but now she was looking at her with gloating and contempt. "Hit me if you dare!"

"I don't want to dirty my hand." Irina pulled back her left hand too.

Suddenly, a twig flew out of the cave and whipped Hetty on the face.

The impact sent her flying backwards. She thumped against a tree.

She spit blood and several black teeth out, her cheek swollen with a horrible line of blood. She raised her head and scowled at the princess. "People will learn of the truth, and all the elves will know you for a whore!"

"My conscience is clear," Irina said calmly. She looked up at the moon and raised her voice. "If anything happens to Snarr again, I will kill all of her dogs. Be a good dog and tell her that."

Then she walked towards the cave.

Hetty looked terrified, and started shuddering despite herself.

"I don't like killing dogs, but sometimes I have no choice," Irina said after she walked inside. The stone door closed slowly.

The overwhelming sense of terror was too much for Hetty. Although many of her bones had been broken, she hurriedly crawled away from this dangerous cave.

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